Adventure Island - NES Review

 Adventure Island

Hudson Soft - 1988

Hudson's Adventure Island, developed by Hudson Soft and published in 1986 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), is a side-scrolling platformer game that has become an NES classic. The game features an endearing main character, bright graphics, and a catchy soundtrack that make for an enjoyable experience, but the game's design does have a few notable flaws.

The game stars the character Master Higgins, who is tasked with saving his girlfriend from the clutches of the evil Witch Doctor. As Higgins runs through the lush island landscape, players must avoid various obstacles such as pits, enemies, and falling boulders while collecting fruit for health and bonus points.

The graphics in Adventure Island are bright and colorful, with environments that are cartoonish and jungle-themed. The game's visuals are enjoyable and charming, and they are well-suited to the lighthearted, adventure-filled tone of the game.

The audio components of the game are also well-executed, featuring a catchy soundtrack that is sure to stick in the player's head. The sound effects are classic NES and fit perfectly within the game's aesthetic.

One of Adventure Island's notable flaws is its difficulty level, which can be unforgiving for players. The game is designed to require frequent use of the jump button, with enemies constantly spawning and moving in unpredictable patterns. Combined with the character's limitations of one-hit deaths and a slow running speed, players may find the game overly frustrating.

Another noticeable flaw is the game's lack of variety in its gameplay. While the game includes a range of enemies and obstacles, there is a repetitive nature to the platforming and combat that eventually becomes tiresome. This is especially true in later levels, where the game's difficulty ramps up without adding any significant new mechanics.

Despite these flaws, The Adventures of Adventure Island is still a fun and enjoyable game, with charming graphics and a memorable soundtrack. While its difficulty level may be too high for some, its simple gameplay design makes it a strong entry in the NES platforming genre. For retro game enthusiasts and fans of the NES, this game is worth checking out.