The Impact of 1991 on Action Gaming
In 1991, the gaming landscape was in a state of evolution. The Nintendo Entertainment System had already captured the hearts of many gamers, while arcade games continued to be a popular choice for entertainment. However, three action games stood out and left a lasting impact on the industry.
Battletoads: A Technological Marvel
Battletoads was a side-scrolling beat ’em up that pushed the Nintendo Entertainment System to its limits. Its vibrant color palette, smooth animation, and rich backgrounds were unlike anything else at the time. In the game, players take on the role of toads who must rescue their friends from an evil Dark Queen. Each stage introduced distinct gameplay mechanics, making the experience unique and engaging.
The game also managed to give players visual depth, especially during the various bike sequences. This created a 3D-esque effect on a console that was only built for 2D animation. The technical brilliance of Battletoads as an action game was out of this world. However, it was also known for being one of the most difficult games to beat. Many players would give up during the vehicle sequences, which generally included objects approaching at high speed.
Players had to dodge them or use them to move forward. The game forced players to make split-second decisions or lose and start over. Battletoads was the essential hard-to-beat game of its era. The franchise returned with a reboot developed by Dlala Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios in 2020. The game, however, had lower difficulty settings compared to the original and a new hand-drawn art style.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time was one of the best beat ’em up action games of 1991. It had a narrative magic unlike many others during the arcade gaming era. Players take on the role of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, who must fight Shredder and Krang. However, in the process, the players are sent to the past and must now fight villains from that era to reach Shredder again.
The 4-player co-op was iconic, the animation style felt smooth, and the voice acting was fantastic. In fact, the cast from the animated show also lent their voices to the game. This made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time an iconic game that may have even driven many people to arcades. The game also used scaling effects to give players a 3D-esque experience, just like Battletoads.
Sunset Riders: A Genre-Bending Experience
Sunset Riders was a blend of genres. Players can pick one of four gunslingers—Steve, Billy, Bob, and Cormano—and power their way through the Wild West. Each character has their own unique weapons to boast. Players can then travel through various towns, collect bounties, beat bosses, and continue their way forward.
The game featured set pieces that kept it entertaining. One level saw players trying to get away from stampeding bulls, while another had them riding on horseback. These segments diversified the gameplay loop. The side-scroller was a breath of fresh air compared to other action games in the genre. This is because the developer, Konami, had already made games like Contra, which were set in a sci-fi environment.
Smooth mechanics, a blend of genres, and satisfying action made Sunset Riders a memorable action game from 1991.
