So, here we are, ready to tackle Jaws on the NES. You know, I always wondered how they managed to turn a movie about a terrorizing shark into a video game… Oh wait, turns out they didn’t do a very good job. Shall we dive in?
Well, you can’t judge a book by its cover! But judging by what I’ve heard, we might need some humor to get through this. Onwards, let’s see what the 8-bit ocean holds for us.
Indeed. Right off the bat, the premise is intriguing. We get to sail a ship and hunt down Jaws like a modern-day Captain Ahab. Unfortunately, the ocean isn’t exactly teeming with life, unless you count baby sharks, jellyfish, and manta rays.
And yet, somehow, we only manage to bump into these critters so we can dive in and collect conch shells? Realistically, I hope these shells hold some magical property—oh wait, they’re for buying upgrades. Speaking of which, how’s your high score so far?
Let’s just say, I’ve earned enough conch shells to buy, well, a slight face-lift for our little ship. It’s fascinating how each conch shell seems to scream, “buy me”, “upgrade yourself”! Yet, even with upgrades, battles tend to be more about patience than skill.
True, but those bonus rounds where we get to bomb jellyfish are kind of amusing. Feels like a quirky take on Galaga, with a reverse perspective. You know what would be funny? If these jellyfish were actually characters from Galaga seeking revenge for all the years we spent shooting them!
Hah! That seems almost plausible given the quirky worlds we see in games. And hey, did you know that Jaws was made by the same team over at Westone who gave us Wonder Boy? I guess every gaming studio has its highs and lows.
Absolutely. What’s fascinating is how simplistic the gameplay for Jaws is. You battle Jaws multiple times trying to wear down his life meter. By now, he’s become more of a mild annoyance than a terrifying predator.
Right. And let’s not forget the submarine! It felt like such a game-changer… until you realize it’s just a fancy wetsuit with more firepower. Did you know that if you’re lucky enough to snag a submarine, your defense skyrockets? Considering how fragile our diver is, it’s a bit of a godsend.
Speaking of fragility, let’s discuss that ending (spoiler alert). Once you’ve chipped away at Jaws’ massive hit points, the game throws you back into the boat to launch stage lights into the water.
Right, the infamous strobe showdown. You need to lure Jaws close enough and then ram him to secure your victory. It’s a bit anticlimactic, given all the hassle to get there. We have spent more time aiming than battling.
Oh, definitely! And when you finally do ram Jaws, the game just…ends. The screen goes black, and you’re left with a sense of, “that’s it?”. No fancy cutscenes or credits to savor. It’s akin to winning a prize and then being handed an empty box.
Which adds to the charm, in a twisted way. Who knew a game could be both tedious and amusingly simplistic? I guess it’s relatable given 1987’s hit-and-miss titles. At least we have other gems like The Legend of Zelda for our epic quests.
Yes, that’s a great way to cushion the blow. While Jaws might not be a shining star in the NES library, it’s certainly a quirky little title worth a laugh. Plus, it makes us appreciate well-designed games even more.
Right on. So, if anyone out there wants to try their luck at battling Jaws, remember these tips: collect as many conch shells as humanly possible, use the submarine when you find it, and for goodness’ sake, practice your aim for that last showdown. Anything else to add?
Just one thing—keep a sense of humor handy. It makes the experience far more enjoyable. Alright, ready for our next high score quest?
Absolutely. Onward to the next adventure!
You can also read the Villain View for Jaws here!
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