*RetroGamer84 and GamerFan sit cross-legged in front of a small CRT television, NES controllers in hand. The glare of the afternoon sun peeks through the curtains as they prepare themselves mentally for another round of Mad Max.*
Mad Max. You know, I can’t believe we spent five bucks and our Saturday afternoon rental on this game. It had such promise, just like the movie! And then there’s the blurb: You are Mad Max. How straightforward can you get?
I know, right? As if the title didn’t give that away. But hey, at least the speech at the beginning tried to give it some gravitas. “The roar of an engine… learned to live again…” It had me expecting a high-octane escapade.
Haha, more like high-octane frustration! So, let’s talk the gameplay. It’s got that top-down view that’s more “diagonal-down.” It’s like they couldn’t decide which angle to use.
And driving through those post-apocalyptic wastelands? It’s more like awkwardly navigating through the world’s worst demolition derby. The controls feel like trying to steer a shopping cart with a broken wheel.
Seriously! I mean, the concept of fighting off bandits while scavenging for precious fuel tanks had potential. It’s very Road Warrior, but when you actually play it, it’s like… should I be driving or wrestling with the controller?
Don’t get me started on the fuel tanks. If there was ever a mechanic designed to stress you out, that’s it. Constantly worrying about running out of fuel just adds another layer of chaos. And not the good kind!
Exactly. And the enemies in Mad Max seem to come out of nowhere. One second you’re cruising, the next, you’re getting rammed from all directions. It’s like the game wanted to give you a taste of real-world road rage.
And that single-player mode? It’s like, Mad Max versus the world with no help in sight. The multiplayer could have been the saving grace, but all it did was let us share in the misery.
Yup. Playing together definitely enhanced the fun slightly. Misery loves company, after all. But even with the two of us, it was like we were playing “avoid the game over screen” rather than “a thrilling post-apocalyptic adventure.”
Speaking of game over, let’s talk about that final boss. Warning to anyone reading this: Spoilers ahead! That last battle against the gang leader feels anti-climactic. You finally reach the big bad, and instead of an epic showdown, it’s just more clunky car combat that doesn’t feel any different from the usual goons.
Yeah, it was such a letdown. The entire game builds up to this moment, and it’s just a bigger car that’s not even harder to beat. Whoa, major bummer. You’d think they’d pull out all the stops for the grand finale.
Time for some positivity, though: the graphics aren’t terrible. I mean, it’s 1990, so we’re not expecting miracles, but the environments capture a hint of that desolate wasteland vibe. And the tech involved in making this game? Pretty ambitious for its time, considering the limitations.
True! Beam Software, the team behind it, did try something different. They even had some decent hits before like The Hobbit and Back to the Future. It’s a shame this one didn’t turn out as well. Maybe they were a little too ambitious beyond their means.
And if we were to toss a few tips out there for anyone feeling brave enough to tackle this game—always prioritize fuel tanks. It’s your lifeline. And don’t forget to stock up on weapons whenever you find them. Your default gun just won’t cut it against swarms of enemies.
Also, mastering the controls (or at least coming to terms with them) is key. Practice driving in circles to get used to the handling. And patience—a lot of patience—goes a long way.
All in all, Mad Max for NES is one of those games that reminds us not every movie adaptation works in the gaming world. It had heart, but the execution couldn’t keep pace with its ambition.
True, but even the worst games give us experiences to laugh about. Who knows, maybe in twenty years, people will look back at these quirks fondly… Or, you know, not.
Indeed! Now, should we swap this out for some Zelda or Metroid? Maybe something that doesn’t feel like a vehicular nightmare?
Sounds like a plan. Adventure and Hyrule await!
*The two friends switch off the console, putting away Mad Max for another day, or possibly never. Adventures in the land of Hyrule offer a much more promising escape from reality.*
You can also read our Villain View of Mad Max here!
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