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Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure -Atari Lynx
Retro Gaming Review
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| Title: | Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure |
| Manufacturer: | Atari |
| Platform: | Atari Lynx |
| Release Date: | 1991 |
| Part #: | PA2068 |
| Rating: | 3 out of 5 |
| ESRB Rating: | N/A |
Rating: 
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Screenshot:
I loved the movie and wasn't sure what to expect in a video game based on those crazy dudes. It's release coincided with a trend in movie tie-in games that were awful. Too many developers were putting Hollywood titles on games and expecting them to sell. It's a trend that's lasted into modern times. Fortunately, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure on the Lynx is a pretty good game - far better than I'd have expected.
This game displays in an overhead view and is essentially a puzzle game, involving time travel, where Bill and Ted look for clues to the whereabouts of their girlfriends - Joanna & Elizabeth. Rufus has told them that the girls were kidnapped by the Grim Reaper.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Story Arc
Where the movie had Bill and Ted collecting historic people for their school report, this game has them traveling through time to locate their girlfriends. Clues line the trail they must follow and they will encounter other characters who will offer hints and tips for their journey. There are plenty of enemies as well from bugs to bats.
Holy shit! Check this out...
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was shot in Phoenix, AZ - in Scottsdale's Coronado High School. The school's auditorium was torn down during renovations, but it's mosaic, seen in an opening scene when Bill and Ted leave school in a car, was saved and moved - piece by piece - to the new auditorium. The film's writers, Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, make appearances in the film during the ice cream scene. They are credited as the "stupid" waiter and the "ugly" waiter.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was shot in Phoenix, AZ - in Scottsdale's Coronado High School. The school's auditorium was torn down during renovations, but it's mosaic, seen in an opening scene when Bill and Ted leave school in a car, was saved and moved - piece by piece - to the new auditorium. The film's writers, Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson, make appearances in the film during the ice cream scene. They are credited as the "stupid" waiter and the "ugly" waiter.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure Game Play
You begin your journey in ancient Egypt and can Play as Ted or Bill. The game supports the ComLynx Cable for 2 player games. As you explore the various worlds, you'll pick up musical notes, instruments and other items that will help lead you to the girls. Your character seems to move quickly enough to avoid most enemies... which is good considering you don't have any weapons.
The time travel aspect is nicely done in that you will find clues that "you" left for yourself from a visit into the past. So, they've accounted for the time travel both in terms of your real-time traveling and it's effect on the game.
One complaint- I found a certain lack of intuitive play. There are a variety of items that you collect and I found it difficult to figure out how these items are used. The game manual is styled like a comic book, making it hard to get quick info from. So, it didn't offer much of a resource for figuring out your cache of items and what to do with them.
Overall, this is a fun game with enough tie-in to the movie to keep it interesting for those who expect a rock & rolling Wyld Stallion style epic adventure. If you like puzzle / quest games, give Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure a try on your Atari Lynx.
Final Judgement:
Atari's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
is a superior to most movie-based games. I'm not a huge fan of quest-style games, but I don't want to be unfair to the game simply because it's not a style I enjoy. I say this because it's a good game with interesting play, awesome time traveling, and cool music to compliment your quest.« Return to Retro Video Game Reviews
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