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Bartman Meets Radioactive Man -Nintendo NES
Retro Gaming Review
 |
| Title: | Simpsons- Bartman Meets Radioactive Man |
| Manufacturer: | Acclaim |
| Platform: | Nintendo NES |
| Release Date: | 1992 |
| Part #: | NES-RN-USA |
| Rating: | 2 out of 5 |
| ESRB Rating: | N/A |
Rating: 
Acclaim's Simpsons- Bartman Meets Radioactive Man Screenshot: 
Popular opinion suggests that The Simpsons is a much better TV show than video game franchise. Few of the titles have been released to praise. The same is true for this comic book oriented Bartman venture. It's colorful side-scroller with interesting terrain, but it's plagued with poor control. From near-exact maneuvers to lame control, the enjoyment is quickly converted to frustration.
I wanted to like this game. It actually has all the makings of a good game, but the control is atrocious. I wish a different or more robust controller would help, but the frustration with the control seems closely linked to the game itself.
Simpsons- Bartman Meets Radioactive Man Story Arc
It's night in springfield. No bowling balls thunder down the lanes at Barney's Bowlarama. Nothing stirs on the city streets but the trucks carrying nuclear waste from the power plant. Everyone is fast asleep... except: Bart Simpson.
With only the light of one small candle Bart huddles in his treehouse, devouring the all action adventures his favorite comic book Mighty-Hero, Radioactive Man! Only... what has become of him? There's one page to go and the plutonium powerhouse has disappeared without a trace! He must be in trouble, but who will save him?
"You will," announces someone.... Bar leaps up from hi comic. The "someone" is none other than Fallout Boy, Radioactive Man's sidekick! without wasting a moment, the masked teen explains Radioactive Man's grim fate.
Holy shit! Check this out...
Few Simpsons games garnered much praise and with a few previous titles for comparison, Bartman was mostly perceived as a dud. It's a colorful and engaging scenario, but poor control and dynamics made it more frustrating than fun. In modern games, lag is associated with online delays. With Bartman, it feels as though lag was built into the game. It was released for both the NES and Sega's GameGear handheld.
Few Simpsons games garnered much praise and with a few previous titles for comparison, Bartman was mostly perceived as a dud. It's a colorful and engaging scenario, but poor control and dynamics made it more frustrating than fun. In modern games, lag is associated with online delays. With Bartman, it feels as though lag was built into the game. It was released for both the NES and Sega's GameGear handheld.
Led by the mysterious "Brain-O The Magnificent," a group has imprisoned Radioactive Man in the dreaded Limbo Zone, the inter-demential nether-region that revolves around a black hole from which no one has ever returned.
To make matters worse, Brain-O's kidnapping companions have each stolen one of Radioactive Man's Mighty-Powers, rendering any chance of his escape impossible. This looks like a job for Bartman!
Simpsons- Bartman Meets Radioactive Man Game Play
This single player game starts off with 5 lives. Bartman must traverse 4 different levels (called chapters). Your controller's B button gets a workout when trying to direct the proper move. Depending on how many times you mash it (up to three) will deliver various Mighty Power maneuvers.
As you battle your way through the levels (chapters) you'll find power ups that grant extra lives, invincibility and the ability to fly. this game is unique and quirky and I really want to like it more, if it weren't for the odd control. Jumping has a rather uneven feel to it and often you are leaping into the abyss as the game dynamic forces you to jump blind hoping for something to land upon.
Some of Bartman's Mighty Powers are mighty slow. Punching often seems like a slow-motion affair that needs plenty of forethought to begin the punch in time to connect with the target. No real-life fight could be won with this lag.
If you're a huge fan of The Simpsons, side scrollers, and quirkiness - this is the game for you, if you can handle it's shortcomings. I do love it's look, but the play is pure frustration.
Final Judgement:
Acclaim's Simpsons- Bartman Meets Radioactive Man
Looks great and sounds great. Alas... it does not play great. I suspect this would be quite a fun game if it weren't for the janky control and odd game dynamics. I like the look of each level, but it is so frustrating to try and get to each of them!« Return to Retro Video Game Reviews
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