PrinceWatercress plays Plaque Attack

Plaque Attack, I wanna play big like that...wait...hold up. Wrong reference.

Longplay

Plaque Attack is a shooter for the Atari 2600, and the premise is nothing you and I haven't seen before: protect good things from bad things by shooting bad things until you inevitably lose all good things. In this case, you're a tube of toothpaste protecting teeth from hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, strawberries, cherries, donuts, candy canes and ice cream cones...in that order. While you have unlimited shots, you do not have unlimited time, as the tube of toothpaste that you play as shrinks as each wave goes on. When it rolls all the way up, it's gone, and your teeth are at the mercy of food until the end of the wave. If you have at least one tooth left standing, the game continues. If you're out of teeth, the game ends.

You can move in eight directions, but if you press Up on the joystick, you'll face upwards if you aren't already. If you press Down on the joystick, you'll face downwards. If you're moving diagonally, you'll stay facing the direction you're already facing. Once you figure this out, playing this game gets slightly easier. It is slightly possible to accidentally switch directions, but only slightly, since you can't accidentally do it while moving diagonally. The fire button, of course, fires the toothpaste forwards.

You'll score a new tooth every 2,000 points, which is pretty easy to do early on in the game, especially when you're playing through the first loop. While this can replace teeth you've lose from foods attacking the teeth until they decay and disappear, you can also get new ones past the eight that you start with. 

The game select switch lets you choose between two modes, even though there are four modes in all. Game Mode 1, which is the default, is the normal difficulty, and the further you go, the more points you get from shooting down enemies as well as the amount of teeth you have remaining. Game Mode 2 is the child mode, where the amount of points you get from everything remains small and constant, and thankfully, this mode is not as chaotic as Mode 1 if you're learning how to play the game. Game Modes 3 and 4 are the same as 1 and 2, but they are the two-player alternating variants, so you can compete for the high score with a friend. As for the difficulty switches, B/Novice allows for fast shots, while A/Expert allows for slow shots.

Once you go through the eight aforementioned foods (hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, strawberries, cherries, donuts, candy canes, ice cream cones), you will have completed one loop of the game, and it will be on to a faster, more difficult loop. Compared to the first loop, the second loop is a lot more frantic. Good luck!

Once again, Activision produced a banger game here. The game gets pretty hectic pretty quickly, and while it takes a little time to get used to how to switch between facing upwards and facing downwards, once you get used to it, the game becomes a little more fun. Definitely one to get for the Atari 2600 for sure.

PrinceWatercress plays Exerion (SG-1000) - The Longplay

...and now, a couple minutes of gameplay, minus commentary! Enjoy!

Let's Play

Unlike other versions of the game, this game was completely re-programmed for the SG-1000, due to Sega not wanting to allow third party developers to make games for the system due to it being viewed internally as "a moment of weakness." 

On the right side of the screen you have your top and current score at the top, followed by the charge meter, the current scene (level) you are on, and the amount of lives you have left. Each scene has their own enemy, and when all of the enemies are gone, either through being destroyed or moving all the way past the bottom of the screen, a new enemy shows up and you'll enter the next scene.

The D-Pad moves your ship around. Button 1 allows for a double laser shot, while Button 2 allows for a single laser shot that fires rapidly when held down. The single laser uses a charge meter shown on the lower-right corner of the screen. When you hold down Button 2 for the single laser for rapid fire, you'll use up the energy on the charge meter. To add to the charge meter, shoot at enemies and defeat them with the double laser with Button 1. The more charge you have, the more you can use the rapid fire.

You have six types of enemies to defeat. The first are these yellow four-point stars that move around diagonally and fire bombs, which can drop straight down or downward at an angle. Avoid the bombs and take them out with your double laser. These enemies will follow you around, so it can be a little easy to hit two of them at once if you luck out.

The second enemy are blue birds that fly around diagonally and do so in a scattered formation rather than in a straight line like the four-point stars. They will drop bombs at you in addition to overlapping with each other, making them vulnerable to both types of laser fire. Some of them will fly upwards instead of falling past the bottom of the screen, so keep an eye on your surroundings.

The third enemy is the green saucers. They will fly towards you and fire lasers downwards in addition to bombs. They will fly towards your position, and that makes them especially vulnerable to the rapid-fire single laser. Fire away, but watch out for any ammunition coming your way. Just like the birds, they can also double back and fly back upwards.

The fourth enemy look like spinning target reticles...or fidget spinners. I'll just call them fidget spinners. They move like the four-point stars, right down to the bombs they drop. They are also pretty easy to defeat with the double laser. 

The fifth enemy is a swarm of what looks like tiny dragons. They move and attack much like the birds do, but they also come down in groups of four and they can also wrap around the screen, going from one side to the other without warning. Stay away from the sides as they descend.

The sixth enemy is a bunch of green ships that almost look like shuttlecocks (at least to me). They will alternate between flying downward and flying diagonally, and they can also loop back up to the top from the very bottom of the screen. Take out whatever you can, and if you think you're going to lose a life, don't go after an enemy. Just watch out for the ships and the bombs.

After six scenes, you'll start another loop. The enemies will get more aggressive the further you go, and to make matters worse, the three lives you start with are the only ones you get.

This game, despite being programmed completely by Sega despite being a game by Jaleco, is a solid arcade shooter for the SG-1000. The graphics, while a bit on the basic side, have a certain charm to them, and the movement of the ground below you in the background, especially the way that it shifts as you move your ship around the screen, is really good for the time, as it has this nice quasi-3D effect in addition to what feels like parallax as you move from side to side. The enemy's attacks may be a little hard to see against the background at times, though. The sound is as arcade-y as it is going to get, and I have no complaints in that department. The gameplay is reliably responsive, and it usually doesn't feel like the game's fault whenever I lose a life. As for replay value, your mileage may vary, but I personally had a fun time with this one. All in all, this is a solid entry for the SG-1000 library that you should definitely give a shot.

PrinceWatercress plays Exerion (SG-1000)

About time I played another SG-1000 game.

Longplay

Unlike other versions of the game, this game was completely re-programmed for the SG-1000, due to Sega not wanting to allow third party developers to make games for the system due to it being viewed internally as "a moment of weakness." 

On the right side of the screen you have your top and current score at the top, followed by the charge meter, the current scene (level) you are on, and the amount of lives you have left. Each scene has their own enemy, and when all of the enemies are gone, either through being destroyed or moving all the way past the bottom of the screen, a new enemy shows up and you'll enter the next scene.

The D-Pad moves your ship around. Button 1 allows for a double laser shot, while Button 2 allows for a single laser shot that fires rapidly when held down. The single laser uses a charge meter shown on the lower-right corner of the screen. When you hold down Button 2 for the single laser for rapid fire, you'll use up the energy on the charge meter. To add to the charge meter, shoot at enemies and defeat them with the double laser with Button 1. The more charge you have, the more you can use the rapid fire.

You have six types of enemies to defeat. The first are these yellow four-point stars that move around diagonally and fire bombs, which can drop straight down or downward at an angle. Avoid the bombs and take them out with your double laser. These enemies will follow you around, so it can be a little easy to hit two of them at once if you luck out.

The second enemy are blue birds that fly around diagonally and do so in a scattered formation rather than in a straight line like the four-point stars. They will drop bombs at you in addition to overlapping with each other, making them vulnerable to both types of laser fire. Some of them will fly upwards instead of falling past the bottom of the screen, so keep an eye on your surroundings.

The third enemy is the green saucers. They will fly towards you and fire lasers downwards in addition to bombs. They will fly towards your position, and that makes them especially vulnerable to the rapid-fire single laser. Fire away, but watch out for any ammunition coming your way. Just like the birds, they can also double back and fly back upwards.

The fourth enemy look like spinning target reticles...or fidget spinners. I'll just call them fidget spinners. They move like the four-point stars, right down to the bombs they drop. They are also pretty easy to defeat with the double laser. 

The fifth enemy is a swarm of what looks like tiny dragons. They move and attack much like the birds do, but they also come down in groups of four and they can also wrap around the screen, going from one side to the other without warning. Stay away from the sides as they descend.

The sixth enemy is a bunch of green ships that almost look like shuttlecocks (at least to me). They will alternate between flying downward and flying diagonally, and they can also loop back up to the top from the very bottom of the screen. Take out whatever you can, and if you think you're going to lose a life, don't go after an enemy. Just watch out for the ships and the bombs.

After six scenes, you'll start another loop. The enemies will get more aggressive the further you go, and to make matters worse, the three lives you start with are the only ones you get.

This game, despite being programmed completely by Sega despite being a game by Jaleco, is a solid arcade shooter for the SG-1000. The graphics, while a bit on the basic side, have a certain charm to them, and the movement of the ground below you in the background, especially the way that it shifts as you move your ship around the screen, is really good for the time, as it has this nice quasi-3D effect in addition to what feels like parallax as you move from side to side. The enemy's attacks may be a little hard to see against the background at times, though. The sound is as arcade-y as it is going to get, and I have no complaints in that department. The gameplay is reliably responsive, and it usually doesn't feel like the game's fault whenever I lose a life. As for replay value, your mileage may vary, but I personally had a fun time with this one. All in all, this is a solid entry for the SG-1000 library that you should definitely give a shot.

PrinceWatercress plays Slider (Game Gear) - Part 8 of 8

The game saves some of the toughest boards for last. At least this game is over.

First | Previous

Level 89

Password: PAJI

Compared to everything in the last video, this level is dreadfully easy. You just have a bunch of chambers with monsters spawners that release Tentacles in each one, and not a pit in sight.

Level 90

Password: ECAG

Another easy level. It's a maze full of narrow passages. Be careful with the monster spawners as well as the cracked tiles.

Level 91

Password: NCJI

You have a couple of circular areas here, including one full of conveyor belt tiles. Make sure that the blue explosion tile is the last one that you step on.

Level 92

Password: ELAP

The three teleporter tiles over here will make it easier to run around the level and get to where you need to go. The blue explosion tiles will definitely help with opening the level up, and most of them are easy to step on and then back away from, save for one near the lower-left corner of the level.

Level 93

Password: NLJB

Hit the upper blue explosive tile at the start. This will make things a little easier. You'll need to slip past an undefeatable fireball enemy to get to the teleporter. Once you're there, you'll have some more room to maneuver. Be careful when taking out the set of four blue explosive tiles and getting away. Save the ice tile path leading to the cracked tile for last.

Level 94

Password: ECCI

For this one, walk through the cracked tile paths without stopping. At least here, you'll have enemies that can turn pits into tiles in case you make a mistake (should they ever come your way). All in all, not that bad a level. I managed to get all four bears for once in this level.

Level 95

Password: NCLK

This level sucks.

You will be relying on the enemies to create as many tiles as possible so that you can move around on the conveyor belt tiles at the start without falling or sliding into a pit. This level took way too much time to get through. The more pits that get covered up with tiles here, the better. If you can get to the green exit door, get to it and get out of this nightmare of a level.

Level 96

Password: ELCB

On the right side of the level, hit the lower of the two blue explosive tiles. Also, save the nook with the cracked tiles that require sliding on ice tiles to enter for last...assuming the fireball enemy stays away from it, that is!

Level 97

Password: NLLD

Save the lower-left corner for last if you can. If you can get the shoes for the conveyor belt tile section, get them, as they will make that area a lot easier. As for the blue explosion tiles, it's pretty easy to just hit two and get rid of the rest if you're paying attention.

Level 98

Password: GCAI

The far-left tiles are the worst, due to the enemy spawner with the fireball being the worst. You'll need to stand near the edge in order to trick it into falling into the pit. As for the ice tiles near that area, as long as you don't slide around horizontally at the center, you will be fine.

Level 99

Password: PCJK

You have a massive amount of blue explosive tiles. Be ready to run through them with reckless abandon, even though the enemies here can still create tiles. At least this isn't too bad. Also, I had to grab a door just to end this level a tad early.

Once you beat Level 99, Slider will rescue his girlfriend and save the land, then you'll get "The End" and sent back to the title screen. You just beat Slider!

PrinceWatercress plays Slider (Game Gear) - Part 7 of 8

The occurrences of enemies destroying walls and creating tiles escalates in the last fifth of the game's levels.

First | Previous | End

Level 81

Password: NAJG

This time around, you have nothing but walls, pits, teleporters, blue explosion tiles and enemy spawners full of enemies who will create tiles as they move towards the pits. You'll have to rely on the enemies to make a path through the level so that you can clear it. 

Level 82

Password: EJAN

You'll need to rely on the enemies at the start to make tiles so you can access the rest of the level. Thankfully, the level isn't too much of a mess, and if you hit an area earlier than you should, the enemies here will be able to bail you out. At least you have the ghost enemies and not the ones that move around slowly and randomly.

Level 83

Password: NJJP

Oh, boy. You'll need to rely on the flame enemies hitting the square walls to allow access to the last few tiles around here, because the environment in his level wasn't bad enough.

Level 84

Password: EACG

You have four blue tiles and a green explosive tile in this maze. Thankfully, it's easy to tell which tiles are blue (and which one is the green explosion tile). Watch out for the enemy spawners so they don't clap open and closed on you.

Level 85

Password: NALI

It's time for another maze full of narrow paths surrounded by bottomless pits. There are a few cracked tiles that you had better be ready to hit and back away from. I also managed to luck out and get the shoes here, which work miracles with the conveyor belt tiles here.

Level 86

Password: EJCP

You'll need the flame enemies to destroy the walls and create some tiles out of pits so you can access more of the level. Save the cracked tiles near the start for last, as it is easy to get trapped and make it impossible to clear the level if you don't. 

Level 87

Password: NJLB

Wow! Even more enemy reliance! At least you have more room with the narrow path that you start with. I also lucked out and go the laser gun to destroy the walls with here.

Level 88

Password: GAAG

If you don't have the laser gun at the start, you'll need the enemies here to make a path so you can get around. Once you're able to move around, you'll have a lot of room...and so will the enemies.

PrinceWatercress plays Slider (Game Gear) - Part 6 of 8

Now the levels are getting really difficult...

First | Previous | Next | End

Level 70

Password: AGEK

The left of the start is harder to work with due to the narrow paths and the conveyor belts near the pits. When you head there, make the cracked tile the last one you hit and use the teleporter pad near it afterwards. 

Level 71

Password: JGNM 

If you don't have the laser gun, you're going to have to wait for the flame enemies to break a wall for you at the start. Also, get the two tiles on the other side of the long ice tile path last.

Level 72

Password: APED

There are a lot of blue explosive tiles at the start. When you back away from them, make sure you don't fall into a pit as you get as much distance as possible. I ended up having to use the green door when it popped up, as this level can be a little annoying.

Level 73

Password: JPNF

You have a whole ring of conveyor belt tiles that circle around the level. As for the inner part of it, save the blue explosive tiles for last. You'll want to not only be able to hit them and get away from them, but also that you can end the level when you hit the last one.

Level 74

Password: AGGM

For this level, circle around the area, then zoom right across the center from the left side of the level. Problem solved.

Level 75

Password: JGPO

Make use of the teleporters at the start of the level so you don't die on the right side of the area. Also, I managed to get and reach the green exit door in record time here.

Level 76

Password: APGF

Pay attention to the floor, as there are four blue tiles in this evel and you'll need to hit all four of them. Thankfully, it's not too hard to pay attention and see which ones are blue.

Level 77

Password: JPPH

This level is more or less the same as Level 64. Just run down the level and hit all the blue explosive tiles without stopping. 

Level 78

Password: CGEM

We have a maze full of conveyor belt tiles, and if a tile is not a conveyor belt, it is either an enemy spawner or a pit. For best results, go to the right at the start and follow the path, then loop down and left back to the start before handling the other side of the level, which is more open. The teleporters help if you're a bit of a butterfingers with the D-Pad.

Level 79

Password: LGNO

The teleporter at the start will take you between the starting area and the left side of the level; save the three cracked tiles near the wall separating the areas for last. As for the rest of the level, you'll need the fire enemies to run into the walls to open it up. Good thing I found the green exit door!

Level 80

Password: EAAE

It's a checkerboard of bottomless pits and ice tiles, and you'll need to rely on the enemies to make tiles out of the pits so you can get virtually anywhere. Use the teleporter areas to switch between the three areas of the level, and be very careful where you're going.

PrinceWatercress plays Slider (Game Gear) - Part 5 of 8

Level 64 was really, really annoying.

First | Previous | Next | End

Level 58

Password: CGAI

You can go through this level pretty linearly. Save the row of blue explosion tiles for last. If you can't get to the far right side of the level the long way anymore, use the teleporter pad.

Level 59

Password: LGJK

It's all conveyor belt tiles here. Be careful near pits. If the shoes pop up, get them.

Level 60

Password: AEEI

It's back to a more linear board (of sorts) for Level 60. The left side of the level is full of ice tile paths, so pause the game and plot where you need to go ahead of time if you need to.

Level 61

Password: JENK

It's one whole path full of conveyor belt tiles. Head to the side and head straight back to hit the cracked tiles along the way. Before you rush through it though, go right at the start, take the teleporter tile and hit the lone tile near the pit at the end of the path; otherwise, you'll run out of time and lose a life trying to get back there.

Level 62

Password: ANEB

For some reason, all the tiles here are green. Interestingly, you won't need the teleporter tile here.

Level 63

Password: JNND

Use the teleporter tile at the start and get all the tiles you can, then let the enemies create tiles out of the bottomless pits and take care of the rest. The Tentacles enemies make this a lot harder than it should be.

Level 64

Password: AEGK

The blue explosive tiles are set up in such a way that you can keep running forward through them from one side to the other and blast through the level in seconds flat. Watch out for enemies as you do this. After that, the enemies will start making their own tiles as they move towards the bottomless pits that you've made, which will explain the teleporter tiles that are all over the place. You'll need to teleport everywhere just to get the tiles counter down to zero as quickly as possible, so watch out for enemies, and if you can collect a weapon that will make dealing with enemies easier, collect it. Also, if the green door pops up, get to it immediately.

Level 65

Password: JEPM

The conveyor belt tiles are the hardest part of this level, as they are all near pits. You'll want to quickly move away from the pits while you're hitting all of these tiles. 

Level 66

Password: ANGD

This level is another narrow maze-like path surrounded by bottomless pits. You'll want to save the cracked tiles all the way to the sides for last, as you'll need to slide across ice tiles to get to them. If the shoes pop up, go out of your way to grab them. They will definitely help with the freedom of movement that they give you.

Level 67

Password: JNPF

Be careful with the cracked tiles surrounding the conveyor belt tiles on the left side of the level; for best results, you'll want to zig-zag with the conveyor belt tiles rather than against them. 

Level 68

Password: CEEK

The blue explosive tile near the start will turn two walls into blue tiles when you step onto it, and you'll have to wait for the game to give you the laser gun power-up that lets you fire into walls if you don't have it, since you won't be able to get to those two tiles otherwise. I ended up having to wait for the green door to pop up just to clear this level.

Level 69

Password: LENM

You've got another narrow area to through here. I managed to luck out and get the laser gun here, but if you can't get it, you'll have to rely on the fireball enemies here to destroy the walls for you, as some of the tiles are completely surrounded by walls.

The wings show up for the first time for me here. They make Slider move faster if you collect them.