internet archive Archives - Graphic Policy

The Internet Archive also brings us Superman, TMNT, Spider-Man, Rocketeer, Fantastic Four, and X-Men Games to Play

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Brett

The Internet Archive is becoming an amazing arcade, especially with its release of 2,400 MS-DOS games on top of the hundreds of Atari and arcade games it already hosted. Add on top of that a new browser-based emulator that’s still in beta, and you can experience some classic games that are still as fun to play today as they were twenty something years ago.

I went through the archive and pulled out the comic related video games from the 2,400. This is on top of the couple I reported about earlier today.

The Amazing Spider-Man – published in 1990 by Paragon Software Corporation for the Amiga, Atari ST, and Commodore 64, this game has Spider-Man rescuing Mary Jane who was kidnapped by Mysterio. Primarily a platformer the game also includes puzzles, mostly to deactivate Mysterio’s tricks.

Fantastic Four – published in 1986, this text adventure takes you through Latveria to battle Doctor Doom.

The Rocketeer – published in 1991 by Walt Disney Computer Software and developed by NovaLogic Inc., this game has you participate in several action sequences that mimic the same sequences in the Rocketeer movie, like racing a plane, a shootout in a warehouse, and hand-to-hand combat on top of a flying blimp. It’s based on the Dave Stevens’ original comic book series and the movie made by the Walt Disney Company.

Superman – The Man of Steel – published in 1989 by First Star Software and developed by Tynesoft Computer Software, you play as Superman on a mission to save a kidnapped Lois Lane from Darkseid and Lex Luthor. The gameplay consists of different action-oriented sections including 3D flying, overhead vertical scrolling and side scrolling. Sections are linked by comic book graphics which tell the story…. so that’s kind of cool.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Manhattan Missions – published by Konami and developed by Distinctive Software in 1991 this is a side-scroller where you battle Shredder. Players have 48 hours to complete the game, I mean really 48 hours… and you need to rest your characters to gain health! Luckily you can save the game to reload it later, so you don’t have to play for 48 hours straight.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II – The Arcade Game – also released in 1991, published by Image Works, and developed by Konami, the game is a 3rd-person perspective side scroller. Here, April is kidnapped by Bebop and Rocksteady and you must save her by facing familiar foes. I lost a lot of time and quarters playing this one.

X-Men 2 – The Fall of the Mutants – released in 1991 by Paragon Software, players must assemble a team of five X-Men from a selection of fifteen, and eliminate the evil mutants while playing in a top-down RPG-style environment. When battles commence the player has two choices for how the combat takes place: either side-scrolling action, or turn-based RPG-style combat. In the side-scrolling action fights, the player can use each of the team members’ powers to kill the foes.

So, any favorites or fond memories of these?

You Can Play X-Men, Batman Returns, and more video games for free! Thanks Internet Archive!

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Brett

Thanks to the Internet Archive you can now play X-Men: Madness in Murderworld, the Batman Arcade Game, and Batman Returns right in your browser whenever you’d like…. for free!

Founded in 1996, the Internet Archive is dedicated to open access of information including websites, books, movies, music and more! The non-profit is supported by many, including the Library of Congress

They’ve made news lately as people have discovered the vast amount of DOS games now available. Two comic related are X-Men: Madness in Murderworld and Batman Returns.

Created by Paragon Software Corporation X-Men: Madness in Murderworld features the X-Men and their mission in the Murderworld amusement arcade. Magneto and Arcade have kidnapped Professor X, and the loyal X-Men must rescue him. If the X-Men are to save the day, the player must combine action and adventuring skills.

Created by Sega, the Genesis title based on Batman Returns is a platform game in which the Dark Knight must traverse five action-filled levels on his way to confront the Penguin. Areas include the rooftops of Gotham City, Max Shreck’s department store, the Red Triangle Circus and the sewers. Besides run-and-jump action, there’s also a lot of combat in the game, as many of the Penguin’s henchmen stand in Batman’s way. He can knock them out with punches and kicks and a number of extra weapons stored in his utility belt. These include batarangs, which come in standard and self-seeking varieties, and smoke bombs that stun enemies for a while. In addition, Batman can shoot from his grappling gun and unleash a deadly swarm of bats towards enemies. All of these weapons have limited ammo, however, that must be collected. Other special tools Batman can use include the grappling hook to reach high places or swing across chasms, and his cape, which can be used to slow falls. Each of the five levels features several boss battles against Catwoman, the Penguin and others.