Developer: Rare Publisher: Milton Bradley Release: 03/89 Genre: Puzzle
There is something to be said about preconceived notions. Once upon a time when I was young I considered myself a strictly action and platform game fan. Sports games? I can just go outside. Puzzle games? Who wants to think? But little by little I evolved as a gamer. Dragon Warrior taught me to love RPGs, Tetris made me appreciate puzzle games and titles like Marble Madness made me realize everything does not have to be Contra to be good. The NES port of Marble Madness is a solid edition of a classic arcade game and is only let down by lack of content.
Marble Madness was released in arcades in 1984 and was innovative in its use of technology to simulate a 3d playing field, physics, and controls. With its M.C. Escher inspired art it looked distinct from practically everything else out at the time. I never saw it in the arcade; my exposure came from the TV commercials for the NES version. The marketing worked as it got me to rent the game and I loved it. Looking back Marble Madness is probably the reason why I like Super Monkey Ball so much. And while most are familiar with Sega’s game MM did it first.
The goal of each level is to guide your marble through an obstacle laden course to the exit within the time limit. This is easier said than done as all manner of enemies and objects block your path. Technically you have unlimited lives. However each death costs precious time as you wait to respawn. Death also sends you to a checkpoint which is usually close by however every second counts. After the first course any time remaining at the end of each level goes to the next so speed is paramount.
In the arcade Marble Madness used a trackball to control the marble’s movements. The NES version offers two different setups for 90° and 45° movement. The 90° option moves in the four cardinal directions while the other option instead moves diagonally. Each is functional but of course does not compare to a trackball. Regardless in addition to the controls you must also deal with momentum and physics. You can accelerate and somewhat brake by moving in the opposite direction. For such an old title the way it handles physics is impressive and a large reason why the game is so memorable.
The level design is the game’s second standout feature. Each map is full of inclines, slopes, and narrow passages that challenge your manual dexterity. The physics make traveling a straight line without falling a feat. There is a steady progression in terms of mechanics. At first you will only deal with slight hills that build unwanted momentum. But there is enough space to slow down and navigate without falling. Soon however there are slimes, funnels, and wind that block your progress. These sound like simple hazards to navigate. But when they are all grouped together it is hectic. And all while trying to reach the exit in a respectable amount of time.
To say Marble Madness is difficult is an understatement. The time limit is strict after the practice stage. You need to reach the goal with a decent amount of time in every level to prepare for the next. It is not an exaggeration to say that even slightly screwing up in stage 2 will make stage 5 and 6 impossible. The final level is a nightmare right from the beginning. The perspective makes finding the right spot to drop into the hole feel downright impossible. The ice in the midpoint will cause you to lose at least twenty seconds. And the final stretch is some of the most fiendish platforming I’ve come across on the NES. Even though the game is only six levels long it will take some time to complete.
And that is the game’s biggest problem. This is an arcade game through and through. The six courses were designed to drain quarters in the arcade and enable players to compete for high scores. That is intact in the home release especially with its two-player mode. But as a home game it feels light on content. The gameplay has that addicting quality that makes you want to come back for one more game. But once it is over there is little reason to come back. Granted reaching that point might take a little while but still.
In Closing
Marble Madness is a fantastic game and an excellent arcade conversion. If it had a few more levels it would have been truly exceptional as the balance between racing against the clock while navigating hazards is near perfect. Regardless I would still recommend it even with the dearth of content as it is a unique experience in the NES library.
