Summary
- Release Year: 1988
- Genres: Adventure, Arcade, Platform, Shooter
- Platforms: Family Computer, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii, Wii U
- Developers: Sun Electronics, Sunsoft
- Publishers: Sun Electronics, Sunsoft
Blaster Master (1988)
Blaster Master is an action-adventure game developed and published by Sunsoft for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was released in Japan in 1988 and in North America and Europe the following year.
The player controls Jason Frudnick, a young boy who must rescue his pet frog, Fred, from the depths of a subterranean world. Along the way, Jason must battle giant mutants, deadly traps, and powerful bosses.
Blaster Master is known for its innovative gameplay, which combines elements of action, adventure, and exploration. The game’s world is a vast and interconnected network of tunnels and caverns, and Jason must use his wits and skills to navigate his way through them.
Gameplay
Blaster Master is played from a top-down perspective. The player controls Jason, who can walk, jump, and shoot. Jason can also enter and exit his tank, the SOPHIA III, which is armed with a powerful laser cannon.
The SOPHIA III can be used to destroy enemies and obstacles, and it can also be used to traverse certain types of terrain. For example, the SOPHIA III can swim through water and climb up walls.
Jason and the SOPHIA III are both vulnerable to enemy attacks. If Jason takes too much damage, he will lose a life. If the SOPHIA III is destroyed, Jason will be forced to continue on foot.
Plot
The story of Blaster Master begins when Jason Frudnick’s pet frog, Fred, falls down a hidden manhole. Jason follows Fred into the manhole and finds himself in a strange and dangerous world.
Jason soon discovers that Fred has been captured by the mutant leader, Plutonium Boss. Jason must now travel through the subterranean world and defeat Plutonium Boss in order to rescue Fred.
Along the way, Jason meets a variety of other characters, including:
- Eve: A young woman who helps Jason on his quest.
- Dr. Stien: A scientist who created the SOPHIA III tank.
- Roddy: A robot who assists Jason in his battles.
Development
Blaster Master was developed by a team led by Kazunori Sawano. Sawano had previously worked on the NES game Metroid, and Blaster Master shares many similarities with that game.
One of the most striking things about Blaster Master is its graphics. The game’s backgrounds are highly detailed and colorful, and the character sprites are large and expressive. Blaster Master was one of the first NES games to use a parallax scrolling technique, which gives the game a sense of depth and realism.
The game’s music was composed by Naoki Kodaka. The soundtrack is a mix of catchy melodies and driving rhythms. The music helps to create a sense of atmosphere and excitement.
Reception
Blaster Master was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy music. Blaster Master was one of the best-selling NES games of 1989.
The game has been re-released several times over the years, including on the Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Online, and PlayStation 4. Blaster Master has also been included in several compilations, such as Sunsoft Collection and Hamster Arcade Archives.
Legacy
Blaster Master is considered to be one of the classic NES games. The game’s innovative gameplay and beautiful graphics have influenced many other games, including Metroidvania games such as Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Blaster Master has also been the subject of several同人誌(dōjinshi) games, including Blaster Master Zero and Blaster Master Zero 2. These games are faithful remakes of the original game, with updated graphics and sound.
Conclusion
Blaster Master is a timeless classic that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy music make it a must-play for any fan of action-adventure games.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
