Spitting Image (1988)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Spitting Image (1988): A Hilarious Political Fighting Game

Released in 1988, Spitting Image is a political fighting game based on the popular British television show of the same name. The game features caricatured versions of real-world politicians, including Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Muammar Gaddafi.

Gameplay is similar to other fighting games of the era, with players controlling one of eight characters and battling against each other in one-on-one matches. Each character has their own unique moves and abilities, and the game features a variety of different stages, including the House of Commons, the White House, and the Kremlin.

What sets Spitting Image apart from other fighting games is its unique sense of humor. The game is full of slapstick comedy and political satire, and the characters often engage in over-the-top attacks and taunts. For example, Ronald Reagan can use his “Star Wars” defense to deflect enemy attacks, while Margaret Thatcher can use her handbag to beat her opponents.

Spitting Image was a critical and commercial success, and it is still considered one of the best political video games ever made. The game was praised for its humor, originality, and gameplay. It was also a groundbreaking game in terms of its use of digitized graphics, which gave the characters a more realistic appearance than was possible with traditional sprite-based graphics.

Gameplay

Spitting Image is a one-on-one fighting game in which players control one of eight caricatured politicians. Each character has their own unique moves and abilities, and the game features a variety of different stages.

The game’s controls are simple and easy to learn. Players use the joystick to move their character around the stage and the buttons to attack. Each character has a variety of different attacks, including punches, kicks, and special moves.

Spitting Image also features a unique “taunt” system. Players can use the taunt button to make their character perform a variety of different taunts, which can annoy their opponent and give them an advantage in the match.

Characters

Spitting Image features a cast of eight playable characters, each of whom is a caricature of a real-world politician. The characters are:

  • Ronald Reagan (USA)
  • Margaret Thatcher (UK)
  • Mikhail Gorbachev (USSR)
  • Muammar Gaddafi (Libya)
  • Ayatollah Khomeini (Iran)
  • Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
  • P.W. Botha (South Africa)
  • Fidel Castro (Cuba)

Each character has their own unique appearance, personality, and moveset. For example, Ronald Reagan is a powerful fighter who can use his “Star Wars” defense to deflect enemy attacks, while Margaret Thatcher is a quick and agile fighter who can use her handbag to beat her opponents.

Stages

Spitting Image features a variety of different stages, each of which is based on a real-world location. The stages are:

  • The House of Commons (UK)
  • The White House (USA)
  • The Kremlin (USSR)
  • The Great Hall of the People (China)
  • The United Nations Headquarters (New York City)
  • The Brandenburg Gate (Berlin)
  • The Great Wall of China
  • The Pyramids of Giza (Egypt)

Each stage has its own unique hazards and obstacles, which can affect the gameplay. For example, the House of Commons stage features a number of benches and desks that can be used to block attacks, while the White House stage features a number of secret service agents who can attack players if they get too close.

Reception

Spitting Image was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its humor, originality, and gameplay. It was also a groundbreaking game in terms of its use of digitized graphics.

The game was nominated for a number of awards, including the Golden Joystick Award for Best Game of the Year. It was also ranked as one of the best games of all time by a number of publications, including IGN and GameSpot.

Legacy

Spitting Image is still considered one of the best political video games ever made. The game’s unique sense of humor and over-the-top gameplay have made it a favorite among fans of fighting games and political satire.

The game has also been cited as an influence on a number of other video games, including the Mortal Kombat series and the Grand Theft Auto series.

Conclusion

Spitting Image is a hilarious and groundbreaking political fighting game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s unique sense of humor, over-the-top gameplay, and cast of caricatured politicians make it a must-play for fans of fighting games and political satire.

Review Score

7.5/10

Profile photo of Nish

Nish is a software engineer by day and avid gamer who loves to play video games after he puts his two boys to bed. His insights delve into the mechanics, and storytelling of the games he plays with the aim to share his passion with the audience. He loves to travel back to his native India and travel the country on his restored Royal Enfield Bullet 350, a relic from a simpler time, like some of the games he plays.

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