Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits (Defender, Joust, Sinistar, Robotron 2084)

by Midway

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0001NEBW4
• Item Weight: 1.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 26, 2001
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,753 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

Enjoy a blast from the past as you play arcade favorites Defender Joust Sinistar and Robotron: 2084 in Midway's greatest arcade hits.Format: GBA Genre: SPORTS/GAMES/ARCADE Rating: E - Everyone UPC: 096427013471

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not the classics you remember, October 6, 2008

By 

Matthew Roberts "mercyscene" (Winslow, Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits (Defender, Joust, Sinistar, Robotron 2084) (Video Game)

I have enjoyed classic gaming since the time the classics were being ported to the Atari 2600. This collection of four games on one GBA cartridge represents an attempt to recreate four retro games for the portable player. Unfortunately, each title has shortcomings and the overall package is featureless.

Sinistar has never peaked my interest much to begin with, but I did test drive it a bit in the Treasures collection so I do know how it should run. This GBA version plays too fast, resulting in almost continuous collisions with asteroids, which clutter the screen as it is. The wonky control scheme has the player rotating his ship using the directional pad, which might work except for the crowding asteroids and the stopping point for each rotation at a 45 degree angle from the direction being pressed.

Joust has almost equally disappointing game play in that it runs too slowly. the player's ostrich floats downward through the air, and the enemy mounted buzzards appear to stay at the same speed as the initial levels. Despite the slower speed, once 4-5 buzzards are flying in the same tier, they become glitchy with the constant bumping into each other. The "unbeatable" pterodactyl does not hunt the player, it only patrols the screen. I think I accidentally killed the pterodactyl while standing and facing away from it. Finally, there appears to be a bubble surrounding the player that when burst causes the player to expire.

Robotron 2084 was never intended for a Game Boy. The unique control scheme, duplicated in Smash TV, is perfect for this game. A clever attempt was made to modify this title for two buttons by using one to fire and one to keep the player in one place while changing the shot direction with the D-pad. That alteration might have been acceptable (since it was necessary), but the game also plays more slowly, and the floor mines do not affect any of the enemy robots like in the original.

Defender in this collection is just as difficult as the original, but it does not look like the original after the first level. This title also plays slightly slower than it should, especially in the shots fired by the landers.

With other cartridges out there offering only two titles, this would have been a great deal at $5-$10. However, there is no redeeming value in the presentation whatsoever. There are no options, generally basic title screens, and no game tips or game history, and no high scores will be saved. If you are hankering for some retro gaming, look for a different collection or just buy the two or three games you really want.

5.0 out of 5 stars really old school and still fun !, August 25, 2010

By 

</>< (Georgia) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits (Defender, Joust, Sinistar, Robotron 2084) (Video Game)

Great cart of the original arcade classics. They represent the arcade, even showing the original stand up version you used to throw quarters in. Great game seltection abd play...a real gem for any old schooler!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not even close to Sinistar, December 27, 2008

By 

Robert L. Eichler Jr. "Bob" (Hummelstown, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits (Defender, Joust, Sinistar, Robotron 2084) (Video Game)

My wife and daughter got me this cartridge for Christmas, since they know I'm a big fan of the arcade version of Sinistar and home conversions of that game are hard to find. This version should be avoided at all costs. It is absoutely horrible. You can only fly your ship at a handful of angles, none of them useful - you can't fly up, down, left or right, only shades of northeast, southeast, etc. The ship flies constantly and at a constant speed - you can't speed up, slow down, or come to a stop. The guns fire either continuously (creating a headache-inducing noise) or not at all. The collision detection is terrible - I've flown straight through the crystals you need to pick up to make bombs without picking them up, and I've flown straight though enemies without damage. On the other hand, you'll bounce off asteroids that are nowhere near your ship. The Sinistar does not announce his presence once he's completed - he just appears and immediately kills you.

Imagine a Sinistar port where everything was done badly and/or incorrectly, and this game is even worse than that. It's just horrible.

I haven't even bothered trying to play the three games.