Wolverine
System: NES
Release Date: October 1991
Developer: Software Creations
Publisher: LJN
Genre: Action
Shall I call you Logan, Weapon X? No, Wolverine! Everyone’s favorite comic book hero gets to have the spotlight in his own NES game. Sabertooth is at it again. Maybe it’s just another birthday beatdown, but Wolverine awakes alone on the beach of a remote island. As he moves inland, there’s a giant monolithic structure in his way. A sign says welcome… well, it’s time to tear whoever set this up a bunch of new holes. Can you take Wolverine through nine levels and get some revenge?
In this action platformer, you need to guide Logan from one end of the stage to the other. Along the way, there will be enemies. A lot of them. Some of them you will want to kill, others you’ll simply want to avoid. Defeating an enemy will add to your berzerker bar at the bottom of the screen. Getting hit will subtract from it. If you fill it completely, Wolverine will go into a Berzerker Rage and become invincible for a few moments.
Wolverine starts off alone, but he doesn’t have to stay that way. Early on in level 2, you can find a doorway that takes you to Psylocke. She gives you a communicator that you can use to summon Havok. See, one of the cool things about Wolverine is that he has a mutant healing factor. This defining character trait is ignored in this game. In order to replenish health, you need to find cheeseburgers or power potions. Your strength drains quickly if you get attacked by enemies. If your health gets low enough, you can press the Select Button and call in Havok to let you regenerate.
Otherwise, pressing the Select Button unleashes Wolverine’s adamantium claws. These increase the power of your attack, but drain your energy while they’re out. Another odd design choice. Wolverine’s healing factor is supposed to counteract the damage of the claws being out. Oh well. Another friend, Jubilee, gives you a breathing apparatus that helps you out in the water level. The platforming is all pretty pedestrian, but if you’re not well timed on your jumps, you’re going to suffer for it.
Levels are pretty straightforward and honestly not that long. They all have some kind of theme to them and there are a decent number of 1ups and continues spread throughout. There are only two bosses to deal with, Magneto and Sabertooth. It was more of a challenge to reach Magneto than defeat him. He really should have used his powers to remove Wolverine’s skeleton. Sabertooth can’t be punched or clawed to death. Instead, you have to work him to the right of the screen and punch him off the edge of a cliff. That’ll teach ya, bub.
Graphics: 2.0
There are a lot of better looking NES games and a lot of worse looking ones. We’ve got the Uncanny X-Men brown outfit here.
Sound: 2.5
I like the music, but the sound effects are not great.
Gameplay: 1.5
A ton of dumb character choices are on display. The gameplay could have been a lot more.
Difficulty: 2.0
Once you memorize the levels, it’s honestly not that bad, but be prepared to be furious the first few times you play.
Fun Factor: 1.5
Being Wolverine should be a lot more fun than this.
Overall Rating: 1.9
Wolverine earns a C. This is a passable platformer that could have been a ton better, but developers really hate making the player have the power that they should.