Spot: The Video Game
System: NES
Release Date: September 1990
Developer: Virgin Mastertronic
Publisher: Arcadia Systems
Genre: Strategy
Flip spots to your color and win the game in Spot: The Video Game! Came into this one expecting a platformer, because I’m familiar with Cool Spot, then I read the manual. I’d say we have a variation of Othello on our hands here, but with 7UP’s beloved mascot.
You can play up to four players, but a typical two player game has you start with pieces in the corners. On your turn, you can clone your spot by moving to any space around the selected piece. You can also skip the immediate space and jump your piece without cloning it. Every move you make, you get a little animation.
The goal is to flip your opponent’s pieces. You accomplish this by landing next to a different color. Strategy comes from forcing your rival into making moves that open them up to losing lots of pieces. On rare occasion, you’re taken to a bonus slot machine where you can win a prize… or not.
You can edit the board, removing spaces and creating a more challenging game. Higher computer levels make fewer mistakes and bring a challenge into your life.
Graphics: 2.0
The animations of the spots are interesting to see.
Sound: 1.5
The music and sound effects are competent, but not anything I would write home about.
Gameplay: 1.0
It’s a simple game that doesn’t offer a whole lot.
Difficulty: 3.0
Set the AI difficulty and board difficulty and get better as you learn strategies.
Fun Factor: 2.5
It is quite enjoyable to play if you’re into little time sinks.
Overall Rating: 2.0
Spot: The Video Game earns a C. This is a neat little game that I wasn’t expecting much from, but enjoyed. Just like a 7UP.