Spy vs. Spy
System: SMS
Release Date: October 1988
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Action
MAD Magazine used to be a big deal back in the day and from it Spy vs. Spy was born. I’m going back to back with the Sega and NES versions of the game. We’ll see which one is better. You play as the White Spy in one player games and your goal is to retrieve all the items and escape before the Black Spy can.
There are eight rounds you can play either against the computer or a second player. Each subsequent level gets bigger and more complex to navigate, having to head to a second level to reach other parts of the building. You need to collect the passport, cash, key, and confidential documents in order to access the airport and leave the level. But not so fast, you can only collect one at a time. In order to hold them all, you need to find the bag. Once you have that, it’s a mad dash to collect everything else and escape.
You start each level with a one on one throwdown with your opponent. Whenever you occupy the same room, it’s fisticuffs until someone runs away or dies. When you’re out of the same room, you have access to the Trapulater, which let’s you set five different traps or check the map. I use the electric bucket the most, as it gets your enemy as soon as they open the trapped door. Of course, you can get yourself in trouble, too, if you trap yourself. You can place a spring or a bomb in containers. I couldn’t get the gun or time bomb to work, but those will take your opponent out, as well.
Graphics: 1.0
The graphics aren’t great. Everything looks really small.
Sound: 1.0
I usually like Sega’s music and sounds, but not so much here.
Gameplay: 2.0
Controls are hampered by only having two buttons to work with.
Difficulty: 2.0
I played on level one, which was far too easy for me. I’m sure level two or three would be more of a challenge.
Fun Factor: 1.5
I had less fun with the Sega version of Spy vs. Spy than I thought I would.
Overall Grade: 1.5
Spy vs. Spy earns a C-. The NES version is up next, I feel like that one will score higher. We’ll see.