Super Spike V’Ball
System: NES
Release Date: February 1990
Developer: Technos Japan
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Sports
Technos Japan brings a non Kunio-Kun game to the NES with Super Spike V’Ball. Take control of one of four teams and bump, set, and spike your way to the American Championship. Then take on the world to become the very best, like no one ever was.
The four teams you can choose from are the all-around ream of George and Murphy. The heavy hitting, but slow Al & John. The Double Dragon twins, Billy and Jimmy, show up with strong defense. Ed and Michael are your speedy team. Before the game, you can head to the configuration menu and change the number of points you play to, the number of sets, whether you play rally-point or normal rules, and if the computer sets the ball for you. I prefer to play rally-point, just to make the game go by a bit quicker.
Once you make your way out to the beach, you see the court you’re on. To serve, you throw the ball up with the A Button. You hit it again with the A Button, but can hit a jump serve if you jump with the B Button before hitting the ball. The ball sails over the net and the computer inevitably hits their bump, set, spike back at you. You’ll see a target on the ground where the ball will land. If it looks like it’s going to land in, you hit the A Button to bump it. If you’re far enough away, you’ll dive and dig in to bump it.
When you go to spike, if you press the B Button multiple times while in mid air, you charge up your super spike. If it hits your opponent, you see a big KABOOM! and hopefully the ball sails off screen for an easy point. In later matches, the ball will often bounce to the opponent’s partner and they’ll get a second chance. Blocking with the B Button is more miss than hit. Sometimes there’s absolutely nothing you can do to save your point.
I found that if the AI wasn’t going for a block, which was basically a sure point for them, I could charge a super spike and if I aimed low and hit as the ball was coming down, I could score more often than not. You can aim where you hit with the d-pad while spiking. The US Navy team and USSR team are tough and will take perfect play to defeat. But once you do, enjoy being the new world champion!
Graphics: 2.5
The graphics are fine, the sprites for partners are the same as one another.
Sound: 3.0
I find the music to be a strong point and sounds aren’t bad either.
Gameplay: 2.5
Good luck blocking your opponent’s shots. There’s not a lot of moves to use.
Difficulty: 2.0
It’s tough as you get into later matches, and sometimes it feels like you’re programmed to lose.
Fun Factor: 2.5
It’s not Super Dodge Ball, but it’s a good time.
Overall Grade: 2.5
Super Spike V’Ball earns a B-. I’ll say this is easily the best volleyball game we’ve had so far and likely will stay that way.