1942 for the NES was a simple game. It was a vertical-scrolling shooter where you take control of an airplane and your objective was to gun down bombarding enemy aircraft - a fairly simply concept. And "simple" is the word to describe this game in a nutshell. Sure, even 1942 is eons more complex and further developed than most Atari games that preceded it, but it doesn't add to it's overall package.    

     The gameplay itself is moderately fun at best due to its odd slowness. I say odd because the game should run on a high tempo, but the airplane you control doesn't swiftly move about the screen but rather drags like molasses, and it can be frustrating when surrounded by enemies.

     The graphics are actually pretty decent for 1986, but also look their age. They effectively convey what they represent without really wowing you. Though, perhaps the worst part of this game is the music - it is atrocious. Capcom, the well-known company that made 1942 and its far superior sequel, 1943, have a vastly impressive resume of NES games that feature some of the best the industry has to offer (I.e. the Mega Man series). However, 1942, the "music" is more like a collection of dissonant bleeps and glitch-like squeals - it is very unpleasant, and unfortunately, repetitive.

     It's not a bad game, but it's not great. Deeply flawed, but certainly playable as it is mediocre at best. Pick it up to add it to your collection, but it's more of a relic. I'd stick to the sequel.

-Kurt L.