The graphics are pretty solid but are quite repetitive as all the cities - from Detroit, to Houston, to Los Angeles, to New York - all look exactly the same. I suppose you can't be too harsh on the design of the game considering it was 1988, but there is really nothing at all to tell these settings apart. Also, the music is poor. It is the same 2-second loop over and over again, and never ends or changes. Perhaps if the music varied a little bit, or just sounded a little more lively, it'd be a better experience.

     The gameplay itself is actually rather fun. It's a blast to climb buildings and smash them, then eating the food, or the poison, or even the toilets that lay inside the buildings and watching your characters reactions - yes, that's right, I said toilets. Much like the music and level designs, the gameplay is also repetitive. In a nutshell, the game is fun in spurts. The control is generally responsive, which is a major plus. However, the jumping in the game is rather odd. When you jump, you don't do so in an up and down manner like in any other game, like Super Mario Bros. for instance. In Rampage, you don't jump but rather leap forward. It can be a little awkward when trying to navigate from rooftop to rooftop. Sometimes it helps your jump, because it is performing the leap motion for you - but most times it's rough.

     The NES version of Rampage is fun for a short time and it has some sentimental value. If you want to play a good Rampage title, I'd highly recommend the Nintendo 64 versions of the game - they are the best of the series. The Rampage franchise has never been known as great or legendary, but it's carved out its own niche as a fun game. It's easy and pretty mindless, but regardless it is entertaining. I can't strongly recommend this NES version, as it has its fair share of flaws, but it's at least worth checking out as a curiousity. Nowadays, its place in history is that of a novelty.

-Kurt L.

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