Glossary
Action: The vaguely descriptive word “action” is used to describe games in which players move objects or characters around the screen, but that don’t fall into any other category on this list. Activities include picking up items and transporting them to another part of the playfield, catching falling items, running around the screen collecting or dodging items, and much more.
Action Puzzle: A puzzle game that has players moving pieces around the screen and to their proper places within a set time, or at least in an action-oriented manner. The pieces are usually intended to be placed within a set pattern or configuration or matched up with similar pieces. Another type of action puzzle requires players to touch squares or other areas of the playfield to complete various strategy-oriented objectives.
Action Strategy: Similar to strategy, but players sometimes take more direct control of the action, such as piloting a ship, shooting enemies, or guiding a character around a battlefield.
Adventure: Adventure games require players to guide an explorer, adventurer, or other such action hero through a number of areas. The setting is usually exotic, such as a jungle, a swamp, or an alien planet, and oftentimes there are puzzles to solve, items to collect, treasures to find, enemies to battle, levels to reach, things to climb, worlds to explore, etc. Climbing and platform games oftentimes include adventure elements, but contain enough of a predominance of specific attributes to give them their own categories.
Adventure Puzzle: A game like Lemmings , in which players indirectly (or directly in the case of certain other games) guide a group of characters as they travel through a series of puzzle-based levels. Adventure puzzles oftentimes have players flipping switches, pulling levers, or otherwise solving puzzles amidst scrolling (or at least multiple-screen), action-oriented gameplay.
A.I.: Short for artificial intelligence, which, in the case of video games, refers to the ability of onscreen objects or characters to respond to computer-controlled commands. Or, it can refer to how smart a game is in general.
Aircraft Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using planes, spaceships, or other airborne vehicles.
Aladdin Deck Enhancer: Published by Camerica and developed by Codemasters, this attachment plugs into the NES cartridge port and accepts compact cartridges. The Deck Enhancer (1992) contains circuitry common to all NES cartridges, meaning the smaller cartridges produced for the peripheral contain fewer parts, thereby reducing production costs. Packaged with Dizzy the Adventurer .
Alternating: Multi-player games in which players take turns. Certain games, such as checkers and chess, in which players’ alternating moves directly affect the other player’s game, are considered to be simultaneous.
Anime: Refers to Japanese cartoons or the art style used therein. Role-playing games frequently employ anime-style art, which is typified by short, cartoonish characters with large eyes.
Arcade: A public place in which numerous coin-operated video games are available for play. Snack bars, pinball machines, pool tables, and other entertainments oftentimes supplement the arcade experience. Arcades did big business during the early 1980s, with simple, but highly entertaining games like Space Invaders , Asteroids , and Pac-Man gobbling millions of quarters. These days, however, most arcades consist primarily of elaborate racing simulations, dance machines, and ticket-redemption games.
Arcade Game: A coin-operated video game that is usually found in arcades, restaurants, bars, pool halls, and other public venues. Devotees of a specific arcade game will sometimes purchase the game in question for use in their home.
Art: Most art games focus on painting, drawing, and/or creating designs. Usually, the standard controller is used to move a pen, paint brush, or cursor, but some art games support a stylus that actually touches the screen.
Atari 5200: Released in 1982, the 5200 was Atari’s graphically superior (if far less successful) follow-up to the Atari 2600. Games in the 5200 library relevant to this book include: Gyruss , Joust , Ms. Pac-Man , and Qix , among others. See Classic Home Video Games: 1972–1984 for more info.
Atari Jaguar: Released in 1993, the Atari Jaguar was the first 64-bit game console and Atari’s last system. Games in the Jaguar library relevant to this book include: Defender 2000 , Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls , and Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure .
Atari Lynx: Released in 1989, the Atari Lynx was the first handheld game system to boast a color LCD display. Games in the Lynx library relevant to this book include: Double Dragon , Joust , Klax , and Paperboy , among others.
Atari 7800: See the Atari 7800 chapter in this book.
Atari 2600: Released in 1977, the Atari 2600 (then called the Atari VCS) popularized home video games. It was followed by the Atari 5200 and the Atari 7800. Games in the 2600 library relevant to this book include: Dark Chambers , Defender , Pac-Man , and Popeye , among others. See Classic Home Video Games: 1972–1984 for more info.
Backward-Compatible: Describes a video game system that can play a previously released system’s games (in addition to its own, of course). For example, the Atari 7800 is backward-compatible with the 2600. Also refers to such joysticks and other peripherals.
Ball-and-Paddle: Pong - or Breakout- like games in which players maneuver a paddle or other implement to rebound a bouncing ball across the screen (usually toward a paddle controlled by the other player), against a wall, or against rows of bricks or other items that disappear when hit.
Battery Backup: A game with battery backup contains a small battery within the cartridge, giving the game memory for saving progress, high scores, and/or other data.
Beat-’em-Up: Side-scrolling combat games with lots of punching and kicking are often referred to as “beat-’em-ups.”
Bit: Short for binary digit, which is a digit in the binary number system. Binary digits, which are in the form of zeroes and ones, are used as the basic units of information storage and communication in many video game systems. Most consoles released prior to the Sega Genesis are 8-bit systems.
BMX Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using motocross bicycles. The tracks are usually hilly and made of dirt.
Board Game: A video game rendition of a traditional board game (such as checkers or backgammon), or an original game played on a virtual game board.
Boat/Watercraft Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using boats, jet skis, or other water-based vehicles.
Boss: An enemy at the end of a level or the end of a game that is usually fiercer, stronger, smarter, and/or larger than the standard enemies.
Business Simulator: A game that tries to emulate real-world business, such as investing in stocks, building a corporation, or managing a company. Strategy is usually involved.
Button-Masher: A game that requires little to no strategy, but success can be obtained by lots of shooting, punching, or other mindlessly fast button pushing. In the non-pejorative sense, a button-masher can simply refer to a game that requires quick, frequent pushes of one or more buttons.
Card Game: A game that uses virtual versions of traditional playing cards (aces, hearts, jacks, etc.), but with no gambling involved.
Cartridge: The plastic casing with ROM chip that is plugged into a video game console. Cartridges usually have labels on them bearing artwork and the game’s title. It is recommended that the game system be turned off when a game cartridge is being inserted or pulled out of the console cartridge slot or port.
Casual Gamer: In general terms, a casual gamer plays video games only infrequently, or only desires to play the less challenging or less complicated titles.
CD-i: Short for Philips CD-i.
Character Racing: Non-sports racing in which players control a person, animal, or other character instead of a vehicle.
Cheap Hit: Refers to the effects caused by a poorly programmed projectile, enemy attack, or other obstacle that is virtually (if not entirely) unavoidable.
Cheat Codes: Specific, secretive combinations of button presses (oftentimes entered at the title screen) that result in unlocking special occurrences (i.e. cheats) in a video game, such as starting the game with extra lives, unlimited continues, special powers, or the ability to level-select. Cheat code documentation is not in the purview of this book, but gamers can consult www.gamefaqs.com for a wide variety of cheats for various consoles.
Checkpoint: A place in a video game, usually denoted by some type of graphical icon, where the game will save automatically (or at least continue from that point) if the player’s character or other onscreen object reaches that area. After the player dies, play begins from that checkpoint (unless a further checkpoint has been passed).
Climbing: A game in which the primary activity is climbing ladders, ropes, vines, or other such objects. The goal in many climbing games (such as Donkey Kong ) is to reach the top of the playfield, but it can also involve collecting items, jumping over obstacles, hitting (or otherwise defeating) enemies, and much more.
Clone: A game that copies a previously released game in a number of obvious ways.
Coin-op: Short for coin-operated video game. Also known as arcade game.
ColecoVision: Released in 1982, the ColecoVision was considered to be the first home game system to boast arcade-quality graphics. Games in the ColecoVision library relevant to this book include: Boulder Dash , BurgerTime , One-on-One , and Zaxxon , among others. See Classic Home Video Games: 1972–1984 for more info.
Collision Detection: How accurate the onscreen objects are in coming in contact with or otherwise relating to each other in terms of the visual images they project to the player. A game with poor collision detection can result in unwarranted deaths, such as a missile that appears to miss the player, but kills him or her anyway.
Console: The base, or main part, of a video game system, irrespective of the wiring or controllers. Also used to refer to a game system in general. Does not refer to computers or handheld systems.
Continue: Many games offer one or more “continues” after the player has run out of lives. This lets the player continue from the last level (or other area) where the previous game left off.
Control Pad: A flat controller that contains a directional pad and [usually two or more] action buttons.
Controller: A joystick, trackball, control pad, or other instrument used to maneuver onscreen objects.
Credits: The people or companies who designed, published, or were otherwise involved in the making of a game. In many games, the credits roll after a game has been beaten, similar to credits rolling after the end of a movie.
Cursor: A pointer, plus symbol, or other such object that moves freely around the screen via the controller. Cursors are frequently used as aiming devices for first-person or light gun shooting games, where they oftentimes appear as a crosshair or a gun sight.
Cut Scene: Between levels of certain games (such as the Ninja Gaiden series for the NES), movie-like sequences (animated or static) called cut scenes will sometimes play, telling the game’s storyline and providing added visual flair.
D-pad: Short for directional pad.
Dancing Simulator: A game that lets players choreograph or program various dance routines.
Dedicated Unit: A game system that only plays built-in games and does not accept such media as cartridges or discs.
Demolition/Combat Racing: Racing that involves crashing into, shooting, or otherwise damaging the other vehicle(s).
Developer: A company or person who played a key role in the actual designing of a game. If the company that developed the game is unknown, the publisher is usually given the credit, making the publisher a “ghost developer” of sorts.
Directional Pad: Replacing the joystick as the digital input mechanism of choice, directional pads (also called control pads) are utilized by most game systems from the mid–80s to the present. A d-pad is a flat, thumb-operated, plus-shaped (usually) object that allows players to move onscreen objects up, down, right, and left (and oftentimes diagonally by using combinations of two buttons). The NES popularized this type of controller.
Double Jump: Pressing the jump button a second time while the character is already in mid-air (from the previous jump) in order to get that character to jump again is a double jump, sending the character even higher. Usually seen in platform games.
Drag Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using dragsters.
Dreamcast: Released in 1999, the Dreamcast was Sega’s follow-up to the Saturn. Games in the Dreamcast library relevant to this book include: Gauntlet Legends , Midway’s Greatest Arcade Hits: Vol. 2 , Namco Museum , and Phantasy Star Online , among others.
DS: Short for Nintendo DS.
Dungeon Crawler: A term referring to the type of action-oriented role-playing game in which the hero navigates labyrinthine dungeons, caverns, and/or other such areas, collecting treasures and battling enemies along the way. Oftentimes, dungeon crawlers are light on plot and heavy on kills.
Educational: A game in which the intended outcome is for the player to learn about words, numbers, geography, music, or other subjects. Educational games usually emphasize learning over action, but frequently incorporate elements of action, climbing, shooting, or other genres.
8-bit: The Atari 7800, Nintendo NES, and Sega Master System are all 8-bit consoles. See also: Bit.
Electronic Games Magazine: The groundbreaking publication from the early 1980s that was the first (and best) magazine devoted exclusively to video games. It paved the way for mainstream video game journalism.
English: Putting indirect (or at least subtle) influence on the direction of an onscreen item (usually a bouncing ball).
Eye-Hand Coordination: The degree of ability one has to guide the movements of the hands in conjunction with the images one sees. During the 1980s, when video games came under attack for wasting players’ time or for being too violent, apologists frequently touted the increased eye-hand coordination that would purportedly come as a result of playing the games.
Famicom: Released in 1983, the Famicom is the Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Fighting: A non-boxing, non-wrestling, non-scrolling fighting game in which players control a character that engages in fights (punches, kicks, etc.) with the other character. Fighting games usually offer a side-view perspective.
Fire Button: The action button on a controller. Pressing this button (or buttons) causes onscreen objects to shoot, jump, or otherwise react.
First-Party Company: A company that develops or publishes a game for their own video game system.
First-Person Graphic Adventure: A game like Déjà Vu or Shadowgate , in which players perform such tasks as pointing and clicking on useable objects, selecting from a list of text-based commands, collecting items via an inventory system, solving puzzles and mysteries, and exploring various areas (most of which have static backgrounds) to uncover clues. The action is viewed through the eyes of the protagonist.
First-Person Role-Playing Game: Although the perspective can change at times (such as during battle sequences or while purchasing items from shops), this type of game largely features a first-person viewpoint, in which players view the action as the character would see it.
First-Person Shooter: On modern platforms, the term “first-person shooter” generally refers to such games as Doom and Halo , in which a character walks around toting weapons and shooting monsters, people, or other beings. However, classic console first-person shooters usually involve sitting in the cockpit of a ship, looking through a view screen, shooting other ships. Frequently, a cursor or gun sight is used in helping players aim their shots. Space combat simulators frequently incorporate this type of first-person shooting action, but are generally more complicated in terms of objectives and controls. First-person shooters can also refer to the type of target games that usually require a light gun, but that don’t offer light gun support.
First-Person Tank Shooter: A slow, methodical shooter like Battle Tank , in which players view the action as though sitting inside a tank, looking out the main view screen.
Flickering: Graphical images that blink when they’re not supposed to. This frequently occurs when the hardware (or the programming involved in the software) is not fully up to the task of moving numerous onscreen images at once, such as in various arcade ports for the NES.
Flight Combat Simulator: Similar to a space combat simulator, but players pilot a plane or chopper instead of a spaceship. Unlike flight simulators, flight combat simulators involve at least some shooting.
Flight Simulator: A game that tries to emulate actual plane, rocket, helicopter, or other airborne flight as accurately as possible. Usually, the player must operate a variety of controls depicted on an instrument panel.
Forced Scrolling: When the screen scrolls of its own accord, independent of player movement. The player is usually required to proceed at a certain pace in order to keep up.
Formula-1/Indy Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using a Formula-1 or Indy racecar. Many racing games of this type try to be at least somewhat realistic.
Fortune Teller Simulator: A novelty game that purports to tell of the player’s past or predict his or her future.
FPS: Short for first-person shooter or frames per second.
Frame Rate: The frequency in which video frames are displayed on a television set or other monitor. The more frames per second (fps), the better the fluidity of motion.
Futuristic Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using a sci-fi type of car or other such land-based vehicle.
Gambling: Blackjack, roulette, poker, slots, or any other Vegas-style game that involves the wagering of virtual money.
Game Boy: Released in 1989, the Game Boy was Nintendo’s first handheld game system. Games in the Game Boy library relevant to this book include: Dr. Mario , Castlevania Legends , Double Dragon , and Mega Man II , among others.
Game Boy Advance: Released in 1999, the Game Boy Advance was the 32-bit follow-up to Nintendo’s Game Boy Color. Games in the Game Boy Advance library relevant to this book include: Boulder Dash EX , Castlevania , Columns Crown , and Ice Climber , among others.
Game Boy Advance SP: Released in 2003, the Game Boy Advance SP was an upgrade of the Game Boy Advance, finally providing a lit (backlit or front lit, depending on the model) screen. The SP plays the same titles as the Game Boy Advance.
Game Boy Color: Released in 1998, the Game Boy Color was Nintendo’s follow-up to the original Game Boy, adding color, crisper images, and longer battery life to the handheld formula. Games in the Game Boy Color library relevant to this book include: Dragon Warrior III , Galaga , Ghosts ’n Goblins , and Rampage World Tour , among others.
Game Gear: Released in 1991, the Game Gear was Sega’s more sophisticated (yet less popular) answer to Nintendo’s handheld Game Boy. Games in the Game Gear library relevant to this book include: Double Dragon , Fantasy Zone , Klax , and Ninja Gaiden , among others.
Game Show: A game like Wheel of Fortune or Family Feud , in which players take part in a virtual rendition of a TV game show. Contestants usually compete for cash or prizes by answering trivia questions, solving word puzzles, or other such activities.
Game System: A video game machine, complete with console, wiring, and controllers. Usually refers to the type of system that hooks up to a television set and accepts plug-in cartridges, discs, or other ROM media.
Game.com: Released in 1997, the game.com was Tiger’s black-and-white handheld system. Games in the game.com library relevant to this book include: Monopoly , Sonic Jam , Wheel of Fortune , Wheel of Fortune 2 , and Williams Arcade Classics .
Gameplay: How well a game plays (or how a game plays in general) independent of accompanying graphical or sound considerations.
Gamer: A person who plays video games.
Gaming: Refers to the medium of (or the playing of) video games.
Genesis: Short for Sega Genesis.
Genre: The type of game, such as shooter, platformer, or role-playing. Many games incorporate a number of genres, but most have a dominate style of gameplay mechanic.
Graphics: Computer-generated images depicted on a television screen or other monitor.
Great Video Game Crash: Due to a number of factors, including competition from increasingly cheap personal computers and a glut of awful, cheaply produced games (many of them by third-party companies), the home video game industry took a nose dive in late 1983 and all but disappeared in 1984. With the release of the Nintendo NES in 1985, the hobby once again assumed a dominant place in popular culture.
Hack-’n’-Slash: An action-oriented game in which the protagonist uses a sword (or similar implement) to hack and slash his or her way through numerous enemies, usually in a fantasy or futuristic setting. Elements of hand-to-hand combat and platforming are frequently involved.
Hardcore Gamer: A hardcore gamer is the type of player who spends a large percentage of his or her life playing, purchasing, talking about, or otherwise obsessing over video games. Hardcore gamers are usually competitive, meaning they keep track of their scores, catalogue the games they have beaten, and/or take pride in their prowess.
Hardware: The game console itself (as opposed to software or peripheral items).
Hyperspace: Transporting a spaceship instantly to another area of the screen or the game by simply pressing a button or entering the ship into a specific area. The ship in question usually disappears and reappears in the blink of an eye. Similar to warp, but less versatile in nature.
In the Wild: Refers to a video game for sale at a thrift store, garage sale, pawn shop, or other place that is not specifically a video game retailer.
Intellivision: Released in 1979, the Intellivision was Mattel’s more sophisticated alternative to Atari’s ubiquitous 2600 system. Games in the Intellivision library relevant to this book include: BurgerTime , Commando , Donkey Kong , and Popeye , among others. See Classic Home Video Games: 1972–1984 for more info.
Isometric Action Role-Playing Game: A role-playing game in which the action scrolls diagonally and is viewed at an angled/overhead perspective (also known as a 3/4 perspective). Combat is usually turn-based, with the game containing such typical RPG elements as character building, exploration, and item collecting.
Isometric Projection: The arcade version of Zaxxon (Sega, 1982) was the first video game to use isometric projection, which gave the graphics a faux 3D effect via an angled (or 3/4) viewing perspective. The method has been employed with varying degrees of success for certain console games, including Desert Falcon for the Atari 7800.
Jaguar: Short for Atari Jaguar.
Jigsaw Puzzle: A game in which players maneuver puzzle pieces to fit them into place in order to make a picture. Unlike action puzzles, jigsaw puzzles require little eye-hand coordination, and competition is usually not much of a factor.
Joystick: Used for moving objects around the screen, a joystick is a handheld device attached to a game console, usually by a wire. Most joysticks are mounted on a base and contain at least one “fire” or “action” button for shooting, jumping, or other such maneuvers. Also, most joysticks are digital (at least for classic systems), but some, such as the Atari 5200 joystick, offer analog control. The Atari 7800 comes equipped with joysticks while the NES and Master System come with control pads (though joysticks can be used).
Killer App: Short for killer application.
Killer Application: Refers to a console-specific, must-have game that is popular enough to help sell lots of hardware. Super Mario Bros. for the NES is a good example of a classic game that moved a lot of systems.
Konami Code: Introduced in the NES version of Gradius , the Konami Code gives players extra lives, power-ups, or other advantages in various Konami games. The code is entered by pressing up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A.
Launch Title: A video game that is newly released in stores the same day as its accompanying system.
Light Gun: The Nintendo Zapper for the NES and the Sega Light Phaser for the Master System are prominent examples of light guns, which have their roots in the arcades of the 1930s and certain Pong and Pong -like consoles of the 1970s. For the Atari 7800, players can use an Atari XE light gun or a Best Lightgun (produced by Best Electronics) for such shooters as Alien Brigade and Barnyard Blaster .
Light Gun Shooter: Any shooting game that allows the use of a pistol, rifle, or other gun-based controller. Players point the gun at the screen and fire at aliens, ducks, bad guys, or other targets.
Lynx: Short for Atari Lynx.
Maze: Most maze games involve guiding a character (such as Pac-Man) through a maze or mazes, eating dots (or other small items) while avoiding enemies. Many maze games include special edible items that let the character turn the tables on its enemies. Certain maze games, such as Dig Dug and Boulder Dash , let the character dig (or otherwise create) its own maze-like pathways.
Maze Shooter: Instead of eating dots or digging tunnels as in standard maze games, maze shooters have the protagonist firing a gun or other weapon at enemies and/or the other player’s character.
Mega Drive: Released in 1988, the Mega Drive is the Japanese version of the Sega Genesis.
Mini-Game: A small bonus game or contest contained somewhere (oftentimes at the end of the level) within the main game; they are usually good for earning extra lives, points, powers, or other goodies. Alternatively, mini-games are sometimes selectable via a menu screen and played independently of the standard game.
Miniature/Radio Control Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using the types of toy cars, trucks, or other vehicles that run via remote control.
Mission-Based Racing: A game in which the player drives a car or other vehicle around city streets or other pathways, trying to perform specific objectives beyond simply reaching the finishing line, racing against the timer, or competing against other drivers. Such missions can include finding hidden treasure or completing levels.
Monitor: A screen, such as a television set, that displays video images.
Monster Truck Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using monster trucks. Elements of demolition/combat racing are sometimes involved.
Motorcycle Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using motorcycles.
Multi-Game Compilation: A cartridge that contains four or more games of different genres.
Multi-Genre Game: A game that contains four or more complete and separate types of genres.
Multi-Platform Game: A game, such as Pac-Man , that is available for numerous (or at least more than one) game system.
Multi-Tap Adapter: A peripheral that hooks to a game system and lets players attach additional controllers, allowing for more than just two players to play simultaneously on a particular game.
Musical Instrument/Band Simulator: Whether designed for a physical instrument (such as the keyboard in Miracle Piano Teaching System for the NES) or a standard controller, this type of game attempts to replicate the experience of performing music. Usually, players must follow the melody of the song (or create songs of their own) by pressing buttons on the controller. Guitar Hero and Rock Band are modern versions of this type of game.
Mystery Adventure: A game in which players, as a private investigator or a police officer, explore crime scenes and gather clues in order to solve murder mysteries or other crimes.
Naval Combat Simulator: A game, such as Silent Service for the NES, that puts the player at the helm of a nautical vehicle (or fleet of vehicles), using realistic and oftentimes complicated control techniques to command the ship(s) in question.
Neo Geo: Released in 1990, the Neo Geo was SNK’s pricey game system that was fully compatible with the Neo Geo Multi Video System (MVS for short), which was a cartridge-based arcade cabinet. Games in the Neo Geo library relevant to this book include: Baseball Stars 2 .
Neo Geo Pocket Color: Released in 1999, the Neo Geo Pocket Color was SNK’s handheld system. Games in the Pocket Color library relevant to this book include: Baseball Stars Color , Pac-Man , and Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure .
NES: Short for Nintendo Entertainment System.
Next-Generation System: A game console that is not only new (or soon to be released), but that is also cutting edge in design and execution. Generally speaking, it should be more powerful and have better graphics and sounds than previous systems.
Nintendo DS: Released in 2004, the DS is Nintendo’s dual-screen handheld game system. Games in the DS library relevant to this book include: Bomberman , Contra 4 , Gauntlet , and New Super Mario Bros. , among others.
Nintendo Entertainment System: See the Nintendo NES chapter in this book.
Nintendo 64: Released in 1996, the Nintendo 64 was Nintendo’s follow-up to the Super Nintendo. Games in the N64 library relevant to this book include: Asteroids Hyper 64 , Castlevania , Dr. Mario 64 , and Tetrisphere , among others.
Non-Scrolling Platform: A fixed-screen game in which the lead character runs, jumps, and otherwise works his or her way around a series of beams, blocks, floors of a building, or any other type of platform. There are often obstacles to jump over, elevators to ride, enemies to avoid, and things to climb (but not as much climbing as in actual climbing games).
Non-Scrolling Shooter: Any fixed-screen shooter that does not fall into the slide-and-shoot, light gun, first-person, or other shooter categories.
N64: Short for Nintendo 64.
Nudge: A video pinball term used to describe “pushing” on the table or putting English on the ball.
Number Puzzle: Most number puzzle games have players decoding, arranging, or otherwise strategically manipulating numbers, but without enough actual math involved to qualify as an educational title.
One-Hit Death: When all it takes is one punch, bullet, or other such attack to kill a character. While most modern games (and many games listed in this book) incorporate health bars, shields, and other such avenues for allowing the player’s character to get hit numerous times, older games often employ one-hit deaths.
1-Up: An icon or symbol that can be maneuvered over or otherwise grabbed to grant the player an extra life.
Overhead View Action: An action-oriented game that is viewed from a top-down perspective, as long as it doesn’t fall into another category, such as RPG or shooter.
Overhead View Free-Roaming Shooter: A scrolling shooter in which the player’s ship (or other vehicle) can point, shoot, and move in all directions, and the screen scrolls along with it. A game like Asteroids has somewhat similar ship movement, but the screen doesn’t scroll, so it belongs in the non-scrolling shooter category. Also refers to games like Heavy Barrel , in which players walk around in all directions on a scrolling playfield, shooting enemies.
Pack-In Game: A video game that is included as an accessory with a game system, a keyboard, or other such item.
Parallax Scrolling: Pioneered by the arcade version of Moon Patrol (Williams, 1982), this type of scrolling occurs when layered, translucent images scroll on top of each other at various speeds and directions to give the graphics the illusion of depth.
Password: In games with a password feature, progressing past certain levels or points in the game rewards players with passwords, which should be written down and can be entered at a later time. Entering the appropriate password will automatically advance the player to a particular level or saved point in the game. Passwords can be in the form of numbers, letters, or icons.
Pause: Freezing a game in progress so that players may take a break from the action and return later exactly where they left off. The Atari 7800 and Sega Master System each have a pause button on the console while pressing start on the control pad pauses most NES games.
Peripheral: A joystick, voice module, or most any other item that is compatible with a game system, but is not actual hardware or software.
Philips CD-i: Released in 1991, the CD-i was a pricey, multi-media console that could play games, audio CDs, karaoke Cds, and video CDs (VCDs). Games in the Philips CD-i library relevant to this book include: Battleship , Dragon’s Lair , Zelda’s Adventure , and Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon , among other titles.
Pinball: In pinball video games, players operate at least one pair of flippers, hitting a bouncing ball around a table filled with spinners, bumpers, and/or other targets. Most video pinball games are designed to emulate real pinball machines, but some add adventure, shooter, or other elements.
Pixel: Short for picture element, referring to illuminated points (small graphic units) on the screen. Pixels combine to form images. The more pixels per inch, the sharper the display.
Pixelated: When the individual pixels of an onscreen image are blatantly noticeable, those graphics are sometimes referred to as being pixelated. Pixelated graphics are essentially a given with many classic games.
Platform: The specific brand, model, or type of video game system. Or, a flat surface, oftentimes suspended, that a video game character can walk across or jump on.
Platform Shooter: A game in which the lead character runs, jumps, and otherwise works his or her way around and/or across a series of beams, blocks, floors of a building, or any other type of platform, shooting enemies along the way. There are often obstacles to jump over, elevators to ride, and things to climb, but these elements are usually secondary to shooting.
Playable: Games described as being playable lack the type of egregious flaw (such as horrible controls or a bug in the program) that would make a game utterly beyond recommendation, regardless of any other aspect of the game.
Player: The human being who is actually playing the game. Or, a specific type of video game character, such as an athlete (a basketball player, for example).
Playfield: The area on the screen where the gaming action takes place. Usually refers to the largest portion of the screen, but only when the game is not in title mode, selection mode, or other non-action mode.
PlayStation: Released in 1995, the PlayStation was Sony’s first game console. Games in the PlayStation library relevant to this book include: Arcade Party Pak , Contra: Legacy of War , Mega Man 8 , and Namco Museum Vol. 1 , among others.
PlayStation Portable: Released in 2005, the PSP was Sony’s first handheld game system. Games in the PSP library relevant to this book include: Bomberman , Capcom Classics Collection: Reloaded , Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles , and Ultimate Ghosts ’n Goblins , among others.
PlayStation 2: Released in 2000, the PS2 was Sony’s follow-up to the PlayStation. Games in the PlayStation 2 library relevant to this book include: Capcom Classics Collection , Neo Contra , Shinobi , and Midway Arcade Treasures , among others.
PlayStation 3: Released in 2006, the PS3 was Sony’s follow-up to the PlayStation 2. Games in the PlayStation 3 library relevant to this book include: Bionic Commando , Gauntlet II (downloadable via the PlayStation Store), Golden Axe: Beast Rider , and Prince of Persia , among others.
Pong: Released in 1972, Pong was the first commercially successful arcade game, leading to numerous clones and copycats, including the ubiquitous ball-and-paddle games available for the home (as dedicated units or game cartridges). Pong was created by Nolan Bushnell, the legendary founder of Atari.
Port: A game that has been translated from one system or format to another. The term is commonly used to describe a home console version of an arcade game.
Power-Up: Icons, symbols, or other objects that can be maneuvered over or otherwise grabbed to enhance the character or vehicle the player is controlling. Power-ups can sometimes be obtained by defeating certain enemies. Examples of power-ups include the power pills in Pac-Man and the fire flowers in Super Mario Bros .
Prototype: A professionally designed game that exists in some form (such as a label-less cartridge), but was never officially released to the public. Prototype games, which are oftentimes incomplete, usually command a premium on the collector’s market due to scarcity.
PS1: Short for PlayStation (the “1” designation came into being with the release of the PlayStation 2).
PSP: Short for PlayStation Portable.
PS3: Short for PlayStation 3.
PS2: Short for PlayStation 2.
PSX: Short for PlayStation.
Publisher: A person or company who plays a key role in paying for, manufacturing, distributing, marketing, or otherwise making sure a game gets produced and sold.
Rally/Off-Road Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s) out doors around tracks of varying terrain, such as dirt or mud. Sometimes tracks aren’t even involved. BMX and monster truck racing usually contain elements of rally/off-road, but are specific enough to warrant their own categories.
Rapid Fire: When the character, ship, or other shooting implement can shoot at a fast, constant rate (as opposed to slower, more methodical shooting). Depending on the game, this is done by pressing the fire button rapidly or by simply holding it down.
Raster Graphics: The type of onscreen images that are made up of pixels or collections of pixels. Also referred to as bitmapped images.
Real-Time Strategy: This type of game has players performing such relatively complicated tasks as gathering and managing resources, deploying troops, developing technology, constructing buildings, and more. Unlike turn-based strategy titles, in which players take turns making their moves, RTS games have players going about their business at the same time.
Role-Playing Game: An RPG is a game in which players assume the role of a character (or band of characters) who undertakes a lengthy quest that is more complicated in nature than that found in the typical action or adventure game. The character(s) in question can usually gain powers (such as magic) and/or weapons (such as special swords) as he or she completes missions or engages in battles contained within the overall quest. Battles can be action-oriented or determined in less direct fashion, such as comparisons of the characters’ attributes.
ROM: Short for read only memory, which is memory data that can be read by the computer. Most video game cartridges contain ROM.
Rotary Controller: An analog controller that rotates clockwise and counterclockwise to move onscreen objects in two directions (usually right and left or up and down). The Atari 2600 paddles are the most famous version of this type of controller.
Saturn: Short for Sega Saturn.
Scrolling: In games that employ scrolling, players maneuver a character, ship, or other object around large, contiguous playfields. Some games scroll in all directions while others limit the action to right and left, up and down, or in just one direction (usually up or to the right).
Sega CD: Released in 1992, the Sega CD was a disc-based add-on to the Genesis. Games in the Sega CD library relevant to this book include: After Burner III , Jeopardy! , Sega Classics 4-in-1 , and Sonic CD , among others.
Sega Genesis: Released in 1989, the Sega Genesis was the 16-bit follow-up to the Sega Master System. Games in the Genesis library relevant to this book include: Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle , Battletoads , Columns , and Sonic the Hedgehog , among others.
Sega Master System: See the Sega Master System chapter in this book.
Sega Saturn: Released in 1995, the Saturn was Sega’s follow-up to the Sega 32X. Games in the Saturn library relevant to this book include: Contra: Legacy of War , Saturn Bomberman , Sega Ages , and Shinobi Legions , among others.
Sega 32X: Released in 1994, the 32X was a disappointing add-on to the Sega Genesis. Games in the 32X library relevant to this book include: After Burner , Space Harrier , Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure , and Zaxxon’s Motherbase 2000 .
Sega 32X CD: The Sega 32X CD is an add-on to the Genesis/Sega CD/Sega 32X setup, meaning it requires all three of those systems to run. Only five titles were produced for the peripheral: Corpse Killer , Fahrenheit , Night Trap , Slam City with Scottie Pippen , and Supreme Warrior .
7800: Short for Atari 7800.
Shields: Many classic games feature one-hit deaths, but some let players use shields, which temporarily make the ship or character invulnerable or able to withstand at least one hit.
Shooter: Any type of game in which shooting plays the dominant role.
Side-Scrolling Combat: A fighting game in which the protagonist moves from left to right (usually), punching, kicking, hacking, slashing, or otherwise battling enemy after enemy after enemy. Sometimes there are weapons to pick up, obstacles to avoid, platforms to jump on, and/or fighting moves to gain.
Side-Scrolling Platform: An action-heavy game in which the protagonist moves from left to right (usually), jumping across gaps and on top of various platforms. Climbing, swimming, swinging, and other maneuvers are sometimes required, and there are almost always enemies and/or obstacles to avoid or defeat.
Side-Scrolling Shooter: A shooting game like Gradius or R-Type in which the action scrolls to the right and/or left. Horizontal shooting is usually involved, and sometimes the player’s ship can drop bombs on enemies and/or targets.
Simultaneous: Multi-player titles in which at least two of the gamers play at the same time.
Slide-and-Shoot: A non-scrolling game like Galaga in which the player maneuvers a ship or other shooting implement left and right in a straight line along the bottom of the screen, firing upward at aliens, ships, or other enemies and/or obstacles.
Slowdown: Graphical images that slow down when they’re not supposed to. This sometimes occurs when the hardware (or the programming involved in the software) is not fully up to the task of moving numerous onscreen images at once.
Smart Bomb: Smart bombs destroy (or at least damage) most or all onscreen enemies. This type of weapon was popularized by the arcade classic, Defender (1981).
SMS: Short for Sega Master System.
SNES: Short for Super Nintendo.
Software: Cartridges or other forms of media that are plugged (or otherwise inserted) into game systems (hardware) in order to play the games. Also refers to computer applications.
Space Combat Simulator: A first-person shooter set in outer space, but with more elaborate and oftentimes more realistic features and objectives.
Split Screen: When the playfield is divided into two separate, distinct, but oftentimes interrelated areas. Usually, one player pays attention to one half of the screen while the other player concentrates on the other half.
Sports: This self-explanatory genre covers a variety of sports simulations, but when the sport represented is altered considerably (such as when a tennis title is actually a ball-and-paddle game), that is taken into consideration when designating that game with a genre.
Sports Car Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), using standard sports cars instead of racecars or other vehicles.
Stealth: In most stealth games, players must infiltrate or escape enemy quarters without getting caught. Although shooting and weapons usage in general play a key role, the emphasis is on the avoidance of enemies and moving past them undetected. Battles that do occur usually demand good timing, accuracy, and keen observation of the surroundings.
Stock Car Racing: Racing against the clock or another player(s), usually around oval tracks, using the types of cars driven by NASCAR racers.
Strategy: A game in which skillful planning, tactical maneuvering, and/or calculated management takes precedence over direct control of the action.
Strategy Role-Playing Game: Like most RPGs, strategy role-playing games generally feature some or all of such elements as experience points, hit points, conversations with characters, and item acquisition. However, an emphasis is placed on strategic and tactical aspects of the game, such as those found in a military simulation.
Super Famicom: Released in 1990, the Super Famicom is the Japanese version of the Super Nintendo.
Super Nintendo: Released in 1991, the Super Nintendo (or Super NES) was the 16-bit follow-up to the Nintendo NES. Games in the SNES library relevant to this book include: Contra III: The Alien Wars , Gradius III , and Super Mario World , among others.
Tactical Shooter: Although most games of this type incorporate first-person and/or third-person shooting action, tactical shooters are usually more realistic in nature than other shooting games. Many include such elements as espionage, spy tactics, sniper fire, terrorist activity, stealth, authentic weaponry, squad-based battles, military operations, and/or the rescuing of hostages. Mission-based objectives are commonplace in tactical shooters.
Third-Party Company: A company that develops or publishes a game for a system of another company. Capcom’s releases for the NES are classic, textbook examples of third-party games.
Third-Person Action Role-Playing Game: Most third-person action role-playing games are at least somewhat similar to The Legend of Zelda , in which players view their character (usually a solo figure) from overhead as he or she engages in real-time battles. Real-time swordplay and/or other actions are generally at least on par (in terms of importance to the game) with exploration, character-building, and other RPG elements.
Third-Person Graphic Adventure: Similar to first-person graphic adventure, but, instead of seeing the action through the eyes of the character, the character is visible onscreen.
Third-Person Role-Playing Game: An RPG in which players view their character or party of characters from a third-person perspective, usually from overhead or from the side. Unlike third-person action role-playing games, these types of games usually (but not always) feature turn-based battles.
Third-Person Shooter: A game like Space Harrier or After Burner , in which players view the character, ship, or other bullet-spewing implement of destruction from behind.
32X: Short for Sega 32X.
3DO: Released in 1993, the 3DO was Panasonic’s pricey 32-bit console. Games in the 3DO library relevant to this book include: Battle Chess , Dragon’s Lair , Family Feud , and Lemmings .
Tile Puzzle: A game like Shanghai , in which players match tiles bearing similar patterns in order to remove them from the screen.
Trackball: A hard plastic ball that is mounted in a stationary base and is rotated to maneuver an object (such as a gun sight or a cursor) around the screen. The Sega Sports Pad for the Master System has a trackball, but the peripheral was a commercial failure and was used for very few games. The Atari Trak-Ball is compatible with the Atari 7800 (among other Atari systems).
Turbo: In certain racing games, players can use turbo (sometimes called “nitro”) to give their vehicle an extra boost of speed. Turbo power frequently appears in the form of power-ups that can be driven over or purchased.
TurboGrafx-16: Released in 1990 by NEC, the TurboGrafx-16 was a nice console, but couldn’t compete with the Genesis and SNES. Games in the TurboGrafx library relevant to this book include: Bonk’s Adventure , Dragon Spirit , Galaga ’90 , and Space Harrier , among others.
TurboGrafx-16 CD: Released in 1990, the Turbo-Grafx-16 CD was a pricey, disc-based add-on for the TurboGrafx-16. Games in the TurboGrafx-16 CD library relevant to this book include: The Addams Family , Prince of Persia , Ys Book I & II , and Ys III: Wanderers from Ys .
Turn-Based Strategy: The type of strategy game where each player finishes all of his or her maneuverings and actions for a turn prior to the next player taking their turn. Many board games employ this technique, but they fall under the board game umbrella.
Unlicensed: A game that is released without approval from the hardware manufacturer (when such approval is required), usually referring to titles for the NES produced by such companies as Color Dreams and Tengen.
Vector Graphics: Onscreen images that are comprised of lines, points, arcs, angles, and other geometric shapes. A vector is a pair of end points on an x-y matrix. The Vectrex system, which displays vector graphics, is a rarity in the arena of classic home game systems as most employ raster graphics.
Vectrex: Released by GCE in 1982, the Vectrex was a tabletop game system with its own screen, which displayed games using vector graphics (as opposed to raster). Games in the Vectrex library relevant to this book include: Pole Position .
Vertical Scrolling Platform: Unlike the far more common side-scrolling platforming games, which move horizontally, the action in vertical scrolling platform games moves up and/or down the screen.
Vertical Scrolling Shooter: A game in which the player’s ship, character, or other shooting implement travels upward (or possibly downward, but only on rare occasions), firing away at various airborne and/or ground-based enemies, targets, and other objects.
Vertical Scrolling Tank Shooter: A shooting game in which the player’s tank travels up the screen, firing away at various ground-based objects.
Virtual Boy: Released in 1995, the Virtual Boy was Nintendo’s failed attempt at an immersive, 3D game system. Games in the Virtual Boy library relevant to this book include: 3D Tetris , Mario Clash , Mario’s Tennis , and Wario Land .
Warp: Transporting a ship, character, or other object instantly to another area of the screen or another level or area of the game by simply pressing a button or entering a specific area. Similar to hyperspace, but more versatile in nature.
Wii: Released in 2006, the Wii was Nintendo’s follow-up to the Game Cube. Using the Virtual Console portion of the Wii Shop Channel, players can download various games for the NES, Master System, and certain other classic consoles.
Word Puzzle: Word scrambles, word searches, and other types of puzzle games involving letters and words belong to this genre. Educational titles often involve letters and words, but are more geared toward younger players learning how to spell or read.
World-Building Simulator: A strategy game that lets players create a virtual world to their liking. Once the world has been formed, players can manage its armies, citizens, goods, and/or various other aspects.
Xbox: Released in 2001, the Xbox was computer giant Microsoft’s first video game console. Games in the Xbox library relevant to this book include: Capcom Classics Collection , Castlevania: Curse of Darkness , Gauntlet (downloadable via Xbox Live), and Tecmo Classic Arcade , among others.
Xbox 360: Released in 2005, the Xbox 360 was Microsoft’s follow-up to the Xbox. Using the Xbox Live Arcade online service, players can download Galaga Legions , Mega Man 9 , Contra , Defender , Ms. Pac-Man , and other classic games.