Snafu

"Out with the New, in with the Old!!"

I find myself writing more and more reviews for these old school games. The least I hope to accomplish is to add my opinion and give a fresh glance on these games. SNAFU was my all-time favorite old school game for the Intellivision. It was so very addicting (I know I say that a lot, but I mean it.) Appreciation for vintage gaming is something I am finding less and less of these days. So, the least I can do is write reviews in hopes that people might someday read and be thankful for them. Now, on to the actual review!

Gameplay - 10/10
Gameplay is possibly THE most important aspect of games such as SNAFU. Taking into account the lack of any flashy graphics or enthralling story, SNAFU more then compensates in the gameplay department. You take control of a character (some people call them “worms”) and move it around a playing space. The game has a top-view camera angle, so you can clearly see all the action of your “worm” as well as your boundaries. The game can be played with another human player in addition to many computer-controlled opponents. As you move your character up, down, left, right, or diagonally, it leaves a trail as to show where it has already been. If any of the opposing players come in contact with your trail (or any other trail, for that matter) it spells intent death for whoever bonked their head on that trail. However, if you smack into any other players trail (or your own trail, for that matter), you are also instantly dead. The object of the game is to survive the longest without hitting either your trail, another player’s trail, the walls of the playing board, or any of various solid obstacles the game puts on that playing field. Get it? It is a bit difficult to explain if you have never played the game. Does anyone remember the movie Tron? Well, it’s like that futuristic, computerized motorcycle game they played in that movie. I hope that clears some things up? SNAFU also has a myriad of game modes. You get to select how many players in total, difficulty level, the type of your worm (your worm can have a fading trail), and much more. Overall gameplay is perfect. However, this game is highly addictive!!

Graphics – 5/10
This is maybe a slightly modest score for the graphics. As said before, the game’s camera is positioned above everyone and is looking down at the playing field. Everything is 2-D and fairly blocky. No curved shapes or smoothed edges. SNAFU’s graphics leaves something to be desired, but hey, it's an old game. What did you expect?

Story – 1/10
The story is non existent. This game is not story based, so it doesn’t need one. Besides, you could always use your imagination and make one up. I like to think that the worms are cybernetic alien creatures from a different dimension. They fight each other to the death in competition as to be worthy enough to pass on their genetic information to the next generation of worms. Well, you get the idea. They could be dueling mutant-hamsters for all I care…..

Sound – 4/10
Yeah, nothing much. Computerized chirps and warbles. It can get quite catchy though….. uhhh, lets see, what else can I say about the sound? Your characters make an odd breezy noise, now does that make any sense, or what?!?

Control – 6/10
I’ve never liked the Intellivision’s controls from the get go. At times, it’s very frustrating and relentlessly unforgiving. The control pad is bulky and sometimes non-responsive. In a game like SNAFU where you need all of your reflexes, the controls can be very harsh. Move with the control disc and input game modes with the other buttons, nothing complex.

Well, there you have it. In today’s gaming society, it’s easy for a game such as SNAFU to get lost and overlooked in a word full of Xboxs, Gamecubes, and PlayStation 2s. Just don’t forget that games got their start on systems such as the Intellivision. Don’t neglect the old, the older something is, the better it gets. Well, that’s what I like to say anyway, “things get better with age” and stuff. SNAFU is like a good fine wine. You have to enjoy and savor it. Sniff it, roll it around in its glass before finally tasting its exquisite flavor. (OK, I know that sounds corny, but I can't think of a better analogy at the moment so, go play SNAFU!!)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/25/02, Updated 06/25/02