"Is there an art-themed NES game out there?"

There is, as a matter of fact. Sadly though the odds are you'll have more fun with paper and a pencil. Videomation for the NES exists, and its purpose is to let you draw...by playing a video game. I enjoy art and this game has been in my collection for a while, but just because I like art doesn't mean I like an art-themed game. This one isn't all too fun. Sure, you have a variety of options to design, but is it really worth the trouble? Just look at the cartage and it says in small text "Not a game! A drawing and animation system!" That sums up the review rather nicely. But if you want to learn more, continue on.

Story:
There's no story, but you can make your own cheesy story with the pre-made character stamps. Some of these stamps are animated and can move by a pattern through the picture. But it isn't really worth it in the end. The non-animated stamps include such things as alphabet stamps and brick walls. Yet as I said before, and as I'll say later, just get some real-life art supplies. Whether you're good at it or not, it's better.

Graphics:
Graphic-wise, Videomation isn't dramatically below average. Considering the 13 different color themes, there can be a lot of possibilities. Sadly, each of the 13 color themes has only 10 different colors on them. In other words, there cannot be more then ten colors per page. Strangely enough, 5 of the 13 color themes have blinking, quickly flashing colors included. It's almost enough to knock someone into a seizure. Of all people, I would know.

Sound:
Beep, boop. Beep...boop. Yeah, that's the sound. The opening credits music when you turn the game on is rather good, yet the overall sound is plain old disappointing. When you are drawing lines there's a nice, catchy tune, but it gets old fast. Yet not as fast as when you paint a full object. This takes a LONG time as the object is filled from the starting point to where there's a barrier to make it stop. It takes a long time for it to paint, but the annoying sound is just terrible enough to make you want to shut the game off.

Controls:
Videomation's controls are not the best controls in the world, especially for an art-themed game, but there are ways to overcome it. You can draw by using the little arrow that heads in the direction you are pressing with the d-pad. Another way is by using the d-pad to draw which ever way you move it. It is difficult though, because you always go in either a straight line or a perfect diagonal line; never anywhere between the two. Auto-shapes like squares and circles can also be made by selecting them from the menu. Other ways aren't even worth explaining, so let's move on now.

Game-play and Replay Value:
Game-play is more or less summed up from the above. It's not too great. You can see drawn images on the TV using a video game, or draw sometime and have a pre-made character walk around on it. That's the concept and that's about it. Replay value depends on how much you like cheesy or perhaps inappropriate drawing using no more than 10 colors per picture. In my opinion, these are both low. And just an extra note here: you can't save what you've drawn. Needless to say, this is a BIG letdown.

Conclusion:
Videomation is a way to make drawing on the television using the NES. It isn't a game, and it does not feel like one. I find it hard to rate a game that goes right out and says that it isn't a game. This 1991 title is likely hard to get your hands on anyway, so even if you find one, you will have to ask yourself if you'll even use it. But I seriously recommend anyone reading this to go out and draw by hand and you won't go into a seizure due to flashing lights.

The score: 5/10

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 02/13/06