Nintendo games I miss playing most #1: Adventure Island

Sure, Super Mario Brothers may be the best game that I’ve ever played on the console known as the Nintendo Family Computer, at least on this side of the world, on both counts, but nothing beats the fun and excitement that Adventure Island gave me when I was young … er.

Here I go again, looking for old games to fan the flames of youth in my 30-something body. Well, I’ve found a site that will enable me to sate this thirst for old Nintendo Family Computer games. Oh, I’m not about to divulge the address of the site just yet. Let me savor it for a while longer. Suffice it to say that it lets me relive my glory days, when I still had full control of my fingers.

Going back to the topic at hand (we are, after all, talking about Hudson’s Adventure Island after all), I’m sure many will agree that Adventure Island is indeed a memorable game. It’s so memorable that I’m still suffering from LSS, or Last Song Syndrome. The game’s theme is catchy and goes well with the character you’re playing, a diminutive caveman running around an island collecting fruit while avoiding animals like snails and hummingbirds and obstacles like rocks rolling down hillsides and campfires.

The last time I played this game was, hmmm, back in 1989—I think. Now, almost 19 years later, I’m still in good shape. No, not in the physical sense, rather in playing this awesome game made for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Of course, I’m playing it on a website through the magic of Java and the controls aren’t found on a trusty gamepad but a keyboard.

For those who don’t have any idea what I’m talking about, here’s a brief backgrounder on Adventure Island:

Adventure Island is a side-scrolling platform game much like Super Mario Brothers and, yes, Sonic the Hedgehog. The main character, Master Higgins (yes, the midget), is attempting to rescue his mate by traversing a tropical island.

As with any adventure game, Adventure Island has its share of power-ups for its hero. These power-ups, which may come in the form of a stone hammer, a skateboard, a bola, or a fairy, are found inside giant eggs.

The island has its share of dangers, ranging from enemies such as snails and birds to rolling boulders and campfires. Needless to say, if Master Higgins runs into these animals and obstacles, he will perish. Falling into water or into pits will also send Master Higgins to tribal heaven.

Adventure Island is divided into eight worlds with four levels each, followed by bosses at the end of the fourth level. Unlike Super Mario Brothers, the segments of each level are marked to show where Master Higgins will respawn after he bites the dust.