Friday the 13th (1989 video game)
Friday the 13th | ||
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Composer(s) Hirohiko Takayama | | |
Platform(s) | Nintendo Entertainment System | |
Release |
| |
Mode(s) | Single player |
Friday the 13th is a
Gameplay
Players control one of six camp counselors (each with varying levels of speed, rowing, and jumping ability) in a
Upon nearing Jason's location, Jason may appear on the path or in the lake and attack the player. When inside a cabin Jason will attack the player in a way reminiscent of the video game Punch-Out!!.[3] Players may light the fireplaces inside of larger cabins. Upon lighting all fireplaces, a flashlight and torch weapon are available. Notes are found in some larger cabins leading the player to other notes in other locations, eventually leading to new items. The objective of the game is to survive for three days and three nights while attempting to find and kill Jason. Players may battle Jason's mother who is in a hidden locked room in the cave. She is represented as a Medusa-like floating head that swoops down to attack the player. Navigating in the woods or cave can be confusing as they are set up to purposely disorient the player. They hide several locked rooms/cabins. If all counselors or children die, the game is over.[2]
Characters
The player can choose from six camp counselors at the start of the game. The currently played counselor can be changed after stepping into a small cabin, which allows for quick traversal across the map in times that a counselor or the children are being attacked. It is also possible to trade items with unplayed counselors by moving to their location. Each counselor has strengths and weaknesses in speed and they could make the difference in surviving or dying during the course of the game:
- Chrissy is the strongest female character, with fast running speed, fast weapon throwing speed, and a high jump, but her rowing speed is slow.
- Debbie is the weakest female character, with fast weapon throwing and average rowing speed, but slow running speed and low jump height.
- George is the weakest male character, possessing slow running speed, low jump and average weapon throwing speed, but with a fast rowing speed
- Laura has fast movement speed, fast weapon throwing speed, but with a low jump and average rowing speed.
- Mark is the strongest male character, with fast running speed, a high jump and fast rowing speed, but with a slow weapon throwing speed.
- Paul has a slow running speed and a low jump, but fast rowing speed and fast weapon throwing speed
Development
Friday the 13th was developed by Atlus and published by LJN for the Nintendo Entertainment System video game console. It was released in February 1989.[4] Its music and sound effects were designed by Hirohiko Takayama.[4] It is an adaptation of the film franchise of the same name. It was developed as part of an "aggressive expansion" by LJN to focus on video games based on media licenses.[5]
Reception
Friday the 13th was released in North America exclusively in February 1989, as part of LJN's focus on creating video games based on licenses. It is considered by some to be one of the worst games of all time.
Game Informer lists the game among the most difficult horror games of all time.
Legacy
In June 2013, the National Entertainment Collectibles Association released an exclusive figurine of the video game-style Jason with the turquoise and purple color palette to go along with their other Nintendo-esque horror figure, a video game-style Freddy Krueger based on LJN's A Nightmare on Elm Street game.[16][17]
In 2017, after developer
See also
- Friday the 13th: The Computer Game
- Friday the 13th: The Game
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1989 video game)
References
- ^ "Atlus". GDRI. Retrieved 2015-08-16.
- ^ LJN Toys Ltd.February 1989. NES-F3-USA.
- ^ a b Smithee, Alan (2004-07-02). "10 to 1: The Worst Movie Games Ever, Feature Story from". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2010-05-25. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ a b "Friday the 13th Release Information for NES". GameFAQs. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ISBN 9780899309149.
- ^ "The Wrong Kind of Scary: Worst Horror Games Ever". Game Informer. No. 186. GameStop. October 2008. p. 120. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ Grandstaff, Matt (2001-11-27). "Videogames, movies make formidable mix with Gamecubes Rogue Leader". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ "The Top 10 Worst Games of All Time". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 107. Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.
- ^ Reparaz, Mikel (2009-05-07). "Totally '80s box art! (page 2)". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ Grant, Christopher (2007-04-13). "Happy Friday the 13th! Destroy Jason ... if you can!". Joystiq. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ Buchanan, Levi (2010-04-30). "An NES Nightmare on Elm Street – NES Feature at IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ISBN 9780240811468. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
- ^ "Along With the Best Comest the...10 Worst Games of All Time". Nintendo Power. No. 100. Nintendo. September 1997. p. 97.
- ^ James Ransom-Wiley. "NES spoof: Friday the 13th Part Deux".
- ^ "VIDEO GAMES TOY WITH BLOCKBUSTERS". Los Angeles Daily News. MediaNews Group. July 1, 1990. Retrieved 2012-03-26.
- ^ "SDCC Exclusive: Video Game Jason Voorhees Action Figure Coming to Comic-Con!". Neca Online. June 6, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "NECA's 8-Bit Freddy Krueger Based On the 1989 NES Game!!!". Bloody Disgusting. August 7, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2013.
- ^ "Friday the 13th developers say 'sorry' with a new update and free stuff for everyone". PC Gamer. June 19, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017.