Blaster Master (NES)

Pub: Sunsoft | Dev: Tokai Engineering | November 1988
Pub: Sunsoft | Dev: Tokai Engineering | November 1988

Blaster Master celebrates 30 years this month. Released in November of 1988, Blaster Master is one of those beloved 8-bit classics that most kids from the NES era fondly remembers. Although my gaming crew never held it quite in the same light as Contra or Mega Man 2, it was always right up there with the best of the rest. There was something about it. Something different and memorable. The ability to man a powered up tank was unique enough on its own, but throw in the ability to hop out of said tank to patrol around on foot made the blasting experience double cool. Switching from side-scrolling action to a top-down shooter differentiated Blaster Master from the masses, making it stand out in an era where most games featured very little variety. As a fun bonus, the title of the game encompassed the late ’80s. BLASTER MASTER. It was cool, yet cheesy. Charming, yet campy. It fit in perfectly with the times we were growing up in. Happy 30th Anniversary, Blaster Master!

The good old days when   back of boxes were so cool
The good old days when back of boxes were so cool

THE STORY GOES…

And who said Jason and Freddy can't be friends??
And who said Jason and Freddy can’t be friends?

The game features a timeless plot. You know it by heart. But just for the record…

Boy loves frog.

Frog escapes.

Frog licks radioactive tin.

Boy follows frog underground.

Boy finds tank.

Boy saves world.

Riveting stuff, really.

"Would you like flies with that?" [SMH -Ed.]
“Would you like flies with that?”  [Oh dear -Ed.]
No lid eh? Way to go, Einstein...
No lid eh? Way to go, Einstein…
Where the HELL is this kid living anyhow... AREA 51?!
Where the HELL is this kid living anyhow… AREA 51?!
Have we not learned anything from Godzilla?
Remember Godzilla, anyone?
Mmm, giant frog legs
Mmm, giant frog legs
You gotta appreciate the nonsensical wacky plot
You gotta appreciate the nonsensical wacky plot

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[You mean HELMET. Hmm, why did I hire you again? Remember kids, STAY IN SCHOOL!-Ed]
[You mean HELMET. Why did I hire you again?
Remember kids, ALWAYS STAY IN SCHOOL!-Ed]
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THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Hard to fathom it's been 30 years
Hard to fathom it’s been 30 years

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Navigating Sophia around the landscape is satisfying in and of itself. Managing the momentum of the tank as it moves about is all part of the fun. Add to that a healthy dosage of blasting bad guys and it’s a grand old time.

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You can leap out of the tank and patrol around on foot as Jason himself. He has his own health bar and there are certain locations that only Jason has access to.

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The tank is inoperable underwater, so Jason hops out for a quick swim. Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about finding water bubbles as a respite. Sonic the Hedgehog Jason ain’t!

Zap the jellyfish or swim around
Zap the jellyfish or swim around

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You’ll find a ladder at the end here that will take you to the first overhead section, where you’ll play exclusively as Jason.

He becomes a much easier target to hit
Reminiscent of NES Rygar, no?

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Life Force is another NES classic
Life Force is another NES classic
"Don't open til Doomsday!"
“Do not open until Doomsday!”

You’ll receive an upgrade for your tank after defeating the boss. Backtrack because now you can destroy the wall guardian with your new power-up. Nice!

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It definitely does, what with its backtracking and various upgrades that allow you to access previously inaccessible areas.

It's got that classic NES vibe
It’s got that classic NES vibe to it
Overpower these cronies
Overpower these cronies
Yup, you know what this means!
Yup you know what this means
Shades of Legend of Zelda
Shades of Legend of Zelda

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New power-ups allow you to expand the game as well as fortify your tank.

Stage variety is always nice
Stage variety is always nice
Blast their asses into tomorrow
Blast their asses into tomorrow
Oh no, could it be Fred?!
Oh no, could it be Fred?!
Obligatory swimming sections
Obligatory swimming sections
You can see the Metroid influences
You can see the Metroid influence
Looks like crab for dinner
Looks like crab for dinner
Color schemes range from
Blast bricks to reveal new areas
Obligatory slippery ice level
Ice affects your tank’s traction
A true game changer, this
A true game changer, this
Love the colors here
Love the colors here. Classic NES!
It captured my imagination
The action get crazier and crazier
In the words of Van Halen: jump!
In the words of Van Halen: JUMP!
The end (of the world) is near
The end (of the world) nears
The box cover star rears its ugly head
The box cover star finally appears
Can you vanquish the evil Overlord?
Can you slay the evil Overlord?

CLOSING THOUGHTS

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Often heralded as an NES classic, the real question is does Blaster Master stand the test of time? It was definitely a memorable title 30 years ago, but how well has it aged exactly? Obviously your mileage may vary, but from where I sit Blaster Master is a bit of an uneven playing experience. I found myself looking forward most to the side scrolling tank blasting action while the overhead sections patrolling around as Jason, not so much. Controlling the tank S.O.P.H.I.A. (which stands for Subatomic Omni-directional Probative Hyper-responsive Indomitable Abdicator) with its various power-ups is quite the good time. But the overhead bits feel a little clunky and cumbersome. They did so even back in 1988. 30 years later and it’s even more apparent. Throw into the equation some moderate backtracking and no save or password system and you have a game that hasn’t aged all that well.

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But judged on its own merits 30 years ago, it was an easy 8.5-9.0 of a game for many of us. It’s not as fun to play today but it’s still a decent time. However, I highly recommend playing Blaster Master Zero instead. I beat that one on the Nintendo Switch and it’s AWESOME. Makes it really hard going back to NES Blaster Master! Regardless of which game you choose to play, here’s a toast to 30 years of BLASTER MASTER. Thanks for the memories, SOPHIA!

Blaster Master Zero is the shit
Blaster Master Zero is the bee’s knees

2 thoughts on “Blaster Master (NES)”

  1. the psx sequal game was pretty dope, runs well on an emulator with a fast pc, be warned though – I needed to jot down things as the map is very descent – like – 3d & all over the place.

    I think there was a follow up planned to the psx game but was axed or never released sadly. x/0

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