I don’t know about you guys, but when I think “side-scrolling shoot ‘em ups,”
I think the SEGA Genesis.
I think arcades.
I think the 16-bit era.
That’s when those games really seemed to take off, they were all over the freaking
place.
But they were in other places, too.
I mean, the NES had Silkworm.
A shooter where you are, yourself…all over the freaking place.
So this bad boy was released in 1990.
Emphasis on “bad boy,” ‘cause this is one bad boy.
Silkworm came at the beginning of that wave of early nineties shoot ‘em ups, and at
least as NES shoot ‘em ups go, this is definitely one of the coolest.
I mean, it certainly has its issues, and it’s far from perfect.
But the cool things about Silkworm, are just too cool to ignore.
First, the sticker.
Explosions are always awesome, that’s a rule.
Second, the backgrounds.
They’re super colorful, and color is always awesome.
Also a rule.
And third, the design.
The only thing cooler than a good video game, is a good video game designed to be played
with a friend, and that actually delivers by being better with friends.
And explosions with friends are, like…the best part of being alive.
So let’s start with the game’s main gimmick.
The thing that makes Silkworm Silkworm…is its multiplayer.
I mean, it is designed, from top to bottom…as a multiplayer game.
And actually, a really cool multiplayer game, too.
Because each player gets a different vehicle.
One gets a helicopter, the other gets a Jeep.
And each one is a totally different experience.
This is one of those games where you and your friends actually get good with one of the
two, you know?
Like, “Oh, I’m better with the helicopter, you take the Jeep,” that kind of thing…
And friends who get good with helicopters together…
Those are the friends who slay together—I mean, stay together.
Those are the friends, who stay together.
The great thing about this dual-vehicle design…isn’t just that they’re different, it’s that
they complement each other, too.
Like, the strengths of the helicopter?
They actually make up for the weaknesses of the Jeep.
And vice versa.
I mean, there are helicopter might struggle with, but the Jeep just annihilates.
So it’s also one of those, “I’ll take this guy, you take that guy” games, which
are always the most fun kind of games.
And again, the fact that it’s on the NES, which isn’t necessarily a system people
think of for shoot ‘em ups…I think that might be the coolest thing of all.
Well, except for the explosions with friends.
Nothing’s cooler than that, you guys.
So the
game has a cool design gimmick, it plays great, it looks awesome…what are those issues we
talked about earlier?
Well, for starters, that focus on multiplayer makes playing this alone a lot less fun.
Still good, but…nowhere near as cool as when both vehicles are on the screen.
And it’s also crazy tough on your own, too.
I mean, if it weren’t for the Game Genie, I would’ve been f*cked.
Said every kid in 1989.
And actually, the game doesn’t really evolve that much.
Like, the enemies stay basically the same from level to level, there’s not much variation…and
eventually, even those backgrounds start to repeat, too.
So yeah, without the multiplayer elements, Silkworm isn’t quite as…
Well, it’s not quite as Silkworm.
I’ll be honest, I never really though of the NES as a great console for shoot ‘em
ups.
Silkworm heard me say that and immediately punched me in the face—twice.
And with two, different, fists.
Somehow.
And you know what, I wasn’t even mad, I had too much fun.
Even by myself, which was definitely less awesome…the game’s still pretty awesome.
No one wanted to play with me today, though.
Except the Game Genie.
Which will stay by your side forever, and always.
If you’re looking for shoot ‘em ups from before blast processing took over the genre…well,
call up a buddy, pick the vehicle of your choice and prepare your eyeballs for the awesomeness
that is…
Silkworm, for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Game’s so awesome.
Big thanks to our pal Greg, from across the hall, for telling me I was a pussy for having
never played this.
Thanks, Greg.
Boy, I really like your stupid blue shoes.