Impossible Mission

[Wildcat]

I was looking at price cuts at Gamestop and stumbled across this DS title. Does anyone remember playing classic computer games like Summer Games, Jumpman or California Games? Impossible Mission is from the same developer, Epyx. System 3, who worked on some of Epyx's titles, are still alive and have taken it upon themselves to re-release updated versions of some of Epyx's back catalog. For $10 you can pick up their first endeavor, Impossible Mission. Originally programmed in 1984, this title features you as a secret agent trying to counteract an evil scientist's nuclear destruction plans. By navigating a twisting labyrinth of rooms, you'll find puzzle fragments hiding in desks, bookcases, computer hard drives and more. Dodging robots and solving the problems the somewhat finicky elevator lifts along the way, you'll need to link up the puzzle pieces to collect 9 passwords to disable the nuclear launch. And you only have 6 hours to do it! As you bump into robots or fall into pits, you lose precious time for your folly. You do have some ways to counteract the robots or lifts from screwing you over - you can activate terminals and use special passwords to disable the robots for a bit or reset the lifts. Your character can only leap or run, so you can't fight your way out of the rooms...and it pushes your brain quite nicely.
It's a great puzzler, and at the cheap price, you'll find a solid retro experience here. It's got the original game, plus a remake and merged mode (which uses the original sprites but the new backgrounds). It also uses the touch screen in a fairly effective manner, too (it's your computer interface).

[Nester the Lark]

I recall the Atari 7800 version of Impossible Mission contained a bug that literally made the game impossible to finish. At least you can't fault them for false advertising.

I remember playing California Games (and it's sequel) a long time back. It was pretty fun...at the time.

[Wildcat]

I'm eagerly awaiting the DS remake of California Games. I loved that game when I was a kid. I'll probably be stunned when I play it, but the memories are still golden.

[Fryguy64]

I never played Impossible Mission, although I always wanted to. Hated California Games though What a bloody nightmare that game was!! It makes me angry just thinking about it!!!