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 In a world predominately made up of momentary gaming gratification (you know, the era of the achievement), it becomes difficult to have any fond memory of a game. I soon forget most of today's titles after I've either progressed to a point I can't get by, or have beaten the game. And unless the game touched me in some spiritually, mentally, or emotional way, it's not likely I'll be inclined to pick it back up any time soon. The days of playing a game from beginning to end in one sitting are dead. They died with the conception of save points and memory cards. These nifty inventions allowed us to stop, come back a week later, and pick up right where we left off. This robbed gamers of the gut wenching moments when there was only one life standing between you completing the game, or starting over from the beginning. So where's the gut wrench factor in gaming today? The times where you had to know a level of a game like the back of your hand are over. There's no more counting on that enemy coming at you in the exact same way twice. The introduction of a intelligent AI changed all that. Now your enemy's mannerisms change when you sneeze, or stare at them too hard. And every year that passes brings us new innovative technologies that shovel more dirt on top of the games I grew up with.  

 But there still are some games of the past that I still can remember. Games that I can pick up, play for a minute, and the memories come rushing back. Games like these, we can never forget.

 This week on Throwback Thursday I will be revisiting the year 1985, and will take a look at a Konami game by the name of Rush' N Attack. A name that was fitting for the Cold War era when it seemed everyone had their finger on the button. This game brought new meaning to the phrase "run and gun". Or rather, "run and stab" which the game mainly consisted of. After your selection either the one or two player mode, you are dropped in by way of helicopter (because transportation was limited back in those days). Assuming the role of a faceless blue commando (that sticks out like a sore thumb), you set off deep in Russian territory. Your mission is to destroy the enemy's secret weapon and save the world. This was the usual scenario for the combat games of the 80's.

 Traveling along in this side scrolling action game, you are met with various obstacles that stand between you and your destiny. Russian soldiers who seemed to be from the Napoleon era are running directly at you! And oh my god, they were running at different speeds. Each one trying to touch you and give you the cootie disease! One touch and you were certain to contract the horrible disease which resulted in instantaneous death. If that wasn't enough, you also had to watch out for the soldiers who wanted to show off their karate styles. These soldiers, who usually dressed in some form of red, were always trying to kick you in the head. The only way to deal with this particular enemy was to jump and stab them, or by the use of another available weapon. Eventually further on in the game enemies will start to shoot at you from guard towers and from the ground, dogs will attack you, and enemies will try to blow you to smithereens. Your only saviors in the game are a pistol that you can acquire for a short period of time, a bazooka, some grenades, and a short spurt of invincibility.  

 There isn't much to be seen in the way of innovative graphics when looking at Rush' N Attack. But comparing them to a game like Commando, the difference was remarkable. And if you squinted your eyes just right and put your nose up to your TV you can notice a lot of the detail in the game. The mountains had snow, the trucks had wheels. Hey, the characters may be faceless, but at least Konami took the time out to make some decent backgrounds.

 In the end it was nice to take some time out, start up the old *completely legal* emulator, and play some Rush' N Attack. I felt like I was ten again, and achievement points didn't exist. The pressure was off and I was playing for fun.  

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