Bad Street Brawler
Encyclopedia
Bad Street Brawler is a video game by Beam Software Pty., Ltd. It was distributed worldwide by Mindscape Inc.
and Mattel
. It was released for the Commodore Amiga
, the Commodore 64
, MS-DOS
, and the NES
. The NES version was one of only two NES games specifically designed for use with Mattel
's Power Glove
.
The player plays the character Duke Davis, who goes from stage to stage beating up gangsters that get in his way, dressed in a yellow tank top, sunglasses
, and yellow pants. He is described as a former punk rock
er and the "world's coolest" martial artist.
Before the start of the next stage, quotes are introduced to entertain the player (such as "Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you"). The player fights a variety of enemies, such as gorilla
s and old ladies who throw pocketbooks at the player (resembling weightlifter dwarves who throw dumbbell
s at the player).
columnist Seanbaby
named it both one of the worst NES games and worst video games of all time. The game is also argued to have bizarre homosexual undertones by certain critics at such sites as Something Awful
, due somewhat to Duke's loud clothes, but mostly to the awkward appearance of many attacks. The "bull ram" attack often appears to be a headbutt to enemies' crotches, while the "trip" move can be seen as massaging the genitals of enemies. However, the game does not take itself very seriously, so it is possible that some of its negative aspects are intentional.
Mindscape Group
Mindscape is an international software publishing company, previously part of The Learning Company. They are now affiliated with EA . As of 2004, the group has offices in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. It has an annual turnover of €38 million and employs 150 people. Mindscape...
and Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
. It was released for the Commodore Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
, the Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
, MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
, and the NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
. The NES version was one of only two NES games specifically designed for use with Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
's Power Glove
Power Glove
The Power Glove is a controller accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and the first peripheral interface controller to recreate human hand movements on a television or computer screen in real time. The Power Glove was not popular and was criticized for its imprecise and difficult-to-use...
.
Gameplay
Sunglasses
Sunglasses or sun glasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that...
, and yellow pants. He is described as a former punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
er and the "world's coolest" martial artist.
Before the start of the next stage, quotes are introduced to entertain the player (such as "Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you"). The player fights a variety of enemies, such as gorilla
Gorilla
Gorillas are the largest extant species of primates. They are ground-dwelling, predominantly herbivorous apes that inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies...
s and old ladies who throw pocketbooks at the player (resembling weightlifter dwarves who throw dumbbell
Dumbbell
The dumbbell, a type of free weight, is a piece of equipment used in weight training. It can be used individually or in pairs .-History:...
s at the player).
Reception
The NES version of the game has come under criticism by a number of people for its questionable design. Perhaps partially due to the limits of the NES controller or Power Glove, the protagonist can only use a few different moves in every stage, most used for specific tasks in that stage (the "trip" move, for example, can be used to give dogs belly-rubs), making Bad Street Brawler somewhat monotonous to watch and play. Electronic Gaming MonthlyElectronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
columnist Seanbaby
Seanbaby
Sean Patrick Reiley , better known as Seanbaby, is an American writer best known for his comedy website and frequent contributions to video game media outlets Electronic Gaming Monthly and 1UP.com. He is also a regular contributor to the humor website Cracked.com...
named it both one of the worst NES games and worst video games of all time. The game is also argued to have bizarre homosexual undertones by certain critics at such sites as Something Awful
Something Awful
Something Awful, often abbreviated to SA, is a comedy website housing a variety of content, including blog entries, forums, feature articles, digitally edited pictures, and humorous media reviews. It was created by Richard "Lowtax" Kyanka in 1999 as a largely personal website, but as it grew, so...
, due somewhat to Duke's loud clothes, but mostly to the awkward appearance of many attacks. The "bull ram" attack often appears to be a headbutt to enemies' crotches, while the "trip" move can be seen as massaging the genitals of enemies. However, the game does not take itself very seriously, so it is possible that some of its negative aspects are intentional.