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Mad Max
Mad max nes
Developer
Mindscape
Publisher
Mindscape
Release Date(s)
July 1990 (North America)
Genre
Overhead vehicular combat
Mode
Single-player
Platforms
NES
Distribution
ROM cartridge


Mad Max is an action-driving video game for the NES console exclusive for North America, released in 1990. Although it predominately focused on the themes of Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, it was titled simply Mad Max.

Gameplay[]

MadMaxvideogame

Title screen

The objective is to survive life after the end of the world by battling survivalists and collecting valuable food, water, gasoline, and money in order to continue racing into the desert wasteland that lies beyond.

The player begins the game in Max's Pursuit Special (his famous car featured in the movie series). As the player drives through the non-linear stage (referred to as a road wars), they encounter enemy vehicles, roadblocks, and dynamite-hurling bunkers. The player is given a very limited supply of dynamite to be used on these threats by throwing it directly at them. In each level, a small, run-down service station can be found, offering goods such as fuel and dynamite, as well as auto repair services in exchange for food and water.

Mad max video game screen

In-game footage

The main goal of each level is to enter the arena and battle the enemy gangs. The player must gather enough food and water to trade at the service station for an Arena Pass. Once the pass is obtained, the player must find the Arena, which appears as a large cave. Once inside the arena, the player must be the last vehicle to survive the demolition derby inside. Enemy vehicles drive around the arena and attempt to push the player, as well as each other, off of the road into the abyss below. In addition, several areas of the floor open up at random, leaving vehicles to fall into the pitfall. Once all enemy vehicles are destroyed, the player advances to the next level of the game until he fights the final boss.

Reception[]

The Mad Max video game was well received by fans and some mixed and average reviews by critics. It had extremely advanced graphics for the time in NES hardware. It was released without any frames per second falls.

Sequels[]

A sequel by the same developers, Mindscape, was released in 1992. Mindscape was unable to hold the licensing rights to the Mad Max video games, which resulted in the title's name being changed to Outlander. Much of the gameplay and atmosphere of Mad Max remains in the game.

An unrelated Mad Max video game, also titled Mad Max, was developed by Avalanche Studios and released for PS4, Xbox One, PC, Mac OS, and Linux in 2015.

References[]

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