Elevator Action Review - Screenshot 1 of 2

Originally released in the (very) early 80's, this spy action title was a real eye-opener for gamers of that generation. The premise is simple, yet instantly appealing; the player is dropped onto a series of buildings and has to make their way to the bottom, taking on evil agents and entering certain rooms along the way. As the title suggests, elevators play a big part in the game, providing transport from one floor to the next as well as doubling as leathal weapons.

Navigating each tower block is a task in itself, but it isn't made any easier by the numerous black-suited baddies which appear from behind closed doors and attack you. You can dodge their gunfire by ducking under or jumping over it, then dispatch them with a shot of your own, or a swift kick to the face. Or by crushing them with one of the aforementioned elevators, should they be stupid enough to stand underneath.

Elevator Action Review - Screenshot 2 of 2

This is an early NES release based on an equally primative arcade machine and as a result the visuals aren't going to blow your socks off, but to be perfectly honest the charm of the gameplay shines through. The sequel - Elevator Action Returns - did everything bigger and better, but the core game is pretty much the same.

The biggest issue is that although the game is fun for a while, it's very repetitive and once you've finished the first level you won't come across anything new; each level after that is just a bit harder to tackle, but no new elements are introduced to keep things fresh.

Conclusion

This is well worth looking into if you're a fan of the game, but if you have access to a PS2 we recommend you save your pennies and purchase the Taito Legends retro packs, one of which features Elevator Action Returns.