Operation Wolf was a massive hit in arcades when it was released in 1987. Although the concept of light gun games wasn’t a new one, Taito’s imposing arcade cabinet (replete with uber-cool replica Uzi) certainly made a lasting impact on gamers worldwide. Predictably, it was ported to pretty much every home format in existence, including the NES.
First impressions of the NES version aren’t good. The visuals are, on the whole, abysmal. The task of taking the arcade original’s bold and colourful graphics and shoehorning them into the creaking NES hardware was obviously too much for the developers; the colour limitations mean that every environment is made up of what seems like three or four different shades and enemy sprites lack detail and shamble along thanks to some particularly stilted animation.
Aurally things aren’t much better, with weedy sound effects failing to make up for the lack of in-game music. This is one game that you may seriously consider turning the sound off for, lest the constant noise of tinny gunfire and flatulent explosions render you insane.
It’s only when playing a game like Operation Wolf on home hardware that you realise just how much of the game’s appeal was down to the extravagances of the arcade; without the Uzi, it’s effectively nothing. The NES original offered both Zapper and joypad support, with neither option really managing to satisfy the player. The original Zapper was notorious for its loud, clicking trigger, which also showcased an insane amount of travel. This meant that rapid firing was off the menu, and in a game like Operation Wolf you need to keep up your rate of fire if you really want to succeed. As you might expect, playing a light gun game with the joypad reduces it to an exercise in pointlessness; it’s far too fiddly and inaccurate to permit serious play.
This Virtual Console edition only supports the 'pad' option, which makes it even less appealing than the already dire NES version. With the new-look Zapper currently available in stores worldwide, you can't help but feel that Nintendo has missed a golden opportunity here. The game sucks, but I'm sure many people would have given this a chance had it offered Wiimote pointer functionality.
If you happen to harbour fond memories of the arcade version then please do not go anywhere near this dire conversion as it will bear no resemblance to the game you once loved.
1. Boredom v2.2
06 Jan 2008, 17:00 GMT
I just hope they'll do the same for Duck Hunt (if they ever announce it for real)!
2. Tony
06 Jan 2008, 21:26 GMT
I hope Taito releases Sky Shark for the NES. It was fast paced 1942 clone. I would rather see it than Operation Wolf. I remember OW being difficult to play with a standard controller. Who knows maybe the classic controller will come off better. Anyway I have some reservations about downloading this title.
3. Kevin
07 Jan 2008, 13:27 GMT
The zapper is out, they should make it compatible with it. Doing it on a controller is NOT the same!
4. eltomo
09 Jan 2008, 17:13 GMT
I played an Amiga version of this game, i'm sure of it... and it was good!
This looks painful ^^
5. ICEknight
11 Jan 2008, 10:25 GMT
Perhaps they're going for the TurboGrafx version, instead? It was much better, even though it lacked llightgun support.
6. WaddleWave
30 Jan 2008, 20:01 GMT
I played this on the Taito Legends collection, same as those times I've played at arcades years ago. Dont know how it would manage for the NES. Great game, hope it would be Zapper compatible, in the arcades it used to be with a Uzi....replace the Zapper with a fake toy Uzi for incredible authenthic experience.
7. Edwin
02 Feb 2008, 03:25 GMT
This is coming on Monday.
8. Luigison
02 Feb 2008, 04:24 GMT
The press update doesn't mention the zapper so I assume they went with the controller only configuration.
9. lordbowser
03 Feb 2008, 23:48 GMT
If they don't add the zapper option they'll be breaking their own rule of "just like the original version".
10. Kelvin
03 Feb 2008, 23:58 GMT
Sort of. Technically, Wii pointer functionality and NES Zapper functionality are different things, so if they don't include Wii pointer support, they're not strictly breaking any promises.
Yes, it's still a cheat, but one Nintendo could get away with.
11. The_Indigo_Effect
04 Feb 2008, 04:32 GMT
I remember playing this in the arcade; by all accounts, it was a good game. I've never actually played the NES version, but I figured it was bad. Gumshoe, for the NES, was a pretty interesting light-gun title; I'd love to see it find its way on the VC. However, as many of you have already stated: there's little purpose in buying a game like this without a Zapper or some kind or Wii remote functionality.
12. HairyMike87
04 Feb 2008, 05:09 GMT
wow. this game looks like crap.
13. Adamant
04 Feb 2008, 17:55 GMT
So, now that it's out, DOES it use the zapper, or not?
14. DJ Triforce
05 Feb 2008, 03:19 GMT
This does NOT use the Zapper... and it's a real shame.
15. GMo4824
05 Feb 2008, 07:48 GMT
biggest disappointment today :[[[
16. President_Leever
07 Feb 2008, 22:19 GMT
I remember playing this a lot on PC back in the day. It was one of the few games in the school's "hobby" room. Never liked it much though.
17. michinmuri
13 Feb 2008, 15:04 GMT
This was one of the games I tried to play as a kid cuz I loved the arcade. It sucked miserably. Even then, I also had this competitive issue that I had to beat every game I played. This was one I never beat, and haven't lost a wink of sleep over it. Save the 500 points on this and another horible NES VC release for a good N64 game. This game is only for the nostalgic (not even the morbidly curious this time.)
18. WarGreymon77
15 Feb 2008, 06:05 GMT
What is this? They should have released Metal Gear 1 and 2 instead.
19. Bensei
17 Mar 2008, 21:57 GMT
I hope the other Zapper Games get Pointe Support or else they'll be screwed
20. Mr. Cheez
12 Jul 2008, 04:19 GMT
If they do this to Duck Hunt and Wild Gunman, Ninty's gonna have hell to pay! >: (
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