Elevator Action (NES)

Elevator Action

The player assumes the role of a spy who infiltrates a building filled with elevators. He must collect secret documents from the building and traverse the 30 levels of the building using an increasingly complex series of elevators.

The player is pursued by enemy agents who appear from behind closed doors. The player must outwit them via force or evasion.

Successful completion of a level involves collecting all the secret documents and traversing the building from top to bottom. In the lower floors of the building, the elevator systems are so complex that some puzzle-solving skills are needed.

Elevator Action Review

Avatar

Review by Damien McFerran

Elevator Action Screenshot

Another retro classic comes to the VC! Originally released in the (very) early 80's, this spy action title was a real eye-opener. 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. The action is simple but it's pretty addictive.

The black-suited baddies 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 kick to the face. Or by crushing them with one of the elevators, should they be stupid enough to stand underneath.

Elevator Action Screenshot

This is an early NES release 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.

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.

3/5

Average reader rating: 2.73 (15 ratings)

Please login to rate this game.

Screenshots

Elevator Action Screenshot Elevator Action Screenshot Elevator Action Screenshot Elevator Action Screenshot

Elevator Action (Video Clip)

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Have your say about Elevator Action

Avatar

1. dualj United States 06 Mar 2007, 23:38 GMT

The main character of this game looks like Fry from Futureroma.

2. The Pirate of Men's Pants United Kingdom 07 Mar 2007, 12:38 GMT

This was well ahead of its time but I really can't be arsed to spend my beloved Wii points on a crusty old retro title. It has to be said that with Zelda and Mario aside, the NES VC games released so far have been pretty pointless!

3. Pod Denmark 27 Mar 2007, 18:38 GMT

I have fond memories of this game! I played it on the Amstrad CPC back in the day, and it was one of my favorites. I remember shooting lamps down to hit baddies in the head!

4. Tim Canada 04 Apr 2007, 18:44 GMT

"Elevator Action"?... Ha ha... never heard of it, but I'm going to take a wild guess and say it's not based on what it sounds like...

Avatar

5. SKTTR Germany 11 Jun 2007, 11:17 GMT

It's a fun little game to kill a bit of time.
I always come back to see how many stages I can beat.
And it also has some Matrix-feel to it: Agent Smith's everywhere! xD

6. gcg2004 United States 29 Aug 2007, 06:24 GMT

I could never figure this game out. Nice to know others didn't have that problem. :)

Avatar

7. Thomas United States 06 Sep 2007, 08:10 GMT

Elevator Action is one of those games that's great to play once in a while in short spurts (like Balloon Fight or Ice Climbers), but still good, nonetheless.

8. SuperKorinku26 United States 16 Sep 2007, 04:52 GMT

I like the Gameboy version better. This looks like a bad DOS game >_>

Avatar

9. Bass X0 United Kingdom 30 Sep 2007, 22:43 GMT

Elevator Action Returns was fun for a short while (I guess nostalgia for the very first Elevator Action game is necessary which I don't have) - the graphics look good and although I never played the NES game, I'm sure the gameplay would have been better as well.

10. learn japanese ds Canada 08 Jan 2008, 16:44 GMT

Of all those weird llittle arcade style, black background games (Re: ice climbers, donkey kong, balloon fight) this is probably my vote for the most worthwhile.

11. ToadTheMushroom United States 22 Jan 2008, 02:36 GMT

This is one of the worst games I've ever played!

Avatar

12. Tony United States 31 Jan 2008, 20:38 GMT

Its like the NES version of the Bourne Identity

Avatar

13. WaddleWave Puerto Rico 05 Feb 2008, 19:32 GMT

Word to the wise, buy Taito Legends 1 and/or 2 if you want the real deal on retro action gaming, since the some of them, the NES version are not good. I haven't tried this on NES but never will. The Taito compilations already has games like this on better looking deal.

Avatar

14. pdrydia United States 04 Apr 2008, 22:29 GMT

This isn't really a good game. I bought it, and I play it, but it's for a combination of nostalgia and the lulz.

The sound effects are kinda cool, though, in that retro-y sort of way.

Avatar

15. slangman United Kingdom 20 May 2008, 11:21 GMT

(looks at title)

Darn i thought this was an action game where you beat up bad guys while on elevators. lol

Avatar

16. Saint Nick United States 26 May 2008, 06:58 GMT

This game is a classic example of what one remembers of a cherished childhood experience not coinciding with how it plays now. Back in the day, I remember this being SO addictive... but now I realize there is absolutely zero depth to this game. I mean, there is three moves: Duck, jump, and shoot. Sure, you can "cleverly" go up an escalator at a specific moment to avoid enemies but if that's about as trick as a game gets, even for an NES game, count me out.

Although, crushing an enemy with the elevator is still a very satisfying kill.

Leave A Comment

Please login to post a comment.