Relive the 80s with Gremlins! A game of chaos, charm, and retro fun inspired by the movie that had us all saying, “Don’t feed them after midnight!”
The 80s was a crazy time, and everyone knew who Gizmo was. It was a decade that was full of big hair, neon lights, and an explosion of creativity. The decade was a roller coaster of fun and bizarre ideas. Smack dab in the middle of all of that craziness was a very popular movie called Gremlins.
Hopefully, you haven’t missed this cult classic, but in case you have, gremlins was a quirky, dark comedy about an adorable creature called Mogwai. Gizmo, the only Mogwai in existence, has only two simple rules, don’t get them wet, and never feed them after midnight. But, all hell breaks loose when Gizmo accidentally gets wet. He gives birth to five gremlins, who convince him to feed them after midnight, who then gives birth to an entire army of gremlins.
And while we could just stop there, considering Gremlins was a blockbuster film, there was a need for something a little bit more. At the time, the gaming industry was exploding. And, what else to do with a blockbuster film, than to turn it into a videogame?
Gremlins: The Video Game wasn’t just any old game. It was a slice of 80s magic wrapped into a pixelated box. It didn’t matter if you were a hardcore gamer or just somebody who simply loved the movie, this game grabbed your attention and didn’t want to let go. Like the movie, the game itself acquired a cult following, due to its frustrating yet fantastic gameplay.
What You Should Know About Gremlins
Before we dive into the gameplay, let’s cover the essentials:
- Title: Gremlins
- Developer: Atari
- Publisher: Atari
- Release Dates:
- Arcade: 1984
- Home Versions: Later in the 80s (on platforms like Atari 2600 and Atari 5200)
- Genre: Action-adventure with survival elements
- Platforms: Arcade, Atari 2600, Atari 5200
The game loosely followed the movie’s plot. Your job was to protect Gizmo and fight the mischievous gremlins. All of this, while trying not to pull your hair out completely when the gremlins destroy your strategy.
Chaos, Gremlins-Style
The game starts off very simply, in a brightly colored room. Gizmo is just relaxing in the corner, and everything seems fine. All of a sudden, a gremlin shows up. You have to act quickly because now it’s a race against time to keep things under control. And, for the rest of the game, you need to keep battling the gremlins, to keep them from overtaking the world.
In fact, the gameplay was rather simple. But, it was also insanely addictive. Your role in the game is to control Billy. And, in this role, you would run around trying to protect Gizmo while dealing with what seems to be an endless stream of gremlins. You still need to gather food in order to feed Gizmo, all while squashing gremlins with whatever you can find. In some versions of the game, you can even use light. This was a nod to the plot in the movie, where sunlight was the ultimate weakness for any gremlin.
And, while the mechanics itself seems simple, the game was actually very difficult. Gremlins would pop up out of nowhere. And, they would sabotage everything in sight. In one moment, you’re ahead of the chaos, and in the next, dozens of mischievous creatures are causing mayhem.
Just imagine trying to juggle flaming chainsaws while being heckled by tiny monsters. This is what the gameplay felt like. And, it is also what made it so fun. Every single time you failed, you would find yourself mumbling, just one more try.
Why Everyone Loved Gremlins
The 80s was larger-than-life, and the Gremlins franchise fit perfectly in the chaos of the decade. The movie itself was a smash hit, and it perfectly blended humor, horror, and heart. It was just a natural evolution in the entertainment industry that would lead to the creation of a game based on the film.
For starters, the game stood out visually. It was a time when games were still working out all of the quirks when it came to graphics. But, Gremlins fit right in, due to their quirky and colorful style. The sprites were very simple, but they managed to capture their mischievous energy perfectly.
There is just something about watching the film, and then being able to step into Billy’s shoes to take on the gremlins yourself. After all, kids who grew up in the 80s had a special connection with the movie. And, the idea of owning your own Mogwai just seemed to be part of the era.
Behind the Mischief
In the early 80s, Atari was riding high, cranking out one hit after another. So, with the upcoming release of the film, they saw the perfect opportunity to adapt Gremlins into a game, and they jumped on it. They had very little time, and the development was more of a scramble. They wanted to get the arcade version out while the movie hype was still at its peak. And, despite all of the crushing deadlines, the game was surprisingly polished.
Atari then worked on a home version, for the Atari 2600, then eventually for the Atari 5200. They took the time to tweak the gameplay in order to fit the limitations of each individual system. After all, it wasn’t a straight port. They had to add unique mechanics to each version to make it feel fresher. For example, the Atari 2600 had a slower pace compared to the arcade version which was cranked up for maximum chaos.
And, just like any good game of the era, you had Easter eggs. There were countless hidden references to the movie and cheeky nods to other games produced by Atari. If you dug deep enough, there were plenty of surprises hidden in the game for just about everyone.
A Mischievous Classic
Naturally, with the movie such a huge success, when the Gremlins game hit arcades across the country, it too was an instant hit. The critics praised its fast-paced gameplay and its connection with the movie. And, the fans simply couldn’t get enough of the chaos.
Over the years, just like the movie, the game has also earned a cult following. Retro gaming enthusiasm still talked about it from time to time. And, you will find plenty of nostalgia reviews from people who grew up battling gremlins in their local arcades. Today, thanks to the many emulators and modern collections, even new players can experience the madness for themselves.
But, not everyone was a huge fan. Some players actually found the difficulty a bit too punishing. This was especially true when it came to the home versions. After all, games in the 80s didn’t coddle you, they challenged you to greater levels. And, Gremlins was no exception.
FAQ: All About Gremlins
Is the game based on the movie’s story?
The game itself is loosely based on the movie. The whole goal of the game is to protect Gizmo while battling the gremlins. But, it also takes plenty of creative liberties in the process.
Can I still play Gremlins today?
Thanks to the many advents in emulators and retro collections, is possible to revisit this cult classic and play Gremlins today.
Was the game scary?
No, both the game as well as the movie was not very scary. I actually don’t even remember if there are any jump scares in the movie. Instead, it focused more on darker humor and mischievous nests over anything else.
Which version is the best?
Without question, the best version of any videogame in the 80s was the arcade version. Although game consoles were highly advanced for their time, they still couldn’t beat the proprietary chip systems used and the arcade versions.
Why Gremlins Still Shine
Gremlins deserves a spot in gaming history, not simply because it was a movie tie-in, but because it was a game that captured the spirit of the decade. It was both charming and chaotic, as well as challenging. It was a perfect reflection of the decade that brought us big hair, and even bigger, wilder ideas. So, whether you’re a fan of retro games, or just love a good dose of nostalgia, Gremlins is a must-play.
