Revenge of the 'Gator

Based solely on the title, Revenge of the 'Gator sounds like the exciting sequel to The Adventures of Bayou Billy. Get your mind out of the swamp and get ready for one of the best video pinball games ever made. Developed by HAL Laboratory, this1990 Game Boy cartridge sets a high water mark for the genre.

I don't know what you did to that frustrated alligator, but he's currently pissed off at you. As a result you have to earn a high score on this complicated, multi-screen pinball table. With surprisingly detailed graphics and some truly inventive obstacles, Revenge of the 'Gator is delightful. The table is full of alligators, both big and small. In fact, there's not a screen where you're not face to face with at least a few deadly reptiles.


Like all pinball games, the goal is to get a high score (or beat your friends score, if that's the way you want to play). The table itself is several screens high and includes a number of hidden bonus sections, already make it better than most of the pinball games I reviewed this week. Every inch of the screen is used in a clever way, offering multiple ways of earning big points. Don't let the ball fall through the cracks or a hungry 'gator might nab it.

Revenge of the 'Gator not only works because it's a charming game with incredible graphics, but also because the ball physics are fast and somewhat accurate. The action moves quickly and smooth, something that isn't always the case with Game Boy titles. There aren't a lot of cheap deaths and even with only one table, there's still a lot of replay value tucked away inside Revenge of the 'Gator.


On top of the stellar pinball table, Revenge of the 'Gator also offers an exciting two-player mode. Match Play has players batting a ball back and forth; the winner is the person that can get it past the other player's flippers the most times. Items are scattered throughout the table, making the mode even more competitive. This is a fun diversion and the kind of mode you don't see in video pinball games.

Revenge of the 'Gator is HAL Laboratory at its best, offering charming characters and exciting action. The gameplay is strong and the game moves faster than most 8-bit pinball games. With so many hidden rooms, bonus rounds and big point prizes, Revenge of the 'Gator is a real accomplishment on a system not known for amazing pinball games.