Astounded Catfish

@astoundedcatfish.bsky.social

423 Followers 1634 Following

Video Game Enthusiast Creative Writer History Nerd Current project is "Playing Through Video Game History" In this, I start from the first ever video game playing my way towards the present. Scroll through my timeline to go back in time!

A gameplay screenshot from Bases Loaded (1987) for the NES. The scene shows a pitcher in blue and white winding up to throw the ball toward the batter at home plate. The batter, wearing white and standing ready to swing, faces the pitcher. Behind the batter is the catcher in black gear, crouched down. The scoreboard on the right displays the inning and other stats, with both teams at 0 runs. In the background, spectators can be seen behind glass windows in the purple-colored stadium, with the "Jaleco" logo displayed on the outfield wall.
A gameplay screenshot from Mickey Mousecapade (1987) for the NES. Mickey Mouse is seen walking through a vibrant outdoor environment, accompanied by Minnie Mouse. They're standing on a grassy path beneath a large tree with pink foliage. Several small enemies, including red and pink figures, are nearby. A large tree with an open, dark entrance stands in the background, possibly indicating a doorway or path. The background consists of a lush green field and a clear blue sky, giving the scene a bright and colorful appearance.
A gameplay screenshot from the NES version of Contra (1988). The scene takes place in a lush, jungle environment with a steep cliff and river below. A player at the top left is aiming a rifle, while an enemy at the bottom right, standing near a metallic box with a red symbol, holds a weapon. The background features mountains, a starry night sky, and dense greenery.
A gameplay screenshot from the NES version of Dragon Warrior II (1987). The image shows three player characters standing in front of a castle entrance, guarded by two soldiers. The castle has a moat with blue water surrounding it, and a stone bridge leads to the entrance. The area around the castle is decorated with pink flowers and gray stone paths. In the bottom-right of the screen, a black text box displays the characters' names and stats: "DR.," "Esga," and "Gwen" with their levels, HP, and MP. The screen has a classic 8-bit art style, with bright colors and pixelated sprites typical of NES games.
A gameplay screenshot from Zelda II: The Adventure of Link for the NES, released in 1987. The player controls Link, shown mid-jump with his sword drawn, battling a tall, segmented dragon that breathes fireballs. The dragon's body consists of stacked, glowing orange orbs, and it is positioned on the right side of the screen, towering over Link. Link is fighting the dragon in a dungeon, with a backdrop of red brick walls and a lava floor at the bottom of the screen. The user interface at the top shows various stats: “Magic-7,” “Life-8,” and a life bar that is partially filled. The experience points counter reads 307/5000, and there is a small magic meter displayed in blue. The visuals are typical of the NES era, with simple sprites and a limited color palette.
An image of a 5.25-inch floppy disk for the 1987 game The Ford Simulator. The disk is black with a large circular hole in the center, typical of this format. At the top of the disk is a blue label featuring the Ford logo in white with an oval outline. The title The Ford Simulator is printed prominently in bold, white text. The label contains additional small text beneath the title, mentioning copyright information and the year 1987, indicating that the game was developed as a product of the Ford Motor Company. The disk's label also includes various model names of Ford cars, lightly printed in the background.
A screenshot from the 1986 Commodore 64 game Uridium. The image shows a top-down view of a spaceship flying through a narrow pathway, surrounded by large, golden spinning hexagons. The spaceship is at the center, firing a laser beam, as it navigates through the enemies and obstacles. Above the scene, the game's title "Uridium" is displayed in yellow text, while the HUD on the top left shows "Top" with a score of 0 and 3 lives remaining. The background consists of grey geometric structures, resembling a space station or battleship. The overall color scheme is a mix of black, grey, and yellow, typical of the Commodore 64's graphical style.
Gameplay screenshot of the Commodore 64 version of The Sentinel (1986)
Gameplay screenshot for the arcade version of Double Dribble (1986)
Gameplay screenshot for Kid Icarus (1986) on the NES
Gameplay screenshot for the NES version of R.B.I. Baseball (1988)
Gameplay screenshot from the arcade version of Rolling Thunder (1986)
Gameplay screenshot for the NES version of Pro Wrestling (1986)
Screenshot of gameplay for the NES version of Castlevania (1986)
Screenshot of gameplay for the arcade version of Out Run (1986)
Gameplay screenshot from the NES version of Adventure Island (1986)
Gameplay screenshot from Metroid (1986) for the NES
Gameplay screenshot of the arcade version of Arkanoid (1986)
Gameplay screenshot for the arcade version of Bubble Bobble (1986)
Game cover for Side Pocket (1987) for the NES
Gameplay screenshot of the Apple II version of Might and Magic: Book One - Secret of the Inner Sanctum (1986)
Screenshot of gameplay from the NES version of Dragon Warrior - Dragon Quest (1986)
Gameplay screenshot of the arcade version of Ikari Warriors (1986)
Screenshot of gameplay for The Legend of Zelda (1986)
Gameplay screenshot of the Famicom version of The Goonies (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay for the Apple II version of Word Munchers (1985)
Gameplay screenshot for the Commodore 64 version of Koronis Rift (1985)
Gameplay screenshot of the Apple II version of Tales of the Unknown: Volume I - The Bard's Tale (1985)
Gameplay screenshot for the Atari 7800 version of Ballblazer (1987)
Gameplay screenshot of the NES version of Bomberman (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay for Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985)
Gameplay screenshot of Paradroid (1985) for the Commodore 64
Screenshot of gameplay for the NES version of Super Mario Bros. (1985)
Game cover for the home computer version of A Mind Forever Voyaging (1985)
Gameplay screenshot of Gyromite (1985) for the NES
Gameplay screenshot of the arcade version of Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985) by Capcom
Screenshot of gameplay for the arcade version of Rush'n Attack (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay for the arcade version of City Connection (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay from the original version of Tetris (1985) on the Electronika 60.
Gameplay screenshot of the arcade version of Gradius (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay for the Apple II version of Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay from the Arcade version of Paperboy (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay for the NES version of Balloon Fight (1985)
Gameplay screenshot of the Apple II version of The Oregon Trail (1985)
Screenshot of gameplay for the arcade version of Gauntlet (1985)