This is another of my favorite video games of all time as well as another one of the first video games I've played when I was about seven. It's also another game from by birthyear which makes this game all the more special to me.
I remember playing this game at the Burger Ranch in Yakima, WA, which you could say make it ironic. Shame they couldn't have built an arcade cabinet where it shaped or colored like an old 50's burger joint though that would probably be a tall order so oh well. Anyway, I really had a lot of fun playing this game and as an adult I've still play it today.
Over the years this game is still a cult phenomenon, from a spin off game "Peter Pepper Ice Cream Factory" and sequel "Super Burger Time", a revision or two, as well as the arcade ports; one of the best one's notably is the one from "Intelivision" which is great and one of my favorite games on that console along with the straight to console sequel "Diner" which is another story. Yes, just like the traditional hamburger this game still goes on.
The game is a platform action game but a contained one much like with "Donkey Kong". I like the graphical presentation from the sprites that are slightly lively as they look like cartoon characters. But it's really the background format to me that's the real star, really like how the platforms are aligned along with the burgers and the fixings on them; by it's nature these platforms are a maze but vertical. Music is good for what it is, it's fits well as it has that frantic tone to it and of course has became another video game music classic.
The gameplay is great as it's much similar "Pac Man" only it's vertical maze action as you are running and climbing up and down. You're basically a chief that has to make the burgers but survive from evil food chasing you down; yeah I know absurd concept but I like that one of the things I've always liked about video games was in its simplicity with creative concepts which like any burger made well is a tasty combination.
There are all kinds evil foods that are trying to chase you down and kill you from fried eggs, hot dogs, pickles, etc. They have no powers to harm you though if they have one it's in their numbers which really give them an advantage because they can cover more ground on the levels. Which is why it's important to constantly pay attention to the screen as some of them could easily sneak up on you or corner you.
You make burgers in the game but not the conventional way because, the burgers and fixings are fixed platforms on the platforms, in which you must complete a full circuit by running over them so they will drop down onto the plate at the bottom. These platforms can also be used as weapons as you can drop them on top of the evil foods chasing you, or better yet lure one or more of them on top the hamburger and fixings platform and at the right moment you can bring it down and it will act as a death elevator.
Your armed with pepper when thrown at one or many of the enemies they are briefly stunned as they are sneezing away. This gives you a brief opportunity to escape and get as far away from them as possible. Though it also creates another opportunity as you can stun them right where you want them which is on top one of the hamburger or fixing platforms, and depending on how many are stunned and on the platform, you can drop the burger down further or even to the bottom if possible, which of course will double your points. There are also bonus items like a coffee cup to give you extra points but sometime there is a bucket of pepper to reload you pepper shaker.
The other weapon your armed with is simply your wits, which you'll need a lot of as you have to somehow always outrun and stay ahead of your opponents; as well as subtract the odds just to slow them down.
But also, at the same time drop each of the burger and fixing platforms to create a full serving. But be careful as I said the odds stack up on you faster than you can stack up burgers, which means they can cover more ground. So, move fast and pick out your pathways carefully because your opening for escape close really fast.
This is a wonderful vintage classic which makes will make you hungry for game time, anytime with this game anytime is Burgertime.
Rating: 4 stars
