DoctorSpuds Reviews Things - The Music Machine (Sparrow)

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I made an executive decision to skip Pepsi Invaders since it is just Space invaders with the aliens replaced with PEPSI, with infinite lives and a three minute time limit. I've already reviewed Space Invaders, which is basically the same thing, except with those few changes, so I'm just going to skip straight to The Music Machine

I actually have surprisingly little to say about Music Machine, it was sold in religious bookstores alongside the record of the same name, it is likely that to shift stock they were sold together at some point because that’s the only way you should have this game in your possession, if somebody gave it to you. This is a ‘Kaboom!’/Eggomania/Lost Luggage/Beat ‘em & Eat ‘em clone, where a series of items will fall from the top of the screen and you have to catch them in some sort of receptacle. The only thing this game has going for it really, is the catchy tune that plays at the beginning of the game because playing the game itself is not at all pleasant. What is the most important thing in a game like this? Control… Music Machine uses paddles so it gets a pass, what’s the second most important thing in a game like this? The items… unlike any of the four games I listed before Music Machines items to not fall smoothly down the screen, they jump down a set vertical amount which gives the game a very stilted and awkward feeling. The only thing this game does that’s original is the introduction of trap items that will cost you a life if you catch them, otherwise it’s as basic as it gets. Overall, the graphics are colorful, and the music is catchy but the game just sucks to play, I would actually play Beat ‘em & Eat ‘em before playing Music Machine, and that says it all, doesn’t it? This is one of the most affordable R10’s out there with loose copies as low as $280, and there’s even a factory sealed copy for $5,500 if you want it to be pristine. But… if I had the money I WOULD buy the least expensive loose copy, if only to say I own an R10, but that’s only because it’s the cheapest of the bunch.

http://atariage.com/forums/blog/729/entry-15416-the-music-machine-sparrow/