Scramble (1982, Konami)

"SCRAMBLE"

"SCRAMBLE"

"Enemy alert! Repeat, enemy alert! Astropilots,

man your aircraft -- and good luck!"

MAKE A MAD DASH

FOR SCRAMBLE!

"Captain Sharkfin!"

"Yes, Second Lieutenant Guppytail?"

"Sir, I understand I've only been at this station for an hour, but I have to state why our forces may be compromised."

"Good for you, Guppytail! Everyone, I want you to look upon the bravery of a soldier who isn't afraid to speak their mind if they feel it's for the benefit of the Glorious Space Air Armada. Go ahead, Guppytail."

"Well, sir, I don't think we're using our technology correctly. I'm not even certain this is technology."

Legend of Heroes (2000, Limenko)

LEAVE YOUR MARK ON HISTORY OF LEGENDARY HEROES!

Hmm. Standard fighting game, from the looks of it. Eastern martial arts combat, featuring a variety of characters of both genders, ranging from big to small, and each having a very distinct look to them. There's the shadow of a bad guy in the background.  I don't see anything really wrong with this poster...

...oh, wait. There it is.

Ikari Warriors (1986, SNK)

They sent him on a mission and set him up to fail. But they made one mistake.

They forgot they were dealing with Rambo Ikari Warriors.

Atomic Punk (1991, Irem America Corp via Hudson Soft)

For whatever reason that anime didn't get mainstream attention in the 1980s, there seemed to be an associated fear that youth wouldn't purchase a foreign product unless an American artist was instructed to Americanize a Japanese design. Sometimes that tactic works, and sometimes it doesn't.

I would consider the flyer for Atomic Punk to be a success art-wise, but a failure in gameplay instructability.

It's like the artist saw nothing except for a few screenshots while composing this image. The grid on the floor, a multi-coloured rogues gallery, a laughing demon sun, and an evil-looking wizard. Yet all of these pale in comparison to one key element of this design.

The children.

64th Street: A Detective Story (1991, Jaleco)

There are so many good things about this promo flyer. From the DOGOOOON! onomatopoeia to how a pencil-pushing researcher can be nothing more than a judo thug.

One of the little things I really liked was how his name is Rick.  Just Rick.  It's the late 1930s at the start of World War II, and he has already decided to inspire future generations like Cher, Madonna, KeDOLLARSIGNha, and others. I would hazard that he inspires these descendants with his fists and throwing techniques, given the above image.

This promo showcases one of the files he's currently on.