PixlBit

“Elevator” and “action” aren’t words that typically belong in the same sentence. But lo and behold, Taito released an arcade game in 1983 that would pair a mundane function with the trappings of a spy thriller in the game Elevator Action. You play the role of a secret agent that finds himself at the top of everyone’s hit list. Avoiding certain death requires cunning, skill, and riding a lot of elevators. It made a big enough impression to become a cult classic that people remembered fondly.

By the time it was ported to the NES four years later, the game was already dated. And it didn’t help that the screenshots on the back of the cover art were from the higher resolution arcade version. You are government operative Agent 17- better known by his code name “Otto.” The game begins with Otto snaking his way down a grappling hook and entering a roof-level building. Your goal is to sneak into each building, steal their top-secret documents, and make a break for it. But, of course, it’s easier said than done thanks to the armed enemy agents who really, really don’t want you to get your hands on those documents.

Elevator Action is built around deceptively simple mechanics. First, you must travel from floor to floor to find the secret documents behind red doors. The elevators come in handy as your primary mode of transportation for moving between floors and eventually exiting through the basement garage. You can either attack or evade the enemy agents on your way down. Once you leave the building, you move on to the next one and do it again.

There are several ways to take down an enemy. You can shoot them with your pistol or kick them in the face for a quick close-quarters victory. If you time your shot right while moving between floors, you can also hit the light fixture on the ceiling, which will come crashing down on an enemy agent’s head. And if the baddies are foolish enough to walk under or above an elevator while you’re controlling it, you can crush them like a soda can.

Of course, just about anything you can do, they can too. The only things they can’t do are shoot down ceiling lights or jump. But they make up for it with the ability to crouch and shoot at you while inside an elevator- something Otto is unable to do. It’s an interesting dynamic that keeps you on your toes when moving from floor to floor or trying to dodge gunfire after procuring a document.

Much of the challenge comes from the endless numbers of agents pouring out of doors as you get closer to the exit. They’ll employ all manner of tactics to keep you from getting out alive. In particular, they love to crouch while shooting- especially in elevators- giving you little time to react. If you happen to be moving between floors when being shot at, all you can do is try to jump over the bullet coming your way. Doing so becomes increasingly difficult when multiple agents start shooting at you. In the arcade version, shots fired moved slower across the screen, making them easier to dodge. But on the NES, those bullets fly much faster. As you make your way down to the final floors, the number of elevators increases, requiring you to coordinate your moves carefully.

Besides the onslaught of enemy agents, you’ll also need to beware of the inherent hazards of the elevators themselves. While Otto can ride on top of a moving elevator, he cannot directly control its movements. It is a risky move that can quickly get you out of a jam if you’re trying to evade an en enemy. Still, it can also lead to you getting crushed, especially if said enemy is inside the elevator at the time. Jumping across an empty shaft is equally dangerous if the elevator is beneath Otto. The cable in the middle will block his trajectory and likely cause an untimely demise. As annoying as these factors can be, I appreciate at least having the option to take the risk if necessary.

As an 8-bit home console port, the game does an admirable job of replicating the arcade version. Not surprisingly, though, the graphics take the brunt of the hit in terms of system limitations. The color palette and levels designs aren’t as good to look at as in the arcade. Then again, the original game’s visuals won’t exactly blow your mind either. In any case, it gets the job done sufficiently enough. The NES version also mimics the blackout effect when the building temporarily goes dark after shooting out a light fixture. Of all the sacrifices that had to be made in porting this to the NES, I’m glad that the blackout effect wasn’t one of them.

Most reviews of the NES port of Elevator Action negatively compare the music to the arcade version. However, I found no issue with the simple musical score during my time with the game. Sure, it’s super repetitive and not nearly as catchy as other video games of its era. Still, it uses the same tune from the arcade original (which people laud over this game as if there’s a significant difference), albeit with a more simplistic composition. The sound effects are alright as well. Again, not much to write home about, but it mostly stays faithful to the arcade original.

In addition to the notoriety this game receives for being a cult classic among arcade aficionados, Elevator Action can also be considered an innovator. It encouraged the player to use creative tactics like shooting out light fixtures for a slight advantage or determining if it’s worthwhile to engage an enemy or avoid unnecessary confrontation. Such elements laid the groundwork for major blockbusters like the Metal Gear and Splinter Cell series, even if inadvertently. 

The game won’t appeal to everyone as readily as perhaps a flashier arcade game would. However, the easy-to-pick-up gameplay mechanics make for an accessible retro title that isn’t hampered by obtuse controls or impenetrable design choices requiring an instruction manual. It even manages to throw in a little tactile planning if you choose to go that route. Individual taste may vary, but Elevator Action is a good choice for the nostalgic gamer looking for some old-school fun in short bursts.