Total Recall

Total Recall brings the world of the 1990 science-fiction film to the NES in a straightforward side-scrolling action game. Developed by Interplay and published by Acclaim, it follows construction worker Douglas Quaid as he becomes caught up in the mystery surrounding his implanted memories and the struggle on Mars. The game draws from the film’s futuristic setting, moving between Earth and Martian environments as Quaid battles hostile forces and works his way through dangerous areas.

Quaid’s basic abilities include running, jumping, and close-range attacks, while weapons and other useful items provide additional ways to deal with enemies. Careful movement matters, since hazards and opponents can make even ordinary stretches of the stage demanding. The action is firmly rooted in the platforming style common on the NES, with an emphasis on reaching the end of each scrolling section rather than exploring a large open world.

The presentation is modest, but the game does capture some of Total Recall’s grim, industrial atmosphere. Familiar elements from the movie give the adventure more identity than a completely original action game, while the simple controls make it easy to pick up. It is best approached as a compact movie tie-in from the early 1990s: direct, occasionally challenging, and aimed at players who enjoy working through classic NES action stages.

Released for Nintendo’s console in 1990, Total Recall is a one-player experience with a distinctly period-specific feel. Fans of the film may enjoy seeing its setting translated into an 8-bit adventure, while retro players can appreciate its uncomplicated run-and-gun and platforming structure. On RetroCloud, you can play online on your browser and revisit this unusual NES interpretation of a memorable science-fiction story.