Venture

This Intellivision version plays exceptionally well, with responsive controls, smooth animation, and a lively musical score. I really like how the monsters assume "death poses" when shot, and then slowly disintegrate into nothing. Just be sure to steer clear of their remnants (even one pixel), because they are fatal to the touch. Venture is supremely enjoyable at first, but after you complete all three stages (four rooms each), they start to repeat. The replay value is questionable, since the rooms generally play the same each time through. Still, with four skill levels and all the elements of the arcade, there's not much to complain about.

You know it, you love it (unless you hate it), and you may have even played it buried beneath blankets, couch cushions, and whatever other items were at your disposal for creating your very own “dungeon.” In any case, Exidy’s arcade sleeper hit, Venture, is the most fun you could ever have strolling through dingy dungeons wearing nothing but a bow and a smile, and like many contemporary Namco games, Venture plays even better at home.

So, is Venture a game worth owning? Maybe, maybe not. It isn't really that great for the most part, and it brings with it little in the way of lasting value in my opinion. Still, some Atari 2600 gamers might be able to get a decent amount of entertainment value out of the game. I'd say give the game a try if you can find it cheap, but be very hesitant to pay too much for it.

Venture's harmonized musical score is impressive, incorporating a unique theme for each room. I do wish Coleco had included more than twelve rooms over three stages however, because once they start to repeat, the fun factor dips precipitously. Other annoyances include the fact that "hall monsters" can appear practically on top of you after you leave a room. I also don't like how monster corpses (fatal to touch) stick around longer if you shoot them. These are minor quirks, but it's the awkward, hand-cramping controls that really ruin this one.

Lastly, the game only offers two sets of rooms for a grand total of eight! And I thought the twelve rooms in the other versions was lame! Venture for the Atari 2600 is a weak effort, reflecting poorly on a very fun arcade title.