Nintendo 1985

Action / Platformer

NES

1 Player | 2 Players Alternating

 

Wrecking Crew

Here's an off-the-wall demolition game that you design yourself! This amazing Nintendo Programmable game lets you design your own building, place obstacles wherever you want them, and then blow everything to smithereens! You can play the game as designed by Nintendo, or you can be the game designer and build a different maze of barriers to tear down every time. You'll have hours of fun demolishing monsters like Gotchawrench and Eggplant Man, and blowing up a building you built yourself, in this off-the-wall demolition game!

In Wrecking Crew, each stage will be filled with objects that will need to be demolished before the job is complete. They will often need to be destroyed in a certain order so press [Start] if you need time to think before you start swinging your hammer! Doors [1 Hit] Unlike metal doors, they won't open Light Bricks [2 Hits] Cracks at 1 hit Dark Bricks [3 Hits] Cracks at 2 hits Ladder Walls [1 Hit] Can also be used like a ladder Metal Drums can be stepped on but they will block your path if they are on the same level. These indestructible objects will be your main obstacle in most stages. If you exit the screen on one side, you will loop back around to the opposite side. This is handy for avoiding enemies or to get to areas that would otherwise be unreachable. If you linger too long on a stage, a fireball will be launched from the side of the screen on your current floor. They can only be avoided by using a ladder or by walking over a ledge. In Design Mode, you can create your own stages. Objects can be cycled through and placed in any open space. When finished, you can play it just like a regular game. Because the Famicom Data Recorder was never released in the United States, you won't be able to save or load any levels you design. Later re-releases on other consoles have restored this function.

Monsters will chase Mario and Luigi around the job site. Avoiding them while safely reaching each of the demolition targets: Gotchawrench Jr. They will tirelessly chase you, even changing directions while on ladders Gotchawrench [purple] Like the junior version except faster, these guys will be your biggest threat Eggplant Man These lemmings will wander around the stage taking the first door or ladder they encounter On some stages, Foreman Spike will be there to 'help' you. He moves on the reverse side demolishing objects that you are standing near, which can send you tumbling to the floors below. Bombs can be used to quickly clear large numbers of demolition objects. Just be sure to clear the blast radius! Any enemies caught in the explosion will also be stunned. When hit with your hammer, Metal Doors will open and enemies will enter or exit when walking over them. While behind the scenes, they wont be able to attack you. Landing a drum on an enemy or Foreman Spike will trap them in there permanently. For some stages, this makes things easier. For others, it may not be optional. After every 4th stage, you will get a bonus stage. A coin will be hidden behind one of the doors above — find it before Foreman Spike takes it for himself.

 

Game Genie Codes

SXGXGL	Unlimited Lives Player 1	Game Genie
SXIXZL	Unlimited Lives Player 2	Game Genie
PELXYP	Start With 1 Life	Game Genie
PELXYO	Start With 10 Lives	Game Genie
YELXYO	Start With 15 Lives	Game Genie
VVUXGPSA	Start With the Golden Hammer	Game Genie
SZXILXSO SXKILOSO	Foreman Spike Won't Move	Game Genie

 

Wrecking Crew
What many might mistake for another action platformer is actually a puzzle game in disguise. Instead of jumping over or bashing enemies, you will need to guide Mario or Luigi through each job site and demolish all of the targets without getting hit. Because many of these targets await higher up in the building, you will need to think twice before destroying that ladder or dropping a support pillar. The earlier levels will give you a lot of options for getting the job done, but the higher levels may only have a single solution.

With a whopping 100 stages, there is plenty to keep you engaged. Many of these stages will be built around a specific quirk that you will need to overcome. Although it plays like an action game, you can still press Start and use the D-Pad to scroll through the entire level and think about your next move. The enemies, including Foreman Spike, add variety and unpredictability since they respond directly to your actions, making each attempt slightly different. It's this unique blend of puzzle elements with precise action gameplay that makes Wrecking Crew enjoyable to this day.