This unit was released around the same time as Super Mario Bros.
and Climber and shares a lot of the characteristics of those games,
including a single game mode (with a "Alarm" button replacing the "Game
B" button), a 4 - 1 control button configuration, and a simple
background screen. The game is probably one of if not the best
translations of a NES game ever achieved by a G&W. The game stars a
character named Balloon Man who hovers using balloons and propels
himself about the screen using a jet pack. He can move in four directions
and you keep him aloft by repeatedly pressing the "Eject" button. Your
goal is to collect balloons that hold bits of a map that will lead you
to the hideout of the game's reptillian villain, Oiram Repus. At first
you must simply try to snag the balloons without falling into the ocean
below, but soon you also have to dodge lethal "sparks" that can kill you
instantly. There are bonus stages, an ability to skip to level 17 on
startup, and several other neat little features that make this game a
joy to own. [Steve Averett]
[ BF-107 1988 ]
