Coconuts

This game is coco-nuts! Not really, I just wanted to say that. This game is . . . well, it's a game.

In Coconuts, we play as "Stanley I. Presume," which, as I'm sure we're all aware, is a clever reference to another brave jungle explorer. That's about as original as this game gets.

To be fair, the graphics in Coconuts are large, detailed, and colorful. Stanley marches about while Coco the ape throws coconuts. And you should know, so you're not disappointed, Stanley's bold blue umbrella is powerless against coconut-tossing apes.

Coco throws coconuts. Avoid them. That's coco-nuts! You get an extra "life" now and again, which comes in the form of the pith helmet or infamous umbrella. You also get breaks while Coco appears to laugh in the tree.

Coconuts starts with all the speed and charm of an LCD game. Seriously, upon first play, this looks like the kind of game that creates Atari haters. Fortunately, Coconuts becomes more fun fairly quickly, which means playable, once Coco speeds up. Unfortunately, Coco going nuts isn't enough to keep me playing.

The makers of Coconuts, Telesys, are a great example of the kind of random third-party developers popping up and pooping out Atari games in the early 80s. You know, the kind of games that led to the Great Video Game Crash of '83, which was such a big deal, I capitalized it. E.T. gets cast as the scapegoat of the crash, but in reality, there were many, many subpar games that all played a collective role.

I find these smaller developers like Telesys interesting in that they often have some decent and even great games mixed in with the forgettable. Telesys, for instance, also released Demolition Herby and Fast Food.

Tips and Tricks:

You can march Stanley back and forth across the screen before the game begins.

Final Coconuts Review:

If you want to enjoy large sprites, quickly escalating yet simple gameplay, and jungle action that isn't Congo Bongo or Jungle Hunt, you may enjoy this game. Otherwise, I recommend Coconuts for collectors only.

Yes, no, or maybe?

No.

I nominate Coconuts for the '83 VGC Award (1983 Video Game Crash). More to come!