Video Adventures
Video Adventures Archive
Back in the 80s, my local newspaper (The Milwaukee Journal) had a section called the 'Green Sheet'. The Saturday edition of the Green Sheet contained a weekly article entitled 'Video Adventures', written by Edward J. Semrad, which provided news and information about the video game industry. For local gamers, it was our chance to get insider info, and hopefully, planned release dates for upcoming games (C64, Sega, Nintendo, Atari, and more).
During 1987-1990, myself and several other local gamers "assisted" Mr. Semrad with his column, supplying hours of game play on VHS cassette tapes, sharing techniques, expertise, secret codes, and providing unique insights, which would be used to enrich his articles and contributions to Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL - VIDEO ADVENTURES - 1987
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4.11.1987
Stumped by 'Super Mario'? These suggestions may help
Local gamers provide tricks and information about Super Mario Bros for the NES, part 1.
Hall of Fame:
Eric Priepke
Shawn Ray
4.18.1987
Local video wizards master 'Super Mario's' intricacies
Local gamers provide tricks and information about Super Mario Bros for the NES, part 2.
Hall of Fame:
Darrell Alvine
Keith Winkler
Gary Neuschaefer
Mike Radichel
Steve Belz
John Kubanek
Michael Krueger
Jim Allee
Steve Sommers
Mike Sommers
6.27.1987
Konami's 'Castlevania' a superb challenge
Review for Castlevania for the NES.
8.1.1987
NES' superb 'Zelda' rates a perfect 10
Review for Legend of Zelda for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Legend of Zelda - NES)
8.8.1987
Trouble with 'Zelda'? These tips may help
Tips for Legend of Zelda for the NES.
8.15.1987
SNK's 'Ikari Warriors' is as good as they get
Review for Ikari Warriors for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (NES)
Craig Schanning (Sega)
Bob P. (Infocom)
8.22.1987
Exercise game is fun, but quite expensive
Review for Power Pad and Track N Field for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jason Bailey (Zelda & Rygar)
Eric Melka (Zelda & Rygar)
Jason Campbell (Zelda & Rygar)
8.29.1987
2 games for car-racing buffs
Commodore and Apple game reviews.
Hall of Fame:
Marcus Mader (Kings Quest 2, Zork I)
Brad Grochowski (Autoduel, Ultima II, Zork I)
Pat Tetzlaff (Ultima III, Zork II)
9.5.1987
Capcom's 'Section Z' a formidable challenge
Section Z review for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jason Bailey (Section Z)
Eric Melka (Section Z)
9.12.1987
Good news, bad news in '3-D WorldRunner'
3-D WorldRunner review for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Acclaim verifies he is first person to solve 3-D WorldRunner)
10.31.1987
'Towers' and 'Athena' will challenge the best
Deadly Towers and Athena reviews for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee's codes appear in article.
11.7.1987
Road-racing games realistic, thrilling
Multiple car racing game reviews for multiple systems.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Deadly Towers & Athena)
Eric Melka (Gradius)
11.14.1987
The wait was worth it: 2 sports games are 10s
Multiple car racing game reviews for multiple systems.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (First person to beat Mike Tyson's PunchOut - verified by Nintendo)
Rhett Manke (Legend of Zelda)
Wayne Radaj (Rad Racer)
Peter Skoufis (Rad Racer)
11.28.1987
A sockful of games for your Christmas list
Holiday shopping guide for Christmas 1987.
12.19.1987
'Super Pitfall' offers challenges, surprises
Review for Super Pitfall for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Super Pitfall, Rad Racer, Kid Niki)
Peter Skoufis (Breakthru, Top Gun, Kid Niki)
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL - VIDEO ADVENTURES - 1988
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1988 Unknown Date
New gun game, 'Gotcha!' off target
Review for Gotcha! for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Huy Nguyen
Daniel Davis
Stephen Pintar
Mitch Dries
Zach Hill
Mike Polidori
Josh Green
Daniel Green
Ben Silver
Bob Feder
Chris Cushinery
A. Mortara
Tim Krenke
Micah Scholesser
Keith Ritter
Michael Matte
1.30.1988
'Wizards' by Acclaim a good adventure game
Review for Renegade and Wizards & Warriors for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Wizards and Warriors)
Peter Skoufis (Renegade)
2.20.1988
'Ikari Warriors II tough to play, but worth a 9
Review for Ikari Warriors II for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Ikari Warriors II)
Shave Olivo (Zanac)
Dave Gruber (Arkanoid)
6.11.1988
New products impress expert player
Interview with Jim Allee recapping the Summer CES 1988.
8.13.1988
New 'Wonder Boy' worth a perfect 10
Review of Super Wonderboy in Monsterland for the Sega Master System.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee
Shane Olivo
8.20.1988
'Gear' a 10+ beauty from Konami spinoff
Review of Metal Gear for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Wonder Boy in Monsterland & Metal Gear)
Shane Olivo (Metal Gear)
Peter Skoufis (Metal Gear)
10.1.1988
'Life Force' too easy, rates a 6
Review of Life Force for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Lifeforce)
Peter Skoufis (Lifeforce)
10.15.1988
'Super Mario 2' isn't the best
Review of Super Mario Bros 2 for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Peter Skoufis (Super Mario 2)
Joe Ferraro (Super Mario 2)
Bill Jackson (Super Mario 2)
Tom Stevens (Super Mario 2)
Jeff Keidle (Super Mario 2)
11.5.1988
Sega's 'Double Dragon' worth a 9
Review of Double Dragon for the Sega Master System.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Double Dragon)
11.12.1988
'Midway' a well-designed shoot-'em-up
Review of 1943 for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (1943)
11.26.1988
'Power Pad' isn't worth it
Review of the Power Pad for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
Peter Skoufis (Legend of Zelda II)
12.3.1988
'Phantasy' is costly, difficult, excellent
Review of the Phantasy Star for the Sega Master System.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (Phantasy Star)
12.31.1988
A sleeper
Review of the Milan's Secret Castle for the NES.
Hall of Fame:
David Safina (Milans Secret Castle)
Peter Skoufis (Milans Secret Castle)
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL - VIDEO ADVENTURES - 1989
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1.7.1989
'R-Type' - Sega's best ever
Review of the R-Type for the Sega Master System.
Hall of Fame:
Jim Allee (R-Type)