Original Release: SNK, 1985, Arcade
Canvas Croquis has you gradually uncovering nudie pics, but unlike the standard Qix clone it incorporates maze-chase elements for a unique gameplay feel
Canvas Croquis (Arcade, SNK, 1985)
Where to Buy: ebay, KLOV
How to Emulate: Arcade Emulation Page
Review by: Master-B
Wow, a lot of big arcade developers made striptease games on the sneak in the ’80s. Sega, Taito, and here’s one from SNK years before they hit it big with the Neo-Geo.
This one might be the best actual game of the bunch in terms of sheer gameplay, though. The goal is to uncover a portrait hidden under the background tiles; any tile you activate will automatically flip all the tiles between it and any other activated tile. So if you hit one tile on the far end of a horizontal line, then walk over and hit the one at the opposite end, everything along that line is uncovered.
You can flip the tiles back and forth in this way, and you can use this ability as a weapon against the two types of enemies that chase you. Each can only be on one type of tile, and if you cut it out from under them they die. Most levels also have one or two bomb traps that can be activated to blow some of the enemies up. Only trouble is, after the enemies have been reduced and left running around enough (or when you wipe them all out), the game’s unkillable Evil Otto shows up to gradually gain speed and chase you around the board.
The action is actually pretty frenetic and challenging; the whole thing is quite well-designed. The enemies are fast and aggressive and you really need to think on your feet to fend them off, but you also don’t want to off them too quickly or you’ll have to deal with the Otto for too long as you try to complete the board. It’s surprisingly strategic.
The only downside to it is that it has the most basic and uninteresting nudie art of pretty much any of these games. But if you’re looking for a game that’s actually fun to play, this one is at the upper end of adult arcade titles.
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