| Title | : | Justice League Task Force |
| Platforms | : | Super NES |
| Publisher | : | Acclaim |
| Game Rating | : | n/a |
| Review by | : | Ken Gagne |
When an evil so malicious surfaces, only one team offers the world hope. Enter Justice League Task Force for your Super NES, courtesy of Acclaim.
The basic idea behind JLTF is the same as Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and countless other beat-em-up games. As a hero (Superman, Batman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman) or villain (Despero, Cheetah, Darkseid), fight your way through several opponents using three punches and kicks, and each character's "unique" special attacks.
There is little to set this game apart from the rest. It offers only nine fighters to choose from, which is only half of what is now common. The music is a notch above average, and does not grow irksome after a few repetitions. The sprites are detailed and pose well, but the animations are not overly grand. The backgrounds are a real sight to see, however, and have some remarkable effects thrown in here and there.
I will admit that it's a thrill to see Batman and Superman finally battle it out. The one-player mode does not offer much challenge, though, and what is there is present because of cheap tactics. The computer pulls off special attacks too easily, compared to the molasses controls with which a player must cope. Attacks are often performed correctly after three or four tries, but are not as effective as they should be. Each fighter has a projectile move, or four!
It is too bad that a fighting game with D.C. heroes came along with too little, too late. It's a good play, but not much else. I'd rather be playing X-MEN: COTA.
Hint: As Superman, throw a slow eye beam. Then jump in the air and do your arrow dive. It'll hit every time.
This article is copyright (c) 1995, 2007 by Ken Gagne. All rights reserved. Not to be distributed without permission.
Original publication: Boston Herald, 07-Aug-95