Nightmare On Elm Street Video games

A Nightmare on Elm Street is the shared name of two unrelated video games released in 1989, both loosely based on the series. From among those films, Dream Warriors and The Dream Master were particular influences on the gameplay of each.

LJN released one title for the NES, and Monarch Software the other for the Commodore 64 and IBM PC compatibles.

Up to four players control characters who jump and punch their way through Elm Street locations as they collect the bones of Freddy Krueger to place them in a furnace and end his reign of terror. Each character can withstand only four hits from opponents before losing a life. With four players two of the characters appear as females.

An on-screen meter slowly diminishes (more quickly when sustaining damage), representing how close a particular character is to falling asleep. Obtaining cups of coffee within the game restores characters' sleep bar. When any character's sleep bar empties, all the players are transported to the dream world, where enemies take on new appearances and are more difficult to defeat. In the dream world, coffee cups are replaced with radios, which return the characters to the normal world and difficulty.

Also in the dream world, icons appear that, once collected, permit transformation into one of three "Dream Warriors". Each warrior has a ranged attack and improved movement: ninja (throwing stars, jump kick), acrobat (javelins, somersault), and magician (fireballs, hovering). These roles are available to all players, but only usable in the dream world. If a character remains asleep too long, the film's theme song plays and a combative encounter with Freddy ensues.

Upon collecting all the bones in a level, the player is automatically put in the dream world and battles Freddy, who takes on a special form similar to those presented in the films. The final level is set at Elm Street High School as players navigate to the boiler room to burn Freddy's bones. Here one final battle with Freddy Krueger occurs.

The game can utilize the NES Four Score or NES Satellite accessories to enable four-player gameplay.

C64 / IBM-PC release
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Image:PC elm st cover.jpg
PC A Nightmare on Elm Street cover
Developer(s) Westwood Associates
Publisher(s) Monarch Software
Platform(s) Comodore 64, PC
Release date(s) 1989
Genre(s) Action
Mode(s) single player
Rating(s) ESRB: Rating Pending (RP)=
System requirements PC:

* DOS
* minimum CPU class 80286
* min. OS class DOS 3.0 - 3.3
* min. RAM 256 KB
* CGS composite (16 colors)
* EGA or compatible
* VGA or compatible
* speakers

Input methods PC: keyboard, mouse

The game produced by Monarch Software differs greatly from that for the NES. Developed by Westwood Associates, its role-playing elements and overhead viewpoint bear some similarity to Gauntlet. The player chooses to play as either Kincaid, Kristen, Will, Nancy, or Taryn on a quest to save Joey and defeat Freddy.

The player must locate keys to open doors. Weapons and items are scattered about the levels or can be purchased from vending machines. Enemies are varied, from skeletons to wheelchairs. Freddy assumes the role of "boss monster" and transforms into a snake, much like his appearance in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.