Serpent (video game)

Lore & Background

Serpent was developed by Dual and published by Taxan in the United States. It was released for the Game Boy in Japan on April 6, 1990, and in North America in November 1990. The game presents a future sport where two fighters in serpentine robotic machines try to box each other in. The serpents are detailed, not just a line, to give a greater sense of realism. Each snake has a fixed number of lives; losing a life represents 'losing the war.' The 'game over' message reads 'the bitter taste of defeat' with an animated picture of a snake crying and melancholic waltz music.

There are two modes with four difficulty levels; level 1 is easiest (normal speed and enemy performance) while level 4 is hardest (fast speed and enemies likely to cheat death). The first mode is a simple competition against an opponent; the second mode introduces small snakes that appear if the player takes too long. Players can collect missiles on the field: white numbers lengthen the body, black numbers shorten it. Missiles can make the enemy faster (black) or slower (white). Winning 7 of 13 matches makes the player the 'champion of serpents.'

Reader's Guide

Serpent received mixed reviews upon release. In Famicom Tsūshin, four reviewers commented on the game; two found it similar to earlier titles such as Snake Byte (1982) and Taito's Replicart (1987). Martin Gaksch of Power Play also noted its similarity to earlier titles, summarizing that 'No idea is too old for a Game Boy port.' The Famicom Tsūshin reviewers generally found the game not very exciting as a single-player game but more fun in two-player mode. Sandra Alter of Aktueller Software Markt similarly said the game quickly grew dull as a single-player title and only maintained interest as a two-player game.

Several reviewers found the controls clunky or hard to master. Alter found the graphics lacking innovation and the gameplay changes too minute. Gaksch noted that items somewhat liven up the gameplay, but summarized that it was not a bad game, just far too expensive for what it offered. The game's legacy is as a modest, derivative entry in the Game Boy library, notable for its two-player mode and thematic presentation of robotic snake combat.

Did You Know?

• The game over message is 'the bitter taste of defeat' with an animated crying snake and melancholic waltz music.
• Winning 7 of 13 matches makes the player the 'champion of serpents.'
• White numbers lengthen the player's body; black numbers shorten it.
• Missiles can either make the enemy faster (black) or slower (white).