- Release Date: 1990
- Genre: Sports
- Style: Volleyball
- Similar Games: Kings of the Beach (Nintendo Entertainment System), Volleyball (Arcade), Venice Beach Volleyball (Nintendo Entertainment System), Kings of the Beach (Commodore 64/128), Volleyball (Nintendo Entertainment System), Volleyball! (Odyssey 2)
Game Description
It's two-on-two beach volleyball action in Super Spike V'Ball. With a four-player adapter such as the NES Satellite up to four players can take part at once. Play in a variety of settings such as Daytona, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York or Los Angeles, and choose between four different teams, each having their own strengths and weaknesses. Other notable options enable you to select the number of points necessary to win a game (five, ten or fifteen), the number of sets in a match (one, three or five) and scoring system method (side outs or no side outs). Another interesting features allows you to proclaim a home state to represent en route to your victory of the American Circuit or World Cup. Good luck!~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
The popularity of beach volleyball contributed to the development of this game, as did the four-player capability of the NES Satellite.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
Living in Tennessee, I've never played a game of beach volleyball. But that doesn't mean that I'm unfamiliar with it. I know that it's basically the same as regular volleyball, only it's two-on-two and, well, it's played on a sandy beach. But there are ways that those of us unable to make it to the shore can at least get a taste of what it's like playing beach volleyball. We can just insert Super Spike V'ball into our NES.Sure, the sensation of your bare feet on the carpet in your den feels quite different than sand in your toes. Sure, sitting inside in front of your television set won't get you a tan. Sure, instead of exerting your entire body you're just exercising your thumbs. But the same types of comparisons can be made in relation to practically any sports game.
What it all comes down to is that Super Spike V'ball is a fun, relatively addictive game that (at least from what I've seen on TV) simulates beach volleyball very well. The action is two-on-two and even more enjoyable if you have a four-player adapter so that everyone is controlling one player.
But perhaps the greatest contributors to the fun factor are the cartoon-like, light-hearted graphics combined with great play control. The three dimensions of the court are very apparent, making it much easier to track down the ball -- even when you have miliseconds to do so. Your extremely buff players are also well animated, as is the female bikini-clad referee who tells you the score after every play.
My complaints with the game are few and somewhat picky. For one thing, returning the spikes of the other team can be impossibly hard. Great anticipation skills (and a lot of practice) are necessary to excel in this game. Also, every team is made up of male twins. Now, I'm sure there are some dynamic brotherly, born-on-the-same-day beach volleyball teams, but c'mon. Also, at least one woman team would have been nice since this isn't a sport restricted to the Y chromosome.
All in all, Super Spike V'Ball represents the sport well. I'd say that any fan of the sport should love the game, but -- not really being a fan of the sport -- I think I'm kind of out of place in making such a statement. But it's probably true.
~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Fun for anyone remotely interested in beach volleyball.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Cartoon-like and very appealing to the eye (especially the ref).~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
Good overall, but can someone explain to me why hitting the ball can sometimes make an explosion sound?~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
You'll probably play it after you beat it, especially if you've got other people to play with.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
A good instruction booklet.~ Christopher Michael Baker, All Game Guide
