Win, Lose or Draw

• Release Date: 1990 02
• Genre: Traditional
• Style: Game Show
• Similar Games: Pictionary (IBM PC Compatible), Hollywood Squares (Nintendo Entertainment System), Family Feud (Nintendo Entertainment System), Remote Control (Nintendo Entertainment System)

Game Description

One of the most popular game shows of the late 1980s comes to the NES in Win, Lose or Draw. Just as in the show, two teams compete as they attempt to guess what is being portrayed on the screen's drawing board.

Each game consists of three standard rounds followed by a speed round. In the standard rounds, either the computer or a member of the participating team attempts to draw a categorized subject (for instance, the category of "The Silver Screen" may yield an answer of "Planet of the Apes," illustrated by a picture of Earth and a monkey). The guessing team has 80 seconds to answer correctly by typing in each letter of each word, then entering the word once it is complete. If an answer is composed of more than one word, each is entered individually and displayed in relation to its placement in the phrase. Points are awarded based on how quickly the correct answer is entered. If no answer is correct within the 80 seconds, the other team has a chance to steal the points away.

The speed round, featuring as many answers as each team can guess correctly within 60 seconds, allows for quite a few extra bonus points and its answers cannot be stolen by the other team. At the conclusion of the speed round, the team with the most points is the victor.

Win, Lose or Draw features several options. As previously mentioned, a team can decide whether it wants the computer or one of its own team members to draw. In the latter choice, the answer is revealed to the artist as his or her teammates hide their eyes. Other options include deciding whether or not your team is composed of men or women and the ability to practice drawing outside of a competitive atmosphere. In addition, a password can be entered so that none of the 500 answers are repeated after playing the game on separate occasions.

Roots & Influences

Because of the television game show's popularity, this NES version was created.

Review: Overall

And I thought MTV's Remote Control was bad! RSP, Inc. has outdone itself in its ability to create horrible video games by producing a gaming a experience that can only be described as painful. They succeed once again in ruining one of the favorite game shows of my childhood.

I was dubious about this game from the start. How could you possibly recreate on a video screen the fun and excitement of drawing on an easel in front of two or three teammates as they're screaming at you, cursing your poor drawing ability as you lead them to defeat? Well, if you can, Win, Lose or Draw does not allow it.

The main beef I have involves the drawing board itself. For one thing, it looks nothing like the drawing boards used on the show. It's an Etch-A-Sketch, for all intents and purposes. Furthering my belief that I should be able to pick up my TV and shake it until the image goes away is the fact that the drawing board is actually controled like an Etch-A-Sketch. Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a good thing. I had a hard time even writing my name on the board, let alone trying to draw animals and things.

If you don't want to draw things yourself, you can always get the computer to be the artist. Unfortunately, this makes it even less fun. What's the point of playing a drawing game if you have to leave the actual drawing to the game's programmers? Further, the computer artist is just too good. After playing about 15 rounds on the most difficult setting, there were only two that I couldn't guess right away.

Then there are the characters who represent you on the screen. Their looks are OK (at best) by NES standards, but would you really say things like "Swell!," "Rad!" or (my personal favorite) "Hairy!"? Perhaps the two negative reactions I saw after my only times in missing the answers sum up these other responses: "Ugh!" and "No!!!!"

If you're desperate to emulate this 1980s game show ... no, I can't say it. Even if you are a die-hard fan of the show, you will hate this game. All I can suggest is that you buy yourself an easel or chalkboard and try to find the board game version. (I hear you can get one from Bert Convy or Vicki Lawrence).

Review: Enjoyment

I almost forgot the meaning of the word as I played this game.

Review: Graphics

To call them "OK" is to be generous.

Review: Sound

Quite possibly the worst video game music I've ever heard. And they actually replicate the horrible "winning siren" also used in MTV's Remote Control.

Review: Replay Value

Never.

Review: Documentation

The most redeeming thing about this game. (Yes, it's that bad.)

win lose or draw