Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990-)

• Developer: Sunsoft

• Publisher: Sunsoft

• Genre: Platform

• Designer: Yoshiaki Iwata

• Composer: Naoki Kodaka

Gremlins 2: The New Batch for the NES was developed by Sunsoft and released in 1990, the same year as the film it was based on. Sunsoft also served as the publisher in Japan, while in North America the game was distributed through Sunsoft’s publishing arm. It was one of several licensed titles released to coincide with the movie, but unlike many film-to-game adaptations of the era, this one stood out due to Sunsoft’s reputation for high-quality action games on the NES. The game did not see ports to other systems, although alternative versions of Gremlins 2 were released on computers and other consoles by different developers, making the NES entry distinct in both style and gameplay.

The game is set within the high-tech Clamp Center skyscraper, mirroring the setting of the movie. Players take on the role of Gizmo, who must battle through waves of gremlins and other enemies as he tries to reach the building’s top floors. Sunsoft drew inspiration from both the film’s comedic horror tone and the action-platform conventions it had already refined with games like Batman for the NES. The adaptation leaned more toward light-hearted action than horror, with a focus on fast-paced gameplay and inventive weaponry rather than recreating the darker atmosphere of the movie.

Gameplay features an overhead, isometric-style perspective, giving it a different feel compared to traditional side-scrolling platformers of the time. Gizmo starts with basic weapons, such as tomatoes, but can acquire more powerful items like matches, paper clips, and even a bow and arrow as he progresses. The game includes multiple levels, each with unique hazards and gremlin variants, and ends with boss battles that challenge players to master both reflexes and strategy. The control scheme was responsive, with Sunsoft adding tight hit detection that was often praised for being more polished than typical licensed games. The soundtrack, composed by Naoki Kodaka, was a highlight, delivering energetic, layered tunes that enhanced the action and gave the game an identity beyond its film license.

There was no direct prequel to Gremlins 2: The New Batch on the NES, though the original Gremlins received its own adaptations on earlier platforms such as the Atari 2600. The NES game was promoted alongside the movie’s release, benefiting from the film’s marketing campaign and the popularity of the Gremlins brand. Reception was generally positive, with critics noting that Sunsoft had avoided the pitfalls of many film tie-ins by producing a game with solid mechanics and engaging design. While it never spawned a sequel in video game form, it is often remembered as one of the stronger examples of a licensed game on the NES, standing alongside Sunsoft’s other acclaimed adaptations.

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