Mission: Impossible (1990-)

• Developer: Konami

• Publisher: Ultra Games

• Genre: Action

Mission: Impossible for the NES was developed by Konami and released in North America in 1990, with Ultra Games handling the publishing. The game is an adaptation of the popular 1960s television series, following the espionage adventures of the Impossible Missions Force (IMF). While there were no direct prequels to this NES adaptation, the game draws heavily from the original TV series’ themes of stealth, strategy, and complex infiltration, providing players with a home-console espionage experience that translates the show’s dramatic flair into interactive gameplay. The title remained exclusive to the NES, with no ports to other systems at the time.

In the game, players control a secret agent tasked with completing a series of covert missions, each with specific objectives such as stealing secret documents, rescuing hostages, or sabotaging enemy operations. Levels are presented as side-scrolling environments where timing, precision, and tactical planning are crucial. Players must avoid detection, disable traps, and defeat enemy guards while progressing through increasingly difficult stages. The game emphasizes methodical play over pure reflexes, reflecting the careful, calculated approach characteristic of the television series.

Gameplay features a combination of exploration, combat, and item management. Players can collect gadgets that aid in completing missions, including briefcases for carrying intelligence, weapons for self-defense, and tools to bypass security systems. The game challenges players to balance stealth with action, as being discovered by enemies can result in mission failure. Each level concludes with a mission report, encouraging players to improve their performance and complete objectives more efficiently on subsequent attempts. This layered approach to level design adds depth beyond typical side-scrolling shooters or platformers of the NES era.

The soundtrack of Mission: Impossible incorporates dramatic and suspenseful themes inspired by Lalo Schifrin’s iconic score from the television series. Music and sound effects heighten the tension of infiltration, with audio cues signaling enemy awareness, gadget use, or mission completion. The game was promoted as an intense, action-packed espionage title, capitalizing on the brand recognition of the Mission: Impossible franchise. Critical reception was generally positive, with reviewers praising its faithful adaptation of the series’ tone, strategic gameplay, and challenging level design, though some noted that its difficulty curve could be steep for casual players. The game remains a distinctive entry in Konami’s NES catalog and a memorable example of early console espionage games.

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