Wii Longplay #6: Space Ace

Space Ace is a laserdisc video game produced by Don Bluth Studios, Cinematronics and Advanced Microcomputer Systems (later renamed RDI Video Systems). It was unveiled in October 1983, just four months after the Dragon's Lair game, then released in Spring 1984, and like its predecessor featured film-quality animation played back from a laserdisc.
The gameplay is also similar, requiring the player to move the joystick or press the fire button at key moments in the animated sequences to govern the hero's actions. However, the game's action was more varied with the player occasionally given the temporary option to either have the character he is controlling transform back into his adult form, or remain as a boy with different styles of challenges.
Like Dragon's Lair, the gameplay of Space Ace requires the player to move the joystick in the right direction or press the fire button at the right moment to avoid the various hazards Dexter/Ace faces. Space Ace introduced a few gameplay enhancements, most notably selectable skill levels and multiple paths through several of the scenes. At the start of the game the player could select one of three skill levels; "Cadet", "Captain" or "Space Ace" for easy, medium and hard respectively - only by choosing the toughest skill level could the player see all the sequences in the game (only around half the scenes are played on the easiest setting). A number of the scenes had "multiple choice" moments when the player could choose how to act, sometimes by choosing which way to turn in a passageway, or by choosing whether or not to react to the on-screen "ENERGIZE" message and transform back into Ace.
Most scenes also have separate reverse versions of each other. Dexter usually progresses through scenes by avoiding obstacles and enemies, but Ace goes on the offensive, attacking enemies rather than running away; although Dexter does occasionally have to use his pistol on enemies when it is necessary to advance. An example can be seen in the first scene of the game, when Dexter is escaping from Borf's robot drones. If the player presses the fire button at the right moment, Dexter transforms temporarily into Ace and can fight them, whereas if the player chooses to stay as Dexter the robots' drill attacks must be dodged instead.

[@flargarbason1740]

1:34 the piece of ground that dexter is on regenerates for a second

[@Bloodreign1]

To think, this game and Dragon's Lair spawned cartoons, this one a segment on Saturday Supercade on CBS, Dragon's Lair, a weekly 30 minute animated series on ABC.

[@adroharv9213]

you can't help but respect these as interactive experiences and the idea behind their making is fascinating no doubt but thank goodness all games didn't become like this- not that they ever could of course given their nature. Still love them though because they represent a very interesting period

[@jaydendover6984]

Ace: oh far out, whoa.

[@jerrybildstein6638]

2:55 Dexter Let me out of here!

[@lordofthegames6601]

I'm glad this game exists because I'm gonna buy it now

[@nikitawineberger8973]

That ragged "montage" blows my mind.
When it's so disorienting to watch, I can't realise how it was played (without hints yet)

[@pirajacinto4]

Wow, this port seems pretty good! AM confused by the blue to turn big, when on the PS4 it's red. I feel like this is the best version to play Space Ace as the things are on screen, way better than just at a corner so you can watch the footage.

[@flargarbason1740]

If at 6:44 you don’t energize you fall into a pit where there are 8 of them that you just have to dodge twice. It’s actually a lot easier

[@quintinmorse26]

5:44 and 6:03 ah ha!

[@chrispeters6719]

SHAZAM! 1:07, 1:23, 2:34, 2:52, 3:12, 3:34, 3:43, 4:02, 4:15, 4:26, 4:36, 4:47, 5:42, 5:54, 6:01, 6:13, 6:24, 6:32, 6:44, 6:46, 7:02, 7:19, 7:55, 8:05, 8:40, 9:04

[@charleschandrablazinger6515]

that's just like spamming film in hardest difficulty. XD

[@Pokemonfan12ful]

what's the name of the music? 0:00.

[@HIDEFACES]

That's the intro lol.

[@Pokemonfan12ful]

Please name it.

[@QDaDon]

Longplays Land sup

[@renesimon4744]

Rene Simon

[@thelmaferguson3571]

Hi☺

[@AlwaysHarmonyy]

Whats wrong with the sound

[@henriqueferreira3052]

All deaths

[@HIDEFACES]

Good idea ;)

[@quintinmorse26]

Someone else had that idea before you