Mad Max

Mad Max is a post-apocalyptic action game developed by Gray Matter and published by Mindscape in July 1990 for the NES, based primarily on Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior. The game consists of three stages, each split into two parts: scavenging and arena combat. On the overworld, you drive Max's V8 Interceptor through non-linear wasteland mazes with limited fuel. Your goal is to locate mineshafts, enter them to collect food and water (currency), trade for an Arena Pass, then find the Arena entrance. Inside mines, the perspective shifts to overhead pseudo-3D as Max explores maze-like caverns. Arena stages are demolition derbies inside coliseums. The final stage is a side-view crossbow duel against Lord Humungus.

NES

Technically, Mad Max suffers from severe flaws. Car controls are binary—there is no speed between parked and careening into walls. The fuel limit is extremely tight, and the map provides no guidance, forcing players to use graph paper to chart routes. Only one song loops throughout the entire game. Environmental graphics are uniformly brown, described as an eyesore. Overworld and Arena stages have no music—only droning engine noises. Contemporary reception was overwhelmingly negative: GameFAQs gave it 2/10, calling it "easily one of the worst NES games." Hardcore Gaming 101 criticizes the tedious scavenging, frustrating controls, and poor design choices. The game has a password system and a 224 KB cartridge size. A password leading directly to the final boss is useless—at least two crossbows are needed to defeat him. The game is widely considered a disappointing and borderline unplayable movie tie-in. It was never released in Japan.