Total Recall is a 1990 action-platformer for the NES based on the hit sci-fi film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Developed by Interplay and published by Acclaim, the game loosely follows Douglas Quaid’s journey from Earth to Mars, featuring side-scrolling beat-’em-up combat, platforming, and driving segments.
How to Play
The objective is to survive waves of enemies, navigate complex levels, and uncover the truth about Quaid’s implanted memories. Controls for the NES: Use the D-pad to move, A to jump, B to punch or shoot, and Start to pause. In your browser, these map to the arrow keys, Z (A), X (B), and Enter (Start).
Tips
- Be prepared for a notoriously steep difficulty curve; enemies respawn quickly, so prioritize moving forward rather than clearing the screen.
- Punching certain characters in the early alleyway levels can yield hidden items or health.
- During the infamous X-ray scanner sequence, memorize the guards’ movement patterns to slip by undetected.
Leave a Comment / Review: