''Kissin' Kousins'' is an

action game An action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes a large variety of sub-genres, such as fighting games, beat 'em ups, shooter games, and platform gam ...

published in 1985 for the Acorn Electron,

Atari 8-bit family The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers introduced by Atari, Inc. in 1979 as the Atari 400 and Atari 800. The series was successively upgraded to Atari 1200XL , Atari 600XL, Atari 800XL, Atari 65XE, Atari 130XE, Atari 800XE, ...

, and BBC Micro home computers by English Software.

Gameplay

The object of ''Kissin' Kousins'' is to guide a little boy from left to right through ten dangerous screens while avoiding many obstacles, both stationary and moving. On reaching the right edge, the background scrolls to the next screen. Obstacles are related to the background: in the city (the first few screens), the player must avoid brick walls, hydrants, and garbage cans. As the player delves deeper into the forest, the obstacles turn into bugs, worms and toadstools. The player also has a pistol, which can be used to shoot at short distances. To increase the difficulty level, a bomb-dropping plane flies overhead, and each screen must be completed in a strict time limit. If the player hits an obstacle, is blown up by a bomb, or runs out of time, they lose a life and must start the game over from the last screen. The player starts with five lives, and when all are lost, the game is over.

Reception

''Kissin' Kousins'' received mixed reviews. Bob Chappell, reviewer for '' Atari User'' magazine, found the game fair, but lacking variety and excitement. ''

Computer and Video Games ''Computer and Video Games'' (also known as ''CVG'', ''Computer & Video Games'', ''C&VG'', ''Computer + Video Games'', or ''C+VG'') was a UK-based video game magazine, published in its original form between 1981 and 2004. Its offshoot website ...

'' reviewer found the game amusing and "cheap at the price". Rog Frost writing for the '' Electron User'' liked the game and concluded: "The graphics and the animation are of a superb standard and the sound is adequate. ..Recommended for arcade addicts of all ages".

References

{{reflist, refs= {{cite web, title=Moby Games: Kissin' Kousins, url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/kissin-kousins {{cite journal , title=TRYING HARD, BUT... , journal=Atari User , date=July 1985 , page=17 , url=https://archive.org/details/atari-user-uk-magazine-03/page/n15/mode/2up {{cite journal , title=Software Reviews , journal=Computer and Video Games , date=July 1985 , page=18 , url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_045_1985-07_EMAP_Publishing_GB/page/n17/mode/2up {{cite journal , title=Software Surgery , journal=Electron User , date=March 1986 , page=13 , url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronUserVolume3/Electron-User-03-06/page/n11/mode/2up

External links

''Kissin' Kousins''
at Atari Mania
''Kissin' Kousins''
at Complete BBC Micro Games Archive 1985 video games Action video games Atari 8-bit family games BBC Micro and Acorn Electron games English Software games