BurgerTime

The Good
CABINET DESIGN: 8/10 - Viewing that huge Peter Pepper on the side of the “BurgerTime” Arcade Cabinet was something to behold. It was so eclectic for 1983 that I had NO IDEA what the game would be once seeing that screen. The cabinet art on the front really fit the diner theme, and all the colors were crisp, complementing each other, even in the low arcade lighting.

ATTRACT MODE: 6/10 The Attract Mode of “BurgerTime” is quite standard for an arcade title from the Labyrinth/Maze Genre, cycling quickly through a brief scoring example demonstrating how to earn massive points.

GAME DESIGN: 8/10 - Data East Corp. was adept at taking what would appear to be non-standard or strange design concepts, and then turn them into function video games with unique gameplay!

CONTROLS: 6/10 The controls for “BurgerTime” are somewhat basic for any game from the Labyrinth/Maze Subgenre. Don’t mistake the beauty of simplicity, because those controls are very responsive for an early 80’s Arcade Game; they just don’t reinvent the wheel. This title is best played with a 4-Way Joystick, because you will find yourself possibly stuck on ladders at time just long enough to die with an 8-Way Joystick.

GRAPHICS: 5/10 The Graphics of “BurgerTime” were above average for an Arcade Game from the early 80’s. It was a very colorful, detailed video game for its time, quite nice to look at but nothing revolutionary.

MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS: 7/10 - The Sounds Effects and Music of “BurgerTime”, they are of the type that are easily forgotten, but you will instantly recall when heard; at least that is how they are with me. The Music isn’t anything special and certainly NOT something you will play in your car or used for a ringtone, but it complements the game quite well all the same; even though it constantly repeats, it will not drive you crazy. All the Sound Effects are admittedly more cartoonish than most games, not adding anything in terms of tension, but are entertaining, nonetheless. The ONLY sicound here that will instill a sense of urgency is whenever you have zero peppers remaining.

GAMEPLAY: 10/10 - “BurgerTime” is one of those masterfully engineered Video Games that come along once out of every ten to twenty arcade releases. Data East Corp. kept everything simplified down to the common denominator, which is typically a disaster when done in the modern era but works famously for early 80’s Arcade Games. It becomes one of those endeavors for Gamers where “BurgerTime” is so damn easy to pick up, but extremely difficult to master, ensuring quicker turnarounds, with games averaging 5 – 10 mins.; while NEVER leaving Gamers feeling cheated.

ORIGINALITY: 10/10 [“BurgerTime” is a successful example of how keeping a Video Game simplistic can also creatively explore new territories. There was nothing else like “BurgerTime” out there in the Arcades until Data East released other titles in the series.

FUN FACTOR: 8/10 “BurgerTime”, provides an excellent gaming experience that will be appreciated by Normie and Hardcore Gamers alike. Because children in 2024 will be more proficient with electronics, this may also serve as a GREAT entry-level Video Game to play for them.

REPLAY FACTOR: 6/10 The Replay Factor of “BurgerTime” always something that was either a hit or miss with Gamers; certainly, you would have the Average Arcade Gamer playing it once or twice then moving on, and then you would have the Hardcore Gamers that would stand there for an hour practicing their craft, while fighting for position on those coveted Hi-Score Screens.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: 6/10 “BurgerTime” is one of those Video Games where you will NEVER feel cheated while walking away, the enemies are very predictable, and the rules are NEVER altered besides enemies increasing in speed whenever you drop them on a burger. That said, it still may NOT be for everyone, because it IS a fool’s errand as you try to stave off that inevitable Game Over.

FRUSTRATION LEVEL: 8/10 [“BurgerTime” is a one of those masterfully crafted Video Games where the Frustration Level is almost non-existent, despite the challenge it presents, it was one of those Arcade Games that I NEVER saw anyone hitting, even the few children I saw playing it. It is very balanced where you WILL reach Skill Saturation or Repetition Fatigue LONG before any BS Saturation.

The Bad
MULTIPLAYER FACTOR: 2/10 “BurgerTime's” multiplayer becomes a detriment to your gameplay unless you are challenging a friend to a Hi-Score.

ENDING: 5/10 Besides that tried-and-true, inevitable Game Over Screen, “BurgerTime” has no known ending to it, but it presumably does have a kill screen eventually (due to the chips utilized). But you MUST also keep in mind that this never-ending gameplay model was standard for Arcade Games in the early 80’s.

The Bottom Line
“BurgerTime” one of the most iconic Arcade titles from what we now call the Golden Age of Gaming and is much more of a slow, methodical burn than frantic, instant action of modern Video Games. It remains very friendly towards new players, but it is no pushover!

VERDICT: 7.21/10