Popeye for NES

The object of the game was for Popeye to collect a certain number of items (24 hearts, 16 Musical Notes, the letters in the word "help" - depending on the level) while avoiding The Sea Hag, Brutus/Bluto (Brutus was the character`s name in the King Features shorts, not Bluto), and other dangers. The player can make Popeye walk back and forth and up and down stairs and ladders with an 8-way joystick. There is a punch button, but unlike similar games of the period, no jump button. Each level has a can of spinach. If Popeye punches the spinach, he can temporarily become invincible and knock out Brutus just by running into him; although after a few seconds Brutus will swim back out and be ready for action again.In Round 1 (the dock scene) of each level is a punching bag, which Popeye can use to knock a nearby barrel loose from its position (centered near the top of the playing field). If the barrel falls onto Brutus` head, the player earns bonus points (based on where Brutus was attacked) and renders Brutus harmless for several seconds.Otherwise Popeye`s attacks did nothing to his nemesis.Other licensed Popeye characters in the game are Olive Oyl, Swee` Pea, and Wimpy, though they are mostly decorative and do not add heavily to the gameplay. Wimpy appears in Round 2 of each level, on one end of the see-saw in the lower left corner of the field. Swee` Pea floats high above it, and can give Popeye bonus points if Popeye can spring off the see-saw and touch him.