Once upon a time, tucked away in one of my old game collections, there was a quirky but memorable little title called "Circus Charlie". It's an arcade game about a daredevil circus performer who clearly has no regard for his own safety. How skillfully he performs "on stage" depends entirely on the player. And if memory serves me right - the poor guy took quite a beating.
The goal of the game is to make it through a series of different challenges. You'll be jumping through flaming hoops, balancing on balls, riding horses, walking tightropes with mischievous monkeys, and, of course, trying not to fall off flying trapezes. The farther you progress, the tougher the levels become - and by the end, the game turns into pure chaos.
The trapeze jumping section - or rope swinging, whatever you call it - is a real nerve-wrecker. You have to time your grab just right, calculate your jump to the next swing perfectly, and try not to fall. As a kid, I remember thinking it was downright impossible. The hero would keep falling, and I'd keep wondering how on earth people even beat that level. Honestly, I still consider it the hardest part of the game.
Visually, the game is cheerful and colorful: bright hues, cartoony characters, and a nicely drawn circus backdrop. For its time, the style holds up well. And the music? Absolutely unforgettable. I can still hum those 8-bit tunes to this day.
"Circus Charlie" is a decent arcade game, but nothing particularly groundbreaking. I've played it at different times over the years, but never with much enthusiasm. The mechanics are simple, the levels a bit repetitive, and that cursed trapeze level is pure pain. If you're in the mood for some retro vibes and want to test your reflexes, it's worth a spin - but chances are, you won't want to stay in this circus for long.
6 out of 10.
