Politics and video games have never been obvious bedfellows. Generally, when games try to make any sort of political point, it seems to come in the form of a pro-America, neo-Conservative rallying cry (see Call of Duty), a dig at historical colonialism (see Assassin's Creed), or as a tongue-in-cheek swipe at bureaucracy and immigration (see Papers, Please).
Beyond that, political themes have generally been concealed behind obscure sci-fi and fantasy allegories (Bioshock, Mass Effect, Dragon Age Inquisition...), sandbox strategy sims (Civilisation), or conspiracy-fuelled satire that gets undermined by extreme violence and misogyny (Grand Theft Auto V).
However, there was one game, back in the early 90s, which tackled politics head-on - specifically, the divisions, both political and philosophical, of The Cold War. And it was, believe it or not, an arcade game: Kaneko's The Berlin Wall.
Beyond that, political themes have generally been concealed behind obscure sci-fi and fantasy allegories (Bioshock, Mass Effect, Dragon Age Inquisition...), sandbox strategy sims (Civilisation), or conspiracy-fuelled satire that gets undermined by extreme violence and misogyny (Grand Theft Auto V).
However, there was one game, back in the early 90s, which tackled politics head-on - specifically, the divisions, both political and philosophical, of The Cold War. And it was, believe it or not, an arcade game: Kaneko's The Berlin Wall.
KGBEAT 'EM UP
Released two years after the fall of The Berlin Wall itself, the game of the same name opened with images of a divided Berlin, and the famous, graffiti-covered, concrete fortification.
The game implored players to "Break through The Wall for profit" - no doubt inspired by the black market that saw racketeers smuggling Western products into East Berlin - while stark, Cold War representations played throughout.
As you were accompanied by these depictions of a divided Berlin, in addition to selected celebratory photographs of the reunification, there was no doubt that the makers intended to get players thinking - and thinking hard. About, y'know... stuff.
Or perhaps not.
STASI THE HEDGEHOG
Indeed, as you might not expect from a game that took its inspiration from such an iconic, and terrible, period of disharmony and conflict, the game was essentially a cheery Space Panic clone. No, no - it honestly was.
To wit: "Avoid the enemy chasing you as you climb up and down the ladders. Dig holes in the floor in order to trap the bad guys then bury them! Don't forget to check out the great backgrounds for each level!"
Released two years after the fall of The Berlin Wall itself, the game of the same name opened with images of a divided Berlin, and the famous, graffiti-covered, concrete fortification.
The game implored players to "Break through The Wall for profit" - no doubt inspired by the black market that saw racketeers smuggling Western products into East Berlin - while stark, Cold War representations played throughout.
As you were accompanied by these depictions of a divided Berlin, in addition to selected celebratory photographs of the reunification, there was no doubt that the makers intended to get players thinking - and thinking hard. About, y'know... stuff.
Or perhaps not.
STASI THE HEDGEHOG
Indeed, as you might not expect from a game that took its inspiration from such an iconic, and terrible, period of disharmony and conflict, the game was essentially a cheery Space Panic clone. No, no - it honestly was.
To wit: "Avoid the enemy chasing you as you climb up and down the ladders. Dig holes in the floor in order to trap the bad guys then bury them! Don't forget to check out the great backgrounds for each level!"
One or two players could take part in this weirdly-inspired action, pursued by what we assume are meant to be Soviet border guards - represented in the game by cutesy, primary coloured monsters - who would transform into fruit (just like real Soviet border guards, we imagine), when hammered through a hole in the floor.
A Game Gear version of The Berlin Wall was released in Japan in the early 90s, but a planned Mega Drive port never made it.
Which is a shame, as there's little like a cutesy platform game jarring incongruously with depictions of the fall of Communism to spark debate. Then again, it possibly made about as much sense as releasing a Pole Position clone called The Burma Railway, or a version of Paperboy which rewarded every successfully completed level with footage of JFK's assassination, or a Sonic The Hedgehog sequel that featured bonus stages where Sonic had to cover up Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal.
The Berlin Wall, you massive nonsense you: we salute you.
A Game Gear version of The Berlin Wall was released in Japan in the early 90s, but a planned Mega Drive port never made it.
Which is a shame, as there's little like a cutesy platform game jarring incongruously with depictions of the fall of Communism to spark debate. Then again, it possibly made about as much sense as releasing a Pole Position clone called The Burma Railway, or a version of Paperboy which rewarded every successfully completed level with footage of JFK's assassination, or a Sonic The Hedgehog sequel that featured bonus stages where Sonic had to cover up Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal.
The Berlin Wall, you massive nonsense you: we salute you.
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