Overview and Gameplay
Private investigator Ace Harding wakes in a Chicago bar with amnesia, blood on his hand, and evidence linking him to murder. This NES adaptation of ICOM Simulations’ 1985 Macintosh adventure follows one interconnected investigation rather than separate stages.
Players examine rooms, question characters, collect objects, recover Ace’s memories, discover taxi destinations, and assemble evidence that can clear his name. Unsafe choices can cause sudden death, while misleading items and a demanding final police sequence reward careful note-taking. Three battery-backed save files preserve progress.
Controls And Mechanics
- Directions: Move the on-screen pointer.
- A: Select commands, objects, and exits, advance dialogue, or speed up appearing text.
- B: Cancel or deselect the current command.
- Start: Begin the game from the title screen.
Commands include examining, speaking, taking, leaving, opening, closing, moving, hitting, and using items. The notebook stores possessions, clues, and discovered addresses. This is a single-player game.
Version Notes
The North American edition softens material found in the Japanese Famicom release, including blood, syringes, alcohol, cigarettes, adult references, and the death screen. It is also cataloged as Deja Vu: A Nightmare Comes True!!.
Release And Credits
- NES release: December 1990 in North America
- NES conversion: Kotobuki System Co.
- Original game: ICOM Simulations
- North American distributor: Seika Corporation
