The Terminator (1990 VG)

The Terminator Offical Box Art Release Date: 1990 Developer: Bethesda Softworks Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Series: Terminator Platforms: PC (DOS) Genre: First-Person Shooter

The Terminator is a DOS computer first-person shooter game based on the 1984 movie of the same name. Developed and published by Bethesda Softworks in 1990, it was the first officially licensed game based on the Terminator film series, and probably the first open world "sandbox style" game ever produced, predating the first game in the Grand Theft Auto series by 7 years.

The game takes place within a huge (roughly 10 miles by 6 miles) 3D rendered area of central Los Angeles, roughly from Beverly Drive to Central Ave (horizontally), and from Mulholland Drive to National Blvd (vertically). A game map is included in the box for reference. Though the buildings and their placement within the world are quite generic, and highways/overpasses have been mostly removed, the streets and their layout are largely accurate. The game also includes some LA landmarks, such as Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park, and the Silver Lake Reservoir.

It is also the only game adaptation of the movie in which you can choose whether to play as Kyle Reese (default choice in other game adaptations) or the T-800 Terminator.

The following weapons appear in the video game The Terminator:

Handguns

AMT Hardballer .45 Longslide

The T-800 Terminator's signature AMT Hardballer Longslide, while not appearing as an in-game weapon, it is featured heavily in cutscenes (some of which are original animations produced for the game) and on cover for the game.

AMT Hardballer Longslide with laserlock sight as used in the film The Terminator - .45 ACP

The T-800 fires its AMT Hardballer in a cutscene.

A severly damaged T-800 with an AMT Hardballer.

The T-800 after killing Sarah Connor, pistol in hand. This specific shot strangely depicts the Hardballer with its top extending past the back of the grip, though it could be interpreted as the gun's slide being locked back, but would also incorrectly imply that the laserlock sight is mounted on the AMT's slide rather than its left grip.

A "Game Over" screen, featuring the T-800 with an AMT Hardballer in its famous pose seen in covers for the movie.

Beretta 92F

Probably based on a Beretta 92F, a generic automatic handgun simply dubbed "Beretta" is a main automatic handgun in the game, which could be stolen or purchased in an assortment of weapon shops all over Los Angeles.

Beretta 92F (Early Model) - 9x19mm (Other side showing "92F" on slide) Other than the slim grip covers (the 92F is slightly different with a gloss black plastic, versus the 92FS) this pistol is difficult to tell apart from a 92FS. The only real proof is the year a movie was made and whether or not the 92FS existed yet.

A "Beretta" is seen in the middle of the screen, near the unidentified revolver.

Revolver

Readily available at the weapons shop is a rather generic revolver, which is a less detailed weapon in-game. It is most likely a stand-in for either the Smith & Wesson Model 15 or the Ruger Security Six, both of which Kyle Reese handled in the movie.

The "Revolver" is seen in the display case, next to the "Beretta".

The revolver in possession of Kyle Reese, as seen in the game's HUD.

Submachine Guns

IMI Uzi

The only firearm from the movie which re-appears in a playable portion of the game is a Uzi.

IMI Uzi with stock removed - 9x19mm

Uzi is seen on the right in the weapon shop.

Uzi seen in possession of Kyle Reese.

Rifles

AK-47

A rather unrealistic choice for Los Angeles in both 1984 (the year in which the game is set) and 1990 (the year in which it was released), the AK-47 is seen readily available in the weapon shop and may be used in-game, although it looks more like the Galil SAR.

Type I AK-47, hybrid stamped/milled receiver with prototype slab sided magazine - 7.62x39mm

IMI Galil SAR - 5.56x45mm NATO (for comparison)

AK47 is seen in the weapon shop.

AK47 is seen in possession of T-800.

M16

Also available is a simplified and still recognizable M-16 rifle.

The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

M16 is seen in the weapon shop.

Other

"General Dynamics RBS-80"

The General Dynamics RBS-80 used by the Infiltrator Terminator re-appears on the main menu screen of the game.

Main Menu Screen of the game.