Spy vs Spy

Spy vs Spy is an action video game based on Mad Magazine's long running slapstick comic strip of the same name. It was originally created for the Commodore 64, but was licensed out to many companies including Sega who made this particular version.

Plot
Heckel (the white spy) and Jackel (the black spy) are a pair of competeing spies. Their goal is defeat their rival(the other spy) by setting a variety of clever traps, obtain the secret items in the briefcase, and make their way to the plane with the intel, all before the other spy can do the same.

Gameplay
In single player, the player plays as Heckel, with the CPU taking the role of Jackel, whilst in two player player 2 will take control of Jackel.

Each player must obtain the following items that are hidden behind furniture in the various rooms the spies are exploring:


 * Bag: As a Spy can only carry one item at a time, the bag is essential for collecting everything else. Obtain this first!
 * Passport
 * Cash
 * Key
 * Confidential Documents

Whilst exploring the rooms that are set out in a grid like system, players can set traps for the enemy spy on certain objects using the 'Trapulator '.

The Trapulator is shown in a box on the right hand side of the screen and contains six traps the player can set for their opponent:


 * Bomb: Can be placed behind anything other than a door. If the enemy spy discovers it, it blows up on them.
 * Spring: Likewise can be placed anywhere other than behind a door. When discovered it launches the spy across the room.
 * Electric Bucket: A red bucket of water with an electric charge surging through it. This can be placed behind closed doors which will fall on the head of any Spy who opens that door, electrocuting them.
 * Gun: Can be placed behind a door. When the opponent opens the door, the gun will fire, shooting them.
 * Time Bomb: Explodes in 15 seconds, killing anyone in the room at the time.

With the exception of the Time Bomb, there are counter trap items the players can obtain to avoid being hurt by the opponents traps:


 * White bucket of water: Counters the Bomb by dousing it. It is located in the firebox on the left side wall.
 * Pliers: Counters the Spring by cutting the trap. It is located in the white toolbox on the right side wall.
 * Umbrella: Counters the Electric Bucket by preventing you from getting wet. Located in the coatrack.
 * Scissors: Counters the gun by cutting the string that pulls the trigger. Located in the first aid kit on the wall.

If both both spies are in the same room, they can no longer set a trap. Instead the button for trap will allow the player to punch and kick, and the two can battle it out with eight hits needed on the other spy to win. When a spy loses the battle they die and lose any items they may have been holding onto. When in the same room, all items are dropped and must be relocated within the room to obtain again.

Players can instead choose to flee which will reset the hit counter and also allow them to set up traps again, but doing so will allow the other spy to obtain all their items.

When a Spy has all items they must locate the exit indicated by a door with two airplanes on it. Exiting through this door will allow them to escape and win the round.

Losing a battle or falling to a trap will decrease your timer in the corner giving you less time to obtain all the items and escape.

Trivia

 * Spies can also fall to their own traps.
 * Yuji Naka is said to have worked as a programmer on this title.
 * The Master System version is the only version of this game that allows the player to kick each other.
 * Spy vs Spy is the only Sega Card title to have a different style of box art in the majority of the world. The german box art is the only one to follow the more common style of having a hand holding the Sega Card on the box.