Retro News
November2006
Nintendo's first pack-in title in nearly over a decade is a lot of fun. Period.
A great launch title for the Nintendo Wii has proven to be Wii Sports, not only because it's fun even among non-gamers, but it comes free packaged with the Wii (except in Japan). Wii Sports isn't the most complex game, but it isn't meant to be the detailed, highly...
Review Bonk's Adventure (TG-16)
Prehistoric bonking fun
The Super NES had Mario, the Genesis had Sonic, so you knew it was only a matter of time before Hudson would be looking to create a mascot game for their Turbografx-16 system as well. Hudson went old school, and I mean really old-school to find their man. Like prehistoric old school. The result was Bonk, a loveable but rather...
Will there ever come a day when evil villains decide to give it all up in favour of getting an honest job?
The first thing that most gamers think of when they hear the name Hudson is Bomberman. Having been one of the company's flagship series over the years, it's little wonder why. The Bomberman games have seen releases on just about every console...
Review Pinball (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
Pinball wizard
Back in the '80s, pinball simulations became quite popular on home game consoles of the time period. Pinball for the NES takes a very basic approach with its presentation, but still manages to include just enough variety to keep it interesting. Toss in a Mario mini-game to spice things up and what you have is a fun little pinball romp...
Review F-Zero (Wii Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
From zero to Mode 7 hero
Before WipEout, there was F-Zero. Nintendo's futuristic racer was one of the first SNES releases, but shows very little sign of aging — in fact, it feels just as fresh and fun today as it did all those years ago. Graphically, the Mode 7 effects have obviously lost some of their edge when viewed today but the visuals are...
Review Soccer (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
This is most definitely not super soccer
Soccer is one of the earlier titles in the NES Sports series, it also ranks amongst the worst. Back in 1987 it might have cut the mustard, but in this day and age it is too dated to be worthy of splashing the virtual cash on. Rather than support a full team of eleven players you only get five players, and a...
Review Solomon's Key (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
I've got the key, I've got the secret!
Solomon’s Key started life as a little known arcade game, but the NES version is probably more well known and remains a faithful rendition of the original. Playing as a little wizard by the name of Dana, you are tasked with escaping from a series of dungeons, using a handy magic wand that can create or...
Review Wario's Woods (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
If you go down to the woods today...
Toad, the hero of this story (or Mushroom-head to his mates) gets to show off his muscles in this Tetris-style falling block game by lifting and stacking bombs and monsters. Our friend Toad cleverly discovered that if he puts monsters of the same colour in a row along with a bomb of the same colour that they will...
Review Mario Bros. (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
Will it clean your pipes?
When Mario Bros. hit arcades in 1983, most Nintendo fans were expecting yet another Donkey Kong release and weren't quite prepared for the spin-off Nintendo served up. Now it was Mario and his brother Luigi who were at war with a constant flow of pests coming though their sewer pipes. The game was yet another hit with...
Review Donkey Kong (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
It's on like Donkey Kong
As many will know, the mighty Miyamoto made his mark at Nintendo and indeed the world with this very game in the arcades. Donkey Kong was quite unique for its day; in arcades full of Space Invaders and Pac-Man clones, a platform game like was something new. Playing as Jumpman — who would later become known as Mario —...
Review The Legend of Zelda (Wii Virtual Console / NES)
The brave Link begins his hazardous journey in the fantastic world of Hyrule.
Where it all began - it's amazing how playable and fresh this games feels, even after all these years! Although the visuals and sound are hardly going to turn heads these days, the core Zelda gameplay is all present and correct. The Legend of Zelda is a famous series...
The famous simulation in which one takes the role of a mayor and must help a new city thrive and become a megalopolis.
Before ‘The Sims’ there was SimCity. This game was on most home computer systems at the time but the SNES port with its exclusive features and additional scenarios ranks as one of the better versions. The SimCity series has...
Review Altered Beast (Virtual Console / Sega Mega Drive)
In this coin-op conversion, you are a hero raised from the dead by the god Zeus to rescue his daughter Athena.
Considering it's one of the older games for Sega's Megadrive, it would be foolish to expect this to be a 'must have' title on the Virtual Console. However Altered Beast has a charm that few other games have. The speech is priceless, who...
Review Sonic the Hedgehog (Virtual Console / Sega Mega Drive)
The game that introduced the world to Sega's speedy hedgehog.
The original Sonic the Hedgehog was quite a groundbreaking title for Sega and their 16-bit Mega Drive console. Not only did it give Sega a true mascot to wrap their video game business around, but it also gave them a platformer that could actually compete with Nintendo's Super Mario...
October2006
Competition is good, but it hasn’t been kind to Electronic Art’s squillion-selling football title.
FIFA soccer’s fall from grace as the number one football title in the 16-bit generation has been well documented. Sure, it has always sold well, usually remaining in the top 5 games well after its release on a yearly basis, but it’s no secret...
Review Sonic Mega Collection (GCN)
When Sega and Nintendo had their rivalries in the 90’s some people never got a chance to witness some of the best that gaming had to offer due to owning only one of the two machines.
Fast forward fifteen years and how things have changed! What better way to begin new friendships than bringing out one of the best compilations to date.. Sonic Mega...
Review LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (GameCube)
Is the force with this one?
New Gamcube titles doesn't grow on trees these days, in fact Nintendo's current generation console is almost completely abandoned, by both third party companies, and Nintendo them self. Therefore we're always glad when a new quality game launches for the Gamecube. The original game, Lego Star Wars, was a smashing success...
September2006
Review Resident Evil 4 (GameCube)
Resident Evil 4 is the best game on the Gamecube.
There, it has been said – that’s my stance on the latest in Capcom’s self proclaimed ‘Survival Horror’ genre. Action games, hell, most games in general will feel sluggish, dull and ultimately underwhelming after the onslaught of this games opening salvo (the first 20 minutes will become the...
After a Computerized Armament Management System (C.A.M.S) malfunctions on a planet and all of the defence robots start to destroy and attack the colony, what is the contingency plan? To send you of course!
You control the character of Vanessa Z. Schneider, a strong sassy sarcastic female mercenary who kicks arse. Girl Power! Well, she is not really...
Review Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (DS)
Another handheld Castlevania?
Since the release of the absolute classic Symphony of the Night on the Playstation, the Castlevania series has metamorphasized from the original side scrolling action/platformers to sprawling adventures games, packed to bursting point with collectables, enemies and areas. Recent 3D incarnations have been incredibly hit...
August2006
Review Naruto: Saikyo Ninja Daikesshu 4 (DS)
Kage-Bunshin No-jutsu!
Naruto has become somewhat of a smash hit sensation over in Japan and now we find that its influence has made it to the West. The anime is airing in the US and UK (although the Japanese is far superior to the American version), but as of yet we haven't seen too many games outside of Japan.[screenshot=44ed88bce07ed]Frantic...
It's proven on consoles, but how will Burnout translate onto the handhelds?
The wonderful world of Burnout: easily my favourite racing series of the last decade. With Burnout: Revenge I'd even suggest that the series has surpassed the infamous Ridge Racer franchise. Each game in the series has developed further and always seems to improve. It's a...
For those of you who would love to play Breakout again.
If you've ever had an addiction for the game Breakout or Arkinoid, you may have interest in the DS game Break 'Em All, especially with the price tag of $19.99. There are 12 power ups you can gain, 50 pre-set levels to play, and a massive number of randomized levels. Unfortunately, this may not...
Review Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (GCN)
Tony hawk is back!
Only eleven months after the release of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, the Hawk is back in this sequel to the award winning skateboard game. Over the years the Tony Hawk series have managed to get a huge fan base, and there is no doubt that this was a highly anticipated title. If you're interested in the skateboard genre, the sport...
Mutiplayer fan-made Mario game surfaces on Interweb site, 72dpiarmy.com
The game which seems to be available for PC and Linux has also been published with its entire source code available for download. The creators claim that the game is in tribute to the great giant N in the sky, Nintendo. "Super Mario War is a Super Mario multiplayer game...
Review Trauma Centre: Under The Knife (DS)
Get prepped for surgery, stat!
Trauma Centre is one of those games that I never imagined would become a game. You play as a new, rookie surgeon. That's right, a doctor! Using the touch screen, you perform a variety of surgeries on all sorts of patients. From burning away tumors, to massaging someone's heart to resuscitate them. The game's...
July2006
It's actually not that bad...
Monster House, of course, is based on the movie that just got recently released. I must say that I'm quite surprised that the game isn't bad, for a movie tie-in game. The game is in the same style as Smash TV or Total Carnage, with great run and gun action, and a bird's eye view. I have not yet gotten a chance to see...
Touching is good!
Yoshi Touch & Go was an early title for the DS. The game centres on getting the highest score possible, making it feel like an arcade game. With other excellent selections for the DS with much more depth though, this game has been overlooked by many. However, it isn't all that bad. The game starts out with you controlling baby...
Review Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (DS)
Court is now in session! Will the defendant please take to the stand?
For everyone outside of Japan, Phoenix Wright is a bold and new concept for a game. Can Western gamers really appreciate a highly text driven game about a defence attorney? For the case against this game for being a waste of money, I plea with you, members of the jury, hear this...
Review The Urbz: Sims in the City (DS)
Boooorrrinnggg!
The Urbz: Sims in the City is a poorly made Sims experience. In fact, this is a completely different experience from the original Sims title. The Sims was a slow paced game where you could play God and control how people live their lives. Unfortunately, the Urbz doesn't give you the same freedom that the original Sims gave you. The...
RacketBoy uncover the first ever edition of popular US magazine, Nintendo Power.
For those of you that enjoy nostalgia your in for a treat today, the guys over at RacketBoy.com have recently scanned and uploaded the very first issue of Nintendo Power. "I'm following up on the first issue of Sega Visions magazine with the first issue of the...
Dr. Don & Dr. Dan return to our screens, breaking free from the PlayStation universe and emerging on the DS.
For those that don't know, Namco's Point Blank series originated as an arcade title back in 1994 along with its partner in crime, Time Crisis. Both games were ported over to the PlayStation using the fashionable G-Con 45 light gun. Point...
Review New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
New and improved?
Just a little over 20 years ago, Nintendo released their Nintendo Entertainment System onto the US gaming market and packaged with it, a game that would forever change the landscape of video games. This game was the original Super Mario Bros. and it single-handedly sold millions of NES systems. Over the next five years Nintendo...
June2006
Review WarioWare Touched! (DS)
You've got the touch
The biggest mistake you could possibly make with WarioWare Touched! is overlooking it due to the simplistic visuals. Until you play the game it isn't apparent that this simplicity is what keeps WarioWare so entertaining. If there ever was a DS game that can appeal to all ages, this surely is it. I must admit that the subset of...
Mario. Game board. Dice. Party games. All you need now is a keg.
The Mario Party franchise has been running for years and no doubt will continue to be present on all future Nintendo consoles; it even appeared on the sparsely known GC e-reader. The N64 had the original and two sequels in its lifetime, now it is continuing to evolve on the Gamecube...
Review Aggressive Inline (GCN)
Aggressive Inline adds new depth to the extreme sports genre, extreme-ly well.
Aggressive Inline is an extreme sports game and bears resemblance to the popular and long running Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series. So the opinion that this is just a clone using blades instead of a board and is cashing in on the thriving extreme sports genre is a common,...
May2006
Our favorite blue hedgehog returns in his first DS outing and along with that brings a new friend along for the ride: Blaze the cat.
So what does this mean for all those Sonic fans who still feel Sonic 3 and Knuckles was the last great Sonic game? Nothing because this is just as good if not better! No longer do we have bottomless pits from Sonic...
Pac's on a roll, with no self-control
Everyone knows Pac-man from his highly addictive debut arcade game, but for a while now Pac-man has been taking a walk on the wild side and venturing into the world of 3D. So it came as no surprise to see that the yellow gobbler has made it onto another DS game, this time 3D. And Thus starts the Pac 'n Roll...
"The Rub Rabbits help you to score with the girl, but how does the game itself score?"
Rub It! Touch it! Breathe on it! Yell at it! Are the best phrases to describe Project Rub (Feel the Magic). The game makes use of every feature that is individual to the DS. Making it one of the most exclusive and refreshing titles around. Quirky can not even...
Review Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS)
Prime pocket power
Retro Studios' highly regarded Metroid Prime games may only be available on home consoles, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo from bringing a slice of first-person Samus to the DS in the form of Metroid Prime: Hunters. In Hunters, you take the role of the female bounty hunter, Samus Aran, who seeks an "ultimate power." In...
Review Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain? (DS)
I can now add and subtract small numbers without using my fingers.
In the past, I have heard many things about how good video games are for you. I've heard that they help with hand-eye coordination and can even help increase knowledge. Of course, I never understood how, in anyway, it could really help. Brain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day...
News Gamecube Price To Drop...Again?
GameSpot reports retailers hinting to a price drop in the Gamecube.
GameSpot reports that gaming retailers have received promotional materials that suggest that Nintendo is lowering the price of their Gamecube. A specific price has not been revealed, but the promotional materials all carried Gamecube stickers that read "New Low Price" on them. The...
April2006
Review Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble (DS)
Superhero Joe returns for a portable adventure, but is it Henshin a good-good baby?...
Viewtiful Joe Double Trouble is yet another instalment in the classic Capcom series about the superhero who loves films, Viewtiful Joe. The DS outing had a lot to live up to in comparison to the console versions, maybe a bit too much was expected? For me the first...
Review Animal Crossing: Wild World (DS)
It's so cute!
To tell you the truth, I don't feel like Animal Crossing: Wild World is a video game. To me, it's more of a hangout. It's a fantasy world you can go to, to escape from reality…especially if you enjoy collecting furniture and planting pear trees. Wild World takes you away from your dull and boring life, to an alternate world full of...
Review Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GCN)
Dark days are rising and mercenary Ike...
Not long ago Fire Emblem was one of those cool looking Japanese games that we never got the chance to play over here. Thankfully in the past few years gamers in the west have been graced with that latest 3 (the 7th 8th and 9th instalments), 2 for the GBA and one on the GC. The one featured in this review is...
Review Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (DS)
Welcome to the world of quirky Japanese rhythm games. I hope you enjoy your stay...
As you may have guessed Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan (in English; Go! Fight! Cheer Squad) is a musical rhythm game for your Nintendo DS. As it is only available in Japan the game is host to many Japanese tunes (catchy ones at that) and the typical quirky scenarios you would...
Review Super Princess Peach (DS)
FINALLY, Princess Peach gets her own solo adventure to herself, and even gets a chance to save Mario!
It's been a long while since Nintendo has made a traditional 2-D Mario game, so you could imagine what excitement I had when I found Nintendo would be releasing one. To my surprise, Super Princess Peach was nothing I thought it would be like. Sure...
March2006
Review Mario Smash Football (GCN)
Mario steps out onto the football field and is ready for some hi-octane arcade fun, this beat-em-up sports title is certainly action packed.
With a recent wash of Mario sports titles, its hard to justify them all. Mario Smash Football or Super Mario Strikers to the Americans is an action sports title, developed by Canadian outfit, Next Level Games...
February2006
Review Mario & Luigi: Partners In Time (DS)
Just in time
If you are one of those lucky people to have played Mario and Luigi Superstar Saga on the GBA you will understand the hype behind this new game. Set after the events of their GBA adventure Mario and Luigi are once again called upon to restore peace to their beloved Mushroom kingdom. The previous instalment saw us play as both Mario and...
January2006
Board one massive mountain with 3 peaks, pull off insane tricks and race your rivals.
SSX3 is the 3rd instalment in EA’s series of break neck snowboard super cross games, it’s the best one to date. This is one of the few snowboarding games that are on GCN. The 2 main events in this game are tricks and races, both are highly addictive. In the...
Review The Simpsons Road Rage (GCN)
The Simpson’s go Crazy taxi but it is a shameless cash-in or good game?
Most people like the idea of Crazy Taxi, drive around really fast dropping people off at their destination before the timer hits 0. It's simple pure arcade addiction. The question is did Radical Entertainment manage to make the Simpson’s Road Rage a similar success. Take a...
Review Star Fox Adventures (GameCube)
Play as Fox McCloud as you liberate the inhabitants of Dinosaur Planet and uncover the sinister truth.
Fox McCloud, unrivalled Arwing pilot, takes his first steps on land when he visits Dinosaur Planet. Our hero receives a distress call and — like all good foxes — decides to investigate, discovering the planet's evil ruler, General Scales. The...
Draw Pac-Man, move him and gobble as many ghoulies as possible in this DS adventure.
We all remember Pac-Man as being one of those highly addictive early games that you still play to this day. Recently he has been going through some changes, there are now several 3D adventures and a Mrs Pac-Man ;). Pac-Pix sees Pac-Man back on a 2D plain but this...
Characters from Japanese manga Jump's franchise's all duke it out in a Smash Brothers style game.
Jump is a manga company/publisher in Japan who owns a large proportion to the rights of most Japanese cartoons that you have seen. These feature the likes of Dragon Ball, Naruto, One Piece, GTO and Rurouni Kenshin. In America they are under various...
Review Samurai Jack: The Shadow of Aku (GameCube)
Play as Cartoon Network star Samurai Jack as you strive to defeat Aku and restore the world to how it should be.
Samurai Jack started life out on Cartoon Network where the show became highly popular; as a result we now have the game Samurai Jack and the Shadow of Aku to show for its success. Jack lived in a Samurai village long before modern...
Review Beyond Good & Evil (GameCube)
Hillys, a world under constant threat from the DomZ, needs help, and this help comes in the form of the tenacious female photojournalist, Jade.
Beyond Good and Evil will either be a game you have played (and loved) or never even heard of. Unfortunately, it seems like the latter is the common answer: this classic Ubisoft gem never received sales that...
Review Wave Race: Blue Storm (GameCube)
Wave Race 64 was one of the biggest new IPs on the N64; how does this Gamecube sequel fare?
Starting off in Wave Race: Blue Storm is noticeably more difficult than the N64 original, but with more stunts to learn and the new boost feature it's much more rewarding when you get the hang of it. The majority of the tracks are updated from the original...
Review Super Monkey Ball (GameCube)
Sega's first game on a Nintendo console is a ball!
Super Monkey Ball comprises 6 mini-games on top of the main game with over 90 stages. What more could be packed into Sega's first game on a Nintendo console? It's one of those rare games that keeps you up late into the night so that you can just get past one more tricky level. The graphics are nice...
Review Animal Crossing (GameCube)
Nintendo's Animal Crossing, is a unique game. An RPG, without much of a story but so much more...
Animal Crossing is a unique game with no overall aim or any way to complete it. You start out on a train heading towards a village. You start talking to an animal who eventually puts you in contact with a friendly racoon who can sell you a house in...
Filled with Nintendo magic, Pikmin will enlighten your life while it lasts.
Pikmin is a game like no other we've played before, and we've played a lot. You control Captain Olimar, a space traveller who has crashed on a strange planet. During the crash 30 parts of his ship have been spread across the world. What makes this worse is that your life...
December2005
Review Tales of Symphonia (GameCube)
Ever wondered what would happen if the core of an RPG was merged with a fluent combat system? Namco did.
If there is one genre of games that has been weak on the GameCube it is most defiantly RPG’s. Many gamers are deterred by the Final Fantasy style turn based systems and plentiful random battles -- there is just not enough action. Back in early...
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