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Dave Frear

Dave Frear

Contributor

Navigation: Home / Nintendo Life Team / Dave Frear

Author Profile

Username
daveisbored
Articles
173 (171 reviews)
First Article
Wed 8th, April 2009
Avg. Review Score
7.0
Find Them On
Twitter/X • YouTube
  • Latest
  • Most Read
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  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (GBA) - Robust Roguelike Rescuing

    39

    Review Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (GBA) - Robust Roguelike Rescuing

    Pokécrawler: Red

    This review was originally published in February 2016. We're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack GBA library. It's also worth noting that a 2020 Switch remake of Red/Blue Rescue Team exists: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. As well as the regular series...

    • Fri 9th Aug 2024
    • Reviews
    • Pokemon
    • GBA
    • Retro
  • 1080° Snowboarding - Effortlessly Cool Shredding That Demands Perfection

    77

    Review 1080° Snowboarding - Effortlessly Cool Shredding That Demands Perfection

    Shreddin’ the gnar

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to celebrate the game's arrival in Switch's N64 library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, 1080° Snowboarding was Nintendo's attempt to bring the snowboarding experience to its home...

    • Sat 9th Dec 2023
    • Nintendo Switch Online
    • Reviews
    • 1080 Snowboarding
    • N64
    • Retro
  • Mario Party 2 - Party Like It's 1999 With One Of The Best In The Series

    28

    Review Mario Party 2 - Party Like It's 1999 With One Of The Best In The Series

    Yes, we know most places got it in 2000

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in Switch's N64 library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Since 1998, the Mario Party series has entertained gamers by mixing the play of traditional board games with frantic minigame...

    • Wed 2nd Nov 2022
    • Reviews
    • Mario Party 2
    • Retro
    • Nintendo Switch Online
    • N64
  • Wave Race 64 - A Thrilling Racer That's Still Deeply Impressive

    44

    Review Wave Race 64 - A Thrilling Racer That's Still Deeply Impressive

    Splash wave

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival on Switch as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. Wave Race was not a well-known series prior to its arrival on the Nintendo 64. Actually, it wasn't a series at all, but rather a single release: a top-down racer on...

    • Fri 19th Aug 2022
    • Reviews
    • Retro
    • Nintendo
    • Nintendo Switch Online
  • Pokémon Snap - Photo Fun That's Over Too Soon

    61

    Review Pokémon Snap - Photo Fun That's Over Too Soon

    Candid Camera + Pocket Monster

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival on Switch as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack. There are moments during Pokémon Snap where — upon finding a hidden path — the game ditches the first-person perspective to show your...

    • Fri 24th Jun 2022
    • Reviews
    • Retro
    • N64
    • Pokemon
  • F-Zero X - The Best The Series Has To Offer

    97

    Review F-Zero X - The Best The Series Has To Offer

    X gonna give it to ya

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the release of F-Zero X on Switch, available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 library. The original F-Zero on the Super Nintendo really blew gamers away with its stunning use of Mode 7 visuals, colourful graphics,...

    • Fri 11th Mar 2022
    • Reviews
    • N64
    • F-Zero
    • Retro
    • Nintendo Switch Online
  • The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Magnificent, Unique, And Worth Revisiting

    110

    Review The Legend Of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Magnificent, Unique, And Worth Revisiting

    Okay, campers, rise and shine

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the release of Majora's Mask on Switch, available as part of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack N64 library. The Zelda games have a lot of fans and there's also been plenty of opportunities over the years to revisit...

    • Fri 25th Feb 2022
    • Zelda
    • Reviews
    • Wii U eShop
    • N64
    • Retro
  • EarthBound - A Quirky, Cosmic Adventure Bound To Warm Your Heart

    105

    Review EarthBound - A Quirky, Cosmic Adventure Bound To Warm Your Heart

    Mother!

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of Earthbound in the Nintendo Switch Online Super NES library. Fuzzy pickles! Back in 1995, this second instalment of Shigesato Itoi's much-loved Mother series (as it's known in Japan) only received a western release in North America, where...

    • Fri 11th Feb 2022
    • Reviews
    • SNES
    • Retro
    • Mother
    • Nintendo Switch Online
  • Mario Kart 64 (N64) - Frantic, Formative Four-Player Karting Chaos

    86

    Review Mario Kart 64 (N64) - Frantic, Formative Four-Player Karting Chaos

    Welcome to Mario Kart

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online. Taking a bunch of Mario characters and having them speed around race circuits using a range of special items to rush or smash past each other is something that has worked very well since...

    • Sun 31st Oct 2021
    • Wii U eShop
    • Reviews
    • Mario Kart
    • Nintendo Switch Online
    • Retro
  • Star Fox 64 (N64) - A Cinematic Series High Point

    62

    Review Star Fox 64 (N64) - A Cinematic Series High Point

    Do another barrel roll

    This review originally went live in 2016, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the arrival of N64 games on Nintendo Switch Online. Despite Star Fox 64 (or Lylat Wars in Europe) being only the second (released) game in the series, Nintendo decided it was time for a reboot and so, similarly to the SNES original, this...

    • Sat 30th Oct 2021
    • Wii U eShop
    • Reviews
    • Star Fox
    • Nintendo Switch Online
    • Retro
  • Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax (Switch) - Mech A Date With This Likeably Chaotic Shmup

    10

    Review Stardust Galaxy Warriors: Stellar Climax (Switch) - Mech A Date With This Likeably Chaotic Shmup

    Shoot for the stars

    It is the year 2087, and hostile forces are causing chaos all over the galaxy, but that’s where the Galaxy Warriors come in, a mech-piloting team of five with a variety of weapons at their disposal. The plan? “I would suggest flying to the right and blowing up everything” comments one character. Stardust Galaxy Warriors:...

    • Fri 7th Dec 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Stardust Galaxy Warriors
  • Sky Force Anniversary (Switch) - A Fun Shooter That's Perhaps Surplus To Requirements On Switch

    11

    Review Sky Force Anniversary (Switch) - A Fun Shooter That's Perhaps Surplus To Requirements On Switch

    Grind 'em up

    The Sky Force series began on mobile before moving on to more traditional games machines, with Sky Force Anniversary arriving on a number of systems (including the Wii U) not so long ago. Now it comes to Switch, providing its blend of fun and grinding as you blast through a number of levels, replaying them many times over to meet the...

    • Mon 19th Nov 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Sky Force Anniversary
  • Prehistoric Isle 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    12

    Review Prehistoric Isle 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    Fancy-looking retro shmup action

    1999’s Prehistoric Isle 2 sees dinosaurs on the rampage because it’s a video game and that’s just the sort of thing that happens. It’s up to you (or you and a friend) to jump into an attack helicopter and fly through six stages, blasting the dinosaurs back to extinction whilst also trying to rescue people...

    • Mon 13th Aug 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • Prehistoric Isle 2
    • Retro
  • Arcade Archives Sky Skipper (Switch eShop)

    17

    Review Arcade Archives Sky Skipper (Switch eShop)

    A forgotten gem?

    Since getting into the video game business Nintendo has produced many fondly regarded games, which have often lead to sequels. Even when a series is dormant, older entries have re-appeared either in updated form or via the various Virtual Console services. Then there’s Sky Skipper. Briefly hitting arcades in 1981, this hi-score...

    • Wed 25th Jul 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Sky Skipper
  • The Super Spy (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    15

    Review The Super Spy (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    Will bore the living daylights out of you

    When a factory full of terrorists is discovered by the CIA, they decide to send in a lone agent to put an end to their bomb-building plans. You might expect this person to be a highly skilled operative, able to move quickly and sink into the shadows with ease, or alternatively someone armed to the teeth to...

    • Tue 24th Jul 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • The Super Spy
    • Retro
  • Samurai Shodown V (Switch eShop)

    8

    Review Samurai Shodown V (Switch eShop)

    Simpler shodown?

    Arriving at a time when the company was having financial difficulties, SNK handed development duties of Samurai Shodown V over to Yuki Enterprise. On the surface, it seemed like they’d crafted a typical sequel with all but one of part IV’s sixteen playable fighters making it across - along with a bunch of new characters and some...

    • Mon 16th Jul 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • Samurai Shodown V
    • Retro
  • Gunbird 2 (Switch eShop)

    19

    Review Gunbird 2 (Switch eShop)

    More short but sweet shmup action

    A choice of characters and colourful, frantic shooting action across several stages is typical for the Psikyo titles that Zerodiv has been bringing to the eShop. In that regard, Gunbird 2 is more of the same, with a similar look and feel to the Strikers 1945 titles, Samurai Aces and (obviously) the first Gunbird. It...

    • Wed 11th Jul 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Gunbird 2
  • Pocket Rumble (Switch eShop)

    54

    Review Pocket Rumble (Switch eShop)

    Fun fighting action for all

    In 1998, eight years after bringing authentic but expensive arcade thrills to the home with its Neo Geo AES, SNK entered the handheld market with the release of the Neo Geo Pocket. It was monochrome, but the Neo Geo Pocket Color quickly arrived the following year. Competing with the Game Boy line, the NGPC featured...

    • Fri 6th Jul 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Pocket Rumble
  • The Last Blade 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    26

    Review The Last Blade 2 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    Another contender for Switch fighting champion

    There are lots of one-on-one fighters on Switch, many of which have been released as part of HAMSTER’s ACA Neo Geo series. The Last Blade 2 is another one, giving you a selection of fighters to pick from as you engage in a series of best of three-round fights en route to a showdown with an overpowered...

    • Mon 2nd Jul 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • Last Blade
    • Retro
  • Arcade Archives Donkey Kong (Switch eShop)

    45

    Review Arcade Archives Donkey Kong (Switch eShop)

    The true Original Edition

    Released in 1981, Donkey Kong was Nintendo’s first big arcade hit, featuring the debuts of the titular ape, Mario and future mayor of New Donk City, Pauline. Despite its popularity, Nintendo has favoured re-releasing the cutdown (with one stage missing) NES port of this classic platformer over the...

    • Mon 18th Jun 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Arcade Archives
    • Donkey Kong
  • Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    16

    Review Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    The Real McCoy

    With a name like Real Bout Fatal Fury Special you might think that the game is an update of something else from the series, much like how Fatal Fury Special was the second game with extra bits. This, however, is its own thing, but although it's not an update of either of the other Real Bout games (and Real Bout 2 actually followed...

    • Wed 16th May 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • Fatal Fury
    • Retro
  • Samurai Shodown III (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    20

    Review Samurai Shodown III (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    More samurai action on Switch

    The Virtual Console might be dead, but via its Arcade Archives and ACA Neo Geo series, HAMSTER is doing a lot to scratch that retro gaming itch, with a constant stream of re-releases. Like a number of Neo Geo titles (including others from the same series) Samurai Shodown III is a one-on-one fighting game. As always you...

    • Fri 11th May 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • Retro
  • Arcade Archives Ninja-Kid (Switch eShop)

    3

    Review Arcade Archives Ninja-Kid (Switch eShop)

    The kid is alright

    The online leaderboards that HAMSTER includes with their retro releases provide some replay value as you compare (then try to improve) your point-scoring against players from around the globe. They work better in some games than others and they work particular well with old arcade titles, where in lieu of an ending sequence to...

    • Mon 30th Apr 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Arcade Archives
    • Ninja Kid
  • Sengoku 3 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    27

    Review Sengoku 3 (Switch eShop / Neo Geo)

    Third time's a charm

    SNK’s first two Sengoku games put players in control of a sword-swinging hero, with the neat ability to switch to a different character during play should they wish. Coupled with a variety of enemies to bash they were not essential titles, but could still provide some decent fighting fun. The second game built on the first,...

    • Mon 23rd Apr 2018
    • Reviews
    • Switch eShop
    • Neo Geo
    • Sengoku 3
    • Retro
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