@Swerd_Murd Ha ha, it just shows how we all have our favourite, and not so favourite, retro games... I absolutely love Truxton! My nostalgia for that game is massive. I felt like I had a chunky sprite and laser spewing arcade machine in my Mega Drive when I first played it.
You are right about the PC Engine mate, it has a cracking reputation for shmups.
I'm still chucklin' at the intro about the SNES being king of 16-bit RPGs, ha ha, "It’s one of those debates that really isn’t worth indulging in." Fair play to the Mega Drive, its shmups properly rocked, I remember reading about the shortcomings of the SNES's CPU in the magazines back in the day.
Levelling up to be able to unleash more powerful drones around your ship, and being able to continue with your upgraded craft, sounds like a decent gameplay addition. I'm tempted to buy a cart of this one if I see it going cheap, @Starboy91 recommended it to me back in the UN Squadron review's comments, but I've not found a nice boxed/instructions Japanese version of it yet. It's good to know that it is innovative, but there are also some boring gameplay elements, before shedding out for it.
Isn't it marvellous that almost twenty years on I can afford both a Mega Drive and a SNES! It means that I no longer have to miss on the genres which played to each of the 16-bit system's strengths. Thanks for the extra heads-up on this one, Damo.
The first time I really got into Resident Evil was from playing this GCN version, I dabbled in the PSone game, but the visual presentation of the remake was brilliantly atmospheric and sank its teeth into me.
Gameplay additions like setting the monsters alight to avoid crimson-heads rising back up and feasting on you, plus the use of pacing to stagger the scares, was masterful.The flashes of lightning and creepy mansion footstep sounds have been well created in the extra 'Lost in Nightmares' level in Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (PS3), too. Mikami's expertise should rightly continue to influence the series, even though he is no longer with Capcom.
Excellent review Trevor, I really like your description of the opposing themes in this game at the end of the review, too.
Man, reading this reminds me that I really want to be in a band before I pop my clogs! I also have back-up memory cards of all of my old GameCube memory cards for fear of losing those precious saves and this article is spot-on, I only bought the first-party cards too!
I really like the idea of linking the Vitality Sensor to a tense moment in a game, to heighten the mood and fear-factor.
@StarBoy91 I'm pleased that you have checked this review out, because after we chatted on the previous review, I had your comments in mind when I was discussing the challenge presented in this game (sixth paragraph down). Did you notice that my description followed on from what we were talking about? I think that you will really enjoy this one, mate. If you get chance to buy it, and the price is right, it is worth a purchase. However, note that sometimes it does not feel fair when you lose a life in Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt, whereas this does not really happen in a game like Plok. This is a title in which there are occasions when you can blame the controls for depleting one of your energy meter's hearts!
I remember at the time I was dissapointed that there was not a full-on Mario platformer to launch GCN, I never even bought Luigi's Mansion, my two launch buys were Star Wars: Rogue Leader and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.
Hindsight shows that I was a bit of a divvy for missing this one! The Game Boy Horror and The Poltergust 3000 were great additions to the Mario Bros. universe and yep I really liked Professor E. Gadd's F.L.U.D.D. in Super Mario Sunshine too.
Just like Jacob says, the art design in Luigi's Mansion is brilliant and from the vids I've seen the animation is really strong. Great review, mate.
Nlife's 'Spook Month' has been ace, there has been two Resident Evil reviews as well as four for The Addams Family games on NES and SNES. Just in case anyone feels a big sense of déjà vu after reading this, you are not going ker-ray-zee on Halloween, I did cover it from a similar angle to the first SNES Addams Family title. This was so that I could highlight the differences and similarities between the two platform games.
Just as @Belgicario says, the graphics are really impressive for the SNES, take a look at the screenshots of Granny's crystal ball and the bubble packed bathroom level, they both look even better in motion with Ocean implementing a swish use of parallax scrolling. They have definitely created some great technical effects in this title.
For the record I was tempted to score this an 8/10, I prefer it to the original SNES Addams Family game, but the feeling of frustration as Pugsley slid off another platform, or slipped into a pit/ spike/ enemy, meant that I felt that the controls were too unpredictable to score it higher. It is a really fun and well executed SNES game though, the most frightening thing about it on Halloween is its stern difficulty curve, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
One little side note is that James Higgins, the programmer at Ocean who worked on the Addams Family titles, was interviewed in Issue 75 of Retro Gamer and said that he preferred their original SNES game, despite Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt's nifty graphical tricks, because he thought that the first game had more refined gameplay.
It is a close call between the two titles, which one do you think is the best SNES Addams Family platform game?
@StarBoy91 You are right mate, we each have our own skill levels and we all differ in how much time and determination we are willing to put into one game. I am not a particularly skilled player, but I can be persistent if a game grabs my attention. It's a shame I lost my Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts skills, perhaps I should return to it, because I would prefer to be a master of it. I'm preparing an Nlife review for next Sunday, in which I'll discuss the issue of how it can be rewarding and addictive to persist with a challenging game.
@Betagam7 Good point about the Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner style room naming, I really like that comparison.
@Swerd_Murd Go for it mate, although I would say that this one was a straight up 7/10, I wasn't tempted to give it an 8. I compare the exploration in it to Super Metroid, although its gameplay is not nearly as sophisticated as the way you find upgrades to unlock environment progression in Nintendo's masterpiece. Basically don't pay too much for The Addams Family.
It seems as though Ocean prioritised gameplay over having to adhere too closely to the two Addams Family film's storylines, they also chose the best source material for their inspiration, with this being influenced by The Legend of Zelda and ideas in the first SNES game sparked from looking at Super Mario World.
They definitely knew how to create a vast and overwhelming game world too, but as long as they pulled it off to the standard that they achieved here, then it's fair enough to say that 'imitation is the most sincere form of flattery'.
Cheers everyone, there is lots of good points in these comments.
@SuperPowerBros I'm pretty sure you will be able to get hold of passwords to sort you out with extra lives and the much needed extra heart containers, but off the top of my head the password will not arm you with a power-up, (Pugsley's Den will sort you out with either a sword or golf balls, as well as super fast speed boots).
@The Fox I hear what you are saying, especially about Gomez sliding on the floor. I found the position of enemies and environmental hazards, like spiked floors, more of a hurdle than the controls.
@Meloman I still can't believe that as Mean Machines turned into Nintendo Magazine System (NMS), that it was Ocean's SNES Lethal Weapon which earned the very first front cover of NMS. Madness! ...Any UK retro gaming mag fans will know what I'm talking about.
@StarBoy91 I find both SNES and GBA Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts harder than ever, but it is cool that you have developed the skills to master it. You are right about dedicating time to it, my skills have faded, I got further into that game when it was first out.
@Turbo Genesis64 Ha, ha, your "about the length of a college paper" comment made me chuckle! Weird and wonderful times indeed!
If anyone has the SNES cartridge lying around gathering dust, boot it up again to see if you think that it still holds up. Be sure to remember to press the shoulder buttons on the title screen, as it creates a finger clickin' sound along to the main Addams Family theme!
I put my hands up to admit that I am superficial and I have been sold on this by its gorgeous screens since E3, Corbie's acknowledgement that it is one of the best looking games on Wii is a selling point. It's great that its tunes match the quality of the graphics, too.
However, it didn't receive a 10/10 just for its visuals, so I look forward to checking out the gameplay and its cutesy Kirby transformations most of all. Just like with Sonic 4, I don't mind that this is a bit easy. I've finished Sonic's latest, but I keep returning to it, just as I imagine I will return to Epic Yarn, although Kirby's latest should be much longer than the Sonic download (obviously!).
You have knitted together a great review here, Corbie!
Fair play, I am really pleased with how this has turned out, because me and my mates played absolutely loads of SNES NBA Jam, (even though we didn't know anything about basketball, not that you need to for its 2-on-2 arcade action).
I felt a bit unsure about the screens with the cut-out faces at first, but from what Jon says they add charm to this, so I am pleased that they work. Brilliant news about the announcer being "on fire" as is expected, NBA Jam's frantic speech is up there with the announcer from Smash TV.
The enthusiasm that James has for the Sonic series and especially reading his tweets about the classic core Mega Drive games, as well as hearing his reflections of playing this, has meant that bouts of Sonic 4 fever have been contagious recently.
It is good news that the homing attack works and is a handy addition, I am not too worried that this one is a bit easier than the other MD games, I'm really looking forward to experiencing the classic gameplay, bright visuals and hearing its catchy jingles.
Fair play to this spinning its way to an 8/10, the longevity of it is not that much of a big deal to me, I know that I will keep replaying it in the same way that I return to the 16-bit Sonics. I am really hyped for Sonic 4 now! Super review, James.
I don't own a DSi, but alongside Gameloft's Soul of Darkness, Shantae: Risky's Revenge is top of my list as a download when I buy a 3DS next year, (if it is available to download on a PAL 3DS, that is).
The eloquence that WayForward displays with 2D game design in this, DS Contra 4 and Wii Batman: The Brave and the Bold, means that they are building a reputation in line with Japanese greats, like Treasure.
WayForward are quickly becoming one of my favourite gaming devs, I hope they try their mastery at a shmup in the future.
Fair play, it is great to hear about these retro events happening across the UK, the R3PLAY event in Blackpool on the 6th and 7th of November also sounds like a fun gathering. I have mentioned so many times that I want to start becoming more active in the UK's retro community, I'm starting to sound like a broken record. However, by not having a full-time job and with my car out of action, I am finding it hard to commit to attending a retro bash at the moment.
In many ways, it would be cheaper for me to head to the Retro Computer Museum's event, online tickets for £5 are a bargain, so I would only need my train fare. I have read about RCM before and heard Damo discussing about them, so I am really interested in this one.
The retro preservation work of RCM is brilliant, but if I don't make it, then I hope that all the retro gals and geezers getting together in Leicestershire have loads of fun!
**** Edit: I had a little scout online and I had trouble finding the nearest train station for Swannington, to price up a ticket. ****
I would have loved this bit of news to read "WayForward Not Working on A Boy and His Blob for 3DS After All...'Cause They're Too Busy Developing 'Contra 5' on 3DS!
That is just a bit of wishful thinking on my part, though!
This is superb news, I am also excited about seeing how the classic Game Boy games will look on the 3DS's swanky screen, but it is the easy access to Game Boy Advance games that I am most looking forward to.
In time I can see a strong catalogue of titles building up, I was just tweeting about the possibility of Metroid Fusion/ Zero Mission, Gunstar Super Heroes, Gradius Advance & Ninja Five-O, it is going to be awesome.
Hopefully if the profile of the Virtual Console service on 3DS gets more attention, then perhaps the Wii's Virtual Console could gain more momentum and support, too.
To put it simply, for me the GB/GBA Virtual Console service is the best bit of news to come out of the entire Japanese Nintendo news conference. We have waited for this for ages, I can not even remember how many times I have said, " I might get chance to play GBA Ninja Five-0, now!"
I think that Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D will work really well on the portable 3DS, because the fast, arcade style gameplay almost plays like 'Resi: The Shooting Mini Game', so it will be perfect for a quick blast on the train.
I had my fingers crossed for Christmas 2010 too, but in a way, if Europe is going to wait until March 2011 then I have more time to save for it (conveniently, my birthday is in February).
If there is only one month difference between Europe and Japan, it is not worth while impoting, either. For the sake of having it a month early, the possible complications that connecting to DSiWare could bring up are not worth the trouble, (unless you actually want to access the content on the Japanese DSiWare's store, that is).
Like a few other comments here, I was feeling a bit uneasy about Other M because of mixed reviews, giving the impression that its new approach was a little bit too haphazard. Jon's review has rekindled my confidence in it.
I think that taking from Metroid Fusion as a template is an excellent grounding for this one, plus reading that the combat is fast, accessible, and most importantly enjoyable, is great to hear. That it is visually stunning is the icing on the cake (decorated with an Ice Beam, of course).
@stompy Thank you lots, it was great fun for me too, cheers for introducing me to Monsteca's later levels and the dastardly CPU, I had not reached that far in the game before. I experienced my first go of Corral's multiplayer as well, I played it with Jon Wetherall, although to be honest my contribution to completing those levels was not the greatest. lol. It was a great afternoon, Onteca's team are very friendly and courteously chatted to me about my obsession with retro gaming on top of discussing their game! I even saw Sinbad who used to be in Brookside, in Liverpool Lime Street train station, that afternoon. Cheers!
@SuperPowerBros Cheers to you Patrick for all of your suggestions towards the interview questions, alongside your detailed Monsteca Corral review, they were a big help in my preparation for meeting Onteca.
@WolfRanHeart The interview was carried out just one day before you posted on the Monsteca forum that you had completed it, so when Jon said "no-one so far has reported finishing the game", I thought it was cool that you were possibly one of the first gamers outside of the dev team to beat it. I had a feeling that you would be pleased about Jon's answer to the last question, because you were asking about a sequel on the forum too.
@LuWiiGi I was really interested when Onteca detailed how they were adamant about maintaining 60fps and therefore had to make compromises to the visuals to achieve it. As stompy mentioned above, I stayed at Onteca all afternoon, so as you can imagine I learnt lots of extra information about the game, I'll share some of it here. For example Jon explained how Monsteca's visuals were influenced by Wii Sports' design approach to bold, colourful graphics: “Textures are a game designer’s wallpaper and the only textures in the game are a little bit for the landscape. We copied from Nintendo to a certain extent, all the Wii Sports games do not have many textures in, we learnt from watching what Nintendo do.”
@rjejr If you have noticed the photo of the Onteca team beside a huge TV, it was obvious from visiting them that they are not only fans of Nintendo, but they clearly love their games. The TV is set up in an open bit of space in their office ready for whenever they have a session playing games. Jon mentioned how the team really enjoyed playing PSN Noby Noby Boy: “That game sat on the big screen in our office on our PS3 for about three months, just always on, so anyone could walk by and join in and play the game. We probably contributed quite a lot of meters to that worm.”
The Man Called ‘God of Games’ is a brilliant, and rightly respectful title, for this exhibition and it sounds like a great day out for Japanese gamers. I would still love to own a Virtual Boy, when it was first released it didn't capture my interest, but over time the red goggle-box has become a thing of retro chic and beauty.
Whenever someone mentions a Love Tester, I always think of the machine in Moe's Tavern which was possessed by Grandpa Simpson.
I really enjoyed reading this review, its detail provided a nice analysis of the gameplay, before I sat down to play it myself.
I am 56% into it now and I think that Monsteca Corral is a bargain for 500 points, there is a lot of game here for your money. I especially like how the achievements mean that you approach the level in different ways, with fast, rushing against the time limit, par time achievements (Swift, Effacious, Rampant) and slower, more carefully footed, patient stealth tasks (Perfect, Furtive). This adds variety to the main gameplay mechanic.
The music is also superbly implemented, it seems to match the context of the game as it becomes more energetic when you herd a larger group of Stompies and gather a greater amount of gas bubbles drop. The change in tune, as you chase after the Astromaggot is ace, too.
@timp29 I think that some gamers view Flashback as being a spiritual sequel to Another World, because both games were made by Delphine and both featured rotoscoped animation. However, my understanding is that the games are not directly linked and they have completely different stroylines.
The two games were not programmed by the same people either, Flashback was made by Paul Cuisset, and as Daz notes here, Another World was the work of Eric Chahi.
Back in 1993, I was too set in my ways for Another World. I had made the transition from the Amiga to the Mega Drive, plus ultimately the SNES, and my head was fixated with fast, explosive arcade conversions. My mate was more open-minded and I remember he introduced me to Another World, and later on he also played through almost all of Flashback.
Reading the intro, most of my Another World memories also revolve around being bitten repeatedly in the leg by a leech, getting chased off a cliff by a huge hound and dropping a cage on an alien thug. I got stuck when my laser blaster ran out of juice and I was fried by enemies in a jail. I only experienced the very early parts of the game.
I found the stop/start, nitpicky animation's reaction times jarring and I felt that it was just a trial and error game, in which you repetitively had to memorise the timing of jumps and actions. I figured it was not much different from Laserdisc titles like Space Ace or Dragon's Lair, games in which I felt a bit disconnected from the on-screen action. Reading this review makes me feel like I've missed out. Come to think of it, there is loads of memory based, repetitive progression in arcade games like R-Type and Shinobi.
I do remember that it was massively atmospheric, I went up a tower and the cinematic camera swooped over the alien world, demonstrating how far you have to travel. As Daz says, the music is also brilliantly implemented, with epic bursts of the score at opportune moments to heighten the mood. However, as I repeatedly died, the death tune which played drove me completely nuts. Perhaps I was just rubbish at this, or maybe I did not have enough patience. I can appreciate that it has aged well, and was attentively developed, progressing Prince of Persia's template and influencing games like Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee.
Cheers @Dazza, perhaps I need to give Another World...another go!
The GameCube was a stellar console, I completely adore it and it was games like F-Zero GX which made the console so exciting. Do you remember the buzz when the Triforce arcade system was first announced? My jaw dropped when I heard that Amusement Vision would be collaborating with Nintendo.
I agree with all the shout outs for a 3DS version of this, it is so lovely looking even today, that a 3D version would be yet another big-name 'system seller' to go alongside the N64 ports and ensnare core gamers.
I really enjoyed reading this review, I have loads of time for hearing about this awesome racer! Cheers, @Blakey.
SNES Parodius never made it to the US! I never knew that! That is as nuts as a tiny Octopus barging into a 100ft tall blonde's bedroom to blast her with ripple lasers, as she's trying to have a kip (with the hectic, stress inducing Gradius music playing in the background)!
I've loved Parodius since its review graced the cover of issue 23 of 'Mean Machines' magazine. Whenever I think of cute-'em-ups I don't think of Twinbee, I always think of Parodius. I love the music, too. A fun-packed shooter & a great review, @Dazza.
@Bulbasaurus Rex The differences between the terms 'beat-'em up' and 'one-on-one fighting game' came up in my old Super Double Dragon review.
I wonder if it is due to regional colloquialism, because 'beat-'em-up' has been used by UK mags to describe games like Street Fighter II for a long time and I still see 'one-on-one beat-'em-up' in UK mags today. Both Dave and myself are UK gamers, so it may just be that we still use the term for both of the genres in the UK, out of habit.
It is pretty amazing that a game, which I remember as being controversial in the C64 days during the late '80s, is able to earn quality 9/10 reviews when it gets a brand new version 23 years on.
Fair play to good level design and Chris Hülsbeck who did the original score for Great Giana Sisters is a legend (I love the Turrican game's music). Excellent review, Corbie.
@Oregano Cheers mate, I think that I should lower my expectations, it was a bit unfair of me to expect a new Wii game to completely cater its gameplay to satisfy a retro gamer's nostalgia.
From what you have said, I'm hoping now that they can preserve the feel of the game and still provide some cheeky li'l nods to the classic maps.
@Oregano's link to the vid of Wii GoldenEye's first level brings up a few questions:
Have Activision changed the way Bond approaches the first level, because they do not have the rights to re-create it scene by scene? I mean, the layout of the level looks similar, but Activision's truck ride cuts out a segment of the original N64 game, where you walk through the tunnel, take out the fellas hidden in the sunken shelters, shoot the alarm, connect the covert modem to the satellite dish and first approach the dam.
Are Activision using dramatic license, through adding new action scenes, to spice up the original game's content? This could well change the nostalgic factor I'm hoping for. However, if subtly done, it may even enhance the game.
Am I being naive in hoping for perfect replicas of the N64's original multiplayer maps, to be available in the Wii version? e.g. The actual layouts of the maps may be owned by Rare.
Hmmm, I'm just speculating here. If I have missed out on any specific Wii details and anyone knows the answers to these questions, then I'd appreciate hearing about them.
Multiplayer in GoldenEye is a no-brainer fun fest for me, because its nostalgia levels from my student days in '97 are through the roof.
I can see the Wii version getting more local multiplayer attention in our house, and with shiny new graphics for maps like The Temple, Library, Facility, Egyptian and Caves, it can not lose in my eyes.
One way or another my chances of having a 3DS on Christmas Day are greatly improving with this news, if Nintendo decide to hold the EU release back until 2011, then I will order a Japanese or US machine.
Importing has never stopped me before. Great news.
Cheers @Dazza, the more I read about 3DS the more impatient I grow to have one all to myself. I am buzzing off its tech specs, 3D Star Fox and Mario Kart with souped-up graphics is the stuff of dreams.
Yet I still consider daft li'l thoughts like, "I bet backwards compatible Contra 4 will look awesome on the 3DS screens!" lol.
I'm really optimistic about this one too. Mickey has such a solid history in gaming with the Mega Drive's superb Castle of Illusion and the Steamboat Willie level also featuring in SNES Mickey Mania that there is a gaming heritage for Mr Spector to uphold, which extends beyond an iconic cartoon character.
I am such a superficial 2D graphics lovin' type, it is Epic Yarn's visuals that I am most excited about at the moment. It'll obviously be its gameplay that counts in the end, so co-op is definitely welcome, and hopefully the sedate challenge will rise further into the game.
Just out of interest, whilst at E3 or Millbank Tower did Nintendo demonstrate to the Nlife crew how the regular DS games look on 3DS's crisper screens, particularly its wider top-screen?
@Dazza Cheers mate, Mario Kart 3D sounds awesome, Nintendo is definitely building up real potential for 3DS to have the best games launch lineup EVER! Dun Dun DUN!! However....
...."Noooooo, Miss PR Lady!" There goes my plan for Christmas 2010 to revolve around a PAL 3DS purchase.
From the Nlife tweets yesterday by James and Daz, I gathered that they did not get to play as many 3DS games as they would have liked, but it was obvious that they still had a superb day. I really enjoy reading about the actual clarity of the screen, as well as the 3D effect (obviously).
If Ninty are showing Mario Kart 3D demos now, I really hope that it is a launch title ("polygon filled" demo- Oh yeah!). I'm getting even more excited about 3DS's graphics capabilities after reading James' description of Resi, too.
Great stuff @Prosody, I'm sure that you will get some hands-on time with Kid Icarus and Star Fox soon enough.
Reading this review makes me a bit more tempted to check out Vortex, I have not really bothered with it before, because I am more of a fan of straight-up Star Fox style blasting. The transformations sound fun though and it deserves attention for being another decent Super FX game.
I had a scan through some old school 'Super Play' gaming mags and they had loads of Vortex coverage, they reviewed it in issue 26 and had a top-notch Wil Overton cover for their preview of it in issue 21. Issue 31 has quite a few passwords, allowing for infinite lives/ammo, invincibility etc.
It is pretty amazing that they compressed this game into a 4 megabit cartridge!
Fair play, at first glance I would have taken this on face value to be a Japanese take on Dungeon Master, however @Damo's review reveals that this game takes its own approach. Its similarities to Shining in the Darkness, the fact that it was developed by HAL and its awesome music must have made quite a few SNES gamers pumped for this title back in the day.
I had never actually heard of Arcana before, I'm learning more about the SNES right here, so this is a great choice of retro review mate. Cool.
Right then, take this comment with a pinch of salt, because like I've said I've never played either MDK game, but...
...The first MDK was developed by Shiny Entertainment, who are most famous for Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2. I think that they built it for PC in 1997 as the lead platform and it was converted to PlayStation a year later by Neversoft. As @Will_Ireland says, it introduced Kurt's sniper mode and was visually strong for 1997.
The first MDK was well enough received and both games are fondly remembered. The PC and particularly the Dreamcast release of the sequel in 2000 stands out in the memories of gamers, partially because it was developed by the talent at Bioware, and this is the version we can look forward to on WiiWare. Shiny were master devs at quirky humour though and the whole MDK concept is their creation.
Feel free to correct me if my wrong. Retro Gamer magazine had a cracking 'The Making of... MDK' feature, on pages 46-51 of issue 48. They spoke to Shiny's Dave Perry about its PC development and how MDK was a cult hit, but it did not achieve mass sales.
@Prosody's comment has hit the nail on the head, although to be fair, I have only read about MDK and MDK 2, I have never actually played either of them.
This is a welcome addition to WiiWare, great news James, I really hope that it lives up to its reputation as being an innovative title and that it earns a few more hugs this time around.
It is a shame about the lack of a Virtual Console price drop, but even so, "Happy Birthday To The Spiky Blue Fella!"
So many great Sonic memories over the last 19 years, I fondly remember the first time I ever played his original Mega Drive outing in '91. Good luck for number four and for 'Colours' too, I'm feeling quietly optimistic.
Cheers Mat, you have saved me a few bob with this review. I was interested in learning about Shadow of the Ninja, because I like Natsume games, but your analysis shows that I would be better off looking elsewhere.
Good on it for including co-op two player, and there is no harm in a little extra supplement to Ninja Gaiden, but I will not be in a rush to download this one.
Comments 506
Re: Review: Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
@Swerd_Murd Ha ha, it just shows how we all have our favourite, and not so favourite, retro games... I absolutely love Truxton! My nostalgia for that game is massive. I felt like I had a chunky sprite and laser spewing arcade machine in my Mega Drive when I first played it.
You are right about the PC Engine mate, it has a cracking reputation for shmups.
Re: Review: Super E.D.F. Earth Defense Force (Virtual Console / Super Nintendo)
I'm still chucklin' at the intro about the SNES being king of 16-bit RPGs, ha ha, "It’s one of those debates that really isn’t worth indulging in." Fair play to the Mega Drive, its shmups properly rocked, I remember reading about the shortcomings of the SNES's CPU in the magazines back in the day.
Levelling up to be able to unleash more powerful drones around your ship, and being able to continue with your upgraded craft, sounds like a decent gameplay addition. I'm tempted to buy a cart of this one if I see it going cheap, @Starboy91 recommended it to me back in the UN Squadron review's comments, but I've not found a nice boxed/instructions Japanese version of it yet. It's good to know that it is innovative, but there are also some boring gameplay elements, before shedding out for it.
Isn't it marvellous that almost twenty years on I can afford both a Mega Drive and a SNES! It means that I no longer have to miss on the genres which played to each of the 16-bit system's strengths. Thanks for the extra heads-up on this one, Damo.
Re: Review: Resident Evil (GameCube)
The first time I really got into Resident Evil was from playing this GCN version, I dabbled in the PSone game, but the visual presentation of the remake was brilliantly atmospheric and sank its teeth into me.
Gameplay additions like setting the monsters alight to avoid crimson-heads rising back up and feasting on you, plus the use of pacing to stagger the scares, was masterful.The flashes of lightning and creepy mansion footstep sounds have been well created in the extra 'Lost in Nightmares' level in Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (PS3), too. Mikami's expertise should rightly continue to influence the series, even though he is no longer with Capcom.
Excellent review Trevor, I really like your description of the opposing themes in this game at the end of the review, too.
Re: Features: Fear In Gaming
Man, reading this reminds me that I really want to be in a band before I pop my clogs! I also have back-up memory cards of all of my old GameCube memory cards for fear of losing those precious saves and this article is spot-on, I only bought the first-party cards too!
I really like the idea of linking the Vitality Sensor to a tense moment in a game, to heighten the mood and fear-factor.
A menacingly wicked feature Zach, great stuff!
Re: Review: The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt (Super Nintendo)
Cheers lots again, @Zack NECRONOMIKaplan!
@StarBoy91 I'm pleased that you have checked this review out, because after we chatted on the previous review, I had your comments in mind when I was discussing the challenge presented in this game (sixth paragraph down).
Did you notice that my description followed on from what we were talking about?
I think that you will really enjoy this one, mate. If you get chance to buy it, and the price is right, it is worth a purchase. However, note that sometimes it does not feel fair when you lose a life in Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt, whereas this does not really happen in a game like Plok. This is a title in which there are occasions when you can blame the controls for depleting one of your energy meter's hearts!
Thanks lots.
Re: Review: Luigi's Mansion (GameCube)
I remember at the time I was dissapointed that there was not a full-on Mario platformer to launch GCN, I never even bought Luigi's Mansion, my two launch buys were Star Wars: Rogue Leader and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3.
Hindsight shows that I was a bit of a divvy for missing this one! The Game Boy Horror and The Poltergust 3000 were great additions to the Mario Bros. universe and yep I really liked Professor E. Gadd's F.L.U.D.D. in Super Mario Sunshine too.
Just like Jacob says, the art design in Luigi's Mansion is brilliant and from the vids I've seen the animation is really strong. Great review, mate.
Re: Review: The Addams Family: Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt (Super Nintendo)
Nlife's 'Spook Month' has been ace, there has been two Resident Evil reviews as well as four for The Addams Family games on NES and SNES. Just in case anyone feels a big sense of déjà vu after reading this, you are not going ker-ray-zee on Halloween, I did cover it from a similar angle to the first SNES Addams Family title. This was so that I could highlight the differences and similarities between the two platform games.
Just as @Belgicario says, the graphics are really impressive for the SNES, take a look at the screenshots of Granny's crystal ball and the bubble packed bathroom level, they both look even better in motion with Ocean implementing a swish use of parallax scrolling. They have definitely created some great technical effects in this title.
For the record I was tempted to score this an 8/10, I prefer it to the original SNES Addams Family game, but the feeling of frustration as Pugsley slid off another platform, or slipped into a pit/ spike/ enemy, meant that I felt that the controls were too unpredictable to score it higher. It is a really fun and well executed SNES game though, the most frightening thing about it on Halloween is its stern difficulty curve, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
One little side note is that James Higgins, the programmer at Ocean who worked on the Addams Family titles, was interviewed in Issue 75 of Retro Gamer and said that he preferred their original SNES game, despite Pugsley's Scavenger Hunt's nifty graphical tricks, because he thought that the first game had more refined gameplay.
It is a close call between the two titles, which one do you think is the best SNES Addams Family platform game?
Re: Review: The Addams Family (Super Nintendo)
@StarBoy91 You are right mate, we each have our own skill levels and we all differ in how much time and determination we are willing to put into one game. I am not a particularly skilled player, but I can be persistent if a game grabs my attention. It's a shame I lost my Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts skills, perhaps I should return to it, because I would prefer to be a master of it. I'm preparing an Nlife review for next Sunday, in which I'll discuss the issue of how it can be rewarding and addictive to persist with a challenging game.
@Betagam7 Good point about the Jet Set Willy and Manic Miner style room naming, I really like that comparison.
@Swerd_Murd Go for it mate, although I would say that this one was a straight up 7/10, I wasn't tempted to give it an 8. I compare the exploration in it to Super Metroid, although its gameplay is not nearly as sophisticated as the way you find upgrades to unlock environment progression in Nintendo's masterpiece. Basically don't pay too much for The Addams Family.
Re: Review: Addams Family Values (Super Nintendo)
It seems as though Ocean prioritised gameplay over having to adhere too closely to the two Addams Family film's storylines, they also chose the best source material for their inspiration, with this being influenced by The Legend of Zelda and ideas in the first SNES game sparked from looking at Super Mario World.
They definitely knew how to create a vast and overwhelming game world too, but as long as they pulled it off to the standard that they achieved here, then it's fair enough to say that 'imitation is the most sincere form of flattery'.
Good stuff, @Drake.
Re: Review: The Addams Family (Super Nintendo)
Cheers everyone, there is lots of good points in these comments.
@SuperPowerBros I'm pretty sure you will be able to get hold of passwords to sort you out with extra lives and the much needed extra heart containers, but off the top of my head the password will not arm you with a power-up, (Pugsley's Den will sort you out with either a sword or golf balls, as well as super fast speed boots).
@The Fox I hear what you are saying, especially about Gomez sliding on the floor. I found the position of enemies and environmental hazards, like spiked floors, more of a hurdle than the controls.
@Meloman I still can't believe that as Mean Machines turned into Nintendo Magazine System (NMS), that it was Ocean's SNES Lethal Weapon which earned the very first front cover of NMS. Madness! ...Any UK retro gaming mag fans will know what I'm talking about.
@StarBoy91 I find both SNES and GBA Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts harder than ever, but it is cool that you have developed the skills to master it. You are right about dedicating time to it, my skills have faded, I got further into that game when it was first out.
Re: Review: The Addams Family (Super Nintendo)
@Turbo Genesis 64 Ha, ha, your "about the length of a college paper" comment made me chuckle! Weird and wonderful times indeed!
If anyone has the SNES cartridge lying around gathering dust, boot it up again to see if you think that it still holds up. Be sure to remember to press the shoulder buttons on the title screen, as it creates a finger clickin' sound along to the main Addams Family theme!
Cheers for the comments, everyone.
Re: Review: Kirby's Epic Yarn (Wii)
I put my hands up to admit that I am superficial and I have been sold on this by its gorgeous screens since E3, Corbie's acknowledgement that it is one of the best looking games on Wii is a selling point. It's great that its tunes match the quality of the graphics, too.
However, it didn't receive a 10/10 just for its visuals, so I look forward to checking out the gameplay and its cutesy Kirby transformations most of all. Just like with Sonic 4, I don't mind that this is a bit easy. I've finished Sonic's latest, but I keep returning to it, just as I imagine I will return to Epic Yarn, although Kirby's latest should be much longer than the Sonic download (obviously!).
You have knitted together a great review here, Corbie!
Re: Review: NBA Jam (Wii)
Fair play, I am really pleased with how this has turned out, because me and my mates played absolutely loads of SNES NBA Jam, (even though we didn't know anything about basketball, not that you need to for its 2-on-2 arcade action).
I felt a bit unsure about the screens with the cut-out faces at first, but from what Jon says they add charm to this, so I am pleased that they work. Brilliant news about the announcer being "on fire" as is expected, NBA Jam's frantic speech is up there with the announcer from Smash TV.
Quality review, Jon.
Re: Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (WiiWare)
The enthusiasm that James has for the Sonic series and especially reading his tweets about the classic core Mega Drive games, as well as hearing his reflections of playing this, has meant that bouts of Sonic 4 fever have been contagious recently.
It is good news that the homing attack works and is a handy addition, I am not too worried that this one is a bit easier than the other MD games, I'm really looking forward to experiencing the classic gameplay, bright visuals and hearing its catchy jingles.
Fair play to this spinning its way to an 8/10, the longevity of it is not that much of a big deal to me, I know that I will keep replaying it in the same way that I return to the 16-bit Sonics. I am really hyped for Sonic 4 now!
Super review, James.
Re: Review: Shantae: Risky's Revenge (DSiWare)
I don't own a DSi, but alongside Gameloft's Soul of Darkness, Shantae: Risky's Revenge is top of my list as a download when I buy a 3DS next year, (if it is available to download on a PAL 3DS, that is).
The eloquence that WayForward displays with 2D game design in this, DS Contra 4 and Wii Batman: The Brave and the Bold, means that they are building a reputation in line with Japanese greats, like Treasure.
WayForward are quickly becoming one of my favourite gaming devs, I hope they try their mastery at a shmup in the future.
Superb review, Corbie.
Re: Retro Computer Museum Event Incoming
Fair play, it is great to hear about these retro events happening across the UK, the R3PLAY event in Blackpool on the 6th and 7th of November also sounds like a fun gathering. I have mentioned so many times that I want to start becoming more active in the UK's retro community, I'm starting to sound like a broken record. However, by not having a full-time job and with my car out of action, I am finding it hard to commit to attending a retro bash at the moment.
In many ways, it would be cheaper for me to head to the Retro Computer Museum's event, online tickets for £5 are a bargain, so I would only need my train fare. I have read about RCM before and heard Damo discussing about them, so I am really interested in this one.
The retro preservation work of RCM is brilliant, but if I don't make it, then I hope that all the retro gals and geezers getting together in Leicestershire have loads of fun!
**** Edit: I had a little scout online and I had trouble finding the nearest train station for Swannington, to price up a ticket. ****
Re: WayForward Not Working on A Boy and His Blob for 3DS After All
I would have loved this bit of news to read "WayForward Not Working on A Boy and His Blob for 3DS After All...'Cause They're Too Busy Developing 'Contra 5' on 3DS!
That is just a bit of wishful thinking on my part, though!
Re: Virtual Handheld Confirmed for 3DS
This is superb news, I am also excited about seeing how the classic Game Boy games will look on the 3DS's swanky screen, but it is the easy access to Game Boy Advance games that I am most looking forward to.
In time I can see a strong catalogue of titles building up, I was just tweeting about the possibility of Metroid Fusion/ Zero Mission, Gunstar Super Heroes, Gradius Advance & Ninja Five-O, it is going to be awesome.
Jet Grind Radio and The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap would also be excellent. Just imagine if Densetsu no Stafi 3 makes it over as The Legend of Starfy 3! The possibilities are what is most exciting.
Hopefully if the profile of the Virtual Console service on 3DS gets more attention, then perhaps the Wii's Virtual Console could gain more momentum and support, too.
Re: 3DS Details Unleashed at Japanese Press Event
To put it simply, for me the GB/GBA Virtual Console service is the best bit of news to come out of the entire Japanese Nintendo news conference. We have waited for this for ages, I can not even remember how many times I have said, " I might get chance to play GBA Ninja Five-0, now!"
Excellent news, Corbie.
Re: Capcom Announces Franchise 3DS Titles
I think that Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D will work really well on the portable 3DS, because the fast, arcade style gameplay almost plays like 'Resi: The Shooting Mini Game', so it will be perfect for a quick blast on the train.
Re: 3DS Launches Feb. 26 in Japan
I had my fingers crossed for Christmas 2010 too, but in a way, if Europe is going to wait until March 2011 then I have more time to save for it (conveniently, my birthday is in February).
If there is only one month difference between Europe and Japan, it is not worth while impoting, either. For the sake of having it a month early, the possible complications that connecting to DSiWare could bring up are not worth the trouble, (unless you actually want to access the content on the Japanese DSiWare's store, that is).
Re: Review: Metroid: Other M (Wii)
Like a few other comments here, I was feeling a bit uneasy about Other M because of mixed reviews, giving the impression that its new approach was a little bit too haphazard. Jon's review has rekindled my confidence in it.
I think that taking from Metroid Fusion as a template is an excellent grounding for this one, plus reading that the combat is fast, accessible, and most importantly enjoyable, is great to hear. That it is visually stunning is the icing on the cake (decorated with an Ice Beam, of course).
A marvellous Other M review, Jon.
Re: Interviews: Onteca Studio Visit - A Monsteca Corral
@stompy Thank you lots, it was great fun for me too, cheers for introducing me to Monsteca's later levels and the dastardly CPU, I had not reached that far in the game before. I experienced my first go of Corral's multiplayer as well, I played it with Jon Wetherall, although to be honest my contribution to completing those levels was not the greatest. lol. It was a great afternoon, Onteca's team are very friendly and courteously chatted to me about my obsession with retro gaming on top of discussing their game! I even saw Sinbad who used to be in Brookside, in Liverpool Lime Street train station, that afternoon. Cheers!
@SuperPowerBros Cheers to you Patrick for all of your suggestions towards the interview questions, alongside your detailed Monsteca Corral review, they were a big help in my preparation for meeting Onteca.
@WolfRanHeart The interview was carried out just one day before you posted on the Monsteca forum that you had completed it, so when Jon said "no-one so far has reported finishing the game", I thought it was cool that you were possibly one of the first gamers outside of the dev team to beat it. I had a feeling that you would be pleased about Jon's answer to the last question, because you were asking about a sequel on the forum too.
@LuWiiGi I was really interested when Onteca detailed how they were adamant about maintaining 60fps and therefore had to make compromises to the visuals to achieve it. As stompy mentioned above, I stayed at Onteca all afternoon, so as you can imagine I learnt lots of extra information about the game, I'll share some of it here. For example Jon explained how Monsteca's visuals were influenced by Wii Sports' design approach to bold, colourful graphics: “Textures are a game designer’s wallpaper and the only textures in the game are a little bit for the landscape. We copied from Nintendo to a certain extent, all the Wii Sports games do not have many textures in, we learnt from watching what Nintendo do.”
@rjejr If you have noticed the photo of the Onteca team beside a huge TV, it was obvious from visiting them that they are not only fans of Nintendo, but they clearly love their games. The TV is set up in an open bit of space in their office ready for whenever they have a session playing games. Jon mentioned how the team really enjoyed playing PSN Noby Noby Boy: “That game sat on the big screen in our office on our PS3 for about three months, just always on, so anyone could walk by and join in and play the game. We probably contributed quite a lot of meters to that worm.”
Nice one, everyone!
Re: Gunpei Yokoi Gets The Legacy Treatment
The Man Called ‘God of Games’ is a brilliant, and rightly respectful title, for this exhibition and it sounds like a great day out for Japanese gamers. I would still love to own a Virtual Boy, when it was first released it didn't capture my interest, but over time the red goggle-box has become a thing of retro chic and beauty.
Whenever someone mentions a Love Tester, I always think of the machine in Moe's Tavern which was possessed by Grandpa Simpson.
Re: Review: A Monsteca Corral: Monsters vs. Robots (WiiWare)
I really enjoyed reading this review, its detail provided a nice analysis of the gameplay, before I sat down to play it myself.
I am 56% into it now and I think that Monsteca Corral is a bargain for 500 points, there is a lot of game here for your money. I especially like how the achievements mean that you approach the level in different ways, with fast, rushing against the time limit, par time achievements (Swift, Effacious, Rampant) and slower, more carefully footed, patient stealth tasks (Perfect, Furtive). This adds variety to the main gameplay mechanic.
The music is also superbly implemented, it seems to match the context of the game as it becomes more energetic when you herd a larger group of Stompies and gather a greater amount of gas bubbles drop. The change in tune, as you chase after the Astromaggot is ace, too.
Great review, @SuperPowerBros.
Re: Review: Another World (Super Nintendo)
@timp29 I think that some gamers view Flashback as being a spiritual sequel to Another World, because both games were made by Delphine and both featured rotoscoped animation. However, my understanding is that the games are not directly linked and they have completely different stroylines.
The two games were not programmed by the same people either, Flashback was made by Paul Cuisset, and as Daz notes here, Another World was the work of Eric Chahi.
Re: Review: Another World (Super Nintendo)
Back in 1993, I was too set in my ways for Another World. I had made the transition from the Amiga to the Mega Drive, plus ultimately the SNES, and my head was fixated with fast, explosive arcade conversions. My mate was more open-minded and I remember he introduced me to Another World, and later on he also played through almost all of Flashback.
Reading the intro, most of my Another World memories also revolve around being bitten repeatedly in the leg by a leech, getting chased off a cliff by a huge hound and dropping a cage on an alien thug. I got stuck when my laser blaster ran out of juice and I was fried by enemies in a jail. I only experienced the very early parts of the game.
I found the stop/start, nitpicky animation's reaction times jarring and I felt that it was just a trial and error game, in which you repetitively had to memorise the timing of jumps and actions. I figured it was not much different from Laserdisc titles like Space Ace or Dragon's Lair, games in which I felt a bit disconnected from the on-screen action. Reading this review makes me feel like I've missed out. Come to think of it, there is loads of memory based, repetitive progression in arcade games like R-Type and Shinobi.
I do remember that it was massively atmospheric, I went up a tower and the cinematic camera swooped over the alien world, demonstrating how far you have to travel. As Daz says, the music is also brilliantly implemented, with epic bursts of the score at opportune moments to heighten the mood. However, as I repeatedly died, the death tune which played drove me completely nuts. Perhaps I was just rubbish at this, or maybe I did not have enough patience. I can appreciate that it has aged well, and was attentively developed, progressing Prince of Persia's template and influencing games like Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee.
Cheers @Dazza, perhaps I need to give Another World...another go!
Re: Review: F-Zero GX (GameCube)
The GameCube was a stellar console, I completely adore it and it was games like F-Zero GX which made the console so exciting. Do you remember the buzz when the Triforce arcade system was first announced? My jaw dropped when I heard that Amusement Vision would be collaborating with Nintendo.
I agree with all the shout outs for a 3DS version of this, it is so lovely looking even today, that a 3D version would be yet another big-name 'system seller' to go alongside the N64 ports and ensnare core gamers.
I really enjoyed reading this review, I have loads of time for hearing about this awesome racer! Cheers, @Blakey.
Re: Review: Parodius: Non-Sense Fantasy (Super Nintendo)
SNES Parodius never made it to the US! I never knew that! That is as nuts as a tiny Octopus barging into a 100ft tall blonde's bedroom to blast her with ripple lasers, as she's trying to have a kip (with the hectic, stress inducing Gradius music playing in the background)!
I've loved Parodius since its review graced the cover of issue 23 of 'Mean Machines' magazine. Whenever I think of cute-'em-ups I don't think of Twinbee, I always think of Parodius. I love the music, too. A fun-packed shooter & a great review, @Dazza.
Re: Review: Mortal Kombat (Game Boy)
@Bulbasaurus Rex The differences between the terms 'beat-'em up' and 'one-on-one fighting game' came up in my old Super Double Dragon review.
I wonder if it is due to regional colloquialism, because 'beat-'em-up' has been used by UK mags to describe games like Street Fighter II for a long time and I still see 'one-on-one beat-'em-up' in UK mags today. Both Dave and myself are UK gamers, so it may just be that we still use the term for both of the genres in the UK, out of habit.
Re: Review: Giana Sisters DS (DS)
It is pretty amazing that a game, which I remember as being controversial in the C64 days during the late '80s, is able to earn quality 9/10 reviews when it gets a brand new version 23 years on.
Fair play to good level design and Chris Hülsbeck who did the original score for Great Giana Sisters is a legend (I love the Turrican game's music). Excellent review, Corbie.
Re: These Nintendo Demakes are Adorable or Awesome or Both
That Sin and Punishment art is the best thing that I've seen today. Stupendous!
Re: First Impressions: GoldenEye 007 Multiplayer
@Oregano Cheers mate, I think that I should lower my expectations, it was a bit unfair of me to expect a new Wii game to completely cater its gameplay to satisfy a retro gamer's nostalgia.
From what you have said, I'm hoping now that they can preserve the feel of the game and still provide some cheeky li'l nods to the classic maps.
Re: First Impressions: GoldenEye 007 Multiplayer
@Oregano's link to the vid of Wii GoldenEye's first level brings up a few questions:
Hmmm, I'm just speculating here. If I have missed out on any specific Wii details and anyone knows the answers to these questions, then I'd appreciate hearing about them.
Re: First Impressions: GoldenEye 007 Multiplayer
Multiplayer in GoldenEye is a no-brainer fun fest for me, because its nostalgia levels from my student days in '97 are through the roof.
I can see the Wii version getting more local multiplayer attention in our house, and with shiny new graphics for maps like The Temple, Library, Facility, Egyptian and Caves, it can not lose in my eyes.
Re: 3DS Coming to Japan by October
One way or another my chances of having a 3DS on Christmas Day are greatly improving with this news, if Nintendo decide to hold the EU release back until 2011, then I will order a Japanese or US machine.
Importing has never stopped me before. Great news.
Re: Hands On: We Experience 3DS in London
Cheers @Dazza, the more I read about 3DS the more impatient I grow to have one all to myself. I am buzzing off its tech specs, 3D Star Fox and Mario Kart with souped-up graphics is the stuff of dreams.
Yet I still consider daft li'l thoughts like, "I bet backwards compatible Contra 4 will look awesome on the 3DS screens!" lol.
Re: First Impressions: Disney Epic Mickey
I'm really optimistic about this one too. Mickey has such a solid history in gaming with the Mega Drive's superb Castle of Illusion and the Steamboat Willie level also featuring in SNES Mickey Mania that there is a gaming heritage for Mr Spector to uphold, which extends beyond an iconic cartoon character.
Re: First Impressions: Kirby’s Epic Yarn Co-Operative Play
I am such a superficial 2D graphics lovin' type, it is Epic Yarn's visuals that I am most excited about at the moment. It'll obviously be its gameplay that counts in the end, so co-op is definitely welcome, and hopefully the sedate challenge will rise further into the game.
Re: Hands On: We Experience 3DS in London
Just out of interest, whilst at E3 or Millbank Tower did Nintendo demonstrate to the Nlife crew how the regular DS games look on 3DS's crisper screens, particularly its wider top-screen?
Re: We Experience 3DS in London
@Dazza Cheers mate, Mario Kart 3D sounds awesome, Nintendo is definitely building up real potential for 3DS to have the best games launch lineup EVER! Dun Dun DUN!! However....
...."Noooooo, Miss PR Lady!" There goes my plan for Christmas 2010 to revolve around a PAL 3DS purchase.
Re: We Experience 3DS in London
From the Nlife tweets yesterday by James and Daz, I gathered that they did not get to play as many 3DS games as they would have liked, but it was obvious that they still had a superb day. I really enjoy reading about the actual clarity of the screen, as well as the 3D effect (obviously).
If Ninty are showing Mario Kart 3D demos now, I really hope that it is a launch title ("polygon filled" demo- Oh yeah!). I'm getting even more excited about 3DS's graphics capabilities after reading James' description of Resi, too.
Great stuff @Prosody, I'm sure that you will get some hands-on time with Kid Icarus and Star Fox soon enough.
Re: Review: Vortex (Super Nintendo)
Reading this review makes me a bit more tempted to check out Vortex, I have not really bothered with it before, because I am more of a fan of straight-up Star Fox style blasting. The transformations sound fun though and it deserves attention for being another decent Super FX game.
I had a scan through some old school 'Super Play' gaming mags and they had loads of Vortex coverage, they reviewed it in issue 26 and had a top-notch Wil Overton cover for their preview of it in issue 21. Issue 31 has quite a few passwords, allowing for infinite lives/ammo, invincibility etc.
It is pretty amazing that they compressed this game into a 4 megabit cartridge!
Cheers Dave, great review.
Re: Review: Arcana (Super Nintendo)
Fair play, at first glance I would have taken this on face value to be a Japanese take on Dungeon Master, however @Damo's review reveals that this game takes its own approach. Its similarities to Shining in the Darkness, the fact that it was developed by HAL and its awesome music must have made quite a few SNES gamers pumped for this title back in the day.
I had never actually heard of Arcana before, I'm learning more about the SNES right here, so this is a great choice of retro review mate. Cool.
Re: Murder, Death, Kill Again as MDK2 Comes to WiiWare
Right then, take this comment with a pinch of salt, because like I've said I've never played either MDK game, but...
...The first MDK was developed by Shiny Entertainment, who are most famous for Earthworm Jim and Earthworm Jim 2. I think that they built it for PC in 1997 as the lead platform and it was converted to PlayStation a year later by Neversoft. As @Will_Ireland says, it introduced Kurt's sniper mode and was visually strong for 1997.
The first MDK was well enough received and both games are fondly remembered. The PC and particularly the Dreamcast release of the sequel in 2000 stands out in the memories of gamers, partially because it was developed by the talent at Bioware, and this is the version we can look forward to on WiiWare. Shiny were master devs at quirky humour though and the whole MDK concept is their creation.
Feel free to correct me if my wrong. Retro Gamer magazine had a cracking 'The Making of... MDK' feature, on pages 46-51 of issue 48. They spoke to Shiny's Dave Perry about its PC development and how MDK was a cult hit, but it did not achieve mass sales.
Re: Murder, Death, Kill Again as MDK2 Comes to WiiWare
@Prosody's comment has hit the nail on the head, although to be fair, I have only read about MDK and MDK 2, I have never actually played either of them.
This is a welcome addition to WiiWare, great news James, I really hope that it lives up to its reputation as being an innovative title and that it earns a few more hugs this time around.
Re: This Beatboxer Has Clearly Played A Lot of Mario Games
Ha, ha, he busts out a Super Mario World tune half way through too.
Re: Sonic Turns 19 Today but Brings No Presents for Nintendo Fans
It is a shame about the lack of a Virtual Console price drop, but even so,
"Happy Birthday To The Spiky Blue Fella!"
So many great Sonic memories over the last 19 years, I fondly remember the first time I ever played his original Mega Drive outing in '91. Good luck for number four and for 'Colours' too, I'm feeling quietly optimistic.
Re: Review: Shadow of the Ninja (Virtual Console / NES)
Cheers Mat, you have saved me a few bob with this review. I was interested in learning about Shadow of the Ninja, because I like Natsume games, but your analysis shows that I would be better off looking elsewhere.
Good on it for including co-op two player, and there is no harm in a little extra supplement to Ninja Gaiden, but I will not be in a rush to download this one.
Re: E3 2010: Reader Questions - Day Two
I like the Kid Icarus comparison with Sin and Punishment, that is the impression I got from the action packed trailer, too.