Genre: Platformer
Developer: Nintendo
Platform: Gamecube
Release: 2002
Rating: E
- Graphics -
I've never been very impressed with the Gamecube-generation Mario graphics. While the system had so much potential, the Mario games (especially the spinoffs) seemed to all have extremely simple and almost lazy-looking graphics and animation. Sunshine at least had much better animation, and the scenery was much more spectacular than the rest.
Graphics: 6/10
- Story -
Wait a minute. Just wait a minute. Bowser Jr. kidnapped Princess Peach because he thought she was his mom? After referring to her as "Mama Peach" the whole game, in the end we fight Bowser and Bowser Jr. in a jacuzzi in which Peach is sitting on a giant rubber duck... Okay, I don't even wanna know what's going on anymore. This story is so incredibly WRONG.
Story: 1/10
- Gameplay -
While the story and graphics were incredibly lacking, the gameplay department delivered as usual. The addition of F.L.U.D.D. as both a gameplay mechanic and a supporting character was quite seamless, and you gotta admit sliding around Delfino Plaza like a penguin after squirting the ground is pretty awesome! The hover nozzle did detract quite a bit from the urgency factor of platforming: miss your jump, and all you had to do was hover back over.
Gameplay: 8/10
- Music -
Overall, I wasn't impressed with the soundtrack, but the a cappella Mario Theme in the block worlds brings the score up by an automatic 5 points :D The soundtrack wasn't necessarily bad, either, just not really my thing.
Music: 6/10
Total Score: 5/10
Not available for other systems.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Super Smash Bros.
Genre: Fighting
Developer: Hal Laboratories
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release: 1999
Rating: E
- Graphics -
While character models were relatively low-detail, and the items and Pokemon (from pokeballs) were all low-res 2D sprites, there's one key point here: while pausing the game, you can actually move the camera around; this is actually fairly difficult to do without exposing graphics glitches, and when the game is in play, the graphics don't need to be any better. When you're actually playing the game, are you really going to notice the low resolution of the dust cloud at your feet? Yes? Oh, sorry, see you in the next life~!
Graphics: 7/10
- Story -
N/A
Story: --/10
- Gameplay -
Smash Bros is an entirely new type of fighting game. For one thing, it was one of, if not the, first 3D fighting games. This means that the camera has to move in three directions (X, Y, and Z axes). While the playing field itself is limited to the X and Y axes, there is a lot going on in the foreground and background. Next, there is no HP system, so you cannot win just by giving damage and living longest. You actually have to get a "ring out" victory. Finally, there are no crazy button combos that vary for each character, "Fatalities", or other super-powered attacks. Each character's moveset is different, but the buttons you push do the same types of thing for each character. You can push Up and A on every character and they'll attack upwards. This gives the game a large amount of strategy as opposed to simply memorization, as players can now focus on more than just either button combos or button-mashing.
Gameplay: 10/10
- Music -
I was honestly pretty disappointed with the soundtrack. Several of the stages have music so subtle (such as Yoshi's Story and Kongo Jungle) that you don't even notice it, and as nearly all of the music was brought in from other games, the only original tracks are the opening, credits, menu, and a few tracks in the single-player mode.
Music: 4/10
Total Score: 7/10
Also available for Virtual Console
Developer: Hal Laboratories
Platform: Nintendo 64
Release: 1999
Rating: E
- Graphics -
While character models were relatively low-detail, and the items and Pokemon (from pokeballs) were all low-res 2D sprites, there's one key point here: while pausing the game, you can actually move the camera around; this is actually fairly difficult to do without exposing graphics glitches, and when the game is in play, the graphics don't need to be any better. When you're actually playing the game, are you really going to notice the low resolution of the dust cloud at your feet? Yes? Oh, sorry, see you in the next life~!
Graphics: 7/10
- Story -
N/A
Story: --/10
- Gameplay -
Smash Bros is an entirely new type of fighting game. For one thing, it was one of, if not the, first 3D fighting games. This means that the camera has to move in three directions (X, Y, and Z axes). While the playing field itself is limited to the X and Y axes, there is a lot going on in the foreground and background. Next, there is no HP system, so you cannot win just by giving damage and living longest. You actually have to get a "ring out" victory. Finally, there are no crazy button combos that vary for each character, "Fatalities", or other super-powered attacks. Each character's moveset is different, but the buttons you push do the same types of thing for each character. You can push Up and A on every character and they'll attack upwards. This gives the game a large amount of strategy as opposed to simply memorization, as players can now focus on more than just either button combos or button-mashing.
Gameplay: 10/10
- Music -
I was honestly pretty disappointed with the soundtrack. Several of the stages have music so subtle (such as Yoshi's Story and Kongo Jungle) that you don't even notice it, and as nearly all of the music was brought in from other games, the only original tracks are the opening, credits, menu, and a few tracks in the single-player mode.
Music: 4/10
Total Score: 7/10
Also available for Virtual Console
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Genre: RPG
Developer: KnowWonder, EA Games
Platform: Gameboy/Color
Release: 2001
Rating: E
- Graphics -
I'm not gonna lie: as bad as this game is overall, the graphics are actually pretty good for GBC; in fact, they've reached GBA level in terms of detail.
Graphics: 7/10
- Story -
Dear God... what? Aside from Harry going to his first year at Hogwarts, and fighting Voldemort at the end, NOTHING is even remotely similar to the book; The problem is, they actually -tried- to implement a story anyway. No. Just no.
Story: 1/10
- Gameplay -
I'm going to name one HUGE problem with this game right from the start: the New Game+ option. When used, Harry keeps ALL of his stats and (I believe) almost all of his items; he doesn't keep his spells, but those are easy to regain. However, here's the problem: NO enemies are any different. This means that on NG+, Voldemort is about as easy as the first rat you fought on your first game. Also, what's with all the randomly obtained items with NO PURPOSE? Why did the developers even bother? Some of them were mentioned in the book, but the majority were just there for the heck of it.
Gameplay: 3/10
- Music -
I only remember one theme from this game, and as I'm not planning to go back and play it, I don't see a reason to refresh my memory on the others. The only theme I remember is one of the battle themes, and the sad thing is that the fact I remember it means it was probably one of, if not the, best in the game, and it wasn't even that good.
Music: 2/10
Total Score: 3/10
Also available for ??? (Several consoles/handhelds have games with the same title, but as far as I know none are identical?)
Developer: KnowWonder, EA Games
Platform: Gameboy/Color
Release: 2001
Rating: E
- Graphics -
I'm not gonna lie: as bad as this game is overall, the graphics are actually pretty good for GBC; in fact, they've reached GBA level in terms of detail.
Graphics: 7/10
- Story -
Dear God... what? Aside from Harry going to his first year at Hogwarts, and fighting Voldemort at the end, NOTHING is even remotely similar to the book; The problem is, they actually -tried- to implement a story anyway. No. Just no.
Story: 1/10
- Gameplay -
I'm going to name one HUGE problem with this game right from the start: the New Game+ option. When used, Harry keeps ALL of his stats and (I believe) almost all of his items; he doesn't keep his spells, but those are easy to regain. However, here's the problem: NO enemies are any different. This means that on NG+, Voldemort is about as easy as the first rat you fought on your first game. Also, what's with all the randomly obtained items with NO PURPOSE? Why did the developers even bother? Some of them were mentioned in the book, but the majority were just there for the heck of it.
Gameplay: 3/10
- Music -
I only remember one theme from this game, and as I'm not planning to go back and play it, I don't see a reason to refresh my memory on the others. The only theme I remember is one of the battle themes, and the sad thing is that the fact I remember it means it was probably one of, if not the, best in the game, and it wasn't even that good.
Music: 2/10
Total Score: 3/10
Also available for ??? (Several consoles/handhelds have games with the same title, but as far as I know none are identical?)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Capcom, Flagship, Nintendo
Platform: Gameboy Color
Release: 2001
Rating: E
- Graphics -
The graphics here possibly even surpass those of the SNES, even if just barely. the amount of detail on such a tiny screen is spectacular, and the fact that this detail spans over the world TWO times; once in the present, and once 400 years ago, when the country of Labrynna was not nearly as developed.
Graphics: 8/10
- Story -
I loved the story arc to this game, especially when linked to a Seasons game. The duo take place in a place different from Hyrule, but only because the Triforce sent Link to these places; We see him riding Epona in the intro scenes of both Ages and Seasons, and riding towards Hyrule Castle. Once in Labrynna (the country we explore in Ages), Link is sent to find the Oracle; Then, though a series of possessions, time traveling, betrayals Veran, Sorceress of Shadows is nearly able to take over; However, although Link defeats Veran, something more seems to go on... we get a cutscene after killing her of two mysterious figures saying "It's too late! The Flame of Sorrow has been lit!" By linking to a Seasons game either via link cable or the password after the credits, many cutscenes in Seasons will be altered slightly, these two figures will reveal themselves, and only at the end of both games is the true ending viewed, thus making this essentially the longest-ever Zelda game.
Story: 10/10
- Gameplay -
Unlike Link's Awakening, we now have three subscreens on the pause menu. This means that we can now hold many more items in our inventory, and many of them are just downright FUN. The Switchhook, Biggoron's Sword, and Seed Shooter are especially fun, and some (such as the Biggoron's Sword) can only be obtained through a linked game. Even more than the fun items and dungeons, however, is the reuse of the idea of traveling between two worlds. However, unlike A Link to the Past, we have a Harp that starts out only able to activate portals; Later on, Link learns two new songs; the first allows him to go to present from the past, but not vice-versa. The last allows him to freely time travel just about anywhere. Akin to ALttP, we see similarities between past and present, but as opposed to the Dark World being essentially an evil mirror, the Past and Present in Ages actually show how Labrynna has been built up over the years.
Gameplay: 10/10
- Music -
I really liked the music of Ages; many themes were recycled from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, but many new ones are present as well. Probably my favorite 2D Zelda soundtrack.
Music: 9/10
Total Score: 9/10
Not available for other systems.
Developer: Capcom, Flagship, Nintendo
Platform: Gameboy Color
Release: 2001
Rating: E
- Graphics -
The graphics here possibly even surpass those of the SNES, even if just barely. the amount of detail on such a tiny screen is spectacular, and the fact that this detail spans over the world TWO times; once in the present, and once 400 years ago, when the country of Labrynna was not nearly as developed.
Graphics: 8/10
- Story -
I loved the story arc to this game, especially when linked to a Seasons game. The duo take place in a place different from Hyrule, but only because the Triforce sent Link to these places; We see him riding Epona in the intro scenes of both Ages and Seasons, and riding towards Hyrule Castle. Once in Labrynna (the country we explore in Ages), Link is sent to find the Oracle; Then, though a series of possessions, time traveling, betrayals Veran, Sorceress of Shadows is nearly able to take over; However, although Link defeats Veran, something more seems to go on... we get a cutscene after killing her of two mysterious figures saying "It's too late! The Flame of Sorrow has been lit!" By linking to a Seasons game either via link cable or the password after the credits, many cutscenes in Seasons will be altered slightly, these two figures will reveal themselves, and only at the end of both games is the true ending viewed, thus making this essentially the longest-ever Zelda game.
Story: 10/10
- Gameplay -
Unlike Link's Awakening, we now have three subscreens on the pause menu. This means that we can now hold many more items in our inventory, and many of them are just downright FUN. The Switchhook, Biggoron's Sword, and Seed Shooter are especially fun, and some (such as the Biggoron's Sword) can only be obtained through a linked game. Even more than the fun items and dungeons, however, is the reuse of the idea of traveling between two worlds. However, unlike A Link to the Past, we have a Harp that starts out only able to activate portals; Later on, Link learns two new songs; the first allows him to go to present from the past, but not vice-versa. The last allows him to freely time travel just about anywhere. Akin to ALttP, we see similarities between past and present, but as opposed to the Dark World being essentially an evil mirror, the Past and Present in Ages actually show how Labrynna has been built up over the years.
Gameplay: 10/10
- Music -
I really liked the music of Ages; many themes were recycled from Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask, but many new ones are present as well. Probably my favorite 2D Zelda soundtrack.
Music: 9/10
Total Score: 9/10
Not available for other systems.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Lion King
Genre: Platformer
Developer: Westwood Studios, Virgin Interactive
Platform: Sega Genesis
Release: 1994
Rating: N/A
- Graphics -
While the scenery, backgrounds, and character sprites are extremely detailed and beautiful, the most beautiful part about this game is the animation: with no more than about 5 frames for each movement, we see Simba move incredibly smoothly and realistically.
Graphics: 10/10
- Story -
The game follows the movie as an outline very well, but is not an original story, so I'm going to rate this on how well the game gave justice to the movie.
Story: 9/10
- Gameplay -
The controls for the most part are simple, and and easy to manage. However, the problem comes with Adult Simba's flip attack (he becomes an adult starting at level 7; there are 10 levels). On a normal Genesis controller, this was done by rapidly moving the thumb from B to C with timing so precise it was nearly impossible. The "6-button" controller allowed players to use X, Y, or Z instead, but I noticed no difference with this method as the timing is the more crucial part.
(Note: SNES players had a button built in for it; I don't remember, however, if it was X or Y)
Gameplay: 8/10
- Music -
You wouldn't think a 16-bit rendition of Hans Zimmer's work would sound good. You'd be surprised. Of course, the lyrics from the themes from the movie are absent due to system limitations, but the sound quality is superb (it was less so in the SNES version, unfortunately)
Music: 7/10
Total Score: 8.5/10
Also available for Super Nintendo
Developer: Westwood Studios, Virgin Interactive
Platform: Sega Genesis
Release: 1994
Rating: N/A
- Graphics -
While the scenery, backgrounds, and character sprites are extremely detailed and beautiful, the most beautiful part about this game is the animation: with no more than about 5 frames for each movement, we see Simba move incredibly smoothly and realistically.
Graphics: 10/10
- Story -
The game follows the movie as an outline very well, but is not an original story, so I'm going to rate this on how well the game gave justice to the movie.
Story: 9/10
- Gameplay -
The controls for the most part are simple, and and easy to manage. However, the problem comes with Adult Simba's flip attack (he becomes an adult starting at level 7; there are 10 levels). On a normal Genesis controller, this was done by rapidly moving the thumb from B to C with timing so precise it was nearly impossible. The "6-button" controller allowed players to use X, Y, or Z instead, but I noticed no difference with this method as the timing is the more crucial part.
(Note: SNES players had a button built in for it; I don't remember, however, if it was X or Y)
Gameplay: 8/10
- Music -
You wouldn't think a 16-bit rendition of Hans Zimmer's work would sound good. You'd be surprised. Of course, the lyrics from the themes from the movie are absent due to system limitations, but the sound quality is superb (it was less so in the SNES version, unfortunately)
Music: 7/10
Total Score: 8.5/10
Also available for Super Nintendo
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