Welcome Retroheadz to Retro Gamer Weekdayz. Today,we're gonna be looking at a a bunch of NES classics..and 2 not so great games. As always each review is Short,But To The Point. And,most importantly,Spoiler Free. Let's get to it.
Legend of Zelda
Company: Nintendo
Year: 1986
Genre: Action Adventure
System: NES
# Of Players: 1
Story: There once was a gorgeous and peaceful land called Hyrule. Providing the land with power and beauty were the Triforce,twin mystical triangles bestowed upon the land by the 3 goddessess.
Everything was going great until the Evil Master Ganon and his minions appeared and cast the land into disaray by stealing the Triforce of Power. To prevent Ganon from getting the Triforce of Wisdom,Princess Zelda split the thing into 8 pieces and has her Sages hide them within the underground labyrinths.
Ganon finds out about this and kidnaps Princess Zelda (though we never found out why). Before getting captured,The Princess orders her elderly nursemaid,Impa,to find a brave and noble hero.
On her mission,Impa is confronted by Ganon's minions. Thanfully,a mysterious young man named Link comes to her aid. After being saved,Impa pleads with Link to save Zelda and the land. Link agrees to do so.
Now it's up to Link to save the land and the Princess from Ganon and his evil army. Link must find and restore the Triforce of Wisdom by collecting it's 8 fragments,all while battling Ganon's minions. Once the Triforce of Wisdom has been restored,Link will be granted access to Ganon's Secret Dungeon on Death Mountain.
Game Features:
- Open World Exploration
- Various Items To Find
- Various Items To Buy
- Explore Dungeons (aka levels) to Battle Ganon's Minions and retrieve the Triforce Fragments
- Get Heart Containers to increase your Health.
- Some enemies drop Bombs,Rupies,or Arrowa.
- Weapon and Defense Upgrades
- 2nd Quest after beating the game.
Graphics and Sound: The Games Graphics are pretty good for an early NES title. Really feels like an 8-Bit fantasy adventure.
Play Control: Really good.
Difficulty: Moderate. Some enemies are tough at first,but once you upgrade yourself,things become easier. Ganon will Always be tough,no matter how well you're equiped.
Fun Factor: Great. You can pretty much go anywhere and get many items in any order you want.
Pros:
- Open World Exploration
- Memorable Music
- Unforgettable Characters and Enemies
- The 2nd Quest
- Fighting Enemies
- Hunting For Items
Cons:
- No Arrow Counter. You drain your Rupie count every time you use an Arrow
- Nothing much to do after beating the 2nd Quest with All Items found.
Replay Value: High. Despite the lack of things to do after beating the 2nd Quest with a 100%,Legend of Zelda is great to come back to.
Thoughts: This game came in 2 colors: Gold and Grey. I'm fortunate enough to own the Gold Cartrage.
Score: 9/10
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Street Fighter 2010
Company: Capcom
Year: 1990/1991
Genre: Action Platformer
System: NES
# Of Players: 1
Story: In 2010, technology has advanced to the point that any person can easily travel from one planet to another through the use of interplanetary warp gates. Ken Masters (well not really him),a retired multi-time Street Fighter champion,turned scientist,developes a new substance called "Cyboplasm" that grants superhuman strength to any living thing that's implanted with it.
One day,Ken finds his lab partner,Troy,murdered and the Cyboplasm stolen. Ken decides to bring Troy's killer to justice by implanting his body with bionics, as well as an interdimensional transporter, in order to follow the killer's trail, who's left a trail of Cyboplasm on each of the planets he's visited.
Ken must now travel from Planet to Planet until he comes face to face with Troy's killer. However,standing in his way are vicious space mutants,which Ken must destroy to move on. Once the freaks are destroyed,a portal will appear to take Ken to the next level.
Game Features:
- Side Scrolling and Vertical Scrolling Action
- Shoot Projectiles using Kicks and Punchs
- Power Up Capsules that Increase your Attack by 1 (max level is 5)
- Backward Flip Jumping (can be turned into an attack via power up)
- Multi Directional Firing. (well,you can fire upwards and downwards,anyway)
- Climb Walls and Poles
- Hang From or Jump Down From Certain Ledges.
Graphics and Sound: The game looks good. Each Planet has it's own uniqe look. This includes Stage 1 (Earth). Soundwise,it's good too. Music's not that memorable,but it's well crafted.
Play Control: Poor! The hit detection is pretty bad and the controlls themselves are slow to respond.
Difficulty: Very High! All thanks to the terrible play controll,the quickness of the enemies,and the Always unfair: Get Hit,Lose Power! Also Ken's weak and Power-Ups are rare.
Fun Factor: Low! Very Low! Unless You're a Masochist!
Pros:
- The Visuals. They look very cool.
- The Music sounds good too.
- The Story. It's not too bad,However it Isn't Canon to Street Fighter! And that's a great thing.
Cons:
- Made Littke Sense that you need 2 Power Up Capsules to increase your attack power instead of just 1.
- Enemies are quicker and gang up on you
- Get hit once and Lose Power.
- Bad Hit Detection
- The Play Control.
- Power-Up Collecting is a Pain! Not only are they rare,but they're sometimes tough to get.
- The Time Limit
Replay Value: None...Unless You're a Masochist,that is.
Thoughts: Worst! Street Fighter! Game! EVER!
Score: 4/10
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Punch-Out!!
Company: Nintendo
Year: 1987
Genre: Sports (Boxing)
System: NES
# Of Players: 1
Story:Little Mac wants to be the greatest boxer ever,so he enters the WVBA (world video boxing association) to compete against the best Boxers in the world.
Little Mac must fight his way up through ranks of the World Video Boxing Association.
After beating a series of opponents in the 3 circuits,Mac will face off against either Mike Tyson or Mr.Dream (depending on which version you're playing) in the "Dream Fight".
Game Features:
- A Password System
- 3 Circuits of Unique Opponents from around the World
- Get Stars to use the Super Uppercut and deal great damage to Opponents.
- A Heart Counter that represents Stamina.
- Duck Attacks By Pressing Down Twice.
- Amusing Intermissions
Graphics and Sound: Really good. The sprites are detailed for an NES game and the Arena changes color for each Circuit. Soundwise,everything is also good. The Music is some of the most momorable on the NES,
Play Control: Excellent. Really great hit detection and response.
Difficulty: Moderate - High. The bossess can be tough,but most of them have patterns you can learn. Some even have weaknessess. Mike Tyson/Mr.Dream can knock you down in 2 hits.
Fun Factor: High.
Pros:
- Unique Opponents
- Memorable Music
- The Play Control
Cons:
- Reuse of the Boxers
Replay Value: High. You'll keep coming back to this game often,due to how fun it is.
Thoughts: I have the Mike Tyson version of this game.
Score: 9/10
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Tetris (Nintendo Version)
Company: Nintendo
Year: 1989
Genre: Puzzle
System: NES
# Of Players: 1
Story:Well,since this an early puzzle game,it has no story. Sorry.
The object of the game is to fit together falling shapes,called "Tetrominos",into a horizontal line. Once you do this,the line will vanish and you get points. The more lines you clear,the more points you'll get. Once you've cleared enough lines,you'll move on to the next stage (or clear the mode if playing on mode 'b').
You can also stack them to help you get more lines. Beware though,if you let the Tetrads reach the top of the play area,it's game over.
Game Features:
- 2 Modes of Play
- 9 Stages To Select (the higher the stage,the higher the difficulty)
- 6 Levels of Handycap (in the 'B' Mode Only)
- 3 Selectable BGM
Graphics and Sound: Graphics are really well done and the Tetriminos change color depending on the level. The music is 8-Bit renditions of Classic Russian tunes,not my cup 'o joe. Thankfully you can turn the music off. The SFX are very cool and nostalgic.
Play Control: Very Responsive.
Difficulty: Easy - Very Hard. It all depends on how far you get into the game. In later levels,the Blocks drop progressivly faster.
Fun Factor: Excellent. Addicting is the only way to describe this game.
Pros:
- Easy To Learn.
- Solid Controls
- Addicting
Cons:
- Lack of a 2-Player Mode
Replay Value: Excellent. Like I said,this game is addicting.
Thoughts: My first experience with Tetris came via the Game Boy port. Been a fan ever since
Score: 8/10
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)
Company: Konami via Ultra Games
Year: 1989
Genre: Action Platformer
System: NES
# Of Players: 1
Story: Evil brain Krang decides to vacation on Dimention X,so he leaves his partner, The Shredder,in charge. The Shredder wages an all out war on New York City as part of his Global Conqust campaign. The Shredder's eternal enemies,and New York's resident Heroes in-a-Half Shell,the Ninja Turtles,spring into action to save the city.
Once they arrive on the scene,they see their good friend,news reporter,April O'Neil,being kidnapped by The Shredder's goons. The Green Machine must now battle through 5 stages and a whole mess of freaks to make it to Shredder and put an end to his assault on the City.
Game Features:
- Side Scrolling Stages with Top Down Overworld Maps.
- Switch between the 4 Turtles on the fly.
- Each Turtle has their own strengths and weapons.
- Various Sub Weapons (like the throwing stars,boomerang,and the scroll)
- Refill Health with Pizza
- Attack in Multiple directions (does not work with sub-weapons)
Graphics and Sound: Graphically the game is good,not great,but good. Sprite detail is lacking,but the Background details are nice. As for the sound,it's a pretty standard for a NES Konami game. In other words,It's good. Musicly, it's good. Gotta love that NES Konami soundchip. Shame not many of tunes were memorable,though.
Play Control: The conrols can be slow at times and the jumping mechanic could be better.
Difficulty: Moderate - High. In the early going,things are moderate,though the 'Underwater Bomb Defusing' area in Stage 2 can give you trouble. Stage 3 and onward,the difficulty gets progressivly tougher. Stage 5 is a mess. Not only that,but most of the later enemies are really strong. Plus enemies respawn. Yeah,this game will beat the crap out of you.
Fun Factor: Low - Moderate. The difficulty makes this game not as fun to play. Still better than Street Fighter 2010,though.
Pros:
- The Music and Graphics
- The Fact you can choose between any of the Turtles at Any given time.
- Cool Sub-Weapons
- Riding around in the Turtles Van,the Party Wagon (even if it's just for 1 level).
- Respawning Items (including pizza)
Cons:
- The pixel perfect jumping
- The Underwater Bomb Defusing area
- All of Stage 5
- Respawning Enemies
- The character could've been faster.
Replay Value: Low - Moderate. Despite some fun sections,over half the game can get a bit frustrating. Stage 5 can be a Nightmare. If you love challenging games and/or a Ninja Turtles fan,check this game out.
Thoughts: Ultra Games (konami's,then,american branch) accidently used art of the Mirage Turtles on both the Cover and Cartrage,despite tge gane being losely based on the '87 Cartoon. Oops. Thankfully,the Japanese didn't make this error and Ultra learned from their mistakes with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II.
Score: 7/10
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WWF Wrestlemania: Steel Cage Challenge
Company: LJN
Year: 1992
Genre: Sports (Wrestling)
System: NES
# Of Players: 1-2 (co-op or verses)
Story: There is no real story,it's a Sports title. 10 WWF Superstars fight to become the WWF Champion. Alternatively,Some Superstars decide to team up for the Tag Team Titles. That's the Only story there is for this game and all other Wrestling titles.
The following WWE Superstars are vying for the Gold: Hulk Hogan,"Macho Man" Randy Savage,Bret "Hitman" Hart,Sid Justice,The Undertaker,Jake "The Snake" Roberts,IRS,"Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase,The Mountie,and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.
Game Features:
- Play against the [evil] CPU or play 2 Player Verses.
- 2 Player Co-Op (for tag team mode)
- 3 Main Modes of Play: 1-on-1,Tag Team,and Steel Cage.
- Win by Pinfall or (if fighting in a cage) by climbing to the top of the Cage. (easier said than done)
Graphics and Sound: Bad...especially for a Late NES title. The characters could've been a bit more detailed. They also all look the same,except with different hair and outfits. The Character portraits could've used some polish. The arena looks nice,though. As for the sound and music,it's decent. The Wrestlers themes were greatly shortened though.
Play Control: Very Bad. 40-60% of the tine they become unresponsive. Pinning is also a major pain. The CPU doesn't have these problems,giving it a good advantage. The characters are also slow.
Difficulty: Moderate - High. The difficulty is moderate if you play with another player,but high when you fight against the Evil CPU.
Fun Factor: Low. You may have sone fun playing against another human,but playing against the CPU is painfull and frustrating
Pros:
- Good Roster Choice
- The Steel Cage Mode
Cons:
- Bad play control
- Evil CPU
- The Graphics (minus the arena)
Replay Value: Low. Thanks to the bad controls and evil CPU. Good luck finding another human to play this with you.
Thoughts: As bad as Street Fighter 2010 (in different ways,of course)!
Score: 4/10
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Super Mario Bros.2 (U.S. Version)
Company: Nintendo
Year: 1988
Genre: Action Platformer
System: NES
# Of Players: 1
Story: Mario has a strange reoccurring dream about mysterious voices calling out to him for help. They are the people of Subcon,and they need Mario's help to save their realm from the evil King Wart Mamu.
While on a picnic, Mario and friends discover a mysterious cave with a long staircase. At the end of the staircase, there's a door. From the door,Mario hears the same voices that he heard in his dreams. The quartet open the door and are warped to Subcon.
Team Mario,must take out King Mamu's minions and liberate the 7 lands of Subcon. Stomping on foes and Fire Flowers are out, instead our Heroes must defeat enemies with items and other enemies.
Game Features:
- 4 Selectable Players: Mario,Luigi,Toad,and Princess Peach
- Each character has His or Her own strengths.
- Pull up grass to get items.
- Throw items and other enemies to defeat foes.
- Health System
- Special Flasks (potions) that produce doors that take you to Subspace where you can get a Mushroom that increases your health by 1. As well collect Coins (by pulling up grass) to earn chances for the End Level Bonus Game.
- Use certain Warp Vases in Subspace to Warp to other Worlds. (basically this is tbe smb2 version of the warp zone)
- Power Jumping
- Collect 5 Cherries to summon a Starman/Super Star
Graphics and Sound: Great. A great improvement over the 1st 2 games. So much more colorful and vibrant. Sound and music is solid too. The soundtrack is both enjoyable and memorable AND composed by Koji Kondo.
Play Control: Great. That's right better than the 1st game and Lost Levels aka SMB2j.
Difficulty: Moderate. Some tough sections here and there,but nothing frustrating.
Fun Factor: Moderate - High.
Pros:
- The character selection
- Each character has his or her unique traits
- Luigi looks like Luigi,instead of a palette swap of Mario.
- Great Vraphics
- Memorable Music
- The Power Jumping
Cons:
- The fact that there is only 7 worlds instead of the traditional 8 and the 7th one has only 2 stages.
- No Fire Flowers.
- Repeating Bossess
Replay Value: Moderate - High. This game may not have any extras,but that's ok,because the high fun factor will have you coming back for more. Plus the ability to pickup and throw enemies makes up for the lack of a fire flower.
Thoughts: It's safe to say that our Mario 2 is the superior Mario 2.
Score: 8/10
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Super Mario Bros. 3
Company: Nintendo
Year: 1989/1990
Genre: Action Platformer
System: NES
# Of Players: 1-2 (turn based)
Story: King Bowser Koopa has returned to the Mushroom Kingdom with 7 Koopa Kids and a nasty plan. Bowser sends his Koopa Kids to hijack the 7 great continents of the Mushroom World. Princess Peach Toadstool quickly summons the Super Mario Bros to save the world.
The Mario Brothers set off on their quest to free the 7 unique continents from The Koopa Army.
Game Features:
- Overworld Maps
- Cool New Items
- Reserve Items that can be accessed on the Overworld Map.
- Run-Jump-Stomping Action Returns
- The Classic 4 Power-Ups Return
- Toad Houses to get Reserve Items
- 2 Bonus Games: The Roulette Match Game and The N-Card Game.
- End-of-Stage Cards. Match 3 to get extra lives.
Graphics and Sound: Good. Though somewhat downgraded from Super Mario 2. And like with Mario 2,the music is great and memorable.
Play Control: Great. Just as solid as the previous Mario Titles.
Difficulty: Moderate. There are Many problem areas,but nothing too frustrating. With experience and the right item,those areas become easier.
Fun Factor: High. This isn't considered one of the greatest Mario Titles for nothing. It's also the 2nd best selling game on the NES (behind mario 1).
Pros:
- Memorable Music
- 8 Unique and Diverse Worlds
- The Raccoon Leaf
- The Hammer Bros. Suit
- The Bonus Games
- The Toad Houses
- Auxillery Items
- The Overall Gameplay
Cons:
- Luigi returns to being just a pallette swap of Mario
- The Graphics could've been nicer.
Replay Value: High. The game is very fun and you'll find yourself coming back to it,even after beating it.
Thoughts: Nintendo took the original SMB1 formula and greatly improved upon it,creating one of the greatest NES Games Ever.
Score: 8.5/10
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That about wraps it up for this episode of Retro Gamer Weekdayz. As always,thanks for reading and be sure to check back often for New Content.
See Ya,Space Cowboys.
