Retro Reviews for Consoles & Computers Including: Sega

Cover art by Luis M

Retro reviews for Consoles & Computers Including: Sega, Nintendo, Playstation, Commodore 64, Spectrum & more!

Welcome to Issue 3 legends. First we have industry various systems, and the God Jeff Minter. Thanks again concluding article featuring the of TRGN to Jeff for agreeing to the SNES. interview. Hi Gang – we're back again for Editor - Phil Wheatley more Retro gaming news, Secondly we have the grand (theretrogamesnews ) reviews and interviews. We daddy of retro gaming youtube Reviewer – Pete Jones now have over 200 readers so videos, Mr Steve Benway. If ( ) thanks for your support. Also, Snestastic you're not one of his Reviewer – Michael Smith a huge thank you to all of you subscribers, then you need to ( ) who made a donation. head over there and subscribe Davidhass3lh0ff as his videos are awesome. Reviewer – Owen McCarthy This month has taken longer (LeBossu77 ) than expected, but I think you And of course, we have will agree it was worth the wait, reviews from more of our as we have interviews with two favourite retro games across

Front cover art by Luis Martins: http://luismartinsartwork.daportfolio.com

To view other available issue, please visit: http://www.theretrogamesnews.com/back-issues

Contents

Welcome...... Page 2 Shining Force ( Mega Drive/Genesis )...... Page 3 Jeff Minter Interview ...... Page 5 Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time ...... Page 8 Steve Benway Interview ...... Page 10 Super Back to the Future ...... Page 13 Hover Bovver (C64)...... Page 16 Rapid Reload (PS1)...... Page 17 Run Saber (SNES)...... Page 20 Mighty Morphine Power Rangers the Movie ...... Page 22

Shining Force ( Mega turn-based and tactical variety. Drive/Genesis ) A pre-title sequence Reviewed by Owen depicts a lore of McCarthy rampaging hordes and demonic beasts repelled Shining Force on the Mega by warriors of the light (de Drive played a major role in ja vu RPG fans?), and as shaping my tastes as a player the game begins in of video games, I first earnest you are given the encountered it in an article in role of the silent the pages of a rogue American protagonist hero games magazine that had (anybody?), Max by somehow forced its way onto default. the shelves in W.H.Smiths. At the time the game had yet to As Max you are tasked be released in the UK but with assembling a small there was something about the but skilled group of boldly drawn and colourful warriors to investigate Anime character models and Runefaust (Evil Empire) fantasy setting that captured activity at the ‘Gate of the my imagination. Ancients’, a gate that was closed by said ‘Ancients’ attack, magic, stay and search and that has been sealed for as well as the ability to use as long as anybody cares to I had been playing Mega Drive and transfer items. remember, and a gate that games for some time but this Vanquished fighters can also nobody really fancies opening was my first real contact with be resurrected for a fee in any for fear of what might be that rare and exotic beast, the church that you find along the behind it. Here is where you RPG. way. I find it hard to criticise encounter combat for the first the game because of it’s time and it is undeniably basic Developed by Climax standing as one of the by today’s standards. Entertainment and released by forefathers of the genre, where

Sega to European audiences some people may see it as Set on a standard grid, battles in July of 1993, almost a year lacking in content, I’d prefer to offer you all of the options that after the rest of the world (!), say that it was uncomplicated you’d expect to find; move, Shining Force is an RPG of the by the need to innovate.

You won’t find any combo attacks or arcane statistic multipliers as the game leans heavily on its naïve charm; characters are defined by only eight statistics to determine their performance in battle although these can be enhanced through the use of items, and as you’d expect, movement in battle is encumbered by difficult terrain. Computer AI is rudimentary to say the least but it passes muster and is never a game breaker, the difficulty of the game can be dependent on how much level grinding you’re inclined to do but you’re never likely to be tested to distraction.

Characters are recruited to the types giving them cause by exploration and a cool Clint interaction with NPCs although Eastwood ‘Man the exploration element is with no name’ slightly misleading given that persona, leaving many new recruits will join you them free to automatically as the narrative dispatch bad guys progresses. at will without the added There are some that it’s complication of possible to miss such as emotion. Vankar (!) the Centaur who you could easily walk right by, Each character or Yogurt the Fighter has their own Pilot/Hamster/Beaver/Squirrel back story and thing who requires that you this is often woven into the each mid-battle action; any find a secret door so that you basic but effective ‘Good guys attack, spell cast or use of an can talk to him, although in against Bad guys looking to item is portrayed via a reality the game signposts bring about a demon sequence featuring the initiator them to such an extent that apocalypse’ plot. By today’s in the foreground and either missing them is not really an standards the game is the enemy in the background option. undeniably linear but it or an ally off to one side, complements the pared down, depending on the action. With up to twelve characters in or as some might say These sequences are a battle party the game offers uncomplicated, narrative beautifully realised with a nicely balanced range of nicely. The game isn’t difficult confidently drawn figures that people to recruit such as the either but it would be doing it a are both colourful and uber-cool but initially insane disservice to brand it as ‘entry attractively animated. War Wolf Zylo or Balbaroy the level’, it deserves higher praise noble Birdman, although than that epithet allows, level Aurally the game is similarly generally characters will fall grinding isn’t necessary but successful; menu navigation is into one of four broad types; you’ll often be tempted to punctuated by the standard Fighter, Mage, Healer or utilise the main characters bleeps although these will Archer. ‘Egress’ spell in order to fight eventually worm their way into the battles over again. your subconscious and have Those not chosen for battle you salivating like a scientists are housed in conveniently The menu interface can take dog should you hear them in located ‘club houses’ that some adjusting to, every action the future. In-game music sets occur regularly along your is accessed from a menu the bar higher with an route, here you can change rather than happening excellent selection of tunes personnel and rearrange items automatically at the touch of that are often tender or with the help of your guide an action/talk button, this will rousing, sometimes inspiring Nova who appears to conduct initially make basic actions but never less than business from behind some more drawn-out than they exceptionally catchy. sort of reception desk. The need to be but only really in majority of your recruits are the short term as you get used One caveat would be that able to be promoted once they to the system. dialogue is always reach level ten giving them Visually the game has a accompanied by a whirr or a access to greater weapons distinct charm, exploration and bleep to represent speech, this and skills as well as a nicely battle map graphics are is the 16bit era after all, and upgraded in-game character functional but boldly drawn and while this is perfectly functional model. colourful, character interaction it can become grating is accompanied by a dialogue especially at higher registers. Later recruitable characters box and an attractively realised have less personality although and animated character In the end this games lives by this demonstrates that the portrait that betrays the games its naïve charm, it undeniably designers are aware of the role Anime-style roots. set the bench mark for what that they will play, Musashi the was to come and for that it Samurai and Hanzou the Ninja The game excels visually with deserves respect, it’s neither are both the silent-but-deadly the animations that punctuate long nor challenging but it has more humour and charisma in

its impressively aging bones writing games on the than any mod or patch can 8 bit machines? give to one hundred identikit games on today’s market. JEFF: Really it was just the finite 90% - for the sake of nostalgia resources of those or machines - only so 65% - when judged by today’s many sounds, only so exacting standards many sprites, only so much time to move Interview with Jeff things around. There was a lot of emphasis Minter on using clever techniques to get This month we had the around such pleasure of interviewing Jeff limitations, improving Minter, who has written some efficiency of code and of the most memorable and exploiting hardware enjoyable games ever. Such peculiarities to wring as Attack of the Mutant out the best Camels, Hover Bovver, performance you Tempest 2000 and Space could. Sometimes a lot more effort went into that could come and play the Giraffe, to name but a few. His games, have a chat and a few views on gaming and what the than did into game design. beers, go out in the evenings future holds for the industry round the arcades in London. makes for a fascinating read... TRGN: How did you go about marketing your games in the It was very relaxed and I miss that kind of thing. Probably TRGN: In the beginning, did 80s, considering from the outside it looks like you were why I find a lot of the you use furry animals in your desperate scramble for games as a way of doing everything by yourself? exposure that characterises differentiating yourself from the iOS marketplace so other programmers, or some JEFF: We placed ads in various computer mags and depressing really. other reason? attended lots of computer shows to demonstrate the TRGN: At times, playing your JEFF: Initially it was just games can put you in an because I liked almost hypnotic state, is this certain animals something you deliberately (camelids in engineer, or just a by-product particular) which of the frantic on screen was why Llamasoft visuals? was so called. The first few games I did JEFF: It was a byproduct of weren't that full of the early games (not just mine, beasties but as but many coin-op shooters things went on I got from back in the day, much more into especially the likes of Eugene using them in Jarvis' works). I began to games and yes, recognise it as a state and they did serve to started trying consciously to distinguish our software and meet the users. I create games that engendered games somewhat. If you saw was never a fan of heavy- that state. It's a very a giant camel or a flying sheep handed marketing and for the comfortable and relaxing state in a game you had a pretty most part we just used to let to be in once you get used to it good idea where it was from. people know when new games so making games that are

were available (usually by effective vehicles to take you TRGN: Composers on the C64 doing an ad featuring the latest there is now something I aim had only 3 channels to play Steinar Lund artwork which for, whether it be a deep trip with, what was the biggest was always excellent). And at like in Space Giraffe or just a challenge you faced when the computer shows people little 5 minute excursion with Gridrunner :).

that did DVD decode and it play it right now is to get a TRGN: A few of your games would be as cheap as existing Nuon DVD player. I know have been adaptations of hardware decode-only there is an emulator being existing games? Is there any solutions so there'd be no worked on but I don't know reason you like to do that? disadvantage in manufacturers how far off it is actually being using it and getting all this able to emulate Nuon at full JEFF: Some of the old classic extra functionality (including speed. Eventually though it designs - particularly those gaming) for the same price. I may actually be able to play that have survived the test of guess by the time the chip was T3K at a better frame rate than time and remain things you ready that wasn't true any the original if the emulator gets actually play properly even more. The chip itself was good enough which would be today (rather than look at in an pretty far ahead of its time (it cool. emulator for 30 seconds and had multiple VLIW cores that tut about how nobody had a you could use to do significant Space Giraffe was also made clue about difficulty curves calculation on every pixel of for the PC as well as the x360 back then) - were genuinely the display per frame time, and is available on Steam (you excellent, elegant and simple. something that only later get a second set of level It's a kind of gaming that i feel became possible with the backgrounds too). still has some relevance today advent of GPU pixel shaders). - you don't always want to sit You also had to code in some TRGN: With gadgets like the down and play some 80 hour lovely assembler to get the Kindle, Tablets and streaming epic story of a game, most out of it, something I TVs, media seems to be sometimes you just want a bit loved doing but by then a lot of moving towards a digital only of arcade-style action. Of game shops were used to format, what are your feelings course those old designs were getting away with doing stuff in about that? often constrained by the hardware limitations of the day, so one thing that can be fun now is to revisit those old things but modernise and extend them in ways that simply weren't possible back then, making them a bit more relevant and fun to modern gamers. That's kind of what the Minotaur Project stuff is about. I don't want to simply clone old games because that would be unsatisfying to both me and modern gamers. But I do like to design new games that have something of the style and purity of old arcade games, but with none of the limitations.

TRGN: You were developing games for the Neon, a cross between a DVD and games C, so not many people were machine? Do you feel it was able to get the best out of the JEFF: It's inevitable I guess, too far ahead of its time to chip. and actually more convenient really take off? TRGN: As games like Space in most contexts (I fully intend JEFF: I think it just took a bit Giraffe was only available on to go download only with my too long to be finished and Xbox live and Tempest 3000 vita and 3ds, since the very brought to market, and more for the Neon, are they any nature of portable devices is mainstream DVD players were ways people can get hold of that you don;t want to have to more firmly entrenched than these games now? carry a lot of cruft and clutter they might have been if Nuon with you when you take them had come out earlier. The JEFF: T3K is a rare beast out). Not having to store and idea was that we had this CPU indeed and the only way to move physical crap around

when you're buying and using arcade gaming alongside finished. Demonstrating the zeros and ones just makes whatever generative ability to see a project all the sense, and the idea that when multiverse hypersensory epic way through from inception to you buy something it's yours is flavour of the decade :). completion is important. A lot and stored in the cloud of game making is just hard somewhere and if you lose or TRGN: If we burst into your work and showing that you can destroy your device you house unannounced, would we push through that to get to haven't lost the data, you can be likely to catch you playing your goal is important. just redownload it into a new something like Oblivion, Call of device - that makes sense for Duty, Need for Speed, or TRGN: What games are you digital media in the age of the anything of that currently developing and any global network. I love the way nature? projects you have on the the kindle is both book and horizon? bookstore and wherever you are you can always get a new JEFF: I'm currently working on book when you want one, and a vert scrolling shooter for iOS. I think in the end it'll be that I never did a vert scroller back way for gaming too (already is, in the day so I'm doing one on iOS) just like it is for music that's roughly in the style of now. It's just a much more Star Force (although there is a sensible way to handle and bit of polarity shooter and a consume media and games touch of bullet hell in there these days. too). Most of it's done, I'm now just filling up the levels with TRGN: What type of spaceship types to shoot at. technology do you envisage Should be finished in a couple will take gaming to the next of weeks or so I hope :). level?

JEFF: There's still plenty of scope for gaming to expand in novel directions (look at how JEFF: Yeah, although when the jumping about and waving I’m busy I tend to spend most your arms around like a fool of my time tightly focused on game market has exploded whatever game I'm making due to the Wii and Kinect). and don't play much of There will doubtless be further anything else. But I do find improvements in the way we time for other stuff too, Skyrim communicate with the on PC got a good airing and machines and they with us - I've got Portal 2 to play one of haptics, sunlight readable these days. I also have things displays, AR glasses, natural I play in a few minutes of language downtime here and there like recognition/translation etc. wipeout on the Vita and pinball The possibilities continue to arcade on iOS. And when Half expand as the limitations fall Life 3 comes out eventually away and who knows what that'll be me done for however designers will come up with in long it takes :D. a future with machines with which we can communicate TRGN: For any up and coming naturally and easily and where game programmers, what do everything is effortlessly you think they should globally connected. focus on if they want to be

employed by a software I'll still be wanting to sit down house? with a joypad for some kinds of gaming though, I don't think that'll ever go away. Likewise JEFF: Completion! One people will still enjoy the finished game is worth a occasional bit of oldschool hundred starts that are never

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles In Time (SNES)

Reviewed by Peter Jones

Ever since I watched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon as a child I have been hooked. Ninja Turtles with individual personalities, eating pizza, cracking jokes and kicking ass really appealed to me at the time.

The Turtles franchise was huge and as such merchandising played a large This was followed by Teenage IV: Turtles In Time. part in that success. Aside Mutant Ninja Turtles 3: The from action figures and t-shirts, Manhattan Project also for the To this day Turtles In Time three motion pictures and Nintendo Entertainment stands out for me as one of the several video games were System. best titles for the Super created. Nintendo and one of the When it came to creating a greatest scrolling beat-em-ups The task of creating a Turtles game for the Super Nintendo released on any system. Video Game for the arcade Konami stuck with the was given to Konami. The successful and popular The game begins with the arcade game took the tried scrolling beat-em-up formula. kidnap of April O'Neil by and tested formula of the This was a good choice as it Shredder, prompting the turtles scrolling beat-em-up and had proved a success in the to jump to her rescue. You are turned it into magic. arcade and on Nintendo's then asked to pick your turtle N.E.S. system. and join the fight. There were two different cabinet setups, a two player The game they created was I have always favoured Mikey cabinet and the awesome four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as I find that Don and Leo player cabinet. This was a brilliant move as it encouraged people to play together to defeat the evil Shredder.

Multi-Player has always been the key component for a successful scrolling beat-em- up. There is nothing quite like playing with a friend. Giving each other encouragement and swapping tactics to find the best way to defeat the enemy. Following it's success the arcade game was ported to the Nintendo Entertainment system under the name Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: The Arcade Game.

by holding left or right on the d- pad and pressing attack.

Each level has a specific theme, starting in New York at 3 A.M. you fight your way across the Brooklyn bridge, only to be confronted by the first of many bosses. The first boss in the game is Baxter who appears to be a human that has mutated with a fly. His attacks are simple and easy to dodge and he doesn't put up too much of a fight. Once you have his attack patterns down it's a case of just waiting for the right moment to strike and drain his energy.

I found that with all of the bosses in the game once I had the attack patterns figured out none of them really put up too make the game too easy and extra level of polish to the much of a challenge. I'm Raph has a short range and is graphics. usually someone who finds it difficult to fight with. hard to study and remember Everything from the character attack patterns so take it from However in recent times it has sprites to the level layout to the me that the bosses will not become apparent that I have special effects really make the challenge you too much. underestimated Raph as he is game shine. much more agile than I had The only boss that can be a given him credit for. He is fast The second thing to capture little tricky is Slash as you moving and able to dodge my attention was the sound. need to jump behind him in attacks more easily than his The music, sound effects and order to attack. Now this may three compadres. I have also speech are first rate and really sound simple but he's very found that his weapon of make the Super Nintendo sing. quick and will jump out of your choice the sai is very adept at As I'm fighting off wave after way and jam you in a corner, dispatching Foot Clan soldiers. wave of Foot Clan I find myself so you need to be on your humming along to the toes. As a finisher Raph spins his background music. It's a true sai which can be very useful aural treat. However the main thing to when being attacked by remember is that the boss multiple Foot Clan. I found that The controls are simple, two fights like the entire game are I could attack one Foot Clan buttons, one to jump and one just a lot of fun to play through. soldier and leave him stunned to attack. This is all that is and turn my attention to other needed for this style of game Something that really surrounding enemies, to then as it doesn't need to be over impressed me with this game turn back and finish the complicated. is the level of detail that stunned soldier with the spin Konami injected into the attack. You can hit the enemies with universe. From the small the your weapon by pressing details such as your chosen The first thing I noticed about the attack button. Jumping can turtle spinning his weapon Turtles In Time was the be used to dodge attacks as while standing still, too the way graphics, this is a simply well as deliver a flying kick you are beamed down to the beautiful game to look at. In when combined with the attack beginning of a level like you the options menu you can button. One other attack at have been transported from choose Animation or Comic your disposal is the shoulder the starship Enterprise. styles. For me Animation is my barge. This can be achieved preferred choice as it gives an

But without doubt the one on a hover disc and attack videos which make feature that Turtles In Time Foot Clan soldiers for bonus entertaining viewing. His has and is most well known for points. Friday talkie videos have now is the screen throw. This little become a staple diet for many attack really shows the power If like me you are a fan of the youtubers alike. We caught up of the Super Nintendo. If you Turtles and/or a fan of scrolling with the man relaxing at home hit an enemy and then get in beat-em-ups then this game is amongst his array of systems. close and tap attack your turtle a must buy. Twenty years will grab the opponent and after it's release the game still TRGN : What was the very spin them around and throw provides hours of gaming much game you played and them towards the screen. The pleasure and can be re-visited first experience of using a enemy will then pixleate in true over and over again and never computer? classic 8bit style. losses it's charm. STEVE: The first game I It's this small touch which For me this is how a licensed played was an electro really makes this game stand game should be made, with mechanical arcade game out. And as to prove that it's love for the original source made by Sega called Missile. It not just a gimmick Konami material, not just thrown was in a working men’s club, in made it the key way to defeat together to make a quick buck. around 1972. You controlled Shredder. When you are an anti-aircraft missile confronted by Shred Head he Snestastic launcher and fired at projected is at the forefront of the screen aircraft as they flew overhead. controlling a laser weapon, Rating 95% It was all models, lights and while you are in the mirrors, but very impressive to background being attacked by a 4 year old me. There’s a the Foot Clan. Interview with Steve video of it somewhere on Benway From YouTube, if you search for In order to defeat Shredder YouTube “Sega Electro-Mechanical you need to attack the Foot Missile”. Clan soldiers and fling them at Anybody who likes watching him using the screen throw. A My first experience of using a very clever use of the retro-gaming videos on YouTube will bump into computer was a Sinclair ZX81 technology and it really does owned by a lad I went to well to add the wow factor. Steve's videos at one point or another. He's a machine, school with. I was quite gobsmacked by how small it Even in this modern age of churning out video after video photo realism this simple effect still induces a satisfied grin on the players face.

Most scrolling beat--em-ups are repetitive by their very nature. And so it is difficult to define what makes certain titles in the genre stand out from the crowd.

However with Turtles In Time it's easy, it's the variety. From fighting through the streets of New York, too surfing through the sewers, too being of cool games played on was, and fascinated by the transported back in time to the various systems, many of membrane keyboard. He prehistoric era, then onto a which most people have never loaded up 3D Monster Maze, pirate ship and finally into the heard of. and that was it… I was future, the game constantly hooked. keeps you entertained. Even Famous for his intro “It's not a throwing in some F-Zero Mode walkthrough, TRGN: Out of all of the 7 for good measure in the playthrough...anything like systems you have played on, future level where you travel that...”, he creates off the cuff

which one gives you the People kept asking me to radio) was “Don’t use your real fondest memories? show the software in my name”, and that kind of stuck. collection, but I thought it’d be STEVE : That would be the very boring to just run the TRGN: Your style of videos Commodore Amiga. It was my camera over a bunch of boxes are very relaxed, choosing to main computer and gaming or cases, and it seemed to me play games and talk about system from around ’92 to that doing reviews would take them on the fly, is there any 2000. I did everything on it years to cover everything. (I reason for this? from pixel art on Deluxe Paint wasn’t wrong… still haven’t 3, 4 & 5, 3D art on Imagine 4, finished.) STEVE: The reason for music on Octamed, web talking on the fly while playing browsing & irc chat, to every Then I saw a channel by a was originally a technical one. type of game I could get my chap called collieuk, who was All I had to make videos with hands on. doing gameplay videos with was a camera. No capture Best gaming memories using it commentary in a very… let’s device or editing software. So are having a couple of friends say…”less than skilful” I’d just point the camera at the round for all night, beer fuelled, manner. I found this highly TV screen, play the game, and entertaining, and it talk. made me realise that if he could get It didn’t take me long to realise views making such that picking up a game I hadn’t brilliantly shoddy played in a long time (if ever), videos, then so playing it, and talking at the could I. same time was kind of tricky, and resulted in me playing TRGN: Steve very badly. Rather than put up Benway is not your with the predictable stream of real name, is there “you suck at this game” any reason you like comments, I made the shoddy you like to stay gameplay a feature of the slightly videos, and adapted my anonymous? commentary style to suit.

STEVE: Partly it’s With a bit of practice, I found I and multi-player sessions on because that’s the could actually ignore the Geoff Crammond’s F1 Grand name I’ve used, from when I camera, and speak as if I was Prix. very first got online (and a long just playing the game with a time before that, on CB radio), friend in the room. You know and people know me by it. TRGN: What was the how it is… you have a friend inspiration behind starting your round for beers, you play some own YouTube channel? Partly though, it’s also a matter games just for laughs, and you of personal security. I realise talk nonsense. That’s where it’s very easy to find my real my head is at while recording STEVE: When I started the name online, but with some of these videos. channel I had no idea what to the nut jobs I’ve encountered do with it. I’m into over the years (and I do tend I do have a capture device photography, and had bought to be rather blunt when dealing now, and editing software, so a camera that also happened with them), I try not to hand while it would be technically to shoot half decent video. So over my details on a plate. I possible for me to do just playing around with it, I put wouldn’t want random crazy something more polished, I up a few videos of my pets, people turning up at my door choose not to, just to keep that and one of me reading a kids or bugging my family online, so spontaneity that you get from a story, in a very tongue in if someone were inclined to do live commentary. Also, it’s cheek manner. that, I’d rather they at least quicker to do this way, and I’m Then just for something to do, I have to put in a little effort. lazy… lol. put up a video of my gaming I dare say that’s mostly just hardware collection, and I was paranoia, but back in the day, surprised to get a very good TRGN: Your collection of one of the first rules of chatting response… lots of views. systems is probably the on irc (and indeed, on CB biggest private collection we've

STEVE: To put it bluntly, it’s the most complete mindf**k I’ve ever experienced in a game. The combination of retro- futurist trippy graphics, the music (which I love), pulsing in time with the visuals and the controls, and the in-sync buzzing of the rumble pack… all together it pushes your head into a different place, like no other game I’ve ever ever seen, how did that start Newbrain, Tatung Einstein… I played. and are there any systems you could go on .. are still on the outlook for? Watching the videos I made of Lack of space and funds mean it, you don’t even come close STEVE : It wasn’t initially a I don’t buy new machines very to getting the full experience. conscious decision to collect, I often these days. Only when I You really have to play it. Big just didn’t get rid of my Atari find a bargain. TV, rumble pack plugged in, 600XL, Acorn Electron, or stereo speakers cranked up full. Commodore Amiga when I TRGN: Have you ever met upgraded to more modern anybody famous from the systems. Then sometime gaming industry? TRGN : You've over 5000 around ’97, I started going to subscribers now, what is the secret to your YouTubing car boot sales and found lots STEVE: I’ve stood about 5 feet success? of people were selling old 8 bit away from Jeff Minter… lol. computers and games I’ve met Darren, the editor of consoles, dirt cheap. Retro Gamer magazine, STEVE : I’d say it’s mostly though he had no idea who I hard work and persistence. Seeing these old systems kind was, and had of turned on a light in my head, the pleasure of and I remembered all the being classic computers I’d read interviewed for about (or been told about by a a (non-gaming) friend… the guy with the job by Mike ZX81), and I decided I was Mahoney, going to try and collect every founder of classic 8 bit computer I’d ever legendary heard of. This plan gradually Sheffield based expanded to include games 80s software consoles and handhelds… and developer, Alligata Software. I as the years went by, what I didn’t get the job, but I didn’t I’ve been putting out about 5 considered retro changed, and mind. videos a week, for around 5 moved beyond just 8 bit, into years, showing games on a 16, 32, 64 and even 128 bit. I’ve had an amount of variety of systems. Coupled communication with various with topical “Friday Talkies” There are lots of systems I’m coders and industry and system reviews… I’ve on the lookout for, as there are professionals in comments and covered a lot of bases over vastly more computers that I PMs and on Twitter, the most 1100 videos, to appeal to a don’t have than those that I do. notable being Stoo Cambridge fairly wide audience. Specific systems that come to of Sensible Software, who I’m mind include the Apple Bandai honoured to say is a There are people who’ve been Pippin, FM Towns, X68000, subscriber to my channel doing similar things for a TRS-80 Model 1, Super Grafx, similar amount of time, and GameMate, early blue iMac, TRGN: You're a big fan of some are significantly more Amiga 4000T, Sinclair QL, REZ, can you tell us why you successful than me, while Sam Coupe, RM Link 480Z, like it so much? some aren’t. Looking at those Camputers Lynx, Grundy people and what they do, it’s

actually quite hard to Thank you all could ever want in a good film understand or predict what will or film trilogy is here. generate success on Please support Steve's YouTube. channel by visiting and If your also an old school I think that the ability to talk to subscribing at: gamer as well as a BTTF fan, the camera without nerves is a http://www.youtube.com/u you more than likely grew up huge advantage, and a sense playing at least one bad back of humour, however quirky, ser/SteveBenway to the future game. For me it goes a long way. Maybe also was that diabolical back to the the ability to tell a story, or to Super Back to the future game on the mega expand on an idea and explore drive. Hands up if anyone got it. Or it might just be luck. Future past that stupid first level, I thought so. And for other TRGN: What would be your 3 Reviewed by Michael Smith gamers it was probably one of desert island games? these bad back to the future “So take me away, I don't game’s they grew up playing. STEVE: mind, but you'd better promise

#1 Atari Star Wars sit-down arcade cab. (If I’m ever rich, I SO want one of those). #2 Gran Turismo 5. #3(If I have broadband on the island) Battlefield 3. #3(If I don’t have broadband (cheap damned desert island)) Elite on the BBC Micro.

TRGN: Any final thoughts or messages you'd like to say to all your fans and subscribers?

STEVE: I tend not to think of my viewers as fans, coz I’m just some guy, not a celeb. What I will say though is that while I don’t know the majority me I'll be back in Time” Before tell tales epic back to of my viewers, most remaining the future episodic anonymous, those who speak The back to the future trilogy is downloadable game series, it to me in comments and PMs one of the greatest moments in has often been believed there are the coolest bunch of film history. I don’t think I ever are no good back to the future people I could possibly hope to met someone who grew up games. Well it’s kind of true meet. They’re intelligent, well watching those movies not and it kind of isn’t true. So I’m informed, helpful… and those loving them. travelling back in time to the I’ve met in person are land of the rising sun, and incredibly good company and And what’s not to like. You reviewing the longest title very enjoyable to be around. have a crazy genius scientist holder of the best back to the Doc brown, who builds a time future game, before it was I had no expectations at all machine out of all things a taken by tell tales. when I uploaded that first Delorean. And cool dude Marty collection video, all those McFly, who skateboards’, is in Super back to the future 2 years ago, but I now find a band, and has a smoking hot myself in such great company. girlfriend. And these two On first impressions this game I’m immensely grateful to all characters travel through time, looks amazing, and that epic those people who’re so get into all sorts of adventures, 16bit rendition of the main supportive, and consider and through all of this many back to the future theme tune myself an extremely lucky guy. life lessons could also be WOW, how could you not fall learnt. Basically everything you in love with the game after

it looks like a great game. But I have to be brutally honest, the game play in this game is broken, and no matter how much I play this game, the problems here aren’t going to go away, I know the 13 year old me would be screaming are you kidding this is a good game, and I wouldn’t blame him for thinking that, as the 13 year old me grew up without any decent bttf game’s. And at 27 years old when making this vid after playing this for the first time, I have to be honest I didn’t like this game. There are several reasons why this game fail’s, but if you cut to the chase and narrow it down, there are mainly 3, and the rest are just small potatoes. hearing that, but more on the basics for this entire game. So here are the 3 main music in a sec, the visuals of Think Super Mario Brothers reasons why I didn’t like this super back to the future 2 have but on a hoverboard. And that game. a very Japanese feel. And I isn’t too far of a stretch, can understand why, it was because you collect gold coins Reason 1 no check points made in Japan for a Japanese here like in Super Mario Bros. audience of back to the future And collecting these coins is This is nothing worse them fans, but at the same time key to completing this game. getting almost to the end of a liberties must be taken with the They can be used to gain more level and dying, but do you source material when you're lives and temporary know what’s worse then creating something from invincibility. dying? Having to start right at another creation, like a movie the beginning of the level. You being turned into a game, or And great scot super back to don’t do it. Most decent making a game review about a the future 2 totally takes platformers have check points, video game, so I totally get it. advantage of the amazing or keep the levels short, so if The graphics do take some sound chip in the snes. The you die, it’s no biggy starting at getting used to but first few tunes in this game are the beginning again. In this nonetheless it’s a refreshing just 16bit takes on the epic game the levels are long change of pace, with its big back to the future theme tune. enough to warrant a check bight and overly colourful And the rest of the tunes, well I point system or something too level’s, which are loosely wasn’t expecting much but that effect. Without that it just inspired on locations from back they generally surprised and makes the whole process of to the future 2. The attention entertained me, but also they dying and starting over again to detail is not only in the don’t feel out of place in the tedious. And video games are levels, but in the characters back to the future world. So if meant to be fun and too; just look at Marty McFly you’re looking to add a few challenging, and not with his big Japanese style tunes to your retro video game unnecessarily frustrating. And bobble head. music collection, you can’t go it’s a shame super back to the wrong with this game, or you future 2 doesn’t have any Super back to the future 2 has could check out my retro video check points of any kind, that an interesting take on the game music podcast wink wink alone would have gone a long platformer genre and does try you may hear a few tune’s way to helping this game, something new with it, while from this game in it. instead it just adds to its remaining as true as it can be And this is pretty much where Meany problems to the movie it is based on. my parse for this game ends. I What this game does is uses wanted to like this game so Reason 2 lack of control Marty’s hoverboard as the much, and on first impressions

When I was playing my original game boy, I found games on it tend to be from two perspectives. Either from a distance so you can see everything, but the trade off was very little detail in the main character and the world itself. Or super close up so you could see more detail in the main character and the world around him, but again the trade off was you couldn’t see very far in front of your character. And that second perspective is how super back to the future feels. On a game boy I can understand this because of the small screen size and limited resolution. But for a Super Nintendo game If order to play and hopefully your character still keeps this isn’t acceptable. I have enjoy a game you need control moving and you will end up played many Snes games over your character, or sliding off it every time, so you where you can clearly see way whatever control the game have to let go when you land in in front and still have plenty of let’s you have over it. I don’t order to stay put on the detail in the playable character mind how difficult a game is as platform. But without any and the world around him. So long as my little dude does momentum just before you I’m stunned by this in this what I tell it to when I tell it. jump, you are going to end up game. Ok maybe they wanted With this game you always feel jumping on the spot again but to put as much detail in the like you don’t have any control. this time on a platform, so you characters but at the expense Trying to explain the way a need momentum to jump off of not being able to see what’s game feel’s especially a bad the platform in a direction to try in front of you. What the one is difficult, so I will try my to reach the next one, and if developers have done is made best to put you in my shoes you manage to successfully a Snes game feel like a GB when I was playing this. First jump on to the next platform game. I wouldn’t mind if it in order to make your remember, let go of the speed wasn’t for the fact that you character move you need to up button before your land, can’t see very far in front of press the speed up button, if otherwise your going hover you. And even when I learnt you don’t press this button uncontrollably right off the the levels inside and out, and your character hardly moves, platform as you land. Now do knew a hazard was about to and it’s the same for jumping, you get it? What this game is come up, I still went smack if you jump without any trying to do is force you to into it every time. This choice momentum you just jump on juggle moving, jumping, and in the visuals doesn’t help this the spot. So for about 95% of speeding up, in order to move game in any way, and only this game you will be pretty around and progress through go’s to hinder the playing much holding down the speed the levels. While I admire this experience, and this is the final up button. You have to be game for trying something nail in the coffin. thinking, that doesn’t sound new, it doesn’t work. You just like a problem, and why don’t end up going no where, or Super back to the future 2 just you just hold it down all the dying all the time, and no isn’t for me, I really wanted to time. Well there are times matter how much you play enjoy this game, but I couldn’t where trying to do platform super back to the future, the get past the problems I had stuff is impossible if you have controls never become second when playing it. Even still I your finger on the speed up nature like they do in let’s say would recommend trying it out button, because if you jump on a Sonic or Mario game. of curiosity, because it’s an to a floating platform while interesting quirky Japanese pressing the speed up button, Reason 3 can’t see what’s in game, with an unusual take on as you land on a the platform, front of you the back to the future

franchise. And who knows you The solution is to borrow your mower which causes it to over might be able to enjoy this, neighbour's mower instead, heat, and you have to remain where as I couldn’t “Jim won't mind”, he thinks to stationery until it cools down unfortunately. himself. You see your again. character nipping next door to Rating 55% grab the fly-mo from his garage, and then it's back to Hover Bovver (C64)

Reviewed by Phil Wheatley

I thought it would be fitting to review a game written by one of our interviewees this month, Jeff Minter. Just in case his first big hit 'Attack of the Mutant Camels' wasn't original enough for you, along comes Hover Bovver.

Only a man as cool and diverse as Jeff could seriously write a game based on mowing the lawn, and make it exciting. Jeff's games are known for being frantic, and your garden. Your mower can also overheat this one is no exception. Your garden is luscious green simply by mowing too much with a nice set of flower beds. grass in one go, this mower The premise of the game is All you have to do is mow was built in the 80s after all ;-) simple, you've been nagged every patch of grass and then about the grass on your lawn the job is done. This would be If neighbour grabs your getting a bit long, so it's time to simple enough if it wasn't for mower, then that is one life get the mower out and give it a the fact that Jim has noticed lost. However, you still have once over. The problem is somebody has nicked his two other neighbours you can your mower is knackered. mower and now wants it back. 'borrow' from, Tom and Alf. This is where the frantic action begins. If you complete the garden, then there are other gardens to As you can imagine, trying to mow which get progressively mow the lawn neatly while more difficult to negotiate. your neighbour is trying to grab his mower back is not an easy If all this was not difficult task. Thankfully, you have enough, then you have further your trusty dog at hand, rover. problems, the gardener will not When you press the button on be very happy and essentially the joystick, the dog would run joins the chase to get the after the neighbour effectively mower off your hands. chasing him away, at least until you stopped pressing the For extra fun, the sound track button. is a C64 version of 'English

So, why not just keep the button pressed throughout the whole game you might ask yourself? Well, once your 'dog loyalty meter' has depleted fully, your dog stops responding to your commands and then even starts to go for you also. In fact, it attacks the

Country Garden' which is soundtrack!) depicting an into battle; Axel Sonics, a obviously well suited to the explosion in a forest (okay...?), roguish, blue haired ‘Anime’ game. before cutting to an image of youth with more than a three villainous looking anime passing resemblance to Wild This is one of those titles you characters in mid snarl. They Arms’ Rudy Roughnight can just pick up and start are eventually joined by two (surprisingly not a porn name playing and have lots of fun in the process. Don't be fooled by the subject matter of the game, it makes for a very tough challenge!

Rating: 91%

Rapid Reload (PS1)

Reviewed by Owen McCarthy

Rapid Reload was released in the very earliest days in the lifecycle of Sony’s Playstation back in 1995. Known as Gunners Heaven in its native more anime characters both although be careful if you Japan, the game was with an air of righteousness decide to Google it), or Ruka developed by Media Vision about them, they shoot the Hetfield, his female who would go on to make the screen, the words ‘Rapid counterpart who is equally as Wild Arms series of Role Reload’ appear, and then the adept in the use of exotic fire Playing Games. As a 2D side sequence is complete! And arms, grappling hooks and scrolling sprite-based ‘run n that’s about as much as you high explosives. gun’ game, Rapid Reload was get as far as exposition is lost in the mid-nineties clamour concerned. Once you’ve made your choice for 3 dimensions and the screens fades to black and polygonal graphics and After a bit of detective work (I then you’re thrown straight into subsequently sold poorly, its read the manual, reading the the action, and from then on distinctly 16bit appearance back of the case is not an your only option is to run to the was not to peoples tastes as option) you discover that a right and shoot stuff. Each they looked for the next big mythical gem known as the character has four weapons to thing. Too retro to feel current Valkiry Stone is rumoured to choose from and refreshingly and feeling instantly dated, the have been unearthed, leading these vary considerably game came too early for a two heroic treasure hunters to depending on whom you’re retro gaming boom to be its set off in search of the truth. controlling, as a result you’re saving grace. Also on the trail of the stone offered quite a different (but less concerned by the gameplay experience given Coming across like the bastard truth) are ‘a sinister gang of your choice. child of Gunstar Heroes and criminals’ known as the Metal Slug (although it has to Pumpkin Heads, and I’m lead All weapons are available to be said that Metal Slug was to believe that it’s these both characters at the start released one year after Rapid criminals who offer the and you’re free to swap Reload in 1996), or maybe challenge in the game. between the them at will, one Gunstar Heroes if it were interesting gameplay mechanic developed by SNK, the The first choice that you are is that you’re given a weapon distinctly presentation light given (the ‘customize’ menu power gauge that depletes game begins with a short allows you to reconfigure automatically so that you’re anime introduction sequence controls and not much else) is obliged to keep topping it up. (accompanied by a full on which of the two main You do this by collecting power early 90’s Rock/Synth characters you’d like to take cells (marked with a ‘P’) that

are dropped by some of your defeated enemies, if the gauge is allowed to drop to zero you’re still able to swap between weapons although each will be at its default ‘pea shooter’ setting. If you make it to any one of a stages three bosses the power gauge will stop decreasing leaving you free to fire away without fear of being left inadequately armed.

During a stage there are also power-ups available that will give your weapon full power for a limited amount of time; these cannot be conserved so it’s best to get full use out of them while you can. Weapon types vary nicely although the balance can be slightly off at powered up state and her possibility for some nicely times; Axel has at his disposal powerful but ponderous flame coordinated cooperative a standard shot as well as a weapon has a limit to its range. gameplay. flame thrower, homing weapon As I alluded to earlier there is and what the game refers to as enough variation between the Aside from your main three a ‘ground shot’ where characters to give the game a antagonists who pop up at projectiles run along the top significant amount of depth regular intervals to goad you and bottom of the route and and replayability although they about your various ricochet around the screen. each possess a smart bomb shortcomings, enemies are weapon for use varied and often inspired, in tight corners especially in the form of the and an bosses who represent one of underutilised the games real strengths. ‘Bionic Standard grunts of many Commando’ shapes and sizes flood at you style grappling from all directions, keeping you hook. Both on your toes and keeping the characters action intense, larger foes, possess a melee often of the Mech variety, attack in the represent a nice change of form of a kick, pace as you’re forced to apply the ability to your brain power and slide along the platforming skills in order to floor and the defeat them, likewise with ability to hang falling debris and gun turrets and vault up emerging from the scenery. onto platforms. You are also Bosses, of which there are able to set the firing direction usually three in each of the Each is instantly more effective although you are only able to games six highly inventive in its powered up state fire downwards whilst jumping levels, demonstrate the although the lightning ‘homing’ or hanging. creative ability of the games weapon reduces the players designers with their over-the- role to dodging enemy fire as Frustratingly, the game doesn’t top forms and imaginative the slight inconvenience of support the option for a second attack patterns, although it’s aiming is carried out for them. player which is a shame given fair to say that the first two at Ruka carries a similar arsenal that you’d expect the variation least can be defeated with a although her standard shot between the two available simple ‘crouch and fire’ tactic. changes to a spread shot in its characters to offer the

The second boss, regardless game not-quite-in-line with of its ineffectiveness, is a good Metal Slugs levels of In the end I can’t deny that the illustration of the undoubted smoothness. Aside from these game has a lot going for it, eccentricity that runs gripes the game has a lot of fans of 2D ‘run n gun’ games throughout the game with its retro graphical appeal if you will lap it up although I’m not ‘Dark Knight daubed in a allow yourself to disregard its sure that it has the genre- Union Jack whilst wielding a obvious likeness to certain busting appeal of its stable medieval Morning Star’ form. other titles, but while it’s mates… whose names shall Level design demonstrates a colourful and bold with some not be mentioned here. similarly creative touch with a nicely drawn sprites, a few wide variety of locales and extra textures here and there Rating 70% level composition, one stage in certainly wouldn’t go amiss. particular stands out when it And neither would a few takes the form of a standard animated cut scenes while I side-scrolling shooter as you come to think of it, the take to the skies in a jet pack. Japanese anime style artwork feels ready made for it. Technically the game could be more polished, while there is The game could certainly do no slow-down to speak of in with some work with its music what are often very full and sound design which screens, it does feel slightly unfortunately feels ‘phoned in’, sluggish in comparison to ‘that sound effects are an game from Treasure that it unremarkable kaleidoscope of bears a striking resemblance bleeps, squelches, whirrs and to’ from the previous character yelps and the score generation of consoles, runs the regrettable gamut controls could feel more from the aforementioned early responsive in places and the 90’s synth/rock through to animation could do with one or what at times sounds like two more frames to bring the jazz/funk.

Run Saber (SNES)

Reviewed by Peter Jones

In my mind I had always thought of Run Saber as a Strider Imitator for the Super Nintendo. However after firing up the game I found that it appears to have several influences, not just Strider. My initial reaction was that the game seems to have also been influenced by The Shinobi series.

The movements and actions of the protagonist are noticeably Strideresque. Your main using the female character. As you unleash the special moves consist of being able to Her special attack didn't seem attack your character raises attach to any surface and as impressive as her male into the air and prays Shinobi climb upwards and scale counterparts. style and bounces energy across ceilings. You can attack around the screen. This attack enemies with your saber which The game can also be played reduces the enemy’s energy looks uncannily like the as a Co-Op experience with and makes them a little easier weapon from Strider. I do not each player taking control of to defeat. believe it is much of a stretch the two characters. I was to say that the developers of unable to test this out during I did find that while the controls Run Saber were fans of the this review but can see how it are well developed they are Strider series. would be an advantage to play not without there faults. For this game with a friend. You instance I found on several Having said that to dismiss this would be able to strategize occasions that when you drop game as a Strider imitator with each other on the fly as to from a platform your character would be a mistake as it does the best plan of attack. will automatically attach to have its own identity. another surface. This can be frustrating when surrounded by The game begins with a short This is something that is sorely enemies as you can easily introduction showing a family missing in modern games. lose a health bar due to an looking out across a galaxy. Whilst online gaming can be a unwanted surface grab. This is followed by an evil fun experience there is nothing genius and then a glimpse of like playing with friends side by This doesn't happen enough to Project Saber. There is no text side for pure banter and completely annoy the player to explain the story which I interaction. but it is a small issue which must say I find quite odd. when in a tight spot can mean The controls are simple and life or death. From what is shown I assume well thought that Project Saber is a bionic through. You can or DNA based super soldier jump, slide, program. saber attack and use the flaming You begin by choosing a foot of death character, male or female the when dropping choice is yours. Having used down from both characters I found the above. There is male to be the best option. I also a special preferred his method of special attack which is attack and he just felt a lot where the more agile to me. I died quite a Shinobi influence few times when trying to play rears its head.

I am also unsure about some of the enemy types; you can find yourself defending against human opponents for the most part. However you will also encounter wasps and what look to be mini Godzilla’s which for me at least seemed a little random. I preferred to fight human enemies and what can only be described as waves of green goblins.

Of course you could say I am being a little bit picky as the enemies are a personal preference and I am sure that some gamers will not see this as a negative.

and easy to defeat. I even Overall I have to say that The graphics for Run Saber found after a couple of playing Run Saber for the first like most Super Nintendo playthroughs that I didn't need time I was left impressed. I games are very polished. to use my special Shinobi enjoyed my time with the game There is a fantastic use of powers once I had locked in on and have gone back for colour and lots of fine detail. the bosses attack patterns. I several re-plays. It is a game Stage three in particular stood did use the Shinobi powers on that can easily be dismissed out for me as the background occasion but this was mainly if as a poor man's Strider but do has a vista which looks I had low energy and didn't not let that put you off. As you positively 3D. I couldn't help want to use up a continue. scratch the surface you will think that this game would suit find that the game has a lot the 3DS as the depth that the Another big plus for Run Saber more to offer than you may hardware could lend to Stage is the music. As with the have first thought. three would look superb. majority of Super Nintendo games Run Saber has a I would recommend Run Saber Each stage has a boss and beautiful score. The music is for anyone who enjoys short sometimes even a mid level crisp, clean and very arcadey. but overall enjoyable action boss. Each boss is well drawn It has that arcade ability to platform games. It isn't a and smoothly animated. At the attract your attention from a cheap game to purchase end of stage one there is a distance. complete in box but is without fantastic boss battle which doubt worth every penny in my came out of the blue and Each stage is complemented eyes. surprised me. You are by a soundtrack that bounces presented with a fighter jet along at a great pace and Rating 85% which you must scale to keeps you in the moment. In confront the boss. particular stage two stands out as the perfect example of the As you stand atop the jet it quality of the music within the begins to rotate 360 degrees. game. This is something that needs to be seen but trust me when I There are some flaws with this say it impresses. Trying to find game though; one major one is your footing and jump around that it is just too easy and far the plane whilst fighting the too short. However whilst that boss as you rotate is quite can be seen as a flaw it is also disorientating and provides a a big plus as it leaves you nice level of strategy. wanting more and as such re- plays are a must. In general though I did find that the bosses are very simple

Mighty Morphine Power Rangers the Movie (Mega Drive)

Reviewed by Michael Smith

GO GO Power Rangers

Wow I can’t believe I was into them, kinds of makes me cringe lol. I’m surprised I am reviewing this game, it’s not one I hunted down but it was included in a bundle of loose carts I brought very cheaply on eBay. I gave this game a quick 5 minute test which turned into an hour! So I will be reviewing mighty morphine power original TV show, if you’re a but are very fast, because of rangers the movie for the Sega power ranger’s fan you’re their added speed you can mega drive / genesis going to love that, as you can chain attacks together to On the surface this looks like a play as previous members of defeat enemies faster, so it’s a below average movie tie in the power rangers and even fair trade off. Lastly, the blue game. But as soon as you control older zords in the super and black rangers, as you can hear that wicked intro music, awesome big robot vs monster probably guess are you know this is going to be showdowns. somewhere in between. better than expected. Graphically this is a strong About the characters, each of So, experiment and find what looking game with bright the power rangers play slightly type of ranger best suites you. vibrant colours, wild looking differently, the white and red You won’t find yourself getting levels and a theme that rangers tends to have the bored with the moves on offer doesn’t completely focus on strongest attacks but are as there is a fair amount to the movie licence. Most of the slower. And when playing as learn, they’re pretty simple to levels focus on events set the pink and yellow rangers pull off, and I learnt them before the movie and in the they have the weakest attacks without needing a manual. So if you’re into games like this you will be able to figure them out very quickly.

Something that lets down most beat ‘em ups is where you have to move up and down, and make sure your on the same level as the guy you’re about to attack. This game nails it as you don’t have to be at the same level to attack an enemy. This stops this game from become frustrating and becomes rewarding because you’re not punished you for being off target.

I would almost say this is a perfect game if it weren’t for one thing, the length of the levels. This is a minor flaw but the levels go on way too long to the point of out staying their

welcome. I played and timed the first level of golden axe and streets of rage and also timed the shortest level in this game which is level 3.

So here are my findings:

The first level of golden axe took about 2 minutes and 42 seconds and that was taking my time. Stage 1 in streets of rage took me about 4 minutes and 12 seconds. Now the whopper and prepare yourself, level 3 in power rangers which is the shortest level by the way took 5 minutes and 32 seconds. And that is the Second, throw your enemies it’s their loss meaning you can shortest level; some of the as much as possible, doing pick this up this up relativity other ones are close to double this inflicts the most amount of cheaply. that. damage to them, and if you throw an enemy into a group of My copy was included in a I can see how this problem other enemies, you cause as a bundle of 20 mega drive came about, as we transition whole lot of carnage. So games for 20 pounds so that from short form game-play to throwing does a lot of damage means this game cost an longer forms, what was the and should be done as much average of 1 pound, and at first thing bound to happen? as possible. that price you can’t really Games started lasting longer, complain. so we went from golden axe Third, avoid one on one which was a decent arcade attacks, don’t spend your Rating 82% game, but in the hands of a entire time attacking one seasoned gamer could be enemy because you have finished quickly. other bad guys waiting to give you a kicking. It makes more But there is a silver lining, sense to focus most of you when playing through each attacks in a way that causes stage I tried to come out with damage to more than one bad ways to get through them guy. So if you follow my advice quicker, and with that mind-set you will be able to dramatically I found it made playing this cut the time it takes to game way more fun. So if you complete each stage and played this game and had the eliminate one of this game’s same problem as me, give this flaws. game another go and follow these tips to get through each Playing this game made me lever quicker to enjoy this realise you should never judge game more. a game by the cartage label, and to give it a least 5 minutes First, take every opportunity to playing time to get a proper attack more than one enemy, flavour. Otherwise you run the reason for this is as you attack risk of passing a gem. you might as well damage as many enemies as possible; So don’t let the fact that this is this overall will shorten the a power ranger game put you time it takes to clear each off. This is an addictive 2d beat wave. An added bonus is you ‘em up with decent graphics are less likely to take damage. and one mother kick ass soundtrack. And as most people pass up on this game,

Next Issue

Next time, as well as the usual wicked retro reviews, we will be interviewing Shockz16 from YouTube and also the writer of Blitz for the Vic 20!

If you’re not already, get on the mailing list to ensure you get notified when the next issue is available at www.theretrogamesnews.com

Please share the link above with your friends by email and Facebook. You may also send them this magazine by email directly.

Happy gaming and best wishes,

Phil

Want to Advertise in The Retro Games News?

Please email me at [email protected] to discuss your proposed campaign

Help keep The Retro Games News free by donating here: http://www.theretrogamesnews.com/donate/

To view other available issue, please visit: http://www.theretrogamesnews.com/back-issues

Copyright © Phil Wheatley from The Retro Games News 2013. All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.