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 2 And of course, we have We took on board one idea reviews from more of our of TRGN which was to interview favourite retro games across YouTubers who had made a various systems, and the Firstly, thank you all for your contribution to the retro concluding article featuring the support with our début issue gaming scene. This month we SNES. last month. We had over 120 have an exclusive with Matt people subscribe on the from the Matt’s Chat channel. Editor – Phil Wheatley launch day alone. Reviewer – Pete Jones We also have an interview with Reviewer – Michael Smith We were also very pleased Ben Daglish who wrote the Reviewer – Owen McCarthy with the feedback we got, and music to The Last Ninja and you also made some great many others, a true legend suggestions to make our and a great guy too. second issue even better than before.

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 Final Fight (CD) ...... Page 3 Ben Daglish Interview...... Page 5 Suikoden II (PS1) ...... Page 7 Matt B Interview ...... Page 10 Super Mario Land...... Page 13 Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins...... Page 15 Medal of Honor (PS1)...... Page 16 Thunder Force IV (Sega Mega Drive)...... Page 18 Spacequest (PC) ...... Page 20 Laser Squad (Amiga) ...... Page 22 SNES System Review (Part 2)...... Page 23

Final Fight (CD)

Reviewed by Pete Jones

Final Fight is the story of Metro City. A once great city which has been blighted by the criminal gang known as Mad Gear. Mayor Mike Haggar wants to take back the streets but Mad Gear have other plans, they proceed to kidnap Haggar's daughter Jessica and make their demands.

Haggar, infuriated by the audacity of the Mad Gear gang calls on Jessica's boyfriend Cody for assistance. Cody, seeking revenge, confides in pipe or punching/kicking your his good friend Guy. way through blocks of ice. Final Fight became an instant Seemingly unaware that his classic following its release in friend Once you have chosen your the late 80's and was a staple Cody had been dating his high protagonist from the character of my arcade experience. school sweetheart Jessica, selection screen the action Alongside Operation Wolf and Guy is quick to lend a hand. begins. I have always played Pitfighter, Final Fight holds a as Cody as I find him to be the very special place in my With that the three heroes, most versatile and a good gaming history. Mike Haggar, Cody and Guy choice for players that enjoy a fight their way across several challenge. Capcom's ability to make a locations to clear the streets of game with simple controls, a the Mad Gear gang and save I always found that Haggar clear objective and memorable Jessica from their evil was too big, clumsy and slow. characters has been clutches. While for me Guy has always something they have become made the game far to easy. known for over the years.

If you are a gamer of a certain age and are asked to name characters from Final Fight, the usual suspects, aside from the three main protagonists, will surface. Poison, Sodom/Katana, Damnd/Thrasher and so on. A couple of my favourite characters have to be the very creative Dug or the even more inventive Two P.

When Final Fight made the transition from the arcade to the home it was a case of The game is set across 6 The main objective of the mixed results. Anyone who areas within Metro City. The gameplay is to clear the has played the Super Nintendo Slums, The Subway, West streets of the Mad Gear gang version will tell that while it is a Side, The Industrial Area, Bay and to rescue Jessica. A very solid port and a lot of fun to Area and Up Town. There are simple play style and one play, it does lack the majority also bonus rounds to break up which for me was instantly of the original game. The the action such as breaking a accessible as a child in the Industrial level is absent, Guy gang member's car with a big arcades. is no more, there is no longer a

two player option and parts of sound chip compared to the by punch. And in those really levels are missing. It was a Super Nintendo's richer audio tight spots where you are over real missed opportunity in my ability. whelmed by enemies you can eyes. hit jump and punch together to The music perform a special attack. and speech However be warned that this sampling on can reduce your health bar so the Megadrive be sure to use it sparingly. just didn't cut the mustard The action is smooth and easy compared to to sink into. Enemies attack, the beast that you fight them off until you was the Super reach a boss. Defeat the boss Nintendo's and then it's onto the next Sony sound area. It may sound a tad chip. boring but believe me when your in the thick of a fight with The visual 3 or 4 guys you don't have style of the time to be bored. Mega CD Final Fight is However here is where the Then along came the Sega fantastic, rich beautiful colours, game can also fall down Mega CD port which to this well drawn sprites, bright slightly for me. Many a time day is my favourite home detailed environments. There over the years I have found version of Final Fight. really isn't anything negative that when up against 3, 4 or that I can say about the even 5 enemies I can lose the What makes the Sega Mega graphics in this port. fight through no fault of my CD port of Final Fight so good own. The main reason for this is the simple fact that nothing So of course graphics and being that when a member of was excluded and it is very music do not make a game, Mad Gear makes contact it close to the arcade original. As we all know that without can freeze your character and well as being a near perfect gameplay all the bells and you are defenceless allowing arcade port the Mega CD gave whistles are irrelevant. Luckily others to pile in and take your the option to upgrade the Final Fight CD does not life. soundtrack, and upgrade they did. This can be frustrating The music in Final Fight CD is and can nothing short of spectacular. induce It's a nice blend of classic 90's controller guitar riffs and sampled voices. rage but it is All of which succeeds in a small immersing the player in the niggle which environment. Played through a while good set of stereo speakers stressful this really is a treat for the should not ears. put you off playing the For me as a Super Nintendo game. disappoint. The controls are fan this Sega port was a real simple but effective. Press A or One other strange thing that I kick in the teeth. Up until this C to jump and press B to have never understood, and point I had always seen the punch. Press Jump and move this can be found in other Megadrive as the inferior the d-pad in the desired system. I always felt that for scrolling beat-em-ups as well, direction and press punch to the most part the Megadrive is the ability of enemies to run perform a devastating flying graphics were very muddy away. Many a time you will find kick. that you go to attack an enemy compared to the shiny Super and they will run away and Nintendo offerings. Also I have Other options available are the hide off screen. This seems always felt that Sega fans standard stationary flying kick were let down by an average very odd to me as they are a where you press jump followed

street gang, you would think definitive home version of the around with it. Through that, I they would want to fight. arcade original and is well met Tony Crowther, who was worth a purchase. Whether already writing games for the The only real solution is too you are a beat-em-up fan or Vic20 , and had started on the turn your back and wait for the not the sheer simplicity of this C64, and was introduced to enemy to re-appear and get game makes it accessible to the burgeoning world of close enough for you to swing all. “home-brew” games. around and punch him/her in the face. It can be a little Sometimes it's just nice to be TRGN: How did the marriage tiresome having to fight this able to kick back and play a of computers and composing way but this is a minor niggle game that doesn't tax your come about for you? and not something that should brain and is just plain fun. Final deter you from playing Final Fight delivers on this promise BEN: Again, simply through Fight CD. every time and continues to Tony. He knew I was a Over the years there have entertain me to this day. musician, so asked me been several sequels to the originally to arrange some Final Fight franchise. The Rating 95% existing tunes for 3 voices – Super Nintendo was graced the Death March etc. - and with 2 excellent sequels in the Interview with Ben then asked me to come up form of Final Fight 2 and Final with something original – so I Fight 3 (Final Fight Tough in Daglish did, and never stopped. Japan). The Super Nintendo also saw the release of Final This month we had the TRGN: Considering you were Fight Guy. This was essentially pleasure of interviewing Ben in your early 20s when you the original game but with Guy Daglish, who is a true legend were having your bit hits, was taking the place of Cody. in the computer music scene. it difficult to keep your feet on He composed the music for the ground and get the work As the years have past the The Last Ninja, 720 °, done? Final Fight franchise has Gauntlett and more. Read declined with releases on the on... BEN: Not really – it was great Sega Saturn (Final Fight fun doing the trade shows etc., Revenge) and the PS2 and but to be honest, although Xbox (Final Fight Streetwise). I believe these two games should be forgotten about and don't truly represent what makes Final Fight such a fun experience.

The only sequel that can come even a little bit close to recapturing the magic of the original is Final Fight 3 on the Super Nintendo.

Final Fight 3 is a real gem of a sequel and well worth a play through despite its hefty price tag. Like the original game it mixes together fast paced action, stunning visuals and a sublime soundtrack. The only TRGN: What was your first some tunes may have been real downside for me is that exposure to video gaming and “hits”, that was for a very small the only decent character in computers in general? proportion of the population – I Final Fight 3 is Guy who as I never had the problem of said earlier can make the BEN: I “won” a BBC for my being recognised in the game a little too easy. school (to be honest, they supermarket or whatever! were throwing them at schools Overall I can hand on heart with any excuse they could TRGN: What was the actual say that Final Fight CD is the find) , so I was allowed to play process, did you get to work

freelance, whilst hits like Only Fools and Martin Galway Horses, tell us more, did he was full-time at influence your writing style? Ocean, and there was plenty BEN: I often suspect my love of work, so we of a good tune comes from a all just waited for lot of Ronnie's work – he wrote the phone to a hook like no other, and ring. I think the completely understood the only rivalry was “tricks of the trade” where a purely “bespoke” composition is professional concerned. one, in terms of quality of music TRGN: You have made a alongside the developers and cleverness of sound great career from music, creating the games, or were routines. despite advice from parents you just sent a brief and then nationwide telling their kids to you locked yourself in a room TRGN: Nowadays, there is no stay away from the Arts. What with your keyboard? limit to what music you can would your advice be to those

create on a PC, what were the wanting to pursue something BEN: Originally, the latter (and challenges of composing off the beaten track? of course, I used a computer music with only 3 channels to keyboard exclusively – I never play with? BEN: My personal advice has compose on a piano-type to be “do it”. I ditched a maths keyboard) . Later on, when I BEN: Mate – I could write an degree to become a musician, was working for Gremlin, I was essay. In fact, I'm sure I have and my two eldest look like next door to the developers, so by now, over the years. The they're headed for a career in of course I worked a lot closer challenges were exactly what with them – something I you'd imagine – I wanted an preferred really. orchestra, and had 3

sawtooth/square waves. The TRGN: How long would it take main thing it taught me was to to compose a tune for a game, rely on strength of melody and and what was a typical day arrangement, rather than like? relying on “texture”. BEN: Generally, a couple of days, depending on TRGN: Do you have any requirements. I tended to hobbies outside of music, how knock out a 3 minute tune do you kill spare time, if you once per day, so a complete have any? “suite” for a game , with SFX etc. as well, would take BEN: As a father of 3, I only roughly a week. A typical day really have time for my two consisted of rolling out of bed, main loves – programming and typing away for 8 hours, and music, both of which I'm lucky then spending the rest of the enough to do professionally, time till bed playing games :) but I dabble in all sorts of TRGN: Was there any rivalry, the Arts as well. If you have strange things at different albeit friendly with the other something to contribute, the times, from making maps of World needs it. composers, I assume you had 16th Century London through to fight for the work for the big Ultimate Frisbee to Inuit string TRGN: What’s on the horizon titles? games. I suspect I get bored for you, any projects on the go easily... :) BEN: Actually, not at all. At the or anything you would like to time, there was only really mention? TRGN: I understand you’re a myself, Rob Hubbard and fan of the late Ronnie Dave Whittaker working Hazlehurst, composer of TV

BEN: Not a lot to publicise, other than the upcoming SID80's (our games tune cover band, which includes Jon “Sensible” Hare and Mark “Madfiddler” Knight ) gig at Games Britannia in the summer – looks like it'll be a gas.

Suikoden II (PS1)

Reviewed by Owen McCarthy

Japanese Role Playing Games, or JRPGs as they’re often more conveniently town of Kyaro, a back water in His aim is to place the blame known, are not widely the Highland region of the for the massacre at the feet of acknowledged for being game world. the neighbouring state of innovative, and Suikoden II, a Jowston, thus giving him year 2000 Konami release for Riou is a wistful youth and cause to stage an invasion. the original Playstation, is not from the outset you have the Riou and Jowy survive their fall an exception. But from among sense that he has a higher but are parted in the aftermath, the quagmire of carbon copies calling, so far so conventional. they are eventually reunited in and tired creations the game Riou and his best friend Jowy their hometown but are tried as has gained itself a following Atreides, the stepson of the spies for being the only that belies its role as one wealthy Highland aristocrat survivors of the Jowston amongst many. Does the Marcel Atreides, are both attack. game deserve the fan devotion members of the Highland They are rescued by the heroic that it garners? Unicorn Youth Brigade, the Viktor and Flik, the two

cadet arm of the mercenaries who pulled Riou Highland Army. from the river and nursed him back to health but who then The storyline pressed him into service as a begins in ‘house keeper’ of sorts. It is earnest when from this slightly convoluted the Unicorn opening that the game gathers Brigade are pace, from it you can get a attacked and the sense of how the plot will hero and Jowy develop with its multiple twists are forced to run and betrayals, utilising themes for their lives, personal and political, as well You take the role of the quiet culminating in a Butch and as supernatural. ‘Hero’, as the player your first Sundance style leap from the task is to name the hero side of a gorge to a river The many stranded plot is one protagonist although for the below. Riou and Jowy are the of the strengths of Suikoden II, uninspired amongst us there is sole survivors of the attack, it demonstrates an emotional a random name generator or although they soon learn that it maturity that belies its the ability to opt for the default was orchestrated not by an attractive but slightly naïve name of ‘Riou’. Riou is a outsider but by one of their Anime art style. The gameplay standard JRPG protagonist, an own, the Highland Prince Luca will be more familiar however, orphan raised by a martial arts Blight, one of the most hated especially to JRPG veterans. master by the name of antagonists in the relatively Genkaku (a war hero from a short history of Japanese role Your main task is to travel past conflict although now playing games. throughout the game world deceased), he resides with his recruiting each of the 108 adopted sister Nanami in the Stars of Destiny, playable and

Other characters offer similar mini-games in your castle that are an appealing aside but that also contribute to the overall allure of the game, creating an interesting game world of depth and colour that is populated by similarly appealing individuals.

The gameplay itself is more steeped in convention; you will usually find yourself engaged in fairly standard turn-based combat from random encounters out in the game world or in one of the games many dungeons. non-playable characters who recruit many of the others that will eventually comprise the is one of the games many The game differs from the army of freedom fighters with draws, you’ll often be tempted norm in that you are able to which you combat the evil by the site of a recruitable select a battle party of six Luca Blight and his army of character only for them to be rather than the usual three or not-quite-so-evil henchmen unreceptive to your advances four found in most JRPGs, a and women. once you eventually get to talk wise move given the wide to them. selection of fighters at your To recruit each of the 108 disposal. As a result you are Stars you often have to Discovering what it is that you able to tailor a battle party to complete a side quest or to need to do to woo them will your own tastes with multiple have fulfilled a certain criteria become a task that the combinations of personnel such as successfully running obsessives amongst us will available to you. from 50 encounters to recruit revel in, and the urgency Stallion the Elf or having a becomes even more pressing Experimentation with combined party strength with the knowledge that how combinations becomes even statistic of 400 to recruit the game ends is ultimately at more fruitful when you Gantetsu the monk. Other stake, the game has multiple discover that certain characters will only join you endings that are dependant on characters have an affinity with much later in the game such how you perform throughout. each other allowing for ‘unite’ as Genshu the Ronin, who attacks. When combined with appears relatively early on but If you get stuck at any point in the standard attack, defend, will barely acknowledge your the recruitment process there item or Rune (How magic is presence until you have a is a character by the name of used in the game, can take the weapon at its highest level. Richmond, himself recruitable, form of spells, individual who takes the role of a private special attacks or status You are also required to have eye who you can call on to upgrades) options you’ll realise recruited at least 101 other give you a helpful nudge in the that combat has more depth characters, a level reflected in right direction. Many of his than was immediately the size of your castle as it fellow Stars will themselves apparent. grows to accommodate each offer a service for the good of of the new arrivals (You gain the cause, some being more As characters evolve and gain use of the castle as your head useful than others such as experience, battles can quarters after the completion Tessai the Blacksmith who can become particularly dynamic, of a storyline relatively early in sharpen weapons or Tony the especially with the camera the game). Gardener who will grow zooming in and out to vegetables for you but who accentuate the delivery of a Many characters will join the also has a sideline in games of deadly strike or as a character cause automatically as the Whack-a-Mole! These are performs a rune skill attack. game progresses but I think purely for the fun of it although it’s this uncertainty over how to prizes are up for grabs.

Battles are viewed from an it appeals to the collector in all isometric angle with your party What may detract from the of us and how we can tailor a arranged in a maximum of two enjoyment of the game are any play through to our own tastes rows of three in the one of the games slightly without becoming hopelessly foreground, depending on how jarring pieces of music, while lost in a myriad of dull statistics many characters you are charming at first they may and options. I’d like this to be a using, visually they have a become psychosis inducing game that everybody will play distinct aesthetic charm after the 1000th listen, and it is at least once in their lifetime; without ever being ground true to say that these particular it’s my bet that most people breaking, animation is pieces are heard in the areas will find that once isn’t enough. appealing but naïve, as are that you will spend most of magic effects. your time, your army head Oh, and one last thing, if you do decide to give it a go, do yourself a favour and save yourself a massive headache by searching the tree at the back of the dojo at the very beginning of the game, trust me….

Rating 75%

quarters for instance. It is On certain occasions the plot unfortunate because the vast will dictate that you take part in majority of the games score the other forms of combat in comprises of music that I the game; the large scale would happily listen to ‘ad tactical turn-based battles and infinitum’, music often of the one-on-one fights utilising genuine beauty and emotional a rock-paper-scissors depth. mechanic. The one-on-one fights are as you would expect, This is a minor criticism when each side chooses an action considered in relation to a and the fight plays out gameplay experience that is so accordingly. The large scale often rich and varied; you’ll battles, however, are the least learn to live with the games successful element of the other idiosyncrasies such as game, they feel under the sometimes slightly-too- developed and too much is left frequent random battles, and to chance which is frustrating when multiple play throughs given that they use the idea of reveal strands of storyline that perma-death, a character that you never knew existed, these dies in battle is gone forever gripes will be a thing of the meaning that the games best past. ending is no longer available. These battles are relatively I believe that the games status infrequent though so they don’t as cult favourite lays in its really detract from the charm and its attention to enjoyment of the game. detail, but also in the way that

Interview with Matt wouldn’t be the nerd I am today if I hadn’t played that MATT: That’s really tough. B from Matt Chat one. The favourite system is Some of the guests are very (Blacklily8 ) difficult, but I’d probably go friendly and likeable, and it’s a with the Commodore Amiga. I pleasure to get to know them. IF you have been around the was at just the right age back Jeff Williams and Peter retro gaming scene for any then to really appreciate and Oliphant are very nice and amount of time, it is very likely fall in love with the system. incredibly fun to talk to. I would you have come across Matt's The C-64 is a close second say I’m proudest of my John channels on YouTube. His and the first computer that was Romero interviews, but I did interviews with industry ever mine rather than the those very early on and hadn’t legends has really raised the family’s. worked out my technique yet— bar as to what can be done on I’m not even in them! I think YouTube if you put in the time TRGN: How did the idea of everything really came and effort. We caught up with starting your own YouTube together perfectly in my Becky Matt to find out how he channel come about, Burger series. She’s a great managed it. especially regarding storyteller, and I think we were interviewing? both very comfortable with the TRGN: What was the first interview. game you ever played and on MATT: I’ve always enjoyed TRGN: Were there any funny what system? watching documentaries on moments that came from some TV, so I figured, heck, now the of the interviews?

MATT: All the time. Josh Mandel and Al Lowe are natural comedians and there was lots of hilarity during setup as well as the interviews. Recently, just as David Fox was talking about the transcendental new age stuff in Zak McKracken, there was a weird light refraction thing going on that put natural rainbows all over his screen. That MATT: I’m not sure; I was too tech is so cheap I might as was pretty funny to little to remember much of my well see if I could try making me—or perhaps the spirits are earliest gaming. My dad would something. The earliest videos trying to communicate with hold me up and let me push are just me talking about a me? the fire button as he piloted the game and showing some of ship in arcade games like the gameplay footage. Later TRGN: You’ve got an awful lot Omega Race and Asteroids. on, as were interviewing of subscribers, what do you Later on, he had a PONG people for our documentary think the secret to your machine, then a VIC-20. I Gameplay and for various success has been, any tips for remember playing Jupiter projects, I thought—heck, why other YouTubers out there? Lander and later, on the C-64, not see if I can use SKYPE to a lot of Elite, M.U.L.E., and record a video interview with MATT: My show is notorious Monopoly. some of them. Jeff McCord for being very was the first guinea pig, and underappreciated—I think I’m TRGN: What is one of your that went so well I decided to only the one on YouTube who favourite ever games, and try some more. could have Megan Fox and what’s your favourite system? Katy Perry on the show and TRGN: Which interview was only get 300 views. Growth MATT: My favourite game of your most favourite to do, or has been very, very slow, so all time is Pool of Radiance. I one you are most proud of? the only secret to my

success—if you can call it other approach (the one I use) Activision. However, if you go that—is just to stick to it. There is to target everyone with an a little further back, to the 80s were and still are periods interest in the subject—like and 90s, you’ll be able to find where I just want to throw in you were doing a real TV people who made your the towel and give up. But, if show. Either approach is favourite games and are happy you’re getting five or six new perfectly valid, but it’s hard to chat with you about it—hell, subscribers per week, of (IMO) to try to do both on the they’re usually pleased and course that will build up over same channel. flattered that somebody like time into hundreds. TRGN: How do you decide you is interested in talking to who to interview next, and how them about their What I’m hoping for is that do you manage to get these achievements. sooner or later the right big really big names to agree to blog or tech site will take being interviewed? TRGN: Why do you think there notice of one of my interviews has been a huge interest in and drive a lot of new people MATT: I usually just listen to Retro games in the past few to the channel; hopefully some what the fans want. I ask for years? of them will decide to stick them not just to recommend around and become fans of people, but to make life easier MATT: It’s like classic rock. the show. for me by providing their People listen to classic rock At any rate, I can give new contact info as well. If a fan stations and think, man, the people advice—not just from does that, I assume he or she music in the 70s was so much me, but from what I’ve seen in REALLY wants to see the better than today’s music. It’s other channels and friends. person, so I act on it. not really. The difference is The big thing I would advise is that the classic rock station to stay away from gimmicks Getting big names is usually a doesn’t play the 90% of the and pestering people to check huge pain. Most people I music back then that sucked or out your channel. Avoid the contact never respond. was only fashionable for a little “sub for sub” type nonsense. Sometimes they respond while. They play the stuff that Just focus on creating the best positively and then won’t get has stood the test of time. In content you can and be back to me. That’s the worst. short, if you listen to classic patient. You can get a big ego pretty rock, you’re only listening to easily, and it’s pretty the cream of the crop. Modern Also, bear in mind that it takes humiliating to feel like you’re music hasn’t had that chance time to improve your content just not worth somebody’s to be filtered, so you’re just and work out the best time. You just have to see it getting whatever is popular at techniques; you can’t just like running a business and not the moment. make five videos and expect to take it personally. be a hit. It might take you over Same for classic games. Look a hundred videos before you’re Facebook is a great tool for at what’s available for really feel comfortable and finding people, since most of MAME—last time I looked, appear natural. So, above all, the talent you do recruit will there were tens of thousands be patient. I know I’ve still got have friends who are also of games. A good 95% of so, so much to learn about talented. Then you can those are utter garbage, crap making good videos, and I’ve leverage your relationship with nobody has ever heard of for been doing this for years now. the first contact to get at the good reason. The stuff people others. Once you build up a remember and still play There are two ways to large group of people you today—Donkey Kong and Ms. approach YouTube. One is to know and who respect you, it Pac-Man, for instance—have use it like a discussion forum, gets much easier. Starting off, been filtered by millions of where you’re creating videos you’d better focus on indies or people. for small (or not so small) people who truly want and If you went back in time to groups of other friends on deserve the attention and 1982, I bet most of the games YouTube, responding to “open aren’t getting it. So many people were playing and tag” videos and such. These classic game developers fit talking about were quite lame. videos will probably not this category. In short, forget It’s only the really good ones interest anyone outside of that about having Lord British and that they still play and YouTube group, but it’s a lot of Will Wright on your program, remember today. fun for the participants. The or anybody from Blizzard or

TRGN: Do you get time to play new games that come out, if so what type do you generally play?

MATT: I play lots of new games, especially if it’s an RPG or adventure game. I recently played Mass Effect 3, and am currently working my way through JULIA (an adventure) and Modern Warfare 3. I also play lots of World of Warcraft with my friend and Civilization 5 with my brother.

TRGN: Any plans for the future for your channel, either short or long term?

MATT: I plan to switch at some point to using Final Cut Pro on my Mac instead of Vegas Platinum. That’s about the biggest change on the horizon. I’m also always thinking of ways to make the visuals more interesting or anything else I can pull to get more attention on the channel.

I’ve also been thinking lately of trying to do a Kickstarter project to raise money for a full-length documentary, with a professional film crew and everything being on site. I think a documentary about Ralph Baer vs. Nolan Bushnell would be terrific, as would something on Lord British. TRGN: You got the long hair TRGN: What genre of movies and beard thing going on, are are you into and which are Please support Matt's channel you a bit of a metal head or your favourite films? by visiting and subscribing: biker? Or what??? http://www.youtube.com/u MATT: Documentaries, ser/blacklily8 MATT: I grew my head and mostly. I rarely watch movies facial hair long just to get nowadays, but have plenty of women. It worked. favorites on DVDs. Spinal Tap, Also, I tell people that if you Monty Python, Apocalypse want to be different—to stand Now, The Princess Bride, Easy out in a crowd, grow your hair Rider, Alice in Wonderland or facial hair out. You can (the old Disney one) are all always cut it at any time and favorites. The Lord of the go back to looking normal if Rings movies are amazing, you had to. You can’t say the and of course the original Star same for tattoos or body Wars movies are wonderful. piercings.

Super Mario Land (Gameboy)

Reviewed by Michael Smith

After last month’s review of the Super Mario Bros movie, to which most Mario fans would look at you strangely and say “we don’t talk about that”. I through this month I would review a Mario game. I do have a lot of nostalgia for Super Mario Land, In Christmas 92 I was given a game boy which included the phenomenal Tetris and a copy of Super Mario land and it was the best Christmas present ever.

Whenever mum and dad weren’t hogging the Game Boy to play Tetris I would be playing this game, it took me on and off a whole year to Let’s get down to business, times, otherwise you plummet beat, but completing it was one does this game still hold up straight to your doom. So be of my most satisfying gaming once you look past the prepared for the odd experiences. Super Mario nostalgia? Yes it does. undeserved death, but hey this Land was the 3rd best selling is a short and easy game so it Mario game of all time with Back in the day when I first makes up for it. 18.14 million copies sold finished this, I must of known worldwide, which also makes it this game inside and out, it’s Graphically for a first one of the best selling video secrets and hidden extra life’s. generation game boy title games of all time. This entry So 17 years later I was they're very good and the lack into the Mario series for the surprised how much of this of colour doesn’t detract from Game Boy was not the most game I remembered and it this monochrome gaming critically successful but still helped completing at age 27 a experience. The level design’s sold well because for a long breeze. are very wacky and if you look time it was the only Mario fix at other Mario games they do your could get on the move. We cant talk about this game stand out, but I imagine the

without comparing this to reason behind that was Super Mario Bro’s because this game is not set in on the NES, I found the mushroom kingdom and that Super Mario Bro the level design reflects, on the NES was well overall this adds to the games put together with charm and makes this game some of the tightest stand out in the Mario series. controls of its time, but sadly in Super It’s hard talking about this Mario land they're game and not mentioning its not as spot on as sequel Super Mario Land 2 the they are in Super 6 golden coin’s, overall it’s a Mario Bro but they more superior game that looks do come close. I amazing, and has a lot more think what let’s them depth to it and you can save down is when your progress too. Because of jumping you have to its branching open world level press forward at all design, if you get stuck in a

pretty cool and adds some diversity to this game. After the completion of stage’s 1 and 3 you get to see princess daisy and briefly for a moment a small tease of the epic ending tune rock ship ride, but just when you think you have rescued daisy she changes into a bug or fly, man don’t you just hate when that happens

So by the time you have finished the last boss your thinking “is this really daisy?” and of course it is, dare this game foul me more than twice aaa ha, after you rescue daisy, Mario and the princess get into Mario’s space ship (ok so Mario has a rocket ship now?) and fly off to the clouds with the full tune rock ship ride playing as the credits roll, this level you can’t finish, no more extra lives and you can has to be one of the greatest problem take a break and do never have to many lives. One video game tunes of all time some levels in another world of the coolest things that can and only just beaten by the and come back to it later. happen in this game is when moon stage in duck tales. you get a run on the 3x 1up’s, Even though I know this is and you end up with more lives So in conclusion technically a better game I’m than you can possibility ever still more drawn to the first use. After a few playthroughs you Super Mario Land. I’m not sure will be able to breeze through why this is, maybe it just feels And for something completely this game in less than half an more retro to me, or because I random, did anyone reading hour. So if your looking for a replayed this game so many this find it strange that when quick, very satisfying retro times as a kid that I know Mario collects the star to gaming fix you’ve come to the Super Mario Land inside and becomes invincible, that the right place. If you have a out. I feel this is missing in tune they chose to play in the Game Boy and you don’t own gaming now, to know a game background when that’s this, then get onto eBay now inside and out and to become happening is the can can. That and grab yourself a copy. And deeply attached to it, and has to be the weirdest thing as there are over 18 million replay Super Mario Land takes ever in any Mario I’ve ever copies of Super Mario Land in me back to when I was kid with played. the wild you won’t have to pay its profound familiarity. very much to get your own This is a straight up 4 level copy. A tip to help you out, always at affair, with each level having 3 the end of each level at the top stages, and at the end of the Rating 93% exit you get a chance to win a second and forth level you get fire power up, mushroom or to pilot a sub or plane which is

Ghosts 'n' Goblins (C64)

Reviewed by Phil Wheatley

Ghosts 'n Goblins is a game that many people over a certain age will remember. I first played the coin-op version in an arcade in Bournemouth (a seaside town in the UK) in 1985, it was a great experience albeit often a short one. The reason being is it was so damn hard! So I was very happy when it was released for the Commodore graveyard. As you walked Once inside the palace, you 64 a year later, a conversion through the creepy setting, you had to leap onto moving which stayed as faithful as were confronted by Zombies platforms and while trying not possible to the original. which sprang out of the ground plummet to your death below. unannounced, which you'd This was made more difficult The arcade version, created by have to shoot with your trusty by the numerous winged Capcom, was a pretty big lance. If you were lucky, you creatures which would game boasting big, colourful could pick up a knife which constantly fly at you from sprites, which unfortunately was much faster. However, random directions. was a bit too much for the you also had to be careful not Commodore 64 to handle. So to pick up the flaming torch At the other side of this level they would either have to cut which was even slower than was a haunted house which down on graphics, or cut down the lance, and far less you had to scale while keeping the number of levels, they accurate. trolls and hawks at bay. Timing chose the latter. However, you and patience was crucial to get still got the main stages; the If you managed to cross the through this stage, but also an graveyard, forest, ice palace, tricky river section, then you element of luck as the hawks moving platforms, the had to kill the Ghoul guarding appear at a level which made firebridge and the final caves. the entrance to the ice palace. them hard to shoot or jump If you managed to get this far, over. You play a suited and booted you were doing well but trickier Sir Arthur who is thrown challenges awaited you inside. Beyond this was a level that straight into the action within a can only be described as 'floating platforms’. This level was a true test of patience as one mistimed jump would result in losing one of your precious lives. It was one of those levels that required a few attempts to get right, making sure you made a mental note of where the platforms appeared from in order to complete it successfully next time.

If you managed to get through this then you had to cross a fiery bridge which for me was one of the most exciting sections of the game. You felt a real sense of danger as you tried to get across without

being singed by 10 foot flames Medal of Honor intense atmosphere of fear for leaping from the scorching your character. Despite some inferno below, not to mention (PS1) clunky controls Medal Of the usual onslaught from Honor is a pleasure to play. Its ghastly ghouls. This level also Reviewed by Peter Jones fun, exciting and full of tension. captured the essence of the original arcade version very The modern FPS space is over You control your character well with the use of large, crowded with military shooters Jimmy Patterson with only one colourful sprites. and a lack of originality. It of the analogue sticks which Once past the firebridge, you seems that publishers are can be a little jarring at first. made your way into the final happy to throw money at the With modern FPS games cave which you had to battle next big generic shooter for a allowing the left stick to guide quick profit with little thought the character and the right for the genre itself (I’m looking stick to adjust the camera, the at you Killzone 3). lack of camera control in this game came seem quite Going back to the original strange. Medal Of Honor re-ignites my However once you become passion for the first person comfortable with the control through and finally confront the demon before holding your beloved captured. Even though you didn't have to pay for each game on the C64, it took a serious amount of practice to get this far, in fact, it took me years!

The game came complete with some eerie music throughout written by Mark Cooksey, who later went on to write music for the Gameboy, SNES and PC. In contrast, there is a light hearted ditty in the high-score section before heading straight back into the action of your next bout. This game continues to live on in the form of portable consoles and mobile phones and is still very playable and challenging to this day. shooter, there’s nothing quite method, which to be honest In the unlikely event that this like shooting a Nazi in the doesn't take too long, you will game isn't challenging enough face. Medal Of Honor was a be melon popping Nazi's left, for you, then check out its breath of fresh air when right and centre. sequel Ghouls 'n' Ghosts, a released in 1999.What made it game so tough, it has the stand out for me was the use There's a good balance of ability to turn the brains of of audio. The atmosphere that action and stealth, a nice mere mortals into mush. Dreamworks Interactive selection of weapons and a created is apparent from the pretty decent storyline which is Rating: 96% outset and impresses to this well presented both in text and day. video. The videos that set up each mission are a really nice The sound of Nazi soldier’s touch and give you a sense of conversations, crickets and what is at stake. Nazi dogs all help create an

Each video sets up the next mission with historical footage from WW2 which helps the player become more involved in the storyline while also learning about the real events.

Medal Of Honor was followed by a fantastic sequel Medal Of Honor Underground. Underground didn't stray too far from the original and you could say that Dreamworks played it safe. However this is no bad thing as just like the original game Underground delivers on all fronts.

Honor, publishers EA have competition. Dreamworks provided a great fought hard against Activision platform for the WW II shooter to become something very and their Call Of Duty The original remains a shining special. However over the franchise. beacon in the ever darkening Call Of Duty 2 aside I have to landscape of the First Person years there have been some say that as a military FPS fan I Shooter genre. some bumps in the Medal Of have actually enjoyed Airborne Honor road such as Frontline and Rising Sun. and the 2010 Medal Of Honor If you have never played the reboot much more than the original Medal Of Honor I urge This led to Call Of Duty gung ho action of the you to fire up the PS1 and subsequent Call Of Duty strap on your Thompson. stealing Medal Of Honor's games. crown and becoming the Rating 91% military shooter of choice for the majority of gamers to this I believe that the Medal Of day. Honor series has begun to turn the corner. With Medal Of Honor Warfighter due for With the release of two new release later this year I am titles on current gen formats, hopeful that the series will Medal Of Honor Airborne and the 2010 Modern Military re- continue to grow and boot simply titled Medal Of eventually conquer the

Thunder Force IV (Sega Mega Drive)

Reviewed by Owen McCarthy

Thunder Force IV, or Lightening Force if you’re on the far side of the Atlantic, is a video game of the ‘shoot em up’ persuasion. ‘Shoot em ups’, also known as ‘Shooters’ or ‘shmups’ by the youth of today (As an aside I shall try to refrain from using the modern vernacular for the duration of the review and only refer to them by their full title; Shoot the name of freedom, and the order in which you tackle them Ups. As we’re on the what can I say, it works! the first four levels. The subject, why aren’t Beat Em weapon system is all about Ups given the same treatment A classic horizontally scrolling choice too, as you collect and referred to as Bmups, or Shoot them Up, the game power-ups you’re free to Beaters for that matter? And tweaks the formula slightly by switch between the weapon who was it who coined the creating a playing field that types (of which there are 5; term ‘shoot em up’ anyway? extends beyond the top and Blade, Rail Gun, Snake, Free bottom of the screen, giving Way and Hunter) although it is My mate Terry from down the you a larger area in which to usually necessity rather than pub reckons it was him but manoeuvre ‘Trevor’, allowing taste that dictates which one then he also reckons that he for more vertical movement. you use. There are also invented Chicken Nuggets.) This lends Thunder Force IV a ‘options’ to collect what the can be traced back to the distinctive air in that it affords game refers to as ‘Claw’, these dawn of time when video you options of how to tackle a revolve around your ship games were simple beasts that level, enemies often vary giving you a greater rate of could be controlled with a depending on where you place fire. button press or three. Thunder yourself and there are Force IV continues in that sometimes multiple routes to Your ship and ‘Claw’ are same simple vein albeit with take, especially on later levels. upgraded after the fifth level sparkling 16bit graphics and a Indeed, the game is never shy giving you the use of the most face melting rock soundtrack. of offering the player an option powerful weapon in the game, of how to play, the first being the ‘Thunder Sword’(!), the Developed by Technosoft and released for European consumption in December of ’92, Thunder Force IV is the fourth game in the series, as the name would suggest. In it you control the FIRE LEO-04 Rynex, or ‘Trevor’ as it is affectionately known, a fighter developed by the Galaxy Federation to combat the resurgent threat of the evil ORN Empire and their Vios army. As with most Shoot them Ups, plot is of secondary importance and only really there to motivate the player to commit mass Alien genocide in

upgrade is revealed in one of one of the few PAL games to you call that, and I’m always the coolest cut scenes in video be properly optimised to suit left with a feeling that I game history, all played out to the refresh rate on European could’ve done better. a stunning rock guitar riff. I say televisions. On certain occasions it almost feels like the game takes pity on you when you’re performing particularly poorly though, bosses appear to take less damage when you’ve only got the default pea-shooter to your name, that’s not to say that I recommend a tactical withdrawal because weapon conservation will be key come the later levels, take a hit whilst using your favourite weapon and that’s it until another power-up comes along. For anybody with the constitution of a gnat there are multiple in-built cheats it with pride that the resultant available to help you through effect has me punching the air This graphical excellence is trying times. and whooping with excitement, most evident on the early indeed. You are also able to ‘Strite’ level that culminates in “Thunder Force IV is the best choose the speed of your ship a boss battle that is both epic Shoot them Up on the PAL which can be adjusted at any and conducted at something Mega Drive, that is beyond all point during play, I like to have approaching hyper speed. doubt, it demonstrates a level mine turned up to 11 at all Each Boss battle is fought to of sophistication that it’s genre times….. its own high quality a rock brethren can only aspire to. soundtrack and similar audio Call them what you want, if Graphically, the game excels standards can be found shmups are your sort of game although at times it’s evident elsewhere; the game even (or even if they’re not) and you that the Mega Drive is being tries its hand at some have a Mega Drive, you owe it rudimentary to all that is good in this world voice to have Thunder Force IV in synthesizing, your collection!” – Trevor. which, while

not wholly Rating 90% successful in

itself, does add to the 16bit charm of the game.

As with the majority of Shoot them pushed to its limits with the Ups, Thunder odd piece of slowdown. These Force IV cannot strictly be said are rare occasions though and to be an easy game, and if never game breakers and are anybody says that they beat it more than made up for by the in an afternoon they’re games overall aesthetically probably lying. However, it excellent standards. Deep does have a smooth difficulty textures and parallax scrolling curve to the point where I feel are all evident and, minor like I’ve failed rather than the slowdown aside, the game game has beaten me when moves smoothly and at an I’ve plowed through my final admirable speed due to being credit, ‘harsh but fair’ I think

Spacequest (PC) was yesterday and some my different for any other recollection is a little fuzzy. adventure game out there for The latter was what inspired its time. Reviewed by Michael Smith this review of Space Quest, as it was a chance to refresh my You play as Roger Wilco Before there was the Mass memory and relive this point space janitor extraordinaire, Effect series there was (Drum and click adventure classic. (cough cough) if truth be told Roll Please) SPACE QUEST. Really we are comparing Mass But I didn’t just jump right into Effect to space quest now! Ok, this game, I had to prepare. at least people won’t be First I had to find a way to play complaining about how this this game, after looking at a review ends compared to few site’s I found one that mass effect 3’s ending; O man specialized in digitally I’m still bummed out about repackaging classic games in that. a cheap and accessible way so that modern computer So to ease the pain I thought I users like myself could play would revisit this classic Space them, gog.com fitted the bill. Roger is lazy and if it wasn’t Quest for the fact you’re on a space If you’re into classic gaming ship half way across the When I was about 16 years old but don't want the fuss of galaxy he would have been I brought a game on a whim, compatibility issues then check fired long ago. Spacequest the curse of Monkey Island, them out. And second I had to starts with Roger emerging not knowing what to expect I get into the right mindset to from the boom closet after one popped the first cd of 2 into our fully appreciate this classic, So of his famous on-shift naps. family computer's disk drive, I wasn’t expecting any over the Our hero finds the space ship and I was transported into top fancy graphics or voice Arcada over run with nasty aliens, the Sariens. These aliens are after a device called the star generator, which can turn a dead planet into a new sun, khaaaaaan! lol that plot was so taken out of star trek II the wrath of khan, best star trek movie ever in my opinion. In the wrong hands the start generator could also destroy a populated world.

So Roger escapes the space ship and crash lands his escape craft on the planet Kerona, and so his adventure to stop the evil Sariens begins. another world of adventure overs, just raw unadulterated Story wise this game is mainly and humour. I was so taken by adventure gaming. Once I was a spoof of star trek and star this game it started my love in this mind set I was ready to wars with many references to affair with the point and click proceed. them made throughout this adventure genre. Over the game. This is evident in the next few years I played as Before Spacequest, most intro which is a take on the star many point and click games I adventure games were very wars theme tune with just a could get my hands on. serious and tended to be set in hint of the airwolf TV theme medieval times. Spacequest tune but I might be alone in Beneath a steel sky, Broken bucked this trend by having that thinking.. Spacequest sword, the first 2 monkey this game set in the future, and pays homage to the sci-fi of its island games, grim fandango, further more it was a funny time with of course having a blade runner, the list could go game to play. So you can few laughs in the process. on. Some of these games I imagine why this game series remember playing them like it was a success, because it was

One of the biggest laughing points is when your character dies and when I say die I mean your character dies a lot. In trying to make a challenging game you're forced to play to fail, and fail a lot. This makes you get up and try again and again and as frustrating as this is, it’s what drives players to keep playing.

To make Spacequest different they introduce amusing deaths, basically the creators thought that if your character is going to die a lot, you might as well get some laughs out of it. passed having to type games that pioneered this And in turn not only did this commands to interact with the genre, then strap on your work, it also encouraged game world, it’s still a fun rocket boots and fly off to players to try and find as many game. gog.com to download yourself ways to kill Roger Wilco as a copy. possible. The creators, without One of the things that helped even knowing, had added a me to enjoy this game more Rating 87% wacky replay element to was using a guide, it served Spacequest that gave players the purpose of helping when I a reason to replay this game to got stuck, but also in working find all the ways you could kill out how to word each your character. command correctly. This game could easily be finished in an Gameplay wise this is a text evening but that doesn’t make based adventure, the kind of it any less fun to play. game you could expect before the advent of pointing and Overall I found myself enjoying clicking. I’m not the biggest fan this game all over again, it did of this style of adventure game take a few moments to get where you have to type things back into the groove in playing like, “look at man”, “take key an adventure game of this card”, “look at screen”. type. If you're fan of these However, I do understand that games or into pre point and games like this were common click adventure games and for its time and if you can look want to play some of the

Laser Squad a laser beam at the the viewer, become apparent that this which then became the wasn't where the strength of (Amiga) backdrop for the title screen the game lies. The first accompanied by a funky, mission was to infiltrate a Reviewed by Phil Wheatley slightly futuristic sound track. weapons factory being run by Sterner Regnix, who had been Laser Squad, while not being a While I had never been using illegal methods to get the household name, certainly particularly interested in most from his workers. The gained a certain amount of strategy games (largely primary objective was simple, recognition as one of the first because I'm not very good at to assassinate him using your turned based strategy games. them), there was something squad while avoiding (or killing) his patrol droids along the way. Your first concern is where to position each of your squad members before the first turn begins. It is fair to say that the whole game ahead could be won or lost on this initial stage alone. Once you have chosen your positions, the action begins.

The skill in the game comes from deciding on each turn whether to move each squad member or whether to shoot, so you need to decide whether it is more important to use that turn to move in to a better position for next time, or to take out one of the droids. It's very much like a modern game The game was designed by inviting and interesting about of chess. Julian Gallop and was this one. When you start the published by Blade Software. level, you were presented with As mentioned previously, I'm a splash screen for the level, not skilled in strategy games, Although it was originally along with a description of the but this game was very released for the ZX Spectrum, mission ahead. accessible and allowed you to the Commodore 64 and the slowly build up your Amstrad CPC, it was the later Initially when starting the level, experience, giving it that 'one Amiga, Atari ST and PC the graphics didn't seem overly more go' factor. Once you versions that caught the impressive, but it would soon completed the level, it gave limelight.

Interestingly enough, the 8 bit versions later spawned an expansion pack, which was quite a rare occurrence in those days, which showed just how popular the game had become in certain circles. The original came with 5 missions, but the expansion pack added two further missions breathing new life into the game.

The game had a nice intro sequence which had a warrior looking around before shooting

into the Mario universe. 96 levels of sheer enjoyment that’s what Super Mario World is all about. Simplistic platforming coupled with catchy tunes and frustrating boss battles which keep you coming back for one more try. That has always been the genius of Mario for me, that one more go feel, no matter how many times you fall down a hole your determined to go back and try again.

Next we have one of my all time favourite games for any system and that is Super Mario Kart. A really simple kart racing game which again has you a sense of achievement want to take a look at X-Com that simplistic gameplay but and made you look forward to and Laser Squad Nemesis ultimately is just plain fun. The the next level. which were clearly influenced use of the Super Nintendo's by this game. fantastic Mode 7 to rotate each Each level was essentially a course really makes this game 'seek and destroy' mission or Rating 92% shine. All the Mario characters in some cases, more of a are playable, Mario, Luigi, rescue mission. Each time the SNES System Yoshi,Princess, Toad, Bowser difficulty of the layout and the and Koopa providing different enemies getting more and Review (Part 2) advantages in terms of speed more challenging. The second and control. For me its always been about Koopa as he has level transported you to a Reviewed by Peter Jones great grip and takes corners moonbase where you had to perfectly and he’s a cool little destroy databases holding When asked to list my dude to boot. sensitive information on favourite Super Nintendo titles billions of life-systems I’ve always found it a difficult The one thing that has always spanning the universe. task as there is so much stood out for me is the Battle choice and there are still plenty Mode. Essentially a 2 player Other missions included that I have not had the chance mode where each player has 3 rescuing prisoners from mines, to experience. Having said that balloons attached to their kart. defending a rebel station from here are some of the classics The objective is to take out the invasion and retrieving that everyone is aware of and balloons on your opponents devices holding vital the reasons why they show the kart using Mario power ups, information. true power of the Super shells (red and green), This is a game which has Nintendo. invincibility (yellow star) etc. lasting appeal, as no level would ever be played the Starting at the beginning we same twice. The Amiga was have Super Mario World, the the only version I played, but I 4th in the series and easily a think this game would play contender for the greatest equally well on the 8-bit Mario game ever created. The machines as the game doesn't 16bit graphics really shine for rely on graphics. this launch title showing exactly what the system is all Even if strategy games are not about. your thing, this is well worth trying as it has a steady The introduction of Yoshi learning curve, and is opens up new gameplay satisfying to play. For those experience's and introduces a who like this game, you may fresh exciting new character

This simple gameplay different can be a good thing time my skills improved and I mechanic was so effective and can add spice to a series. was able to beat the game when the game was released without using a credit which I and still is to this day. Out of all the games released was pretty chuffed about. on the Super Nintendo one title In essence this was the stands out as that must have Street Fighter 2 has without equivalent of today's multi- killer app, that game is of doubt stood the test of time player experience. I’ve spent course the Capcom giant and to this day still looks, many hours with friends just Street Fighter 2. When Street sounds and plays perfectly. playing battle mode. For me no Fighter 2 hit the Super We may now have Street other version of Mario Kart has Nintendo in 1992 it made a Fighter 4 but for me there is no come close to capturing the huge impact on the home comparison to Street Fighter 2 magic that the Super Nintendo console market. It was without on the Super Nintendo. I can't version offers. doubt the biggest release of help but smile everytime I hear As time went by Nintendo the time and the game that the voice over guy say “Ja- decided to give Super Mario made the Super Nintendo an pannn”. Bros, Super Mario Bros 2 and essential purchase. Super Mario Bros 3 a 16 bit What makes Street Fighter 2 update and released all three I still remember before the an instant classic is the titles plus Super Mario Bros release of Street Fighter 2 I accessibility of the game, it The Lost Levels all on one was on my way to Wales for a was open to everyone, button shiny cartridge called Super family holiday with my cousin mashers and skilled players Mario Allstars. This was a Roy and our parents. We had alike. Whichever play style you genius move by Nintendo as it a copy of Computer & Video chose you always had a worked two fold by introducing Games magazine to keep us chance unlike some fighters of the classic Mario titles to a company on the long journey. I the time. From the iconic new generation of console always remember seeing a 2 characters to the sublime gamers such as myself and for page spread in Computer & memorable soundtracks for anyone who had previously Video games showing the each fighters stage to the owned the Nintendo screen shots of Street Fighter unforgettable special moves, Entertainment System they 2 on the Super Nintendo and Street Fighter 2 is an icon of its could now buy all three games being shocked. This was true era and is always best played on one cart with improved arcade gaming in the living on the Super Nintendo. visuals and sound. room something which I had began to believe wasn't going Street Fighter 2 was ported to You also got the bonus of to happen anytime soon. several different consoles and Super Mario Bros The Lost computers, however for me the Levels which was essentially I didn't get to play Street Super Nintendo will always be Super Mario Bros 2 from Fighter 2 until a long time after the number one choice. The Japan as this had not been that holiday when my friend Amiga version was shockingly previously released as it was Brian bought an import US bad with no scrolling considered too difficult for copy from a computer show at backgrounds and very limited western audiences. Instead the Motorcycle Museum in graphics. The Megadrive the game that we received as Birmingham. I still remember version looks visually Super Mario Bros 2 was in fact standing outside with him as appealing but is let down by its a non Mario game that had he clutched the game in his appalling speech and the fact been re-skinned with the Mario hands and we both couldn't that you need to own a 6 characters and is therefore wait to get home and play it. button joypad to get the most substantially different to all Later that day I went over to from the game. other Super Mario Bros titles in Brian’s and he had some the series. friends over and there was a At the end of the Super winner stays on battle ensuing Nintendo's life cycle Rare For a lot of gamers Super on his Super Nintendo and a produced one of the most Mario Bros 2 was the weakest 21” CRT TV. iconic and visually stunning in the series due to it not being games for the system. That a “proper” Super Mario Bros Just seeing the game in action game was Donkey Kong game. I for one thoroughly was enough but getting to Country. An extremely enjoyed Super Mario Bros 2 actually play was something challenging and yet fun and enjoyed the fresh take on else. I sucked terribly to begin platformer based around the the series. Sometimes being with of course, however over classic character of Donkey

Kong. In Donkey Kong Country controller and the near arcade you play as Donkey Kong who perfect ports of games such as is accompanied by his good Street Fighter & Mortal friend Diddy Kong. The aim of Kombat. The Super Nintendo the game like any platformer is is a timeless piece of gaming to jump from platform to history and always shines as platform, kill enemies and the best system Nintendo has collect bananas for points and produced and for me the best extra lives. This simplistic system that the industry has approach to gameplay is produced so far. something that is drastically missing in modern gaming and is what has always provided that “one more try” factor.

During the game you can switch between Donkey and Diddy at the press of a button which can be helpful as Diddy is lighter and a lot more agile than Donkey. The game provides a serious challenge for even the hardened of gamers but you can't help but keep trying until you make it through to the end. Donkey Kong Country like the majority of Super Nintendo games has an amazing soundtrack, some of the most iconic music you will ever hear in a videogame. Games like Donkey Kong Country show why videogames should be considered as art. At the time it was believed the game was running on the upcoming Nintendo 64 or as it was called in its prototype stages the Ultra 64. It came as quite a shock to find out that it was running on the Super Nintendo as the graphics looked positively next gen.

Overall the Super Nintendo is a juggernaut of videogame perfection. From the fantastic graphics to the superb Sony sound chip to the extensive catalogue of grade A titles. To this day the Super Nintendo is played by gamers world wide and is still considered to be one of the greatest consoles ever designed. For me it is the ultimate videogame system for several reasons, the shiny 16 bit graphics, the unforgettable in game music, the perfect

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