MegaMan Anniversary Collection

Sony PlayStation (PSX)

Final Fantasy Chronicles
Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy IX

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Blaster Master

Every true fan of vintage video games remembers this epic tale about a young boy's search for his pet frog. Blaster Master is generally remembered for its two different methods of playing. One approach is very similar to a Metroid game, in which you guide a tank through a non-linear side-scrolling world. The other allows you to control your hero, Jason, through overhead mazes, not unlike a Zelda game. And, of course, there are tons of power-ups that you can get for your tank that vary the gameplay quite a bit.

Unfortunately, the game has a number of glaring flaws. First of all, the lack of a save system may cause casual gamers to step away from this one. This game is long. On average, it takes at least two hours to complete (and that's after you've figured everything out.) Next, there are areas in the game that, if you're not careful, you can actually get STUCK. The only way to get out is by killing yourself, and considering there are a limited number of continues, that's quite a big loss. Finally, I have an issue with the controls towards the end of the game. After completing Area 7, you gain the ability to walk on walls. This is a genius concept, but it is also a bit too sensitive to control. There have been too many times when I tried to jump off a platform only to end up going off the side and underneath it. This can be EXTREMELY frustrating, especially since the final area in the game requires you to make tiny, precise jumps.

Aside from these flaws, Blaster Master is one of the most unique action/adventure games on the system. If you have some time to set aside, be sure to play this classic gem.

RATING: 8/10

Castlevania

Even though the Castlevania series has spawned at least a dozen titles, the original still remains one of the best. As legendary vampire hunter Simon Belmont, you must make your way through Dracula's castle to fight the big man himself.

There are a total of six stages, each one a little bit more challenging than the last. Castlevania's overall dark tone can be attributed to its beautiful visuals. The backdrops are rich with detail, and the animation is very fluent. Likewise, Castlevania's music fits perfectly with the game's gothic atmosphere.

I only have two gripes with the game. First of all, Simon can't change directions in mid-air. Although this makes the game's physics much more realistic, it can result in q lot of cheap deaths if you're not careful. Furthermore, getting hit by an eneny causes Simon to jump a mile, which also results in even more useless deaths.

My gripes aside, Castlevania is an NES classic that shouldn't be missed.

RATING: 8/10

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

The legendary vampire hunter is back! This time around, however, Simon Belmont is exploring the vast land of Transylvania rather than Dracula's Castle.

Castlevania II plays very similar to a Zelda game. You explore a huge world, gain powerups, conquer dungeons, visit towns, etc. As usual, the graphics are fantastic, although much of the scenery is the same throughout the entire game. This makes it very difficult to tell areas apart from one another. As always, the gloomy atmosphere is brought to life by the game's incredible soundtrack. Just listen to the overworld theme ("Bloody Tears") and you'll see what I mean.

Unfortunately, the two problems I had with the first game remain (the one-wayjumping and getting thrown by enemies). Furthermore, the game's overall lack of direction will more than likely lead many players to confusion.

If you have the time for a game which requires high amounts of exploration, you can't go wrong with Castlevania II.

RATING: 8/10

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

Okay, Simon's not here this time around, but never fear - his ancestor Trevor Belmont is the hero in this game. Many players consider Castlevania III the best of the NES games, but I beg to differ.

There's definitely a lot to like about this game. For starters, it reverts back to the more traditional, level-by-level approach that was introduced in the first game. There are also three different paths you can take to get to Dracula. Finally, there are three other playable characters that can help Trevor on his quest: Grant, a short man who can climb walls; Alucard, the son of Dracula who has the ability to turn into a bat; and Syfia, who can use a powerful fire spell.

These additions are great, but the game still suffers from the same problems that have been around since the beginning. The enemy knock back is even more apparent in this game because there are now areas which scroll upward. One hit, and you will fall to your death 80% of the time. Playing as Grant fixes the "one-way" jumping issue, but I always found it his wall-climbing move a bit flimsy (I usually end up falling off for no apparent reason). The helpers also have low defense power, so you'll probably end up using Trevor most of the time anyway. Switching between characters is pathetically slow. Call me impatient, but nothing is more annoying than having to wait five seconds just to use a character for one task.

Don't get me wrong - Castlevania III is still a great game,, but its unnecessary frustration makes it less enjoyable than the first two games in the series.

RATING: 7.5/10

Kid Icarus

Kid Icarus definitely gets an "A" for effort in my book. Considering the game was released in 1986, it has quite a lot to offer in terms of gameplay.

There are several different types of stages, including side-scrolling, upward-scrolling, and Zelda-like mazes. There's even a classic shooter stage, similar to what you might find in a Gradius game. Furthermore, the game contains RPG elements such as power and weapon upgrades, hidden items, and so on. To top it all off, this was one of the first games based on elements of Greek Mythology.

So, the ideas are definitely there, but unfortunately its execution could have been done better. For example, the upward scrolling is a bit flakey. At times, the screen will scroll further than you want it to. The controls are also somewhat mediocre. All the moves are easy to perform, but there are times when the controls are simply unresponsive. What really bugs me is when I press down to duck from an enemy, only to fall through the platform I'm standing on.

To be fair, problems like this are expected in older games, but its kind of hard to excuse a death which was caused by good intentions. Another problem is the uneven challenge. The first world is incredibly challenging, but the rest of the game (with the exception stage 3-4) is only moderately hard. On a positive note, the visuals are kept clean and simple, and the soundtrack is about as good as it gets for the time.

Kid Icarus is a noble effort by Nintendo, and if you can get past the game's annoyances, there is a very enjoyable platformer to be played.

RATING: 6.5/10

Little Samson

As most of you may know, I'm a sucker for side-scrollers. That's why when I was introduced to Little Samson a few years ago, I was hooked.

The game plays very much like a MegaMan game, with the exception of being able to choose one of four characters. By pressing start at anytime, you can choose between one of the following characters: Samson, the game's protaganist who can throw rocks and climb walls; the Dragon, who can shoot charged fireballs and perform glides (Princess Toadstool anyone?); the Golem, who is slow and bulky but incredibly powerful; and the Mouse, who can squeeze through narrow passageways and run faster than Sonic himself (well not quite, but close enough).

The overall strategy behind the game is remarkably similar to a MegaMan game. Learning which characters to use at which point becomes a vital part of the game. In a way, it reminded me of learning which weapons to use in a MegaMan game. Highly recomended!

RATING: 8/10

Metal Storm

Metal Storm is not your average NES action game. Sure, you'll get your fair share of basic platforming, but Metal Storm takes it to the next level with its imfamous gravity flip. By holding up on the d-pad while jumping, your player will fly to the top of the screen and hang upside down, allowing you to control him while he defies the laws of gravity (who's dancing on the ceiling now, Lionel Richie?)

Luckily, the gravity flip feels surprisingly natural, and getting the hang of it only takes a matter of seconds. As expected, most of the stellar level design revolves around performing the gravity flip. Ocassionally, you'll lose a life by accidentally flipping into an enemy or a trap, but most of these deaths can be avoided with patience.

Metal Storm's single-hit death system can be extremely frustrating, but it's softened with various shields and powerups. The graphics are as good as it gets for an 8-bit game. The sprite animation, in particular, is perhaps the most fluent on the system. The use of parallax scrolling is also a nice addition, but the moving backgrounds can be quite distracting from the actual gameplay.

It may seem like just another side-scroller, but Metal Storm's gravity flip makes it one of the more memorable platformers on the system.

RATING: 7.5/10

Ninja Gaiden

Although nothing will ever top Contra, Ninja Gaiden still remains one of the best action games on the NES.

Many people believe that the beauty of Ninja Gaiden lies within its intricate plot. Indeed, the cinematic cutscenes were revolutionary at the time, but I always felt that the gameplay was what made Ninja Gaiden really shine. The concept of the game - guiding your character to the end of a stage - is obviously nothing new. Yet what makes this game unique is its superior blend of non-stop action and quick strategy. It also features some of the best enemy placement I have ever seen. Don't believe me? Just play through stage 6-2 and you'll see what I mean.

Ninja Gaiden is obviously not without its faults (e.g. cheap deaths, ocassional hit detection problems, having to start all the way at the beginning of stage 6 if you lose to one of the final bosses...grr...), but the addictivness outweighs the frustration.

RATING: 8/10

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Chrono Trigger

Chrono Trigger is the story about a teenaged boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Eventually, he finds himself racing back and forth through time periods, meeting some unique friends along the way.

No, Chrono Trigger's storyline is nothing monumental, nor is it as epic as say, a Final Fantasy game. However, what distinguishes the game from any other RPG is the fun factor. Chrono Trigger is perhaps one of the least frustrating RPGs I have ever played. It doesn't suffer from cheap enemies, or bosses that require hours of level-building to defeat. Furthermore, the game's visuals are among the finest on the system, and the music is breathtaking as well. The game also features multiple endings (and other extra features if you're playing the watered down PSX version).

If you haven't had the opportunity to play Chrono Trigger, you're missing out on one hell of a game.

RATING: 9.5/10

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

The first Donkey Kong Country game is often critisized for being nothing more than "eye-candy." I have mixed feelings about that statement. Sure, the game was simple, but it didn't do anything wrong, per se. The sequel, however, is proof that a game can look good AND have great gameplay.

To put simply - DKC2 is a platforming masterpiece. It expands upon the concepts introduced in the first game to create what I feel is the pinnacle of 2D platformers. Perhaps the biggest improvement here is the challenge. The learning curve is phenomenal. It starts off rather easy, but by the end of the game you'll be lucky if you can make it through a stage on your first try. The level design is amazing as well. It's obvious that Rare put a lot of time into the placement of each particular enemy, item, and secret.

The stages themselves are perhaps the most varied in any game. One stage has you riding at fast speeds on a roller coaster, while another has you carefully maneuvering a parrot through bee-infested honeycombs. Finally, the music is gorgeous. Each track brings out the atmosphere of each stage perfectly.

DKC2 is perhaps the last great platformer to be released on a 16-bit system. If you have yet to experience this masterpiece, what are you waiting for?

RATING: 9/10

Final Fantasy III (VI Japan)

A few years back, I caused a major internet controversy when I gave FF6 a score of 6.5/10. Indeed, that may have been a bit harsh, but I still feel that this game is not as good as it could have been.

Although the storyline is phenomenal, much of the gameplay is hindered by its atrocious random encounter rate. There were times when I forgot where I was going in a dungeon simply because I was fighting enemies every three steps. Furthemore, running from a battle is a nightmare, as each character exits one at a time.

Allowing every character to learn every single spell really killed the idea of having a balanced team. Think about it - if all the characters are able to cast the strongest spell in the game, where's the variation in battles?

Despite these shortcomings, FF6 is a worthy entry to the series. It has a lot to offer, including a memorable cast of characters, beautiful music, and a diverse world to explore. However, it is still a far cry from the greatest game ever made.

RATING: 7.5/10

Sparkster

Ah, another overlooked 16-bit gem. There's no doubt about it - Konami knows how to make one hell of a platformer. Sparkster doesn't exactly offer anything new to the genre, but it also doesn't do anything wrong.

In this sequel to Rocket Knight Adventures (released on Genesis in 1993), you guide Sparkster the wallaby through 8 stages of classic Konami action. Most of the stages are side-scrolling, but one has our hero flying through space in a setting that is similar to Life Force. Sparkster can shoot beams from his sword, rolling into enemies, and even charge up his jet pack and shoot himself across the screen.

The game's difficulty curve is just right - the first stages are easy, while the last stages could take some time to finish. There is even a difficulty setting for those who wish to seek a harder challenge.

If you're looking for a good, solid platformer, Sparkster is the game for you.

RATING: 8/10

Nintendo 64

Doom 64

Let's get a few things straight here: No, Doom 64 didn't bring anything new to the series. Yes, with the N64's graphical power, it could have been much better. Yet, despite all its critisism, I believe Doom 64 is one of the better games in the series.

Perhaps what I like most about the game is its eerie atmosphere. Gone is the catchy rock and roll soundtrack. Instead, Doom 64 features a haunting, effects-driven soundtrack which deeply affects the way you perceive the game. Likewise, all of the sound effects have been completely recreated, which gives the game a more realistic feel. Graphically, things look a little better in this installment. In particular, the lighting effects are a huge step up from its predecessors. The overall screen resolution is sharp as well. On the down side, the enemies are still composed of flat, jerky sprites.

As far as the actual gameplay is concerned, not much has changed. The premise is the same, the enemies are the same, and, with the exception of one weapon, the artillary is the same. However, the level design is still top-notch, and the puzzles are even trickier this time around.

So, if you like the Doom series and want a darker take on it, Doom 64 is right up your alley. Sure, is basically more of the same, but at least it works.

RATING: 7/10

Legend of Mystical Ninja: Starring Goemon

Calling this game different would be an understatement. More of a Sarturday morning cartoon than a game, MN is perhaps the single strangest game I have ever played. How weird is it? Let's just say this: the main character uses a pipe as his weapon. Despite its absurdity, MN is a blast to play. Traveling the island of Japan, you guide four fighters on a journey to stop evil.

All of the elements of an adventure game are present: traveling from town to town, obtaining items/weapons, battling monsters, and exploring huge dungeons, each with ther own unique puzzles. Even more interesting are the game's "impact" battles. During these sequences, the heroes enter a giant robot to fight an enemy that is roughly the same size. These battles can only be described as Punch-out meets Star Fox meets Power Rangers.

If you're looking for a different, yet light-hearted adventure, MN is the game for you.

RATING: 7.5/10

Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

A dissapointing follow-up to the monumetal Ocarina of Time. Using the same game engine from its predecessor, MM adds something new to the Zelda series - timed gameplay. This time around, Link has 3 "days" to stop the moon from colliding into the world of Termina. Luckily, using the Ocarina, he can travel back to the first day and start the cycle all over again. The catch: any quantitative items that have been gained (rupees, bombs, etc.) will drop to 0. In addition, any puzzles that you completed in a dungeon will reset.

While this idea may have looked good on paper, it really affects the overall experience of the game. You'll find yourself redoing the same puzzles over and over again, which becomes more redundant than fun. Granted, there are some enjoyable moments, but overall MM lacks the fun and excitement of the rest of the series.

RATING: 5/10

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter

Call me crazy, but I'd take this game over Halo anyday. What seperates Turok: Dinosaur Hunter from most first person shooters is its sense of adventure. Essentially, this is a non-linear game. Instead of using a typical stage-by-stage or mission-based formula, Turok allows players to explore a huge open-ended world (which is divided into eight areas).

Like most adventure games, the object of Turok is to make your way to the end. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, not quite. In order to enter another area, you must first unlock it. How, you ask? With keys, of course! Keys are generally not in the open, so you must search every square inch of each area to find them. So, unless you cheat your way out of it, exploration is-a-callin'.

Graphically, the scenery is detailed with rich jungle environments, and the enemy animation holds up pretty well. Unfortunately, the game's foggy atmosphere makes it difficult to determine what lies ahead.

Turok was one of the first games to use the now standard inverted control scheme. They work pretty well, but for the novice gamer, there is no way to change them. Jumping, a huge issue for first person shooters, is no different here. I've been playing this game for nearly a decade and I still have trouble making jumps.

Turok: Dinosaur Hunter offers a unique blend of action and exploration. If you can dismiss the minor graphical and control issues, you should find plenty to like here.

RATING: 7/10

Nintendo Gamecube (GCN)

MegaMan Anniversary Collection

The blue bomber has come a long way since his debut in 1987. MMAC, which consists of MegaMan 1-8 and two arcade games, takes us back to the days when gaming consisted of two things - jumping and shooting.

You won't find anything too deep in terms of gameplay, as the majority of them were made over a decade ago. Capcom also managed to add some interesting bonus material, including a 30 minute interview with the creator of MegaMan. Of course, with 10 games in one, there must be a catch. Actually, there are two. First of all, we were promised remixed music for MM 1-6.

Unfortunately, Gamecube owners were gyped out of this feature. Personally, I can live without the remixes. However, when I discovered that the buttons for jumping and shooting were reversed, that's when I lost it. How the hell can someone screw up a two button scheme?

It's a shame the game testers let this slide, because it is truly horrific and awkward to play these games collection with the inverted controls.

RATING: 5/10

Sony PlayStation (PSX)

Final Fantasy Chronicles

On this RPG compilation, Square re-released two ports of their most treasured games: Final Fantasy IV (II in the U.S.) and Chrono Trigger. I won't go into gameplay details, but I will talk about the quality of the ports.

Final Fantasy IV plays pretty well on PlayStation. With the exception of saving, load times are almost non-existent. The sound and music remain loyal to the original game, save for some ocassional track skipping. It should also be known that this is the Japanese version of the game, so the difficulty and translations are different from the American version.

Chrono Trigger's port doesn't hold up as well as FF4. Load times (5-10 seconds before and after battles), slow down, and sound glitches are all noticable problems. Does it make the game unplayable? Not at all, but it certainly affects the overall enjoyment of the game.

If you can get past Chrono Trigger's horrid loading, Final Fantasy Chronicles is definitely worth $20.

RATING: 6.5/10

Final Fantasy VIII

Final Fantasy VIII ay be Square's most experimental game to date. It's not afraid to go against RPG standards. In fact, it's so different that many RPG fans consider it the antichrist of the genre. While I wouldn't exactly call it the best game ever made, Final Fantasy VIII is certainly not as bad as it is made out to be.

So what exactly is so different about the game? Well for starters, there is no such thing as equipment. Using a system known as junctioning, players use magic to boost their statistics rather than equipping armor. Spells are learned through enemies, in which party members "draw" magic from their foes. Each player can hold up to 100 units of one spell. This is a great concept, but because only nine quantities of a spell can be drawn at a time, getting to 100 can take hours.

GFs, or Guardian Forces, are also another key aspect of gameplay. Guardian Forces act a typical Final Fantasy summon spells (Ifrit, Shiva, etc.). However, this time around the characters learn abilities through GFs.

If you're looking for a long, unique RPG, this is it. FF8 is not for everyone, but if you do decide to play through it, be sure to keep an open mind. RATING: 7/10

Final Fantasy IX

Square's last Final Fantasy game on PlayStation attempts to revert back to the series original, medieval style. While I respect Square's decision to do so, it seems as if they spent so much time trying to please old school gamers that they forgot to make the game, well...fun.

FF9 is so dull that it took me roughly a year to finally complete it (as opposed to finishing FF6, 7, and 8 in about three months). Unlike most RPGs, the battles are by far the worst aspect of the game. Although a visual splendor, they are cursed with non-stop load times and slow-moving ATB meters. To make things worse, the battles take a good 20 seconds to load, and the random encounter rate is brutal. Square also decided to have the characters learn their abilities through equipment. With this method, the game forces you to keep on old equipment if you want to learn all the abilities.

FF9 has its moments, but its overall uninspired atmosphere makes playing the game a chore.

RATING: 6.5/10

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