1988
As a "sequel" to the original Super Mario... the game takes a very peculiar turn.
This is known outside of North America as "SUPER MARIO BROS 2 USA". Why is it called that? Well, it's simple: it's not the true Super Mario Bros 2. The real one stayed in Japan for two reasons:
1. The game was deemed too challenging for the American audience.
2. The game required a chip that the American Nintendo didn't have.
So, what did Nintendo do? They took a different game, slapped Mario characters on it, and sold it in America. Super Mario Bros 2 doesn't quite feel like a Mario game, and some ideas don't mesh perfectly... but it's a game that manages to be entertaining.
This is known outside of North America as "SUPER MARIO BROS 2 USA". Why is it called that? Well, it's simple: it's not the true Super Mario Bros 2. The real one stayed in Japan for two reasons:
1. The game was deemed too challenging for the American audience.
2. The game required a chip that the American Nintendo didn't have.
So, what did Nintendo do? They took a different game, slapped Mario characters on it, and sold it in America. Super Mario Bros 2 doesn't quite feel like a Mario game, and some ideas don't mesh perfectly... but it's a game that manages to be entertaining.
1985
What more can I say? It's the classic Super Mario.
It's a very simple game by today's standards, but it's still just as fun.
It's a very simple game by today's standards, but it's still just as fun.
The game is "ok". It has good music, it's very colorful, and the humor of the series is present. The story feels like a random episode of "Adventure Time," and the gameplay is like "ZELDA 2" but with the ability to craft things.
One thing that did bother me a bit about the game was the backtracking. Having to repeat the same mini-levels every time you go back for something can make you go "Ahhhhh, what a hassle." However, this doesn't amount to much since the game is extremely short; you can finish it in a single afternoon.
One thing that did bother me a bit about the game was the backtracking. Having to repeat the same mini-levels every time you go back for something can make you go "Ahhhhh, what a hassle." However, this doesn't amount to much since the game is extremely short; you can finish it in a single afternoon.
"Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei" is a remake of the first two Megami Tensei games released for the Famicom console. This remake doesn't change many things from the original games, but it does improve certain serious issues they had.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 1:
The first Megami Tensei is a torture machine, it's a game so unfair in many ways that your own mental health ends up being affected by the pile of crap that hits you from all sides. In this remake, things change: demon levels are a bit more balanced, there's an automap, the game gives clearer hints, there are more healing and fusion zones, and they made it so that demons that drain experience levels don't use the spell as much. If you want to play the very first "Megaten," then try this remake, so you won't end up losing your mind and having mental wounds. That said, it's still just as tough, rough, and claustrophobic as the original version.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 2:
Megami Tensei 2 improves many things from its predecessor and adds elements that would later inspire the creation of the "Shin Megami Tensei" franchise. In this sequel, we are presented with a highly appealing open world, many new demons to recruit, and a fresher story for the time. This remake doesn't change much from the original game; they simply balanced the bosses and demons, and there was a reduction in the encounter rate of demons... which is still just as high.
Oh, they also added an Easter egg with Jack Frost, if you follow the steps correctly, you'll be able to recruit very strong demons to make the final stretch a bit easier.
If you're curious and want to experience the origins of "Shin Megami Tensei," play Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei, the suffering isn't as intense, and in the end, you won't have the desire to gouge out your eyes and ears. Unfortunately, the remake clings too much to the original versions, so there are no changes in gameplay, making it feel quite outdated even for its release time.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 1:
The first Megami Tensei is a torture machine, it's a game so unfair in many ways that your own mental health ends up being affected by the pile of crap that hits you from all sides. In this remake, things change: demon levels are a bit more balanced, there's an automap, the game gives clearer hints, there are more healing and fusion zones, and they made it so that demons that drain experience levels don't use the spell as much. If you want to play the very first "Megaten," then try this remake, so you won't end up losing your mind and having mental wounds. That said, it's still just as tough, rough, and claustrophobic as the original version.
Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei 2:
Megami Tensei 2 improves many things from its predecessor and adds elements that would later inspire the creation of the "Shin Megami Tensei" franchise. In this sequel, we are presented with a highly appealing open world, many new demons to recruit, and a fresher story for the time. This remake doesn't change much from the original game; they simply balanced the bosses and demons, and there was a reduction in the encounter rate of demons... which is still just as high.
Oh, they also added an Easter egg with Jack Frost, if you follow the steps correctly, you'll be able to recruit very strong demons to make the final stretch a bit easier.
If you're curious and want to experience the origins of "Shin Megami Tensei," play Kyuuyaku Megami Tensei, the suffering isn't as intense, and in the end, you won't have the desire to gouge out your eyes and ears. Unfortunately, the remake clings too much to the original versions, so there are no changes in gameplay, making it feel quite outdated even for its release time.
It's an entertaining game, but it lacks a "Sprint" button, some missions are poorly balanced, and the AI of the "heroes" is absolutely terrible.
In multiplayer, it's a chaotic yet enjoyable experience.
In multiplayer, it's a chaotic yet enjoyable experience.
Lego Harry Potter 1-4 is a very enjoyable game that takes the classic Lego game style and blends it with some of the new ideas introduced in Lego Indiana Jones 2.
While the game improved upon some aspects of Lego Indiana Jones 2, other new ideas ended up being executed poorly. An example of this is the Hogwarts castle, which, although fun to thoroughly explore, the game doesn't provide you with any map, so you end up getting lost many times.
Another downside of the game is the various bugs and glitches it has. In this playthrough, the "golden brick detector" suffered a glitch, so it wasn't pointing me to the brick I needed to complete the game 100%. In the end, I managed to find it, but it was quite an annoying journey, checking every part of the castle like 6 times.
Lego Harry Potter 1-4 is a good game, and I hope that Lego Harry Potter 5-7 improves many things.
While the game improved upon some aspects of Lego Indiana Jones 2, other new ideas ended up being executed poorly. An example of this is the Hogwarts castle, which, although fun to thoroughly explore, the game doesn't provide you with any map, so you end up getting lost many times.
Another downside of the game is the various bugs and glitches it has. In this playthrough, the "golden brick detector" suffered a glitch, so it wasn't pointing me to the brick I needed to complete the game 100%. In the end, I managed to find it, but it was quite an annoying journey, checking every part of the castle like 6 times.
Lego Harry Potter 1-4 is a good game, and I hope that Lego Harry Potter 5-7 improves many things.
Lego Indiana Jones 2 is... a peculiar game. It changes many aspects from previous "Lego" games and introduces some interesting ideas, but they are poorly executed.
Let's start with the "Hub world," which underwent a significant change, now being a larger world where you have to walk around to find the levels, as well as the "treasures" and the different blocks. Yes, these are no longer found within the levels, but in the "Hub world."
Due to the changes in the "hub world," the game's levels now only require you to fill the "studs" bar to complete them 100%, making the levels quite short. Another addition, more of a return than something new, is the requirement to complete levels twice, with another "studs" bar to fill (similar to Lego Star Wars 2 and Complete Saga), but with the twist that the level will be entirely different.
Another change in the game is the absence of stores to buy characters and blocks; you have to find and purchase them directly in the "hub world." Dealing with characters is more... bothersome, as some characters only appear after completing certain challenges in the game, and they STAY IN THE "HUB WORLD," which means you can't switch to them (unlike in previous Lego games) whenever you need them. Instead, you have to search for them throughout the "Hub world" and then enter the level.
Oh, I almost forgot, who decided to change the car controls? They handle terribly!
And... the game features a "level creator" mode that is "okay," but the online functionality doesn't work, so it's just there.
Lego Indiana Jones 2 is... enjoyable, especially in multiplayer (thanks for adding the "split screen" feature when players move apart), but it's an experiment with more flaws than strengths.
Let's start with the "Hub world," which underwent a significant change, now being a larger world where you have to walk around to find the levels, as well as the "treasures" and the different blocks. Yes, these are no longer found within the levels, but in the "Hub world."
Due to the changes in the "hub world," the game's levels now only require you to fill the "studs" bar to complete them 100%, making the levels quite short. Another addition, more of a return than something new, is the requirement to complete levels twice, with another "studs" bar to fill (similar to Lego Star Wars 2 and Complete Saga), but with the twist that the level will be entirely different.
Another change in the game is the absence of stores to buy characters and blocks; you have to find and purchase them directly in the "hub world." Dealing with characters is more... bothersome, as some characters only appear after completing certain challenges in the game, and they STAY IN THE "HUB WORLD," which means you can't switch to them (unlike in previous Lego games) whenever you need them. Instead, you have to search for them throughout the "Hub world" and then enter the level.
Oh, I almost forgot, who decided to change the car controls? They handle terribly!
And... the game features a "level creator" mode that is "okay," but the online functionality doesn't work, so it's just there.
Lego Indiana Jones 2 is... enjoyable, especially in multiplayer (thanks for adding the "split screen" feature when players move apart), but it's an experiment with more flaws than strengths.
Wario Land 1 is a good collectathon, although quite short and easy. The game is a lot of fun, and it's great that they decided to create a whole series of platform games with Wario.
1986
The beginning of a whole legend.
Playing this Zelda without a guide is a true torture, imagine the poor children of the 80s trying to finish the game.
Playing this Zelda without a guide is a true torture, imagine the poor children of the 80s trying to finish the game.
Why
Thanks to the demand that "Sega" threw at "Fox," the sequel to "The Simpsons Road Rage" ended up being canceled, which led to the birth of "Hit & Run."
"Hit & Run" is a GTA set in the world of The Simpsons, with its limitations due to, well, the development time being very short. Because of this, the game can feel quite repetitive.
The missions in "Hit & Run" boil down to four types: Destroy a car, drive from A to B, do a race, and carry something without dropping it. That's how the game goes all the way to the end, and the side missions don't fare much better. There's only one per "level," and it's more of the same.
Despite all of this, the game is really fun, filled with many references from the series, and the world is well-adapted. This game will always stay in my heart, as long as I don't remember the reward you get for achieving 100% because... seriously? A #1 ribbon? Really?
"Hit & Run" is a GTA set in the world of The Simpsons, with its limitations due to, well, the development time being very short. Because of this, the game can feel quite repetitive.
The missions in "Hit & Run" boil down to four types: Destroy a car, drive from A to B, do a race, and carry something without dropping it. That's how the game goes all the way to the end, and the side missions don't fare much better. There's only one per "level," and it's more of the same.
Despite all of this, the game is really fun, filled with many references from the series, and the world is well-adapted. This game will always stay in my heart, as long as I don't remember the reward you get for achieving 100% because... seriously? A #1 ribbon? Really?
It's okay to play it for about 30 minutes, but completing the "story" is a disaster. Getting all the money is messed up, and the ending is... well.. horrible, not worth your mental health.
This compilation is only worth it for Sonic CD, Sonic R, and Sonic Fighters... everything else is "meh."
This is a "remake" of the original version of "Arcade," so it doesn't include the extra missions from the "Snes" version. The game doesn't change anything from the "Arcade" version; it's the same levels and bosses... and that's it, it's the weakest "remake" I've played.
The game is so short that I started collecting all the achievements to make it last more than 40 minutes. They should have taken the "Snes" version instead of the original.
The game is so short that I started collecting all the achievements to make it last more than 40 minutes. They should have taken the "Snes" version instead of the original.
"The Complete Saga" combines the first two "Lego Star Wars" games into one, adding new levels and more characters. This game is the longest among classic Lego video games, and also the most frustrating to complete at 100%.
"The Complete Saga" has a bunch of features like the "super story" mode, the "blue minikits", the "bounty hunter missions", and I don't know who came up with adding a "True Jedi" bar to "Free Play" mode. These are things that they ended up removing in later games, and thank goodness for that, as they were so annoying that you ended up playing through the game like 4 times more to achieve 100%.
It's a fun game and it's my childhood, but... it's far behind Lego Indiana Jones and Lego Batman.
"The Complete Saga" has a bunch of features like the "super story" mode, the "blue minikits", the "bounty hunter missions", and I don't know who came up with adding a "True Jedi" bar to "Free Play" mode. These are things that they ended up removing in later games, and thank goodness for that, as they were so annoying that you ended up playing through the game like 4 times more to achieve 100%.
It's a fun game and it's my childhood, but... it's far behind Lego Indiana Jones and Lego Batman.