This is a game I had on an R4 card as a kid (no the FBI didn't get my ass dw). I'd never played an RPG then and it was such a unique experience for me....but I also sucked at the game, and my R4 broke before I could really understand it.

Now that I finally got a copy and beat the game all the way through after so many years, I definitely think it was worth it! I'll be honest and say that this game has some of most difficult enemies, especially the bosses later on as they can really kick your ass.
The plot of the game is one of my favourite things about the game, purple mushroom alien invasion is my jam and it actually makes for a slightly darker tone than Superstar Saga or Inside Story.

The combat is as fresh as ever, with this game re-imagining the bros attacks from SS, into bros items which are a lot more based off Mario items and are way more dynamic and fun to use. The addition of the babies and using X and Y on top of A and B is pretty hard to get used to early on, but once it becomes natural feeling you realise that the babies can actually add a little more punch to certain attacks which I like. I will say the bros items are handed out like candy, making many fights a piece of cake though I'd argue later fights are still hard even if you're stocked with items, but it was one of the main complaints from people.

The puzzles are probably the weakest parts of the game I'll be honest in comparison to the other M&L games. They're not bad at all, but they're a lot more linear in this game and a few of them are just "put babies at point A and adults at point B then hit blocks". Thankfully most of them are pretty quick and snappy so I was able to keep going.

I loved Superstar Saga and Inside Story, and therefore I loved this game. And if you love M&L too then I'd highly recommend this game, or even if you just want a fun RPG that mixes up the turn based formula in its own quirky way!

Just like that, one of the most influential games off my backlog FINALLY after so many years of putting it off. The Remastered announcement encouraged me to beat the original before the physical version of Remastered could hit the store shelves, and I suppose I succeeded in that.

Anyway, the game itself. When it comes to '3D Transitions', Metroid Prime is a super interesting one. On one hand, it pretty much flawlessly transfers the ingredients of the 2D Metroid games and somehow makes them all work in an exploration-heavy FPS game. On the other, the game still feels so distinct from the 2D Metroid games as if they could both co-exist, and I think its fair to say the fact Metroid Dread exists on the same console as Metroid Prime Remastered and the upcoming Prime 4 proves that well.

The environments in this game are all great, and have elements that make each one stand out for the better or worse. The first impression of Tallon IV's overworld, the dreadful hissing noises when accidentally falling into the lava in Magmoor, the heaps of lore in the Chozo Ruins, the separate levels of the Phazon Mines, etc. That alongside each location having their own distinct colour palette really helps make them more memorable, and I think they hold up pretty fine visually too for a Gamecube game, though I can imagine how mindblowing this game was back then. The music in each and every area not only bangs, but is some of the best atmospheric music I've heard in a game and sets the mood for each area (Phendrana Drifts especially holy shit).
I will say some of Phazon Mines and Impact Crater can get really damn annoying but I think the rest of the game really makes up for the trouble.

The combat does take some time to get used to, especially since because the Gamecube controller only has one analog stick, you have to lock onto enemies or look up/down with the shoulder buttons which can be a pain to get used to and make combat feel extra clunky. But once you get used to it, sending out multiple charge beams and missiles feels pretty much 2nd nature and dealing with enemies gets a bit handier as you upgrade Samus. The bosses are great too, but extremely intense sometimes as they can totally kick your ass if you get too ahead of yourself or don't focus enough. But once you exploit their weaknesses and overcome each one you feel like you could literally drown a tsunami with how good you feel after.

It never really occurred to me why Metroid Prime was an instant classic until I actually began playing it, and now I definitely understand. A few things like the controls and some level designs can make for clunky sections and potentially an excessive use of 'fuck' and 'bitch' but all in all conquering this game felt too satisfying. I will be playing the rest of the Prime series, so once Prime 4 shows itself...you know damn well I'll be ready!

The only game I can really compare Cosmic Shake to is Truth or Square, since I haven't played fan favourite Battle for Bikini Bottom yet. But this game definitely gave me the same enjoyment as ToS.

For being a licensed game, THQ have managed to ace the source material as this game is filled with gags and references but also areas that feel like they'd be in episodes, and the game itself looks spectacular and from what I heard is more polished than BFBB Rehydrated. For a Spongebob experience, it's great and feels like something made for both casual players and hard-core fans of Spongebob.

The only reason I'm really docking points is because as a game, it sorta just lands in the 'just good' category. The game overall is a pretty basic platformer and I will admit it does get a bit hard to be engaged in some parts, though it does tend to throw in some segments where you have to ride a seahorse or rock, or run away from falling rocks which does spice up gameplay. I also think the collectibles side of things is a little average, as it just consists of gold dubloons and the return of gold spatulas which.....I don't even know what they do here..
All in all I still enjoyed my time and I didn't expect a phenomenal work of art, I'd recommend playing this game, especially if you love platformers and/or Spongebob!