TheBroccoliRob
A great game chock-full of a variety of content, but with some big flaws that prevent it from being a classic. My favorite Sonic game after Sonic 2.
On the plus side, the number of stages, plus the 5 missions for each stage, plus the rating system, plus the chao garden means there's a ton of single player content. The Sonic and Shadow levels are for the most part peak 3D sonic, and I enjoyed most of the Knuckles and Rouge levels as well. The Tails/Robotnik levels are forgettable but not terrible. Raising chao is oddly addicting
For the drawback, first I have to mention the camera. This game has worse camera issues than Super Mario 64, and it had half a decade to improve on what SM64 did. Although most of the time the issues occur in areas that don't really hamper you, they really hurt the ability to explore the levels and figure out a path to a good score.
The other major drawback is that the levels near the end (Mad Space, Crazy Gadget, etc.) have some really frustrating sections, they are challenging for the wrong reasons (issues with controls/camera/gimmicks as opposed to requiring platforming skill or puzzle solving)
On the plus side, the number of stages, plus the 5 missions for each stage, plus the rating system, plus the chao garden means there's a ton of single player content. The Sonic and Shadow levels are for the most part peak 3D sonic, and I enjoyed most of the Knuckles and Rouge levels as well. The Tails/Robotnik levels are forgettable but not terrible. Raising chao is oddly addicting
For the drawback, first I have to mention the camera. This game has worse camera issues than Super Mario 64, and it had half a decade to improve on what SM64 did. Although most of the time the issues occur in areas that don't really hamper you, they really hurt the ability to explore the levels and figure out a path to a good score.
The other major drawback is that the levels near the end (Mad Space, Crazy Gadget, etc.) have some really frustrating sections, they are challenging for the wrong reasons (issues with controls/camera/gimmicks as opposed to requiring platforming skill or puzzle solving)
2017
The long-awaited spiritual successor to Mario 64. Each level is unique, chock-full of secrets, and is a joy to explore. Mario's new pal Cappy opens up a world of gameplay variety and new ways to explore the world, and there's a wide variety of challenges in both 2D and 3D.
2000
Great tennis gameplay in a colorful, visually appealing package with a good variety of characters, courts and game modes. Probably the most underrated multiplayer N64 title.
The best game to introduce someone to the Fire Emblem series (assuming they can afford it!) The game progresses at the perfect clip introducing new mechanics, lore, characters and conversations to keep you engaged. The story and worldbuilding are very good, though the gameplay is a bit slow especially with animations on.
The game is on the easier side of the series as a whole (with a few exceptions) but newcomers to the series will appreciate that.
The game is on the easier side of the series as a whole (with a few exceptions) but newcomers to the series will appreciate that.
The greatest wrestling game ever made in my opinion. The gameplay is accessible yet deep, and fast-paced but not out of control. There's a wide variety of matches including the new elimination chamber match, a fun career mode where your choices impact the story, a deep create-a-wrestler mode as well as a deep roster. It's a bit sad to see a modern game hasn't taken what this game did and modernized it with even more career depth, match types, customization options, game modes, etc.
1993
One of my favorite games as a kid, but playing it today, the button mashing grappling system is rough. The roster has most of my childhood favorites and each wrestler's theme song, and each wrestler has their own finisher but otherwise the same moves. The royal rumble mode can still be fun today, but overall the best wrestling games are at least a generation later.
1997
It is debated whether this or Mario Kart 64 is the definitive Kart racer for the N64. Diddy Kong Racing has the edge in single-player, the adventure mode is frustrating towards the end as you have to be basically perfect, but it is still a lot of fun for the most part. Having planes and hovercraft brings some variety to the courses, though I think on average the courses are a little less interesting than Mario Kart 64 -- too many of them feel kind of empty.
The music is fun and catchy, the character sounds are charming, and the controls are intuitive but a little slippery.
Multiplayer is fun as well, but I prefer MK64 for playing with friends; the items are more fun and the battle courses in Mario Kart are top-notch. Overall anyone who likes kart racers and doesn't mind aged graphics should give this a try
The music is fun and catchy, the character sounds are charming, and the controls are intuitive but a little slippery.
Multiplayer is fun as well, but I prefer MK64 for playing with friends; the items are more fun and the battle courses in Mario Kart are top-notch. Overall anyone who likes kart racers and doesn't mind aged graphics should give this a try
2022
A racing game that looks great and is fun for a bit, but really plays it safe and doesn't do anything real interesting.
Much of the story being locked behind DLC is unacceptable, in terms of what's not DLC there was the makings of a good story but it just wasn't well-developed
Much of the story being locked behind DLC is unacceptable, in terms of what's not DLC there was the makings of a good story but it just wasn't well-developed
2023
My first experience with Madden on the PS5, I was hoping this would be a significant upgrade over the previous generation. Sadly it's not. The gameplay is slightly better, and some of the training camp mini-games are fun, but franchise mode is still lacking compared to peers like NBA 2k, and something as good as superstar mode in the late 2000's has yet to be matched.
The game is just designed to get you to spend money in Ultimate Team.
The game is just designed to get you to spend money in Ultimate Team.
An all-around excellent 2D platformer, coming up with new ideas in a genre that I thought had done everything there was to do. The soundtrack and controls are great as expected, and the graphics are charming and crisp as we'd expect from a mainline Mario game.
The level variety is excellent, and the main gimmick of each level being a unique "Wonder" event ensures that you are kept engaged each level and you don't feel like you're doing the same thing over and over. Many of the wonders are true "what is happening" moments where you have to adapt and play in a new way for a few minutes, which is usually loads of fun.
The main criticism I have is this game is on the easy side; I have played a lot of this genre, but even the post-game challenge levels are hard the first time but not incredibly difficult; I felt like the challenge of previous 2D Mario games was missing; I'm not asking for the Lost Levels 2, but some entries like NSMB Wii or NSMB had more very difficult content to keep players engaged.
The level variety is excellent, and the main gimmick of each level being a unique "Wonder" event ensures that you are kept engaged each level and you don't feel like you're doing the same thing over and over. Many of the wonders are true "what is happening" moments where you have to adapt and play in a new way for a few minutes, which is usually loads of fun.
The main criticism I have is this game is on the easy side; I have played a lot of this genre, but even the post-game challenge levels are hard the first time but not incredibly difficult; I felt like the challenge of previous 2D Mario games was missing; I'm not asking for the Lost Levels 2, but some entries like NSMB Wii or NSMB had more very difficult content to keep players engaged.
1999
Still the pinnacle of the Mario Party series. Refined what the first game did well and threw out what it didn't. Great board design, good balance of skill and luck-based minigames. While future games have more variety and modes, this is the essential Mario Party experience
1998
One of the greatest 3D Platformers ever made that is still fun today. A bit on the short and easy side, but every single level is full of just the right amount of secrets, collectibles and platforming challenge
1999
A good start to the Mario Golf series and a fun game, but without a lot of quality of life improvements we expect to see from golf games now. The greens are especially hard to read. A good variety of modes and multiplayer is fun, but it's disappointing to have many characters be much worse based on low drive strength.
2013
My favorite football game ever made. The variety of offensive systems and playbooks aren't seen in the NFL, and the dynasty mode is unmatched in capturing the feeling of becoming a college football powerhouse. The recruiting system has been streamlined from prior titles (some people didn't like this but in my opinion it was needed)
A fun car combat game to play solo or with a friend. There are several single player and multiplayer modes that make for a lot of replay value if you like the core gameplay, though the missions in the quest mode are all very similar. The maps look different, but I think they could have used more variety in the size and layout, and some of the map gimmicks fall flat - for instance trying to maneuver in the snow without skies is a pain, and the alligators and sharks are just annoying.
On the plus side, there is a good variety of weapons and car types, and each character has a special weapon and vehicle with distinct attributes that can be upgraded over time - the balancing isn't great but still adds good variety.
The story is very intricate for this type of game and can get confusing, but I really enjoy it - as you play characters you learn more and more of it and see how their paths cross - pretty nifty IMO.
The main menu theme is fantastic, but otherwise the music is forgettable - not terrible, just not great. The graphics have obviously aged and it looks rough on a big screen now, but they were good for their time.
Overall not as good as Twisted Metal, but a fun alternative and certainly worth trying if you like car combat games.
On the plus side, there is a good variety of weapons and car types, and each character has a special weapon and vehicle with distinct attributes that can be upgraded over time - the balancing isn't great but still adds good variety.
The story is very intricate for this type of game and can get confusing, but I really enjoy it - as you play characters you learn more and more of it and see how their paths cross - pretty nifty IMO.
The main menu theme is fantastic, but otherwise the music is forgettable - not terrible, just not great. The graphics have obviously aged and it looks rough on a big screen now, but they were good for their time.
Overall not as good as Twisted Metal, but a fun alternative and certainly worth trying if you like car combat games.