I ran into someone that actually defends Castlevania: The Adventure to this day. And now Luke makes two! Anyway, the sequel is far better. Definitely play that if you haven't yet. And the remake on WiiWare. That was great, too.
In a fit of pure masochism and guilt after picking up Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, I picked back up and beat Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D. And I didn't sweat all the optional stuff quite so much, and it got better. I still think there's a fair bit of cheapness, and I hate the blowing mechanic because it's pretty easy to roll if you're not careful, but it has to be better overall than the Wii control scheme. It's just that the Wii version is so much prettier, and runs at a better framerate. At some point in the future, I'm going to investigate the Classic Controller patch.
I should also mention I was playing on original mode. I didn't want to wimp out. It's not the hardest thing I've played, but it's not anything resembling easy towards the end. And my primary gripe about the game, the sense of momentum and physics, is still in full effect here. I much preferred the snappier feel of the original DKC games. I have the same gripe about the NSMB series. Mario has too much momentum compared to my ideal. I'd prefer SMB3 physics, as I feel World is too twitchy.
Anyway, it's done. Yay! Moving on to something else. Who knows what that will be?
Luke wrote:Call me a sucker for punishment, as I adore this game.
Alright then, if you insist. You like to take big meaty punishment into your hungry mouth and suck on it until you've had your fill. You sucker for punishment you.
Luke wrote:still love the idea of Castlevania on a handheld.
Luke wrote:Giant rolling eyeballs. Those were impressive.
Especially when you fail to jump over one by a single pixel and it knocks you backwards over a ledge to your doom. So next time you whip the eyeball and it explodes destroying the bridge you are standing on and you fall to your death for the 100th time. Oh chortle, oh joy.
Maybe I would have felt different playing this in 1989 though.
Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge feels like an apology from Konami for how bad the first Game Boy Castlevania game was. Many of Castlevania: The Adventure's problems were fixed here.
For one thing this game actually moves at a reasonable pace, and controls are far less sluggish. The player does not lose their power-ups simply because they get hit. Platforming has been made not only more forgiving, but much more creative as well. Graphics have improved and look quite nice, while the OST is consistently above average. A small measure of innovation for the series was introduced with the player able to pick which levels to tackle in what order, reminiscent of Mega Man. Secondary weapons are available now (although only the axe and holy water). Unlike the first Game Boy game, Belmont's Revenge feels like it actually wants the player to have fun playing it. With unlimited continues most of this game is a breeze to get through as well.
However the last two bosses represent a massive difficulty spike. Dracula especially is ridiculously difficult to defeat thanks to his over powered screen filling attack. Taking him down requires a serious commitment to pattern memorization on behalf of the player. Because of this, one may find what was once a fun game actually becomes a bitter experience in the end. (The unlimited continues help here a lot.) Still all things considered, the majority of Belmont's Revenge is a pleasant challenge to endure. Especially in regards to the strong gothic atmosphere present here to explore. I recommend this Castlevania to fans of the series who just can't get enough of "killing" the same undead dude over and over.
1. Grandia (PlayStation) 2. Jungle Hunt (Xbox - Taito Legends) 3. Jungle Hunt (Atari 2600) 4. Jungle Hunt (Plug & Play - ColecoVision Flashback) 5. Donkey Kong (Atari 2600) 6. Donkey Kong (Intellivision) 7. Donkey Kong (ColecoVision) 8. Bubble Bobble (NES) 9. Side Arms: Hyper Dyne (PSP - Capcom Classics Collection Remixed) 10. 1941: Counter Attack (PSP - Capcom Classics Collection Remixed) 11. Ys: The Ark of Napishtim (PSP) 12. The Ninja Kids (Xbox - Taito Legends) 13. Neutopia (TurboGrafx-16) 14. Golden Axe Warrior (Xbox 360 - Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection) 15. Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (Dreamcast) 16. Growl (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 17. Arabian Magic (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 18. Dungeon Magic (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 19. Gekirindan (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 20. Ys II (Saturn - Falcom Classics II) 21. Darius Gaiden (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 22. G Darius (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 23. Giana Sisters DS (DS) 24. RayStorm (PlayStation 2 - Taito Legends 2) 25. Mr. Do! (ColecoVision) 26. Beauty & the Beast (Intellivision) 27. Boxing (PlayStation 2 - Activision Anthology) 28. Crystalis (NES) 29. Dragon Warrior (NES) 30. Faxanadu (NES) 31. Tombs & Treasure (NES) 32. Kirby's Dream Land (Game Boy) 33. Kirby's Adventure (NES) 34. Kirby Super Star (SNES) 35. Hoshi no Kirby 64 (Nintendo 64) 36. Kirby: Triple Deluxe (3DS) 37. Dig Dug (Wii - Namco Museum Megamix) 38. Phoenix (Xbox - Taito Legends) 39. Phoenix (Atari 2600) 40. Pleiads (Xbox - Tecmo Classic Arcade) 41. Kangaroo (Atari 2600) 42. Final Fantasy Adventure (Game Boy) 43. Gorf (Atari 2600) 44. Richard Scarry's Huckle and Lowly's Busiest Day Ever (Pico) 45. Mickey's Blast Into the Past (Pico)
Well this is certainly the worst Pico game I own (NOTE: I have two of them).
The time travel theme is intriguing but underutilized. Controls are awkward and some screens feature these bizarre artificial boundaries, as opposed to allowing unfettered stylus movement. Most of the minigames are dull. Several involve nothing but scribbling on a slate until an image is uncovered. Wow. Others are obtuse and confusing, like the Wright Brothers plane construction. At least I think it's a plane. It looks like two popsicle sticks with yarn attached. Lastly, the "d-pad" and action button go totally unused which is a bummer.
My daughter didn't even like this. She kept asking for the "cat game" instead.
1. Cut the Rope (3DS) 2. Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3) 3. Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth (XBOX) 4. Jewel Link Chronicles: Mountains of Madness (NDS) 5. Super Mario 3D World (WIIU) 6. Mario Kart 7 (3DS) 7. Kirby Triple Deluxe (3DS) 8. Gunman Clive (3DS) 9. Child of Light (WIIU) 10. Gunman Clive 2 (3DS) 11. Mighty Switch Force! Hyper Drive Edition (WIIU) 12. Shifting World (3DS) 13. VVVVVV (3DS)
It took nearly 2 hours and 700 lives, but I was able to beat VVVVVV - a fun, hardcore, modern platformer styled after classic Commodore 64 games. In it, poor Captain Viridian - who cannot jump over even a single pixel - has to rescue the other crew members of his space ship by reversing gravity. The game controls perfectly, moves very quickly, and contains almost no penalty for dying. The game is nonetheless tremendously challenging, and the platforming is exceptionally difficult. I loved every minute of VVVVVV, and after I completed the game, I immediately went back to collect all of the hidden trinkets. Moreover, the soundtrack is fantastic; the game is overflowing with personality; and the 3DS version contains nearly a dozen player-created levels that I am very much looking forward to playing during my "down time" between other games. I highly recommend VVVVVV, and anyone with a 3DS (or PC) should purchase it.