A very good game that feels more fuller and more complex than it's successor but personally I still enjoyed Pokemon White more
Robotrek is a quirky JRPG with a ton of charm. You play as a kid inventor who builds customizable robots and sets off on an adventure filled with lighthearted humor and surprisingly deep customization systems. The translation can be wonky sometimes, and the battles get repetitive, but if you love tinkering with mechanics and enjoy classic 16-bit RPGs with a unique twist, Robotrek is worth checking out.
Super Adventure Island II is a quirky, charming platformer that stands out on the SNES. Unlike the original, it focuses on exploration and has light RPG elements – kinda like if you mixed a classic platformer with a tiny bit of Metroid. The music is catchy, the visuals are surprisingly detailed for the system, and figuring out new routes and upgrades is satisfying. Some of the random encounters can get annoying, but overall it's a unique and fun adventure if you're into retro games.
Primal Rage is a cheesy 90s fighting game where dinosaurs and apes beat the snot out of each other, and honestly, it's still a blast. The stop-motion animation is charmingly janky, the moves are over-the-top, and there are even secret gross-out fatalities. It's short and definitely unbalanced, but if you're craving some nostalgic prehistoric brawls with friends, Primal Rage is worth booting up.
EarthBound is one of the quirkiest and most charming RPGs ever made. The modern setting, unique humor, and surprisingly touching story set it apart from your typical fantasy fare. While the battles can feel a bit grindy, and the graphics definitely show their age, EarthBound is still a classic. Its weirdness, heart, and memorable characters make it a timeless journey worth experiencing for any RPG fan.
Mario's Early Years! Fun with Numbers is a well-meaning educational title, but it's incredibly dated and probably won't hold the attention of modern kids. The activities are basic – counting, basic math, matching – and there's not much actual gameplay here. The cutesy graphics are charming for a bit, but the overall experience is super repetitive and limited. Unless you've got extreme nostalgia for it or are a die-hard Mario collector, this one's a pass.
Fun, polished and well designed with no bullshit. Just a solid mix of classic Zelda, bullet hell and Metroidvania. I kinda wish the different dungeons had varied colored pallets and a minor problem that probably doesn't affect many but some of the final post game challenges chug hard on a steam deck.
Tiny Toon Adventures: Wacky Sports Challenge on the SNES is a blast of nostalgic fun! It's got all the crazy humor you'd expect from Tiny Toons, and the minigames are surprisingly varied and chaotic. While the controls can be a bit clunky and the AI isn't great, this is the perfect party game, especially if you love the cartoon. Get a group of friends together and you'll have a hilarious time.
The first Pokemon game I've ever played
Maybe not the best overall but god, did I love this region
Maybe not the best overall but god, did I love this region
Beautiful art that carries the overused concept. Way harder than I was expecting which wouldn't necessarily be bad but the biggest source of difficulty is how clunky and slow you move and attack.
Adventures of Yogi Bear on the SNES is a classic example of a bad licensed game. The controls are super slippery, the level design is frustrating, and the whole experience just isn't fun. The graphics are decent for the time, and the music is kinda catchy, but those are the only saving graces. Unless you're a die-hard Yogi Bear fan or want to torture yourself with retro frustration, avoid this one.
A well done remake in my opinion
The watercolor art style adds so much charm
The watercolor art style adds so much charm
Shaq-Fu on the SNES is one of those "so bad it's almost good" kind of games. It's a brawler starring Shaq, and let's just say the controls are clunky, the story is bonkers, and the difficulty is frustrating. But the absurdity of it all makes it kinda charming...in a weird way. If you have an ironic sense of humor and want a retro challenge with a bizarre twist, it's worth checking out. Otherwise, steer clear.
Bubsy 2 is...well, it's a classic example of a bad platformer. The controls are slippery, the level design is confusing, and Bubsy's constant quips get annoying real fast. There's a bizarre charm to how awful some of the mini-games are, but mostly it's a frustrating experience. Honestly, unless you're a masochist or want to see what NOT to do in game design, steer clear.
Wolverine: Adamantium Rage is a mid-90s side-scroller with decent graphics and a killer soundtrack, but the positives end there. Wolverine feels stiff to control, the levels are confusing mazes, and the enemies are way too cheap. The comic-style cutscenes are a nice touch, but the overall experience is frustrating. It's a cool collectible for hardcore Wolverine fans, but as a game? Hard pass.
Tetris 2 brings a fun twist to classic Tetris gameplay! Instead of lines, you match colors to clear blocks, which throws in a cool puzzle element. While it can get frustrating, especially in later levels, the added challenge spices things up. The music is catchy too! Just be warned, if you're a Tetris purist, this one might not be your jam.
Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls is a rough attempt to bring the classic beat 'em up into the 16-bit era. The graphics are decent for its time, but the controls feel stiff and unresponsive, and the special moves are a pain to pull off. The story is ridiculous, the enemy AI is frustrating, and there's barely any replay value. Only hardcore Double Dragon fans or retro enthusiasts need check this one out.
Okay listen
It's definitely not the best Pokemon game out there and the difficulty was so abysmal I could make it through a majority of the game by 1-Hit-K.O.'ing most of my opponents
BUT
I played this during a dark time in my life and it was a huge comfort to me back then so it'll always have a special place in my heart
It's definitely not the best Pokemon game out there and the difficulty was so abysmal I could make it through a majority of the game by 1-Hit-K.O.'ing most of my opponents
BUT
I played this during a dark time in my life and it was a huge comfort to me back then so it'll always have a special place in my heart
Eek! The Cat is a weird, chaotic, and often frustrating experience. The cartoon humor is charming at times, but the gameplay is unforgiving with its one-hit kills and bizarre level design. Missions range from mind-bending platforming to clunky minigames, leaving you more confused than entertained. This is a relic of the '90s where difficulty took precedence over fun, and unless you're a die-hard Eek fan or have a strange fondness for obscure SNES titles, this one's probably a skip.
Pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this, especially after seeing people say Covenant was way better (now im way more excited to play that one).
I'll get the gripes out of the way first. It's an early ps2 game and it's very obvious. While the in game models and environments are solid enough, the CG cutscenes are definitely not. Yuri especially does not resemble himself at all in these cutscenes. Luckily there's not a whole lot of them. Yuri's early characterization was not my favorite thing. They could've made him have the same vibe without being super pervy/creepy. Honestly, the only other thing I didn't enjoy much about the game was some of the dialogue sequences went on a little long.
Now with the plethora of good. Can't talk about this game without first mentioning the judgement ring. Taking combat inspiration from something like Super Mario RPG and Legend of Dragoon and turning it into this beautiful little circle. Items, equipment, and attacks were all created with the ring in mind and it all works flawlessly. Speaking of attacks, combat is a bit more than just pick an attack and don't miserably fail at using the judgement ring. Being able to pick a favorite demon for Yuri to transform into and go dummy mode on a bunch of creepy dogs is a lot of fun. I went with his fire fusions and buffed attack and popped off when I found the item that made my ring invisible but dealt double damage. Managing sanity points in the later boss fights when it's actually a danger is a lot of fun.
Going to wrap it up by saying the soundtrack is amazing, Brain Hopper whips. OST is equally eerie and beautiful and the fact that there's two composers working together in tandem like this is amazing. Characters are all fun and lovable and their interactions with each other actually get to be pretty wholesome. Game isn't really difficult but a lot of the late bosses hit the right level of difficulty. Story is serviceable and the way it connects to Koudelka is great. Play this game!
I'll get the gripes out of the way first. It's an early ps2 game and it's very obvious. While the in game models and environments are solid enough, the CG cutscenes are definitely not. Yuri especially does not resemble himself at all in these cutscenes. Luckily there's not a whole lot of them. Yuri's early characterization was not my favorite thing. They could've made him have the same vibe without being super pervy/creepy. Honestly, the only other thing I didn't enjoy much about the game was some of the dialogue sequences went on a little long.
Now with the plethora of good. Can't talk about this game without first mentioning the judgement ring. Taking combat inspiration from something like Super Mario RPG and Legend of Dragoon and turning it into this beautiful little circle. Items, equipment, and attacks were all created with the ring in mind and it all works flawlessly. Speaking of attacks, combat is a bit more than just pick an attack and don't miserably fail at using the judgement ring. Being able to pick a favorite demon for Yuri to transform into and go dummy mode on a bunch of creepy dogs is a lot of fun. I went with his fire fusions and buffed attack and popped off when I found the item that made my ring invisible but dealt double damage. Managing sanity points in the later boss fights when it's actually a danger is a lot of fun.
Going to wrap it up by saying the soundtrack is amazing, Brain Hopper whips. OST is equally eerie and beautiful and the fact that there's two composers working together in tandem like this is amazing. Characters are all fun and lovable and their interactions with each other actually get to be pretty wholesome. Game isn't really difficult but a lot of the late bosses hit the right level of difficulty. Story is serviceable and the way it connects to Koudelka is great. Play this game!
Maximum Carnage is a classic beat-em-up for Spidey fans, but it definitely hasn't aged gracefully. The comic book panels for cutscenes and the rockin' soundtrack are its biggest strengths. However, gameplay is repetitive, controls feel clunky, and the difficulty can spike unfairly. It's a nostalgic trip for those who played it back in the day, but there are much better superhero games out there now.
Kirby's Dream Course is a super unique and charming twist on mini-golf! Instead of clubs, you control Kirby himself, bouncing him around, using power-ups, and navigating wacky courses to get the hole-in-one. It's cute, deceptively challenging, and surprisingly strategic! The multiplayer is also a ton of fun. If you love Kirby or quirky sports games, you'll have a blast with this one.
Laughed, cried, struggled
Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse is a charming and surprisingly challenging trip down memory lane. Playing through iconic Mickey cartoons is a visual delight, and the controls feel surprisingly tight for a platformer of its time. The difficulty ramps up quickly though, and some levels might feel more frustrating than fun for younger players. Still, it's a must-play for Disney fans and retro enthusiasts looking for a blast from the past.
Earthworm Jim is absolutely bonkers and I love it! The animation is super fluid, the levels are weird and creative, and the humor is totally off-the-wall. It controls well, and the challenge is surprisingly tough at times. It's also a bit short, and some levels can get frustrating with trial-and-error design, but its pure 90s charm and originality make it an absolute classic.
it's quite nice to spend half an hour on this game, it's cute and relaxing, but there's nothing in it that won't make you delete it on the same day
Indiana Jones' Greatest Adventures is a love letter to the iconic movie trilogy, cramming in all the action sequences and recognizable locales for a nostalgic adventure. While the gameplay is a simple platformer with some repetitive elements, the digitized cutscenes and faithful recreation of the source material will surely delight Indy fans. However, the difficulty can spike occasionally, and the music, while catchy, can grate on your nerves after a while.
Killer Instinct on the SNES was a technical marvel for its time and a blast to play. The visuals were impressive, the combos were brutal and satisfying, and the soundtrack absolutely rocked. However, the roster is smaller compared to fighting game rivals, and some may find the combo-heavy gameplay a bit too demanding for casual players. Regardless, for fans of 90s arcade fighters, Killer Instinct stands as a unique and memorable experience.
X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse is a tough-as-nails, classic SNES beat-em-up starring your favorite X-Men! Playing as Wolverine, Cyclops, Beast, Gambit, and Psylocke, you'll fight your way through hordes of enemies and iconic bosses. The graphics are bright and colorful, the music is catchy, but the real challenge makes this one addictive for retro action fans. It can get repetitive, and the difficulty spikes are brutal, but if you love a challenge and the X-Men, it's a worthwhile blast from the past.
Played this game with my ex
Loved the folklore background this was built upon
The song at the end made me feel things
Loved the folklore background this was built upon
The song at the end made me feel things