I finally beat it and it’s Pretty much an instant classic right from the get go. So much to appreciate in this tight package platformer. One of which being how weird and offbeat it is. Think about how strange of a new world Super Mario must’ve been 30+ years ago to people, that’s how original this is.

Another is the stellar level design. If you can string Peppino’s many moves together you’ll be flying through the stages at Sonic T Hedgehog’s top speed with half the effort. This game never bogs down with a particularly annoying level, or any tedious gimmicks. No Marbel Garden or Sandopolis or any lame ass stages whatsoever. The designers surprise you with new weaponry and transformations in every level but never stray from the game’s best attributes. Even the fucking stealth level is awesome.

The music persists in your head hours after playing. The sound effects are the funniest shit ever. Boss fights have incredible designs and memorable patterns, testing your speed and precision, and getting the best use out of your parry move.

Every action in this game feels like a slick achievement with crazier goals and secrets draped on top for the dedicated player. The Final Level and Boss Encounter are a new favorite. All this in a cheap game that looks and feels like Adult Swim vs 90s Nickelodeon. If you see a Game of The Year list without this, then u found someone who doesn’t know how to pizza party.

It was a long ass time ago when I used to have a 3DS. This was back before I learned to soft mods systems like this to play whatever I please. Needless to say, Nintendo don’t come cheap. So this and the Zelda remakes are all I really touched and this right here is a childhood classic.

The raw game is so good they basically remade it twice. The space shooting takes you to a low poly parallel world. Where the Ace Pilot Animals in your merc squad say funny things as you blast up battleships and brainiac monkey menaces. When u send them to hell, you look just like your father.

This is the best kind of remake. It Retains the games original content and art style without meddling, Renews the graphics for a clearer adventure, and really just plays fucking cool.

This game used to stump me when I tried it. I now realize the trick of it; the way forward is often hidden by a fake wall or breakable block. I often miss the way to go in a room and end up backtracking just to fuck around and find where to go.

Aside from an extra floaty jump, Samus controls with a precision and her every power up is, well, empowering! This is a game you play, and understand why people would’ve raved about it when it was new. My favorite point in my playthrough was after I beat every boss and got the screwattack….

At that point, you’ve seen all this alien world has to offer, and the only thing left in your way is MOTHER BRAIN.