LSav00
2021
Arcade-based insanity at its finest. Playing this game multiplayer and witnessing the reaction of my friend as the double-decker bus he was driving down a mountain did a front flip off my hammerhead shark (complete with laser helmet attachment on his head) and careened through the air at mach 2 is proof enough this game is the stuff of legend.
Could've done with more content, but c'est la vie.
Could've done with more content, but c'est la vie.
A fantastic game made all the more accessible, with a bloody nice visual overhaul - especially for the system. A shame that the superior version is, ironically, now lost to time.
A direct sequel to one of the best games on the DS? They KNEW they were onto a winner, clearly. It adds far more locales and content - perhaps a little TOO much - but it is a prime example of how a sequel should be made. The fact the challenge mode difficulty has never returned is something of a crime, as it scaled just right to make you sweat bullets by the time you were at the Pokémon League.
The lack of map and monochromatic, same-y room layouts made this an absolute nightmare. However, it was still enjoyable enough to eek out secrets, and see it through to the end. Very impressive for the console!
2017
Hoisted Mazza back to his 3D sandbox roots, and did it with style. The overbearing amount of Moons may be a sticking point to some, but it demonstrated the Switch's appeal perfectly - you could pop it into the dock and spend hours digging up secrets, or give the game a quick whirl on a bus ride and still feel like you've made forward progress.
Quite an oddity, and one that set the precedent for better (or in this case "better") tie-in versions of Pokémon games. While the bizarre cuts to obtainable Pokémon felt arbitrary and pointless, the revamped sprites for the mons and little bits of extra content here and there make it the definitive 1st gen Pokémon game.
Which isn't really MUCH of an achievement, but hey. It's something.
Which isn't really MUCH of an achievement, but hey. It's something.
A gameplay loop that'll keep you hooked, an amazing soundtrack, tonnes of content and one of the best stories in the Pokémon franchise to date, this game has it all. Well, WELL worth your time, even if dungeon crawlers aren't you're usual fare.
2014
A shockingly robust and competent art program, given the limitations of art on the 3DS. A bit clunky, but teaches you some fantastic tips and tricks of the trade to set you on the right path.
2022
What SHOULD be a slam dunk - Sonic 3 & Knuckles, finally on a handheld console again! - is dragged down by shoddy port jobs and licensing issues that wreck the soundtracks for the aforementioned.
Sega price-gouging by releasing an expanded 'Plus' version later down the line, too, is an irritating trend they've slowly begun to make more common. A damn shame that this collection turned out as rough as it did.
Sega price-gouging by releasing an expanded 'Plus' version later down the line, too, is an irritating trend they've slowly begun to make more common. A damn shame that this collection turned out as rough as it did.
Am I biased, given this is my favourite game of all time? Oh, absolutely.
Did a 13 year old me have his life changed by playing this game at the right time? ABSOLUTELY.
The characters, the music, the presentation, the story, everything about this game coalesces into an experience like few others. Up there as one of the best, there's a reason this game is beloved by so many, even to this day, over ten years on.
Did a 13 year old me have his life changed by playing this game at the right time? ABSOLUTELY.
The characters, the music, the presentation, the story, everything about this game coalesces into an experience like few others. Up there as one of the best, there's a reason this game is beloved by so many, even to this day, over ten years on.
Hundreds of hours of gameplay, incredible production values for a 3DS game, an incredible soundtrack, and caters to both solo AND multiplayer-oriented players. One of the best games on the 3DS, and it's not even close.
2015
Back in my day, Pokémon Rumble was a darling little Wiiware game, inoffensive but great fun for a wee lad only VERY rarely allowed to buy any Wii Shop points.
How the mighty have fallen. This series ended not with a bang, with one third of a whimper, as you had to pay to buy gems to roll for the chance to unlock the rest.
How the mighty have fallen. This series ended not with a bang, with one third of a whimper, as you had to pay to buy gems to roll for the chance to unlock the rest.
Takes the fantastic presentation of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, cranks it up three whole notches, brings back fan-favourite monsters and has oodles of quests to complete. Was a multiplayer favourite back in the day.
A lovely way to play a classic (with some neat bonus features, and a whole extra game!), even if the tiny screen real estate can make things a little tricky.
2021
Typically engaging standard musou fare, but something just feels... Missing from it. May be fatigue from Koei Tecmo's rampant DLC gouging setting in. Fun presentation and character design, at least.