We Love Katamari is yet another fantastic entry in the Katamari series, effortlessly bouncing off of its predecessor, my personal favorite game of all time, to bring you back to that childish innocence you seem to forget as you age.

Katamari simply cannot fail at what it aims to do. You’re meant to have fun with a goofy smile on your face for hours until you realize the time flew by and you’ve already beaten the game in one sitting. A series of games like this simply doesn’t exist anywhere else. There are video game franchises that bring joy to the average person, i.e. 3D Mario games; but there is only ONE game that erases everything happening in your environment that you perceive as negative, and that’s Katamari.

Despite its warmth, I do prefer the original to this one. The entire reason I praise Katamari Damacy is because of how simple it is. It’s very linear and straightforward in the goals of its gameplay. It’s nearly impossible to fail, and the OST is one of the best of all time. It’s just an enjoyable experience start to finish with zero hiccups. It seems like the sequel was aiming to be more of a “video game” rather than just a good time. There are times when the goal isn’t very clear, or the challenge at hand isn’t nearly as dumbed down as it was in the first game. I understand most people prefer to be faced with some sort of challenge in video games, but after playing Katamari Damacy, all I truly wanted was another game identical.

Fortunately, outside of the gameplay itself, it seems like Keita Takahashi really wanted to drive home the level design in this game. I don’t think the first game can hold a candle to the complexity of its sequel’s levels. Everything is so incredibly detailed and colorful, same as the first. Except it feels like it somehow doubled, if that’s even possible.

While I do think the first game in this series has an innocence in its energy that is unmatched, We Love Katamari is far from a “step down.” This is still leagues above most games in terms of what I’m looking for from the medium. 9/10.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is almost everything I seek out of retro games. A visually appealing art direction, colorful (and at times very dark and unsettling) environments, action throughout, and a beautiful 16 bit OST. Couple this with a classic “adventure” and you get a game that forever stands the test of the time.

I have struggled to try and get into the Zelda franchise. I’ve dumped hours in the first game, the second game, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, you name it, it’s never appealed to me. Maybe I needed to start with a game in the franchise that appeals to a wider audience due to how early its release was. Well, that’s exactly what A Link to the Past is. It was refreshing returning to a game that looks so similar to the GBA games I grew up with. I’m happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this game.

When it comes to gaming, lore isn’t something I often care about. I’m typically just here for a good time. But, there’s something special to the lore of the Zelda franchise; a long-running series that intrigues you with its deep lore and encourages you to learn about it. It was a blast discovering all of the little secrets Hyrule had to offer. A sizable game on a console from decades ago, begging to be a modern experience. Whether it was the secret caves found through planting bombs, or the hidden entryways underneath big rocks, I couldn’t have asked for more game-to-player engagement.

Even though I do enjoy the OST, it can get a little stale at times. Especially when you’re wandering through the world trying to piece puzzles together to acquire items. I wish there was a bit more variety within the OST, rather than a set track in the 7 or so areas we get to explore.

I also for the life of me couldn’t figure out the hit box at times. It was mostly on “Blind” (red devil) and at times Gannon. I would swipe away with my sword, yes, during the appropriate times to be using the sword, and nothing would happen. Only to try again and hit the same spot, but this time with success. It wasn’t a huge issue, just something I occasionally noticed.

As much as I do enjoy exploring in a game with a map like this, acquiring weapons and items can get tedious. There’s the occasional backtracking due to not having a single weapon you didn’t know you would need in the future, referencing the Ice Rod of course. It's found in a random cave rather than the dungeon that is literally ice. Also the lack of explanation of what to do in order to progress at times. There was never a single mention of the Dwarves, which need saved to get the super bomb. If you can’t get the super bomb, you can’t get the silver arrows. If you don’t get the silver arrows, you can’t beat Gannon. I really wasn’t a fan of how many bosses required specific weapons, despite there being little to no evidence beforehand.

The dungeons are extremely varied and intriguing on their own, with seemingly endless puzzles to fill time and a plethora of enemy variety. It’s a lot of fun going from dungeon to dungeon seeing what new and wacky treasuries or enemies will be waiting for you on the other side of the entrance.

A Link to the Past is a game worth returning to at least once a year. There aren’t really any moments that make you want to quit, and it’s consistent in its fast-paced gameplay. This could be the gold standard of similar games on the SNES, and it’s definitely a new favorite of mine on the console. 8/10.