gingerbeardman
All prior games in the series are perfectly distilled and stretched across dual screens. A more perfect difficulty curve I am yet to find. Extended play is mind-melding: you begin to think like the level designer!
The only issue I have is the voiceover and magician scenario which were apparently the request of a journalist. I much prefer the Safari-suit "Explorer" vibe of all previous games.
The only issue I have is the voiceover and magician scenario which were apparently the request of a journalist. I much prefer the Safari-suit "Explorer" vibe of all previous games.
1984
I adore this so much I own an arcade cabinet! If you're in the UK you can play it at Arcade Club, Bury, Greater Manchester.
It's deterministic (no randomness) so you can figure out a repeatable route and turn playing into a zen experience. Controls use leaf switches so feel very analogue.
The Mega Drive version is a decent port but not 1:1 to the arcade original, so I find it slightly lacking.
https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2010/10/07/flicky/
&
https://www.flicky1984.com
It's deterministic (no randomness) so you can figure out a repeatable route and turn playing into a zen experience. Controls use leaf switches so feel very analogue.
The Mega Drive version is a decent port but not 1:1 to the arcade original, so I find it slightly lacking.
https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2010/10/07/flicky/
&
https://www.flicky1984.com
Any of the "New 3D Golf Simulation" series; I play the Japanese Mega Drive versions. Great golf, majestic music, super stylish interface & box art, and a tea break after hole 9. Play with CPU overclock to make them feel modern!
1999
The first Runabout was an innovative concept in a short, underdeveloped game. The sequel (made by Graphic Research, rather than Climax Ent.) fulfilled the promise of the original and took it to great heights, delivering an almost perfect game.
Don't fall into the trap of thinking it's like Crazy Taxi!
Don't fall into the trap of thinking it's like Crazy Taxi!
Available for both GBA & Wii this is slow motion Katamari Damacy with gravity. You control a star that can absorb smaller stars and crash into larger ones. Two buttons: attract/repel control your orbit & trajectory.
2009
Available for both GBA & Wii this is slow motion Katamari Damacy with gravity. You control a star that can absorb smaller stars and crash into larger ones. Two buttons: attract/repel control your orbit & trajectory.
An immensely rewarding glider sim with perfect difficulty curve and lovely, mysterious vibe. But playing this as an arcade game won't get you far: it requires thinking, planning & minimal/accurate input.
Half a star taken off due to the fact it could be more accessible in the early stages. Almost everybody I know who tried it gave up on the first stage as they expected it to play like an arcade game. They didn't realise that you don't really need to touch the controls at all on the first stage.
Half a star taken off due to the fact it could be more accessible in the early stages. Almost everybody I know who tried it gave up on the first stage as they expected it to play like an arcade game. They didn't realise that you don't really need to touch the controls at all on the first stage.
2002
This 2nd GBA game in the series gets my vote as best, tho they're all great. It dials the concept up to 11 with enhanced level design, goals & controls. On a beach holiday I was so engrossed I got sunstroke.
This DSiWare reworking of the original game throws out online functionality and adds an extensive Challenge mode to reinforce the core. It's much improved over the older physical release version.
Given the closure of the DSi Shop your only choice is to mod your device and download it from internet archive.
Given the closure of the DSi Shop your only choice is to mod your device and download it from internet archive.
2000
Superb port of an arcade game people think is like Crazy Taxi but is more Out Run with mad shortcuts! Extended play rewarded by seeing more wow moments. I'm yet to see them all. Crash into King Kong's bits!
I'm yet to play the GBA version.
I'm yet to play the GBA version.
2005
After seeing a prototype Nintendo demanded a version of this for DS, but the GBA version is more refined & released later. Daily puzzle mode will last you a year. One-handed control for commuting is genius!
In August 2013 I decided to play through all 365 puzzles and just managed to finish them by New Years. Loved it.
In August 2013 I decided to play through all 365 puzzles and just managed to finish them by New Years. Loved it.
2006
An amazingly well-balanced game. Criminally overlooked, maybe because it's Wii, or only has motion controls? This is a tour de force of close and clever racing; an adrenalin rush like no other once it clicks!
I'm reviewing this for what it is rather than what it isn't. So no deductions for lack of online.
I'm reviewing this for what it is rather than what it isn't. So no deductions for lack of online.
2003
I often wonder if the developers of Excite Truck were inspired by this game? It's certainly as close a relative as I've found. It features same BIG AIR adrenalin rush, impossible powers and close racing.
1990
One of my fondest memories: my dad playing hang gliding stage on repeat as a relaxation tool. I loved the surprise & delight of the secret levels that were unlocked for being good at the game: I can still do it!
This inventive action game is 3-in-1: Circle, Square & Bar. Circle = physics, Square = turn-based, Bar = reaction. Circle is quite possibly my favourite game of all time. You can play today using Wii & DS ROMs. See: https://blog.gingerbeardman.com/2013/06/29/maboshi/
I prefer the look and feel of the DS version, but it's lacking the multi-window capability of the Wii version.
I prefer the look and feel of the DS version, but it's lacking the multi-window capability of the Wii version.