josiephine
1993
Armed with the manual, there's a lot to love about this 30 year old arcade wrestler. Graphics and sound are on point, roster and match types are varied, and it's easy to learn. But the button mash grapple system leaves a lot to be desired, weighing down an otherwise fun throwback.
Still, an easy three stars for 16-bit Mean Gene alone.
Still, an easy three stars for 16-bit Mean Gene alone.
2017
Thinner gameplay than the average NES cart, Clash Force feels more like a demo than a commercial product. Half baked and unfinished, what's here isn't bad, but there's so little that it's hardly worth considering. Play something else.
The former NSMB team see redemption with a game that is the antithesis of modern Nintendo design. Choice is the name of the game, empowering the plumber player with an adventure that is what they choose to make it.
2023
A Brawler/Platformer Mega-like feels like a checklist of things I love. So why don't I love it more? Progression feels stilted and underbaked, adhering rigidly to the Mega Man X formula but without fleshed out power scaling. And though there is a charm to it, I find the GBC-inspired art style distracting and hard on the eyes. It isn't even close to all bad, though. There's a surprisingly compelling story here. The level and boss design is rock solid. And Ninmark's OST meets and surpasses its legendary inspiration. Here's hoping for a much improved sequel soon.
2021
Clever level design, frantic stealth sequences, white knuckle boss fights, and Samus herself has never felt better to play. There's some nits I could pick, but this game stands shoulder to shoulder with its lauded predecessors. Play this game.
2021
A friend gifted me this game back when it was in early access, and I've come back to it off and on over the years as it went through alpha phases. Recently, I reset my progress and booted up the release build, and oh boy, somehow I lost another 30 hours in this epic. Any Mega Man X fan owes it to themselves to play this game. A masterpiece by any measure.
2023
This game won't win over anyone who hates how 2D Sonic plays, but for fans of Classic Sonic, this entry stands shoulder to shoulder with the Genesis originals. The bosses, especially the cruelly difficult ones in the post-game, are the one knock against it; Feeling both under and over baked. But overall, the game is a blast from start to finish. If you dislike this, but love Sonic Mania, it isn't Sonic games you enjoy, it's the 1990s.
1992
It's the Genesis version from two years earlier, but easier, uglier, and no multiplayer. Hardly the worst brawler I've played, but there's no reason for it in current year, not with the Mega Drive original easily playable on any device. ...Though it is fun how easy it is to achieve infinites on this version.
1991
The Final Fight killer is here, establishing the definitive brawler formula. Repetitive enemies and bouts of "Sega" difficulty are overshadowed by intensely satisfying combat and immaculate vibes. Even in the shadow of SOR2, it's worth your time.
1992
Still the GOAT after 31 years. I play a lot of brawlers, old school and modern alike, and I can think of none that are this slick, this well made, this fun to pick up and play, while still having a solid level of challenge, great enemy variety, boss fights, stage design, and be this vintage. Kunio, Lee Brothers, Turtles, and Mayor Haggar all must bow to the unbeatable beast that is Sega and Ancient's Streets of Rage 2. Nobody does it better.
1992
There's good ideas here. But it's a slow, miserable playing game, and brawlers live or die on game feel. The JP release is definitely better (I played both), but not by much. 1992 was the year of the beat em up. Shame no one told Technos.
1992
Radical 90s action-horror belt scroller that oozes with Toku visual language. The sphere power up/health system provides a somewhat unique play experience, despite fairly bog standard beat em up action. Shame it wasn't rebalanced for home play.
1991
A solid brawler with a fun cast of characters, retro future aesthetic, and over the top setting. It's like playing a cheeky saturday morning cartoon that never existed. Wish it was longer and had more options, but it's great for what it is.
it'd be a half star, but the soundtrack whips and the intro video fucks.
1995
The easiest Final Fight, but also the most fun to play. A diverse playing roster with new Supers to pull off, faster gameplay, and a much more generous Continue system, makes this a must-play for fans of the genre. Not a perfect brawler, but a darn good one!