Monday, 29 January 2007
Friday, 26 January 2007
26/1 - Mario Kart 64 - N64 (Wii VC)
Racing, multiplayer
Everything seems to be present and correct in this nicely emulated version of the N64 original. Although I can't really verify it easily (N64 is in the cupboard, under a load of junk), reports suggest that the Wii is lending its significant Mhz advantage to reducing framerate loss to nothing, especially noticeable in multiplayer. Good!
Everything seems to be present and correct in this nicely emulated version of the N64 original. Although I can't really verify it easily (N64 is in the cupboard, under a load of junk), reports suggest that the Wii is lending its significant Mhz advantage to reducing framerate loss to nothing, especially noticeable in multiplayer. Good!
26/1 - StarFox Command - DS
Arcade flight/strategy. Online and local multiplayer, stylus controlled.
I bought this recently and initially enjoyed it quite a bit. The action is fun and the strategy elements are also moderately interesting, if a little light on strategy and heavier on trial and error - mostly thanks to limited turns and 'fog of war'.
However, I'm a fair way in and it's starting to get a little samey and fiddley now. If like me you found the controls to Metroid Prime: Hunters gave you 'The Claw' then you'll probably begin to loathe the ones here too. Not great, worth picking up for cheap if you see it I guess, unless you're chiefly interested in the online mode.
I bought this recently and initially enjoyed it quite a bit. The action is fun and the strategy elements are also moderately interesting, if a little light on strategy and heavier on trial and error - mostly thanks to limited turns and 'fog of war'.
However, I'm a fair way in and it's starting to get a little samey and fiddley now. If like me you found the controls to Metroid Prime: Hunters gave you 'The Claw' then you'll probably begin to loathe the ones here too. Not great, worth picking up for cheap if you see it I guess, unless you're chiefly interested in the online mode.
Friday, 19 January 2007
19/1 - Street Fighter II - SNES (Wii VC)
Two player beat 'em up.
I'm pretty sure this was the first title I got for my SNES (it was bundled with it), and I remember spending many nights on it. I got my money's worth back then, and even though this is the non-Turbo edition I jumped for it again now for the nostalgia factor. The emulation is very slick, and I find the Wii Classic controller is perfect for SNES stuff. I quickly got backup to speed and found myself stumbling at the same points, Vega and M. Bison.
I'd say this was well worth it if you're looking for specific nostalgia action and you knew the original non-Turbo edition well. Others may wish to wait for the Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting for what is surely the definitive version of the game on the SNES.
I'm pretty sure this was the first title I got for my SNES (it was bundled with it), and I remember spending many nights on it. I got my money's worth back then, and even though this is the non-Turbo edition I jumped for it again now for the nostalgia factor. The emulation is very slick, and I find the Wii Classic controller is perfect for SNES stuff. I quickly got backup to speed and found myself stumbling at the same points, Vega and M. Bison.
I'd say this was well worth it if you're looking for specific nostalgia action and you knew the original non-Turbo edition well. Others may wish to wait for the Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting for what is surely the definitive version of the game on the SNES.
19/1 - Super Probotector - SNES (Wii VC)
Two player side scrolling platform-based shooter.
If you ever had a SNES and didn't own this, then you missed out on what in my opinion is one of the great 'twist' titles. Much like when you first meet the T-Rex in Tomb Raider, the bombing run that transforms this game from a fairly simple side scrolling platform/shooting game into something with clearly a lot of thought and budget is the fulcrum of the game. It's quite tough to pick up; although the game is not too difficult, it doesn't really start out easy like some titles, so I can imagine some folks giving up before it gets good. And by good I mean TOTALLY AWESOME.
I want to go and play it now :(
If you ever had a SNES and didn't own this, then you missed out on what in my opinion is one of the great 'twist' titles. Much like when you first meet the T-Rex in Tomb Raider, the bombing run that transforms this game from a fairly simple side scrolling platform/shooting game into something with clearly a lot of thought and budget is the fulcrum of the game. It's quite tough to pick up; although the game is not too difficult, it doesn't really start out easy like some titles, so I can imagine some folks giving up before it gets good. And by good I mean TOTALLY AWESOME.
I want to go and play it now :(
Monday, 15 January 2007
16/1 - World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade - PC/Mac
MMORPG
Er. If you're a WoW subscriber, you need to get this. If you're a lapsed subscriber, it's time to get back into it. If you know anyone who plays WoW, then I'd recommend giving it a go. If you don't, then you might not find it as much fun playing with people you don't know.
Er. If you're a WoW subscriber, you need to get this. If you're a lapsed subscriber, it's time to get back into it. If you know anyone who plays WoW, then I'd recommend giving it a go. If you don't, then you might not find it as much fun playing with people you don't know.
Friday, 12 January 2007
12/1 - Xevious - NES (Wii VC)
Single player shoot 'em up
I never had a NES. I had home computers up until the SNES, so I missed out on quite a few initial titles like this. As it was cheap, I decided to take a look.
Predictably, it's quite fun, but a bit simplistic. I wouldn't recommend it when compared to other shooters you can get on the Wii (especially some of the TG-16 stuff!).
I never had a NES. I had home computers up until the SNES, so I missed out on quite a few initial titles like this. As it was cheap, I decided to take a look.
Predictably, it's quite fun, but a bit simplistic. I wouldn't recommend it when compared to other shooters you can get on the Wii (especially some of the TG-16 stuff!).
12/1 - WarioWare: Smooth Moves - Wii
Multiplayer, minigames, no nunchuck required?
If you've played Wario Ware before then you probably just need to know where this sits in the range. I'd say this is up there with the best two GBA versions, better than Touched! and of course much better than the silly split-screen Gamecube version.
Of slight annoyance is the need to complete the main single player mode to unlock multiplayer, but in reality there is little difference between how you play the two, so you could just 'hotseat' through the single player game to kick off the session.
I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this game unless they were really self-conscious. The initial single player mode is a little short, so for those folks who don't really like to try and beat their own score in the unlocked games, you might wish to wait for a lower price.
If you've played Wario Ware before then you probably just need to know where this sits in the range. I'd say this is up there with the best two GBA versions, better than Touched! and of course much better than the silly split-screen Gamecube version.
Of slight annoyance is the need to complete the main single player mode to unlock multiplayer, but in reality there is little difference between how you play the two, so you could just 'hotseat' through the single player game to kick off the session.
I can't imagine anyone not enjoying this game unless they were really self-conscious. The initial single player mode is a little short, so for those folks who don't really like to try and beat their own score in the unlocked games, you might wish to wait for a lower price.
Hello, A little about UK Game releases (UKGR).
I'm just posting interesting game releases, one per post here, for my own amusement. RSS feed will be the most useful resource.
I will retrospectively add reviews as and when I've tried them sufficiently, so hopefully this will prove a useful buyers guide to the careful investor.
I will retrospectively add reviews as and when I've tried them sufficiently, so hopefully this will prove a useful buyers guide to the careful investor.
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