Fri, 27 September 2019
This series' Nintendo 64 launch retrospective wraps up with a look back at the, uh, second N64 launch title: Pilotwings 64. As with Super Mario 64, it builds on a Super NES launch title by expanding its design into proper 3D space while also making its overall design and progression a bit more bite-sized and approachable. Although it's quite dated all these years later, you can definitely see it as a leap forward from what had come before. Also this episode: The Japan-exclusive third launch title, Saikyo Habu Shogi.
Direct download: Pilotwings206420retrospective-20Jet20tricks20and20chill207C20N6420Works2023002.mp4
Category:Video Games -- posted at: 10:25am EDT |
Fri, 27 September 2019
We have yet another early Game Boy Color release that got its start in monochrome—but this one's a little different. Rather than appearing as a late Game Boy release and hastily being reworked for color, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening debuted back in 1993 and was given a comprehensive overhaul for the new handheld. While largely the same game as the original release, with few visual or mechanical changes outside of a more vivid palette, Link's Awakening DX does add new material to Nintendo's handheld classic: A new bonus dungeon, some new gear, and Game Boy Printer support. It ultimately amounts to a minor upgrade, yes, but the base game was so strong that it didn't need much in the way of an overhaul. Here, as on Game Boy, it's a genuine classic.
Direct download: The20Legend20of20Zelda-20Link27s20Awakening20retrospective-20A20recurring20dream207C20Game20Boy20Works20Color2023007.mp4
Category:Video Games -- posted at: 10:23am EDT |
Fri, 27 September 2019
We look overseas this week to a notable Japan-only release for Game Boy Color: A chapter of the Intelligent Systems "Wars" series. Though not as sophisticated or charming as Advance Wars, there's still a lot to like about this import title... assuming you don't mind the significant step backward it represents from the later games that actually made their way to the U.S. Also in this episode: Game Boy Color gets the first of many, many Pokémon clones to come in the fully tolerable but utterly unremarkable Sanrio Time Net, which comes in both Past and Future versions.
Direct download: Game20Boy20Wars20220retrospective-20Veterans20of20foreign20wars207C20Game20Boy20Works20Color2023006.mp4
Category:Video Games -- posted at: 10:21am EDT |