As we continue the 35th Anniversary of Mario, I have one of my early reviews to show from the first year of this site. In 2016, Super Mario Land was among my early reviews posted back when it was just Retro Corner Reviews. The best thing about the Plumber’s first outing on Game Boy was taking the SMB1 formula and making it portable. The game was released in 1989 as a launch title alongside Tetris and the ports of the NES Black Box sports titles. With the combination of Tetris and SML would make this a big hit more so then the Game and Watch Handheld series. Of course, the first to challenge the success of the Game Boy was Atari with their Lynx handheld system. Unlike Nintendo’s monochrome portable, the Lynx was in full color and had better visuals. As we all know that means nothing when the games make the system and not what it could do. That is why the Lynx ended up in bargain bins at Toys R Us, and KB Toys as the Game Boy continued having better games.
For SML itself, it’s not the biggest title in the series as the NES releases held more importance. Even though this was a prelude to SMB3’s massive push in the US, Mario Land gave the system a killer app next to Tetris. In 1989, there weren’t that many titles among the lineup that didn’t include what’s was already listed. Maybe Castlevania: The Adventure is the only other release that could come off as a big title. However, Tetris might have sold more but Mario's latest adventure was still a massive seller that year and even after. That speaks volumes especially when SML2 was out and still sold more copies. Of course, the Player’s Choice where Nintendo reduced the price to $19.99 by then probably played a factor. Now, the theme is about Mario going through the neighboring kingdom of Sarasaland to save Princess Daisy from an alien named Tatanga. That is what made SML unique and instead of saving Peach in the Mushroom Kingdom, he goes someplace else. Has Super Mario Land aged to the point of no return being a launch game on limited hardware? Super Mario Land (Game Boy) Review
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A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up and as the 35th Anniversary of Mario continues we check out The Lost Levels for the NES. When us Golden Age Gamers think of SMB2 we see the one that came here first for the NES in 1988. However, when Super Mario All Stars released on the Super NES in 1993, we were taken back to see a different Mario game included. Through the 90s many of us wondered if this was a bonus game Nintendo put together for the collection’s release. Today, it’s no secret what happened with the Japanese SMB2 being too hard for North American players. That is the reason North American gamers got the Doki Doki Panic version because it was easier to digest. Pulling this move only helped the series continue its success and why SMB3 would sell 18 million units in 1990. The thing that makes the Japanese version stand out is it’s actually a true Mario game unlike the American version.
Now, there are at least three different variations of the Japanese sequel and these only have a few key difference I came across. These are the original Famicom title, the remake on All Stars and the one in SMB Deluxe on GBC. All three play exactly the same with the difference being visuals or screen resolution. The first time I tried the original Famicom title was through Deluxe on GBC and it felt different from All Stars. The screen size being smaller with no back light made playing Deluxe difficult. It wasn’t until the Game Boy Player came out that made the port easier to enjoy. Just playing something that never came to the States but only through a remake gave me a different outlook on this game. When the TLL came to the Virtua Console in 2007 on the Wii, I finally experienced the Famicom version. If anything, this title comes off more of a true second quest mode then a sequel. Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels (NES) Review A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up, and we take a look at another technical marvel. In the past I went over the impressive ports of Doom for Super NES and Resident Evil 2 on N64. On this occasion we check out Rare’s attempt to recreate Donkey Kong Country on the Game Boy with DK Land. What makes this a technical marvel is the fact Rare took the digitizing 3D models and effects and were able to make them work on limited hardware. It’s one thing for the Doom Super NES port to have those presidio-3D visuals as games like Stunt Race FX and Star Fox had these effects. However, to take those digitized 3D assets and develop them to work on the black and white GB was unseen. Throughout the handheld’s lifetime, many developers would fail when comparing this to the Mortal Kombat trilogy. It was a combination of laziness and bad game design between the gameplay and the graphics that caused those failures on GB.
DKL itself continues the adventure from DKC as Donkey Kong and Diddy visit Cranky at his shack. Needless to say, both DK and Cranky were having a debate as to see if his son could do the same adventure with limitations. Of course, DK claims he could do this on Game Boy as Cranky laughs at the idea. So, his son and Diddy set out to prove his previous quest is possible on limited hardware. Yes, that’s the backstory as to why the adventure from DKC continued and there is nothing else to it. Truly hilarious how the theme and its characters are meta but that’s the point of the joke. Probably the most interesting thing regarding the plot is this was the first time Nintendo went meta with their games. We all know they wouldn’t go this route until the late 2000s. The infamous Frances comment about complaining about games he never plays from Super Paper Mario is an example. Does DKL hold up to its console counterpart or has age been terrible to the game? Donkey Kong Land (Game Boy) Review I have another old edition of Retro Corner Reviews, and it’s when I went over Super Mario Bros 2 four years ago. Despite the community having mixed thoughts and reviews, this is another game where I don’t need to tell you this is good. It’s been debated for years on whether we should consider the second entry a “real Mario game” or not. Regarding its history, yes, SMB2 was originally a different game that had nothing to do with the series. The reason Nintendo changed it into a Mario title is, so they weren’t alienated the people who enjoyed the original. If you ever played the Lost Levels (the real SMB2) it would have a significant higher difficulty compared to the first. The 80s were a time when Nintendo was trying to gain trust of North American consumers and to continue keeping them. If they released The Lost Levels in 1987 then SMB3 would never achieve those 18 million sold copies in 1990. Even though SMB1 sold 40 million units (it was a pack in title with the NES), SMB2 still achieved its 10 million bought copies.
Now, the American version was released in a time when most developers were experimenting with their IPs. Zelda II and Castlevania II were in the same category too as both had different concepts compared to their predecessors. Instead of stomping enemies and using traditional powerups, SMB2 opted for picking and throwing objects. Even the level design saw a change with vases and doors as well as environmental obstacles. It was the most bazaar change compared to any sequel released in 1988. Mega Man II and Double Dragon II were the only sequels that remained the same that year. SMB2 might’ve been a weird sequel put some of its ideas would see a return in later releases. Even the gameplay with characters having different attributes returned in 3D World on the WIIU in 2014. Super Mario Bros 2 (NES) Review On this edition of Retro Corner Reviews, I have an old article from July 2016 when I went over the original Super Mario Bros on the NES. It’s often a thing for most readers to completely overlook my earlier reviews when this site first started. It is understandable as you don’t need me to say how legendary and important the original games were to the industry. You also don’t need me to explain why SMB1 is a classic and where Mario began his superstar status. Unfortunately, the other Black Box titles just don’t stack up to SMB1 when there is a reason it got packed with the console later on. That isn’t to say the other ones weren’t good as they helped gain the trust of North American consumers.
As we continue the 35th Anniversary of Mario, SMB1 is the textbook definition of aged classic. Unlike the Metroid, Kid Icarus and Zelda NES titles, the original SMB aged much better in comparison. The reason is due to those games using ideas that were really hard to push on such limited hardware. While SMB1 had a much simpler approach to game design that didn’t require better hardware to produce the ideas in a proper manner. When you compare the first titles of Zelda and Metroid to its Super NES successors it’s obvious that was the case. It's the reason Mario World wasn’t such a massive jump when we look at Nintendo’s other mainstream series. Regardless, the first major game did its job, and that was getting as many gamers into this hobby. Super Mario Bros (NES) Review A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up, and we take a look at Super Mario Bros 3 the game for the NES. I have been putting this review off for years since every gamer knows that SMB3 is amazing. It’s also touted as one of the greatest platformers to grace the NES and why the third entry is the console’s crown jewel. I already reviewed the awful cartoon adaption from DIC. At least we are going over a masterpiece compared to DIC’s trash that dared to bare its name. It’s also the 35th anniversary of Mario so what better way to celebrate then reviewing one of the bests of the series. Here’s hoping the rumors of a Super Mario All Stars 2 featuring the first four 3D titles in one package is true. Let’s also hope they are graphically remastered using the 3D World or Odyssey engines which would be perfect for potential remakes.
The game itself set a new trend for platformers and the series due to Nintendo riding on all cylinders. The first time this got revealed was during the finale of The Wizard where the game was shown. It was said many gamers erupted during the reveal in the movie as that was the first time SMB3 was shown. Of course, an audience of gamers were going erupt out of surprise as they were witnessing gameplay from a new Mario that wasn’t announced yet. The fact the game seemed much bigger than the previous two titles with broader mechanics and level design made that obvious. It’s true The Wizard was a glorified 100 minute commercial with all product placement ads scattered around. The film did one thing right and that was introducing us to a brand-new masterpiece on a big stage. So, is SMB3 that masterpiece we remembered? Super Mario Bros 3 (NES) Review A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up, and we take a break from the DIC’s awful game cartoons. If you are unaware, Warner Brothers are going to release a new Mortal Kombat animated film based on the events of the first story. Its titled Mortal Kombat Legends: Scorpion's Revenge and the film sees a release this month on April 12th. Now, I’m sure you are wondering why they would do that when the series did such a terrible job previously in other medias. Yes, the original live action film was solid and those comics in the 90s were handled well but in others made us question Ed Boon. I shouldn’t have to remind anyone how crappy MK: Annihilation was or that terrible cartoon based on MK3. However, I really believe WB will handle this better knowing the studio who’s working on the film will have great intentions.
The review isn’t about a MK game but rather from one of its rivals called Killer Instinct. What does this have to do with MK, you ask? Mortal Kombat influenced Rare to develop their own coin op fighting title and was the most original one out of them all. I say that because while others tried imitating like Fighter's History, KI managed to separate itself from the competition. Of course, the worst imitation came from the horrid Kasumi Ninja for the Atari Jaguar. When KI released in 1994 not only was it a step ahead of MKII’s gameplay but also in a stylish manner. That’s what truly sets it apart from being a copycat because even the characters and their presentation wasn’t the same. The theme is about Ultra Tech, a massive corporation that controls the world as its government puts on a tournament. However, the president of Ultra Tech’s goal is to summon a powerful demon called Eyedol. He plans to use the fighters of the tournament for his personal agenda for power. Killer Instinct (Arcade) Review A new edition of Retro Corner Reviews is up, and I continue reviewing another JRPG called Breath of Fire. As mentioned, Breath of Fire released in a time where RPGs started gaining popularity. Before Final Fantasy VII made strides for the genre in many ways, these B titles were like the backbone of JRPGs. Sure, they weren’t the same quality we often saw in the Final Fantasy series, but it still retains a level of interest. It’s because this genre made people a fan of these games that even a mid-tier RPG will satisfy them. Are games like Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger and Phantasy Star IV the best of its genre? No doubt they are, but you can still enjoy others even when these get scored in the 7s and 8s ratings.
The original BoF was Capcom’s first attempt at producing a JRPG after Square and Enix found massive success. The company wasn’t exactly known for these types of games as they always dominated with Mega Man, Street Fighter and Disney licenses. The closet experience is Willow on the NES that had more role playing elements then adventure mechanics. Even then they mostly developed action style games like Demon’s Crest or Final Fight. It makes us wonder how Capcom goes into this without proper experience except knowing what the leading companies were doing. Its obvious Square is the studio they tried to emulate from as I noticed several gameplay mechanics from the Final Fantasy series. It’s rare for them to do this as the publisher mostly brings their own style to any title. With limited experience in developing role-play mechanics and level designs, they had to look somewhere for inspiration. Does the first Breath of Fire hold up today despite Capcom’s lacking experience? Breath of Fire (Super NES) Review On this edition of Monday Retro Corner Reviews, I have an old review from 2016 with Lufia and the Fortress of Doom. The first Lufia saw its development from a studio called Neverland and under the publisher Taito. If you are unfamiliar with Taito’s published games then they include Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble and Double Dragon. Lufia was the company's first attempt to take advantage of the RPG popularity from the early 90s. At the time Square Soft really made JRPGs popular in the west and a few years later other companies tried to cash in on the success. Taito’s first RPG was actually one of my early reviews I posted on this site two weeks after making it go live in May 2016. I know it is kind of odd for me to go over this game to begin with and not something like the first Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest. The original Lufia got released in 1993 and that was a year when most companies didn’t put a big title out. The only notable titles were either Super Mario All Stars or Secret of Mana, so Taito got a break that year. After playing this a couple of times, Lufia bears a resemblance to Dragon Quest more than Final Fantasy. From the layout to the gameplay is everything that series stood for in terms of a classic JRPG. With so many contenders in the genre, it’s hard to stack this game to others especially the major releases. Square Soft back then was the king of these games due to producing some of the best gameplay and graphics. Even Sega did a nice job with Phantasy Star while Capcom became second behind Square. So how well has Lufia aged since its 1993 release? Lufia and the Fortress of Doom (Super NES) Review A new edition of Monday Retro Corner Reviews is up as we target the Super NES version of Disney’s Aladdin developed by Capcom. During the Golden Age, there were studios that either worked on the same version even if played differently or developed their own edition. Disney games were normally the ones that received the best efforts next to Tiny Toons and Ninja Turtles. Whether it was something made by Capcom, Virgin Interactive or Sega, these types of games always brought the best out of license products. It’s a shame that the fourth generation is the last one where a film or cartoon would’ve gotten such quality attention often. Capcom and Konami moved away from these to focus on more legit games while Sega dwindled down a dark path of no return. Even Virgin Interactive closed its doors in 1998 and leaving the idea of licensed quality designs to fend for itself in a sea of mature rated titles.
Aladdin on the Super NES is considered the more noteworthy Disney games from Capcom next to Duck Tales on NES and Game Boy. The film is an instant classic among the company’s massive library of hit movies and TV shows. Capcom always made some of the best Disney entries that the game industry saw at the time. Whenever their logo was on these titles’ boxes, then you know a great game awaits. We can all agree it’s a good thing LGN never laid their hands on the Disney name. Then we weren’t be having this review or topic talked about. The Super NES version plays different from Virgin Interactive’s Sega release despite being in the same genre. Can Capcom pull another quality hit for the House of Mouse? Disney’s Aladdin (Super NES) Review |
Welcome to Retro CornerIn this section I review retro gaming hence my name and talk about what made the Golden Age so amazing. From the 8-bit era of the NES to the first 3D generation of PC and N64, no classic title will get overlooked. Archives
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