Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Superheroes delivers a quartet of classic action-adventure experiences, each with its own distinct mechanics and pacing. In Last Ninja 2, you’ll find a methodical blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving that demands patience and precision. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade leans more toward swift platforming and trap evasion, testing your timing as you leap across chasms and dodge rolling boulders.

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Strider 2 shifts gears into high-speed, acrobatic combat, rewarding quick reflexes and fluid use of your plasma sword. The game’s emphasis on vertical and horizontal movement gives a fresh sensation compared to the more deliberate pacing of the ninja or archaeologist. Finally, James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me introduces mission-based objectives, mixing shooting segments, light stealth, and even vehicle chases to keep players on their toes.

Across all four titles, the control schemes are faithful to their original releases, which may feel slightly rigid by modern standards but evoke a genuine retro charm. Difficulty curves vary significantly: Last Ninja 2 and Indiana Jones challenge you with intricate level design, while Strider 2 and Bond ramp up the action, often throwing waves of enemies or tight time limits at you. This variety ensures that no two sessions feel identical, making Superheroes a compelling package for players who crave diverse gameplay.

Graphics

Visually, Superheroes is a showcase of early and mid-’90s pixel artistry. Last Ninja 2 features richly detailed environments, from Zen temples to foggy docks, all rendered in vibrant palettes that still pop on modern screens. Indiana Jones offers a more modest color range but captures the spirit of the films with recognizable set pieces and fluid character animations.

Strider 2 stands out with its lush backdrops and smooth sprite work, illustrating futuristic cityscapes and cavernous dungeons in crisp detail. The game occasionally layers parallax backgrounds to heighten the sense of depth, a technique that remains impressive decades later. James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me employs a darker, moodier palette, using shadow and light effects to simulate a stealth atmosphere—though some backgrounds can feel blocky up close.

While none of the four titles match modern graphical fidelity, their art direction holds up remarkably well. The compilation’s emulation preserves original aspect ratios and scanline filters, allowing purists to experience the games as they were meant to be seen. Even players new to retro visuals will appreciate the clarity and charm these classics still exude.

Story

Given that Superheroes compiles four standalone adventures, there’s no single narrative thread tying them together. Instead, each hero embarks on a self-contained quest. In Last Ninja 2, you play a lone warrior fighting the Shadow Warriors to avenge your fallen master. The minimal storytelling unfolds through brief cutscenes and environmental clues, focusing attention on gameplay-driven discovery.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade follows the famed archaeologist in a race to locate the Holy Grail before the Nazis do. The game hints at film-inspired set pieces—catacombs, castle chambers, and desert ruins—invoking the series’ adventurous spirit. Story moments are sparse, but they effectively punctuate the action with cinematic flair.

Strider 2 continues the legacy of the cypher-eyed hero, tasking a new generation of Striders with overthrowing a tyrannical regime. Narrative beats appear between levels, offering context for the high-intensity platforming. Lastly, James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me weaves a simple espionage plot involving stolen nuclear secrets. Mission briefings and villainous monologues give fans an authentic 007 vibe, even if the script feels straightforward by today’s standards.

Overall Experience

Superheroes stands as a love letter to retro gaming aficionados, packing four beloved titles into one accessible collection. The compilation’s strength lies in its variety: whether you prefer deliberate, puzzle-laden exploration or breakneck, action-packed set pieces, there’s something here to satisfy. Switching between genres keeps the experience fresh, ensuring that long play sessions never feel monotonous.

Emulation is rock-solid throughout, with customizable display options that honor the original releases while adapting gracefully to modern hardware. Soundtracks are faithfully reproduced, from the atmospheric synth in Last Ninja 2 to the heroic themes underscoring Indiana Jones and Bond’s cinematic moments. Occasional quirks—such as differing control sensitivities—are more nostalgic than detrimental.

For newcomers, this compilation offers a historical snapshot of how action-adventure games evolved across a decade. Seasoned players will relish revisiting these classics, appreciating both their innovations and the rough edges that define the era. Overall, Superheroes is a rewarding package that delivers four distinct adventures at a great value, making it a must-have for collectors and curious gamers alike.

Retro Replay Score

6.3/10