Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Excellent Games delivers a diverse gameplay lineup, offering everything from precision cue sports to godlike world-building. On the DOS side, Jimmy White’s ‘Whirlwind’ Snooker and Car and Driver focus on realistic physics and control—snooker cues feel weighty yet responsive, while driving through varied circuits tests your timing and reflexes. Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods and James Pond 2: Codename Robocod shift to strategy and platforming, providing fast-paced pacing and creative level design that reward experimentation.

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The Amiga version complements this with Archer Maclean’s Pool—an elegant and finely tuned billiards sim—and Shuttle: The Space Flight Simulator, which lets you pilot a space shuttle with an impressively detailed control panel. Populous II and James Pond 2 remain constants, showcasing how the same title can feel slightly different between DOS and Amiga controls and performance. The compilation’s strength lies in these contrasts: you can hone your cue aim one moment, then manage divine powers or rocket boosters the next.

Each game balances accessibility with depth. Beginners can quickly grasp the basics of twirling a cue or steering a car, but mastering the spin on a snooker ball or executing perfect landings in Shuttle demands patience. Populous II’s godlike powers evolve through intuitive menus, while James Pond 2’s abilities—boomerang tails, spring shoes—unfold gradually, keeping the platforming fresh. Despite their age, the controls remain surprisingly tight, making these retro titles enjoyable even for modern players.

Multiplayer options vary. The cue sports titles support hot-seat matches, ideal for friendly competition, while Car and Driver lets two players take turns on split-screen circuits. Populous II offers competitive gods duking it out for territory, and though James Pond 2 is single-player, its level memorization and timing challenges fuel endless replay. For those seeking both solo and shared experiences, Excellent Games ticks all the boxes.

Graphics

Visually, Excellent Games captures the charm of early ’90s pixel artistry. The DOS titles tend toward sharper palettes, with finely drawn tables in Jimmy White’s Snooker and neon-infused HUD elements in Car and Driver. Populous II’s isometric landscapes are lush and colorful, while James Pond 2 dazzles with cartoonish sprites and vibrant animations that hold up better than many contemporaries.

On the Amiga, Archer Maclean’s Pool presents smooth motion and realistic ball shading, making every shot visually satisfying. Shuttle: The Space Flight Simulator showcases detailed cockpit panels and planet surface textures, though occasionally hampered by slower frame rates during high-detail views. Populous II’s terrain is rich and varied, and James Pond 2 retains its colorful platform stages, albeit with slightly softer dithering due to the Amiga’s chipset limitations.

Across both platforms, the art direction remains consistent: clear, well-defined sprites against distinct backgrounds. Menus are functional and nostalgic, with chunky fonts evoking the era. While today’s gamers may find the graphics dated, there’s undeniable retro appeal in the pixel-perfect animations and careful color choices that define each title’s identity.

Subtle effects—smoke trails on shuttle launches, glinting pool balls, animated crowds in snooker arenas—add polish. Transitions between menus and gameplay are swift, minimizing downtime. Though resolutions are low by modern standards, each game maximizes its limited pixels to deliver recognizable characters, vehicles, and landscapes that many players will find endearing.

Story

Not all entries in Excellent Games lean heavily on narrative, but those that do are surprisingly engaging. Populous II casts you as a fledgling god navigating a mythological world, complete with voiceovers of Greek deities and text-based prophecies that set the stage for divine conquest. The progression from mortal builder to Olympian overlord feels rewarding, with each level’s lore woven into environmental challenges.

James Pond 2: Codename: Robocod takes a delightfully tongue-in-cheek approach—our fishy hero infiltrates Dr. Maybe’s lair to thwart evil minions. Between the vibrant levels, you’ll encounter pun-laden dialogue and playful cutscenes that capture the era’s platformer spirit. The story never overshadows the gameplay but provides enough context to keep you smiling as you leap across mechanical hazards and defeat quirky bosses.

Shuttle: The Space Flight Simulator frames its missions around NASA objectives—deploying satellites, docking with a space station—presented in mission briefings that evoke genuine astronaut training manuals. This grounded narrative, though minimal, enhances immersion: every launch countdown and orbit insertion feels purposeful. Car and Driver and the cue sports games focus less on story, instead letting competitive goals drive the experience.

While narrative depth varies, Excellent Games balances gameplay-first titles with those offering light storytelling. For players who appreciate a bit of context—divine intrigue, fishy espionage, space missions—the compilation supplies pockets of lore and humor without bogging down the action.

Overall Experience

As a package, Excellent Games epitomizes retro compilations done right. Whether you opt for the DOS or Amiga edition, you’ll discover a carefully curated selection that spans genres and skill sets. The variety ensures that after a snooker match or a drive around a virtual track, you can pivot to god-mode strategy or platforming antics without feeling disconnected.

Installation and setup are straightforward for vintage enthusiasts: DOSBox or an Amiga emulator gets you playing in minutes. Load times are minimal, and the menu system cleanly categorizes each game. The sheer nostalgia factor—reviving Archer Maclean’s precision pool or the tactical god powers in Populous II—makes the compilation a must-have for fans of ’90s gaming.

While modern titles offer higher resolution and online play, Excellent Games provides an authentic throwback. The controls, though dated, remain intuitive once you adjust to keyboard or joystick schemes. Visual and audio presentations may not rival today’s triple-A blockbusters, but the creativity and playability shine through.

In summary, Excellent Games offers tremendous value, packing eight enduring classics into one collection. For anyone curious about gaming history or seeking varied, timeless fun, this compilation is a worthy addition to your digital library. Whether you’re racking up snooker scores, conquering mythic realms, or saving the day as a heroic fish, Excellent Games delivers hours of engaging gameplay.

Retro Replay Score

7.8/10