Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The gameplay in Hudson Best Collection Vol. 3: Action Collection offers a faithful recreation of two beloved Famicom titles, Challenger and Milon’s Secret Castle, on the GameBoy Advance. Controls feel tight and responsive, preserving the original platforming precision that fans remember while taking advantage of the GBA’s comfortable ergonomics. Whether you’re firing energy blasts in Challenger or collecting treasure in Milon’s Secret Castle, each action feels weighty and deliberate.

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Challenger delivers a classic run-and-gun experience full of varied stages and enemy patterns. The risk-and-reward design shines through as you navigate treacherous platforms, dodge projectiles, and time your jumps perfectly. Power-up pickups and secret rooms add an extra layer of depth, encouraging multiple runs to uncover every hidden bonus and weapon upgrade.

Meanwhile, Milon’s Secret Castle takes a more exploratory approach. It combines puzzle-solving with light combat, tasking players with finding keys, solving riddles, and backtracking through interconnected rooms. The game’s non-linear structure rewards patience and observation, making each discovery—whether it’s a secret passage or a helpful item—feel genuinely satisfying.

Both titles scale well to portable play, with brief loading times and quick respawns that keep you engaged. Though the difficulty curve can be steep, especially in later stages of Challenger, the sense of accomplishment when you clear a tough section or crack a castle puzzle is worth the effort. This compilation stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of straightforward yet challenging action gameplay.

Graphics

Graphically, Hudson Best Collection Vol. 3 does an admirable job of translating 8-bit visuals to the GameBoy Advance’s slightly higher resolution screen. The original sprite work remains intact, with crisp outlines and vibrant colors that pop against detailed background tiles. The GBA palette polishing gives both games a refreshed look without betraying their retro charm.

In Challenger, enemies and terrain are easily distinguishable even during hectic moments, thanks to clear color contrasts and well-defined hitboxes. Stage themes—ranging from jungles to futuristic labs—retain their unique visual identities, and animations for jumps, explosions, and power-up effects are smooth and fluid.

Milon’s Secret Castle benefits from cleaner room layouts, making it simpler to spot hidden doors and collectible items. The decorative frames and patterned floors preserve the quirky, fairy-tale aesthetic of the original, while subtle enhancements, such as additional shading and refined edge work, help modern players appreciate the artistry behind each tile.

Overall, the graphical presentation strikes a balance between authenticity and modernization. No fade filters or forced shaders obscure the action, yet it feels refreshed enough to stand alongside other GBA titles. Nostalgic fans will recognize every pixel, and newcomers will enjoy a visually coherent and charming retro package.

Story

Story elements in Hudson Best Collection Vol. 3 are straightforward but effective in driving each game’s action. Challenger casts you as a lone hero on a mission to rescue a disappeared person, providing a simple framing device for its varied stages. The narrative is delivered in concise text blurbs between levels, maintaining momentum and keeping players focused on the next challenge.

Milon’s Secret Castle presents a more whimsical tale: young Milon must navigate a mystical fortress to recover scattered gems and save his kingdom from a dark curse. Though exposition is minimal, each room’s design and the array of magical creatures you encounter convey a sense of wonder and discovery. The occasional cutscene or dialogue snippet adds charm without interrupting the flow of exploration.

Neither game aims for deep character development, but that’s part of their retro appeal. The emphasis is on gameplay rather than dialogue, and the stories serve as light motivations for the action and puzzles. For players seeking narrative complexity, these titles offer nostalgia rather than novel plot twists.

In the context of a retro collection, the simple storylines fit perfectly. They provide enough context to make each level feel purposeful, yet never overstay their welcome. If you’re looking for a narrative-driven adventure, you might find these plots spare. However, for action and puzzle enthusiasts, the stories are perfectly pitched as unobtrusive companions to the core gameplay.

Overall Experience

Hudson Best Collection Vol. 3: Action Collection presents two distinct yet complementary experiences packed into a single cartridge. Challenger’s adrenaline-fueled run-and-gun action contrasts nicely with Milon’s methodical puzzle exploration, offering a balanced retro showcase. You can switch between fast-paced shooting and thoughtful room-by-room progression, making it ideal for varied play sessions on the go.

The compilation’s user interface is clean and intuitive, with a straightforward menu that allows you to pick either game at any time. Save states are welcome additions, allowing quick retries for particularly tough stages or puzzles. While there are no additional extras like artwork galleries or developer interviews, the fidelity of the ports themselves feels like a solid tribute to Hudson’s legacy.

Performance is rock-solid, with virtually no slowdown or glitches. Soundtracks stay true to the chiptune origins, and the GBA’s speaker delivers them with clarity and warmth. Whether you’re revisiting these titles for nostalgia or discovering them for the first time, the experience is both authentic and enjoyable.

In summary, Hudson Best Collection Vol. 3: Action Collection is a compelling package for retro enthusiasts and new players alike. The dual offerings of Challenger and Milon’s Secret Castle deliver diverse gameplay, charming visuals, and just enough story to keep you invested. If you’re looking to expand your GameBoy Advance library with classic action titles, this collection is a must-consider purchase.

Retro Replay Score

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