Retro Reviews

Hello Retro Gaming fans, Ryan Mcquinn here! Sonic Adventure DX: A Retro Review of Speed and Adventure on the GameCube “Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut,” a vibrant re-release of the original “Sonic Adventure” for the Sega Dreamcast, made a splash on the Nintendo GameCube in 2003. As we race through this retro review, let’s explore the facets that made this game a noteworthy addition to the Sonic franchise. Developer: Sonic …

Best music ever? Retro Review: Donkey Kong Country – An Unforgettable SNES Classic In the early to mid years of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, there was a single cartridge that made living rooms glow a little greener and living room speakers hum with a deeper warmth. Donkey Kong Country, developed by Rare and released by Nintendo in 1994, arrived like a thunderclap. It felt new, it felt polished, and …

Retro Review: Battletoads & Double Dragon (NES) In the early 90s, a collaboration unseen before in the gaming industry took place, merging two universes that had captured the hearts of fans worldwide. “Battletoads & Double Dragon” emerged as a crossover for the ages, combining the brute force and comic relief of Rare’s “Battletoads” with the street-fighting savvy of Technos Japan’s “Double Dragon.” This NES title wasn’t just a game; it …

Ghosts ‘n Goblins: A Retro Review of the Knightmare That Charmed the NES There are titles that are remembered not only for their innovation or fun but also for their sheer, unadulterated challenge. Ghosts ‘n Goblins, released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1986, is one such title. Developed by Capcom, the game became notorious for its punishing difficulty, but it was also lauded for its engaging gameplay, graphics, …

Retro Review: Battletoads on the NES In the pantheon of classic NES titles, few games have garnered the notorious reputation for both challenge and innovative design quite like 1991’s “Battletoads.” Developed by Rare and published by Tradewest, this beat ’em up/platformer hybrid has become a cult classic, celebrated for its punishing difficulty, imaginative levels, and surprisingly detailed graphics and sound for the 8-bit era. The Developer’s Vision Rare, a British …

Contra: Hard Corps – A Retro Review of a Genesis Gem Certain titles stand as monuments to the era they were born in. Contra: Hard Corps, released for the Sega Genesis in 1994, is one such title. Developed by Konami, a company known for their proficiency in the realm of action games, Contra: Hard Corps was a tour de force of run-and-gun gameplay that pushed the Genesis to its limits. …

Super Contra: A Retro Review of an NES Classic When we speak about the golden era of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), certain titles invariably rise to the top as emblems of their time. Among these, “Super Contra” stands out as a paragon of the run-and-gun genre, a sequel to the fabled “Contra” that not only met the expectations set by its predecessor but soared past them with flying colors. …

A Nightmare on Elm Street (NES) Retro Review Few titles are as evocative of their era as the 1990 NES game “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” Developed by Rare and published by LJN, this game sought to capitalize on the slasher film craze of the 1980s, with none other than the dream-stalking Freddy Krueger as its star attraction. Development and Reception Rare, a British video game developer, already had a …

Retro Review: Unearthing the Joys of “Adventure Island III” on the NES Adventure Island III stands among the most vibrant and enduring platformers of its era. Developed by Now Production and published by Hudson Soft, this third installment in the “Adventure Island” series was released in North America in 1992, serving as a testament to the enduring charm of the 8-bit adventure platformer. As a child of the ’90s, I …

Retro Review: Mighty Final Fight for the NES Released in 1993, Mighty Final Fight for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a charming and unique adaptation of Capcom’s famed arcade beat ’em up, Final Fight. This NES title took the gritty, urban brawler and presented it with a more whimsical, “chibi” art style that set it apart from its arcade and home console counterparts. Despite being released towards the end of the NES’s …

Retro Review: Streets of Rage 3 for Sega Genesis Streets of Rage 3, released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis, stands as a pinnacle of the beat ’em up genre, carrying forward the legacy of its predecessors with significant enhancements in gameplay, graphics, and particularly its electrifying soundtrack. Developed by Sega’s in-house team, Sega AM7, this title not only pushed the technical capabilities of the Genesis but also tried to …

Final Fight CD for Sega CD: A Retro Brawler That Packs a Punch In the world of classic beat ’em up games, Capcom’s “Final Fight” stands tall as an iconic title that has shaped the genre. When it made its way onto the Sega CD as “Final Fight CD” in 1993, it wasn’t just a simple port; it was a statement that the Sega CD was a force to be …

Probably the most fun I have had playing a game in a while. The ultimate tribute to the Nintendo NES. There is so much nostalgia to be found here. Abobo’s Big Adventure: A Love Letter to the NES Era In an era where the technology of Flash is ebbing away, with browsers no longer supporting the medium natively, there comes a pang of nostalgia for the games that shined within …

Super Castlevania IV: A Timeless Classic That Defined a Generation Super Castlevania IV, released in 1991 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), is a masterpiece of the action-platformer genre and a shining example of what Konami’s development team could achieve on Nintendo’s 16-bit console. Directed by Masahiro Ueno and produced by Hideki Okugawa, this fourth installment in the Castlevania series takes players on a thrilling journey through Dracula’s castle, filled with …

We reviewed this game back in 2010, if you wish to read the old review. Death Duel: A Sega Genesis Cult Classic Revisited The Sega Genesis, remembered by many as the darker, cooler sibling in the early nineties console wars, had a knack for attracting games that pushed boundaries. While Nintendo carried the family-friendly banner, Sega opened its doors to publishers that were willing to test the limits of violence, …

Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – A Retro Review When it comes to NES classics, “Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse” often emerges in the conversation as a title of legend. Released in 1990 by Konami, this prequel to the original “Castlevania” game was not just a return to form; it was an expansion of a formula that was already beloved by fans of the platforming genre. Developer and Legacy Developed by Konami, …

Retro Review: Super Punch-Out!! for the SNES Super Punch-Out!! is a nostalgic knockout in the world of classic gaming, developed by Nintendo’s IRD (Integrated Research & Development) division and released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1994. This title followed the legacy of the original arcade game and the beloved NES predecessor, Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! Let’s delve into the intricacies of this classic gem that still packs a …

Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose – A Super Nintendo Classic Reviewed In the early 90s, a wave of nostalgia swept through the gaming industry as developers sought to capture the essence of Saturday morning cartoons in video game form. Among the standout titles was “Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose,” a game released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) that became a fond memory for many. Developed by …

Rayman is side-scrolling platformer starring the titular… Rayman. Platform – Sony Playstation Release Date – September 9, 1995 Rayman a big-nosed chap with no arms or legs. Rayman can jump and use his hair to hover for a short period of time. He can also attack by throwing his fists, or winding up his fists for a more powerful punch. He can occasionally find special power ups that grant him …

Firebrand is a young warrior in training in his hometown of Etruria. Platform – Nintendo Entertainment System Release Date – July 17, 1992 One day, while Firebrand is training in a small, alternate dimension, the Black light suddenly appears and destroys his home. When he returns successfully from his training, he is told to hurry to the King by another ghoul just before it dies. Upon defeating Nagus, Firebrand is …

Death Duel is a tactical side-scrolling first-person shooter. Platform – Sega Genesis Release Date – October 1, 1992 The game consists of different time-limited rounds against a single enemy. Before each game, the player can spend Pheelae (money) on repairs and determine what weapons to take into battle. Each opponent has specific weaknesses and they can hide behind walls on the battlefield. To take them out, Jade needs to choose …

HyperSpin, making retro gaming pretty again. Don’t forget to check out the interview we had with BadBoyBill here. So what is HyperSpin? HyperSpin is a front end for video games! What the hell is a front end? A front end is a nice graphical interface for an emulator. What is a emulator? Its the program that plays video games for specific consoles. Edit: and obviously Arcade machines! Thats always a …

Puppy Arcade 8. Bringing Emulation to a distribution near you. Feel free to read the Interview with Creator Scott Jarvis here. Emulator front ends and Live distribution CD’S have come a long way since the days of Knoppix and TuxNES. Knoppix being the first Live CD I ever used, TuxNES the first NES emulator. We have come a long way indeed. We now have Live distributions that are emulation orientated …

Who could ever forget this game? “This city was once a happy peaceful place… until one day, a powerful secret criminal organization took over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqjJjTwdzq0 (Playthrough video above) Screenshots and related images Audio files Boss Theme Ending Ending (2) Ending (3) Game Over Level Complete Stage 1 Stage 1 (Static Remix) Stage 2 – Inner City Stage 3 Stage 3 (2) Stage 3 (2) Stage 4 Stage 4 (2) Stage …

Dragon Warrior… the epic beginning of a new era in video games. Release Date – May 27, 1986 Platform – Nintendo Entertainment System Mere finger speed and sweat are no match for the challenges of this game. You will be required to use deductive reasoning, not a quick sword to defeat your enemies. All is darkness. The Dragon-lord has captured the Princess and stolen Erdrick’s powerful ball of light. You …