Topic: Virtual Console Mondays: May 28, 2007

[WindyMan]

This week: A 16-bit classic, a solid 16-bit platformer, and a game that's not worth 16 bits.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/vcArt.cfm?artid=13535

 Another week, another three-pack of Virtual Console releases.  Included with this batch is a game that a lot of hardcore classic junkies have been waiting for, a solid game that Genesis owners could call their own, and a crappy joke game that isn't worth the memory space it's stored in.  We've pulled out all three of our recommendation grades this week, so see which game gets which mark below.  
   

   

ActRaiser - SNES

   

 Released 1991
  1 Player
  Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
  Controllers: Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 ActRaiser is a prime example of a game that isn't what it seems to be at first. At   the very beginning, it starts out like numerous other 16-Bit action games: You're a   holy warrior on a quest to rid the world of evil, with only your sword and mad   jumping abilities to defend yourself. The first level is a basic, side-scrolling hack-  n-slash platformer, but once you get further out there's an interesting twist - this   is actually a God Game.  

   

 See, once you've ridden a village of evil, you get to jump back into your benevolent deity   role and watch over the townspeople re-build their homes, all the while solving   problems that come up, like fighting fires, stomping out disease, etc. If SimCity   and Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts had a lovechild, ActRaiser would be it, and it's freaking   awesome. The excellent graphics and memorable soundtrack are just icing on the   cake - download this game NOW. - Karl Castaneda  

   

   

Kid Chameleon - Genesis

   

 Released 5/1992
  1-2 Players
  Cost: 800 Wii Points ($8)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 Here's a game I was always curious about as a kid, and now I can finally   play it on Virtual Console.  Kid Chameleon starts off with a hilariously   terrible cut-scene explaining the story, but don't be fooled: The game is a   very good platforming romp through 100 large levels.  As the titular   character, you run around, break blocks and jump on enemies.  It's all very   Mario-like, including the power-ups that transform you into different forms   like a knight, samurai, or axe-wielding Jason Voorhies imitator.  There are   far more transformations than in any Mario game, though, including really   wacky stuff like the (freaking awesome) tank that shoots out skull bullets.  

   

 Kid Chameleon gives off a generic feel, largely because its supposed story   is so easily ignored.  The levels have no continuity or progression, and the   main character has zero personality.  Those are the main things separating   this game from superior ones like Mario, Sonic, and Bonk.  But if all you   care about is gameplay, Kid Chameleon has a lot to offer.  Not only are   there dozens upon dozens of levels, but each one is fairly large,   challenging, and full of hidden blocks and secret passageways that are fun   to discover.  If you're a serious fan of platforming action games, this is   one of the best values among Genesis titles on VC. - Jonathan Metts  

   

   

J.J. & Jeff - TurboGrafx-16

   

 Released 3/1990
  1 Player
  Cost: 600 Wii Points ($6)
  Controllers: Wii Remote, Wii Classic, GameCube  

   

 This action-platforming game must be some kind of joke.  The two main characters are detectives, although they are dressed more like businessmen.  Both have heads twice as big as their bodies.  Soon after the first level starts, you'll see your partner peeing on the side of the road, at which point you must kick him for 1000 points.  Bees, bugs and gophers will attack you, and you need to use your crouching insecticide attack to fend them off.  Further along the way, you'll again find your partner, this time dressed as a panda bear (or something).  Kicking him gets you another grand in the point bank.  Oh yeah, you'll also need to avoid piles of poo that birds drop from the air.  

   

 If that description of the game's opening didn't make any sense, maybe this shorter version will: This game is terrible.  The control is extremely loose.  The game gets more and more pointless as you progress.  Worst of all, the game tries to be humorous and falls flat at every attempt.  This is one of those games that they make you play in hell, but at least down there they wouldn't have the audacity to charge you $6 for it. - Steven Rodriguez

   

   

Thanks as always to VG Museum for the screenshots.

[Urkel]

I'm not sure I agree with Actraiser getting an Everyone rating.

The sim parts are excellent, but the action parts are meh. Not bad, just keep in mind that the entire experience isn't up to par.

[Jonnyboy117]

I think the action parts stand up well to similar games on SNES.  The levels have a certain rhythm to them, and most of the stages are challenging but certainly beatable with a bit of strategy and maybe a couple of tries.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Haha, I remember the first two games, don't care for the third, but I can't remember if I liked ActRaiser I or II better and therefore don't know if I should hold out for the second one or not. But I remember playing Kid Chameleon too a long long time ago..... some fond memories of both of those games.

Too bad I still have not taken the plunge on the VC yet, even though my classic controller is ready and waiting.

[ShyGuy]

Where does Kairon stand on JJ and Jeff?

[WuTangTurtle]

ur not gonna hear from him in quite awhile.....too busy playing his heart out on JJ and Jeff

[ReyVGM]

JJ & Jeff is a terrible terrible game.
An adventure island clone with a Japanese Beavis & Butthead-y 'humor' localized for America.
Bad controls, bad graphics and bad level design

[q33]

Quote
Originally posted by: BlackNMild2k1
Haha, I remember the first two games, don't care for the third, but I can't remember if I liked ActRaiser I or II better and therefore don't know if I should hold out for the second one or not.

No. Or at least, probably not. Actraiser 2 removed the god-game sections from 1, leaving a string of action stages. I've yet to hear anyone describe 2 as anything other than a disappointment.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Ok, then ActRaiser I it is. Its definately on my list for when I finally make that plunge into the VC side of gaming.

[Jonnyboy117]

I talk about ActRaiser II on RFN this week.

[Kairon]

Quote
Originally posted by: ShyGuy
Where does Kairon stand on JJ and Jeff?

It's a Turbo-GraFX 16 game. That's reason enough.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Quote
Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117
I talk about ActRaiser II on RFN this week.

Maybe I'll actually listen this week.....







...but probably not.

maybe if I remember over the weekend, or find a set of headphones that still work, I can listen to it.
How long are the RFN podcast? I know there are over 50 of them now and I feel bad for not really listening to even one of them, but its on my list of things to do, just like buy VC games, get a new job, and go back to school. I'll get around to it eventually.



 

[Karl Castaneda #2]

They vary in length, but the one coming up will likely be the longest ever, topping out at around 85 minutes.  

[Ceric]

Darn... I know there was a reason I stopped listening... Oh Wait I already knew what it was...

[KDR_11k]

Cut it down to 8.5 minutes and I might listen.

[Karl Castaneda #2]

It's rare that we go that long - the vast majority of our shows are only half that. But when you get Evan, Mike, Jonny, and myself in there, lots of topics that weren't originally part of the show becomes extended discussion points. I acknowledge that the running time might seem like too much of a commitment, though, and it's something that we'll be going over internally as the show's tweaked and improved this summer.

[oohhboy]

Don't mess with it too much. The podcasts ability to go into overtime is one of it's strenghts. Some of the best stuff comes out because you can and are willing to go there.

More Sean Connery PLZ.

[Svevan]

Okay, so back on topic: Actraiser is the dog's bollocks. Get it, immediately.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

No.

Waiting for Golden Axe 2.