Category Archives: Reviews

Once You Pop, You Just Can’t Stop

It’s weird being the ‘puzzle guy’ around the office. Everyone automatically assumes that I’ll want to get the latest puzzle game to review, and – plop – there it is on my desk. But do they know me? Do they know my secret desires? No, let the ‘puzzle guy’ have his puzzles. Maybe I wanted a shooter or something instead, huh? There are two very good reasons why I don’t get the shooters. One, I suck at them, and two, I don’t enjoy them very much. So maybe they have me pegged, and ‘puzzle guy’ I remain. This is fortunate, … Continue reading Once You Pop, You Just Can’t Stop

Spyro is Icy Hot

That little purple dragon, Spyro comes winging his way onto the Game Boy Advance in his latest adventure: Spyro: Season of Ice. This is a brand new title and exclusive to our favourite handheld so I put the jump from console to palmtop to the test. There’s trouble in downtown fairy land. All the fairies have been trapped in blocks of ice and it’s up to Spyro and company to sort it out. Unless our intrepid hero can use his fire breath to save the day, the evil Grendoc will be using 100 fairy wings to cure his migraine. Now … Continue reading Spyro is Icy Hot

Shrek is Blech

Well, perhaps not totally blech, but you probably won’t enjoy this title very much. Shameless licensing of a game on the back of a movie? Well, there is nothing wrong with that. Such shamelessness brought us the likes of Goldeneye (nuff said). Okay, so the ingredients are summer a blockbuster, comedy, family entertainment, fairy tale fantasy, lovability, highly marketable characters, and state of the art computer animation. Phew, put those together and you could have yourself the makings of a cute 2D platform adventure. Or not! The folks at TDK opted for Shrek the ‘fighting adventure.’ Hmm, I noticed the … Continue reading Shrek is Blech

102 Dalmatians is Disney at its Best

Disney software has produced a winner. I wish all their games were this good. 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue is fun for the entire family and completely playable for children eight and up. If you have an easy to use joystick, younger children might enjoy it as well. The premise for the game is simple and straightforward. Cruella De Vil and her minions are back and up to no good. They’ve started a toy company with lousy robot toys and they are blaming their lack of sales on pets. Their evil plan: If children don’t have pets to spend … Continue reading 102 Dalmatians is Disney at its Best

Spy Hunter is an Instant Classic, Again

I love the classics. I love them so much in fact that I find it blasphemous to attempt to update them. And while there are some very impressive remakes available (Tempest 2000 immediately comes to mind) most of the remakes I have played either turned up to be slightly disappointing, or some ended up being so badly altered that it bears nothing to the classic it was based on. Frogger is a good example of the latter. The 1983 Midway classic SpyHunter has been an all time favorite of mine. I can never forget how much money I spent on … Continue reading Spy Hunter is an Instant Classic, Again

Akimbo: Kung Fu Hero is a Throwback Classic

Observe!! The "Crane Stance!" Wytaaaaaaa!!! "Moon Stance!" Wootooooooo!!! "Bear Stance!" Mootooooo!!! "Crouching Tiger!" Shen-muuuuuu! "Hidden Dragon!!" Voodooooo!! "Flying Foot Kick!" ShaaAAAWAKAAAaaaaa!! * Takes a bow * Phew! Man, you wouldn’t believe the adventures I’ve been on the last few days. I mean I’m fighting bug-eyed tarantulas, thorn-filled hedgehogs, fireflies half my size, snapping seashells, giant wasps and all sorts of wild creatures wanting a piece of me! But lookout, my misfortune-filled foes, cause I’m well versed in the ancient forms of martial arts, and with my lightning quick reflexes I’m untouchable!!! That’s right, I shall make you all rue the … Continue reading Akimbo: Kung Fu Hero is a Throwback Classic

Jurassic Park III is Fun Yet Frustrating

Hot on the trail of this summer’s blockbuster movie, Konami’s Jurassic Park III – The DNA Factor, comes rampaging onto the small screen. It’s back to the all too familiar Isla Sorna, as we join the action right as a plane crash lands there on a stormy night. Unfortunately the crash has scattered the cargo of dinosaur DNA capsules far and wide. Yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s your job to collect them all. Standing in the shoes of Mark Hanson (an Indiana Smith look-alike) or Lori Torres, your mission is to head into the jungles and abandoned enclosures of Isla … Continue reading Jurassic Park III is Fun Yet Frustrating

KISS Pinball is Ready to Rock

Since the dawn of the video game console age began, game makers have strived to create a decent pinball game for the television game console that looks and plays like the real thing. Take 2 Interactive now has given us Kiss Pinball, the latest foray into the pinball sim market for the Sony Playstation. Kiss Pinball, based on the rock band Kiss (obviously), is part of Take 2’s $9.99 Playstation line-up. Kiss Pinball features two different tables to play. "Last Stop: Oblivion" the first table, follows Kiss on tour around the world. Hitting specific targets and ramps highlights different cities … Continue reading KISS Pinball is Ready to Rock

Zone of the Enders

It seems as if every game that Hideo Kojima develops has a special magic to it. Granted the series known best by him is Metal Gear, but his other titles are worth mentioning as well. I was a big fan of Snatcher when it was released for the Sega CD (which even today can go as high as $100 on eBay), and I helped sign the petition to release Policenauts for either the 3DO or the Saturn back in 1995. His storylines are well known for having powerful moral values, and anyone who is well adapted in Metal Gear Solid … Continue reading Zone of the Enders

Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge is Green and Good

In the beginning, Konami created Frogger and it was good. Then Hasbro created Frogger in 3D and it was, well, not quite as good. Now, Hasbro has brought us Frogger 2 Swampy’s Revenge. "Wow, Frogger! I remember that old chestnut," I hear you cry. Before you get too excited, things have moved on since the old days. This little frog has got more to worry about than crossing the road during rush hour, but not much more. He’s also got a love interest in the shape of the pink Lillie Frog. Frogger’s nemesis, Swampy the Crocodile, has kidnapped Lillie’s baby … Continue reading Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge is Green and Good