Category Archives: Video Game Review
Weekly Video Game Newsletter – July 7th, 2011 – Issue #5
It’s finally up. The latest issue of the Weekly Video Game Newsletter looks at what came out of E3 and just how messed up the video game industry is at this point. There is also analysis of the video game sales for June 25th as well as a quick review of all the Game Boy games currently available in the 3DS eShop Virtual Console. This issue closes with an analysis of all the Zelda games to be released in the last ten years.
A Space Shooter for Two Bucks! (Video Game Review)
Video Game Review
A Space Shooter for Two Bucks!
Playstation Portable (PSP Mini)
2010
Developer: Frima Studio
Publisher: Frima Studio
Few cheap games are actually worth their low price tag. The PSP Minis have been more miss than hit but there are still plenty of gems to be found. Frima Studio’s A Space Shooter for Two Bucks! is an incredibly fun game at its price point…which just so happens to be two bucks. It’s fun, enjoyable, and provides a cheap thrill that’s well worth it’s cost.
Dr. Mario Online Rx (Video Game Review)
Video Game Review
Dr. Mario Online Rx
Nintendo Wii (WiiWare)
2008
Developed by: Akira
Published by: Nintendo
If the NES version of Tetris had multiplayer, then perhaps it would have been the king puzzle game in my house growing up. Instead, Dr. Mario was the game that caused intense battles between family members in my household as challenges were made and thumbs ached. With the exception of the Gamecube, Nintendo has ported Dr. Mario over to ever home console they’ve ever made. The Wii is no exception and it’s version of Dr. Mario, titled Dr. Mario Express Rx, is probably the best edition ever made.
Super Mario Land (Video Game Review)
Video Game Review
Super Mario Land
Nintendo Game Boy
1989
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo
It feels like it is near-impossible for Nintendo to make a bad traditional Mario platformer. Even though Super Mario Land for the original Game Boy looks extremely primitive, it is still one of the best in the series. It might be a bit rough around the edges and looks and handles differently than most Mario games, but it provides one of the best platforming experiences on any system.
Orb 3D (Video Game Review)
Video Game Review
Orb 3D
Nintendo Entertainment System
1991
Developed by: Hi Tech Expressions
Published by: Hi Tech Expressions
Pong like games have been the basis for some notable titles through the years. Breakout and Arkanoid are examples of games that have taken a simple idea, added a few gameplay mechanics and have ended up becoming great games. Hi Tech Expressions’s Orb 3D not only takes the key concepts of Pong and make it its own but radically changes what we’ve come to expect from the paddle-based games. It’s different and fun but not without its flaws. Still, Orb 3D ends up giving the player an enjoyable experience that is unique from other things on the NES.
Tetris (PSP Mini) (Video Game Review)
Video Game Review
Tetris
Sony Playstation Portable (PSP Mini)
2009
Developed by: EA Mobile
Published by: Electronic Arts
Tetris, in theory, would seem like a hard game to screw up but every year we are witness to a few horrible versions of the game. However, EA did an incredible job with their PSP Mini version of Tetris. The game plays extremely well. In fact, this is the best handheld version of Tetris since Tetris DX came out for the Game Boy Color in 1997.
The Top 10 Video Games of 2010
Another year, another top ten list for video games. Unlike last year where it was a bit difficult to come up with a top ten list, this year there were only a few titles that I feel one could argue could have made this list that aren’t on my list. Actually, I was not too surprised that Screwattack had nine out of the ten games I picked on their top ten list. Additionally, Gametrailers only had a top five but all five were games from my top ten list. Even though my list is being published last (I usually publish it on New Year’s Day), the list has essentially been in the bag for almost two weeks now. Had I published it earlier, I could have accused other sites of ripping me off. However, I think it’s because there were very few MUST OWN!!! games this year that it’s no surprise that there is quite a bit of consensus across the Internet. The last couple of years there has been major differences between the lists of most outlets. Now, it almost seems unanimous.
There will be a special Weekly Video Game Podcast posted tomorrow featuring myself and Chris Karpyszyn where we’ll look at the list and discuss it. There will be a supplemental podcast on Monday where we quickly talk about this list and compare it to the previous years. The second podcast almost didn’t exist as we were wrapping up the first one and then we started talking about the last year and the year before that. Before I knew it, we had talked for half-an-hour. Once the podcasts are posted, they’ll be linked to on the front page as well as this article.
Whether you agree with this list or hate it, say something about it. Leave a comment at the bottom or send me an e-mail at madnessbrewing@gmail.com and I’ll read your comments during the next Weekly Video Game Podcast,
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (Video Game Review)
Video Game Review
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Nintendo Entertainment System
1988
Developed by: Nintendo
Published by: Nintendo
There’s a lot of undue criticism thrown towards Nintendo’s Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. Because it’s so drastically different from previous Zelda titles both before and after its release that some turn their head at it. However, at the time of its release, it wasn’t like there was much of a precedent set. While the original Legend or Zelda was quite different from its sequel, many sequels on the NES seemed like radical departures from pre-set notions of what their games were supposed to be (Super Mario Bros. 2 is a perfect example of this). With that being said, Zelda II is a great game. It has a near-perfect blend of RPG and platforming elements. It provides some of the most intense gameplay on the system. Still, it has its issues. Grinding is a necessary evil in this game and the score, while decent, is forgettable. Otherwise, it’s one of the better games on the NES.
Weekly Video Game Post–September 15, 2010
Weekly Video Game Podcast – September 15, 2010 <85 mins (77.2 MB)>
^ right click to save
- Jamie Gore and Steve Wood (and featuring Chris Karpyszyn)
- Due to too many issues, this podcast is actually two weeks of recorded material rolled into one
- I think we may have talked more about Duke Nukem: Forever than Halo: Reach
- At least video game sales are beginning to pick up (Metroid’s sales are surprisingly high)
- Continue reading for sales figures from the week of August 21 and other stuff (all sales figures come from www.vgchartz.com)
Weekly Video Game Post–August 30, 2010
Weekly Video Game Podcast – August 30, 2010 <53 mins (48.4 MB)>
^ right click to save
- Jamie Gore and Steve Wood
- Not much to talk about so I talk about why there was nothing happening on the site last week
- At least this week looks to be better as this podcast is out on time (for a change).
- Kane & Lynch 2 didn’t do so well. Only one person that I know of is surprised.
- I’m not expecting big things for Metroid: Other M either.
- Continue reading for sales figures from the week of August 21 and other stuff (all sales figures come from www.vgchartz.com)
