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Nintendo Virtual Boy review
The 3DS is not Nintendo's first foray into the world of 3D gaming. In fact, it's not even the company's second. First up was a 3D headset for the good 'ol Famicom (NES in the US), but that never saw American shores and it wasn't anything more fancy than a set of active shutter glasses anyway -- the same sort HDTV manufacturers are trying to sell you today. However, the company's second 3D offering did make it to the US, where it landed with a spectacular thud. It was the Virtual Boy, a 32-bit portable console powered by six whole AA batteries and remembered by many for its ability to inspire more headaches than excitement in the gamers who tried it. It was released in the US in August of 1995 for $180 and was discontinued less than a year later. With the 3DS sitting now in back rooms of videogame and electronics stores nation-wide, waiting to spring into availability on March 27th, we thought this would be a good time to look back and give the Virtual Boy the full review it has always deserved but has never received.
Retro Review: 2 Xtreme
File Size: 407MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: October 31, 1996Short ReviewNot Recommended. "Good" is not a word you'd want to use anywhere near this game. 2 Xtreme is easily one of the worst games that I've ever played in my life--you wouldn't even inflict this upon your mortal enemies. Grinding your testicles through a cheese grater might prove to be more fun. (If you're a girl, growing some for the sole purpose of self-mutilation will sure to be more entertaining than this disaster of a game.) No matter how hard you try, it will be nearly impossible to find 2 Xtreme enjoyable.
Retro Review: Jet Moto
File Size: 73MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: SingleTracPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: October 31, 1996Short ReviewNot Recommended. What is wrong with Sony's PlayStation Store? The platform should be used as a vehicle to drive fans to the incredible array of classics that defined the 32-bit generation. (Notice the incredible number of puns here?) Instead, the current selection of games would make one believe that the PS1 only had racing games ... and these games have certainly aged quite poorly. Jet Moto might be fun for a little while, but age has ravaged it quite horribly. Heck, it wasn't even that good when it first came out--paling in the likes of Wave Race 64. Don't waste your $6 on a game like this: it simply isn't worth it.
Retro Review: Rally Cross
File Size: 101MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: January 31, 1997Short ReviewNot Recommended. Rally Cross may emulate the feel of being in a real rally car better than any modern racing game. Why? Because it makes you want to puke. Expect to be flipped over and over again, as your car tumbles through pixelated worlds dictated by horrifyingly weightless physics. The touchy controls, the poor presentation, and the vomit after-taste should be reasons enough to avoid this racer. It's not like the PSP doesn't have far better racing games.
Retro Review: Jumping Flash!
File Size: 269MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: ExactPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: November 1995Short ReviewRecommended. Although the original Jumping Flash! came out over a decade ago, it manages to feel innovative and fresh. The grainy, antiquated graphics do no harm to the fun, vibrant atmosphere of the game, filled with great music and fun character. The game is simply a blast, and one can only hope that a modern-day sequel will be made. The limited save system is annoying for gamers on the go, but those with time to kill will easily find Jumping Flash! to be the best downloadable PSone game so far.
Retro Review: Medievil
File Size: 330MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: Millenium InteractPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: October 1, 1998Short ReviewNot Recommended. Bringing Medievil to the PlayStation Store was a questionable decision at best. The original PSone game didn't bring anything new to the table, and it's PSP remake didn't fare any better. The gameplay has aged quite poorly over the past eight years, making Medievil a game that you'd like to like ... but can't. Don't let the endearing characters and setting fool you: Medievil is bad.
Retro Review: Tekken 2
File Size: 534MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: NamcoPublished By: NamcoOriginal Release Date: September 15, 1996Short ReviewNot Recommended. Tekken 2 unfortunately shows its age. There's a great deal of gameplay to be discovered in this treasured arcade classic, but the advances made by Tekken: Dark Resurrection are so significant that it's difficult to appreciate the technical shortcomings of Tekken 2. Gamers will have to choose if they'd rather spend $6 for a great classic game, or $40 for an even better modern one.PSP Fanboy Retro Review: 5.5 out of 10See all Retro Reviews.
Retro Review: Syphon Filter
File Size: 384MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: EideticPublished By: 989 StudiosOriginal Release Date: January 31, 1999Short ReviewNot Recommended. Syphon Filter's impressive PSP outing, Dark Mirror, deserves all the accolades it has been earning over the past few months. Gamers should not expect the original Syphon Filter to match the Dark Mirror's quality: the game suffers from lackluster graphics, horrendous controls, and presentation values that simply don't work well on the modern palette. Avoid this one.
Retro Review: Hot Shots Golf 2
File Size: 157MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: Clap HanzPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: February 29, 2000Short ReviewRecommended. For better or for worse, the golf genre's lack of significant evolution makes Hot Shots Golf 2 an incredibly worthwhile purchase. The graphics have aged very well, and the quick load times make this $6 purchase just as worthwhile as other fully priced modern golf games.
Retro Review: Crash Bandicoot
File Size: 467MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: Naughty DogPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: September 3, 1996Short ReviewRecommended. Crash Bandicoot, in some ways, becomes a better game on the PSP than it was on the classic console back in the day. The graphics look sharp on the small screen, and the simplistic gameplay is ideal for gamers on the go. However, expect frustration due to a confusing and outdated save system and some touchy controls.
Retro Review: Cool Boarders
File Size: 282MBPrice: $5.99Developed By: UEP SystemsPublished By: Sony Computer Entertainment of AmericaOriginal Release Date: December 31, 1996Short ReviewNot Recommended. The snowboarding genre has evolved so much over the years, that even nostalgia can't cover the incredible flaws of this game. With only five levels, and poor gameplay, this is one to avoid at all costs.
