Title : Battle Clash
Publisher : Nintendo
Genre : Super Scope Shooter
Players : 1 /2 Player
Release Date : 1992
Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $3-$5
If you had an SNES, and you owned a Super Scope along with it, chances are you had Battle Clash as well. It was one of the few games out there that actually required the use of the Super Scope, which I have to say I was utterly horrible at using correctly. I was never a fan of the Super Scope, as it was just a bit too bulky and overwhelming compared to its NES blaster predecessor.
Nintendo really was a light gun pimp. At least reviewing this gave me an excuse to whip out my Super Scope. Don't remember the last time I used this thing. It only served as a prop on top of my TV the last few years.
I said it once before in a previous review, but I used these blasters more for outside play, more than actual gaming. I could never get the handle on aiming through that weird sight (which was pointless), and trying to actually shoot where I thought I was aiming at. Most of what I did during Super Scope games was a whole lot of trigger button spamming.
However, I did like how some games incorporated the use of the Super Scope successfully, and Battle Clash was one of them. When you throw in giant mechs and add the light gun features to blow em away, you pretty much have a sure fired winner. Even if it does seem gimmicky, it's still the closest thing you can get to an arcade styled shooter.
BattleClash takes place in the distant future where people compete in the Battle Game to take control of the world. What a way to decide who's in charge. Throw a bunch of people into giant robot STANDING TANKS (ST's) and have 'em duke out against each other. Whoever survives the blood bath, rules it all. Sounds like Congress.
Apparently, the current ruler, Anubis, is a real pain in the ass, so this guy named Mike Anderson wants you to help him get revenge for the death of his father and kill Anubis. More violence. Why can't things be solved peacefully?
You'll face your opponent in one-on-one battles across various landscapes. Each opponent of course as different attacks and abilities, and it's sort of like playing a robotic version of Punch Out with guns. Wow, what a comparison.
The game mechanics may seem simple in design, but they're really not. It's not just blasting away at your opponent until you whittle away at their health, because you have to be strategic in your firing choices. Every opponent you face has a weakness, so your main goal is to focus on blasting their weak parts when they're exposed.
Now you can blast away with normal attacks, but you don't really want to do that. You want to wait until you power up your energy shot, which is a lot stronger than normal attacks and also exposes the enemy ST.
That's not all. While your draining your energy bar firing at the enemy, he's also firing at you. And the thing is you also need to defend yourself in this game so you have to save some energy to blast away enemy attacks. As you could imagine, the game gets pretty damn hectic. You're constantly having to decide whether or not to fire at the enemy, wait for an energy shot, or protect yourself.
I forgot to mention that you also have bombs that you can use. Limited use weapons that deal a great deal of damage, so you need to time them appropriately.
The main problem with BattleClash is that while it's frustrating in the beginning as you move through the game to figure out the basics, the game becomes WAY too easy. The enemies obviously become a lot harder, and you are seemingly outmatched in every encounter, but there is always a trick
The frustrating part, is that stupid clock at the top right of the screen. Sure it's timed, and you have ten minutes per battle but why do you need a clock. I HATE TIME LIMITS. It doesn't even matter. You can easily beat each opponent in around 5 mins. So, why the clock? Really?
Aiming is surprisingly well-done with the Super Scope so controls are never an issue. It's as fluid as you could expect it to be. The visuals are also one of the best seen on the SNES, especially in terms of a shooter. The robotic designs are top notch, and it's the closest you're going to get to an arcade feel.
If you have a Super Scope, and you're looking for a decent game to play for it, this is it. The choices are limited with the Scope, so take a good game where you can get it. Plus, it has robots. And who doesn't love giant robots.
Final Score (out of 5) :
Until next time, keep on gaming!
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