Nerdicus SNES Review #47: Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Title : Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Lucas Arts

Genre : Run 'N' Gun

Players : 1 / 2 Players

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $25-$30

Happy Halloween you GHOULISH GAMERS! Ah, tis one of my favorite time of years, where I just sit back, relax, and play a good 'ol fashioned horror game. Of course, me and my retro gaming obsession, I always look back to the games that really made an impact on my young and tasty brain. There was one particular game that was victim to my blockbuster rental card at least twenty times. Why I rented it so many damn times, and didn't decide to buy it until it was for sale as a pre-owned at the very same store, is beyond me. I actually ended up paying for this game three times over.

But, the game was that good, and was definitely worth every penny I put into this sucker. I've still been looking for an original SNES box to go along with my loose copy. It just feels so lonely and empty without it's box. Oh, what game am I talking about? Well, if you didn't read the above information, or you somehow MISSED the giant image of the box art, I am in fact talking about one of the greatest Super Nintendo Zombie-based games. 

ZOMBIES ATE MY NEIGHBORS!

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Nerdicus SNES Review #46: Castlevania: Dracula X

Title : Castlevania: Dracula X

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Action Adventure Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1995

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $150-$175

Alright, Halloween is tomorrow and I need to do some horror game reviews, don't I? I've got another one planned for tomorrow which is going to be a lot of fun, but I have been resisting temptation to do this particular game for awhile and now I am finally going to cave.

I have been trying to get my hands on Castlevania: DRACULA X for some time now. It's slipped through my fingers a few times when trying to purchase it on eBay, and not to mention I saw the damn game in a thirft store not too long ago, but they decided to price it through the roof. Well, the game does go for roughly $150-$175 JUST FOR THE DAMN CART, so I would REALLY want to shell out the money if I want it. One day...I'm going to have to it seems.

Dracula X is actually a port of the game, RONDO OF BLOOD that was released for the PC ENGINE (TurboGrafx 16) by Konami. Yes, that's right Konami dumped Castlevania games on the PC Engine. Bastards. Now if you didn't play RONDO OF BLOOD, you need to get off your arse and do that now. It is seriously one of the best games in the Castlevania series. And when you think about how they ported it to the SNES, you would expect something close.

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Nerdicus NES Review #146: Cool World

Title : Cool World

Publisher : Ocean

Developer : Ocean

Genre : Action

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $15-$20

Am I the only one who hated this movie? COOL WORLD to me was too much of a Who Framed Roger Rabbit rip off. Or maybe it's because I'm such an avid fan of Roger Rabbit I refuse to appreciate this film. Nah, the film was a waste. Plot was weak, characters were a bore, and I'm sorry but she is NO Jessica Rabbit.

But, like with most movies, there's gotta be a video game to go along with it. COOL WORLD for the NES was of course released to coincide the movie, but it really is very loosely based on it. It was really just an excuse for Ocean to milk money off Brad Pitt's sexiness, eh? 

Makes you wonder why Brad Pitt even agreed to do this garbage film? It certainly was probably his lowest point of his career. Let's just say this game is probably one of Ocean's lowest points as well. Then again, they were pretty much known for coming out with a huge slush pile of crappy games with decent ones sprinkled on top.

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Nerdicus Genesis Review #41: Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday

Title : Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday

Publisher : Strategic Simulations Inc.

Developer : Strategic Simulations Inc.

Genre : RPG Tactical

Players :  1 Player

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $15-$20

If you're like me, you've probably never heard of this game. Surprisingly enough, not many people have. In fact I didn't even know this existed until I played it the other night in preparation for this review. Sure, I know who Buck Rogers is, but I didn't know there was some strange RPG / Strategy / Tactical Simulation game floating around out there for the Sega Genesis. And you know how much I love those types of games. 

Pardon me while I wipe the drool away from my mouth as I think about Final Fantasy Tactics...MMmmmmMMmmMm......that game was full of deliciousness.

Ahem, sorry. Yes, we're talking about BUCK ROGERS: COUNTDOWN TO DOOMSDAY. Man, what a title! If that doesn't draw you in to want to play a game, I don't know what will. If you're not familiar with Buck Rogers, he's basically a swashbuckling space mercenary. Think of him as a cross between Han Solo and Space Ace. Alright, he's a lot more interesting than Space Ace, but no one comes close to Han Solo.

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Nerdicus NES Review #145: Contra Force

Title : Contra Force

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Run n Gun

Players : 1 / 2 Players

Release Date : 1992

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $80-$100

Jumping around a little bit here, considering we just played CONTRA for the NES last week, however now we are moving on to the third game in the series that was released for the good 'ol Nintendo. The second of course being SUPER C. No more aliens this time. No, we're battling good 'ol terrorists! The one difference you'll see with this game, was that surprisingly enough it WASN'T released in Japan!

I can't honestly say I feel bad for them though, especially considering this game was probably the weakest of the bunch. To this day, I still can't put my finger on it, but it just doesn't feel like good 'ol Contra. Which confuses me....since it's not a very hard game to get right. Run...gun....rinse...repeat...yet this game seems different..

What happened to you Contra? What happened!?

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Nerdicus SNES Review #45: Breath of Fire 2

Title : Breath of Fire 2

Publisher : Capcom

Developer : Capcom

Genre : RPG

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1994

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $60-$70

There shouldn't be any surprise that there was a sequel released for Breath of Fire that we reviewed last week. In fact, there were quite a few Breath of Fire games released over the last twenty years, but this is the only direct sequel to the original. If I may speak freely, the series sort of went down hill after the SNES releases.

Okay, I take that back. It's not that the games went downhill, it's just that they were entirely different from the original. I get that they were attempting new things with RPG's (especially during the PS era), but there was something about the first two games that really hold that special little place in my heart. 

I'm a sucker for the classic RPG, so of course Breath of Fire 2, much like the first game, is more my cup of tea. And what a delicious cup of tea it is. Tea filled to the brim with an epic cast of characters that seem to be almost exactly like the original, just different anthromorphs. Instead of a fox, we get some bull dog. Instead of an ox, we got some giant stallion of a horse. We still have more fish though. Capcom likes their fish.

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Nerdicus NES Review #144: Contra

Title : Contra

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Run n Gun

Players : 1 / 2 Players

Release Date : 1988

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $10-$15

Take a minute and just think about what's the first thing that comes to mind when you see the above images of that CONTRA box art? Is it the fact that it's an obvious rip off of Arnold Schwarznegger? Or perhaps the Xenomorph from aliens happens to be lingering in the background. Maybe, you're thinking about the countless evenings you spent playing this game in a meager attempt to beat it with your friends. Even 2 people versus and armed alien invasion seemed impossible.

Perhaps, it was a fabled code that you overheard a couple of kids talking about in school by their desks during lunch. "What are you guys talking about?" you'd ask. They'd look up at you and very silently reply, "Haven't you heard?"

"Heard of what?"

They look to one another then swallow hard.

"THE KONAMI CODE!"

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Nerdicus Genesis Review #40: Bubsy 2

Title : Bubsy 2

Publisher : Accolade

Developer : Accolade

Genre : Platformer

Players :  1 / 2 Player

Release Date : 1994

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $5-$10

I'm kind of disappointed, Bubsy. No clever title for your second game? That happened to come out only a few months after the first game? Wow, Accolade certainly was sure of themselves after they released the first one, eh? Such confidence! But they still couldn't think of a name. Come on, how about Bubsy 2 and the Baconator..because the enemy is a pig.

Something with bacon has to work there...Mmmm...bacon. It's early, and I didn't eat breakfast yet, so when I think of pigs, I think of bacon. Despite the bacon, I do love that little Bubsy, bubsy bubsy, BUBSY BOBBBBCAAAAAAAAAAT song in the beginning of the game. Quite catchy.

Now, if you're expecting anything dramatically different in this Bubsy from the first one, well, you'd be sorely mistaken. It's pretty much the same exact game with different level designs, and a few tweaked controls. That's not a bad thing, considering the first game was decent and the controls and level designs were the only thing that needed work.

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Nerdicus NES Review #143: Conquest of the Crystal Palace

Title : Conquest of the Crystal Palace

Publisher : Asmik

Developer : Quest

Genre : Action Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $10-$15

CONQUEST OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE wins for best box art on any NES game. Case closed. I don't care what your argument is, this is the epitome of BAD ASS. As a kid you would be hard pressed to walk past this game and not beg your parents to buy it. It looked THAT cool.

And in terms of the game itself? Well, if the box art didn't impress you, than the game surely is. And it's a damn shame too, because this was one of those games that you mention to people and they'd respond to you with the most confounded look on their face. Not many people knew about this game, and I can't think of a reason why. I specifically remember seeing this game in a local Toys'R'Us, and one of my close friends had owned their own copy.

Perhaps it was because a late NES with a limited supply run. I wish I remember the article, but before I played this game I discovered that there really wasn't a push for a large amount of units compared to the other NES games out there. The game was positively received too, but it just didn't get the sales. Ugh, don't you hate it when that happens? Great games, decent advertising (saw it in Nintendo Power a few times), and little return? Makes me think of what happened to EARTHBOUND.

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Nerdicus SNES Review #44: Breath of Fire

Title : Breath of Fire

Publisher : SquareSoft / Capcom

Developer : Capcom

Genre : RPG

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $30-$40

What do you get when you merge two of the greatest video game developers in the world? Why, only one of the most epic RPG's to ever hit the Super Nintendo, Breath of Fire. And as for the developers, I am of course speaking of CAPCOM and SQUARESOFT. I mean, come on. When you hear those names, you can't help but think of all the fantastic games they have produced throughout the years, so why wouldn't this be a success? 

And for this game to be Capcom's FIRST official RPG release..well...they couldn't have done a better job.

This was one of those games that blew me away as a kid. No joke. The characters, the story, the visuals, the music. It was absolute perfection. Back when I was in the 6th grade when the game came out (at least I'm pretty sure I was in 6th grade), I remember my friend and I used to habitually draw all the characters from this game. Mogu was probably my absolute favorite...something about that mole. Oh! And BO! That bow wielding fox-man-guy.

I outright admit, this is one of the few games where I actually ENJOYED the anthromorphic characters. They were incredibly well detailed, and their back stories were absolutely brilliant. Just take a look at this insane cast of characters, and tell me you do not want to jump right in and play this game?

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Nerdicus NES Review #142: Conflict

Title : Conflict

Publisher : Vic Tokai

Developer : Vic Tokai

Genre : Strategy

Players : 1 / 2 Players

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $5-$10

When I look of this game, I see the great-grandfather of ADVANCE WAR for the Game Boy. Boy...did I love that game.

I am a big time sucker for strategy games. Most of my teen years involved me taking part in battles of epic proportions online in Command & Conquer, Warcraft, and Starcraft. Hell, I even dabbled in Civilization, although that game was a tad too slow for me. Was good, but slow. When you think about the NES, and their capabilities of making a strategy game, well you are probably having a hard time thinking of anything worth mentioning.

BUT, and that's a big but, (ha ha ha), there were a few strategy games released for the NES that really do stand the test of time. One such game, is a little known gem called CONFLICT. Nothing better than basing a game on a war that could have happened. Of course, I'm talking about the cold war. The war that never was but could have been!

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Nerdicus Genesis Review #39: Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind

Title : Bubsy in Claws Encounters of the Furred Kind

Publisher : Accolade

Developer : Accolade

Genre : Platformer

Players :  1 Player

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $5-$10

When you think about mascots, you always tend to turn to Mario, or Sonic the Hedgehog, and with good reason. They're absolutely bloody famous with dozens of games under their belt. But, I tell you, if there was one other mascot that had a chance of striking it big, it was probably Bubsy. Bubsy...the Bobcat.

Here we go again, another anthropomorphic mascot attempt, and this time it's by Accolade. And what's with everyone's obsession with cats? Are they basically the easiest to turn into cartoon characters? Not to mention, they always look the damn same. Now, I'm assuming he's Bubsy the Bobcat. That would make sense, right? He's got those pointy ears, and stubby tail so I'll stick with that answer. I'm sure it says it somewhere in the game, but whatever.

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Nerdicus NES Review #141: Conan: The Mysteries of Time

Title : Conan: The Mysteries of Time

Publisher : Mindscape

Developer : System 3

Genre : Action

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1991

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $15-$20

Conan...the ADVENTURER!!! Conan..warrior without feaaaaaaaar!! There are two things that come to mind when I think of Conan the Barbarian. One, is the Conan animated TV show back in the late 80's early 90's I believe, and of course Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Unfortunately, this game never really stuck with me as something that I'd like to associate Conan with. Sure the box art is pretty epic with that lightning bolt striking his shield, but his sword looks a tad short, or maybe it's just the awkward perspective. Perhaps...JUST PERHAPS, it's the way the game looks on the back of the box.

This was 1991, right? The games for the NES were supposed to at least look pretty decent during this time period, right!? I'm not going crazy when I say these images are borderline atari graphics, right!?!?!?!

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Nerdicus SNES Review #43: BreakThru!

Title : BreakThru!

Publisher : Spectrum Holobyte

Developer : Artech Digital Entertainment

Genre : Puzzle

Players : 1/2 Players

Release Date : 1994

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $10-$15

You've got this nice picture of Alexey Pajitonov (no he's not some James Bond villain) on the cover of this game, but don't let that fool you! This isn't a Tetris sequel by the brilliant puzzle mastermind. Not at all. BreakThru! was in fact developed by a Japanese company, ZOO CORPORATION, but the game itself was fully endorsed by Pajitonov. The similarities are astonishing, but it does stand on its own as it's own unique puzzle game. 

Okay, unique is a stretch. It really is like a Tetris 2, but Tetris 2 already came out, so I guess this is basically Tetris Alpha Beta Prime.

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Nerdicus NES Review #140: Commando

Title : Commando

Publisher : Capcom

Developer : Capcom

Genre : Run N Gun

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1985

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $5-$7

To me, Commando was pretty much the precursor to Ikari Warriors or even Jackal. In a way, this game set the standard for run 'n' gun, vertically scrolling shooters. Not to mention, this game was probably released on every platform known to man in the early 80s. It was pretty much impossible not to encounter this game.

I think the very first time I played it was at my friends house across the street. He was heavy into the shooter games, and I really felt like over the span of ten years that I was friends with him, those were the only games he ever owned. Each time I tried to expose him to something else, he would just be bored out of his mind. Don't get me wrong, the kid was a prodigy when it came to run 'n' gunners. He must have went pro....

What was his name....meh, I dunno. All I know is that he or someone else eventually stole my copy of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves for the NES. More on that when I actually review the game...

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Nerdicus Genesis Review #38: Bubble and Squeak

Title : Bubble and Squeak

Publisher : Audiogenic Software

Developer : Audiogenic Software

Genre : Platformer

Players :  1 Player

Release Date : 1994

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $15-$25

I swear, this better not be another damn bubble gum game for the Genesis. I just suffered through one, and I really can't imagine there being more games about bubble gum. The box art certainly doesn't look promising. You've got some punk kid who you really just want to slap across the back of the head and tell him to go get an education, being followed by some blue Gummy Bear blowing pink bubbles...

Why couldn't it just be spit bubbles? Why is it bubble gum!? Does sega have some sort of fetish with bubble gum!? I don't even know...I can't take this. ITS DRIVING ME MAD!!!

Sorry, I just don't like games that are using a cross between Bart Simpson and Stitch from Lilo & Stitch as their main characters. Seriously, doesn't it look like a bad rendition of Bart? Come on...agree with me someone.

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Nerdicus NES review #139: Color a Dinosaur

Title : Color a Dinosaur

Publisher : Virgin Interactive

Developer : Far Sight Studios

Genre : Coloring

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $50-$60

So....um.....this is Color a Dinosaur. I guess it's a game where you color dinosaurs? It's not really a game though, is it? It's sort of like Microsoft Paint with built in line art. I really don't want to rip this game a new one, but for me, I honestly don't know why games like this came out.

Obviously it's meant for the younger audience. I can't imagine an adult wanting to play this game and sit around and color. Although the back of the box states that adults can join in and won't want to miss out on all the fun. The question is, where's the fun!?

Enough talk, let's just make this quick because I don't even know why I am bothering with this one.

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