Nerdicus Genesis Review #30: Bio-Hazard Battle

Title : Bio-Hazard Battle

Publisher : Sega

Developer : Sega

Genre : Side-Scrolling Shooter

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1992

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $3-$5

One thing is for sure, there certainly isn't a shortage of side-scrolling shooters on the 16-bit systems. I'm roughly 60 reviews in, and I think I've played at least 10. Might be a bit of an exaggeration, but certainly feels like it. Probably because they all feel the damn same. Listen, I know these games are quite possibly the easiest to reproduce and pump out, but come on. They get SOOOO OLDDDDDDDDDDD.

Oh, and don't be fooled by the name BIO-HAZARD. This has nothing to do with Resident Evil. The game probably would have been better if it was a side scrolling shooter based on resident evil. Imagine, flying on the back of nemesis, screaming "STAAAAAAAAAAAARS" while you're blowing up Raccoon City Police. Right? RIGHT!?

I can dream....

Read More

Nerdicus NES Review #123: Caveman Games

Title : Caveman Games

Publisher : Data East

Developer : Data East

Genre : Track 'N' Field (sort of?)

Players : 1-4 Players

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $7-$10

It's been awhile since we've reviewed a track 'n' field type game, and I'll be honest when I say I'm not looking forward to doing another one. Until I saw what I was reviewing. This game is bad, I'll admit. But I actually have fond memories of it from when I was a kid. I was obsessed with Cavemen and dinosaurs, and seriously considered being an archaeologist for a time. It soon faded, but the game entertained me nonetheless.

The Caveman premise was something I couldn't resist. I wouldn't be surprised if 8 year old me was thinking that millions of years ago, Cavemen were taking part in the same games, and this must be an accurate representation of the sort of competitions the Cavemen undertook in order to take over their tribes.

I'm kidding, I wasn't that dumb. But it would be hilarious if this was like some discovery channel documentary on the history of Caveman Sports. Although, I do prefer the alternate title to this game rather than "CAVEMAN GAMES". The other version out for the Commodore was called CAVEMAN UGHLYMPICS.

LET THE HILARITY ENSUE!!! This game is filled with campy caveman humor! Seriously, one of the things this game has going for it is its humor elements. It's actually quite funny.

Read More

Nerdicus SNES Review #34: Disney's Aladdin

Title : Aladdin

Publisher : Capcom

Developer : Capcom

Genre : Action Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $7-$10

Last night, we lost a comedic genius. The power of humor, and the ability to make others laugh is a genuine gift, and Robin Williams was exceptional at it. He was full of so much energy and life, and there isn't a doubt in my mind that it will never be replaced in the entertainment industry.

It almost felt like this loss hit closer to home, mainly because Robin Williams was one of the major reasons I started getting into voice acting and impersonations. It's not my profession, but it's something I do on the side, and to lose one of my inspirations like that, makes you appreciate what they had to offer even more.

Read More

Nerdicus NES Review #122: Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

Title : Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Action Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $20-$25

Tis a sad day, as we are finally reviewing the last of the Castlevania games to grace the NES console. The first one set the stage and really proved how epic the NES action games could be, while the second one attempted to put a twist on the already successful formula, but just fell a bit short. Nonetheless, they were both fantastic games, and are widely considered some of the greatest to be released for the NES.

It should come as no surprise then, that Castlevania III continues to carry the torch for the Castlevania series. 

Read More

Nerdicus Review a Bad Game Day : Double Dose of DC Disasters

This Friday calls for a little change of pace. There's a little something going on in the world of video game reviews called the "Review a Bad Game Day", and how is a guy like me supposed to resist something of that epic magnitude?

Part of me wants to say I've been looking forward to this, while another part of me wanted to just curl up in a little ball in the corner and cry. Why do I want to torture myself with more bad games on purpose? I've already dealt with enough with the last 150+ reviews of done spanning the NES / SNES / and Sega Genesis systems.

But, no. This isn't about me. This is about informing you, the reader, of the horrors that plagued the systems of old. So I sat with my thoughts for a bit, ultimately deciding upon my fate. A fate that is not one bad games...but two. Two epic failures that should have never made it past the first stage of development, much less get a passing grade during the testing phase. 

My fellow gamers...I give you a DOUBLE DOSE.....of DC DISASTERS.

I have a feeling you know what two games I'm talking about. Take a deep breath. We're going in.

Read More

Nerdicus SNES Review #33: BioMetal

Title : BioMetal

Publisher : Activision

Developer : Athena

Genre : Scrolling Shooter

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

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

Hey, wait a second. Is that a xenomorph on the cover? Don't try to trick me Activision, I know you're trying to sneak in some Alien references into your game to try and make some sales. Sneaky Sneaky! Can't fool me. 

Meh, who the hell am I fooling. I'll pick up any side scrolling shooter with that sort of alien on the box art. I'm a sucker for shooters, and I'm an even bigger sucker for side-scrolling shooters. Come to think about it, I haven't played one in oh.....5 or 6 games...a NEW RECORD!

Read More

Nerdicus Genesis Review #29: Bimini Run

Title : Bimini Run

Publisher : Nuvision Entertainment

Developer : Microsmith

Genre : Third Person Action

Players : 1 / 2 Player

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $2-$4

If there was ever a Miami Vice the game, this is it.

This game made me scratch my head. I didn't even know what Bimini Run was supposed to mean. What's a Bimini? I googled it and discovered that it's the westernmost district of the Bahamas and the closest point to mainland US. Thanks wikipedia! So, based on the box,  I'm assuming we're going to be shooting a lot of people from speedboats in the Bahamas.

Sounds safe. And that's exactly what we're doing.

Read More

Nerdicus NES Review #121: Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Title : Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Action Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1987

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $12-$15

Moving on to the next installment of the Castlevania series, we have the controversial CASTLEVANIA II: SIMON'S QUEST. Now, why do I say controversial? For a few reasons. First off, there's a lot of hatred for this game. This little guy here is definitely not as entertaining as the first, and is downright frustrating at some points. I can't say I didn't enjoy it when I was a kid, because I did, just not as much as the first one, nor the third one. Konami tried to add a few "tweaks" to the game, that really didn't work out for them. I'll explain in the review...

Secondly, this game also brought forth one of the most controversial Nintendo Power covers in existence. I have been a subscriber to Nintendo Power since day one, and I remember getting this particular Castlevania II issue in the mail and thinking to myslef..."HOLY...SHI*T - THIS IS AWESOME!!!" Just picture little 6 year old me saying that. 

Because I did. 

Read More

Nerdicus SNES Review #32: Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball

Title : Bill Laimbeer's Combat Basketball

Publisher : Hudson Soft

Developer : Hudson Soft

Genre : Basketball (WITH FIGHTING!!! OMG!)

Players : 1 / 2 Player

Release Date : 1991

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

This might very well be one of my shortest reviews ever. On a side note, I will be updating this page on weekends now with games I find at garage sales in my area. WOOT! This will of course only happen during Garage Sale season, which is about another 2 months, but hell it should be entertaining nonetheless.

On to the game at hand. Here we have Bill Laimbeer, who used to play for the Detroit Pistons, and if I know my basketball history (which I don't, because I hate basketball) he was pretty decent of a player. Decent enough to get a video game anyway.

QUICK NOTE!!!! Thanks to Jed Pressgrove (@jedpressfate), he told me that Bill Laimbeer was known for being one of the most physical, and dirtiest players in the NBA. Makes sense why they put him in a combat game then..Thanks, Jed!

As with any semi-popular player in a sports league, they'll release a game with their name on it. Why this poor soul wanted to put his name on a crap fest game such as this is beyond me. Good job, Bill. Way to scourge your name.

Read More

Nerdicus NES Review #120: Castlevania

Title : Castlevania

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Action Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1986

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

Okay, I admit it. I was the type of kid that could be scared quite easily. I was a victim of many ruthless pranks from my sister when I was growing up, most involving some freaky ripped off jaw mask that she used to wake me up in the middle of the night. Did I pee myself? Probably, but I like to think I kept those bed sheets dry.

There were even occasions where video games scared the crap out of me too. That's right, little pixelated monsters on 8-bit consoles frightened me. I'd like you to tell me right now that they didn't do the same to you, especially one particular game. Castlevania.

Read More

Nerdicus Genesis Review #28: Beyond Oasis

Title : Beyond Oasis

Publisher : Sega

Developer : Ancient

Genre : Action Adventure

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1995

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

Few games had an impact on me for the Sega Genesis in terms of having a long lasting effect on my gaming obsession. I was never really a Sega Guy. I was always a Nintendo follower. Hell, I only had a few games for my Sega Genesis growing up, and most games I did play, I usually played at my friends house. 

Seriously, out of all my friends I was the only one who played Super Nintendo. It was kind of weird. I would expose them to Nintendo, and they would expose me to the Sega. Maybe it was because my friends weren't that into Mario or Zelda like I was. They preferred the fast paced games like Sonic and every god damn Madden NFL game out there. 

Read More

Nerdicus SNES Review #31: Biker Mice from Mars

Title : Biker Mice from Mars

Publisher : Konami

Developer : Konami

Genre : Racing

Players : 1 / 2 Player

Release Date : 1994

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $20-$30

Please tell me I'm not the only one that remembers this cartoon series from the early 90's? It was one of those animated shows that you couldn't peel your eyes off of for some reason. Probably because it was so damn bizarre. I really would have loved to be sitting down in the storyboarding room for when they came up with the concept of this show.

"Hey, John? Did you come up with an idea for a new show yet?"

"Not yet, Bill. But I did run over a mouse with my motorcycle this morning while eating a Mars bar..."

"Mouse...Motorcycle....Mars...John, you're brilliant! MAKE A SHOW!"

Read More

Nerdicus NES Review #119: Castlequest

Title : Castlequest

Publisher : Nexof

Developer : ASCII Corp

Genre : Adventure Puzzle

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1989

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $8-$12

Don't let the box art fool you. You won't be doing much battling against giant demons, and iron-clad knights in this game. Nah, you're just going to be hopping around, collecting multi-colored keys and moving giant blocks around next to jars of milk to make your way through a castle. Sounds entertaining, doesn't it?

You will get an opportunity to slay critters in this game, but don't get too excited because for the most part those monsters are going to be slaughtering you. Over...and over...and over....and over. It's one of those games. The games where you constantly die, usually due to no fault of your own.

Oh boy. My excitement is billowing forth!

Read More

Nerdicus Genesis Review #26 + #27: Beauty and the Beast : Belle's Quest & Roar of the Beast

Title : Beauty and the Beast : Roar of the Beast

Publisher : Sunsoft

Developer : Software Creations

Genre : Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

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

Title : Beauty and the Beast : Belle's Quest

Publisher : Sunsoft

Developer : Software Creations

Genre : Platformer

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1993

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

I'll be the first to admit that I was a huge fan of any Disney-theme game that came out for the 16-bit consoles. Most of them were pretty damn good, and ones that actually come to mind are Aladdin, The Lion King, and Toy Story. When you were a kid, you most likely begged your parents to go out and rent and/or buy the games when they came out. They were that good.

Unfortunately, not all Disney games are created equal. Enter, the Beauty and the Beast saga of games for the SEGA GENESIS.

Read More

Nerdicus NES Review #118: Castle of Dragon

Title : Castle of Dragon

Publisher : SETA

Developer : Athena

Genre : Action Arcade

Players : 1 Player

Release Date : 1990

Estimated Value (as of today's date) : $8-$12

When you think about obscure arcade games that were apparently quite popular in certain circles, the name CASTLE OF DRAGON usually comes to mind. Frankly, I had never even heard of this and I'm actually quite ashamed with myself. It's got two of my favorite things lumped together in one game..Castles..and Dragons.

My nerd senses are tingling...although the title CASTLE OF DRAGON sounds a bit like broken English...

Read More