SPC Quickies Volume Ten - 3DS Ambassador Edition Part Two

Two weeks ago we examined half of the Ambassador line of NES games Nintendo provided early adopters for the Nintendo 3DS. Today we conclude our examination of the ten NES titles with Volume Ten of the SPC Quickies. We have five more games to briefly review including Donkey Kong Jr., Ice Climber, Wrecking Crew, Balloon Fight, and Yoshi. Those who have no clue whatsoever as to how Quickies are reviewed, here's the scoring guidelines:

5 - Fantastic

4 - Great

3 - Fair

2 - Poor

1 - Awful

===

Donkey Kong Jr.


The roles have reversed! Mario has put Donkey Kong in a cage, and it's up to Donkey Kong Jr. to free the loveable ape. This game utilizes a four level cycle where players go through four levels until the entire rotation repeats itself over and over until the player loses all their lives. This junior-sized gorilla has new tricks in his repertoire including the ability to climb and swing on vines as well as drop fruit onto the heads of enemies. Sadly, the drop-two-feet-and-you-die clause is still here and in effect which makes for some frustrating gameplay. If you can stomach these problems, then Donkey Kong Jr. might be a decent replacement to the original Donkey Kong.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


Wrecking Crew


Mario takes up a demolition gig in the underrated Wrecking Crew. The object of Wrecking Crew is to obliterate everything from iron girders to ladders while avoiding the indestructible enemies that plague each single-screen room. To dodge these precarious foes, Mario must enter doors and change levels at the drop of a hat as these aforementioned foes can dish out major trouble in the form of fireballs. Enemies, too, can enter doors, and for a brief amount of time they will cast a harmless shadow in the background as they move to another location. After everything that can be destroyed has been eviscerated, Mario moves onto the next stage. Addicting as it is puzzling, Wrecking Crew is a welcomed addition to the lineup of NES Ambassador classics.

[SuperPhillip Says: 4/5]


Ice Climber


Traverse your way up thirty-two different mountains in Ice Climber. The goal of the game is to use the heroic duo's hammers to chip away at the various blocks and enemies the game puts before the player. There's eight levels to ascend on each mountain, and each gets more challenging than the last. Then there's the baddies to watch out for from condors to sunglasses-wearing polar bears. The controls feel a little slippery and take getting used to, but that's to be expected from a game where you're sliding around on ice. The game can get a bit repetitive and monotonous after a while, but those who persevere will find an enjoyable game in Ice Climber.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


Balloon Fight


Balloon Fight is an entertaining enough game where players must travel around a single screen, popping the balloons of enemies, sending them to the shark-infested waters below. Just don't fly to close to the sea yourself, or you'll get bit! Enemies who don't fall in the water and arrive on land can blow back up their lost balloons, coming back stronger than ever. Competing for high scores is the main attraction here, and Balloon Fight is an engaging romp. Everything from the simplistic visuals against a night sky to the catchy main theme, Balloon Fight is a decent game for those interested.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


Yoshi


This puzzler was one of the first introductions of everyone's favorite ride-able dinosaur, Yoshi. The titular character needs Mario's help to match two enemies of the same type to clear them away and score points. Sometimes the bottom of an egg will fall into place. Only the top half will fit and clear that away for points, too. Yoshi is a puzzle game that is as simple as it gets. There's really little depth to be had, but if you have a little free time to spare, you can get a game of Yoshi in whether you're riding the bus, train, or subway to work or just biding time for class. Regardless, Tetris and Planet Puzzle League this game is not. It's just too simple for my liking.

[SuperPhillip Says: 2/5]


We're all finished with our viewing of Nintendo's NES Ambassador offerings. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for another installment of the SPC Quickies!

SPC Quickies Volume Nine - 3DS Ambassador Edition Part One

It's been nearly a year since our last brush with the Quickies, so what better time to bring them back than with swiftly reviewing five of the ten NES 3DS Ambassador games from Nintendo? For those unfamiliar with how SPC Quickie reviews work, here's the score breakdown:

5 - Fantastic

4 - Great

3 - Fair

2 - Poor

1 - Awful

===

Super Mario Bros.


One of the most pivotal games in the history of gaming returns and leads the way. The premise is simple: collect coins and power-ups, bash bad guys over the head, and scroll from left-to-right, in Mario's attempt to save Princess Peach Toadstool. There's eight worlds of four levels each. Every fourth level takes place in a castle of King Koopa's where the player must take down the villainous foe either by lighting him up with fireballs or running under him and dropping the bridge he stands on. The problem with this version is that the run and jump buttons are relegated to the A and B buttons, and on the 3DS these are in precarious positions. This takes some getting used to, but if you can persevere, you have a classic in your pocket.

[SuperPhillip Says: 4/5]


The Legend of Zelda


The game that started a legend, The Legend of Zelda threw players into an open world where exploration was the call of the day. Through exploring the game's eight dungeons or levels, collecting items, weapons, upgrades, triforce pieces, and heart containers which bestow more health, our hero Link could make the charge to Death Mountain and face off against the sinister Ganon. Exploration is key, but oftentimes the player will be lost without a guide making for some frustration. Who in their right mind would have the patience to burn every bush, bomb every rock, and push every stone? Perhaps my five year-old self, but not now. If you can summon the patience, a grand and difficult adventure awaits the brave.

[SuperPhillip Says: 4/5]


Metroid


Bounty hunter Samus Aran's first romp took her to planet Zebes where her task was to take out the nefarious Mother Brain and get out of the planet alive. Seeing as a great deal of the halls and corridors pretty much look similar in the NES version and bombing every little nook and cranny for secrets was a necessity, the original Metroid hasn't aged too well. Another hindrance is that when you die, you start back at Brinstar with only thirty health. This means you must grind and destroy enemies for health if you want a fighting chance. Those looking to play this game will need a map of some kind. Others can simply play the much enhanced remake, Metroid: Zero Mission on the Game Boy Advance.

[SuperPhillip Says: 2/5]


NES Open Tournament Golf


Ambassadors get the opportunity to check out two golf games on the 3DS, Let's Golf 3D and this title, NES Open Tournament Golf. Like golf, one must possess patience, persistence, and the almighty putter in order to achieve victory. It can be quite challenging gauging how far your shots will actually travel. You need to literally use math and calculate the distance of each and every shot. The shot gauge is tremendously fast which makes whiffing shot incredibly easy if you don't the correct amount of precision and timing. If you can get over the steep learning curve, you have a competent golf title worth playing and enjoying.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


Zelda II: The Adventure of Link


Link's second adventure took him north of the original game's stomping grounds where a put to rest Zelda needed waking up. It's up to Link to wake her from her deep sleep and avoid having Ganon revived. That's easier said than done as Zelda II is one tough hombre. It's mostly a 2D side-scroller, unlike every other title in the series. You gain experience (to upgrade Link's stats) through slaying monsters like Octoroks and Moblins, earn items and spells, and challenge the game's multiple temples. Sometimes it can be a challenge just knowing what to do. What makes this game especially irritating is that if you lose all your lives, you have to start back at the game's beginning temple. A game not for the faint of heart, Zelda II: The Adventure of Link gets the title of hardest Zelda game period.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


Coming next week we'll look at the latter half of the games given as part of the Nintendo 3DS's Ambassador program. We'll also have five reasons to detest Nintendo, a review of Resistance 3 for the PS3, and much more. Please look forward to it.