SPC Quickies - Volume Eleven - 3D Classics Edition

It was back in September of last year when the SPC Quickies last made their appearance. Let's make up for lost time with Volume Eleven. Today I will be swiftly reviewing five 3D Classics games from the 3DS's eShop. It's been awhile since our last SPC Quickies segment, so here's how the scoring goes:

5 - Fantastic

4 - Great

3 - Fair

2 - Poor

1 - Awful

===

3D Classics: Excitebike


This 3D Classics title was original free for 3DS owners up until July 6th of last year. Now that it costs money, is the game worth the $5.99 asking price? Well, no, it really doesn't. There are but two modes to try out: one has you racing by your lonesome against the clock while the other has you racing against CPU racers. Then there are only five pre-made tracks with the ability to create your own, but even here you are limited as there are less than a dozen pieces to utilize making for quick boredom. You can probably complete Excitebike in a sitting or two, and see everything the game has to offer. Do not buy.

[SuperPhillip Says: 2/5]


3D Classics: Kid Icarus


Available from pre-ordering Kid Icarus: Uprising at Amazon, Best Buy, or Gamestop or purchasing it outright from Gamestop, 3D Classics: Kid Icarus brings with it multiple levels of the angelic hero Pit taking on Medusa's nefarious forces. The backgrounds have been altered from their plain black backgrounds from the NES version with trippy colors and effects. The game looks better for it. Be warned, though, as Kid Icarus was always a difficult game, and even with the addition of shooting more arrows at a faster rate, the game can be massively challenging. It's a welcome challenge, however, and worthy of being in your 3DS collection of downloadable games.

[SuperPhillip Says: 4/5]


3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure


Originally one of the last titles released for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Kirby makes his 3DS debut as a downloadable title in 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure. The Star Rod has been stolen by the sinister King Dedede and broken up in seven pieces spread across seven worlds. It's up to the restless Kirby to save the day. This game was one of the first titles to allow Kirby to suck up foes and steal their powers, perfect for taking out enemies in a variety of ways. The parallax effects and stereoscopic 3D make for an impressive feast for the eyes. The game can be pretty hard at times, too, such as the battle with Kirby villain Kracko. That said, Kirby's Adventure is definitely worth a look and a buy.

[SuperPhillip Says: 4/5]


3D Classics: Xevious


If you like games where memorization of hazards and obstacles is key to survival, then perhaps you'll enjoy 3D Classics: Xevious. My first run-in with Xevious wasn't on the original platform the game released on. Instead, it was an unlockable game within Star Fox Assault (GCN). With the 3DS's glasses-free 3D, it is easier to judge distance between ground force shots trying to take you out. Xevious is a difficult game, but practice makes perfect, and gunning for high scores is always a fun treat. Unfortunately, there is no online leaderboard to speak of, so you will be sadly competing against your lonely self. Regardless, 3D Classics: Xevious is an interesting, if not average title for your 3DS.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


3D Classics: Urban Champion


The third 3D Classics release was a bad and boring brawler named Urban Champion. It wasn't a good game when it released way back on the NES, and it isn't a good game now. The 3D effect is more distracting than anything, offering little to no "wow" factor at all. The game is highly repetitive and unrewarding-- there is nothing to come back to once you've played through this mediocre title. Sure, if you have a friend with a copy of the game, you can play the game together, but why would you want to? Even at a discounted (for eShop's standards) price, it is not a game that I would recommend to anyone-- even my most hated enemy. Okay, maybe I'd give it a recommendation to them...

[SuperPhillip Says: 1/5]


We have concluded another installment of the SPC Quickies. Hopefully we'll see Volume Twelve come sooner rather than later! Stick around for more SPC coming this week!

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.

SPC Quickies Volume Eight: It Only Does Everything

Besides play its back catalog, am I right? Nailed it. Regardless, tonight we're ending our look at my console collection with the PlayStation 3, a mighty system with some wonderful games both first and third party. Quickie reviews are always rated from 1-5, five being the best, one being the worst. Let's get to work!

007 Quantum of Solace - Bond is back, and this time Activision is in charge. Their first attempt combined both Daniel Craig movies, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, into one cohesive package. The gunplay was fast, fun, and forgettable, really, but I think Activision really nailed it when came to the controls. Online multiplayer had several enjoyable maps and there's seldom a wait to play. 4/5

3D Dot Game Heroes - This homage to Zelda does it well. You earn new weapons and items inside the game's many dungeons and you take on that dungeon's boss. The game is no slouch. The entire landscape and characters are made from dots. This unusual graphical style is a cool approach to the tired gray and ugly games on the system. Does it beat Zelda? No, but it's a good try all the same. 4/5

Batman: Arkham Asylum - The dark knight returns for this game that doesn't suck! A Batman game that doesn't suck? Get out of here! It's true and it plays similarly to a Metroid game in some aspects as you earn new gadgets to reach new places. The voice acting team from the animated series returns in epic fashion, and if that doesn't win you over, the fantastic gameplay will. 4/5


Darksiders - Get on your horse and start attacking. Darksiders plays like a brooding Zelda with items you get from dungeons that are used to defeat said dungeon's boss. It brings its own mythos to the table in a post-apocalyptic world. Haven't had many of those this generation. Regardless, if you're in for a Zelda-like experience hop on your trusty steed and banish those monsters to Hell. 4/5

Dead Space - Not since Resident Evil 4 has a game unnerved me as much as Dead Space. This goes especially true on Impossible mode where buying the right equipment can be the difference between death and survival. The evil necromorphs are hideous in their own right, but they're no sissies either. They'll happily run after you, sink their claws into your flesh, and rip you right apart. Dinner, anyone? 4/5

God of War Collection - Two games for budget price? I'm there. The God of War Collection features both God of War I and God of War II with some exclusive content thrown in for good measure. There's not much one can say about these two epic games, so I'll let the score do the talking. 5/5

God of War III - Enter once again Kratos' tragic past and present in God of War III, one of the most visually impressive games of our time. Though graphics can only get one so far as we've seen most of the tricks the God of War series has in its arsenal. There's really little new to this ultimate chapter of the series. Still, it's darned cool to whip the undead into shape Kratos-style. 4/5

Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds - What do you get when you take all the content-rich features from Hot Shots Golf Fore and translate it to the PS3? You get significantly less content, less features, and more importantly, less fun. The game still is enjoyable, but the lack of courses, characters, and challenges hurts this golfing extravaganza. 3/5

inFAMOUS - Play as Cole as you choose between hero or villain in this sandbox title. Hurt people and your street cred will be negative. Help people and your cred will make you popular among the townspeople. There's truly elements of Sucker Punch's last game, Sly Cooper, in the gameplay here from leaping atop poles and wires to effortlessly leaping to another platform. Just put the mute button on the annoying fat dude. 4/5

LittleBigPlanet - Create, play, and share is the mantra of the LittleBigPlanet series, and it's all wonderful. You can create epic levels with all the tricks and treats you can think of, play your level with others, or share it the masses online. That's not to mention the awesome single-player mode where you can gain your ideas from. A content-rich game anyone can enjoy, LittleBigPlanet gets a big recommendation. 5/5


Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - I loved MGS3: Snake Eater, so I assumed I'd love the latest installment. Not a chance. It's as if Hideo Kojima did acid as he wrote the script of this piece of crap. It made sense to him then, so why wouldn't it make sense to us? The gameplay is fine and never better, actually. The stealth gameplay is fun. It's just the damned story that blows chunks. 3/5

ModNation Racers - Taking that mantra of LittleBigPlanet and using it on a racing game, ModNation Racers is a fast and fun kart racer that couldn't quite beat Mario Kart. Sure, you can create and customize your own tracks, but the racing part wasn't all quite there. Then you have the massive loading times, and you have a lot of frustration. Still, the game is really enjoyable, and creating your own tracks is an awesome experience. 4/5

Motorstorm: Pacific Rift - Motorstorm: Pacific Rift takes you on sixteen courses split up between four types of courses: air, fire, water, and land. Each course has been designed for maximum fun and carnage. Each track has specific routes laid out for specific vehicles. For instance, a big rig should take ramps that launch them into the air as a motorcycle shouldn't go through deep mud or water. A great racer that anyone can enjoy. 4/5

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time - You'd think after eight or nine installments in less than a decade would give a franchise a bit of fatigue, but with Ratchet & Clank, you'd apparently be wrong. This time, time travel is the main story arc with certain characters fixated on ruling the world one era at a time. It's up to Ratchet and Clank to take Dr. Nefarious out once again! With great platforming and great action, A Crack in Time is a great entry in this great series. 4/5


Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - While A Crack in Time had a better platforming/shooting ration, Tools of Destruction is more about shooting than platforming. This isn't bad, mind you, but it does get a bit more repetitive. The signature humor of the series is there as is the entertaining gameplay, so what else could a person ask for? 4/5

Resident Evil 5 - Throwing away its survival-horror part of things and adding pure action, Resident Evil 5 is more about blowing away zombie-like characters than running in pure fear. At least Resident Evil 4 has some scary moments. Resident Evil 5 is really devoid of them. That doesn't make it a bad game. It's just a different one than what fans were expecting. Still, the gunplay's enjoyable and the surprises are many in this terrific title. 4/5

Resistance 2 - Play in one of three modes: the single-player campaign, cooperative mode, or multiplayer deathmatch style in Resistance 2. Most people are down on this sequel, but I found it quite a blast. The campaign was interesting enough, the cooperative missions were mad fun, and the multiplayer was balanced and quite good. This is coming from someone who nearly got his platinum. That's how much this game was a good time for me. 4/5

Saints Row 2 - The Saints are back, and this time they're pissed. The Row has turned into an ultra-rich part of the city, the gang's been split up, and your character had some reconstructive surgery. That's how bad that ship explosion was. The sandbox gameplay of Saints Row 2 beats out Grand Theft Auto IV easily to me. There's just more stuff to do and less "oscar-worthy" dialog. 4/5

Singstar - Singstar's my first singing game, so I went easy on it to be fair. The SingStore isn't updated nearly as much as it should be on the North American side of things, and the choice of music is mostly pop tunes instead of more interesting music like classic rock. Of course, that's just my preference. Can't fault the game for that. Singing solo or with a friend is a really cool experience, and going for high scores is its own challenge. 3/5

Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing - This was the game that to me beat out Mario Kart Wii. It's full of fair and fun racing with a host of SEGA characters represented such as Ulala, Aiai, Alex Kidd, and Beat, for starters. The courses are expertly designed with smart twists and turns and clever references to SEGA brands in the backgrounds. No matter the system, Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing is a fantastic racer worthy of your money. 4/5


Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection - Over thirty classic Genesis games on one Blu-ray disc is a mighty fine present indeed. There's some stinkers here and there such as Golden Axe, but for the most part, the collection is full of quality games. From Alex Kidd to Sonic the Hedgehog, there's a game here for everybody. 4/5

Super Street Fighter IV - I'm not too big on fighters. After playing Tatsunoko VS. Capcom on Wii, I was thinking fighting games weren't too hard to get into. Apparently I was wrong as learning moves, combos, and specials for each character is like studying for your midterm. It's a chore. I hate myself for wasting $40.00 new on this game. It's just not for me. 2/5

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Sure, enemies might be bullet sponges, and the game might be a little too linear for its own good, but Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is a sensational experience from beginning to end. It plays like a Hollywood movie which many games nowadays seem to aspire to but often fail. Well, Uncharted is no failure, buddy. It's got that hardcore action and gunplay that many games strive for. 4/5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Sure, enemies might still be bullet sponges, and the game might still be a little too linear for its own good, but Uncharted 2: Among Thieves triumphs over the original with more delicious set pieces, fast and wild gunplay, and an always smart-mouthed hero in Drake. There's no better experience than Uncharted 2 on the PlayStation 3 when you a little action in your life. 5/5


White Knight Chronicles: International Edition - This by-the-numbers action-RPG mixes human combat with giant relic combat. The story may be at times corny, but it's an interesting tale from beginning to end. The battling is rather fresh as well with plenty of monsters to slay, baddies to beat, etc. Is it the most originally RPG out there? No, but it is one of the more intriguing ones on the PlayStation 3. 4/5

Phew! What a workout! This concludes my grading my current-gen console collection, so until next time-- adieu!

If you missed a previous Quickie segment or just want to reminisce of old times, check them out here:

[SPC Quickies]

Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five
Volume Six
Volume Seven

SPC Quickies - Volume Eight - ApocalyPS3 Now

We've taken a look at my Wii, DS, 360, and PSP collections, so now let's look at our final specimen, the PlayStation 3. This collection features a lot of excellent titles as shown by the quickie review scores. There are twenty-three PS3 games currently in my collection, and it is my aim to score them all out of five. Let's get to it. The ApocalyPS3 begins now!


007: Quantum of Solace - Bond is back, and this time he means business. Quantum of Solace takes place during the titular movie as well as with flashbacks from Casino Royale. The gunplay is fast and fun, the cover system helps add in a needed amount of strategy, and the story mode is engaging from beginning to end. This is a terrific Bond game made better by a comprehensive multiplayer component with modes such as Golden Gun, operative combat, and good old fashioned deathmatch. 4/5

Batman: Arkham Asylum - Speaking of popular characters being back, the bat is also back, and he's in one of the best superhero games of all time. Part Metal Gear Solid, part Metroid, Batman: Arkham Asylum has the dark knight infiltrating Arkham in pursuit of the Joker. Along the way he'll be taking down baddies from the shadows, beating up villains such as Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, and the Scarecrow, and obtaining new gadgets to reach new areas of Arkham. If there's one superhero game you need to play, Batman: Arkham Asylum is it. 4/5


Darksiders - If God of War and the Legend of Zelda had an illegitimate child, Darksiders would be that baby. With the combat of God of War and the puzzle-solving, dungeon-exploring, boss-bashing gameplay of Zelda, Darksiders feels very familiar. However, it also has a lot going for it to differentiate it from either franchise. The combat is brutal and easy to get into, the story is intriguing the whole way through, and the homages to the two aforementioned series will make most players love this game as I certainly have. 4/5

Dead Space - In space, no one can hear you kiss your ass goodbye. The hope for survival aboard the Ishimura spaceship grows increasingly hopeless as new problems arise. The air system becomes infected, elevators stop working, and the evil necromorphs grow heavily in numbers, ready to carve your character like a jack-o-lantern. The third-person over the shoulder viewpoint works well as do the upgrading of powerful weaponry. The sound design is some of this generation's best with design that will have you constantly scared for your life, looking behind corners with the greatest hint of trepidation. Dead Space is one frightening game. 4/5

God of War: Collection - Two upscaled in HD games for a budget price? Sign me up! Oh, wait, I already did sign up. Whether you seek vengeance on either Ares of Zeus, God of War: Collection has a game for you, plus several cool bonus extras making for a complete and affordable package. The games look absolutely phenomenal in high-definition, and you'll constantly be opening your mouth in awe at the sheer beauty of both upscaled games. God of War and God of War II were already excellent titles, and this collection-- one heck of a deal-- only sweetens the metaphorical pot. 5/5

God of War III - In the end, there will only be chaos... and one great game! Take all you know about the God of War franchise and triple it in pure, unadulterated scope. The areas are larger and more expansive-- staggering even, the boss battles are much more numerous and engaging, and story caps off the trilogy in a good way. There's still beating up hordes of mythological beasts, opening treasure chests for items and orbs to upgrade weapons and abilities, and enough quick-time-events to make Heavy Rain jealous. Perhaps the only problem with God of War III is that it all feels like we've been there and done that before. 4/5


Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds - One infuriating game design philosophy when transferring over to the HD consoles is to take everything away from what made past installments spectacular and staring over. This is the case of Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds. It's a sad statement when a portable game of the same series has more characters, courses, and options than a full-fledged sequel. Well, that is exactly what happened. Fortunately, the game is still as rewarding as ever now with two different swing types. There's also a robust online system for players to compete with one another all around the world. 3/5

inFAMOUS - Taking elements from their previous franchise, Sly Cooper, Sucker Punch combined the wire-riding, pipe-climbing, platforming fun of that series with the open-world sandbox of inFAMOUS. There's a lot to be said about a game where you can use the powers of electricity to shock your foes into submission. Depending on which side you choose, either hero or villain will determine the outcome of the game. For a shocking good time, inFAMOUS is the game for you. 4/5

LittleBigPlanet - Play, create, and share is the mantra of the LittleBigPlanet line of games. The original LittleBigPlanet is still full of creative levels and designs made by the hustling and bustling community. If you lack the creative touch, you can always play the single-player story levels or hop online with up to three friends and play one of a million community levels. Might I recommend SuperPhillip: The Game? If you can get past the floaty jumping and the complexity of the level creator, you'll have a surefire game that you'll keep on coming back to. 5/5

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots - You have the entertaining gameplay of past Metal Gear Solid games, so what could possibly go wrong? Unfortunately, Hideo Kojima never learned what good pacing in a video game is. If you can get past the nonsensical story, the constant interruption of the game for stupid, long, drawn-out cutscenes, and more cinematics than actual gameplay, you might enjoy, hell, even love Metal Gear Solid 4. For everyone else, there's much better games to be had. 3/5

Motorstorm: Pacific Rift - Burn rubber, just don't overheat your vehicle! Motorstorm: Pacific Rift moves the racing excitement from the desert to a tropical island filled with sunny shores, volatile volcanoes, and chaotic cliffs. As you complete races, you unlock more difficult races and tracks. The racing is fast, crazy, and energetic. It's the perfect adrenaline rush. My only gripe with this game is that in later ranks, it can be extremely unforgiving. 4/5

Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time - Ratchet & Clank reunite after having been separated by the Zoni. For a good half of the game, however, the two are apart and have their own play styles. Ratchet has the traditional run, gun, and jump gameplay whereas Clank uses a time scepter to participate in mind-boggling time puzzles. The story is captivating, the worlds are lush and vibrant, and the trademark humor is definitely there. Check this game out-- even if it's your first Ratchet & Clank game. 4/5


Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - A new threat has arrived, and his name is Emperor Tachyon. His mission? To wipe out the last remaining lombax-- Ratchet! This new story arc introduces several new weapons and gadgets such as ones that require the use of the Sixaxis controller. If you've played a previous Ratchet & Clank game, you'll feel right at home with the duo's first delving into HD! 4/5

Resident Evil 5 - Resident Evil 4 is one of my favorite games of all time. Resident Evil 5 takes the formula of said game, and pretty much stays true to it. This time around, there's forced cooperative gameplay featuring new character Sheva. While the game is much less scary in this installment, there's a lot more in the way of high-impact action. Playing cooperatively with a friend locally or online is a blast, and the return of the Mercenaries mode adds even more longevity to this rather long thrill ride. 4/5

Resistance 2 - I love this game. As they say, haters gonna hate. I thought the single-player campaign was terrific with plenty of intriguing set pieces, a story that was compelling, and characters that weren't entirely one-dimensional. Well, maybe they were 1-1/2 dimensional instead! Combine that with an awesome cooperative campaign with six maps, and an intense competitive battle mode supporting up to sixty some-odd players and you have one of my favorite FPS games of all time. 5/5

Saints Row 2 - The game that managed to out-Grand Theft Auto Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row 2 gives you an entire playground to mess around in either alone or with a friend. Customize your character as you see fit, outfit him in the latest fashions or keep him... or her... looking like a scrub. The mission variety is great with plenty of checkpoints to make repeated attempts less infuriating. Taking over Stilwater one block at a time is very cool, and the side missions are nothing short of terrific. Who doesn't love base-jumping, insurance fraud, and escorting ladies to their pimps? 4/5

SingStar - Sure, many of us feel bashful or stupid singing to a television, but isn't that the point of karaoke-- to let all of our inhibitions run wild? You can do just that with Sony's SingStar. Whether you buy volume one or volume two, SingStar has a good amount and variety of songs. If that isn't enough, you can hop online onto the SingStar store where you can purchase new tracks to sing along with for a relatively low price. Sing on, SingStars. Sing on! 4/5

Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing - Sonic and friends have returned from the tennis court and onto the racetrack with Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing. Speed through more than twenty, expertly-crafted racetracks, races as one of twenty SEGA all-stars from Aiai, Ulala, and Amy Rose to Billy Hatcher, B.D. Joe, and Dr. Eggman. The game is much more fair than Mario Kart Wii offering much more balanced items and weapons. You'll need skill and tight maneuvering to stay ahead of the pack in this high-octane kart racer! 4/5


Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection - Take a fair majority of the Genesis' greatest titles, put them inside a budget priced package, and you get Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. You get so many excellent titles for such a low price. There's the original Sonic the Hedgehog games, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage, plus lesser known classics such as Ristar, Decap Attack, and many more. If you consider yourself any type of SEGA fan of old school gamer, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection is the game for you. 4/5

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Meet Nathan Drake. He's the type of everyman that can leap over chasms, jump from cliff to cliff with ease, and perform all types of aerial acrobatics. Okay, so he's not much of an everyman, but he's got one twisted sense of humor. Find out the mystery of the lost city of El Dorado with Drake and friends as he fends off pirates looking to achieve the same goal of grabbing El Dorado for themselves. The cover system is reminiscent of Gears of War, but there's much less in the way of steroids this time around. The platforming is fantastic, the visuals are phenomenal, and this game is just spectacular. 4/5

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves - Now I'm not one to say that every game needs to have some kind of multiplayer component shoehorned in, but with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, the multiplayer really works and works well. It's fun, it's engaging, it's entertaining, and it'll give you countless hours of replayability long after you finish the much better balanced single-player campaign. The set pieces here are orgasmic, and the game really is better than the already wonderful original. 5/5


Valkyrie Chronicles - From part of the team that made the excellent Dreamcast (and then Gamecube) RPG, Skies of Arcadia, comes this strategy RPG featuring soldiers, tanks, and endless possibilities. Recruit new soldiers to do your armada's dirty work, battle head-to-head, and ogle the gorgeous pencil-drawn filter visuals. Those looking for their JRPG fix and were disappointed with Final Fantasy XIII, Star Ocean 4, among others, should check out Valkyrie Chronicles, exclusive to the PS3. 4/5

White Knight Chronicles: International Edition - The turn-based RPG that plays like an MMO, White Knight Chronicles is an entertaining game full of unique locales and intense action whether on foot or inside a giant knight armor suit. If the single-player campaign doesn't do anything for you, you can always hop online and play one of twenty-five plus quests with up to three other players. Whether you like turn-based combat without random encounters or online play that is full of fun, White Knight Chronicles has something for everybody. 4/5

There you have it. Do you agree/disagree with any of my scores? Let me, as well as everyone else, know inside the comments section!

SPC Quickies - Volume Seven - PSParty

Ah... the SPC Quickie... Was it good for you? This is where we take games under the microscope for some rapid-fire reviews. Today we're looking at my PSP collection and judging these games in paragraph-sized, bite-size reviews. My PSP collection is pretty big, so this might take awhile, folks. So sit back, relax, and let's get to the Quickies! But first, games are rated from 1-5. 1 being the worst, and 5 being the best.

(Some games were left out of my collection as I have not played them enough to review them--even half-assed.)

Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles - Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles is made up of three games in one. You have the classic Rondo of Blood, Symphony of the Night, and the main attraction, the Rondo of Blood remake with updated sound and visuals. Some player may not like the old-school controls of Rondo of Blood, but they felt adequate enough for the game. For three games for the price of one UMD, this one hell of a deal that action-platformer fans should not pass up on! 5/5


Daxter - He's back, and he hates bugs! Daxter takes place between the events of Jak getting captured in Empire City and the wisecracking ottsel (otter plus weasel) rescuing his bound buddy. The game shows the events leading up to Daxter saving Jak from his imprisonment. To help start off, Daxter becomes a bug exterminator, routing out pests within the city walls. With his trusty bug gun he can spray enemies into submission as well as use it to hover across chasms, Super Mario Sunshine-style. One of the best platformers on the PSP, Daxter is a great investment for fans of the genre. 4/5

Final Fantasy - Just how many times can Square-Enix port this damn game? As many times as it's profitable apparently! The PSP version was given the Castlevania treatment with updated sound and visuals. All the turn-based RPG action that you can stand is here and accounted for. Those who played the GBA remakes, however, might feel gypped having to buy Final Fantasy I and Final Fantasy II separately. Regardless, there's plenty of old-school Final Fantasy fun to be had in this remake. 4/5

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions - Blame yourself or God if you miss out on this excellent tactical RPG. Spanning five chapters, dozens of missions, multiple character classes, and numerous pieces from one of the best soundtracks in gaming history, this PSP port of the PS1 original features new characters and items to collect. The endless possibilities here to creating the ultimate party will have you playing for hundreds of hours. A tactical RPG, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is a game not be missed by any PSP owner. 5/5

God of War: Chains of Olympus - The Gods may have forsaken Kratos, the ghost of Sparta, but this game won't forsake you. It's amazing how well the God of War franchise translated to the small screen. All of Kratos' repertoire of visceral moves are here for you to unleash on your unfortunate foes. Chains of Olympus is without a doubt one of the best action games on the PSP. The only real flaw, and it's a pretty big one, is the brevity of the main story. If you can handle that, you're in for one Hades of a ride. 4/5


Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories - Phil Collins. What more do you need? Phil mother$%#$ing Collins! Okay, well there are a lot of varied missions, and expansive city to explore, multiple locales to scoop out, a rich 80s world that's yours for the taking, and an awesome soundtrack to boot. Add in Phil Collins, and you have a game that is hard to resist. Unless you're not a Phil Collins fan which means we have nothing further to discuss! 4/5

Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure - Drill, baby, drill. No, we're not talking about 50 year old politicians trying to sound cool. No, no. We're talking about Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure for the PSP (what else?). With Parin's drill, she can tear through walls, enemies, and objects on her quest to save Monster Village and rescue the monster-napped denizens in this action-RPG. The visuals are passable but not too impressive, and the camera can sometimes get on your nerves. Other than that, a decent and worthy game for a PSP owner's collection. 4/5

Hammerin' Hero - Hammerin' Hero is a 2 1/2D brawler featuring some platforming here and there. It's a dog-eat-dog world in the Hammerin' Hero world where one hit means certain death. While this may frustrate some, it's a wonderful challenge for others. There's multiple costumes to utilize offering unique powers from a record-throwing DJ to a slugging baseball player. The cel-shaded visuals are colorful, the levels are short enough to make repeated visits and tries less frustrating, and the difficulty is definitely there. Not for everyone, Hammerin' Hero is one for the ages. 4/5

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee - Swing for the fences! Wait, that's baseball. You'll go out of bounds if you do it my way... Nonetheless, the first handheld Hot Shots game features six courses to play through, and they're well-designed and masterfully-constructed. The characters all have their own personalities, and they can be custom-outfitted with costumes earned through winning challenges in the single-player mode. A great golf game, but not the PSP's best. 4/5

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 - Open Tee 2, the obvious sequel to the original Open Tee, has much more to offer than its predecessor. There's double the amount of characters and courses (half of which are from the original Open Tee). The fun is as awesome as ever with the tried and true three click shot system. The game has a pleasant soundtrack to listen to, lush visuals, and a humor that the Hot Shots crew are known for. If there is a better portable golf game around, I've yet to see it. 5/5


Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier - Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier takes the undaunted duo to the edge of the world in search of eco, which is constantly running out in the world. There's three types of gameplay in Lost Frontier: Jak and Daxter together, Daxter by himself in werewolf form, and aerial plane battles. The variety is nice, and there's plenty of worlds to survey, precursor orbs to collect, and secrets to uncover. A decent adventure, but not for forty bucks, The Lost Frontier is worth a rental currently. 3/5

LittleBigPlanet - LittleBigPlanet offers a different take on the franchise than its PS3 big brother. Instead of three tracks to jump through, there's but two tracks to traverse. Don't mistake this for a dumbed-down experience. Sony Bend crafted some diabolically clever levels, added some all-new costumes, and the online community is just as active as ever. LittleBigPlanet may not be as world-shattering as the original, but it's a competent game all on its own. 4/5

LocoRoco 2 - You really only need to know two buttons on the PSP in order to fully enjoy LocoRoco 2, and those are the L and R shoulder buttons. L tilts the world to the left, and R moves the world to the right. Pressing in both buttons at the same time makes your little, lovable LocoRoco leap into the air for some twisted platforming peril! Add in some addicting gameplay, fun minigames, and eclectic soundtrack, and you have one of my favorite, intuitive PSP games! 5/5

Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X - It seems remaking the sound and visuals for SNES games is a popular thing these days... at least on the PSP. I'm not going to complain, however, when they're terrific games like Mega Man X being remade and remastered! Run, gun, jump, and slide your way through twelve levels of X action, blasting away enemies, collecting power-ups, and just kicking all kinds of Maverick ass. It's Mega Man: Maverick Hunter X, and it's an awesome remake. 5/5

Mega Man: Powered Up - Speak of the devil, when we're talking awesome remakes, how about the re-imagining of the original Mega Man? Not only are there two more Robot Masters to take down in Oil Man and Time Man, but there's a brand-new cel-shaded chibi art style. Throw in the ability to create your own stages, a challenge mode, and an impressive remixed soundtrack, and you have a game that more PSP owners should have purchased! Darn you, evil-doers! 5/5

Metal Gear Acid - Snake. Stealth. ...Playing cards? You read right. This turn-based strategy game has a brand-new story and gameplay elements to it, and it overall succeeds in what it does. The thrill of earning a new card will make collectors want to hunt down them all. The special artstyle is quite nice, too, and the soundtrack is as capable as ever. Not a great game, but a good one. 4/5


Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops - From the guest review, "It’s not a perfect game, mind you, as I found myself having occasional issues with randomly dropping out of first-person view and having trouble entering a vent unless I crawled in just the perfect line, but for the most part, this game succeeds in its console to handheld transition. If you want a game that can give you a decent challenge and a good amount of playtime, then you should check out MGS: Portable Ops. It’s just the kind of stealth-action experience I was hoping for." 4/5

Motorstorm: Arctic Edge - It's spring now, so who really wants to think about winter all over again? We just escaped that madness! Well, you may want to rethink your position with Motorstorm: Arctic Edge. This hardcore, balls-to-the-wall racing game is high-octane across sixteen individual courses of varying difficulty. Each vehicle has a different path it should follow. For instance, a bike shouldn't go anywhere near deep snow while a big rig wouldn't be caught dead flying off a ramp. My only gripe is that the game becomes very unforgiving in later challenge levels. Overall, a game you can chill out to. 4/5

Pangya: Fantasy Golf - PANGYA! Yelled when one makes a perfect shot, Pangya is all about goofy golf at its finest. Like the title says, it's all about fantasy golf here. You can enter the shop to upgrade your characters with multiple different clothing options, new gear in the form of clubs and balls, and helpful items giving temporary stat increases. The game is a colorful mishmash of beauty, and the single-player modes will last players hundreds of hours. Good luck collecting every item there is in the game! 4/5


Patapon - Pata-pata-patapon. Pata-pata-patapon. The little black blobs of Patapon love rhythm. And let me tell you that rhythm's going to get you. Unfortunately, attacking enemies and taking down bosses with the same rhythms gets quite repetitive-- even for a twenty dollar game. Memorizing these monotone melodies is also a chore. It all amounts to a game that's not very fun if you're not rhythmically-inclined. 2/5

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters - Size apparently really does matter as this Ratchet & Clank adventure is a tad on the short side. Yes, there's bolts to reclaim and upgrades to purchase, but you can't help feeling the game ends way too soon. Add in that sense of deja vu of "I've played a game like this before", and you're probably right. It's just another Ratchet & Clank game. Nothing more, nothing less. 3/5

Resistance: Retribution - Sony Bend does it again. Taking the atmosphere and folklore of the Resistance series and translating it perfectly into a third-person shooter, Resistance: Retribution is full of incredible surprises. There's a cover system that works well (unlike some other popular third-person shoo-- Gears). Additionally, there's online multiplayer full of fun modes, an active community, and some of the most fun I've had on a portable online. 5/5

Sonic Rivals 2 - One could imagine what this game would be like if there weren't racing or catch-up AI. Instead the game would be a traditional Sonic game with the same level layouts and gameplay. It'd be a heck of a lot more fun is what it would be. That much is for certain. As it is, the sheer amount of frustration from the rubber-band AI is just too much to bear in Sonic Rivals 2. 2/5

Star Ocean: First Departure - The original Star Ocean popped up on the Super Nintendo pretty late in its life. It only was released in Japan, so it's a treat to finally be able to play the first Star Ocean with updated graphics, voiced cut-scenes, and updated music. While much more basic than its sequels, Star Ocean: First Departure is an interesting game to check out for RPG fanatics and curious PSP owners alike. 4/5

Star Ocean: Second Evolution - A port of the PlayStation One original, Star Ocean: Second Evolution was familiar territory for me, a fan of The Second Story. There's lot of same-y things here from the excellent battle system to the likable cast of character to the wonderful world and soundtrack. Like FFT, Star Ocean: The Second Story is one of the best period. New cut-scenes were added as well as a majority of the conversations being voiced. Overall, a tried and true installment to the Star Ocean series. 5/5


Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron - I loved the original Battlefront for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. It was just fun, frenetic, and frantic-- all F words and all %%##ing (there's another F-word) awesome. Renegade Squadron on the other hand has some of the most headache-inducing visuals on the PSP. Combine that with odd controls and a glitchy camera, and you have a pretty poor experience overall. Recommended to true Star Wars nuts only. 2/5

Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology - Tales of the World is a compilation title featuring heroes and villains from past and present Tales Of titles. The game features fast-flowing, real-time battles in glorious 3D. There's plenty of quests to take on, monsters to defeat, characters to customize, and areas of the massive dungeon to explore. Not the best RPG that the PSP has to offer, but it's a fun little romp a definite buy for fans of the Tales franchise. 4/5

Tokobot - Tokobot is a game where skill and strategy go hand-in-hand. You play as a secret agent named Bolt attempting to enter a strange temple. He comes across a friendly group of special robots named Tokobots. They help him get safely through the various levels on his quest to get to the heart of the very temple. This 3-D puzzle/adventure game isn't without its problems. The main offender is the camera which can be problematic for sure. 3/5

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth - The trend of porting PlayStation titles to the PSP continues with Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. The first VP came out way back in 2000, ten years ago. The game is now very rare, so it's great that Square-Enix came out with a port for those of us who missed out on the original. New cut-scenes were added to this action-RPG, and the game is quite a blast to play. Recommended for RPG fans. 4/5

WipEout Pulse - More speed, more tracks, more racers, WipEout Pulse is the sequel to WipEout Pure, and it's the better game as far as I'm concerned. While the series has yet to reach F-Zero heights in popularity, the series is known for its fast, item-based arcade action. Pulse has players taking part in either online or offline races, competing in challenges to reach new grids full of more challenging courses and race types. If you have the need for speed, WipEout Pulse is here for you. 4/5


WipEout Pure - Pure as the driven snow, WipEout Pure is also all about fast-paced races set in the future. The sense of speed is unparalleled on the PSP with eight racers taking each other on at once. If you have an interest in arcade racing and own a PSP, WipEout Pure is the cheaper of the two handheld WipEout games, and it's definitely worth a purchase. 4/5

Interested in past editions of SPC Quickies? You know you want more! Check them out below!

Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five
Volume Six

SPC Quickies - Volume Six: SEGA All-Stars

Once again as if the vast posts didn't state it enough, Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing is due out today, and to celebrate I'm doing quickies on five classic SEGA games. Which games will I be playing? There's only one way to find out! Once again, here's how Quickies are scored:

5 - Fantastic

4 - Great

3 - Fair

2 - Poor

1 - Awful

===

Sonic the Hedgehog


Before the blue blur hit the Genesis around the midpoint of the console's life, a little boy named Alex Kidd was SEGA's main mascot. Ditching the dude for someone with more 'tude, Sonic the Hedgehog rolled into fruition. Speeding up ramps, down hills, over loop the loops, and bashing Robotnik's badniks in more than six zones, each with three acts apiece. Sonic the Hedgehog was what most older fans want from newer Sonics. The Marble Zone and Spring Act Zone were much more about delicate platforming than they were high speed. At the conclusion of each zone, Sonic faces off against one of the many robotic machines Dr. Robotnik has in his possession. Clever players might even collect one of six Chaos Emeralds to see the best ending the game had to offer. For a fantastic platforming adventure that might be a zone or two too short, Sonic the Hedgehog's your game, and speed's his name!


[SuperPhillip Says: 5/5]

DecapAttack


The hero of Decap Attack has a bit of a problem. You see, he's "a head" of himself. *cue Cryptkeeper cackle* DecapAttack is a 2-D platformer where our mummified hero can punch enemies with his heart, throw his head for a long-range attack, and leap through several themed body part worlds such as El Beau Island. There's also helpful items your mummy can collect to boost his strength, jumping ability, and much more as he progresses through each stage, three of them in each world. Jumping is tight, there's plenty of enemy variety, but many of the worlds happen to look the same which is a problem. Overall, DecapAttack is a great, overlooked platformer from SEGA's illustrious past.

[SuperPhillip Says: 4/5]

Columns


Columns is SEGA's answer to Tetris, and it's one that isn't too bad. There's three difficulty modes to select from, and the goal is simple. Three differently colored blocks fall down in column formations. The idea is to line up three colors either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. As you earn more points, the columns begin to fall faster. Once they reach the top of the screen, it's game over. I have great memories playing this game with my dad. We'd spend hours lining up blocks, scoring points, and listening to the game's infectious music. While there isn't a lot to Columns, what there is enjoyable enough for puzzle fans far and wide.

[SuperPhillip Says: 3/5]


Golden Axe


Golden Axe is a side-scrolling beat-em-up where you play one of four characters each with different abilities. The game is as linear as you'd expect from the genre, and the different amounts of enemies isn't too terribly high. What kills this game from being at all fun is that Golden Axe is just so horribly clunky and archaic. Your characters move like molasses, the animations are rough, and the game is essentially devoid of worthwhile gameplay. If the revamp, Golden Axe: Beast Rider has shown anything is that this franchise is not golden at all. Perhaps Mediocre Axe would be catchier and fool many less gamers!

[SuperPhillip Says: 1/5]


Ristar


When the citizens of the world are in trouble, they wish upon a star to save them-- Ristar! Developed by Sonic Team, Ristar is a creative 2D platformer where Ristar's main line of attacking and moving through the levels is grabbing various enemies and objects. When Ristar grabs hold of an enemy, he thrusts his body into them to defeat them. When faced with a climbable object such as monkeybars or trees, Ristar can grab onto them and pull or climb himself to safety! Each planet-- the worlds of Ristar-- have two acts followed by a third which is a boss battle. These are just as clever as the game mechanics of Ristar themselves! With vibrant visuals, much melodious music, and an ease of difficulty, Ristar is one game definitely worth checking out.

[SuperPhillip Says: 5/5]


Have a game you want to see get the SPC Quickies treatment? Let everyone know in the comments section! Also, stay tuned for a review of Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing sometime next month!