REVIEW: Mission 1985 on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Mission 1985 is a tribute or perhaps more of a clone of classic arcade game Commando, Commando was released in the arcades in 1985, and I would spend countless 10p coins playing it almost every day, so fast forward to 2022, and to see a tribute to that game released, and I couldn't be happier.

The game itself is a 2D top-down view, run and gun. Your job is to defeat the dreaded General Hector and his army, and along the way free any hostages you find.

There are 11 levels in total, and a few of those are 3D type levels, graphically think Space Harrier. Each level is set in a different location to give plenty of variety.

General play has you shooting and throwing grenades at anyone who gets in your way. But watch out for traps, mines, holes in the ground, as well as climate related dangers. As well as shooting at enemy soldiers, there are also tanks, helicopters and planes to take out. Don't waste all of your grenades though, you will probably want to save as many as you can for the end of level boss. There are a few different weapons you can pick up and use, the best one being the flame thrower.

There is also a local multiplayer mode, no online play though.

Now it is worth noting the game is hard, like ridiculously hard, there is no easy mode, although you can adjust how many lives you start off with, a maximum of 9. The difficulty becomes a huge problem though, the game is not necessarily hard in the same way that Commando was hard. With Commando the more you played, the better you got. With Mission 1985 the problem is when you do die, you are only invincible for a second, so you can end up losing 2 or 3 lives very quickly, grenades thrown by enemies are also sometimes impossible to avoid, as soon as you see one, you move away but you are still killed. Your reaction time is simply not going to save you.

However, the boss fights are relatively easy, the problem is getting to them.

The graphics are retro style, as is the sound effects, the story is pretty basic, and the gameplay is classic arcade style

The Good

I am a fan of these types of classic games, and this does feed the addiction. The graphics bring back memories, and everything you would want and expect is there.

The Bad

Way too difficult, and although I understand that is a deliberate choice by the developers, I found the difficulty to be off putting, instead of pushing me to keep playing to get better.

Overall

If you are over 40 then this game will definitely bring back some fun times you had as a kid, but the difficulty setting is so off putting, even for a huge fan of the genre as I am.

Commando was always hard, but it was never unfair in its gameplay, this game feels unfair.

I score Mission 1985 on Nintendo Switch a 6/10. If the developers fix a few of the issues I have mentioned, as well as add an easy mode, then the game would be 7/10

Out now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Mission-1985-2273571.html

Top 10 Super Nintendo games of all time.

 

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was a wildly popular home video game console in the 1990s, and it had a vast library of games that continue to be beloved by fans today. Here is a list of the top 10 best-selling SNES games of all time:

Super Mario World - Super Mario World was a launch title for the SNES and it quickly became the console's best-selling game. The game introduced new characters, power-ups, and gameplay mechanics that were later incorporated into future Mario games.

Super Mario All-Stars - This compilation of remastered versions of the first four Super Mario Bros. games was a huge hit for the SNES. It introduced enhanced graphics and new features that made the classic games even more enjoyable to play.

Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars - This role-playing game combined the beloved characters and world of Super Mario with a new turn-based combat system. It was a major success for the SNES and is still considered a classic RPG today.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - A Link to the Past is considered by many to be one of the best games in the Legend of Zelda series. It introduced a new version of the series' iconic overworld and added a number of new gameplay mechanics that have become staples of the franchise.

Donkey Kong Country - Donkey Kong Country was a visually impressive game for its time, with pre-rendered 3D graphics that were unlike anything seen in a platformer before. The game's platforming and mine cart levels were challenging and fun, making it a must-have for SNES owners.

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior - Street Fighter II was a groundbreaking fighting game that introduced a roster of memorable characters and special moves. Its smooth gameplay and deep mechanics made it a hit in arcades and on the SNES.

Super Metroid - Super Metroid was a highly influential action-adventure game that introduced a number of gameplay mechanics that have become staples of the genre. Its atmospheric environments and intense boss battles made it a fan favorite.

Super Punch-Out!! - Super Punch-Out!! was the sequel to the popular Punch-Out!! arcade game, and it added a number of new features and improvements to the formula. Its fast-paced gameplay and colorful cast of characters made it a hit on the SNES.

Chrono Trigger - Chrono Trigger was a critically acclaimed role-playing game that featured a unique battle system and a time-traveling plot. Its memorable characters and epic story made it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Final Fantasy III - Final Fantasy III was the first Final Fantasy game to be released on the SNES, and it introduced a number of new gameplay mechanics that have become staples of the series. Its deep combat system and compelling story made it a fan favorite.

Overall, these 10 games represent some of the best and most influential titles released on the SNES. They continue to be enjoyed by fans today and are considered classics of the video game industry.

You can buy the new Super Nintendo Mini console that includes 40 games at https://amzn.to/3WYghXk

Top 10 Sega Mega Drive games of all time.

 

The Sega Mega Drive (also known as the Sega Genesis in North America) was a popular home video game console released in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Over its lifetime, the Mega Drive received a wide variety of games, many of which have become classic titles that are still beloved by fans today. Here is a list of the top 10 Sega Mega Drive games of all time:

Sonic the Hedgehog: This fast-paced platformer starring the iconic blue hedgehog quickly became a fan favorite and is still considered one of the best games on the Mega Drive.

Streets of Rage: This side-scrolling beat-'em-up is known for its smooth gameplay, catchy music, and iconic characters.

Gunstar Heroes: This fast-paced run-and-gun shooter is known for its colorful graphics and challenging gameplay.

Phantasy Star IV: This popular role-playing game is known for its deep storytelling, complex characters, and challenging battles.

Shining Force: This tactical role-playing game is known for its intricate battles and memorable characters.

Contra: Hard Corps: This fast-paced run-and-gun shooter is known for its challenging gameplay and explosive action.

Comix Zone: This unique side-scrolling beat-'em-up is set within the panels of a comic book and features distinctive hand-drawn graphics.

Earthworm Jim: This wacky platformer follows the adventures of a heroic earthworm as he battles against strange enemies and bosses.

Altered Beast: This classic beat-'em-up is known for its mythical setting and the ability to transform into powerful creatures.

ToeJam & Earl: This unique action-adventure game follows the adventures of two alien rappers as they try to repair their spaceship and return home.

These are just a few of the many classic games that were released on the Sega Mega Drive. Whether you were a fan of platformers, role-playing games, or action games, the Mega Drive had something for everyone. Many of these games are still available to play today and are a testament to the enduring legacy of the Sega Mega Drive.

You can buy the new Sega Drive Mini console that includes 40 games at https://amzn.to/3vtxLii

REVIEW: TMNT: Shredder's Revenge: on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

I was a big fan of the TMNT cartoon growing up, so you can imagine my excitement when I saw that TMNT: Shredder's Revenge was released on Nintendo Switch.

"Featuring the original 1980's cartoon voice actors reprising their classic roles, the Heroes in a Half Shell return to brawl in the streets from Manhattan to Coney Island as they face off against the Foot Clan in 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge'."

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge is a classic 2D side scrolling beat 'em up, in the style of Streets of Rage, and with pixel art to firmly make you feel like you were back in the 1980s. 

Here is the plot

"With Bebop and Rocksteady assaulting Channel 6 and stealing super gnarly devices to support Krang and Shredder's latest twisted plan, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge sees the Turtles battling across a righteous range of timeless TMNT locations. From Manhattan and Coney Island, to city rooftops and dank sewers, help the fearsome foursome trounce Foot Soldiers, Triceraton Warriors, and Rock Troops all the way to Dimension X!"

You can play solo or with friends, take control of one of the Turtles, each have their own skills, weapons and moves, and battle you way through each level. It is simple and classic gameplay, beat up the bad guys, collect power ups, build up combos, and save the day.

There are some nice touches to the game, the special moves are fun and will get you out of trouble, when close enough to a bad guy you can throw them, even towards the viewpoint of the player, which is a nice touch. Each character has a different fighting style and weapons, nun chucks, knives, staff, swords etc, certain parts of the environment can also be used or destroyed. Boss fights tend to involve one big enemy and a load of minions.

Pick up pizza to boost your health, smash open boxes for various power ups, hit an exploding barrel and move quickly so it can take out the enemy. You can even perform a taunt!

The Good

Really pretty and well animated pixel art graphics, very cool soundtrack, gameplay is pretty much what you would expect, and ticks all the boxes for a side scrolling beat em up. 

The Bad

You will probably complete the game pretty quick.

Overall

Games like this work really well on the Nintendo Switch, even more so on the Switch Lite, the small screen makes everything look even better, and gameplay suits the quick pick up and play style of such consoles.

It is hard to get a side scrolling beat em up wrong, so before you even start playing, you know that this will probably be a good game, but I am even more happy to say that with everything included, the original voice actors, the graphics, the backgrounds etc, it does stand out in the genre.

I score TMNT: Shredder's Revenge: on Nintendo Switch a solid 8/10

Out Now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-Shredder-s-Revenge-1951281.html

With a special "Signature Edition" physical release coming at the end of November, you can get a host of extra goodies.

A standard edition copy of the game.

One randomly selected Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eye mask, players will receive either Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, ORLeonardo

CD Soundtrack featuring 28 tracks presented in a pizza box styled case

4x 30mm Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles metal pins

Metal Shredder keyring

Numbered autograph art card

80mm sewer manhole cover metal coaster

Check that out at

https://signatureeditiongames.com/products/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-shredders-revenge-special-edition-ps5

REVIEW: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Next Gen Update - Xbox Series X

Review by Jon Donnis

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was originally released in 2015, and is widely recognised as one of the greatest games ever made, so it is pointless me just reviewing the game as it is, instead I will specifically concentrate on whether or not it is worth replaying since it now has a next gen update. For the record if you have never played it before, then yes, 100% you need to play this game. But what if like me, you had it when it was first released, and now have either a Xbox Series X or a PS5, should you restart the game from the start? Is there enough there to warrant it? Read on to find out.

My impressions come from the Xbox Series X version.

So, what are the main updates, well obviously the visuals have improved, the game already looked great, but now the game has added some bells and whistles to fully take advantage of the power of Xbox Series X and PS5. We have the addition of ray tracing, which can be chosen from the graphics menu, this mode offers better graphics (mainly the light effects), but the FPS drops to 30. The other new mode is a performance mode, that gives you a greater frame rate (60FPS), but less graphical improvements.

There is a new camera choice to, which is basically just a bit closer to Geralt. more of a modern over the shoulder type view, I am not sure if anyone will actually use this though, as when you have a closer viewpoint, you can't see as much around Geralt, meaning that you might miss enemies etc. But I am all for choice, so it is a welcome addition regardless.

Other than the visual updates, there are also some direct gameplay updates, which are based mainly on complaints from people who played the original release.

There is now a bit more freedom when viewing the world map, taking a page out of the Assassin's Creed games, you can now filter which icons you see, whereas before you just had everything always there, making things seem very busy visually.

Other gameplay improvements include the Quick Sign Casting option, meaning you no longer have to open the radial menu and choose the sign from there, which in turn used to slow down battles, and generally was a bit of a faff. Now it is much quicker to do and allows much more variety in casting. Basically, you hold the left trigger and press a button instead.

A few other improvements include being able to survive falls from higher heights, herbs can now be instantly looted with a quick press of a button, various HUD Configuration options, you can walk slower as well as sprint with a quick tap of the left joystick, and just general fixes here and there.

There are also alternative outfits for some of the characters, specifically Geralt, Dandelion, and the Niflgaardian soldiers, as well as a new quest, "In The Eternal Fire's Shadow" available in Velen

The Good

CD PROJEKT RED have listened to gamers, fixed a few issues, and given what is in essence a free update to anyone who already owns the game. Of the two new graphical options, performance mode is probably the one you will end up choosing and sticking with long term. The better frame rate practically doubles what the original release would get, which in turn makes everything smoother, as well as the graphical updates.

Water reflections look better, as does vegetation and the environment in general.

The ability to pick and choose what you want, the customisation, the choice. As a gamer, choice is everything, so the more choices you give the player the better.

The Bad

Ray tracing mode seems a bit pointless, since it keeps the frame rate at 30. On a high-end PC, you will choose this mode for the maximum possible benefits. On a Xbox Series X or PS5 then you will choose performance mode.

Overall

If it has been a while since you played The Witcher 3, and you have one of the newer consoles, then this is a no brainer, you should restart it and enjoy the game all over again. If you have never played The Witcher 3 before, then what are you waiting for? This is one of the all-time great games.

The Next Gen updates are enough to give you reason to play once again.

I score The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Next Gen Update a near perfect 9/10

Out Now!

https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-game-of-the-year-edition/c261457lcnmj