Yet another classic arcade compilation has hit store shelves and this one's from Tecmo. Tecmo Arcade Classic intends to bring back the good old fun from the 80's. Of the titles featured in the game, the only two I'd say that were ever hits are Tecmo Bowl and Rygar. The other titles were low-key games, with a few not even remembered. What we've decided to do is write a short paragraph on each game with its own rating and a final rating at the end. Enjoy.
Tecmo Bowl: B
It rivals with Rygar for the most famous title out of the compilation. I still found this game to be just as fun as I remembered. Even though the amount of interceptions you can get a game is absurd, it's still great arcade football action. The amount of turnovers actually makes the game more enjoyable when playing against someone. You'll be laughing and cursing at the same time as you play this game.
Rygar: C
Rygar has its modern form, which is undoubtedly better than this version. I never really understood the craze around Rygar. The game just didn't entertain me as much as others. The game was a bore as the levels never changed and it seemed like each one was the same. So this may just be me being skeptical on this one, but it seems that others enjoyed it at the time.
Starforce: B-
Of course everyone remembers Starforce great overhead shooting. Just like Tecmo, the game shines with its two-player mode but it's still enjoyable by yourself. It's amazing how difficult these games are compared to today's modern era. Games like this of past tested true skill of hand eye coordination and the ability to think fast. I found myself struggling for a bit but after an hour or so I found my NES days of lighting quick reaction. Very entertaining.
Solomon's Key: C+
Here's a game that I found to be a bit more entertaining than I thought. It actually took me a bit to finally understand what was going on, but after I did I found myself playing it for another couple hours. It's a puzzle game with a bit of action involved. You are able to create and destroy blocks next to you and you have to reach the top of the level where the exit is. Of course you have to get the key in the level first, which is conveniently out of the way and usually guarded by baddies. I forgot to mention that each level has a timer adding more to the suspense. Not for the weary.
Bomb Jack: C-
This game is a combination of Balloon Fight and Pac-Man. As Jack, you can 'spring' up and you have to get all the balloons in the level this way while avoiding all the enemies around you. To add to the Pac-Man effect, there is a power-up that turns all the enemies into bonus points if you get them. Wears a bit thin after the third or fourth level.
Tecmo Cup: C
Welcome to arcade soccer as you won't be able to do things in today's soccer games that you can do in this one. It's quite spectacular when one player can take it goal to goal untouched and score. I found my defender to have the greatest game ever with no passes and 10 goals, all in a minute and a half. Decent.
Pinball Action: F
This is just a horrible pinball game and there's nothing else to it. The levels are very lame as there's not much going on. They are all simple keep the ball in play with no real goals of trying to get the ball somewhere. Boring and grieving to play.
Pleiads: D-
The game mimics what Galactica was and tries to add more. The game is just not as fast as Galactica so it seems really boring. The moments where you begin to have sweat drip down your forehead are missing with Pleiads. Slow and boring.
Senjyo: F
Senjyo is a turret shooter and for those who don't know what that is; it means you are a stationary gun shooting at moving objects. This game basically fails in every aspect that is entertaining of turret shooters. It's impossible to aim because your bullets move slower than the enemies do and that pretty much makes the game horrid. It causes so much frustration that you'll be done with the game after the first level, if you beat it.
Swimmer: D+
I really wanted to give this game an F, but the hilarity of it is too much. The game is titled correctively as you are a swimmer who goes on Frogger-esque type journey. As you swim down this river you'll need to dodge logs and other obstacles. You can also dive underwater to avoid them as well. Funny but not funny enough to cover up the lame gameplay.
Strato Fighter: C-
Side scrolling shooters have a hard time getting a bad score from me because I love the genre, but this one came close to getting the hack. I did like this game but I also realized how bad it was as well. Much like the other Tecmo games, it's just too slow. Speed is what gives these types of arcade games huzzah and that extra spice. Again, it was fun, but you could be spending your time with something better.
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There are a few games in the collection that is worth having for when you're bored with your buddies, but beyond that, there's no real reason to own this.
Overall: D+ 69%
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- Review: FlatOut - PS2, Xbox August 2, 2005


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