KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID

So, today I finally broke down and bought Super Mario 3D Land, despite how much I dislike paying full MSRP for game software (especially $40 for a handheld game). I figured there must still be SOME reason to own a 3DS, because after getting one during the holiday season, I’m still looking for that reason. It’s been awhile since I’ve last played a proper Mario game, I think the last time I played one was Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii a few years back. But there was something I had forgotten about how Nintendo designs their Mario platformers: they’re simple and easy to get into. It was refreshing change of pace to play a game that wasn’t inundated in pop-up tutorials, or worse, a training session. Mario 3D Land is a reminder that games can still be simple, and still be fun to play.

FLASHBACK: ZOOP

Welcome to Flashback, where we take a look at games from the past that may have not gotten as much love as they may have deserved. Today we’re going back to 1995 and visiting a little puzzle game called Zoop. Published by Viacom New Media (which has been defunct for over a decade and a half), Zoop was developed for every possible game system available at the time. I think the only consoles it never made it to were the Virtual Boy and the 3DO.

RANKED: TOP 10 MIDWAY ARCADE GAMES

With the review for Midway Arcade Origins published recently on this blog, I thought it would be nice to run down the best of Midway’s arcade collection. This will include titles from Atari Games, which Midway acquired back in the late 90s. I thought WB’s definition of what was considered a classic was a bit off, so here are the top 10 games from Midway’s (and Atari Games) history!

MIDWAY ARCADE ORIGINS REVIEW: GRAVE ROBBING

When Warner Bros. acquired much of Midway’s assets after their bankruptcy, the publisher didn’t waste much time on making use of its back catalog. Much like what Midway did in previous generations; Warner Bros. puts out yet another arcade classic compilation. This collection of games is one we’ve seen many times over, and it’s puzzling on why every Midway arcade game wasn’t thrown onto the disc, considering the amount of data a disc could hold. This is far from a “definitive” collection, and half the games on here would hardly be considered a classic.

NEED FOR SPEED MOST WANTED (ANDROID) REVIEW: IT MEANS WELL

If you had high hopes that this version of Most Wanted would be like the console (or even the Vita) version of the game, yeah, dash those hopes right now. While this may be an above average presentation for a smartphone game, it’s pretty basic and almost dull. The game lacks the open world environment like the other editions, so there are no drawn out chases, billboards to smash or cars to find and jump into. Everything must be unlocked and bought, and it’s hard to get to the good stuff when the game is so stingy on the cash awards for the events that are completed.

ROCK BAND BLITZ REVIEW: A DIFFERENT FREQUENCY

What do you do when you have a game series in which people are sick and tired of buying peripherals for? If you’re Activision, you could just can the series altogether like they did with Guitar Hero. Or, you could be like Harmonix and look back into your design history and make use of a back catalogue you already have. Rock Band Blitz isn’t an entirely new concept, but it’s a smart and fun way of keeping a brand alive while making a quick buck at the same time.

SSX REVIEW: WELL F*CK YOU TOO!

The developers of SSX must have had a real contempt for its audience. For years, fans of the franchise have been clamoring for an installment for this generation of consoles, and EA finally delivered a new installment, perhaps hoping it would be the last time we would ask for one.