Hmmmm, ohhhh-kay. Definitely would not get past NoA...
Hey there, lass. Ah, a fugly car then approaches [HEY! -Ed.]
--->
The driver, obviously, is asking her to make him some coffee [NO! He's asking her to join him for coffee ya git -Ed.] Oh. Well, either way she's clearly hesitant. No sooner then does a ride that's more "fly" as they say, pull up
--->
The new guy also requests her company. Stuck in the middle, with offers from both gentlemen, oh what's a modern lady to do?! I can't take this drama...
Oooh! Ouch
As they say in the commercial, "No play... for Mr. Gray!"
--->
The rejected guy, cursing his lot in life, contemplates how a better set of wheels would right all wrongs...
What do you expect this sad bloke to do now? Will he
A. Take out his anger by vanquishing bad guys in a beat em up?
B. Jump on cutesy animal baddies in a platformer?
C. Work his way up the financial ladder in a sim?
D. Push boxes around in an empty warehouse?
E. Learn the art of ass kicking and throw fireballs in a 2D fighter?
...
...
...
If you picked "D"...
Bob, tell him what he's won!
SUPER SOUKOBAN
GameBoy users may be familiar with this game as "Boxxle" (1989)
It's a mind-taxing logic game; the goal is to push boxes to cover the purple dots. You can't pull, you can only push and you can only move one box at a time. You can imagine the mess you'd create if you push a box in an ill-advised position. Thankfully, besides the option to restart a level at any point, pressing "L" rewinds the action and allow the player to go back as far as he wishes. Likewise, "R" is fast forward, in case you rewinded too far back. This is a God-send and very smart of the programmers. Kudos
There's no time limit however there is a step limit
Stage 1
The solution to this stage?
Get each box in that position there, where the guy is in front of
Stage 2
Can you figure out the "hot spot" here? OK, here's the final hint:
Stage 3 (see below) introduces the "darkened box;" this indicates the box is already resting on a purple dot. Later stages may have multiple darkened boxes so you really have to be careful with them...
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
OH PLEASE, EVEN A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CAN SOLVE THESE...
OK wiseguy. There are a total of 300 (!) warehouses to tackle, with the option of jumping to any one at any time, and a password is given each time you clear a level. Of course, the first handful eases you in, before becoming gradually harder til DAMN! Notice as the puzzles get more complex, everything is properly reduced in size...
A look at some of the later stages then...
Stage 47
Stage 88
Stage 147
Stage 188 GOOD GRIEF!!!
Stage 234
Stage 277
GOD DAMN!!!
See! They become absolute conundrums in no time. In fact, rumor has it launch day buyers TO THIS DAY are still stuck on level 289!! [Oh? Where did you hear that? -Ed.] Er, moving on...
To cap it off, there's also an Level Edit option and a radical 2-player mode to see who finishes first. There's EVEN a choice of 10 characters to select from
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Sokoban (note the missing "u") loosely translates to "warehouse keeper" I'm told, and has been around since the early 80's, pioneered by one, Hiroyuki Imabayashi. Its easy-to-play-but-difficult-to-solve gameplay is about as pure as it gets. It's a brilliant game that any one, even non-gamers, can really enjoy. The 2 player mode is nice, but it's really the 300 puzzles that will last players a lifetime
To borrow a phrase I used to describe Keeper and Sutte Hakkun, Super Soukoban is really a can't-miss for those who enjoy staring contemplatively at the screen until inspiration breaks through with a resolute A-HA!
This is, sadly, a underrated SFC gem. It's freaking ace
Can't get enough Soukoban on your Super Famicom? Never fear, Nintendo is here. On New Years 1999 (yes, '99) they released an update to that ole classic...
POWER SOUKOBAN
Taking control of a devil, you go through a series of mazes with the same goal in mind as SUPER SOUKOBAN, pushing boxes (this time stones) to cover purple dots (this time pits). The modern twist? But of course, STAYING ALIVE. Staying alive? Yes, for from the excavation comes forth HELL'S ARMY!
OK, in all honesty, more like Hell's Rejects, no, Purgatory's Rejects
Baddies are more of a nuisance than legitimate threats. Two ways to dispose of 'em:
1. Pushing a stone over 'em
or
2. Zap 'em
Another modern twist is the ability to throw fireballs. You can also charge to create a powershot a la Megaman. And there's a "run" button as well
So then, this update is an action-puzzler with sort of a Zelda-y feel/atmosphere, very slightly, BUT it's certainly there, as anyone who has played it would surely attest to...
Rocks can also be pushed via the powershot
Whereas SUPER SOUKOBAN was straight-to-the-point, POWER features multiple paths, multi-tier puzzles, and there are even friends to guide you along with hints (in Japanese, mind, but nothing you can't do without)
Speaking of friends, here's the cast:
The game opens with that screen up there. The iron gate's locked so you must find an alternate route.... hey, what's that little crack in the wall...
BINGO! Only your powershot can break it
And off you go. There are many rooms and you can run to the next without solving the current one, but it's advisable you take care of each one as you go along
YOU CAN'T TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
Multi-tiered puzzles adds new dimension to the ole formula
---> Watch out for the statues up top; they'll come alive! No, not really
As you advance, more pits means more enemies. As long as the pits remain open, they will keep spawning. But again, they're really a non-factor... but at least they're there, eh? Plus, when defeated some drop a power-up to aid your quest
---> Some of the enemies look to me like rejects from Super Bomberman 5...
I said earlier it'd be wise to finish each puzzle as you confront 'em; however, for some the solution is not immediately available. Only by advancing do you later arrive at a point where you can then solve a previously impossible puzzle. Confused? You needn't be
Observe:
See, here you enter this room on the lower floors. Blasted stones... how can you push them to cover the slots from this vantage point? The answer is you can't, and remember you can't pull
A-ha! Later transversing to higher ground, you'll find a room leading downstairs, now you can use your powershot to shove 'em where they belong
DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS
SS was going from one warehouse to the next, PS is not like that. [What are you saying about the Sega Saturn and Playstation eh? -Ed.]. Oi, anyway... POWER doesn't have "levels," per se. Rather it's interconnected like (Super) Metroid or Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
SOME MORE SHOTS
More multi-tier madness
Use your Powershot to break those dirt clumps
The occult-ish statues add nicely to this dungeon underworld's atmosphere, ooooooh spooky eh?
Complete this while avoiding the circulating ring of fire
BE YOUR OWN BOSS
Another major diff in this modern update: you'll fight BOSSES! These include more traditional American-looking fiends such as Medusa and Frankenstein to name a few. These end-of-stage bosses are entirely combat-based
AUTOMATIC, NOT MANUAL
Something to take note of if you buy this game CIB: the game's manual is a fold-out map, with instructions on the back side. So don't fret when you don't find a "regular" manual inside the box
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Which do I prefer? I love the update. But there's something pure about the original I can't deny. These two are must-own's if you love these type of games, and they complement each other well. POWER SOUKOBAN is one hell of a nice update, but I prefer SUPER SOUKOBAN by a hair
WHERE LIVES WILL CHANGE AND A NATION WILL CRY... or something
*end movie trailer voice guy* [Hey, how much does he cost us anyway? -Ed.]
IS IT AN RPG? SIM?
NO!
It's....
LODE RUNNER TWIN
Lode Runner is like an old trusty friend to some of us. You may not call this friend every week, or even every month, but whenever you do, it's like you never left
Thanks to T&E Soft, Super Nintendo players have a version to call their own. And while the mechanics are similar, the look and atmosphere is distinctly different
---> You can forego the map if you wish for the full monty and a tougher challenge
HEY THAT'S NOT JACK PERIL!
Indeed it's not. Say bye Jack and hello Justy and Liberty, two anime-esque chaps. There's a story mode (complete with password), free play and a couple 2-Player split-screen modes
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE....
The more they stay the same. Let's check out how our protagonist fares in the first level:
Ninja mask!? No, just the odd gum-blowin'
Your goal is to collect all the candy wrappers. Only then will a ladder magically appear to whisk you to the next level
---> Gone are cannibalistic monks... in its place SD trident-wielding devil lackeys
The baddies quickly attempt to gang up on you, but like your ancestors you too can cave in floors where applicable, and walk safely over their head as seen there
Rope-sliding feels spot-on and oddly becomes quite enjoyable to execute
Ah, our hero gracefully glides his way to safety, leaving the baddies in the dust. EAT MY SHORTS YA FILTHY SWINES!! [Have you your medication yet? -Ed.]
---> 1 more candy to go! Hey... what's that oil-y thing dripping from the ceiling eh?
"What manner of witchcraft is this?!" That drippy thing is a new bad guy forming. Have at him!
--->
You might have rid of that one, but notice his buddies quickly gaining ground. Now the magic sound effect blares off, indicating you've nabbed all the goodies. A ladder-to-the-next-level now awaits... of course... on your way there it's not 100% peaceful
YOU WON'T TAKE ME ALIVE!
Toggle the map on/off as you please. This bit is easy, and it's these fun little moments that add tremendously to the game's value/appeal
Drop and he'll follow you accordingly
As soon as you land, make your way toward the ladder
JUST about home free now!
AH there we are
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I love retro games. It's the spirit of the age you know, the zeitgeist -- looking forwards by looking back. Or something like that. Heck, I just might be an old codger. I remember when games were rationed, you know
If you can overlook (figuratively speaking) the annoying music, what you have here is a nice variation of a classic theme
*cue Movie Trailer Voice Guy* [Here we go again... *whips out big check* -Ed.]
IT IS AN ISLAND SATE WITH DANGER AND TRAPS...
Er... THATS PRETTY MUCH ALL I GOT THIS WEEK
*loud rumbling in the background, couple F-bombs and gunshots later...*
Ahem... well I guess we won't be seeing or hearing from him again. Neither, really. Anywho remember how Nintendo brought us a POWER update of a classic old game in Soukoban?
Weeeelll....
They're back at it yet again!
POWER LODE RUNNER
Released alongside POWER SOUKOBAN on New Year's 1999, this version of Lode Runner takes on a more modern feel, though indeed it plays much the same as ones before it. "B" digs a hole in the ground to your left, "A" to your right. If the bad guys fall through, you can safely walk over their head. Goal hasn't changed -- still have to collect the necessary items to unlock the rite to passage
Cute but in a different sort-of-cute compared to TWIN, you control a blue rabbit-y bloke, going through all manner of themes. There are three immediately selectable worlds, with themes changing every 5 levels
WORLD 1
I love these World shots -- you'll see a couple more later on equally as ace
Map on your bottom left (can be switched off), your item count bottom right (in yellow). Touch the logs there, leaving you 3 more pieces away
A spot of climbing. You'll do plenty of it
Piece number 2... 2 to go
I appreciate games with sensible gameplay... gameplay that allows the player to be efficient. You needn't climb to the bottom of a tree, not when you can slide off at any moment's notice (see above)
Those are the BAD guys?! Why yes
In this theme, these rather innocent-looking monkeys are the source of danger. As each theme alters every 5 levels, so too the enemies
DIE SCUMBAGS!
Applying some good ole Lode Runner know-how will make quick work of these chumps
There's sneaky contestant number 3
---> Ahh one of the game's simplest joys; esp. when you evade a bad guy in this way
---> A lone monkey soldier fails horribly to halt the progress of our furry protagonist
4 outta 4!
Home sweet home
And onto the next level you go
THE OTHERS
Some sweet climbing antics abound here
It's a romp to work this one out
Watch out for 'em spiteful beavers!
Kinda spooky here (sans Teddy of course)
"So... you come here often?" "Yeah, great place to hang out"
Metal parts are unbreakable
Fruits can be used by enemies to stun you
"Ninety-eight.... niiiinety-niiiine..."
This bit's extremely fun to navigate through
WORLD 2
Freakin' gorgeous these World screens are
Our hero sporting a ninja-esque look
"I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS S---!"
WORLD 3
Evokes a stealth-y adventurous aura eh?
Beware of menacing crabs and... ghosts!
Kids -- don't try this at home
Persistent little suckers eh
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I love Soukoban and Lode Runner. It's nice to see four different games of these two timeless franchises on the SNES. Two of which are 1999 updates from Nintendo. Overall, I enjoy Soukoban more, but Lode Runner I'll always be down with
I prefer Super Soukoban over the Power update, here I'll take the POWER version over TWIN. Power Lode Runner is graphically and sonically superior to Lode Runner Twin. The level design and enemy roster is also better; oozing with more creativity and that undeniable Nintendo charm
Twin is no slouch though. These are four fine games every "thinking" SNES fan simply must own
This past Monday (Nov. 27) was Bruce Lee's Birthday. He would have turned 66. To honor the man, the myth, the legend... what more appropriate genre could we look at today than the beat em up?
The original Bruce clone: Kim Dragon!
I have a lot of good memories of THE COMBATRIBES. It was my 2nd import taste... my brother and I rented the Super Famicom version at this hotshot upstart diehard gaming rental outlet in late '92 or thereabouts. We friggin' loved it. And who could forget the comic ad that proclaimed "CYBORGS AIN'T LADIES!!"
Ahh Good Times
Oddly, I never bought the game back then. Sad but true: I rented it roughly 7 times.... at 6 different stores... over a 5 year span! I just never grew tire of swinging the carcasses around, knockin' out the other baddies in the process. Or, as the gif below shows, viciously re-arranging their furniture
So then... what kind of sick twisted game on the innocent ole Super NES would allow you, the sadistic bloodthirsty gameplayer, to partake in such boisterous barbaric brutality?
IRON COMMANDO
One of the harder to find beat em up's on SNES, I never once saw this sucker online. I was forced, then, to summon my hired gun in Japan to scour the shops for me. Is it worth the hype? Let's find out...
Pick from Jack or Chang Li (no relation to Chun-Li I assume). Tackle the gangs by yourself or with a friend. There is a nice variety to the levels as you'll see
THE CITY
In this first level quotes will occasionally appear at the bottom. Adds a B-Movie feel and oddly, only appears in this stage
Iron Commando has a myriad of weapons at your disposal. From 9mm guns to rifles to machine guns to knives and baseball bats, I'm almost shocked there wasn't a chainsaw as well
Now THATS what I call a double play!
The 1st boss
THE ROAD Run and shoot em down
That'll teach 'em...
Or maybe not
THE FOREST Rejects from SUNSET RIDERS!
THE WAREHOUSE BATTER UP! 'Oh the indignity' sez Nintendo
You'll go from sunny exterior to this flickering warehouse interior. It's a nice effect. After a brief jaunt, you'll face "Mr. Soukoban" Big Tom. He is the "warehouse keeper" y'know
---> "Have a Knuckle-Sandwich, Jack!" "YER Jack!" "Psychobabble won't work on me!"
THE TEMPLE Bizarre enemy roster to say the least
Ugh, those serpents are unmercifully cheap-slash-annoying. You'll hate 'em even more than the Medusa Heads in Castlevania. Yes, they're that bad
Not only do you have to contend with this crazed inhuman maniac, but the spikes on the left are constantly moving toward the right; a most deadly proposition...
THE BEACH DYK: they were extra's in "BEAT IT"
THE MINES SHOOT EM ALL! LEAVE NO SURVIVORS!
THE CAMP Oh jeez, the animal cruelty...
THE JEEP Like sitting (er, standing) ducks, if they could that is
THE ROBOT --->
Yikes! Hit 'im with everything you got! Regular enemies rover onto the scene... beat 'em to gain more weapons, but beware the robot's laser eye and giant frisky hands. This fight lasts an eternity
Good Luck!
SO IS IT GOOD OR BAD?
Nice looking graphics eh? I feel like I'm at the arcades. It just doesn't have the "typical" SNES look. It's visually distinct, and the weapon choice is pretty cool. Weapons are picked up by "X" which is not your "attack" button... bonus points for that
"No, I'm not related to CHUNNERS!"
Here comes the "but" part.... it's a quarter-muncher. Pure and simple. Even on Easy, the game's hard. Enemies surround you. You suffer countless unavoidable hits. It's hard to really get into a flow with so many cheap hits abound
The damage distribution is horrible. Doing a 3-hit combo barely ticks their health. What gives? Am I controlling a little boy or a warrior here? This drags the game down in my opinion
"Choose Your Little Boy" more like
You're probably assuming weapon damage ratio to be better, right? Sadly, not much
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Cheap mandatory hits and poor damage ratio are my two biggest disputes with the game. If you can look past that, it can be a decent good time, with unique graphics and a almost B-Movie feel. The 2 player mode is a big plus
Still, one can't help but feel IRON COMMANDO should be awesome; a beat em up for the ages, a brawler to be lionized by a legion of fans.... rather than merely being "not shabby" or "it's pretty good, BUT..."
Released by Sunsoft, this is a wacky sprawling no-levels-per-se-having beat em up with some RPG-ish traits thrown in for good measure. The music is very catchy. During fights it's upbeat and frantic. During town scenes calm and mellow. In either case, there's a decisively oriental flair backing it
Most of the game you'll be engaging in fights such as these. See that coin up there, they crop up for each bad guy you vanquish. Money can be spent in shops to buy food, weapons or save your progress (that too will cost ya) [Damn @#!$%^ shopkeepers -Ed.]
Villagers pass by innocently
Y'ALL GON' MAKE ME LOSE MY COOL [UP IN HERE! UP IN HERE! Sorry -Ed.]
Ye ole trusty fist
Ye ole trusty foot
Flying shoulderblock
There is also a sword and shurikens. The jump kick can be repeated, without landing, multiple times. It's amusing to say the least. If you watch the video you'll see me jump kick a boss character -- without landing -- 22 (!) consecutive times
--->
Like the game itself, highly bizarre
I GOT PLACES TO SEE...
You'll travel a multitude of landscapes; some are cool-looking, others a bit creepy and a few even mythical
Atmospheric if I do say so myself
No Soliciting
Need a hand?
Warthogs can do a number if you're careless... the woods are filled with peril
Those heads are a bit creepy-looking
"Now open your mouth and say AAAAH"
... AND PEOPLE TO BEAT
Along the journey you'll meet some straaaange cats
Catmen can temporarily curse you
Uh yeah... no words could properly explain this scene... so let's move on
O_o
A WISE MAN ONCE SAID....
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Unlike traditional beat em up's, Shounen has multiple paths; you're free, for the most part, to go where you please
A ONCE WISE MAG SAID...
DOUBLE YOUR PLEASURE
Two can play. You can hit your buddy too
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Initially I didn't care for it much. A friend likes it a lot though, so I gave it a 2nd shot and came away with a more favorable impression. It's a nice little game. Reminds me of a mix between GANBARE GOEMON and RIVER CITY RANSOM/MIGHTY FINAL FIGHT. Not a must-have, but it's a nice-to-have game if you like the theme. Keep in mind there's some RPG-ish elements and some JP text to be worked through, but it's not extensive
Despite all the upgrades, I still think the original 1983 Lode Runner is superior to the SFC games. It's faster and the simplicity works. I prefer it non-Japanified. Sokoban is always good stuff, no matter what the format it seems.
Nice pick on Sutte Hakkun too. Nintendo needs to make another one.
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