Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball		Grade: C
	Publisher: Mindscape (1992) Reviewed: 2004/8/26

The SNES edition of Cal Ripken Jr. Baseball is certainly a step up from the mediocre Genesis version in terms of graphics and sound, but it's still pretty bland. In terms of baseball games, it doesn't get much more generic than this! Lacking a major league license, the teams, players, and three stadiums are completely fictional. The single exception of course is Cal Ripken himself, who appears in the game with a .348 batting average and 51 homeruns to his credit - the best year he never had! Don't get me wrong - I'm from Baltimore and I love Cal, but let's get real! The simple pitcher/batter screen is easy to control, with handy windows showing runners on base. In the field, the players tend to be sluggish but have cannons for arms. The outfields are expansive, resulting in an inordinate number of extra base hits. Cal Ripken Baseball's graphics aren't very detailed, but the players look sharp. Perhaps in an attempt to reproduce the grass-cutting patterns you see at many ballparks, the fields sport fat green stripes on the grass that look really, really bad. The control is much better than the Genesis version, except for the diving, which is terribly clumsy. The baseball has a tiny shadow that makes fly balls difficult to track down. In terms of audio, this is a pretty quiet game. Low-key background music plays throughout the contest, and an enthusiastic umpire calls strikes and outs. Cal Ripken Baseball's best feature is the "zoom window" which displays full screen close-ups of exciting plays. These are cool but brief, so don't blink or you may miss them! All in all, this is a repectable baseball game for the SNES, but there's no way it can compete with the faster and more polished Ken Griffey Baseball. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Chrono Trigger		Grade: A+
	Publisher: Square (1995) Reviewed: 2005/10/18

Submitted by RPG correspondent Jonathan Hawk
Whenever I have conversations about RPGs, it never fails that someone will mention, "You know what was a great game? Chrono Trigger." Many fans of the genre even consider it to be the best RPG of all time! The story revolves around Crono, a swordsman (circa 1000 AD) with wild red hair and a diverse set of friends. Together they embark on an exciting quest through time. Crono's ultimate goal is to prevent the end of the world in the year 1999 at the hands of an evil, magical entity named Lavos. Throughout your quest, choices you make in the past affect the future. As a result, the game has an astounding 37 possible endings! Chrono Trigger is a classic 2D, turn-based RPG. The sprites and backgrounds are clean and bright, as if lifted from a cell-shaded animation. The musical score is catchy and effectively conveys mood. Chrono Trigger's gameplay is fantastic. You can have three characters in your party at any given time, and Akira Toriyama (character designer for Dragonball and Dragon Warrior) lends his pen to create a truly memorable cast. As your party runs down a hallway and encounters a monster, the battle menus scroll in and the fight takes place on the same screen. Armed to the teeth, your characters have two types of special moves: magic spells, and "tech" attacks. It's innovative how tech attacks can be combined, so up to three characters can contribute to one massive monster hurting! I haven't seen this done in any RPG since. The story is a work of art, and obviously a lot of thought went into the various subplots and determining how events affect each outcome. Throw in some fun mini-games, a bunch of enjoyable side quests, and some pop culture references, and you have one of the most enjoyable RPGs ever made.< © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Clayfighter		Grade: D
	Publisher: Interplay (1993) Reviewed: 2000/3/16

Yuck! It's hard to believe my friends and I actually liked this game at one time. An opportunistic release, Clayfighter came out when one-on-one fighters were at their height, resulting in a short-lived burst of popularity. What was innovative about the game is how it incorporates pseudo-3D "clay-mation" characters never before seen in a video game. The result is a bizarre fighter that's short on gameplay but long on novelty. I will give Clayfighter credit for being imaginative. The well-rendered but unlikeable clay characters include an Elvis impersonator, a scarecrow, a blob, a fat opera woman, and an evil snowman. These are not exactly your usual suspects when it comes to fighting games. They perform some humorous animations and sound bites, including Elvis saying "thank you very much" after winning a bout. When executing their bizarre attacks the fighters will sometimes transform into oversized weapons like hammers and buzz saws. While amusing at first, you can expect a lot of cheap hits and minimal technique. Although the characters are nicely rendered, they lack smooth animation, making it hard to tell what's going on in the heat of battle. You can adjust the game speed, difficulty, and controller configurations. Clayfighter is amusing for the short term, but in the long term it's more irritating than anything else. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: None 1 or 2 players

Clayfighter Tournament Edition		Grade: D
	Publisher: Interplay (1994) Reviewed: 2000/3/16

This is one of the more blatant examples of a company trying to cash in twice on the same freakin' game! Besides a new intro and some minor tweaks in the gameplay, this is exactly the same as the first Clayfighter game! There aren't even any new characters! Pass! © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Cliffhanger		Grade: C
	Publisher: Sony (1993) Reviewed: 2000/1/28

Cliffhanger is based on the action movie in which Sly Stallone (Gabe) is a mountain climber attempting to save his friends from the clutches of the evil John Lithgow (Qualen). This game isn't as bad as you might expect, but it certainly has its share of 2D fighting cliches. The henchmen all look the same but wear different colored outfits. When killed, they simply flash and disappear. Gabe is sometimes required to make impossible leaps with little margin of error. Even so, Cliffhanger has enough positive traits to pull it into average territory. First and foremost, there's a lot of snow, and for some reason snow always looks great in video games. The action is mainly a side-scrolling affair, but there are a few unconventional stages that let you scale the side of a mountain or run from an avalanche (please kids - don't try this at home). Fighting bad guys with punches and kicks seems pretty boring at first, but there is some technique involved in defeating gangs of converging thugs. It helps if you can grab their knives and machine guns to use against them. The worst parts of the game are those that force you to make difficult leaps, in which one false move will cost you a life. With the exception of those tricky areas, I actually enjoyed playing Cliffhanger. There are continues available, but they sometimes take you way back to the beginning of a stage! My buddy Eric has actually made it to the final showdown with Qualen, and he says it's well worth the effort. So keep making those leaps of faith! © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: None 1 player

College Slam		Grade: F
	Publisher: Acclaim (1996) Reviewed: 2004/8/26

Make no mistake - College Slam is nothing more than a blatant attempt by Acclaim to milk its aging NBA Jam franchise for all it's worth. Simply replacing the NBA players with college players sounds pretty easy (and lame), but Acclaim couldn't even get that right! Players are identified by number, but Acclaim didn't bother making them look or play as they do in real life! Don't be surprised if your favorite player is inexplicably wearing goggles or isn't the correct skin color! My friend Eric is a die-hard college basketball fan, and he was totally disgusted with College Slam. In the one-player mode, you can't even select your opponent - the computer chooses it randomly! The crowd is a bit more defined and there are some cheerleaders on the sideline, but the gameplay is still a poor man's NBA Jam. There's really no good reason to purchase this pathetic rehash. Note: At Best Buy, this game initially came with a free "so-bad-it's-funny" video called "Slams, Rams, and Jams" featuring a few minutes of old grainy footage of unremarkable plays. As low quality as it was, it actually had more entertainment value than this game. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Contra III The Alien Wars		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Konami (1992) Reviewed: 2000/1/29

Okay, who's looking for non-stop, rapid-fire action? How about huge hulking bosses and ridiculous explosions? Can I interest you in snazzy 3D effects and general mass destruction? Well in that case it sounds like you're in the mood for Contra III: The Alien Wars. As one of the better shoot-em-ups for the SNES, this game has it all! One or two players can blast their way through six harrowing missions to save the planet from invading aliens. Besides firing at everything that moves, you'll leap over fireballs, hang from rails, and perform death-defying somersaults. You're also equipped with a few smart bombs, and can even commandeer tanks and plow right through those alien bastards. Although mainly a side scroller, two missions offer an overhead view, providing a nice change of pace. The bosses look absolutely disgusting. Contra's controls take a bit of getting used to at first, especially when it comes to dropping to the ground. The game offers a few continues, but no passwords, so your journey is going to be a long one. But at least with Alien Wars, you know it's worth the effort. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: None 1 or 2 players

Cybernator		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Konami (1993) Reviewed: 2000/10/22

I wasn't very impressed with Cybernator back in 1993 when my buddy Steve brought this game over to my house. I did however appreciate the tremendous amount of destruction you could unleash. You control an oversized "mech" robot with its jet propulsion and loads of firepower. Each stage provides plenty of enemy robots and armaments for you to blast before facing some big mechanical boss. There are multiple weapons, power-ups, and everything else that you would expect in a shooter like this. Unfortunately, the storyline sometimes gets in the way by forcing you to scroll through endless text (Do you mind? I'm trying to blow stuff up here!). Although the screen tends to get overcrowded with large objects, the graphics are high quality and the explosions look exceptional. The controls are fair (every button is used), but navigating around enclosed areas can be awkward. The high energy music is a big plus. In retrospect, Cybernator is much better than I ever gave it credit for. I guess I owe Steve an apology. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: Password 1 player

D-Force		Grade: D
	Publisher: Asmik (1991) Reviewed: 2007/3/16

Afflicted by rampant slow-down, excessive choppiness, and unforgiving collision detection, this is the kind of early SNES shooter that your mother warned you about. The action begins with your helicopter taking off from a scaling aircraft carrier surrounded by unsightly water rendered with pixilated diagonal blue lines. You're immediately accosted by hopelessly generic enemy aircraft, and their explosions are less than convincing. The sprites are sizeable, and your helicopter makes for a huge target. You can accumulate some serious firepower by gathering icons, eventually spraying bullets across half the screen. The sound effects of your missiles firing however sound like someone tapping their fingers on a table! As a general rule, you'll want to hold down the fire button to engage rapid-fire, and stay away from the bottom edge of the screen where jet fighters attempt to ram you without warning. Mixed in with the normal shooting stages are "exploration" stages that let you use the triggers to toggle between high and low altitudes as you blast dinosaurs in a prehistoric world. It sounds like a good idea on paper, but in practice it's a mess as you increase altitude only to collide with giant birds you didn't know were there. Even more disturbing is how you're expected to blow the heads off of triceratops on the ground. D-Force seems fun at first, with a high level of difficulty that keeps you coming back for more. Once you reach the more hectic stages however, the framerate goes to hell and you'll often find yourself exploding for no apparent reason. Upon losing your last life, there's a sorry sequence showing your copter spiraling down into some insanely pixilated "foliage" below. D-Force has a catchy theme song, but it gets repetitive in short order. The raw challenge of D-Force commanded my attention for a while, but technical glitches force me to give this a D. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Demon's Crest		Grade: C
	Publisher: Capcom (1994) Reviewed: 2007/10/12

This game should be right up my alley, considering my affinity for occult themes, and the fact that this is a spin-off of the excellent Ghouls and Ghosts series. I've also been advised that this game was preceded by two Gargoyle's Quest games for the GameBoy and NES. Demon's Crest was widely praised by the media, but I don't think it's all that. You control a red demon that can shoot fireballs and hover over the landscape. Later he acquires "crests" which endow him with additional powers, including the ability to slow time, fly high in the air, or swim. The action begins with a boss encounter against a huge zombie dragon which makes a rather dramatic (and frightening) appearance. It certainly grabs your attention, but it's probably not the best way to start a game like this. Upon completing the initial graveyard stage, you glide freely over a pixelated countryside to select your next challenge. Demon's Crest excels in presentation, but its gameplay could be better. Navigating through the graveyards and castles of the early stages is no problem, but too many advanced stages are covered with thorns that are hard to avoid. The controls are touchy, so trying to navigate spiked labyrinths is frustrating. Your demon's size makes it difficult to avoid incoming projectiles, and he can only shoot forward, often unable to hit objects in clear view. Switching crests (powers) can only be done from a menu screen. Why isn't there a button assigned to that? There's no pause button either, which is annoying for reviewers trying to take notes (curses!). In general, I found Demon's Crest too difficult. Its production values are outstanding however, with well-defined graphics and stereo effects so realistic they caught me off-guard. Upon hearing the howl of a ghost, I actually looked around to make sure there wasn't someone else in the room with me! The creepy organ music is also very effective. Flickering torches give castle ruins an eerie glow, and graveyards are overgrown with twisted trees and shrouded in mist. A twelve-character password allows you to save your progress. Demon's Crest is certainly a feast for the eyes and ears, but is it enough to overcome the difficulty and frustration? © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Donkey Kong Country		Grade: A
	Publisher: Nintendo (1994) Reviewed: 1999/11/1

A blockbuster hit, Donkey Kong Country literally changed the face of video games in 1994. Although its gameplay borrows heavily from Super Mario Bros, its groundbreaking graphics and animation blew everything else out of the water. Country's gameplay is strictly 2D, but its characters and backgrounds are rendered as textured 3D objects, giving them almost a puppet-like appearance. And not only are the characters huge, but their animations are laugh-out-loud funny. Donkey Kong Country screams of quality through and through, with tight controls and imaginative, well-constructed stages. One or two players can control Donkey Kong and little Diddy Kong on their trek through jungles, caves, and even underwater! Although you tend to pounce on most enemies, the ability to toss barrels at them is also a lot of fun. You can actually "ride" some of the animals you encounter (like the rhino and shark), and there's even a crazy minecart-on-the-loose stage. The soundtrack is catchy as hell and the sound effects are amazing. When you first encounter Diddy, he's stuck in a barrel and his muffled yells sound incredible. The cave stages even feature an echo! A battery back-up lets you save up to three games at a time. With its flashy graphics and quality gameplay to match, Donkey Kong Country is truly a classic. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: Battery 1 or 2 players

Donkey Kong Country 2		Grade: A
	Publisher: Nintendo (1995) Reviewed: 1999/11/1

Capitalizing on the huge success of the first Donkey Kong Country, Nintendo released this excellent sequel featuring new characters, new areas to explore, different types of barrels, and the ability to purchase helpful items. It's basically the same as the first game with more of everything. This edition stars Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong, a female whose long blonde hair looks like a big banana. There are some new moves like the ability to climb ropes, and imaginative stage locations like a pirate ship and haunted amusement park. The graphics look slightly more detailed, if that's even possible, and the explosions are noticeably better. When Diddy completes a stage, he does a rapper impression that made me laugh out loud. If you enjoyed the original Donkey Kong Country, you'll flip over this excellent follow-up. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: Battery 1 or 2 players

Donkey Kong Country 3		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Nintendo (1996) Reviewed: 1999/11/1

The last of the Super Nintendo Donkey Kong Country games marks a solid entry, but the series appears to be running out of steam. Sure the graphics look terrific and there are some minor new features, but we've played this game before. This time Dixie Kong is joined by a new character named Kiddy Kong, a cute baby ape. The gameplay here is as good as you would expect, but unchanged from previous games. If you completed the first two Donkey Kong Country games and still can't get enough, then you will enjoy this. But if you're not one of those three people, you may want to try something new. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

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Save mechanism: Battery 1 or 2 players

Doom		Grade: F
	Publisher: Williams (1993) Reviewed: 2003/10/17

Playing Doom on the SNES is like playing Warcraft on the Saturn. Sure it's possible, but why subject yourself to such a poor version of the game?? I suppose back in 1993 this cartridge allowed people without a PC get a taste of what this popular first person shooter was all about, but this is downright shoddy compared to the real thing. The graphics are terribly pixilated, the animation is choppy, and your movements lag far behind your commands. It's a real mess, and I couldn't stomach it for more than a few minutes. The best thing I can say about Doom for the SNES is that it comes in a snazzy-looking red cartridge. In 2003, there's really no good reason to play this game, considering any other version is going to be far better. Why are you even still reading this review? There's nothing to see here - please disperse. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

ESPN National Hockey Night		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Sony (1994) Reviewed: 2002/3/2

Hockey Night had some serious potential, but lousy controls puts this game on thin ice. The action can be viewed from two angles (side and vertical), but the vertical view is far more impressive because it features scaling 3D players. The player animation is quite realistic by 16-bit standards, and the digitized sound effects are also noteworthy (although that organ music can get annoying). As for the controls, the speed burst control isn't too effective, and it's a bad idea having it assigned to the same button as "shoot". More often than not you'll steal the puck during a body check and accidentally shoot it the length of the floor! The poke and hold buttons are pretty useless, but Hockey Night's biggest problem is selecting the right player. The "change player" button is woefully unresponsive, and by the time do you get the right guy, it's time to switch again! Scoring is easy compared to real hockey, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Hockey Night is loaded to the brim with options, including a battery backed-up full season mode. Too bad there's no instant replay feature - that would have been ideal. If Hockey Night's controls had been tightened up a bit, this could have been a contender, but this simply can't compete with NHL 94. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Earth Defense Force		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Jaleco (1991) Reviewed: 2006/10/26

This might have been a perfectly good side-scrolling shooter, but Earth Defense Force (EDF) is marred by unbalanced gameplay. It's the shame the developers didn't take a little time to tweak the weapons and difficulty. You begin EDF by selecting from one of eight weapons, and I personally recommend the guided missiles. Since many enemies approach from behind, weapons that only fire forward are pretty worthless. The game's forgettable stages include a cloudy blue sky, an underground river, and an ugly city skyline. There's plenty of parallax scrolling, but the scenery lacks detail and generally looks like garbage. You'll face a wide array of flying mechanical beasts, but most require an inordinate number of hits to destroy. The first stage is nearly insurmountable, especially since you only have a single ship to work with. Yes, you have a shield, but there's no audible cue when you take a hit! In the unlikely event that you survive the first stage with powers-ups intact, you'll likely cruise through the rest of the game. Yes, EDF is one of those "all or nothing" games where you'll suck for ten games, and then get lucky and plow through the entire thing. Slowdown is a factor, but it can be a blessing in disguise, making projectiles much easier to dodge. Despite its old-school flavor, EDF's soundtrack is poor, and sometimes cuts out for no discernable reason. Earth Defense Force might keep shooter fans occupied for a little while, but much of that time will be spent contemplating how much better this should have been. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player