Sunday Roundup: 11/20/11 (The Monday Edition!)

I’ve always been partial to the platformer genre. It’s hard to grow up in the 90’s playing games and not be. You had your Sonic’s and Mario’s, and then you had your 3D version: Crash Bandicoot and later, Jak and Daxter. So where the hell does Ty fit in? Well, not with the big boys, that’s for sure. Ty the Tasmanian Tiger was aimed more at a younger crowd with its simplistic controls and story. Nevertheless, the game is actually alright, and I was more than happy to add it to my collection.

The sequel to the first game, Bush Rescue advanced the story even further. I’m assuming new gameplay elements were added, because what sequel doesn’t do something new? I haven’t played this one, but I saw this game on the shelf next to the first (and behind the third), so I figured I’d just pick this one up too.

Oddly, this game wasn’t published by EA, but rather Activision. Now, usually when a game series is taken away from its main publisher it goes there to dwindle into obscurity, and that’s pretty much what Ty did after game 3. Perhaps there will be a new trio of games, but for now we’ve got these three titles alone to do justice to the Australian outback.

Ohhhh, man! I’ve FINALLY found a copy of this game floating around in one of the used game stores I usually visit. Using digitized actors from the movie for the game (much like the early Mortal Kombat titles), Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game is a riot. Capcom actually took the game from the arcade version and completely reworked every aspect of the game so it played nearly identical to Super Street Fighter II Turbo. Everything from character win animations to how Ryu throws a fireball is directly influenced by SSFII. Don’t get me wrong, this game still blows in comparison, but its worth a look into, that’s for sure. I believe this is also the only game that allows you to play as the character Sawada, one of Bison’s minions. So that’s there…

It’s Pong. Taken to the next level.What more is there to say? This is based on one of the most influential games on our entire medium. Without Pong, we very well may not even be playing Xboxes or Playstations today. Give respect where respect is due, and play and enjoy Pong.

I had never heard of this game until I saw it sitting on the shelf for a measly $5. It looked like a generic RPG, and from the back of the box that statement seems to be confirmed. However the game has been published by Atlus, and they’ve been known to make (or rather localize) some rather decent titles in the genre. I’ll have to give this one a look-see here soon.

Received this title from Machinima for my next review. Expect to see that up on the site within the week (or a bit after due to the holiday). So far I like the game: It’s my first foray into the LEGO gaming universe outside of Star Wars, and I have to say they’ve done a fine job crafting a world that fits Hogwarts and the novels/movies. I can’t wait to see how the final battle goes down! Definitely a good title for players of all ages as well.

So I only got this one because it was $3. I have heard that it’s alright at its best, so I guess there’s some reason to play it beyond just getting achievements. The idea is cool enough: Kill a whole bunch of dudes with a giant blade weapon over and over. You can’t go wrong with gratuitous amounts of violence!

Ohh Crash Bandicoot. You will forever be, to me at least, the mascot for the Playstation (Especially the PS1). Though you’re forgotten by the masses now, you’re not forgotten by this one. Crash Bash was Sony’s attempt to knock off the Mario Party series, and if memory serves correct I believe things didn’t turn out so well. Need proof? What the fuck has Crash done recently? Exactly

Also known as Bust-A-Move 3 (And Puzzle Bobble 3 in Japan), the Bust-A-Move series is actually one of my favorite puzzle game series’. The addicted nature of popping like-colored bubbles and hearing super chibi and cheery characters shout for joy each time one is popped is satisfying. Also, I remember playing the game in the arcade and falling in love with it instantly due to the music. Even when I was a little gamer I knew good music when I heard it. This game didn’t offer too much that was new to the series, but this has always been a puzzle game that followed the formula “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” So true.

So wait a minute… Bust-A-Move 4 came out before Bust-A-Move 3? Well… sort of. For some reason it took Taito and Acclaim a long time to port over Bust-A-Move 3, and so before it was released BAM4 came out. Perhaps that’s why BAM3 was renamed Bust-A-Move ’99. It would certainly alleviate a good deal of confusion from fans. Anyhoozle, this game is another solid title in the franchise, but the formula was getting stale by now.

Oh man. How has this series NOT taken off? Well… probably because the fighting system isn’t too impressive. But what other game let’s you play as a werewolf? Or were-lion? or were-… rabbit? That’s right! Bloody Roar is the first in the series, and it definitely looks nothing like any other fighting game out there. Being able to transform into an animal to continue pummeling your foes with new, more deadly moves is awesome.

Bloody Roar II took everything that was awesome about the first Bloody Roar (namely turning into were-creatures) and took it up to the next degree. More characters, better controls, and an overall better game in general. Bloody Roar II was one of the games I remember renting when I was younger, and I thought it was the freakin’ coolest! Alice the Bunny, Hugo the Wolf, Yuriko the Half-Beast?! Those names just bring back so many memories… This series deserves to have another title under its belt. I heard a rumor (and it was only a rumor) that they were planning on making a Bloody Roar 5, but it’s just wishful thinking on fan’s parts.