And yet if there was a way to make the Nintendo graphics just a tick better, would you try it out? Marseille is hoping so, as that’s exactly what they’re providing with the mClassic game console graphics processor.

The mClassic is meant to be the console equivalent of an upgraded graphics card, but it comes without the fuss of having to open anything up. Well, other than that port cabinet behind your Switch dock. It can work with anything that passes video through an HDMI cable, so you can also use the mClassic with your Wii U, Blu-ray player, PS4, Xbox One, and numerous other systems. This being Pure Nintendo in 2020, our review will focus on use with the Nintendo Switch—although you’re certainly welcome to connect it to your Wii U or even the GameCube with the right adapters.

In fact, let’s start with adapters. The mClassic itself looks like an oversized USB flash drive. And although it doesn’t take up too much space, it doesn’t fit in the cable compartment of the Switch dock. Thankfully, Marseille includes an HDMI adapter that’s perfectly sized to fit in that compartment and allow you to connect the mClassic just outside of it (bottom cable, below).

You then run your own HDMI cable from the mClassic to your TV. The final step involves connecting the mClassic to USB with another provided cable to power it up. This can be any powered USB port, but will likely be one on your Switch. The whole setup is pretty clunky, possibly forcing you to rearrange your hardware setup.

But do you know what? Deal with it, because it’s a very easy system. You’ll just want to make sure you have easy access to the mClassic hardware because it contains a toggle switch to enable and disable processing. It’s also used to switch between optimized settings for modern and retro games. An LED light indicates which setting you’re on (see the green indicator in the image above).

Once it’s all up and running, you may not notice a difference without searching for it. The mClassic isn’t a miracle worker that turns your Switch into a PS5, it simply smooths things out. It provides post-processing that can upscale 1080p content to 4K (at 30hz or lower). More importantly for Switch owners, it improves anti-aliasing, which removes jagged edges and provides crisper images. Indeed, if there’s a system that could really benefit from the mClassic’s capabilities, it’s the Nintendo Switch, where games often run at 720p or 1080p with no anti-aliasing. Of course, you only see the benefit in docked mode, but that goes without saying.

On smaller TVs, poor or no anti-aliasing isn’t much of an issue because the picture is too small for the jagged edges to stand out. But I have a 55″ Samsung OLED TV that can really highlight those jagged edges. The benefit was noticeable in games such as Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, helping the forefront elements in those beautiful landscapes blend in better with the environment. Conversely, background elements can become blurrier, causing some detail to get lost.

It’s surprisingly more noticeable in games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons where the action is slower and the lines are more clearly defined. Edges of the characters and landscape elements just feel more natural.

I’ll describe the difference by saying the game’s scenery looks like it’s a single illustration as opposed to a bunch of separate items cropped out and pasted into one larger image. This slider at the Marseille site helps to highlight.

I think where I saw the greatest benefit, however, was when I went back to the Witcher III: Wild Hunt. The mClassic was able to effectively upscale the 720p resolution to 1080p and smooth out the complex graphics in a way that made the game feel much less muddy. We’re still not at native 1080p, but the forefront elements looked decidedly better with no noticeable lag.

That’s just on the Switch on my 4K TV. I was also able to test it on the Wii U with a 42″ 1080p Samsung, and the results actually felt a bit more natural here since the TV hardware was more in line with the mClassic’s capabilities. I was especially impressed with its effect on games in Wii mode. Flip the mClassic to retro mode, and all those old 480p Wii games are smoothed over. This does make them look blurrier on larger TVs, much like they used to on the old CRT TVs and screens when many of these games were originally released. Playing Shinobi, for example, in Wii mode felt much more like it did at the old arcades. And games such as The Last Story and even Wii Bowling get a nice visual upgrade that makes them easier to return to after gaming two generations ahead.

The mClassic did present two problems that are worth mentioning. First, I already covered the cable clutter it creates around your Switch. This is understandable considering the device is built to be compatible with multiple devices, but it’s still an issue. Second, with the mClassic plugged in, there were times when the Switch would display on my TV with a distinct purple tint. Turning off the Switch, TV, and receiver then turning them back on resolved the issue, but that’s something I never had to do with the Switch connected directly to the receiver.

Now, whether this is all worth it depends upon your specific setup. Your TV may already provide suitable upscaling, for example. There’s also the fact that many of us Nintendo gamers simply don’t care about jagged edges; Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey are amazing game experiences with or without advanced anti-aliasing. But if your setup is right, and if you’re willing to pay for that extra graphical push, the mClassic is up to the task.

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At the eleventh hour Pure Nintendo received a press disc of Rodea the Sky Solider for the original Wii.  I’m very grateful to NIS America.  Any fear of Rodea burnout vanished once I started playing the game as Yuji Naka envisioned.  This version is the real deal in more ways than one.

It’s amazing what a world of difference Wiimote control makes.  The high learning curve is gone, replaced by intuitive controls that are far less frustrating.  The camera benefits also, as it was clearly designed with this setup in mind.  While not unerring, it now follows the action well, even able to present the flying from more cinematic angels.  Overall the flying is less restrictive, and more enjoyable as a result.

Boost attack (NGamer)

This change means the balance has now shifted, favoring flight attacks over gun combat.  In fact guns are now limited, the correct choice given how much better the flying is here.  This does impact the on foot exploration though, which isn’t as fun in this version.  The tiny Wiimote d-pad isn’t ideal, but you’ll be spending most of your time in the sky anyway.  When combat does occur, I found the targeting system improved.

Superior color! (NGamer)

Another positive change is the emphasis on color.  These screens  (from a couple sites covering the Japanese launch last spring) definitely don’t do justice to how much more bright and colorful this Wii version is.  While some technical edges are with the Wii U port, the artistic style of this Wii version is significant.

Wii exclusive puzzles (Kotaku)

There are original gameplay additions as well.  Doors now lead to puzzle type rooms, much preferred to simplistic on-rail flights.  New obstacles are present too; large sky webs will now bounce Rodea backwards if he strikes them.  Additionally a racing mini game, for up to 4 players, brings a touch of competitive multiplayer  Things like these (and more) were pleasant surprises for me, keeping the now largely familiar settings fresh.

Multiplayer racing (Kotaku)

Having said all this, Propes version does fall short in a few (admittedly minor) ways.  It has no upgrade system for one.  While this does mean less backtracking for needed parts, I admit to missing that feature.  There’s also  no audio options present.  This hurts the voice acting, now overpowered by the music.  Yes the music is better – and the game is subtitled – but options should’ve been included. Lastly, the grading system is far tougher here.  Yet with easier bosses, the overall challenge seem slightly unbalanced.

Had this game launched in 2011, I could easily see it being looked back upon as one of the Wii’s finest releases.  Even years later it has still proved refreshingly fun ‘soaring through the skies’.  Yuji Naka has a winner here.  Now we can only hope for a Rodea the Sky Soldier sequel.

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By now you’ve probably played The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds on the 3DS (and if you haven’t, why not?).  This is the game that serves as that quasi follow-up’s inspiration.  While many gamers were hoping it would’ve been released closer to its 3DS relatives launch back in November, its arrival a few weeks ago was better late than never.  Not only is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past a multimillion seller that many consider the greatest Zelda game ever made, but it’s not uncommon to hear it argued as one of the best games ever made period!

If you’re reading this review, in all likelihood you’ve played this classic before, perhaps multiple times.  Now that it’s available for the Wii U’s VC, all you really need to know is how the transition went and what’s changed.  Well, the game looks great on Wii U GamePad for one, making Off-TV play a joy!  It also has a nice Miiverse community attached to it, and it’s fun reading the comments of gamers who never experienced it on Super Nintendo in the 90’s (or the later Gameboy Advance port).  They remind me of when I first experienced the game 20 some odd years ago, and there’s a certain amount of envy toward those able to appreciate it fresh.

Restore points are available of course, and this is a game where they could be quite helpful, especially for any newbies.  ALBW on 3DS had more of a gentle challenge (sans hero mode) and I’ve no problem with that – it didn’t affect my enjoyment any.  But ALTTP is more reflective of its times, when difficulty levels tended to be higher.  Restore points can lend some balance, and eliminate unnecessary backtracking should you choose to use them.

Playing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past on Wii U allows you to experience it without worrying about a dead SNES cartridge battery, or squinting at a small GBA screen.  Just make sure you use ‘Spoiler’ tags when posting on Miiverse – you don’t want to ruin the adventure for those experiencing this classic for the first time!

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One of the biggest changes, at least from a visual perspective, is the see-through character sprite, closer to the arcade version than the more overhead view found in the first console release.  While I don’t necessarily find it preferable, it works quite well, and the increased size will probably be enjoyed even more by those who didn’t grow up with the 8-bit classic.  It does make the computer characters seem smaller by comparison, but they are still large, and their good animations are retained.  The larger color palette is noticeable, courtesy of the 16-bit power of the SNES.  On the audio end, it’s a mixed bag of some additional improvements and some cuts.  I personally find the music to be a bit on the generic side, and not as memorable as the NES tunes.  The sound effects are stronger though, and I appreciate how punches seem to pack much more power, and vocal snippets sound far clearer.

Controls are very good, which is important for a game that relies on careful timing.  I actually think Super Punch-Out has transitioned to the Wii U Virtual Console a fair bit better than its predecessor in this regard.  Playing on the Wii U GamePad seems quick and responsive without the slight lag I noticed from the NES VC release.  Earning stars through well-timed hits has been replaced with the arcade like meter that fills up slowly as you connect on multiple punches.  While I can’t say I like it better, it’s probably just as good.  For those who thought the NES version was too difficult, I think this change makes the game a bit easier to earn stronger punches.

Super Punch-Out has regrettably taken a big step backwards though, due to the elimination of multiple rounds. This choice unfortunately robs the game of much of its depth, as you can no longer adjust strategies in between – learning on the fly translates to more trial and error, and more losing.  In fact the speed of the solo round means sometimes boxer specific strategies will barely even have a chance to come into play before the match ends.

This choice further robs the game of much of its charm.  For one, there’s little opportunity for trash talk and memorable quotes from the competition.  This makes the still stereotyped boxers seem to have even less personality, magnified by the fact that many of them are repeats or minor variants from earlier games (and still using recycled character models).  Judge’s decisions have also been eliminated entirely.  Your unnamed fighter also has no trainer to hear advice from (and no pink jogging suit cut scenes either!).  The game doesn’t even have Mario as a referee, which explains why so many characters are able to fight dirty – Mario would never let such nonsense slide!

In other ways the game has improved nicely however.  Having completion times recorded is a strong addition that I welcome.  This gives the game further replay value – not that the Punch-Out games have ever really been lacking in that regard.  I also like the breakdown of the scoring system.  Many will appreciate battery backed saves over passwords as well, and the restore points available through the Wii U are there to take advantage of, should you choose.

Overall, Super Punch-Out!! is a good game.  It’s true that as a follow-up to the phenomenal NES classic, it’s disappointing to see some of the cuts – especially after a gap of seven years, this release feels like it’s coasting in some ways.  It never has seemed to capture gamer’s hearts like its console predecessor.  But it is still good fun, with plenty to offer in its own right.  If you’ve never played the original you’ll probably enjoy it even more.

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One of the main things I appreciate about Angry Birds is the consistency in gameplay.  Physics, hit detection, and overall feel remain steady, and aren’t prone to strange fluctuations or glitch like changes.  After many releases, it’s clear Rovio Entertainment has polished their craft, refining the games over several popular releases.  Series fans will surely enjoy this Star Wars entry, while newbies might consider this as an introduction to the series, as long as they can get over the price difference that consoles have over mobile devices.

The Star Wars license was the big draw for me!  With birds based on series leads Luke, Han, and Chewbacca (who looks hysterical!) and other popular characters like Obi-Wan, C-3PO, and R2-D2, there’s plenty to have fun with, and each have abilities true to their source.  Luke dons a lightsaber, Han has his blaster, Obi-Wan uses the force, etc …  The challenge comes from timing these abilities just right (often I would activate Obi-Wans force abilities too early)  Hearing a pig Darth Vader mockingly laugh at you is a good motivator to replay levels, as is earning all three stars, and gaining unlockable content.

The Star Wars locations are real fun, from the opening Tatooine levels as you move towards Mos Eisley spaceport, then into space (where you have to learn successful navigation of gravity fields) and beyond.  The visuals are colorful and crisp, with fun little details for series fans.  The music is great (no real surprise) and the Star Wars sound effects score big as well.  Amusing cut scenes move the story along and they’ll make you smile and laugh.  The Star Wars atmosphere is very well represented, and has made this my favorite Angry Birds game!

Control is well handled, and the Wiimote makes for a satisfying and unique means to fling the birds across screen.  I’ve found it to be just as enjoyable as dragging a finger or stylus across a touch screen, if not more so!  Other controls like zooming are mapped well too, and any failure can be chalked up solely to the player.  I’ve no control complaints.

The co-op gameplay is something I especially enjoyed, and is great fun!  Being able to tackle the levels with a friend is always enjoyable, and the puzzle gameplay seems well suited to it.  I’ve found that when alternating between birds, it allows viewing the puzzles in a different light (if that makes sense) and being able to bounce ideas between you and a friend can lead to some clever solutions.

Angry Birds popularity doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon, and Star Wars popularity already spans decades.  The combo makes this seem like an ideal release, although the price could give pause.  This Will version is $40, which is in between the $50 Wii U version, and the $30 3DS one.  Honestly, all the versions are overpriced, including those found on non Nintendo consoles.  There are some exclusive new levels though, and the proven gameplay hasn’t lost any of its fun factor.  Whether you pick up Angry Bird Star Wars as your Wii swan song, or grab it for a current Nintendo system, you’ll surely a good time.  I did.

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There are only six racers to choose from. That’s right, only six racers in this game as opposed to others that have 8 or 12. Each snail has his or her own special attributes that make them stand out. One might have better speed, grip and so on. But don’t count on good steering. Playing the two-player mode with a friend of mine, we both noticed how terrible the handling really was. There were times where we even noticed the AI have difficulties. If you’re playing a game and the artificial intelligence is having issues, how confident does that make you feel as a gamer? Probably not too good.

There are game-breaking mechanics as well. For example: if you jump in the air and flip forward, you get a boost item. You can stack this up to three times for a bigger boost. You can also do this as many times as you want, thereby making the challenge, other than the terrible controls, non-existent. Lastly, there’s the respawn button. Hitting this button will cause you to respawn at a previous location if you wipe out while all the other racers go ahead of you. Why on earth would someone want this in a racing game? The world may never know.

But wait. What about the 3DS version? Well, it’s exactly the same as the Wii version with one difference. It’s strictly a single player game. No download or online play. Just the same bad game but in the palm of your hands.

Much like my Wii U version review, the same rules apply. If you have a kid that has seen the movie and loved it, he may like the game. If this does not apply to you, then I would pass this game up without giving it a second thought.

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Pandora’s Tower forces the player to race against the clock in order to collect flesh from enemies and bosses, in this game called “Masters”.  If the clock runs out, Aeron’s love interest, Elena, will turn into a monster herself.  In order to reverse the curse, Aeron must collect all twelve pieces of Master Flesh and feed them to Elena…

Bringing back flesh is critical in keeping Elena human… 

As the clock runs down, you’ll have to go into each tower with a plan.  You can get through the first few towers without having to return to the observatory, but this won’t be the case for long.  Getting stuck on a puzzle to long will force you to backtrack to restore Elena.  Shortcuts can be opened up as you progress, but backtracking will still take up a large chunk of the gameplay.   The main mechanic of Pandora’s Tower is the Oraclos Chain.  The chain is used frequently in both combat and in navigation.  You must aim the chain using the Wiimote pointer or right analog stick if you are using the classic controller.  The Wiimote pointer is accurate enough, but the classic controller can be a hassle, especially when you need quick movements.     The fixed camera is, by far, my biggest gripe of the game.  The wide-shots are good at showing off the towers, but makes it easy to lose track of Aeron, especially in the heat of battle.  You will also lose sight of Aeron if he happens to run behind rocks or other objects.  More often than not, this results in Aeron getting a monster fist upside the head.

Hope you like water dungeons…

Speaking of taking damage, there are times where Aeron’s items break as a result of taking a nasty hit.  In later towers, monsters deal out harder hits, and item breaks become more frequent.  You can get broken items fixed at the observatory, but it can become a massive drain on your money.  Even blocking can take a toll on your weapons; your best chances lie within well-timed dodges. Combat in Pandora’s Tower relies on strategy, which is a refreshing change from many other hack-and-slash games.  Run in swinging blindly, and you’ll end up under the foot of a monster.  You’ll have to combine attacks with the Oraclos Chain and your sword to stand a chance. Fights with Masters aren’t quite as exciting.  Dodge a few attacks, open up their vulnerable spot, and rip it out using the chain.  While the night and day mechanic effects certain parts of the towers, but not any of the Master battles, which feels like a missed opportunity.

The relationship between Aeron and Elena is a large theme of the game.  The ending you receive is dependent on how good a relationship you have built between the two.  The relationship can be enhanced by talking and giving gifts to Elena.  Unfortunately, there is barely any chemistry between the two, so it is hard to get invested in the relationship.

The multiple endings of Pandora’s Tower one of the games highest points.  Rather than building on one another, the each ending is completely different from one another, and they all have something to contribute to the story. Pandora’s Tower has a lot of good ideas going for it, but constant backtracking and camera issues hold the game back.  The second half of the game opens up incredibly, and feels like what the game should have been the entire time.  However, for all it’s shortcomings, Pandora’s Tower is a still a solid entry and worth checking out.

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But whenever I desire these gaming challenges, I look to the older generation of Nintendo. I’m talking back in the NES era, where games were designed to be difficult, the idea of looking for an “easy mode” was non-existent and the Konami code was recited by heart. Granted these old school games were difficult, they were not impossible to beat. These incredibly difficult games soon held the title of “NES hard” and they are not far from the truth. The NES game in question is Castlevania. A franchise that to this day is still going strong.

The Night Is Still Young!

The story of Castlevania is really simple. You take on the role of Simon Belmont, a vampire hunter from the famed Belmont clan. Turns out, Dracula is stirring up trouble in Transylvania and its up to you to stop him.

So there’s the plot…yup that’s it. No overdrawn story. Just you off to kill Dracula. Now I’m a gamer that loves a good story, but there are times where a good simple goal like this is much welcomed. For some quick clarification, the name “Castlevania” is the name of Dracula’s castle. Hmmmm…Transylvania…Castlevania. Kinda rolls off the tongue.

Crack That Whip

Along with a simple story, come simple controls. You have your A button to jump, B button to attack and your D-pad to move around. Simplicity at its finest. Simon is armed with the legendary whip “Vampire Killer” as his go to weapon. Throughout each level you can upgrade the whip to a chain flail for extra damage and extended reach.

Along each level, you have the chance to find sub weapons that can help you throughout your game. Each use of a sub weapon consumes a certain amount of hearts that can be collected by killing enemies or destroying candles. When I first played Castlevania this really confused me, as I was accustomed to hearts restoring health. In this game they are used as ammo for your sub weapons. Your overall health can only be replenished by either completing a level or finding the hidden wall chicken. Not sure why Dracula keeps hidden plates of chicken in the walls of his castle, but who could say no to a free meal!

There are a variety of sub weapons that can make your adventure a little more bearable. There’s the dagger which lets you, well throw a dagger across the screen. This is by far the weakest of the sub weapons and my least favorite. The axe is an arching weapon that can come in handy if used properly. Stopwatches allow you to briefly stop time to get through obstacles with ease; this however consumes the most hearts. The cross has a boomerang effect as it travels across the screen and comes back to you. This has been speculated as one of the best sub weapons of the game, but for me that title belongs to the holy water. When thrown, these little jars of holy water can stop enemies dead in their tracks and can continuously deal damage. Using the holy water on bosses can be the cheapest way to defeat them, but this game had it coming when it decided to be so difficult!

So you have your trusty whip, a plethora of sub weapons and wall chicken if you know where to look. But can all of this really be enough to help you in your quest to defeat the lord of the vampires?…do you want me to sugar coat it or be brutally honest?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE’S NO EASY MODE?!?!

Ok, I’ll be brutally honest. Even with all of these sub-weapons and whip upgrades, you BARELY stand a chance for the trials ahead. The first section of the castle is cake. It gets you familiar with the controls and how defeat enemies. DO NOT let this go to your head! There have been many times while playing Castlevania where I have died due to my own hubris. Even the smallest of enemies can be your downfall. Take the bat for example. All it takes is one hit, one conveniently placed pit and BAM, you’ll hear that “you’re dead” jingle while the game mocks you for your mistake. Come to think of it, this game mocks you from the second you hit the start button.

Let me break down how Simon maneuvers throughout the game. Simon’s movement is very stiff. He has this “vampire slayer swag strut” when he moves from left to right that can be quite slow. His jump can get you in and out of danger, if you know how to use it properly. It’s all in the timing  Your jump arcs are permanent the second a forward jump is executed. You have no control of your trajectory and if you get hit while in midair? Lets just hope that there is a platform right behind you. Whenever you take damage, whether its midair or on the ground, you will be knocked back a short distance and this can be frustrating. Not only can this slow down your progress, but it can end your game very quickly. This has happened to me more than I would like to admit. Other than boss battles, being knocked back into a pit has been the bane of my gameplay.

Ok so I take that back. I’ve died from pretty much everything in this game. As you continue to climb Dracula’s castle, the baddies will dish out more damage. While in the beginning of the game you’ll only lose two bars of health when taking damage, near the end, even one of the weakest of enemies will take off a quarter of your health only allowing you to be hit up to four times.

If there is one thing that Castlevania wants you to do, is to learn from your mistakes. This game can be very unforgiving at times to the point where beating it seems impossible. Enemies are placed at unfair locations, you’ll lose that one good sub weapon, or as previously mentioned, get knocked back into a pit.

And you know what?…I love it. I love how difficult this game is.

There is a certain level of difficulty when it comes to video games. There are the games that are so difficult, they are just impossible to finish. I’m looking at you Battletoads! Then there are games that are difficult, but beatable. Castlevania is one of those games. So difficult that finishing it becomes personal. Deep down you know you can finish it. You know that you can go that extra gaming mile and save the day! And seeing as though this is a game from the 80’s, a good old fashion 80’s montage to get you pumped up wouldn’t hurt.

Looks good. Sounds good!

Castlevania really tested the limits of the NES in terms of both its music and its overall presentation. When you first start out, you are introduced to the song “Vampire Killer”. This song would be the staple in the Castlevania franchise, as it would make musical appearances in future Castlevania titles. Go to YouTube and check it out sometime. It’s about as catchy as the theme from Super Mario Bros. But that’s just the theme for the first level. Each level has their specific song to accompany your situation and just add to the overall atmosphere. No song seemed overdrawn or repetitive.

In terms of presentation, this game is quite pretty to look at for an 8 bit title. The colors are vibrant and each mesh well together adding great ambiance to your surroundings. Whether you’re in a cave, climbing a clock tower, or in an abandoned laboratory the attention to detail is very impressive and reminds you that you are in Dracula’s castle. One instance that really stood out to me was the background in stage nine, that clearly shows you Dracula’s lair off in the distance. This reminded me that Castlevania was huge and I still had a long way to get to my goal.

Final Thoughts:

I know that a good chunk of this review has been about how difficult Castlevania is. And I wont lie to you; it is quite the difficult game. But it is beatable. I did a speed run of this game for this review and finished at 35:30:9’. Why that does make it seem like this game is short, I was playing bits and pieces of it over and over before said speed run. Each time I played, I was able to anticipate what was to come and react accordingly. Practice makes perfect!

The personal satisfaction of beating that one boss that’s been giving you trouble or getting through that one level without taking damage and applying what you’ve learned is indescribable. If you’re looking for a good challenge and a game that makes you really work for it’s ending, then I highly recommend this title. Castlevania can be downloaded via the Virtual Console on both the Wii and the 3DS. I’ll finish this review with this in mind. While the game is difficult and offers no easy mode, it at least gives you unlimited continues. That’s gotta count for something right?

Photo Credit in order of appearance:

http://www.cvgm.net/static/media/screenshot/image/Castlevania_NES_Title_Screen.jpg

http://img.gamefaqs.net/screens/7/7/f/gfs_35454_2_3.jpg

http://sydlexia.com/imagesandstuff/nes100/castlevania.png

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fnGC9EYT7cs/0.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ox5T9xznLaA/Tq8daUsCvHI/AAAAAAAAEbg/CtQ9oMLA_5E/s1600/cv32.png

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A lot of people play video games or go fishing to escape from reality and relax.  Xseed’s Fishing Resort marries these two relaxing past times into an enjoyable fishing experience.

Looking back at my childhood I had some great fishing memories with my father and grandfather. There’s nothing like sitting in nature, without a care in the world, you and the water…nothing….but….fish……sorry I got carried away. With Xseed’s Fishing Resort they try to give you a variety of different fishing experiences for everyone to enjoy.

The story is simple, it’s a fishing game, ok there is a little more than that. You play as a character that decides that he/she needs a break from their busy life and pay, probably some crazy amount, to be taken to this fishing utopia to join a community of fishing lovers. Some how this resort has found a way to solve world hunger and the economy with one simple task…fishing. The way you survive is simple; the more rare, bigger fish that you catch equals more money you can make.  At the end of each day you are forced to turn in the catches, which is then exchanged for fishing utopia currency. What the resort does with the fish after they buy it from you is up to them.

There are multiple areas and resorts. Each resort offers a different type of fish and just as many ways to catch them. For example, the first resort is based on a beach. All the fishing, at this point, is bobber fishing (the fishing where you just sit there and wait). The second resort is set on a lake/swamp. This lake offers the ability to learn how to lure fish. As the game goes on, and the player’s skill rises, other fishing abilities become available, like fly fishing and deep-sea fishing.

There are a lot of reasons to earn more money on a daily basis–Players use money to get around and for the basic survival need of shelter. I was surprised to find out that once I packed up and headed to another resort, I was being charged, per night, for the room I was staying in. This utopia makes you fish and work for your stay. There is no lying around on your butt all day and enjoying the scenery. Money can also be used for travelling around by renting bicycles, different types of boats or even taking different fishing lessons.

Now probably the most important part of a fishing game, the fishing. Like I said earlier, I actually enjoy fishing. To me it takes a good fishing game to keep me interested. I have to say Fishing Resort kept me interested. There are a variety of techniques to use to catch over 300 different types of fish. You can also show off your fish by opening up an aquarium to showcase your best catches–which is another way to make money. For a video game the fishing seems pretty real, sped up yes, but pretty real. The fish battles can last anywhere from 1 min to 10 min. The waiting games, which kill me, can last 10 min, and when you finally have that catch, it’s a log (Happened to me a few times). One thing I noticed about the game is the sound. Not a lot of music plays while the player is actually fishing.  When the player is fishing, only the ambient sounds of fishing and the environment around can be heard. Finally, you can do what all real fishermen do. Show off your catch by adding it to the online leader board.

Fishing Resort is more than just a fishing game; it’s a fishing life style. Everyone in the game is just trying to make a living doing what they love best, fishing.  If you are a fan of fishing, and are looking for a slow-paced, relaxing, video game to play, Fishing Resort is for you.

The post Pure Nintendo Review: Fishing Resort appeared first on Pure Nintendo.

The first thing you may notice about Heavy Fire is the graphics. How can I put this lightly? The graphics for Heavy Fire are nothing more than N64, and may make your eyes bleed. It is hard to miss all the blocky structures that we grew up loving with the N64; things like mountains, and even the “round” zip rope that is used to repel out of the helicopter, are blocked in structure.

With graphics aside, which is a lot to put aside, the game is a good on-rails shooter. Heavy Fire is the first Wii game since Resident Evil: Chronicles, that I pulled out the Wii Zapper and enjoyed playing it. Heavy Fire is a quick paced, arcade, on-rails shooter that works perfectly with the Wii Zapper. With the ability to play up to four-players, the game could be a good Wii party game.

Heavy Fire does have a story, even though it is a predictable format. In the story, the protagonist has always dreamed to join the military. His dream is finally faced as he heads to Afghanistan, once again in present day. The story is told by voice over before each mission as the protagonist talks about the struggles of his tour.

Since Heavy Fire is on rails, it has few controls to learn. Like most arcade, rail-shooters, the player can use the directional pad to hide around different barriers, and pop out to place the deadly shot. Along with those controls, the player uses the Z button to toss grenades. Along the lines of most arcade shooters, players must shoot boxes of life and ammo to help keep themselves alive.

Looking passed the graphics, Heavy Fire: Afghanistan is a really solid arcade shooter. For those of you who grew up going to the arcade with your dads, Heavy Fire will be full of nostalgic moments. Maybe this game would be a good Holiday game to bond with your father…if shooting people brings your family together over the holidays.

Pros :

• Fun multiplayer play.
• A great use of the Wii Zapper.
• Full of arcade nostalgia.

Cons

•  Graphics are horrible.

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