Nintendo

Star Fox 64 / Lylat Wars (N64) Review

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Star Fox 64

The Star Fox series is one of the few exceptions to my natural rule of using the names of things I grew up with (like using Mega Drive instead of the more common US name of Genesis) as if I just put “Lylat Wars” in the title very few people would know what I’m going on about. So, anyway, I actually didn’t own Lylat Wars anyway, but I did both rent it out and play it around a friends several times (or did they bring it to my house? I can’t remember…) and I do remember enjoying it, especially the branching paths. So let’s take a look and see if it still holds up!

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Pokémon Blue (Gameboy) Review

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Pokemon Blue

I haven’t been the biggest Pokémon fan, having only played the first and third gen games, but I did enjoy both experiences immensely. I guess it comes down to not really being a fan of handheld gaming holding me back from buying all entries (hell, I don’t even own a 3DS!) So, anyway, thankfully I can talk about a Pokémon game in this marathon given the sheer amount of playable characters the franchise has in Smash Ultimate…

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Super Smash Bros. (N64) Review

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Super Smash Bros

Our countdown to Smash Ultimate reaches single digits as we arrive at the game that started it all as our rep. for the Earthbound franchise (thanks to having never played the series, and certainly not having the time right now…) How does the original hold up now, compared to the (currently) three sequels its spawned, and how was it back in the day? Let’s take a look!

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F-Zero (SNES) Review

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F-Zero

F-Zero was one of those launch games that made you want the new console straight away. I can’t remember where I saw it advertised, whether it be an actual advert or a TV show like Games Master or Bad Influence, but either way when my brother got a SNES and had F-Zero it looked like the coolest thing in the world. I was pretty terrible at it, and admittedly now I’m only okay, but it doesn’t take away from how great this was at the time, and how still good it is right now (even with superior sequels). Let’s take a look!

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Ice Climber (NES) Review

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Ice Climber

Man oh man, do I ever dislike Ice Climber. I never played it growing up, Popo and Nana, the Ice Climbers, appearing in Melee was my first exposure to the series, and I didn’t even get round to properly playing it in any fashion until the mini-game collection known as “NES Remix” came out on the Wii U. Those short bursts didn’t convince me that the game was any good, and playing the full game now for this review certainly confirmed it… At least the Switch Online service meant I didn’t have to pay for the “Privilege”! Let’s take a look, shall we?

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Fire Emblem Warriors (Switch) Review

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Fire Emblem Warriors

Before you say it, yes it is a shame that such a long-running JPRG series is being represented on this Smash countdown via a Warriors game, but as I’ve mentioned several times already, I just don’t get on with turn-based RPGs, and that goes double to tactical RPGs with permanent death! So instead let’s have a look at the second Nintendo franchised Warriors game, and well as publish my first Switch review!

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Super Smash Bros. Melee (GC) Review

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SSB Melee

While I’d like to review an actual old Game and Watch game, and I’m sure there’s probably some way of doing that, every other series that debuted in Melee has an easier-to-play game to represent them in this countdown, so rather than skip Melee, here we are! Super Smash Bros. Melee was when the series properly clicked with me and my friends. Countless hours playing against each other with two A.I.s, unlocking characters and trophies, or just playing Home Run Contest… Let’s have a look at it then!

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Kid Icarus (NES) Review

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Kid Icarus

Kid Icarus is another one of those popular early NES games, but in this case I never played it growing up. I remember wanting to because I really loved the Captain N cartoon which featured Kid Icarus’ Pit as a character (though he was actually called Kid Icarus, if I remember rightly) but upon playing it I’m glad I never did because it’s obscenely difficult, for me right now, let alone me back then! Let’s take a look…

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Super Mario Land 2 (GB) Review

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Super Mario Land 2

Yeah, I know the Wario in Smash is very much based on the WarioWare series of games, complete with levels and music and logo, but… I just haven’t played them. Well, I played one with a friend once, but I barely remember it. I think it was fun though! So rather than ignore Wario entirely I thought I’d cover his debut game instead, Super Mario Land 2 on the good old Gameboy. I mean, his original costume from this era is selectable in the Smash series after all, so it’s not a complete cop-out! Let’s take a look…

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Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Wii) Review

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SSB Brawl

Yes, I’ve never played a Pikmin game, so sue me. Go on! Try and sue me for not having played a Pikmin game! See how that ends up in court! … *ahem* Anyway, as I haven’t played a Pikmin game before, we have our first of three looks at the previous Smash games (Smash for Wii U having already been reviewed here on this blog!), starting with Brawl, which saw the Pikmin series debut. It’s the only Smash with a full-on, CGI cinematics story mode, but is that all that’s worth remembering about it?

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