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SNES REVIEWS: The Death and Return of Superman

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It is ironic how Superman is always portrayed as much weaker than he supposedly is in most works of fiction depicting him. Whether in games or movies, Superman cannot conveniently rotate three times around the Earth and punch the bad guys into space. For games, it is obvious that developers want us to play as Superman within the confines of what they made possible. If it's a brawler, expect Superman to perform far below his level and fight every single scrub as if they were Kryptonians like him. Where would the fun be if we could just zoom through The Death and Return of Superman ( DRS ) at light speed? Unfortunately, I imagine zooming through this game at Mach 9 would still be too slow of a zoom. #81: The Death and Return of Superman:- Year: 1994 Genre: Beat 'em Up Publisher: Sunsoft Developer: Sunsoft, Blizzard
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SNES REVIEWS: Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage

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Most of the superhero licensed games in the SNES era were brawlers. In part, because it allowed the titular superheroes to unabashedly punch their way through scores of enemies. In another, because brawlers are ridiculously easy to make. Most brawlers use the same format, the same moves, and the same tropes. For such a stagnant genre, it is no surprise that the eccentricities and special powers of the comic book heroes would shake things up positively. We see that in Batman and Superman games, and we see it in this Spider-Man and Venom game ( S&V ). #85: Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage:- Year: 1994 Genre: Beat 'em Up Publisher: LJN Developer: Software Creations
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SNES REVIEWS: Sparkster

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  One of the genres almost perfected in the SNES/Genesis wars is the Platformer genre. From the spectacular Super Mario Land , to the speedy Sonic games. Sparkster is apparently Konami's input into the platformer genre, but with an action twist strapped on in the shape of a rocket. #87: Sparkster: Year: 1995 Genre: Action-Platformer  Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami
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SNES REVIEWS: Sunset Riders

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There is little the side-scrolling shooter can do to stand out, and yet games in this genre need standing out the most. We do not play these games for the story, and the combat in many of them, including weapons and such, is very similar. These games competed on the arcade floor trying to attract players from the genre's leaders. Sunset Riders is no different from other competitors. The gameplay is similar to other games in the genre, but it wants to attract players by its Wild West style and its personality. For the most part, Sunset Riders succeeds in being a fun shooter with tons of personality, and it is that personality that differentiates it from the crowd. #88: Sunset Riders: Year: 1993 Genre: Run & Gun Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami
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SNES REVIEWS: Blackthorne

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  Editorial Note: "This is the first game review I ever posted, and it was the start of my SNES REVIEWS blogging series. Accordingly, it makes sense (and I hope that's obviously the case) that both my writing and the review format are not as clear or readable as my latest reviews. In fact, unlike other older reviews after it, it was difficult to reformat this blog to be in line with my "modern" standard. Still, this was necessary step to start a blogging journey that has now extended for nearly 15 years, and so with a lot of embarrassment, but also some pride, I am reposting this blog almost exactly as it was originally written." #90: Blackthorne: Year: 1994 Genre: Cinematic Platformer Publisher: Interplay Productions Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
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SNES REVIEWS Report: 100-91

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In contrast to Retro Sanctuary's Top 100 Genesis games, IGN's Top 100 SNES list doesn't start with a series of middling titles, perhaps pointing to the deeper library of Nintendo's 16-bit console. While I have rightly eviscerated Final Fight and Super Turrican  2 in my full reviews, and I still believe that Tiny Toon Adventures doesn't belong on the list at all, the rest of these games are a respectable bunch of impressive ports or flawed, fun experiences. Both Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and Street Fighter Alpha 2 are brilliant, yet heavily compromised, arcade ports. Similarly showcasing the technical capabilities of the SNES while being structurally limited in its design was Uniracers . On the other hand, games like Top Gear 2 and The Adventures of Batman & Robin provided great fun without necessarily pushing the envelope—except, of course, in regards to the Dark Knight's incredible graphics. Of all these entries, I most regret not playing and reviewing...
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SNES REVIEWS: Super Turrican 2

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Side-scrolling shooters are perhaps one of the easiest genres to measure. In theory, all its games are similar enough that there is no need to bother with the bottom sitters for a different experience, since there wouldn't be anything majorly different to begin with. What that leaves games that are not Contra or Metal Slug (by far the genre's A list) is attempting unique twists on the formula and semi-innovations. In its day, Super Turrican 2 gained a reputation for its revolutionary 3D cutscenes and sharp graphics. Neither aged as well as the more graceful works of the SNES. What is left is a game that you wish was something else by the time you finish its first half. #93: Super Turrican 2: Year: 1995 Genre: Run & Gun Publisher: Ocean Developer: Factor 5
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