Lord Spencer's Gaming (and other stuff) Blog

  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

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

  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

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...

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

This is going to be one of the more difficult reviews I had to make, because The Adventures of Batman and Robin is a game that is at once brilliant in design and terrible in value. It poses the now-raging question of quality vs. length. Ultimately, I think ABAR is one of the best Batman games despite its flaws. However, it fails to reach the levels of a classic SNES great. #94: The Adventures of Batman and Robin: Year: 1994 Genre: Action Platformer Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami