Captain Silver - SEGA Master System

 

    Talk about the most basic of basic. Captain Silver does not take any risks or tries to be different. Swing sword to attack. Collect points to gain 1Ups. Find keys to open hidden stores. Get power ups to raise your offense and defense. 

    The music is bland. Nothing special about it. The enemies are large, so it’s not difficult to hit them. Spam your attack to take out bosses fast. It’s not even a challenge when you’re fully powered. And from what I learned, the game is short. Depending on what version you have, there are only 3 to 6 levels. Since this is the U.S. Master System Version, there are only 4 levels. 

It’s so slow and boring. The biggest problem is not the gameplay, but how mediocre it is to play. It’s not a bad game, it’s just not very interesting. I say skip it if you’re looking for something more exciting to play. 

Alfred Chicken - Nintendo Entertainment System

     This is Alfred Chicken. A platformer for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It’s your standard platform game, with some variety. Alfred controls well with tight controls. He uses a dive attack to take out enemies with his beak. Lots of platform gimmicks in the level design and some obstacle puzzles. He even uses a little fun spaceship to fight bosses firing projectiles. 

     The music can be repetitive and a little annoying, because the songs are short and loops nonstop. The color palette is too washed out for my liking, but I can objectively see its charm for it.  The enemy placement is a little cruel, but nothing a little practice can’t handle. I did die a lot, but I managed to beat the first boss. GIT GUD is all it takes. 

    If you’re looking for a different platformer that isn’t Mario, I say try Alfred Chicken. It’s a little difficult, but that just means beating the game will be more triumphant. 

California Games - SEGA Master System

     California Games. Yup, It’s California and you are playing games. Well, trying to play games. A collection of Mini-games with the most unintuitive controls. Are you serious? Like really? REALLY!!? Why is moving right such a trial!? I am pushing every button on the controller. The SEGA Master System only has 2 and the directional pad!! Uhh!! To quote my favorite childhood YouTuber, “WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!?” -Angry Video Game Nerd 

     OK! Let’s get pass the bad controls. Let’s take a hour to figure it out. Well, MOSTLY figure it out. How are the games? They are Score Games. Your only goal is to get the highest score possible. You are competing against yourself, unless you have friends who are willing to play California Games with you. Yeah, good luck with that. 

     Final Verdict: This game is LAME! I hate it. I would title it “Rina HATES California Games”, but this is the first video of our new branding designs. Terrible controls. Boring mini-games. I do not recommend it. Go outside and play real games instead of this.

Al Unser Jr.'s Turbo Racing - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

     Al Unser Jr.’s Turbo Racing is an ambitious and difficult game. A professional racing simulator on NES is a welcoming idea, but the execution is what makes or breaks the game. Simulators are very niche, because it is usually the hardcore fans that like them. Objectively, this is a good game. The controls are tight and responsive. The graphics are excellent. Gameplay is a bit confusing, but you can learn the mechanics. You need to constantly shift gears to adjust your speed for turns and stay alert of your opponents on the track. Honestly, if you’re a retro racing fan, you’ll have a good time here. You’ll just need to practice the tracks, a lot. Going in without a feel of the tracks will likely send you crashing at every turn. So, Git Gud. 

     Overall, good game, just difficult and a little unintuitive. Probably be easier if you have the original instructions manual. I never figured out how to refuel my car during the race. You definitely need a tutorial before you start a race. Give it a shot if you’re a fan of racing simulators. It’s definitely interesting to see simulators on the Nintendo Entertainment System.