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.

Buggy Run - SEGA Master System

    Buggy Run is an isometric racing arcade style game. It is difficult. This game makes you hit the ground running. You absolutely need to upgrade your engine and stock up on turbos to get a win. Your opponents are very quick and can take you out without warning with weapons. It took me lots of practice before I got my first win. Upgrading to max my speed was top priority, then the other upgrades followed. I can't stress enough that this game will not give you chances to catch up. It's get good to win. Use the prize money at every race to increase your speed and buy as many turbos you can. 

    Nothing wrong with a difficult racer. However, I would say all the upgrades are kinda superfluous, if all  you need to rely on is max speed and turbos to win a race. The game does offer a practice mode, so you can master all the tracks. It really feels like the game wants you to take it seriously, rather than treating it like a kiddy racer with colorful cars. Credit for not babying us.     

    It's not a bad game. It's just difficult. Maybe it takes itself too seriously at a fault. I say give it a shot if you're looking for a challenge. Just don't expect to win any races right away, unless you're an isometric racing game wizard.