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January, 2013

January 31, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you INSERT COIN, a brand new video series running every Thursday. Join Robert Johnson as he explores every side of the arcade scene with his insightful video essays. But you don't have to take my word for it, because we have a commercial lined up explaining what to expect on February 7, 2013!

Orgarhythm

Reviews au Courant

January 28, 2013

Orgarhythm is overflowing with interesting ideas that never quite come together. It's a real-time strategy game that steals mechanics from the rhythm genre. Too bad the gameplay is busted and the single-player story is so short. With a little tweaking (and a different price point), Orgarhythm could have been a real sleeper hit on the PS Vita!

This Week in Defunct Games - January 25, 2013

This Week in Defunct Games

January 25, 2013

If it's Friday, it's This Week in Defunct Games! This week we're digging into our very first Wii U Virtual Console game. Prepare to be disappointed. The good news is that we have the debut of Contra on the 3DS Virtual Console. Oh wait, never mind, it's just Super C. Join us for a very disappointing week when you read This Week in Defunct Games!

Super C (Virtual Console)

Reviews au Courant

January 25, 2013

Super C is a fun game that doesn't aspire to be much more than a mindless shooter. That may be fine for some people, but I was hoping for something bigger and more ambitious. This ends up feeling like an add-on mission pack and not a full-fledged sequel. That won't keep you from having a good time with the game, but frugal gamers are better off waiting for Nintendo to upload the original Contra.

Balloon Fight (Virtual Console)

Reviews au Courant

January 25, 2013

Beyond the fact that this plays almost exactly like Joust, Balloon Fight really doesn't make any sense. Wouldn't a dart gun be a more effective weapon to combat the evil balloon men? And why do I have to mash on the buttons to move my character up? You're using balloons; shouldn't you float without mashing the buttons? Like Soccer and Urban Champion before it, Balloon Fight is an early Nintendo title that deserves to be left in the past.

February 1991: Star Tropics

Nintendo Power Uncovered

January 24, 2013

Nintendo Power Uncovered #21 - Nintendo warms things up with a very colorful (and mysterious) issue featuring Star Tropics. The good news is that this is a cover worth studying; it's full of all sorts of secrets and spooky birds. Unfortunately, the bad news is that this is still a cover for Star Tropics, one of Nintendo's worst games!

Introducing: Great Moments in Bad Acting!

DGC On Demand

January 22, 2013

Starting February 4, 2013, Defunct Games will introduce GREAT MOMENTS IN BAD ACTING. It's a weekly show looking at some of the worst voice acting ever committed to disc. We're starting with Last Alert, the TurboGrafx-CD game so bad that you'll never believe that it's real. But it is, and we have the audio proof to back up our claims. Join us as we count down the ten most ridiculous moments in Last Alert!

We Are Cubes

Reviews au Courant

January 21, 2013

We Are Cubes is an intoxicating new action game that combines the best elements from Tempest and Buster Bros. While it initially left me cold, this Xbox Live Indie Game won me over with its unique voice and addictive scoring system. There's a lot of game here for not much money, making this an easy recommendation!

The Case Against the Case Against DmC

On Running Feuds

January 21, 2013

On Running Feuds (Ep. 189) - In the first Feud of the year, Cyril takes on the games press that chooses to give Devil May Cry haters a platform. It's time to stop the madness and choose not to placate the vocal minority. Let those trolls bitch and moan in the corner, because the people who have actually played the game are talking now.

This Week in Defunct Games - January 18, 2013

This Week in Defunct Games

January 18, 2013

If it's Friday, it's This Week in Defunct Games! Three weeks into the new year, Nintendo has decided to finally release a new 3DS Virtual Console game. The good news is that it's a Game Boy game starring Kirby. Unfortunately, it's Kirby's Star Stackers. Is this Dr. Mario clone sink or swim? Find out now when you read another exciting episode of This Week in Defunct Games!

Kirby's Star Stacker (Virtual Console)

Reviews au Courant

January 18, 2013

Are you a fan of Dr. Mario? If so, then you can probably disregard this review and proceed to having a great time with Kirby's Star Stacker. Personally, I found the game incredibly redundant. The game is full of content, but it never feels fully baked. I like the presentation and gameplay, but Kirby deserves a better puzzle game.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath HD

Reviews au Courant

January 16, 2013

Django Unchained certainly got me in the mood for Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath. This bizarre action game stars a strange gunman on a quest to earn money by turning in bounties. Even with a few outdated quirks, this fourth (and final?) Oddworld delivers an exciting storyline full of memorable characters. It's just like Tarantino's newest action movie ... only without saying the N-word even once!

January 1991 - Mega Man III

Nintendo Power Uncovered

January 15, 2013

Nintendo Power Uncovered (Issue 20): After getting the Mega Man II cover absolutely perfect, is Nintendo Power up to the challenge of Mega Man III? Apparently not, as this is one of the magazine's most awkward designs. Find out what Cyril thinks when you read his full review of Nintendo Power #20 starring Mega Man III!

Knytt Underground

Reviews au Courant

January 14, 2013

Knytt Underground is sure to be one of the most controversial games of the year. It's daring in all the right ways, poking at hot topics and digging into the origins of religion. Even if you ignore the deeply personal narrative, you'll find that Knytt Underground offers one of the most elaborate game worlds ever created. It's a marvel that will keep you going for dozens of hours!

This Week in Defunct Games - January 11, 2013

This Week in Defunct Games

January 11, 2013

If it's Friday it's This Week in Defunct Games! It probably shouldn't surprise anybody that 2013's first Virtual Console game comes from SNK. After all, this 16 of last year's 25 releases were originally on the Neo Geo. We're starting out the year with an out-of-order release of World Heroes 2. Is this fighter worth going back to? Find out now when you read another exciting episode of This Week in Defunct Games!

World Heroes 2 (Virtual Console)

Reviews au Courant

January 11, 2013

There's no reason to buy World Heroes 2 with the 1995 sequel already on the Virtual Console. Even if World Heroes Perfect wasn't available, you would still want to wait for World Heroes 2 Jet. It's silly and goofy in all the right ways, and in 1993 this was a stand-up sequel. But this is 2013 and World Heroes 2 is impossible to recommend.

Strategy Guide #4: 4-Player Extra

Nintendo Power Uncovered

January 10, 2013

Nintendo Power Uncovered (Issue #19) - It's the issue that killed the Nintendo Power Strategy Guide series. With a flimsy theme and no direction, this could have been a jump the shark moment for Nintendo Power. But they managed to battle back and come out of it stronger than ever. But that's another story. Right now we're talking about Nintendo Power Strategy Guide #4: 4-Player Extra!

Arcade of Neon

Reviews au Courant

January 10, 2013

Arcade of Neon may look like Geometry Wars, but it offers a set of unique modes. Even with the simple graphics and obnoxious music, Arcade of Neon has enough fun game types to warrant the one dollar price tag. Now if only there was a way to fix the busted high score and add D-pad support!

November/December 1990: Dr. Mario

Nintendo Power Uncovered

January 08, 2013

Nintendo Power Uncovered (Issue #18) - My journey to review every single Nintendo Power magazine cover is back on track. Today we're looking at Dr. Mario. Is it one of Nintendo's classic puzzle games or just another knock-off? That question won't be answered here, because we're reviewing the cover art. Find out how this cover stacks up against Mario's three other appearances when you read the return of Nintendo Power Uncovered!

Assassin's Creed III

Reviews au Courant

January 07, 2013

Assassin's Creed III may not be the sequel I hoped for, but it remains another solid entry in the time-bending franchise. The setting is a lot of fun to explore and the first half really works on a storytelling level. Unfortunately the quality is thwarted by a weak villain, boring hero and frustrating mission designs. Couple that with a disappointing ending and it's hard to be enthusiastic about UbiSoft's latest Assassin's Creed game.

The Top 25 Virtual Console Games of 2012

DGC On Demand

January 07, 2013

It's the Top 25 Virtual Console Games of 2012! So what was the best Virtual Console release of 2012? Was it one of SNK's many fighting games, Capcom's lone Mega Man release or the silky smooth animation of Prince of Persia? I have assembled a video to answer that very question. Tune in to see where your favorite game landed!

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