Retro Game Challenge
I was just about to take bite out my cheese and coleslaw sandwich this lunchtime when games™ retro editor, Ashley Day, tapped me on the shoulder for a chat and mentioned an interesting little DS title that he’s been playing recently, one which I’m now itching to play – Retro Game Challenge.
Loosely based on a cult Japanese television show, Retro Game Challenge plonks you inside the NES era of videogames and allows you to live out the evolution of this important videogame epoch (well, sort of). In the game you must work your through a variety new videogames that have been made in a retro style - there’s a Super Star Soldier-style vertical shooter, a Thrash Rally-ish racing game, and six more retro-themed videogames to discover. Not all of the games on offer are made available to you from the start, and instead you must complete a series of task-based challenges to progress and unlock more games for your collection.
Interestingly, with the advances in technology and graphics that occur over the years the later games you unlock become more complex and more advanced. And to help further recapture the mood of that halcyon and obsessive era of gaming, developer Xseed has even added a neat in-game virtual magazine where players can look up tips and cheats for the various games.
I know Darran reviewed it recently (he awarded it 81% in issue 63), but after speaking to Ash, I’m really tempted to try and track down a copy for myself. If anyone’s played the game (it’s only available in the Japan and US at the moment) I’d be interested to hear what you think of it.
