Right now, the number one system out there is the Game Boy, with over three million units have been sold. There are so many games in the system's library, it becomes hard to keep track of them all. Well, over the past few issues, we have let you know which Game Boy games to get and which ones to avoid. In this issue, we provide five more games you are going to want to try out.
The hit movie, Chicken Run goes from the big screen to the little handheld screen. Chicken Run has grossed over $170 million worldwide. With the video release and video game license, Chicken Run is going to remain on everyone's lips for some time to come.
Kids will love the characters in the game, while older players will enjoy the skill involved in freeing the chickens from Mrs. Tweedy and her Chicken Pie Machine. There are over 24 levels to play, each one harder than the last. Chicken Run is a mission-based adventure and in each level, Ginger must complete an objective in order to move on to the next level.
While this game may be slow paced at times, often boring to children of younger ages, the challenges make all the waiting around for the chickens to follow you, worthwhile. Sure, occasionally, the chickens forget about freedom and try to wander off into the guard dog, but isn't that all about the challenge to prevent this from happening? That's what makes this game fun. It looks easy, but looks can be deceiving.
Badseed's Bottomline: 3 out of 5. This game is rather unique. One amazing feature is that you can play this game in English, Spanish, French, German, or Italian. Wow!! That's a nice feature. No one gets shut out of this game, that features all of the cool characters from the hit film. The game plays differently than what I expected, which was a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect a mission-based adventure for kids. This enables children of all ages to enjoy it. The only downside to this game is that it isn't an action game and more of a strategy type adventure. You have to plan out what you are going to do to escape the farm and the dreaded pie machine. That may turn off some gamers, but it really shouldn't. Just keep playing and eventually, everything will make sense and you'll be freeing chickens everywhere.
Another movie license hitting our Game Boys is the Rugrats in Paris game. Just like Totally Angelica (Read the review in the September issue of BANDWIDTH), this Rugrats game is for little children. Kids will enjoy this game as it is both fun and challenging enough to keep them occupied.
In the game, all the characters from the series appear and take part in many mini-games that are like the ones found in an amusement park. Angelica seems to be in charge as she lets you know what you must achieve to move on, earn tickets and go through 16 huge levels.
I had a little bit of fun hitting moles with a hammer, hitting ninjas with goo and more. Still, I can see that children will keep playing this game on and on, as it offers them something to keep them constantly occupied. It is very endearing to children and kind of cute too.
Badseed's Bottomline: 3 out of 5. This is a fun kid's game, but it came too quickly after Totally Angelica. The objectives are about the same. Still, while that game was for the Angelica fan, this one is for the fan of the whole show. The graphics are nice and the gameplay is fun. Those that enjoy the Nickelodeon series should fins this game fun to play.
This is by far one of the top two games of the five I reviewed for this issue. What really makes this game click is the gameplay, which reminds me of a game I once played a long time ago for the Atari 2600. Remember those days? I played that game for hours on end. This game is based on the popular Micro Machine Toys. It is the third such game for the Game Boy system.
You take your mini-car (over 15 classic machines to choose from) and race around tracks, like a pool table, in an effort to move on to other tracks. There are eight distinct racing environments with over 40 tracks to race through, and tons of weapons and power-up at your disposal. Blow your competition away and go for the goal. But watch out, the same could happen to you.
Badseed's Bottomline: 4 out of 5. This game is a whole lot of fun to play. Hasbro's Micro Machines are properly displayed here. It is hard to control at times, but you will get used to it. Once you do, enjoy the different races and the fun, for it is the gameplay that makes Micro Machines V3 worth the money. Racing games seem to be the best games for the Game Boy system. Micro Machines does not disappoint.
Once again, MTV Sports puts their name on another extreme sports title from THQ (read the reviews of other MTV liscence games in our last issue of BANDWIDTH). Once again, there is a star name to accompany it. This time, T.J. Lavin lends his name to the latest extreme sports craze, BMX bike riding.
Badseed has got a little bit of a problem with this game. I think it is hard to get a handle on. I know it is hard to do these stunts in real life, but to make a gamer feel the same difficulty is pointless and often times detrimental to any franchise. I could barely maneuver my biker around to get him up a ramp, let alone have him pull off a move. Over time, I started to figure it out, but it was a long time and that is never good, for I am a reviewer, it is my job, but to some kid who gets bored easily, this difficulty could result in a tossing aside of the Game Boy cartridge. Thankfully, MTV Sports and THQ have me on their side, letting them know that after figuring out how to maneuver around, this game is a blast and a whole lot of fun to play.
This game becomes addictive after awhile, as you finally figure out how to perform some crazy stunts and must now attempt at achieving a certain score to move on to the next level. You just miss, and you know you could do it with one more time, so you end up playing again and again until you move on where the cycle begins again.
You have six selectable pros to choose from in your attempt at BMX glory. Once you choose your biker, you take to one of over 10 levels that contain street, vert or dirt environments, making for some realistic, and somewhat difficult environments. Once on the course, you can do a plethora of moves, including grinds, tailwhips and seatgrabs, which are mad cool to pull off. I know I could do this in real life, but for the sake of this review and my life, I will stick to the simulated version.
This game also contains real BMX sponsors. Okay, I really don't care about that, but it is always a nice touch to throw in some realism and also earn money for the game as well. What is really cool is that as you move on from level to level, you can upgrade your bikes with money won from competitions. So, your tire is lacking in its' abilities? Well get a new one. YEAH!!!! Now you will be able to kick some extreme ass.
Badseed's Bottomline: 2.5 out of 5. This is an average game that needs some tweaking to make it a really good game. Yes, I had fun with it, but if I was a casual gamer, I wouldn't pick this up knowing how difficult it was to get used to. Still, if you are a BMX or extreme sports nut, you will want to get your hands on this as well as the next game up for review, Pure Ride.
This game is a pure rush. Just like the Playstation version, I really enjoy this game a lot. It is a lot of fun to play and for a Game Boy game; it really captures the essence of snow boarding. There is no need for any star's name to accompany this title as the game play alone is good enough to make this one a must buy.
Take one of four riders, and use one of four boards as you take to the slopes of seven locations, which includes Africa of all places! Still, these locations are a lot of fun to try your hand at, as you try to become the ultimate snowboarder on the slopes. You have 12 distinct tricks up your sleeve that will earn you points and move you up in the ranks.
The cool aspect of this game is that it is virtually easy to get the hang of. I had loads of fun timing my jump off the ramp and then pulling off a phat move without falling on my face. Yeah, I am the man. Now if I can only pull off three or four more cool moves before the time runs out on my candy ass. I better move fast if I want to move on to the next level. France, here I come.
Badseed's Bottomline: 5 out of 5. This game is a pure adrenaline rush and very addictive to play. I totally enjoyed the slalom aspect of the game as I swooshed in and around flags in the area to qualify for my competitive tour in Norway or whatever country it was. It really doesn't matter. No matter what locale you must do your stuff in, you are sure to have a good time doing it. Pure Ride for the Game Boy Color is pure perfection for your video game collection.