Initial release date: April 17, 2024
Genres: Adventure game, Platform game, Shooter game, Fighting game
Developer:Â Sun Corporation
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
Publishers: Red Art Games, Sun Corporation
Engine:Â Unity
A large number of individuals on social media pretend to be publishing executives. This is gaming’s meta-game, praising niche localizations while properly criticizing titles that do not have the same physical releases as other countries. It’s strangely addictive.
Growing up, I didn’t have that kind of outlet, so I’d quietly simmer when I found out about Japanese games that would not be localized in the United States. Decades later, SUNSOFT is back! Retro Game Selection taught me that I may not have missed much.
Anyone up for Eight-Bit Masochism?
Sure, it’s good to see the publisher bring some of its NES-era classics to the West for the first time. There is little space for complaint about the collection’s technical aspects. From flawless emulation to the inclusion of the original Japanese manuals and advertisements, as well as a few extras like the option to rewind play and apply faux-CRT filters, SUNSOFT is Back provides some enjoyable supplementarys. And there’s no cause to complain about the price; ten dollars is reasonable for a trio of eight-bit games.
No, the main problem with Retro Game Selection is that all of the titles are mediocre non-essentials released around the same time Sunsoft was publishing hits like Blaster Master and Batman. In comparison, The Wing of Madoola, Ripple Island, and Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido seem like games that would have received middling review scores. Except for one title, the other choices are more painful than enjoyable, and unfortunately, more repetitious than remarkable.
Going down swinging.
The Wing of Madoola, like Kid Icarus, becomes easier as you live. As the Rameru clan’s last magic welder, Lucia amasses an ever-increasing arsenal of weapons and things. Each is useful, if not necessary, as you march toward Darutos’ evil fortress and put an end to his diabolical dominion.
Lucia’s quick weapon swings may remind gamers of SNK’s Athena. Initially, Madoola is frustrating since your sword can only stun adversaries who jump around like hyperactive fleas. But as your armament grows in potency, frustration fades as you swat adversaries in standing and crouching positions and explore tunnels for new gadgets. It’s an idea that designer Kenji Sada would revisit in Blaster Master, a superior and more temperate game.
Exploring the Islands
Ripple Island allows you to revisit one of console gaming’s early adventure titles, back when pen and paper were required for notetaking. Following the kidnapping of the king’s daughter, the monarch issues an ultimatum: whomever recovers her will marry her. You play as Kyle, navigating a world populated by humans and talking animals with six different commands (move, look, speak, take, use, and kick). Unless you have improved your spatial awareness, you will need to plan out Ripple Island’s layout on graph paper.
Undoubtedly, SUNSOFT is back! Retro Game Selection’s saving grace is the inclusion of the beautifully named Firework Thrower Kantaro’s 53 Stations of the Tokaido. You play a modest pyrotechnician who goes from Kyoto to Edo to reunite with his fiancée, Momoko-chan. Gonzaemon, the game’s villain, is envious of your firework-making abilities and dispatches a swarm of ninja, spearmen, and hawk handlers as you navigate a lovely 8-bit recreation of the eastern sea route.
Surprisingly, your endless supply of explosives does not behave like standard projectiles. Instead, each toss sends the explosives sluggishly arcing across the sky, forcing you to direct enemy targets. You’ll discover a few useful skills, such as onigiri, which transforms you into a rolling ball, and geta, which allows you to walk through the clouds. Much like Super Mario Bros., there are shortcuts throughout the 21-stage game, but you must earn coins to proceed. The most interesting are the area-specific courtesans who will decrease your walking pace and reverse Santa, who will steal your goods.
In summary
While the title Firework Thrower Kantaro is undeniably fun, SUNSOFT is Back’s other offers are unlikely to keep your attention for long. If you’re obsessed with owning three localized Eighties-era curiosities, Retro Game Selection might be worth a look. However, most gamers will find that other eight-bit titles are better worthwhile of their time and money.
SUNSOFT is back! Retrogame Selection was reviewed.
on Switch using the review code provided by the publisher.
Review Overview
Gameplay: 75%
Controls: 72%
Aesthetics: 78%
Content: 70%
Accessibility: 76%
Value: 74%
Overall: 74%
GOOD
Summary: The “SUNSOFT is back! Retro Game Selection” offers a decent dive into classic gaming, though it may not hit all the right notes for everyone. The gameplay holds up, but it may feel limited for those unfamiliar with retro mechanics. Aesthetically, the collection retains its vintage charm, but the visuals can feel dated even with slight enhancements. The variety of content is decent, though it could have benefited from more titles to really complete the experience. It’s a solid package for retro enthusiasts but may not fully satisfy modern gamers.