Lesser-Known Action/Puzzle Games!...Kind of. (Part 1 of ?)
Here's a few great, miscellaneous, lesser-known action/puzzle games. A few of these games may not fit that classification exactly but they're all, at least, close. Game genres can sometimes be best when mixed or blurred!
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Mole Mania ("Mogurania" in Japan)
One of Shigeru Miyamoto's much lesser-known games, Mole Mania for the Game Boy, was a game that deserved much more acclaim than it received. Though, that's true of many of the game's we talk about here at Neo Backlash. In Mole Mania, the player controls Muddy, a mole who's family was kidnapped by the grumpy old farmer, Jinbe. The main gameplay mechanic is based around digging to switch between the differing aboveground and underground of each area solving usually push/pull-related puzzles and fighting enemies and bosses. There's a lot of generally fun exploration to be had, as well. The graphics and storyline are super cute and charming without being annoying, which isn't too surprising from a Miyamoto game.
NOTE!: Despite the colorful title screen screenshot above, the game actually was actually an original Game Boy game. It just had Super Game Boy support which gave it color in later systems and emulators.
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This section on ChuChu Rocket! for Game Boy Advance was expanded and now resides at RetroThing.com.
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Kirby's Dream Course ("Kirby Bowl" in Japan)
I'll be honest. I normally find ordinary golf to be... far too ordinary. I can see the attraction but I don't share it. That said, in my humble opinion, Kirby's Dream Course for the Super NES takes all that is good and right about golf and nothing that isn't. It then infuses it with some puzzle-like strategy based around Kirby's powers, trademark baddies and environment. Kirby is the ball in the game. So activating powers and doing tiny limited maneuvers can save a bad "shot" even after taking your shot and setting Kirby in motion. You essentially have to destroy all but one of the enemies on each hole thus turning the last remaining enemy into the hole in which you must sink Kirby. There are often several ways to attack a hole and it's ultimately very satisfying to find what appears to be the optimal way, not to mention the satisfaction that comes from just playing such a great game.
NOTE!: The game is also now available for download on the Wii's Virtual Console!
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Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Probably the most well known of the game's in this post, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, takes the Street Fighter games (ridiculously long game titles and all) and combines it with a puzzle game similar to Puyo Puyo. The game is based around Street Fighter characters and a few other Capcom characters dueling in a versus puzzle game that corresponds to an on-screen fight between the two characters. If it sounds confusing, it's not. It actually works quite well and the game has gathered a rather large cult following because of it.
NOTE!: This game was an arcade game first and has since been ported several times to various systems but Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will soon be released for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and the PC and will most likely be the most superior version of the game yet.
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Robo Warrior ("Bomber King" in Japan)
and Blaster Master Boy ("Bomber King - Scenario 2" in Japan and "Blaster Master Jr." in Europe)
Hudson received a bomb-load of flack for trying to update Bomberman's look and feel in the Xbox 360 game Bomberman Act: Zero. I had high hopes for the game on announcement but sadly it received many terrible reviews on release. Fortunately, a more "mature" Bomberman version, of sorts, existed long ago, called Bomber King. (I'm sorry but the US version's title, Robo Warrior, is awful.) The game had a tougher-looking character with a wider arsenal (including a very limited gun) and large levels with a lot to explore. There's even an inventory screen. The game is fairly difficult as it's easy to kill yourself on accident but it never seems unfair. You just learn to be more cautious with your bombs than you were in Bomberman. Ultimately, I feel the game is a successful spin-off of Bomberman and I wish BA:Z had followed more in it's footsteps. As far as I'm aware, Bomber King doesn't have a 2 player mode of any kind but the single player is awesome enough. Besides, you always have good ol' Bomberman for multiplayer action.
There was also a Bomber King sequel for the original Game Boy called Blaster Master Boy (in the US), Blaster Master Jr. (in Europe) and Bomber King - Scenario 2 (in Japan). It's also very good!
NOTE!: It appears the Japanese version has a bit of content the US version didn't but I'm not too clear on the details. So, you'll probably want the Japanese version. No knowledge of the Japanese language is necessary to play! One thing's for sure. The Japanese version has a much better name!
NOTE 2!: There is an MSX version of Bomber King but it appears rather primitive compared to the NES/Famicom version. It appears it's only advantage over the NES/Famicom version is support for saving your game via cassette, though there may be other advantages I'm unaware of.
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I'm sure I'll think of more action/puzzle games to talk about in the future. So, a part 2 is practically guaranteed. Keep an eye open for more Neo Backlash posts!
If you see any errors in the above information or links therein, please contact me immediately!
---
Mole Mania ("Mogurania" in Japan)
One of Shigeru Miyamoto's much lesser-known games, Mole Mania for the Game Boy, was a game that deserved much more acclaim than it received. Though, that's true of many of the game's we talk about here at Neo Backlash. In Mole Mania, the player controls Muddy, a mole who's family was kidnapped by the grumpy old farmer, Jinbe. The main gameplay mechanic is based around digging to switch between the differing aboveground and underground of each area solving usually push/pull-related puzzles and fighting enemies and bosses. There's a lot of generally fun exploration to be had, as well. The graphics and storyline are super cute and charming without being annoying, which isn't too surprising from a Miyamoto game.
- Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mole_Mania
- NinDB entry: http://nindb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/dmg/amo.shtml
NOTE!: Despite the colorful title screen screenshot above, the game actually was actually an original Game Boy game. It just had Super Game Boy support which gave it color in later systems and emulators.
---
This section on ChuChu Rocket! for Game Boy Advance was expanded and now resides at RetroThing.com.
---
Kirby's Dream Course ("Kirby Bowl" in Japan)
I'll be honest. I normally find ordinary golf to be... far too ordinary. I can see the attraction but I don't share it. That said, in my humble opinion, Kirby's Dream Course for the Super NES takes all that is good and right about golf and nothing that isn't. It then infuses it with some puzzle-like strategy based around Kirby's powers, trademark baddies and environment. Kirby is the ball in the game. So activating powers and doing tiny limited maneuvers can save a bad "shot" even after taking your shot and setting Kirby in motion. You essentially have to destroy all but one of the enemies on each hole thus turning the last remaining enemy into the hole in which you must sink Kirby. There are often several ways to attack a hole and it's ultimately very satisfying to find what appears to be the optimal way, not to mention the satisfaction that comes from just playing such a great game.
- Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby%27s_Dream_Course
- Kirby's Rainbow Resort entry: http://kirby.classicgaming.gamespy.com/games/dreamcourse/
- NinDB entry: http://nindb.classicgaming.gamespy.com/sns/cg.shtml
NOTE!: The game is also now available for download on the Wii's Virtual Console!
---
Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
Probably the most well known of the game's in this post, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, takes the Street Fighter games (ridiculously long game titles and all) and combines it with a puzzle game similar to Puyo Puyo. The game is based around Street Fighter characters and a few other Capcom characters dueling in a versus puzzle game that corresponds to an on-screen fight between the two characters. If it sounds confusing, it's not. It actually works quite well and the game has gathered a rather large cult following because of it.
- Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Puzzle_Fighter_II_Turbo
NOTE!: This game was an arcade game first and has since been ported several times to various systems but Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo HD Remix will soon be released for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and the PC and will most likely be the most superior version of the game yet.
---
Robo Warrior ("Bomber King" in Japan)
and Blaster Master Boy ("Bomber King - Scenario 2" in Japan and "Blaster Master Jr." in Europe)
Hudson received a bomb-load of flack for trying to update Bomberman's look and feel in the Xbox 360 game Bomberman Act: Zero. I had high hopes for the game on announcement but sadly it received many terrible reviews on release. Fortunately, a more "mature" Bomberman version, of sorts, existed long ago, called Bomber King. (I'm sorry but the US version's title, Robo Warrior, is awful.) The game had a tougher-looking character with a wider arsenal (including a very limited gun) and large levels with a lot to explore. There's even an inventory screen. The game is fairly difficult as it's easy to kill yourself on accident but it never seems unfair. You just learn to be more cautious with your bombs than you were in Bomberman. Ultimately, I feel the game is a successful spin-off of Bomberman and I wish BA:Z had followed more in it's footsteps. As far as I'm aware, Bomber King doesn't have a 2 player mode of any kind but the single player is awesome enough. Besides, you always have good ol' Bomberman for multiplayer action.
There was also a Bomber King sequel for the original Game Boy called Blaster Master Boy (in the US), Blaster Master Jr. (in Europe) and Bomber King - Scenario 2 (in Japan). It's also very good!
- Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robowarrior
- Hardcore Gaming 101's Blaster Master entry (featuring: Blaster Master Boy): http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/blastermaster/blastermaster.htm
NOTE!: It appears the Japanese version has a bit of content the US version didn't but I'm not too clear on the details. So, you'll probably want the Japanese version. No knowledge of the Japanese language is necessary to play! One thing's for sure. The Japanese version has a much better name!
NOTE 2!: There is an MSX version of Bomber King but it appears rather primitive compared to the NES/Famicom version. It appears it's only advantage over the NES/Famicom version is support for saving your game via cassette, though there may be other advantages I'm unaware of.
---
I'm sure I'll think of more action/puzzle games to talk about in the future. So, a part 2 is practically guaranteed. Keep an eye open for more Neo Backlash posts!
If you see any errors in the above information or links therein, please contact me immediately!