Ring King (NES)

Difficulty: ***1/2

Controls: ****

Sound: **1/2

Graphics: ***

Overall: 13 stars out of 20

Have you got what it takes to ascend to the top of the boxing ranks? Or do you think you can take it all in the world title tournament? Put on your gloves and come out swinging, its Ring King from Data East!

The game sports a few different modes for you to play. First and foremost you'll probably want to enter the Training Mode. Create your fighter by spending points in three categories (Power, Speed and Stamina). The game is quite challenging at the start. Your just a low level fighter who will most likely come out with an average win/loss record. But hey that's why its called training! Once you build up your attributes than you can take on the Tournament and Ranking modes.

The controls are responsive and simple. The 'A' button punches and the 'B' button dodges/blocks. Depending where you are situated in the ring you can throw other various punches too. On top of that, the more power your boxer has the more special punches he can throw!

The sound is probably the only real weak point in the game. While the opening music is fun and catchy, once you get in the ring and fight...its pretty boring. The punches sound good and the referee calls for the 10 count even! (Well, as best as can be in an NES game).

Graphically you and your opponents are almost indistinguishable from the next guy. The boxers are not varied in size or shape (unlike in Punch-Out). You face just massive colour swaps of yourself! The balding ref looks cool though, and you get a play-by-play team between rounds. The ring also changes colour depending on which mode you play in (which I like). The various special power punches you can inflict on your foe is really good (sending them flying in the air and out of the ring is so cool!)

Ring King may not be the undisputed champion of boxing games, but its damn close. You may have some difficulty at the beginning stages. But once you upgrade your attributes you'll be fine. You get some different modes to play in (you can even watch a bout or a tournament!). The controls while simple, are easy and responsive. You even get a few different moves depending on the position of your boxer. The music is boring for the most part. The sprites while colourful, are just blatant colour swaps. No variety at all! But moving past that the game is very addictive and is a fun party game. Ring the bell!

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES)

RPG week is coming to a close!

Difficulty: ***1/2
Controls: ****1/2
Sound: ****
Graphics: ****
Overall: 16 stars out of 20

While the game is not super long per say, it is not that short either. It strikes a happy medium but unfortunately the game does not sport a 'second quest' like the first game. Running around Hyrule you will get stuck at various parts in the game (finding the hammer is tricky). The latter palaces are mostly labyrinth nightmares too (oh boy!)

Controlling Link is a cinch thanks to the programmers at Nintendo. The 'A' button jumps and the 'B' button swings your sword. Start access' your menu and select uses your magic. You also get various techniques as you advance in the game. Oh and the moves are pretty cool too. The only real gripe is when you're struck by an enemy you will bounce off them a little. This frustratingly leads to deaths as you can fall into various pits.

Like in the first game you're only going to get a handful of music. But, all of it is quite memorable and catchy as hell! The town theme is very well done as is the simply awesome opening theme. The sound effects are also top notch. Swinging your sword, using magic and destroying enemies all sound terrific. And if you die on your last man, you'll be treated to Ganon laughing at you! (how cool is that?)

For the most part the graphics are big and decently detailed. Most of the bosses are bad ass looking too (the dragon, horse and magician really stand out!) There is some slowdown in the game play (especially on the overland map) but all in all, its not too noticeable. The layout of the land is simple but good (attention to detail in the mountains and forests are sweet) But the palaces are truly excellent and set a very dark and mysterious mood!

Link's second coming to save Princess Zelda is a great one. While there is no second quest, the game is far from easy. You'll be tearing your hair out trying to find the hammer and various heart/magic containers. The controls are near perfect, and the sprites are well detailed. The bosses look memorable and downright epic. While there is some slowdown issues, its really not all too noticeable. Charge up your sword and remember to bring your candle, because the depths of the palaces hold many evils...

Swords and Serpents (NES)

RPG week continues!

Difficulty: ***1/2
Sound: **1/2
Graphics: ***1/2
Overall: 9 1/2 stars out of 15

Gather your steel and wit. Its time to go serpent hunting! Grab a few of your buddies for a nice brawl through some dark dungeons! Acclaim brings us its unique four-player RPG Swords and Serpents!

There is a total of 16 different mazes to explore in the game. There are many traps and teleporters that will make your life a living hell down there. The latter levels are truly devious. The game would be next to impossible without a strategy guide or making your own maps. Its that tough. Oh and another thing, you'll need to find your magic spells by finding them writen on the walls! Be sure to check every corner as most of the latter spells are must haves.

The game will have you finding various items to get through certain parts of the game, and there is quite a bit of backtracking. Remembering (and hopefully writing down) the various clues will get you further ahead in the game. What really sucks is that you only get three healing temples in the game (levels 1, 5 and 10!) so use your magic points wisely.

The opening music is pretty catchy. A very high fantasy theme that just screams go out and explore! But the main theme is just okay. Come to think of it, you don't really get that much to hear otherwise. Bummer. The sound effects however, are really nice. Defeating an enemy, moving between levels and the hearing the zoom tubes... all nice! The sounds that your weapon makes on contact with the enemies...not so nice.

The game hosts many enemies that are colour swaps of one another. But, the sprites are big, colourful and well detailed (I like the spider and the trolls!) The mazes themselves are usually fitted in one solid colour. And that's about it. Oh, and why is it that your characters are never shown in the game? Not even a picture or anything? Ugh.

Swords & Serpents is a really unique game that allows 4 players to try to slay said beast. There are plenty of levels to delve into, but getting side tracked by zoom tubes and teleporters can be a real drag! Being far between temples when you are badly hurt and in need of some MP also adds to the games difficulty. While the music is not all that special, the various sound effects are its saving grace. The sprites are big, colourful and detailed. But the maze itself leaves you with a bland environment to explore. If you want an RPG that can support up to four players, you can't beat this game.

Dragon Warrior (NES)

RPG week continues!

Difficulty: ***1/2
Sound : ***
Graphics: ***
Overall: 9 1/2 stars out of 15

The once peaceful land of Alefguard is plunged into darkness. Thanks to the evil Dragonlord the ball of light was stolen from the castle and hidden within the dark halls of Charlock Castle. You are one of many brave warriors to come into the village. But you are young, inexperienced and have no magical gifts, can you survive and restore the land?

One of the oldest RPG's for the NES still holds its edge. It is old school brutal to the core. Dying (oh yes, you will die) not only is a drag but you lose half of your gold...ouch. You have many treasures to find and not a whole lot of clues to find them. You will also encounter many bad guys around Alefguard. And I do mean a lot. Moving a few steps and bam! You're in a battle. It can be quite tedious when you have to get to a far off place. Dragon Warrior is not for the impatient.

The opening theme as you turn on the game is simply fantastic! A very regal piece that really sets the stage for your heroic adventures. For the majority of the game you will be hearing one of two themes. That of the overland map and battle. Good thing both are not an ear sore! The sound effects while limited, are good (the wings of the wyvern is a classic for a reason.)

The sprites are nice and to the point. Not too plain but not too detailed either. In battle you get a nice picture of the enemy, however, there is no animation. I would like to note that some monsters (the slimes for instance) don't really seem like enemies. They smile! What the hell? I don't know if I should pet you or chop you in half! The scenery is simple and well done. Too bad there is no day/night mechanic like the sequels.

While the game isn't as challenging or long as the other sequels, it will have you running around for hours looking for various items. The fact that if you die your gold is halved is a REAL bummer. The sounds are catchy (especially the opening theme), but you'll mostly be listening to the overland map and battle music. The graphics are simple and straight to the point. While some enemies look really menacing, most of the latter enemies are just colour swaps. And one more thing, enemies should never smile! It just leaves you with a sinking feeling as you hack away at them!

Ultima: Exodus (NES)

RPG week begins!

Difficulty: ****
Sound: **
Graphics: **1/2
Overall: 8 1/2 out of 15 stars

The nefarious minions of Minax and Modain are terrorizing the land! Lord British asks for your aid in these troubling times. But some other ancient evil is spreading fear and death throughout Britannia! FCI brings us the PC hit to the NES, Ultima: Exodus!

Like most old school RPG's you get very little info about where your supposed to go and what to do. You go around and piece together clues from various townsfolk. Without a guide or online walk through, you'll be having a really tough go. But this game will keep you busy. Buying food to keep your party from starving (lol, realism), up keeping your weapons and armour among other things. Oh and did I mention that when you do level up your characters your enemies also get tougher? Ouch...

Let me say this about the sound. Everything but the combat music is very catchy. But for the majority of the game you'll be in combat grinding for gold or experience. And the battle theme is about...two seconds long and then looped! Argh! This could have been so much better.

Graphically, the game is below par. You have a 'fog of war' viewpoint (which is actually cool because like in real life, you can't see through walls!) The various sprites are plain but varied. The paladin, lark and ranger look really sweet. The enemy sprites are not very detailed, and that goes for some of the larger enemies too. There is also a lot of screen tear and flicker. But you get some nice environments to walk around. Oh and when you do find the various dungeons around Britannia, its in 3D!

Ultima Exodus is a challenging RPG. The lack of any real sense of direction is a real let down. But finding a magazine or online walk through will help immensely! There is a lot of screen flicker and tear, but the class sprites are good. The sounds are good but the battle theme is very annoying. If you find a cheap copy of Ultima: Exodus give it a try. The more you delve into it the more fun it gets!