If you like high speed futuristic racers like F-Zero or Wipeout, then you may want to check out Redout 2. Essentially more of the same from the first game, it’s available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
The Chicken Shoot, or “Moorhuhn” games as they’re called in their country of origin, has a surprising amount of history behind them. They were first created to advertise a brand of whiskey, but since this was the late 90s and early 2000s when causal PC games really hit their stride (thanks to titles like Deer Hunter), this chicken shooting game was widely distributed and gained popularity. Since then it’s become its own thing and has spawned more than 50 games on consoles, PC, and mobile devices. Plus an animated series, comic books, merchandise, and even a song. And now you can shoot those silly chickens on the Switch and PlayStation consoles with Crazy Chicken Extreme (Switch version reviewed here).
Around this time of year, I like to make a list of my best games SO FAR, because usually the AAA titles are released later in the year during the holiday season, and the titles that came out earlier tend to be forgotten. So here’s when those games get their due. Keep in mind that this is my list only and no other outside opinions contributed. And if a game isn’t on this list, it either just didn’t appeal to me as much or I haven’t had a chance to play it yet. Ok with that out of the way, let’s begin!
In this falling block match three puzzle game for iOS and Android (reviewed on iPad here), you must guide colored circles in columns and switch their colors so they match three when they hit the bottom. If you can match colors, they’ll disappear. If this sounds exactly like Columns, you’re right! I’m surprised SEGA hasn’t released that one on mobile. Or maybe they have and I don’t know it. It’s hard to keep up with all those mobile releases. Anyway, Color Surge is free to play, but you can buy more modes once you download it.
I think this has got to be a world record! I had only reviewed the first Thunder Kid game about four months ago. And we’re already getting a sequel. Granted, I know these may have been PC games first and the releases spread out a little more. But still, I’m reviewing these games on console, so it still feels a little quick! Anyway, Thunder Kid 2 is a 3-D low poly run and gun action game that kind of reminds me of PSOne games like Mega Man Legends. The defeated robots from the first game have banned together again to rebel, and it’s up to Thunder Kid to stop them once again. The game is available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
When the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles came out in the late 80s, I was a little too old by then to get into it fully. I didn’t get any of the toys, and I only watched the cartoon casually, and in secret, or else I wouldn’t look cool in front of the other guys. Of course I still probably wasn’t cool so it wouldn’t have mattered. Glad those days are over. But there was one aspect of TMNT that I could really get into and not have to hide it. And that was the video games, especially the four player arcade ones. EVERYONE was playing them, and aside from Pac-Man, I probably put more quarters into the TMNT arcade game than anything else. Years later when my little brothers were born, they got into the TMNT games, too. In fact, my brother Ben owns one of those TMNT Arcade1up cabinets. And my brother Jeff and I still joke about how when he was little and would whine to our mom every time I accidentally got the pizza in Turtles in Time. That story is also how we named our podcast. So with all those great memories of the TMNT games with me, I was super excited to have the opportunity to review TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. Over the years, many have tried to emulate the feel of the classic arcade games and failed. But does Shredder’s Revenge do it right? SPOILER ALERT: HECK YEAH IT DOES!!! It’s available on most current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Okinawa Rush is a 2-D martial arts action game that looks like it jumped right off the Super Nintendo. Or more specifically, it reminds me of NEO GEO games, too. It’s available on most current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
Spacewing War is a typical retro styled 2-D shooter that takes inspiration from a surprising source. It’s all black and white, so it looks like a Game Boy game. But more specifically, it takes inspiration from Kirby’s Dream Land! A lot of the graphics are the same, it’s pretty easy and short (but still fun), and you even unlock similar extra features when you beat it! The game is available on all current consoles and PC, but reviewed on PS4 here.
One of the Super Nintendo’s many hidden gems was Pocky and Rocky. It was a two player co—operative 2-D shooter with a unique theme. The game had a Japanese myths and folklore motif. Player one was Pocky, a Japanese shrine maiden who threw cards, and player two was Rocky, a leaf throwing tanuki. It’s actually a sequel to a Japan only arcade game from Taito called Kiki Kaikai, and has spawned a couple of sequels and many cameos over the years. And now they’re back in a whole new game! Pocky and Rocky Reshrined is available on Switch and PS4, but reviewed on Switch here.
You may not know about the Pocky and Rocky game series, but they’ve had four titles under their belt with a new one that just came out! They’re 2-D shooters, but they don’t auto-scroll (think Ikari Warriors or Commando), but it’s the theme that makes them stand out. The games have a Japanese myths and legends motif. They’re really fun games, but also really hard! Or maybe I just suck at them, I dunno. Anyway, since the new game just came out, I thought I’d be your tour guide in this shrine featuring all the games in the series! So let’s begin!
