PixlBit

You spin me right 'round baby, right 'round...

If you’ve read my reviews for Guardian Heroes and Golden Axe, it’s pretty clear that I’m a big fan of the classic arcade-style beat ‘em up. Many critics will say that this genre is an irrelevant dinosaur and has no place in modern gaming, but I disagree. While the old “quarter muncher” design philosophy no longer works today I truly believe that the side-scrolling brawler can still be a viable genre with the right updates to the formula. WayForward comes frustratingly close to bringing this genre into the modern age, but doesn’t quite get the job done with Double Dragon: Neon.

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It’s all '80s, all the time.

Double Dragon is one of those games that everyone has played, or at least heard of. From its humble beginning as an arcade brawler, the franchise has gone on to make an appearance in some form in almost every console generation. The original title was ported to nearly every available system at the time, including the Atari 2600 in 1988. (And you thought this console generation was long!) Brothers Jimmy and Billy have been in one on one fighting games, have teamed up with the Battletoads on the SNES, and had the Double Dragon world predominantly featured in a completely over the top fan tribute to the NES called Abobo’s Big Adventure. Needless to say, Majesco and WayForward have some pretty big shoes to fill.

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Fun while it lasts, this unique puzzle platformer ends just as it's getting started.

It’s almost eerie how much Mighty Switch Force reminds me of an SNES game. It’s not bogged down at all by story, character development, or anything that normally keeps a game from moving forward. Players are dropped into a world with no explanation of who they are, how to use their abilities, or what they must do in order to complete the level. Despite all this, it comes naturally, as if you’ve played it before and already know exactly what to do; a sure testament to the game’s fantastic design. Unfortunately, like many an SNES game, it’s over all too quickly.

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The A Boy and His Blob PlayBit Replay is finally available! Click through to view the video.

See this week's MNPB again, for the first time. It's A Boy and His Blob, the game about a boy and a blob from outer space! Also, there are jelly beans. Next Monday night? Metroid: Other M.

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