|
 |
|
| | Title:
Tecmo Classic Arcade
..............................................
System:
Xbox
..............................................
Genre:
Action
..............................................
Publisher:
Tecmo
..............................................
Developer:
Tecmo, Ltd.
..............................................
Release:
9/13/2005
..............................................
Online:
No
..............................................
ESRB:
Everyone
..............................................
 |
Gamers today are concerned about better graphics, higher resolutions, and top end systems that can run it all. Few will occasionally plug in an older system to play some of the best games of previous generations. Tecmo is solving this issue by bringing some of their ancient arcade games to the Xbox. Tecmo Classic Arcade gives gamers the chance to play old school Tecmo games... but are Tecmo's older games really worth bringing back?
Gameplay
Tecmo Classic Arcade features eleven total games from the previous decades, going all the way back to Pleiads--which was the first Tecmo game released for the arcade. The dates of the games range from 1981 to 1991, and include some classic titles such as Tecmo Bowl, Rygar, and Bomb Jack. However, most of the other eight titles are really only worth playing a few times, and in some cases not even at all. Sure, they are old games, but age definitely does not define a classic in any sense.
Most of the buttons are kept the same throughout each game--which is a good thing--but you may need to check up on what the few other buttons do before beginning the game. The X button is always used to insert a coin (the games work just like the arcade versions, and pressing X is the same as inserting a coin into the machine), Y is always used to enter the menu, start is used to start the game, and the joysticks or pad is always used to control whatever is on the screen. The A and B buttons are usually the only buttons that you will need to know for each individual game.
As an extra, there is a gallery mode in the game that lets you browse through various images from the different games. For most people, this is just something that you will look through for about two minutes and then forget about it. However, if you are familiar with some of these games, the images will pique your interest. You can also move around the image, as well as zoom in and out.
Multiplayer is a part of most of the games, and in games like Tecmo Bowl you can play with up to four players. This is a major plus for the game, but definitely doesn't make up for a lot of the games’ poor quality. There’s also a distinct lack of online play over Xbox Live, or even scoreboards. It would be neat to compare your scores with the best in the world if you really think you are good, but you won't be able to with this game.
Games
Tecmo Bowl - 1987
Probably the most well known title included in this game, Tecmo Bowl is a football game from 1987. A big plus here is that four players can be playing this game at the same time. The game follows the normal rules of football, but the player has limited control over what is going on. On offense, when you select a receiver, you can't change it once the play has started. On defense, when you choose a player before the start of the play, you can't switch to another one. Other than that, this can be a really fun arcade game for anyone, especially if playing multiplayer.
Rygar - 1986
You play as the legendary warrior Argus and will eventually take on Rygar, the king of the beasts and ruler of the world. The game is a sidescroller, but you progress at your own pace. You will play through numerous levels with very different kind of enemies, including ground, underground, and flying ones. You use a spiked shield to attack all of the enemies, and will have to jump in order to hit down the air enemies. There are also a number of items and collectables scattered around each level.
StarForce - 1984
In StarForce, you play as a space craft and shoot down enemies, avoid the crazy amount of incoming bullets, explode ground targets, and defeat a boss on each stage. Your space craft is usually located near the bottom of the screen, and the level moves underneath it. Each group of enemies moves and attacks differently, so it is very hard to know what to expect. There are a total of 25 stages, so it will take you a while to play completely through this game.
Solomon's Key -1986
Solomon's Key is an action puzzle game that features a total of 50 levels. In each level you have to make it to a key that opens a door, and then you must make it to the door to finish the level. In order to do both you will have to avoid enemies and also make--and destroy--blocks. Brown blocks are destroyable, while grey blocks are not. Once you create a block, you can easily jump on top of it, so making something like a ladder on the side of the level is very doable. Collectable items include fairies, Molotov’s, hourglasses and many others.
Pleiads - 1981
The oldest of all the games in this collection. Aliens are invading Earth, and you must defend it by destroying the alien mothership. The graphics in Pleiads are very similar to old Atari games. There are a total of four missions, and they include destroying alien invaders, shooting up some space monsters, destroying the alien mothership and then finally landing safely on earth.
Senjyo - 1983
Senjyo is a very different shooting game, because it attempts to make the playing field three dimensional…although the key word here is attempts. The closer the enemies are to the screen, the more dangerous they are. You can move your view from left to right to avoid missiles. There are a total of 32 enemies on each stage and three different types of enemies total: Space Tank, Raider, and Detector.
Pinball Action - 1985
This is a pretty typical pinball simulator that features a few playfields, but that’s really all it is. You control only the two flippers, and a tilt. Each playing field is different in design and layout.
Strato Fighter
Strato Fighter is pretty similar to StarFighter, only more high tech and with many more upgrades. In this game, you fly from left to right in outer-space, avoiding a crazy amount of enemies and bullets. You can get a total of four upgrades; the shotgun, Ion Launcher, Vertical shot, and a shield that will become very useful.
Swimmer - 1982
In this game, you take control of a guy swimming down a river, and have to avoid the fish and logs coming downstream. Your main goals are to collect fruit and swim to Treasure Island. Also, by pressing the A button you can dive under logs or other objects in the water. This game has very high pitched background music that most will find annoying... as if the game wasn't already weird enough.
Bombjack - 1984
In this game, you play as a little guy named Jack and must collect all the bombs that show up on the screen. You will use the jump button and move left and right to reach each bomb on each stage. There are a number of enemies on each that will follow you and try to kill you. You can gain extra points if you collect the bombs in the order that their fuses are lit.
Tecmo Cup - 1985
Similar to Tecmo Bowl, only this is a soccer game. Just like in normal soccer, you will have to maneuver the ball, pass to opponents, still the ball, and most importantly make some good shots past the opposing goalie. You play a number of teams who get progressively harder each time.
Overall
Unless you know and have previously enjoyed at least some of these games, Tecmo Classic Arcade probably isn't for you. Most of the games are not well known, and they probably shouldn't be because they are not that fun. Just because they are older doesn't mean they are classics, and this is the game’s number one fault. Some of Temco's more exciting older games like the older Ninja Gaiden and Silk Worm were not included, and would have added some more flavor to the list of games. High Definition capabilities (480p) and multiplayer are nice pluses, but don't come near to making up for the game's overall quality. If you are looking into playing some classic arcade games, and not specifically Tecmo, try checking out Capcom Classics Collection, or Midway Arcade Treasures 3.
| The Core Score |
Overall
5 |
| Fun |
|
5 |
| Gameplay |
|
5.5 |
| Graphics |
|
5.5 |
| Audio |
|
5 |
| Replay |
|
3 |
|
| | | |
