PixlBit

Humans are involved, but it's not what you think.

WayForward Technologies is remaking the arcade classic on Wii and 3DS with 3D environments and new features. No longer limited by an invisible ceiling like in the original, players can run all around the enclosed arenas with the nunchuk while aiming the Wii remote and blasting away with the B button. Thus far in the game's development, the only other move is a stomp (done with A or C) and the D-Pad is for changing weapons. Whether there will be a jump to aid in dodging or exploration/adventure elements is still undecided at this point. I saw very few mushrooms and destructible barriers; hopefully they'll be added in the next several months of development.

Read more »

They’ve finally done it - a title more niche than the standard bullet hell shooter!

Bangai-O is one of those series that would normally be completely unknown to most players, but given the release and critically acclaimed sequel Bangai-O Spirits on the DS, the series has gained some notoriety. Originally released on the N64 and later ported worldwide to the Dreamcast, Bangai-O offers a unique blend of gameplay that pairs bullet hell shoot-‘em-up mechanics with puzzle solving techniques. Its niche status wasn’t exactly unwarranted - like many of the titles Treasure creates, it was made for a small audience of truly hardcore players looking for intense challenge. That being said, it’s unlikely that the HD remake of the original game will connect with most players.

Read more »

Being the definitive version of Rayman 2 isn't saying much.

Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room: Rayman 3D is a cheap cash-in port of the Dreamcast version of Rayman 2. No, the game has not been enhanced in any meaningful way other than the addition of stereoscopic 3D - and no, it doesn’t in any way actually enhance the gameplay. Yes, at times, I even encountered a few instances where the game completely froze up, thus forcing me to hard reset my 3DS. All of this aside, Rayman 3D is still an enjoyable experience - one that has lost some of its luster over time. Thanks to the circle pad on the 3DS, the game controls like a dream, and the 3D, while nothing significant, adds some nice visual flair, giving the game a bit of extra charm. All things considered, this release of Rayman 2 is the definitive one.

Read more »