NES CHALLENGE - Strider in 1:17:31 [176/714]
1Damn it Capcom, what is this!?! Ok, it is an entertaining game and is great for games just starting out. Mostly easy platforming, good exploration but not excessive, some nice hidden surprises, and the enemies on the whole are forgiving - the spikes should cause about 5x more damage than they do. There are so many times I don't even want to fight enemies, and just rather run through them which should never be an option.
The graphics are good and the music is ok, if forgetable. I really missed themed music for each stage. Remember, this is the same company that released MegaMan II and Duck Tales around this time. This was also supposed to be targeted to the Japanese market, but they never got a release of the game; very weird. The controls are really the nail in the coffin for me. Getting hung up jumping, the slide mechanic, and the broken V jump as they call it - it is so bad. I really wish I knew more about the game and its lore regarding development to throw them a bone. The single jump height also felt annoying; I really like being able to make short, medium, long depending on the hold time of the A button. Though they might have had issues with slopes and increased/decreased distance - I did like that. It also felt sluggish. I would have really liked a way to speed up the character a bit though there was almost always an enemy on screen at all times to deal with.
The game also felt... well short. There could have been plenty more exploration involved but there really isn't much to each level. C'mon, Japan was a friggin joke. Walk left, then right, and loop around. I'm trying to imagine what it would have been like if they would have used a map the size of Metroid in this - Now that would be a game! The only reason it really is as long as it is, is because of all the backtracking and the slow speed.
On the grand stage though this isn't a horrible game. I wouldn't drop it in the Atari pool of play for 5 min and toss. I could see myself as a kid playing this for a few hours, taking a password, and playing again in a few days. I was blessed with many great games, so a bit spoiled there, but I want to keep it real. I was also perfectly fine with many Apple II games and enjoyed the trainwreck know as Epyx Championship Wrestling - it makes the Acclaim/LJN games masterpieces.
Overall, it is an interesting game. While I'm not a fan of the back tracking, it is nice to open up new sections of a stage with power ups; Blaster Master just did this way better. Between the controls, the map size, and sluggishness, it just doesn't impress. Again, it's not bad, just underwhelming. I'd really say it is for those who are developing their platform skills but not ready for Metroid or Ninja Gaiden. Anyhoo I would say this is in the Top 200-300 block of games. I really have to look at what other mediocrity is out there as I continue this journey.