Classic Replay

Turrican 2 is massive, one of the biggest games I've ever experienced on any computer or console. You traverse ledge after ledge, with most jumps consisting of leaps of faith.  The programming team responsible Enigma House, boasted in (AA71) "Turrican 2 contains a jaw-dropping 1500 screens! Think of it this way - if you laid out 1500 monitors on their backs on the floor, it would cover an area 9240 meters square." Each level took up nearly 60k of code, with a total of five levels, this had to include sound effects and music, I'll let you do the maths! The amazing thing was, this game fitted on a single disk. The basic idea is to explore everywhere and anything, killing all sorts of nasties and giants, collect extra lives, power-up's and extended time, and basically just try to survive in order to reach the next stage. There's an excellent feel for the game, the main protagonist looks and struts along like a proper space trooper, and effortlessly g...

GAMECUBE TRENCH RUN In 2002 LucasArts approached Factor 5 in order to attempt a modern re-imaging of the arcade classic, Star Wars, from Atari. Developed on the GameCube, this was officially the sequel to Rogue Squadron, which was originally released for the N64 and PC. I loved the original Rogue Squadron; this was probably the first Star Wars game outside of the arcade to put me in the movie. Let's face it, the original Rogue Squadron on the N64 is a massively overlooked blaster; it pulled all sorts of clever stops out of the N64's hardware. The light and shadow effects alone helped it to stand out from the crowd. It is no accident that it is one of the best looking games on the N64. Factor 5 were a talented bunch, and the game not only looked incredible but was highly detailed and interactive. Rogue Squadron II was developed in just under a year and considered by many to be the launch title to really show off the true potential...

Ever since StarWars flashed before my eyes, I've been hooked. I was just a kid back then, but the impression it left will stay with me until a right good ole' age. There's something else I probably shouldn't admit to, I had such a soft spot for the movie, I imagined playing the lead role and would pretend to shoot down Tie Fighters and ultimately the Death Star from the safety of my armchair. It had to happen, my only surprise is that it took so long. The now decidedly ropey Atari released Star Wars in 1983, it was a nice attempt at doing something new with a classic film. The graphics and sound were amazing for the time and had colourful vector graphics. It also featured the really cool heroic music of the movie, accompanied by smooth reactive-tight controls and a movie-authentic blasting noise. The speech is where it impressed the- be-Jesus outta me and at the time I thought the stuff of dreams. Star Wars was definitely my favourite game as a kid, I'd nev...

Perhaps the most exciting, and equally excruciating few weeks I’ve ever had playing a game, was spent with R-Type. It quickly became a disability I had to conquer, and although an expensive one, was definitely worth putting my life on hold for.   I think R-Type gets the balance just right; and embodies a certain kind of spirit which can appeal to the underdog in all of us. The beginner has a fighter’s chance (maybe), and rewards the experienced for playing well. It’s bursting with personality, identifiable enemies, brilliantly crafted design, and you don't start out with a pea shooter for a weapon. R-Type had the force (not that force)… a physical and mental power that could attach and release at will. The weapon could be upgraded in three stages, by collecting laser crystals left behind. The force was a breath of fresh air, and could be mounted on either the front or rear of the R-9 fighter, delivering devastating carnage. The arcade original is the definitive vers...

There are very few games that succeed in giving me controller rage, but the shoot-em-up’s from the late eighties, early nineties... should have come boxed with a massive warning label. Caution: You may experience fatigue and intense rage from failure; if punishment is your thing, go ahead and play. Although shooters are initially accessible, don’t be fooled. The premise might appear dead simple, but military like discipline is required to progress to latter stages. Rushing in all guns blazing, Rambo style will only get you so far. However; good hand and eye coordination, infinite patience, and a half decent memory might see you through, eventually. Shoot-em-ups have had a tremendous influence on me. Their history intrigues, and the likes of Space Invaders, and R-Type can’t be matched for ambition. 1970 was apparently when all things gaming originally kicked off, and started calmly with Pong. It was a tennis game for one or two players, simple stuff, but it was the spar...