Zanac (Virtual Console)
What Is It?
Zanac is probably the worst looking game on the Virtual Console. I'm not kidding. The game looks absolutely dreadful. It's not just the constant graphic flickering nor is it the fact that everything is so small, it's the fact that the developers (Compile) decided to use the worst colors in the world to develop their game. From the first level to the last you will get color choices that clash. It got so bad that halfway through the level I felt like the game was giving me lasic eye surgery. If you can get over the poor choice in colors you will find that this is a rock solid action game. The problem I have is that we've had a full year of non-stop 2D shooters, it's time for Nintendo to give us a few weeks to catch our breath. If you're looking for a fun shooter then you can't go wrong with Zanac, even if it sounds like the medicine you're taking to combat your liver problem.
Does It Still Hold Up?
The colors sure don't. Turning on Zanac is like walking into your grandma's house. Everywhere you look it's one bad fashion decision after another. I'm surprised the purchase of the game doesn't come with a coupon for shag carpeting. The control is solid enough, even if you've done all of this before.
Is It Worth the Money?
Five dollars isn't a bad price for a solid action game, so if you're looking for a fun game to download this week then Zanac is about the best you can do. Just keep in mind that you're going to need to cover your eyes or turn your TV to black and white mode. This is a solid purchase, but part of me really thinks Nintendo should stop overloading the Virtual Console with 2D shooters.
This Week in GameTap
Bee 52 (Commodore 64) -
Long before the Bee Movie Game there was Bee 52, a Commodore 64 action game/shooter starring a brightly colored by making honey. While I wouldn't mind playing a 2D shoot-em-up starring a bee, this game just isn't as much fun as Gradius, R-Type and every other 2D shooter ever made. Worse yet, the game is slow beyond belief. You might want to sit this bee game out.
Cyberbots: Fullmetal Madness (Arcade) -
I respect Capcom for going out on a limb and giving us a 2D fighter like no other, but I've never been a big fan of Cyberbots. Maybe it's the way the characters control or my complete indifference to large mech suits, but I'm just not that excited about this game. However, I do recommend people play it at least once so that they see that Capcom could make a fighting game that wasn't a Street Fighter clone.
Kamikaze (Commodore 64) -
Kamikaze is a weird little 2D shooter for the Commodore 64. In a lot of ways Kamikaze feels like a cross between Choplifter and Sky Kid. You play an airplane that can fly either left or right, dodging enemies and saving hostages. The problem is that the controls don't always work like they should, the game is especially frustrating when you accidentally turn around instead of just slowing down to dodge and enemy. This is a good idea, but it's not a fun game.
Mean Machine (Commodore 64) -
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could take a combat racing game (like Full Auto or wipEout) and see it from a 2D overhead perspective? Yeah, mean neither. But if that's something you're curious about then make sure and check out Mean Machine. In a lot of ways Mean Machine is a Spy Hunter clone; only in this game you have limited missiles. Make of that what you will.
Miami Chase (Commodore 64) -
You know what Miami Chase is? It's a weird combination of the original 2D Grand Theft Auto and A.P.B. While it's nowhere near as entertaining as either of those games, Miami Chase proves to be one of the better Commodore 64 games uploaded to GameTap this week. The graphics are surprisingly good and the game runs as a fast pace. Too bad the controls are a little rough, but outside of that this is a solid action game.
Rally Cross Simulator (Commodore 64) -
Rally Cross Simulator is yet more proof that old school racing games are hard to enjoy given today's standards. This is an overhead 2D racing game, and like all overhead 2D racing games it has poor control. Worse yet, the courses are boring and you never really know how you stack up against the competition. It's better to just give into the guilty pleasure of Miami Chase.
Tilt (Commodore 64) -
If you're only going to sample one Commodore 64 game, then make sure that it's Tilt. With a name like Tilt you might think this is just another pinball game, but instead it's a strange Super monkey Ball-style game where you try to guide a marble through a maze without hitting the sides. What sets this game apart is how the game appears to move in 3D, even though it's basically just a 2D game. The controls take a little getting used to, but Tilt is definitely a game worth checking out.
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