Customer Reviews

Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits (Defender, Joust, Sinistar, Robotron 2084)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have enjoyed classic gaming since the time the classics were being ported to the Atari 2600. This collection of four games on one GBA cartridge represents an attempt to recreate four retro games for the portable player. Unfortunately, each title has shortcomings and the overall package is featureless.

Sinistar has never peaked my interest much to begin with, but I did test drive it a bit in the Treasures collection so I do know how it should run. This GBA version plays too fast, resulting in almost continuous collisions with asteroids, which clutter the screen as it is. The wonky control scheme has the player rotating his ship using the directional pad, which might work except for the crowding asteroids and the stopping point for each rotation at a 45 degree angle from the direction being pressed.

Joust has almost equally disappointing game play in that it runs too slowly. the player's ostrich floats downward through the air, and the enemy mounted buzzards appear to stay at the same speed as the initial levels. Despite the slower speed, once 4-5 buzzards are flying in the same tier, they become glitchy with the constant bumping into each other. The "unbeatable" pterodactyl does not hunt the player, it only patrols the screen. I think I accidentally killed the pterodactyl while standing and facing away from it. Finally, there appears to be a bubble surrounding the player that when burst causes the player to expire.

Robotron 2084 was never intended for a Game Boy. The unique control scheme, duplicated in Smash TV, is perfect for this game. A clever attempt was made to modify this title for two buttons by using one to fire and one to keep the player in one place while changing the shot direction with the D-pad. That alteration might have been acceptable (since it was necessary), but the game also plays more slowly, and the floor mines do not affect any of the enemy robots like in the original.

Defender in this collection is just as difficult as the original, but it does not look like the original after the first level. This title also plays slightly slower than it should, especially in the shots fired by the landers.

With other cartridges out there offering only two titles, this would have been a great deal at $5-$10. However, there is no redeeming value in the presentation whatsoever. There are no options, generally basic title screens, and no game tips or game history, and no high scores will be saved. If you are hankering for some retro gaming, look for a different collection or just buy the two or three games you really want.

Great cart of the original arcade classics. They represent the arcade, even showing the original stand up version you used to throw quarters in. Great game seltection abd play...a real gem for any old schooler!

My wife and daughter got me this cartridge for Christmas, since they know I'm a big fan of the arcade version of Sinistar and home conversions of that game are hard to find. This version should be avoided at all costs. It is absoutely horrible. You can only fly your ship at a handful of angles, none of them useful - you can't fly up, down, left or right, only shades of northeast, southeast, etc. The ship flies constantly and at a constant speed - you can't speed up, slow down, or come to a stop. The guns fire either continuously (creating a headache-inducing noise) or not at all. The collision detection is terrible - I've flown straight through the crystals you need to pick up to make bombs without picking them up, and I've flown straight though enemies without damage. On the other hand, you'll bounce off asteroids that are nowhere near your ship. The Sinistar does not announce his presence once he's completed - he just appears and immediately kills you.

Imagine a Sinistar port where everything was done badly and/or incorrectly, and this game is even worse than that. It's just horrible.

I haven't even bothered trying to play the three games.

Lots of different games from "back in the day" and excellant for the kids.