Information: Review Date: July 8, 2021 Release Date: October 2, 1997 Platform: PlayStation Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami Genre: Nonlinear Platformer Anecdotes: When I studied up on the Castlevania series, a clear trend emerged. Fans divided the series into two subgroups: the earlier, stage based games, which were standard platformers like Super Mario or Ghosts ‘N… Continue reading Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Tag: konami
Castlevania IV
Review Date: May 17, 2021 Release Date: December 4, 1991 Platform: SNES Publisher: Konami Genre: Linear Platformer Anecdotes: Super Castlevania IV is one of those games that is clearly in my memories, especially the rising blocks of block 4-4. I was a freshman in high school at the time. Otherwise, my memories are just kind… Continue reading Castlevania IV
Gradius III
Review Date: May 8, 2021 Release Date: August 23, 1991 Platform: SNES Publisher: Konami Genre: Shooter Anecdotes: This game started the pun wars. Shooting off one after another, my brother and I would get laser focused on them and it turned into a competition. Because each stage has a unique theme, we would exercise our… Continue reading Gradius III
Rollergames
Review Date: April 24, 2021 Release Date: September 1, 1990 Platform: NES Publisher: Konami Genre: Linear Platformer Anecdotes: In 1989, two TV shows were added to the lineup, both of which were part of an action block. Those two shows were American Gladiators and RollerGames. RollerGames, easily, was the more popular show, but sadly, it’s… Continue reading Rollergames
Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
Review Date: April 23, 2021 Release Date: September 1, 1990 Platform: NES Publisher: Konami Genre: Linear Platformer Anecdotes: After the masterpiece that was Simon’s Quest, Konami had a dilemma. For III, do they make it more like I or II, or do something completely different? It turns out the answer, in 1990, was to go… Continue reading Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Review Date: April 14, 2021 Release Date: June 1, 1989 Platform: NES Publisher: Konami Genre: Linear Platformer Anecdotes: Because the Ninja Turtles were a huge craze in 1989, we decided to shell out money to get this game. Like many NES game, we never got anywhere with it as kids. The big difference here is… Continue reading Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
Game Basics: Review Date: April 5, 2021 (revised on March 26, 2022) Release Date: December 1, 1988 Platform: NES Publisher: Konami Developer: Konami Genre: Nonlinear Platformer I played Castlevania. I failed. Most runs ended at the Grim Reaper, but a few got to Stage 17. Brother #2 played Castlevania. He failed. Brother #3 played Castlevania.… Continue reading Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
Jackal
Release Date: September 1, 1988 Review Date: March 31, 2021 Platform: NES Publisher: Konami Genre: Shooter Anecdotes: Here’s another game that we never actually owned. Our experience with it came exclusively through rentals. We played it, mostly as a 2 player experience, but even back then, we had started to feel like we’ve seen all… Continue reading Jackal
Gradius II
Review Date: March 25, 2021 Release Date: March 24, 1988 (apparently, this went unreleased in NA at the time) Platform: NES Developer: Konami Genre: Shooter Anecdotes: About a month ago, I played the first Gradius game. I hated it. I was not enjoying it and only got to the third level. I got frustrated with… Continue reading Gradius II
Contra
Review Date: March 22, 2021 Release Date: February 2, 1988 Platform: NES Publisher: Konami Genre: Shooter Anecdotes: Searching around the Internet, I would swear that Contra was one of the best games ever made. I loaded the game up, and this game felt like just another 2 player shooter taking place in a jungle. I’ve… Continue reading Contra