BLASTER MASTER: ENEMY BELOW Game by Sunsoft Reviewed by Jax Mandrake poochery@hotmail.com Size: 8 megabits Save: Password Released: 2000 Works with: All versions of Game Boy. **************************************************************************** Opening Snide Remarks: Since first seeing a screenshot of this game, I was hopeful - it looks fantastically like the NES game it's based on. However, after playing the revival of Crystalis, I worried - Nintendo had changed one of the best aspects, the music, and not for the better. Thankfully, Sunsoft didn't follow Nintendo's example to the letter, and the result is a highly-recommendable re-release. **************************************************************************** Gameplay Descripion: Those of you who haven't played the original Blaster Master for NES... stop what you're doing and go to a Funcoland and buy it! Ready now? Okay... the rest of us know what kind of classic it is. The good news is that in this new edition the gameplay hasn't changed. You can fall into this one as comfortably as you could with the original classic. Any more you need to know? Oh, there is one major change - no diagonal movement in the overhead sections, and you can't power your gun up to the massively cool shots you could before. Liked: It's very much like the original. Hated: Except for the fact that you can't walk diagonally in overhead zones. **************************************************************************** Graphics Description: Okay, turn on your old Blaster Master NES game. Now turn on your Blaster Master: Enemy Below game on GBC and hold it up so you can see both. Notice much difference besides the size of the screen? I didn't think so. Aside from the touch-ups here and there, the graphics are very close to the original, which is a very good thing. Liked: Just about everything. Hated: I will say, don't play this without color... **************************************************************************** Sound/Music Description: I turned this on and expected to hear different tunes, but thankfully the music is almost exactly the same as before, just altered a bit to account for the GB's tinny speaker. The original sound effects are also here, though a few have changed (particularly the grenades and mine beeps). Liked: Nostalgic feeling the music gives me. Hated: Only that the GB's speaker can't handle some notes. **************************************************************************** Play Control/Game Design: The tank's controls are excellent, and in the overhead zones Jason's control is kinda ok - I don't like being unable to step diagonally to avoid enemies and bullets. Like the original game, the areas are massive and there are lots of places to get lost, but that doesn't make it bad. Most of the areas are changed, however, and if you're playing to make it through the same game you did on NES, forget it. Liked: Tank control. Hated: No diagonal stepping in overhead zones. **************************************************************************** Improve: If they make a sequel, I might recommend that the ability to walk diagonally be put back, and put more powerups in the game. RIYL: The original Blaster Master, Mega Man series, Metroid II **************************************************************************** Final Words: I think I've said as much as I can. **************************************************************************** Score Gameplay: **** Graphics: ***** Sound/Music: ***** Play Control/Game Design: **** Personal Opinion: ***** Total: 23 *'s Final Score: 92% **************************************************************************** Currently Known Codes: Please? I guess someone will have a password list soon enough...