Tomb Raider

Title:   Tomb Raider (Featuring Lara Croft) Year Released:   1996 Developers:   Core Design Platforms:   Sega Saturn; Later ported to Sony Playstation and MS-DOS Net-worth: Saturn : NIB($58), CIB($28), L($10) Playstation: NIB($35), CIB($7), L($3) MS-DOS: NIB($12), CIB($4), L($1)

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Breakdown:

The original Tomb Raider was released at a very interesting time in video game history. This game was supposed to be revolutionary on different levels; and anticipation was high. Fronted by a female adventurer - Lara Croft - Tomb Raider embarked on new ideas of how the hero of games should be portrayed. Generally speaking, this singly introduced a new species to the gaming culture that us neckbeards have never seen before - the female. Because this game was being watched so closely even before it's release, Core Design had to make sure it had smooth gameplay for even the newest of users. And that's where my only gripe about this game occurs - the controllablity. Although it isn't much of a problem with the game itself as it is with the new introduction of 3D graphics, it can and will leave you frustrated all these years later. The funny thing is, at the time we thought this was the best thing ever (Oh how much we'll learn). The innovative engine that this game is run on is almost made entirely out of single blocks pieced together it seems. Miss one of those blocks by a pixel, or accidently nick a cornor and you will be restarting from the last checkpoint. Oh, and checkpoints don't come often so if this is your first playthrough -- take it nice and easy. I walked into this game originally thinking it was going to be a spoof of a first person shooter -- oh how I was wrong. Don't get me wrong - There are obstacles to take out along the way such as bats, bears, and dinosaurs; but the fun in this game is within the puzzles that you have to complete to make it to the next checkpoint, room, or level. Imagine a Portal game from fifteen years ago. Except this isn't Portal with the anti-aliasing and blurring; this is Portal run on a brand new, glitchy technology. Now put that in a Myan tomb where all of the images, backgrounds, and sprites are the same shit green color. Atleast we know we didn't take this game for granted like I am now because at the time, this game was awe-inspiring because of it's 3D graphics and twist to modern video game stories. It was innovative, and a great milestone in video game history but the advancment in overall gameplaying smoothness is just too much to go back and replay this one more than a decade later.

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Gameplay:

"Credit to http://www.youtube.com/user/kween1thang for video content"

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VGBreakdown Rating:
4/5

Castle Of Illusion

Title:   Castle Of Illusion (Starring Mickey Mouse) Year Released:   1990 Developers:   Sega (AM7/Shinobi Team) Platforms:   Sega Genesis; Later ported to Sega Master System, and Sega Game Gear Net-worth:   Genesis: NIB($58); CIB($28); L($10) Master System : NIB($63); CIB($37); L($10) Game Gear : NIB($36); CIB($20); L($7)

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Breakdown:

Take your most generic 2D side scrolling game, add Mickey Mouse, and you've got Castle Of Illusion. Familiarity is instant with the usual 'Jump on enemies head/Collect Power Ups/Continue Right To End Of Level' type of gameplay. That is certainly not taking anything away from this great game, however. What you have to keep in mind is this game was from that specific era. Most games from this time consisted of terribly drawn sprites, and choppy movement; which this game has neither. What amazes me most about this game though, is the fact that it was developed very early in Sega Genesis's timeline, even before their now iconic character Sonic's first game. This goes to prove that Disney had a pretty good idea of the amount of revenue video games bring in before most other companies sunk their teeth in. Staying true to their 'family/fantasy' theme, Mickey is set on a quest to retrieve the abducted Minnie through the Evil Witch's castle -- The Castle Of Illusion. Gag. You must collect seven gems - representing approximately seven levels - in order to have the final showdown and ultimately save Minnie. The controls are accurate enough, and the gameplay runs smooth with the right amount of predictability. My favorite part of this game though, was the developers ability to add a health meter, when most other side scrolling games from this generation failed to do so. This helped extensively gain the game popularityand appeal to a wider audience. This could include everyone from a younger kid, to a parent with terrible reflexes whose sitting with their kid (We've all been there). In conclusion, I had a terrific time playing Castle Of Illusion. From it's familiarity, to it's 'draw you in' mystique, this game has something for everyone. Castle Of Illusion didn't really develop any new ideas...It was just a generic side-scroller... DONE RIGHT.

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Gameplay:

"Credit to http://www.youtube.com/user/cubex55 for video content"

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VGBreakdown Rating:
4/5

Crackdown

Title:   Crackdown Year Released:   2007 Developers:   Realtime Worlds Platforms:   Xbox 360 Net-worth:   Xbox 360 : NIB($8), CIB($5), L($3)

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Breakdown:

"It's time to clean up the scum, Peace-Keeper!"
This is Crackdown.
Take everything you know about the award winning Grand Theft Auto franchise, and flip it 180. In Crackdown, you are a special agent attempting to rid the city of gangs, one boss at a time. This is still set in the do as you please, anarchy filled world similar to GTA; but now futuristic advancements - particularly within your attire - are also at your disposal. Use special agility to defy the odds of gravity, or super human strength to use anything from a dumpster to a car as a weapon! This unique aspect of the game made the overall experience enjoyable, but it just cannot compare to the vast array of missions that any GTA game offers. Fun playthrough, but nothing groundbreaking. Also, the game can become quite repetetive with almost all missions coming from assassination attempts at gang leaders. On top of that, only three gangs reside in Pacific City, and all operate similarly. All in all, this is a game that you can have an enormous amount of fun with, and then simply forget all about it in the morning. This is one of those games you see three years later, and just mildly shrug.

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Gameplay:

"Credit to http://www.youtube.com/user/Mecius for video content"

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VGBreakdown Rating:
3/5

Mario Kart 64

Title:   Mario Kart 64 Year Released:   1997 Developers:   Nintendo EAD Platforms:   Nintendo 64 Net-worth:   Nintendo 64 : NIB($130); CIB($59); L($26)

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Breakdown:

The original Super Mario Kart for the Nintendo SNES was a groundbreaking game that incorporated the classic Super Mario Bros. characters into a racing format that involved unique Mario related items. The game had enough popularity to warrant a sequel on Nintendos next console, Nintendo 64. Mario Kart 64 improved on the graphics of its predecessor however the basic game play elements remained unchanged. Keeping true to the original games battle go-kart theme, the new game incorporated many of the same attack and defense elements that added a hint of randomness and unpredictability to the original. The game includes four basic stages, with four maps per stage. It is arranged in order of difficulty with some of the collective maps being more difficult than others. To add some incentive for players to complete all levels, you are able to play each level in reverse adding a new twist and some more difficult game play. This game continues to be a staple of  basic game collections, able to fetch a large price even a decade later. Mario Kart 64 revolutionized the unrealistic racing game genre and continues to impact the Nintendo communities with new sequels and remakes.

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Gameplay:

"Credit to http://www.youtube.com/user/GeneralJazza for video content"

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VGBreakdown Rating:
4/5