Ancient Reviews: V1.

Alright, here's what I'm going to do with my blog, now. Every Tuesday and Thursday I'm going to review 3 Retro games. Today, I review Grand Theft Auto (PS1), Super Spy Hunter (NES), and Road Rash II (Genesis).

Grand Theft Auto (PS1,1998)   

About GTA: Although Grand Theft Auto IV has recently been released, and is one of the greatest games this gen, the original GTA wasn't that great. Unlike today's GTAs, the original was more arcade focused. And suffered because of it. Ugly 2D characters and cars stick out like Yoshi on LSD compared to the fairly good 3D environments. There was only one Radio Station. And all you did was answer phones to do lame missions for a high score. 
Bottom Line:  Aside from the controversial content that was groundbreaking at the time, GTA1 is a pretty below average game. If I can say one thing, it's this.Thank Sony for PS2s    
                                                                             
Graphics: 5                                                                                      
Sound: 5
Gameplay: 6
Fun Factor: 5
Overall: 5.25/10


Super Spy Hunter (NES, 1991)

About Super Spy Hunter: Although the Original Spy Hunter on NES was a major flop, the sequel was actually pretty great. The graphics were superb for the NES, and the music is high quality for the NES also. In addition, the fast-paced, arcade style levels with an extremely tough bosses is what kept you playing.

Overall: Although it was overshadowed by the fast-approaching SNES, Super Spy Hunter is still a great game that you should play.

Graphics: 9
Sound: 8
Gameplay: 8
Fun Factor: 9
Overall: 8.5/10

Road Rash II (Genesis, 1992)

About Road Rash II: Road Rash has dissapeared off the face of the Earth in recent years, but it still remains an awesome game, and Road Rash II on the Sega Genesis proves that. Although it was similar to the original, it still manages to grasp the simple joy of smacking a chain to your opponent's face so he falls of his Motorcycle and you can take the lead.

Overall: Although any of the 3 Genesis Road Rashes will do, and RRII isn't perfect, it's still good fun to play
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Graphics: 7
Sound: 7
Gameplay: 8
Fun Factor: 8
Overall: 7.5

[ry-guy]

I disagree with your assessment of GTA1 not being a good game because it is too 'arcade'. That was the fun of GTA1,2,and somewhat 3.

4 is lame because it is too "real".

Also, if Road Rash is an awesome game why is it only a 7.5? :(

[TheDeadMetalhead]

To me, 6 is good, 7 is really good, 8 is great, 9 is amazing, and 10 is near-perfect (there is no perfect game). Also, Road Rash got a 7.5 not because it wasn't awesome but because it was almost exactly like Road Rash 1. That's all.

As for GTA1, I just thought it was far too shallow compared to other GTAs and the other PS1 games of the time. It's okay, because I knew people would say that :)

[ry-guy]

Well, you are also reviewing GTA in retrospective comparing it to the later iterations. Isn't that a bit counter-intutive? I mean, you don't go back and review (for instance) Halo and give it a low score because it doesn't have Forge, the Theater, and XBL capabilities. Or better yet you don't review Final Fantasy and score it low because it doesn't have the any mini-games like Blitzball or the card game from FFX and FFVIII respectivly. Or that it doesn't allow you to customize your magic like in FFVII. See what I'm saying?

However it is your own opinion. Just my thoughts. :)

[TheDeadMetalhead]

But the other PS1 games being made in 1998 were far superior to GTA1

Resident Evil 2?
Spyro 1?
Crash 3?
Final Fantasy Tactics?
Gran Turismo?
Parasite Eve?

GTA1 was crap compared to all of those games.

[Sean Fear]

Retro Games need to be reviewed both from the present and looking back. It's difficult but can be done. I think that the assessment of GTA is a bit out of line with the other reviews. With GTA IV out it is hard not to have it effect what someone says about any game in the series. Road Rash 2 better than GTA I? Crazy talk!!!

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