World 2-13: Kid Icarus

Kid Icarus
~NES

This is my 13th completed game of the year, and it was a pretty good one. I can't tell you how many times I attempted this game on Virtual Console, and failed miserably. However, it was a breeze on emulator (as most games are). I even made it through the last level on my second loop, which is apparently very difficult because you have to defeat a certain amount of enemies on a scrolling screen. Most people end up looping through the same level for about 10 minutes before making it to the final boss.

The controls are a little bit sticky in Kid Icarus, but I enjoyed the storyline and the way the levels flow into each other; you start as an angel stuck in the underworld, summoned by the Goddess Palutena to take out the evil Medusa (who Palutena transformed into a hideous monster). You then work your way through the overworld, skyworld, and storm your way through the Palace in the Sky to put an end to Medusa and her evil army that has been reigning over all the worlds.

There are plenty of upgrades to get, and you can stockpile potions to take with you once you find a barrel to store them in. I'm not exactly sure how it's easier to carry a barrel than it is a chalice of life, which you can drink but not carry, but whatever. You can also collect hammers, although I never ended up using any of them because I didn't know how. The music is super catchy, and I find that even a few days (and games later) the theme is still rolling over in my head. Overall, this game is pretty tough, but definitely worth the play. 

World 2-12: Cool Spot

Cool Spot

~SNES

You know what? I don't care that I got the bad ending on this game; I'd like to see the person who didn't! Cool spot is FREAKING IMPOSSIBLE. I started this game with high hopes thinking it would be pretty sweet, but then I realized that to complete each level you have to collect a certain amount of spots to move on. It's a very time consuming game (I didn't do it all at once - it took me a few weeks of here and there playing) and not really all that fun. 

The first three or four levels of Cool Spot have a cool new theme, and then it's like the game was too short at just that, so they reused the last three or four levels, mixed up the patterns a little, and went "Oh there we go, now it's long enough! And no extra work required, either!" Asides from that, it's not actually a bad game. Cute graphics, catchy music, and some interesting enemies and level themes make up for the repetitiveness of the last four levels. It wasn't bad, for a mascot game.

World 2-11: Cave Story

Cave Story

~PC

Cave Story was released as freeware in 2004 on the PC, and later came out on the Wii Virtual Console. It was received very well for a 2D game released in a 3D world, partly for it's great storyline and partly for the great game play feel. Cave Story's popularity proves that video games do not need high definition graphics and crazy special effects to make a great game, no matter how many people try to argue that fact. 

I loved almost everything about this game, from the simple yet effective upgrade system of your guns to the gravitational pull of your character (who I don't even think had a name). The towns and caves were so simple and beautiful; the artwork is definitely one of the many strong points of Cave Story. As should be expected, the farther you travel in the game, the farther it is between save points and healing points. By time you reach the final bosses, there are no save points in between battles, and there is a lot of strategy required to finish the game smoothly. Personally I spent a good couple hours trying to get through the final cave and finish off the last battle, but all in all I'd say it was definitely worth it. This is a game that anybody can get into!

World 2-10: Exmortis

Exmortis
~PC: flash game

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/189227

Well, this was a pretty creepy game. It wasn't as hardcore as I expected it to be, but there were a few parts that made me jump and gasp out loud. I played through it with my BFF Ashley so it was probably twice the fun since both of us were pretty much peeing ourselves silly.

Exmortis is not a very long game if you know what you're doing. At the very last screen of the game, I accidentally clicked to another page and lost all my progress, so I had to run through the entire game all over again - it only took me about 5 minutes. But it was definitely worth the play. The music was especially haunting, and I found myself very on edge for the entire duration of the game.

World 2-9: Brain Age 2 - Sudoku

Brain Age 2, Sudoku
~Nintendo DS

That's me up top, the funky swirly A thing. I finished all the puzzles:

-33 basic (And 4 tutorials)
-50 Intermediate (And 4 tutorials)
-25 Advanced (And 4 tutorials)

That's a total of 108 full puzzles and 12 tutorials!

Admittedly, this isn't much of a video game, but I figure it counts enough since you can't really "beat" Brain Age 2; the Sudoku was the only section you can actually complete. Although just for the record, I have unlocked all the special features in the rest of the game and hit some pretty good high scores too.

World 2-8: Kirby Superstar

Kirby Superstar
~SNES

Well, it took a LOT of hours, but I finally finished this "game" off. In reality, this is 6 games in one, not including the bonus games. But I'm still only counting it as one. I'd say Milky Way Wishes was my favourite part of the game.

For me, this was too much Kirby. He's a cute little guy and it's a fun series, but it's not very fun when it's drawn out this long. This game is definitely meant to be played casually. Still, it was totally worth it. There were some frustrating parts (not to mention my emulator kept randomly glitching out and sending me to the final boss in the middle of a level, and putting huge bonus switches in the middle of nowhere), but overall, as per most Kirby games, it was a fairly easy play through. Awesome music, cute graphics, and lots of neat power ups and bonus games made this an instant Kirby Classic. I definitely recommended to anybody who likes Kirby, or just likes a simple game to pick up and play casually.

World 2-7: Mario Kart 64

Mario Kart 64

~N64 

Mike, me, and the computer all tied for first... somehow I ended up getting the gold trophy though. HELL YEAH.

Mario Kart 64 definitely deserves a full 10/10. This is a game that anybody can play for hours on end and still not get bored. Whether you are playing Grand Prix or battle mode, there is always something hilarious that will happen to keep you bawling with laughter.