Month: September 2026

Metroid: Zero Mission mini review

The worst part about checking another Metroid game off the list is it leaves you with fewer Metroid games to experience for the first time.

I had a good enough time with Fusion earlier this year, and Prime 4 is a much better experience than some people want to admit, but neither game reminded me of that fact in the same way Zero Mission did. I was sad to see it end.

The game’s shorter length probably contributed to that — it had no chance to overstay its welcome.

But beyond never getting bored with it, I enjoyed Zero Mission’s pace of unlocking, the way it innovates on the original Metroid while staying true to it, and the storytelling it does.

Among 2D Metroids, this one is currently No. 3 for me behind Dread and Super. It’s a damn fine game.

Dave’s Score: 8/10

Final Fantasy Tactics — Retro Gaming Essentials (No. 55)

On this countdown, we’ve covered two “Chrono” games — “Chrono Trigger” and “Chrono Cross” — two “Final Fantasy” games — “Final Fantasy 6” and “Final Fantasy 7” — the Nintendo-Squaresoft collaboration “Super Mario RPG” … and basically no other traditional role-playing games at all.

Every game in that list came from one company.

That might seem a little bonkers. And it is. In the entire realm of rpgs, we’ve so far centered our attention on one company.

Really?

Well, we will get to some others, I promise. But firstly, we have to make matters worse and go down the Squaresoft road once again to discuss “Final Fantasy Tactics.”

Why? 

Easy:

  1. It’s insanely good.
  2. It’s really different from everything else we’ve talked about to date.

Deal with it, Square haters.

Final Fantasy Tactics at a glance:

Genre: Strategy RPG
Released: 1998
Platform: PlayStation
IGN’s 38th greatest game
Continue reading Final Fantasy Tactics — Retro Gaming Essentials (No. 55)

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap mini review

Diving into all the lore and background of this title to do a proper review doesn’t fit the format of “mini review,” so we’re gonna skip most of that.

Basically, what you need to know is that the Wonder Boy/Monster World/Adventure Island series of games is pretty dang influential within the industry, and this particular entry in the series is so well revered that it inspired a remake a few years back.

The remake makes a few quality of life changes and pretties up the graphics quite a bit, making an influential, important title from the early days of the Metroidvania genre more approachable for modern audiences.

It’s a great time. Yeah, it’s pretty short, and the controls could be tighter, but the game rarely feels unfair. Even when you’re getting juggled like a ragdoll, you’re typically not taking absurd amounts of damage in the process. I also like the design of the maps, the variety imbued through the different forms your character takes, and the pace at which it unlocks new areas.

I saw someone describe it as “What if Zelda II, only good?” And, yeah, I agree with that.

I really like it.

Dave’s Score: 8/10