Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (GB)

[A Genius]

I like a challenge in a game, but too much challenge, and ick. There are quite a few games that have problems like that. This is one of them.

So, the star, Goemon, is a ninja with a wacky hairdo. Well, in this game, his hair looks more like a dark orb he wears as a hat. He has some companions, with weird names. His first is a fat guy whom I will call "Whoopie," in reference to the "Rocket: Robot on Wheels" game, the best game on the N64 (Counting LOZ:OOT). The robot ninja, who I'll call "Tinker" (Another Rocket reference). And a girl ninja, who is neither playable nor improtant, so I won't name her.

All ninja's need weapons, and Goemon is no exception. What is his weapon, then? A pipe. Not my best choice for a weapon, but since this is a video game, a pipe is every bit as useful as a sword. Whoopie uses a fan, which is also as good as a sword (the programmers got lazy). Tinker uses a dagger, which makes sence. All of them can use ninja stars, either if they have full health, or if they have some in stock.

In fact, the funnest moments of the game are when you have full health and can use ninja stars. Unfortunetly, it's impossible to clear a level with full health, due to poorly positioned enemies and impossible jumps. Let's face it, jumping just doesn't work in overhead games, it's too annoying. And if you don't have any ninja stars in stock, you're screwed.

You see, it's hard to hit enemies with the pipe/fan/dagger, so you're better off avoiding enemies until you find some health. And wonky collision detection (It's not that bad, but bad enough to try to walk by a wall, and can't for seemingly no reson, then an enemy kills you), makes the game impossible.

What's worse is the password sytem. Instead of letters or something like that that makes sence, strange symbols are used. So you have basically no chance to memorize them. You have to write them down and hope you can tell what they are later.

Graphics look pretty dang stupid (Goemon's hair just doesn't look right), and sound is aggravating, as is the music.

Overall, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon is frusteratingly hard, and a terrible game, besides. Avoid.
4/10

-A Genius (Has anyone ever played a GOOD ninja game? I haven't.)

[cell84]

blah..the only GOOD Goemon game I've played is Mystical Ninja for N64...