Developer: Unexpected Development

Phantom 2040 (1995)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 7 minutes read

Summary

Phantom 2040 (1995): A Retro Side-Scrolling Gem

Released in 1995, Phantom 2040 is a side-scrolling action game based on the animated television series of the same name. Players take on the role of the Phantom, a masked vigilante fighting against the evil Rebecca Madison and her army of biots.

The game is set in the futuristic city of Metropia, a sprawling metropolis where technology and nature collide. Rebecca Madison, the head of Maximum, Inc., is a ruthless businesswoman who will stop at nothing to fulfil her twisted plans to control the world. The Phantom, the only one who can stand in her way, must use his arsenal of heavy-duty weapons and gadgets to defeat her and save the city.

Phantom 2040 is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a variety of gameplay elements. Players must navigate through more than 60 levels, each filled with enemies, traps, and puzzles. The game’s difficulty is relentless, but fair, and players will need to use all of their skills and abilities to survive.

One of the things that makes Phantom 2040 so unique is its weapon system. The Phantom can wield two weapons at once, allowing players to create their own custom loadouts. There are a variety of weapons to choose from, including a smart gun, inductance rope, homing missile, and many others. Each weapon has its own strengths and weaknesses, and players will need to experiment to find the combinations that work best for them.

In addition to its challenging gameplay, Phantom 2040 also features a compelling story. The game’s cutscenes are well-written and voice-acted, and they do a great job of fleshing out the characters and setting the stage for the conflict between the Phantom and Rebecca Madison.

Overall, Phantom 2040 is a great retro side-scrolling action game that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. The game’s unique weapon system, compelling story, and beautiful graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Gameplay

Phantom 2040 is a side-scrolling action game in which players control the Phantom as he fights his way through the futuristic city of Metropia. The game is divided into more than 60 levels, each with its own unique challenges.

Players must use the Phantom’s arsenal of weapons and gadgets to defeat enemies, solve puzzles, and overcome obstacles. The Phantom can wield two weapons at once, allowing players to create their own custom loadouts. There are a variety of weapons to choose from, including a smart gun, inductance rope, homing missile, and many others.

In addition to his weapons, the Phantom can also use a variety of gadgets, such as a grappling hook, a jetpack, and a cloaking device. These gadgets can be used to access new areas, solve puzzles, and gain an advantage in combat.

Weapons

The Phantom has a variety of weapons at his disposal, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most common weapons include:

  • Smart gun: A rapid-fire gun that can be used to take down enemies at close range.
  • Inductance rope: A rope that can be used to grapple onto objects, swing across gaps, and pull enemies towards the Phantom.
  • Homing missile: A missile that locks onto enemies and follows them until it hits.
  • Grenade launcher: A launcher that fires grenades that explode on impact.
  • Flamethrower: A weapon that shoots a stream of fire that can damage enemies and destroy obstacles.

Gadgets

In addition to his weapons, the Phantom can also use a variety of gadgets to help him on his mission. Some of the most common gadgets include:

  • Grappling hook: A hook that can be used to grapple onto objects and swing across gaps.
  • Jetpack: A device that allows the Phantom to fly for a short period of time.
  • Cloaking device: A device that makes the Phantom invisible to enemies.

Story

The story of Phantom 2040 is set in the futuristic city of Metropia, a sprawling metropolis where technology and nature collide. Rebecca Madison, the head of Maximum, Inc., is a ruthless businesswoman who will stop at nothing to fulfil her twisted plans to control the world.

The Phantom, the only one who can stand in her way, must use his arsenal of heavy-duty weapons and gadgets to defeat her and save the city.

The game’s story is told through a series of cutscenes that are well-written and voice-acted. The cutscenes do a great job of fleshing out the characters and setting the stage for the conflict between the Phantom and Rebecca Madison.

Graphics

The graphics in Phantom 2040 are impressive for a 16-bit game. The game’s environments are detailed and colorful, and the character sprites are well-animated. The game also uses a variety of special effects, such as parallax scrolling and transparency, to create a sense of depth and immersion.

Sound

The sound in Phantom 2040 is also top-notch. The game’s music is catchy and atmospheric, and the sound effects are realistic and immersive. The game also features a variety of voice acting, which is well-performed and adds to the game’s overall presentation.

Conclusion

Phantom 2040 is a great retro side-scrolling action game that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. The game’s unique weapon system, compelling story, and beautiful graphics make it a must-play for fans of the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Shaq-Fu (1994)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Shaq-Fu (1994): A Retro Gaming Cult Classic

Shaq-Fu is a fighting game released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Genesis. The game stars Shaquille O’Neal, the then-rising NBA superstar, as he battles his way through hordes of enemies to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend.

Despite its star power, Shaq-Fu was a critical and commercial failure. The game was panned for its repetitive gameplay, poor graphics, and numerous glitches. However, in recent years, Shaq-Fu has gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts.

Gameplay

Shaq-Fu is a one-on-one fighting game in which players control Shaquille O’Neal as he battles his way through 12 levels of enemies. Each level features a different boss character, who must be defeated in order to progress.

Shaq has a variety of attacks at his disposal, including punches, kicks, and throws. He can also use special moves, such as his signature “Shaq Attack” and “Free Throw.”

The gameplay is simple and repetitive, but it can be enjoyable in short bursts. The game’s difficulty is also adjustable, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.

Graphics

The graphics in Shaq-Fu are unimpressive, even for a 16-bit game. The character sprites are small and blocky, and the backgrounds are bland and uninspired. The game also suffers from numerous graphical glitches, which can be distracting and immersion-breaking.

Story

The story of Shaq-Fu is ridiculous, even by the standards of fighting games. Shaq’s girlfriend is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer named Sett, and Shaq must travel to different worlds to rescue her. Along the way, he encounters a cast of bizarre characters, including a voodoo priest, a sumo wrestler, and a mummy.

The story is told through a series of cutscenes, which are poorly written and acted. The dialogue is full of cringe-worthy puns and one-liners, and the plot is full of holes.

Music

The music in Shaq-Fu is forgettable. The game’s soundtrack consists of a handful of generic rock and hip-hop tracks that do little to enhance the gameplay.

Reception

Shaq-Fu was a critical and commercial failure. The game was panned by reviewers for its repetitive gameplay, poor graphics, and numerous glitches. It was also a commercial failure, selling only around 100,000 copies worldwide.

Despite its negative reception, Shaq-Fu has gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game’s ridiculous story, cheesy dialogue, and over-the-top action have made it a favorite among fans of bad games.

Legacy

Shaq-Fu has been referenced in numerous other works of popular culture, including the TV shows “Family Guy” and “The Big Bang Theory.” The game has also been featured in several video game retrospectives and documentaries.

In 2018, a remake of Shaq-Fu was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The remake features updated graphics and gameplay, but it retains the same ridiculous story and cheesy dialogue of the original game.

Conclusion

Shaq-Fu is a bad game, but it’s also a lot of fun. The game’s ridiculous story, cheesy dialogue, and over-the-top action make it a must-play for fans of bad games. If you’re looking for a serious fighting game, then Shaq-Fu is not for you. But if you’re looking for a good laugh, then Shaq-Fu is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

4/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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