Alright, GamerFan, are you ready to dive into Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Hot Scramble on the NES?
Absolutely, RetroGamer84! I’m intrigued to see how this compares to the anime. I’ve heard some mixed reviews about it.
Mixed is one way to put it. Let’s face it, Hot Scramble is kind of infamous in some circles. But hey, who doesn’t love a good mecha game, right?
True! Let’s start with the first stage. Flying over the land, shooting at those aerial and ground targets for points. This first-person segment is… something.
Something is putting it kindly. The limited laser fire due to that recharging energy bar is kind of a bummer. Just when you think you’ve lined up a perfect shot—nothing. And boom, you’re a sitting duck!
Yep, and those enemy planes come out of nowhere. It’s like dodging mosquitos in a swamp. Accurate shooting is really tough with those clunky controls. I felt like I was playing ‘whack-a-mole’ more than flying a sophisticated mobile suit.
Well, at least the transition to space in the second phase shakes things up a bit. The gameplay remains pretty much the same, though. It’s just “space swamp” now.
Haha, “space swamp” indeed! Seriously, the novelty wears off fast. You’d think commanding the iconic Zeta Gundam would feel more, I don’t know, powerful. Instead, it’s kind of like piloting a refrigerator.
Okay, let’s shift gears to the third phase: infiltrating those space stations. Finally, we’re in side view platformer territory. I appreciate the change of pace, even if it’s still a bit too clunky for my taste.
Yes, but the ability to switch between Waverider and MS modes is interesting. It adds a slight strategic element. Too bad the mazes are as confusing as ever!
And don’t get me started on those enemy mobile suits. They swarm you like bees defending their hive. It’s almost hilarious how relentless they are. But hey, I suppose they’re dedicated to their cause?
I appreciate the developers’ ambition, though. I heard Hot Scramble was made by Tose Co., who weren’t exactly known for their consistent game quality. It’s clear they tried to push the boundaries with this one.
You know, for the first home console Gundam game, I’m not completely mad at it. It’s a valiant early effort, even if its many flaws make it, well, memorable for the wrong reasons.
And speaking of memorable, that last boss/challenge.
SPOILER ALERT!
Oh man, the “core” of the space station. All that work just to blow up a flashing light. I almost expected some grand showdown. Instead, it was like pulling the plug on an old Christmas tree.
Right?! It was both anti-climactic and ridiculously difficult. But, we did it. Overall, not the worst evening spent, but definitely room for improvement.
Speaking of interesting designs, did you hear about the tech advancements this year? The NES Light Gun and ROB are still fascinating, even if they didn’t have the longevity we all hoped for.
Yeah, the Light Gun is particularly neat. Makes you wonder how gaming peripherals will evolve. Could be a whole new way to play.
For sure. And game magazines are raving about Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels coming out in Japan. We’ve got exciting times ahead for us gamers.
Just a matter of time before we get our hands on more brilliant games. Anyway, tips for our fellow players?
Definitely! One key tip is to manage your energy bar for the lasers wisely, especially during the first and space phases. Don’t waste shots on moving targets unless you’re confident.
And in the third phase, always try to remember key maze routes. It’s easy to get lost, but knowing the path to the core can save precious time and lives.
Solid advice! Well, here’s to more gaming adventures ahead, GamerFan.
Cheers to that! Until the next session, RetroGamer84.
