This just in: Nintendo has released three new classic games onto their Nintendo Switch Online service today. These include controversial picks like Bombuzal, Jelly Boy and Claymates, all of which have been met with an aggressively negative response on social media. Is the anger warranted, or are these hidden 16-bit gems just waiting to be discovered by a new generation? In order to answer that question, we're going to take a look back at what the critics said when these games were first released. Join me as I flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro, Super Play and more classic magazines in this newest episode of Nintendo Switch Online Review Crew.


Ever since the Nintendo Switch Online games were announced, I've seen a lot of people on social media arguing whether this month's titles are hidden gems or total trash. I suspect a lot of the back-and-forth can be pinned on our first game, Bombuzal, which is certainly the most divisive title we're going to talk about today. What at first appears to be a simple puzzle game about blowing up ice has always been one of the most polarizing 16-bit games of all time, something that continues online thanks to Twitter.

The critics were sharply divided back in the day, with GamePro loving it and Electronic Gaming Monthly hating it. We'll get to what EGM said in a moment, but let's first focus on the positive. When GamePro reviewed Bombuzal (or, Kablooey, as it was known here in the United States), they gave it a 4 out of 5 and concluded that "Nice graphics combine with an engaging series of puzzles to challenge even the most spacially oriented of gamers. Apply some brain cells to this game and prove you're the king pin of krafty gaming."

Electronic Gaming Monthly, on the other hand, was not nearly as kind to Bombuzal. In fact, with a score a 3.5 out of 10, it's the magazine's worst-reviewed Super NES game. It was so forgettable that they didn't even bother giving it a Review Crew column, instead sticking the write-up in a special Super NES buyers' guide section found in issue 25. They described it as "one of the first Super NES carts directed at a younger audience, as well as the first with a puzzle theme." However, they were miffed that it "does not make good use of the Super NES hardware." Aside from that, they weren't as critical as you would expect, especially given the rock-bottom score. This is definitely one of those situations where the review average is a lot worse than the review text.

If you're for some sort of middle ground, the closest we get is Nintendo Power. With a score of 2.8 out of 5, it's not nearly as positive as GamePro, but clearly not as negative as EGM. George liked the graphics, but found the character to be frustrating to control and the puzzles too challenging. Rob concluded that he liked the name more than the game. "There's not much else that I can say in its favor." Yikes. With scores ranging from good to terrible, Bombuzal has always been (and will continue to be) one of the most divisive games of the 16-bit era.

For an all-too-brief moment in the 1990s, companies like Interplay and Midway were trying to pair video games with Claymation. The most popular franchise to come out of this trend was Clay Fighters, but there was another game that came at almost exactly the same time that might be even better. I'm of course talking about Claymates, a colorful platformer with a likeable cast of animal heroes and a name so bad that I'm pretty sure they only used it so that the ads could poke fun of Playboy. Just what you want from your cute and adorable kids' game.

While it may have a terrible name, Claymates is the month's best-reviewed game. Don't get me wrong, none of the critic necessarily loved it, but with scores in the 7 and 8 range, the reviews were a lot more consistent than either Bombuzal or Jelly Boy. GamePro once again gave it the highest score, concluding that Claymates "was cut from the right mold." "Have you already powered past Super Mario? Did you beat Bubsy? If you're looking for your next platform cart, Claymates is a good playmate."

Electronic Gaming Monthly also liked the game, but not enough to give it a proper Review Crew column. Letting Mike Weigand write a consensus review, he explained that "Claymates is a cute side-scrolling action game that exceeds in graphics, and having tons of hidden items is a real treat." With Al bringing the average down a bit, Claymates earned a 7 out of 10 from EGM.

We saw a similar reaction from Super Play over in the UK. Giving it a 79%, they called it "fun and gimmicky," but complained that the game was "let down by glaringly horrible bits. The availability of infinite continues means it's over far too quickly, but there's plenty here to play around with." The full review praises the game for having a nice variety and a wealth of original ideas, all of which will most likely work in Claymates' favor when you check it out on the Switch.

From a strictly American perspective, Jelly Boy is the most intriguing retro release coming to the Switch this month. That's because this 1995 platformer was never released outside of Europe, making it a brand new 16-bit experience for most of us in the States. But just because it's new, does that make it good? The answer to that question is not as simple as it sounds.

With no American release, Jelly Boy obviously didn't get a review from the usual suspects, like EGM, GamePro, Next Generation and Game Fan. The good news is that the UK-based magazines have us covered. The bad news is that this review from Super Play leaves me with more questions than answers: "Inspired, beautiful and exciting. All words which are as applicable to Jelly Boy as dainty is to Cyril Smith's Y-fronts. Look elsewhere for a good solid platformer." With a score of 61%, it's clear that Tony Mott didn't think much of this game. But who is Cyril Smith? And what are his Y-fronts? I definitely need one of our wonderful British viewers to translate that feels like it's supposed to be a sick burn.

Mean Machines Sega disagreed with Super Play's low score, giving the Mega Drive version of Jelly Boy an impressive 90%. Gus called the game a "true classic," arguing this unassuming platformer was deceptively awesome. It may look like a generic action game, "but playing actually reveals an achingly addictive and vast adventure that scores entirely on the ingenuity of its levels. Jelly Boy's a game you'll keep reaching for." There's just one problem: You couldn't actually reach for it. At least, not the Mega Drive version. It was canceled right before release, but apparently not before Mean Machines Sega wrote their review. Thankfully, the Super NES version came out, and American gamers will finally have a chance to play it on the Switch.