The game you're looking at right now is S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team, and not only is it one of the many games on the Nintendo Switch Online service, but it's one of the many games that I have not covered on the Nintendo Switch Online Review Crew. This summer, we're going to fill in the classic Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES games we missed, including Adventures of Lolo, the aforementioned S.C.A.T., and Double Dragon II: The Revenge. These three games were added to Nintendo's online service years ago, but the question still remains: Are any of them worth playing? To answer that question, I decided to flip through the pages of Electronic Gaming Monthly, Video Games & Computer Entertainment, Mean Machines and more classic magazines to see what the critics said back when these games first came out. So, go and grab your jetpack, because we're going to be moving some blocks in this vengeful episode of Nintendo Switch Online Review Crew.


Although we talk a lot about the shoot ‘em ups of the 1980s and 90s, these tend to be the 16-bit hits that made waves on the Genesis and Super NES. However, there were a few shooters for the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System that somehow managed to overcome the hardware limitations and become either must-play hits or well-regarded cult classics. That's certainly true of the unfortunately-named S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team, a game set in the distant future of 2029 where heroes Arnold and Sigourney use jetpacks to fly around the screen shooting down aliens and liberating New York City and the rest of the world. In other words, it's Natsume's version of Forgotten Worlds, only with 8-bit graphics and a female co-lead.

When it comes to the reviews, the critics were mostly on the side of S.C.A.T. Electronic Gaming Monthly, for example, gave the game an average score of 7.5 out of 10 and praised what it was able to do on the NES. Ed noted that “Long, hard and intense shooters don't come along very often. The graphics are exceptional and comes off very well on the NES. Smooth scrolling and great gameplay help make this better than average. I like it.” Steve also liked it, but was frustrated by the hardware limitations: “S.C.A.T. takes the basic theme from Forgotten Worlds and throws it onto the NES. The action is intense, and the game only suffers from a lack of visual clarity caused by some flicker when too much is going on.”

I imagine that these technical issues were what led Nintendo Power to give the game a 3.1 out of 5, though they weren't really clear on their criticisms. GamePro, on the other hand, went as high as a 4 out of 5, raving about the world building. This is in line with the 8 out of 10 S.C.A.T. got from Video Games & Computer Entertainment, who concluded that it “obviously has some familiar features about it, but is nonetheless a well-crafted and enjoyable game. The graphics are interesting, with variable scrolling and little flicker. The soundtrack is equally good throughout – explosions, music and all. All in all, it's a fun game that should be given a look.” I agree, so check it out on Nintendo Switch Online if you haven't already.

When you think puzzle games on the Nintendo Entertainment System, you probably picture falling blocks or vitamin capsules. Sure, games like Tetris and Dr. Mario may have taking up a lot of the oxygen, but my good friend Lolo is here to remind you that there was more than one type of 8-bit puzzle game. Adventures of Lolo is a fun overhead puzzler that sees you trying to move blocks in order to traverse the colorful world and avoid the many enemies wandering around. The formula was so much fun that HAL Laboratory ended up making two more sequels, making Adventures of Lolo one of the best and most consistent trilogies on the NES.

The critics liked it, though the way they chose to show it was ... interesting. A good example of that is Ed at Electronic Gaming Monthly, who starts his review by saying, “I feel sorry for this game. It is similar to Soloman's Key, a challenging combination of action strategy. Lolo requires experimenting, through trial and error, to find the correct pattern for each level. Kiddie graphics disguise a game that is for all ages and filled with countless hours of enjoyment.” Jim agreed, praising it as a “good thinking game with nice graphics and sounds. It's not unbeatable, despite the number of rooms that must be overcome. This one's a good change of pace if you're sick of shooters and want an alternative to Legend of Zelda.” Electronic Gaming Monthly ended up giving Lolo an average score of 7.5 out of 10.

That's not that far off from the 3.5 out of 5 you saw coming from Nintendo Power. Nintendo Magazine System also landed in that range, giving it a 74% and calling it an “intriguing puzzle game which certainly packs a challenge but doesn't feature much in the way of action or variety. Definitely one for those who like the pace of their games sedate.” In other words, it's not a shoot ‘em up. It's weird how the critics keep harping on a puzzle game for not having more action. Check the game out on Nintendo Switch Online and see if you agree with that criticism, because I certainly don't.

The original Double Dragon is, without a doubt, one of the most influential arcade games of all time. That said, I would argue that the Nintendo Entertainment System sequel, Double Dragon II: The Revenge, is a substantially better game. It tells a cinematic story that is spread across a number of incredibly creative stages, all designed to push the Nintendo Entertainment System to the limits. And it works, because this is, at least in my opinion, the franchise's high-water mark. But let's see if the critics agree with my full-throated endorsement of Double Dragon II.

Based on the reviews over at Electronic Gaming Monthly, the critics definitely agreed with me. Ed called it “every bit as good, and even better, than the first. It's all new too! New moves, new scenes, great graphics, excellent player control and multiple difficulty levels. Double Dragon 2 is easily the best kick-and-punch game ever made.” Once again, Jim is here to back Ed up: “Double Dragon 2 represents a phenomenal improvement over the original Double Dragon. The graphics, gameplay and two-player interaction all combine to blow Double Dragon out of my NES.” EGM gave this sequel an average score of 8 out of 10.

On the other side of the coin you have Video Games & Computer Entertainment, which gave Double Dragon II the lowest score I could find, a 6 out of 10. “If at first you succeed ... do a sequel. This seems to have been the motto of moviemakers and, more recently, of gamemakers. Double Dragon II is the sequel to Double Dragon. It retains the strong points of the original, but improves on it in many ways. It is, to my way of thinking, a successful sequel.” That said, they ended up complaining about the challenging stages and the frustrating obstacles that lead to deaths that are outside of your control.

Across the pond, you saw Double Dragon II: The Revenge earn high scores from the British critics. For example, Nintendo Magazine System ended up going as high as an 84%. Mean Machines, on the other hand, went with an 80% and gave it a high recommendation. Julian argued that “although Double Dragon II looks a bit rough around the edges, it's great fun to play. The multitude of baddies to bash and the sheer variety of backdrops and weapons make this one stand head and shoulders above most Nintendo beat ‘em ups.” I absolutely agree. This is definitely one of the best 8-bit brawlers, and is leagues better than the Genesis and arcade sequels. Give it a play.