Disney's DuckTales 2 (Nintendo Entertainment System)
Ever wonder what Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro and other popular magazines thought of your favorite 8-, 16- and 32-bit games? Now you can find out, thanks to Review Crew! This is the only show on the internet that is willing to go back in time to find out what old school critics thought of retro games at the time. Did they pan your favorite game? Did they love something terrible? Find out every week as Defunct Games presents Review Crew!
Scrooge McDuck is back and in search of more treasure. Released four years after
the 8-bit original, Disney's DuckTales 2 keeps the adventure alive with new worlds, bosses and familiar cameos. Were critics still in love with the world's greediest duck, or did they finally come to their senses and revolt against this one-percenter? We dig through old issues of GamePro, Electronic Gaming Monthly and Nintendo Power for the answers.
(NOTE: Although we occasionally cut for length, no other edits are made to the review. Defunct Games does not change any of the wording, grammar or punctuation use. Also keep in mind that our score is the average of all critics at the time, not just the sample that is reprinted on this page. If you still have more questions, I recommend you check out the
Review Crew FAQ, where we address the review guidelines, converting scores, magazine covers and more.)
GAMEPRO (April 1993)
"If it's more of the same you want, DuckTales 2 delivers. For better or worse, Capcom's got a knack for introducing an eye-opening 8-bit cart and then essentially recasting the game play with a few minor tweaks in sequel after sequel. DuckTales 2 is fun while it lasts, but it's too short. It's recommended without hesitation, though, for first-time players and DuckTales fans." -Slasher Quan
(4 out of 5)
NINTENDO POWER (April 1993)
"The second Duck Tales game for the NES from Capcom has more of the same fun action that made the first game a success, and a few surprises, as well. PLUS: Great play control and graphics. All new areas for Scrooge to explore. MINUS: More of the same."
(3.8 out of 5)
ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY #46
"Capcom scores another Disney hit with DT2. Following up on their other entries into this field, DT2 gives you control over the required Disney character in another contest against nasties in a Mega Man-style universe. The action has a nice pace and the graphics are rendered well for an 8-Bitter. An all-around good time." -Steve Harris
(7 out of 10)
ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY #46
"Duck Tales 2 is a great example that 16-Bit graphics and high Meg counts are not necessary for a great game. The game play is filled with techniques, some old and some new. There are plenty of mysteries to solve and hidden levels to find. The graphics are cute, sound is bearable, and the game play is excellent." -Martin Alessi
(7 out of 10)
VIDEO GAMES & COMPUTER
ENTERTAINMENT (May 1993)
"If you enjoyed the first DuckTales and are ready for more of the same, you might want to check out DuckTales 2. If you didn't play the first adventure but like Mario type contests with lots of hidden treasures, tricky puzzles and secret rooms, you too may get a kick out of DuckTales 2. Others may find that DuckTales 2 isn't very different from dozens of other games derived from the same formula." -Clayton Walnum
(6 out of 10)
REVIEW CREW AVERAGE: 73% -
Released in 1993, the timing of Disney's DuckTales 2 is weird for a few reasons. For one thing, it's an 8-bit game released two years after the Super NES. Even more confusing is the long gap between the first and second games. And it's not like the show was still a big hit, DuckTales had been off the air for three years by this point. Talk about weird timing.
The critics also sensed something was up, complaining that DuckTales 2 is more of the same. Video Games & Computer Entertainment editor Clayton Walnum summed it up perfectly: "If you enjoyed the first DuckTales and are ready for more of the same, you might want to check out DuckTales 2." GamePro agreed, recommending the sequel to people who want "more of the same."
For whatever reason, Electronic Gaming Monthly's Martin Alessi decided to use this opportunity to remind people that companies can still make good games without 16-bit graphics and "high Meg counts." He didn't seem to like it that much, as he gave it a 7 out of 10. This war repeated throughout the games press at the time, which explains how Disney's DuckTales 2 winds up with a 73% average. Down slightly from
the original's shockingly low 79% average. What were these critics thinking?
ON WEDNESDAY'S EPISODE:
Get ready for God-inspired violence when the Review Crew remembers ActRaiser 2 for the Super NES. This 16-bit sequel ditches the simulation gameplay in favor for all-out action. Did the critics love this exciting change of pace, or miss the unique mix of genres that made the original popular in the first place? We dig through old magazine issues for the answers.
Make sure and check out the
Review Crew archive for more old school reviews, and don't forget to tweet me
@DefunctGames to let me know what games you want to see next!
