This Week in Defunct Games - Nov. 23, 2010

What Is It? It's the sequel to the 1993 Super NES and Genesis "hit" Aero the Acro-bat. Released just one year after the first game, Aero 2 offers the same basic gameplay and level progression. That's a good thing if you like jumping challenges, but bad if you're the kind of person that fears falling to your doom. Even with only a year to turn this around, Iguana managed to create a worthwhile follow-up that is faster, better looking and better in every way. From the spooky levels to the improved narrative, Aero 2 comes out swinging. But is it enough to recommend this wannabe mascot?

Does It Still Hold Up? Aero is a game about difficult platforming puzzles, and it's good to see the jumping controls tightened. Even if this is a no-frills mascot game, the level designs are good and the basic premise holds up well. It's a little corny at times, but Aero the Acro-bat 2 delivers the goods.

Is It Worth The Money? Despite my lukewarm reviews, I have nothing against the Aero the Acro-bat franchise. This is a perfectly acceptable 2D platformer. As a mascot game it's not in the same league as Mario or Sonic, but I definitely see the potential in the big top antics. But as dependable as this game is, it often felt like it was simply going through the motions. Ultimately I didn't have that much fun going from level to level. It's not a bad game, but I say pass and wait for Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel.

What Is It? Despite its name recognition, Fatal Fury has never been a stellar fighting game franchise. The first game was sluggish and hard to control and the second game didn't go far enough to fix those problems. But Final Fury 3: Road to the Worst Subtitle in the History of Video Games is different. Finally we're given a cast of characters worth mastering, each with moves that look cooler than the last. It's not Street Fighter II, but it's the one Fatal Fury game worth owning.

Does It Still Hold Up? While the basic gameplay hasn't changed much since Final Fury 2, this third installment feels tighter and has a stronger cast of characters. The graphics are also sharp, featuring highly detailed sprites and special moves that really pack a wallop. The game modes are nothing special and the music has to go, but Fatal Fury 3 is a great fighter that manages to hold up.

Is It Worth The Money? Even if you weren't a fan of the first two outings, Fatal Fury 3 is worth the nine dollars. I could spend the next three paragraphs laying out a case for why you should buy this forgotten gem, but the truth is that I know that you're already hungry. It's been six months since SNK uploaded a fighter to the Virtual Console, and The King of Fighters '95 wasn't exactly the fighting game of the year. I can see it in your eyes; you're ready for another fighting game. Well don't hesitate, because Fatal Fury 3 is easily the best fighting game to hit the Virtual Console all year.

What Is It? The Super NES was home to some of the greatest Square Enix games of all time, including Final Fantasy III and Chrono Trigger. These are amazing games that still hold up 15 years later. And then there's Final Fantasy: Mystic Quest, a variation on the long-running franchise that nobody remembers. There's a good reason this game never took off - it's developed for babies. Sold as a kids' game, Mystic Quest simplifies the traditional turn-based Final Fantasy mechanics into something anybody can understand. Dumbing down the gameplay is one thing, but with it comes a shallow plot full of paper-thin characters and generic villains. Of all the 16-bit role-playing games Square could have uploaded to the Virtual Console, why did it have to be Mystic Quest?

Does It Still Hold Up? You can take or leave the turn-based gameplay, but too much of the depth is stripped out for no reason. Creating a game the whole family can get behind is a noble (yet flawed) goal; I would love to see Japanese RPGs appeal to a wider audience. However, a simpler Final Fantasy can still have a worthwhile story. Mystic Quest feels like the B-team got a hold of the project and didn't know where to take it. I know where they can leave it.

Is It Worth The Money? Eight dollars is a bit steep for Final Fantasy Kids. The story isn't very exciting, the graphics are boring and there's nothing remarkable about the game mechanics. Uploads like this suggest Square Enix isn't as committed to the Virtual Console as it should be. With so many great role-playing games already available for download, you're better off saving your money and waiting for Final Fantasy III.

What Is It? It's like Metal Slug ... with a yoyo. As silly as it sounds, Spin Master is a traditional 2D action/shooter where you jump around, collect treasure and knock people out with your special weapon. It's goofy, but it's also a whole lot of fun. Spin Master reminds us that there once was a time when SNK was about more than sluggish 2D fighting games, they also made rock solid action games. This 1992 treasure is full of colorful sprites, vibrant backgrounds and precise gameplay. Even if it's not very long, Spin Master more than makes up for any downside by offering enough personality to fill up a whole trilogy of games. Sadly we didn't see the further adventures of the Spin Master, but at least we can relive his adventure on the Virtual Console.

Does It Still Hold Up? The gameplay is simple, yet effective. The graphics are sharp and there's a nice variety of levels. Like all old school arcade games, Spin Master is short and very basic. If you based your enjoyment on a game's depth, then this is not the game for you. But Spin Master holds up in all of the most important ways.

Is It Worth The Money? Don't let the yoyo fool you, Spin Master came to play. This is a fast-paced action game that I couldn't put down. Unfortunately it's over far too soon, but so is the case with most arcade games of that era. While I may balk at the nine dollar asking price, I recommend it to anybody who couldn't get enough Metal Slug. It's nowhere near as violent as SNK's long running shooter, but Spin Master is definitely full of character and spirit.

What Is It? Released in 1994, I think it's fair to call Street Slam a blatant rip-off of Midway's popular NBA Jam. This basketball game features exciting three-on-three gameplay, over-the-top slams and a total disregard for rules. You don't get real teams or much of a story mode, but Street Slam offers fast and furious arcade sports action that is just different enough to avoid a Midway lawsuit. Believe it or not, this game was popular enough to warrant a number of sequels. Sadly none ever made their way to the U.S., but maybe the Virtual Console can rectify that.

Does It Still Hold Up? The gameplay is good, though not spectacular. The game is missing the all-important turbo mode, the button you press to quickly get out of a jam. Combined with dunks and regular shots, the turbo button made you unstoppable. Sadly that's nowhere to be found in Street Slam. Instead you get powerful defense and low scoring games. The graphics are all right and it's fun against a second player (no four-player option, though), but it doesn't hold up compared to the recent NBA Jam or EA's NBA Street series.

Is It Worth The Money? There aren't a lot of arcade sports games on the Virtual Console, so Street Slam is a welcome addition. Unfortunately this addition reminds me that the far superior NBA Jam has yet to grace Nintendo's download service. Thankfully gamers can go pick up the competent reboot at their local game stores. As for Street Slam, I say save your money and check out Fatal Fury 3.