Still playing through my Nintendo Wii backlog, although I really want to plug in the Sega Genesis and play some NHL 94. Here's a quick rundown:
NHL Slapshot: Fantastic fun, really does play like the classic Genesis NHL games with a touch of Nintendo 64 Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey. It's all fast action, brutal violence and endless one-timer goals. I really wish EA would dust this title off and release an updated version for Nintendo Switch, which is still sorely lacking in sports games. Just give us all the features from NHL 94 (organ music, please) and update the rosters.
Da Blob: I loved this game since I bought it back in 2009. I still enjoy its freewheeling nature and originality that reminds me of Sega Dreamcast. There are also many things that frustrate the hell out of me, such as the wonky camera, the floaty jumps and sometimes just getting lost and not knowing where to go. It drives me angry but in that classic videogame sort of way. I'd definitely get the Switch release.
De Blob 2: A much more polished, refined and structured sequel, looks terrific, maps "jump" to the A button, which is a very welcome improvement, and offers many 2D platforming segments. The structure is a little more linear but at least you aren't sent on a dozen fetch quests all at once. Saving still sucks and I can't understand why Blue Tongue never figured that one out.
FIFA 11: It looks fine, in that Two-Gamecubes-Taped-Together sort of way. Controls are good if a bit sluggish, the computer players just run circles around me. I have no idea why your shots on goal can be powered up so they just fly into the stands. It's FIFA in all its forced "simulation" banality, and makes me pine for Worldwide Soccer 97/98 on Sega Saturn instead.
PES 2013: This seems like a very solid soccer sim. Pity the controls feel more complicated than high school calculus. I might try again but I just came away deeply frustrated. I should probably try with the classic controller.
Madden NFL 2009 All-Play: Same as FIFA, my beefs are mostly with the franchise itself. It's pretty good but the controls are a bit of a pain. Might get better with practice. But I'd rather play NFL 2K1/2K2 on Sega Dreamcast in a heartbeat. And so would you.
Tatsunoko Vs Capcom: Fantastic 2D fighter from Capcom and Eighting, the child of Toaplan that gave us Battle Garegga and Soukyugurentai. The glossy cel-shaded polygon look is glorious, the Tatsunoko players are superb (we'll never see their likes again), gameplay is fantastic. The simplified Wiimote controls are a godsend for those of us who don't have joysticks and can't pull off endless joystick combos.
NHL 2K10: For some reason, 2K hockey just never found its groove like NFL and NBA. It's okay but less polished, fluid and responsive than NHL SLapshot. Again, things may improve with practice, but this is the same debate we were having during the Genesis days. If I already have NHLPA 93 & NHL 94, why should I care about ESPN or Brett Hull 95?
Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage: Very polished and very different sequel from Road Trip, going from a Tony Hawk collect-a-thon to a professional circuit setting. The 60 fps visuals are sure nice, controls are still easy. I don't think anybody knows this videogame exists. Whatever. Their loss. Go to the retro game store and pick this up for three bucks.
Furu Furu Park: Taito minigame collection based on their classic arcade catalog. It has a polished Dreamcast style and it's fun to play around with a little. Not sure if the replay value holds, but these party games only work in certain settings. It's better than its reputation but nothing really special. I'd rather be playing all those Taito arcade games instead.
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess: The longer I play, the more I'm reminded of all the little frustrations that irritate me about Aonuma Zelda: the linear structure, the obsession with puzzles over adventure, the endless fetch quests, the annoying characters, the need to tell insipid "stories" or recreate tired movie cliches. Money is useless because there's nothing to buy. The weapons have all been seen before. On the bright side, the wolf is pretty fun and I enjoy the twilight segments. I'm only 1/4 through so take with a grain of salt.