Wonder Boy, by Sega

Last night and tonight I played Wonder Boy for the Sega Master System. I used to play Adventure Island on my original NES, so when I learned that Wonder Boy was its root, I just had to play it.

This game destroyed me. It is so hard. There are so many times where your timing just has to be insanely perfect. I really enjoyed beating it though. I didn't get all the dolls (so as I read on Wikipedia, I didn't get to go to the 10th level.) I ended up with a score of 408,380. The high score for the MAME version is 2,122,630, but my score would be number 8; assuming that the SMS version is basically the same. (That tells me that it is not an active board.)

World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, by Sega

Libby and I just beat World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck for the Genesis. This is a two player platformer released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis. It is really fun that you have to cooperate with another person: sometimes you need to stand on each other's shoulders, pull the other player through a small hole, or use a handcar together. There is also friendly fire in the game, which is definitely exciting and forces you to really communicate.

We played through all but the final level in one go a few weeks ago, but we lost all our tries right near the end and waited until tonight to finish it. We got back through all those parts and to the final boss, but he creamed us up front. The problem was that we didn't know where to attack him. This is typical of this game: it does a very poor job communicating to you what you need to do to advance. For example, there are these doors in the final area that are very hard to open because you don't know what button to press. Simple, but annoying.

Overall, the game is a nice quick platforming experience and I think Libby liked it; and that's saying something! I can't wait to play through the new Super Mario Brothers for the Wii with her.

Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo, by Konami

I just finished playing Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo on the PC Engine CD.

This game is amazing. The levels are all so unique and interesting. They are all challenging and the boss are particularly frustrating, but totally satisfying and fun. I loved being able to play as Maria after I rescued her. I can't wait to play Symphony of the Night again and pay attention to the interactions with Maria. The game is definitely easier with her. I only played with her through the alternate route and I beat Dracula with both Richter and Maria. Naturally I also got 100%, but I'd like to play it again sometime and go with Maria through the primary route and Richter through the alternate route.

Update: One more thing. If you've played a Castlevania game, you know how when you beat a boss, this magic sphere appears that refills your health or advances you to the next level. I always jump to get it. It is so much fun!

I absolutely recommend this game!

Super Marios Brothers, by Nintendo

Over the past month I've been playing Super Mario Brothers for the NES. Of course, I played that game a lot when I was growing up, but I had never beat it or experienced every level. It remains fun and challenging to this day. When I started playing, I didn't remember that you needed to go through particular paths in many of the castles, so that was a really fun challenge this time around. The final castle in particular is a pain in the neck with all the different pipes. I was really excited to finally save Princess Toadstool; she's been waiting a long time for me.

Super Princess Peach, by Nintendo

During a recent trip, I played Super Princess Peach for the Nintendo DS. It was a fun little platformer. The "vibe" system was really fun and there were a few parts of the game that were quite challenging (mostly just in the final world.) As I played through, I got about 90% of the captured Toads, because I liked to explore each level. However, when I got to the final boss I found out I couldn't proceed until I got all the Toads. I wasn't about to go back through the game and do many levels again to get them, so I didn't finish the game. But for what I played it was a lot of fun and I recommend it, but make sure you get all the Toads as you go, otherwise you're in for some frustration and annoyance.

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin by Konami

Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin

During my last trip, I played through this game. I thought the environment was really fresh relative to the last few Castlevania games I've played and I enjoyed the partner system a lot, although I felt like I didn't have as much use for Charlotte; She seemed too much like a support for Jonathan, rather than a character in her own right. I'm really looking forward to playing the other modes, but I don't think I will for a while.

Recommend it!

Engaged!

Today is the three year anniversary of the engagement of my wife and I!

I brought home some cute gerber daisies and Indian food, but she left little signs and letters that said "Yes!" all over the house, my car, work, etc. It was awesome.

Love is grand!!