Games Database
GBA
Platform
| Also for: | Sega 32-X, SNES | ||
| Viewed: | 2D Side-on, Scrolling | Genre: | Platform Adventure |
| Arcade origin: | No | ||
| Developer: | Mass Media | Soft. Co.: | Blizzard |
| Publishers: | Vivendi
(GB) |
Released: | 26 Sept 2003
(GB) |
| Ratings: | PEGI 12+ | ||
| No Accessories: | No Accessories | ||
Summary
With the GBA now firmly established, we’ve seen a great number of 16-bit classics updated and converted for handheld gaming, but one game that took us by surprise is Blizzard’s Blackthorne. Originally a SNES platform shooter from 1994, the games industry’s equivalent of Rambo is now making waves on Nintendo’s handheld.
A direct port of the original, players assume the role of Kyle Blackthorne. After his family is destroyed, Blackthorne decides to return to his home world to rid the evil forces that committed this atrocity, and it’s your task to help him.
The basic structure of the game entails players navigating protagonist Blackthorne through myriad multi-tiered scrolling environments, armed with a shotgun and a bad attitude to match. The layout is very much a mixture of platforms, positioned enemies and ladders, with an emphasis on puzzles. The learning curve is also very familiar, with levels becoming predictably more difficult as you progress.
From a visual standpoint, Blackthorne for GBA looks as good as its 16-bit predecessor, but does look a little more pixilated due to the lower resolution of the handheld. Environments are on the whole very dark and dungeon-esque, but they’re also simple and easy for players to become familiar with, which is a good thing for a mobile game.
Those old enough to remember this style of game will love it, but we also reckon that newcomers will dig it too.
A direct port of the original, players assume the role of Kyle Blackthorne. After his family is destroyed, Blackthorne decides to return to his home world to rid the evil forces that committed this atrocity, and it’s your task to help him.
The basic structure of the game entails players navigating protagonist Blackthorne through myriad multi-tiered scrolling environments, armed with a shotgun and a bad attitude to match. The layout is very much a mixture of platforms, positioned enemies and ladders, with an emphasis on puzzles. The learning curve is also very familiar, with levels becoming predictably more difficult as you progress.
From a visual standpoint, Blackthorne for GBA looks as good as its 16-bit predecessor, but does look a little more pixilated due to the lower resolution of the handheld. Environments are on the whole very dark and dungeon-esque, but they’re also simple and easy for players to become familiar with, which is a good thing for a mobile game.
Those old enough to remember this style of game will love it, but we also reckon that newcomers will dig it too.
