The Wonder Years: Week 16 - Super Star Wars
Posted by Owain J. Brimfield on 08.08.2007
Take a murderous trip to a galaxy far, far away.
Welcome to the column where all gamers of a certain age come to wallow in 16-bit nostalgia. I'm your host, Owain J. Brimfield, and I'll be discussing some of the hidden gems and instant classics of gaming's golden era. Some of these games may crop up on the Wii's Virtual Console at some point, some may be consigned to the annals of history. Either way, they're worth tracking down if you missed them first time round, or replaying if you were lucky enough to catch them. Let's take a trip to:
SUPER STAR WARS series
(LucasArts, Super NES, 1992 / 93 / 95)
Alright, alright, it's a bit of a cheat devoting the column to three games instead of one. But as with the original Star Wars movies, if you take these games together you can appreciate them even more as a unit than you can individually. Presenting a unique platforming take on the movie universe, the SSW series provided a nice console-based counterpoint to the X-Wings and Dark Forces that had been doing so well on the PC. Okay, so it's not the natural element one might expect, but when you throw in the odd Mode-7 based landspeeder or Millennium Falcon section, plus some truly epic old-school boss battles, you have yourself a recipe for three games' worth of *gasp* reasonable movie tie-ins.
The series is based on a pretty standard action / shooter / platformer template, with around a dozen levels of each game comprised of taking control of various Star Wars characters (everyone from Luke to Chewie to Wicket) and blasting the everloving poop out of a cavalcade of bad guys while jumping from random object to random object. So far, so Turrican, but still nicely enjoyable. Thrown into the mix are an array of vehicle based levels that, invariably, also involve blowing the shit out of stuff. Alright, so there won't be many points for originality, but everything is presented in a stylish manner and the gameplay is extremely solid. And let's not forget the real winning factor - you get to go on a violent killing rampage with an Ewok.
Of course, the series has carved out a relative amount of notoriety due to the unrelenting difficulty of each and every level; in fact they are among the few games I own I have not completed (penultimate or last levels on each, though - wouldn't want to do my reputation any harm) [editor's note - does Brimfield even have a reputation, except for being a meanderingly inconsistent writer with an over-reliance on parentheses? Discuss.] While by no means the hardest games of the Wonder Years, the learning curve was particular unexpected given the franchise's traditional appeal to a younger audience. I can't believe there were too many pre-teen gamers who stood a chance at completing any one of these games, let alone the whole series. Thankfully, for the most part the Super Star Warses maintain a healthy balance on the right side of "frustrating yet rewarding" - well, maybe not the Darth Vader battles in Super TESB, but those prove to be the exception rather than the rule.
What the games are really worth remembering for, is their technical prowess. The graphics, while never threatening to bear any resemblance to the movies themselves, are always solid and maintain a decent lick even with a large number of enemies / projectiles on screen. The Mode-7 sections, in particular, are spanking good for early 90s Nintendo output (well, with the exclusion of the seizure-inducing Death Star escape in Super ROTJ - I had headaches for days). The score, too, is impressive, with MIDI renditions of John Williams' theme interspersed with some interesting adaptations of his work on the films' soundtrack.
The flaws present in the series really all stem from the nature of the beast - there's a lack of variety in the platforming levels, and some stages' inclusion is frankly baffling, even taking creative licence into account - why on earth (or Tatooine, more accurately) does Luke find himself battling evil Jawas through a giant sandcrawler to secure the droids' freedom? I suppose that, like the movies themselves, a healthy suspension of disbelief is required to accept such things, but for the more hardcore fan it can be a little grating. That said, it's quite frankly a wonder that none of the series has yet to be greenlit for the Virtual Console, nor indeed released as a compendium on one disc for a more recent console generation. Everyone knows Star Wars equals money, regardless of what form it takes, and the games are still playable enough to put on a reasonable showing in today's market. Whether the current gaming generation could cope with them or would break into tears at the thought of another manic Cloud City level would be another matter, mind you.
Super Star Wars trivia
The first game was actually due to be ported to the PC, but was sadly never completed. If you're after a glimpse though, you can find an interview with the programmer here.
Super ROTJ is the only Star Wars game I can recall - in fact, the only game full stop I can recall - that actually involves a fight against a robotic doorman. I'm sure some eagle-eyed readers will find an error with this assertion though.
The series was a follow up to the NES / Master System actioner Star Wars, and if you thought these games were frickin' hard, just wait till you try that one. It makes my fingers bleed just as much now as it did when I was seven and thought video games were supposed to be painful.
Only Super ROTJ makes it into my official all-time Top 100 games, at number 92 - the others are honourable mentions. Kind of a coincidence, as it's my favourite of the movies too.
Splendid visitation possibilities
The place to come for random retro gaming tidbits, links and videos, and general amusing games-related stuff collated from the interweb.
Hands up who remembers the Sonic the Hedgehog TV series? No? Well, it's not surprising really as it was mostly dross. Maybe this video will kick start your memories. Of course, you weren't a real Sonic nerd until you'd read the books as well. Sonic in Castle Robotnik was my favourite as a youngster, as I recall.
Of course, if we're mentioning games characters who made the transition to the small screen, I don't think there'd be any justice if we didn't all settle down to watch Captain Lou Albano do the Mario. And if you didn't understand that last sentence, well, you're probably reading the wrong column, boyo.
As for this last one... well, it appears some nobber (no names mentioned, although I know full well who it is) has taken to posting clandestine videos of me on YouTube. Rest assured I'll get him back, possibly with something involving ferrets... but in the meantime, have a hearty laugh at the beardy freak.
Every week in this section I'll endeavour to provide you, the faithful readers, with a fascinating insight into the various forms of entertainment currently dominating my spare time.
This week, I have been mostly enjoying:
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, which I finally relented to buying on my girlfriend's insistence. Although I'd played it before and not been impressed, I'm a bit of a convert, especially to the All Cup Tour mode. It's not as good as the N64 one, mind.
Deadwing by Porcupine Tree. This is how good British music can be, so F the mainstream. ‘Arriving Somewhere But Not Here' is the best song I've heard in ages, and I've got a half a mind just to buy everything else Steven Wilson has touched.
Black Books, classic British comedy which has remained on my shelf unwatched ever since I scratched the disc. Thank heavens for the repairing wonders of Brasso, for allowing me to indluge in Bernard Black's drunken Irish ramblings.
and Empire magazine, which has to be the most consistently enjoyable media magazine I think I've ever read, even if it is a bugger to find in the local newsagent.
Tangential musings
A mental note never to enter a pub quiz again. The fact that a team consisting of eight graduates scored a measly 59 out of 110 and came a resounding last doesn't exactly inspire confidence in the education of today's youth. Although at least the booby prize was Maltesers. Mmm... loser's chocolate.
How awesome does the upcoming movie Shoot ‘Em Up look? Clive Owen as the moody hitman hero, Paul Giamatti as an unhinged OTT bad guy, and the gorgeous Monica Bellucci as the love interest? Plus no less than a dozen firefight sequences?! My god, I think I may have to have a lie-down...
While we're on the subject of awesome, let's take a moment to talk about Kurt Angle and the Speedo of doom. I've never laughed so hard in weeks as when he was standing on the production table on TNA Impact wearing nothing more than bright red pants and some tanning goggles, and beating down Shark Boy for his smile was just priceless.
And last but not least, a shout out to my young nephew Will who has broken his leg and has to stay inside all summer, poor guy. Get well soon!
And finally…
As always, reader feedback and suggestions are welcome, I respond to everything so just drop me a line. Next week in "The Wonder Years" - the streets are alive with the sound of violence. Until then - keep it real, keep it retro.
