Data East Classic Collection (Retro)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Publisher: Retro-Bit
- Developer: Data East
Game Features:
If you read my review of Retro-Bit’s other recent SNES multicart, then you’d be happy to learn that this one comes with the extra goodies in a very SNES-like box:
- Data East Classic Collection Cartridge
- Cartridge Dust Cover
- Instruction Manual
- Exclusive Button and Sticker Set
Once again Retro-Bit opted for the custom cartridge shell, deviating from the original and nostalgic feel a bit.
Out With The New, In With The Old!
Like with the Jaleco Brawler’s Pack, the Data East Classic Collection is a new multicart that packs pre-existing games from Data East. Booting it up, you’ll find the following games to choose from:
- Fighter's History
- Fighter's History Mizoguchi
- Magical Drop
- Magical Drop 2
- Super Side Pocket
Fighter's History
There are three different gameplay modes available. CPU Battle is the traditional arcade mode that allows the player to try and complete the game by defeating other fighters. Survival Mode allows the players to select a team of five to faceoff against another team. Versus Mode allows two players to go up against each other.
A Street Fighter II clone complete with special moves, breakable stage objects and end of battle animations, Fighter’s History is decent enough to enjoy solo or in VS mode with a friend. It has a roster of nine playable fighters and two boss characters, including Karnov from Bad Dudes.
Fighter's History Mizoguchi
Fighter's History: Mizoguchi Kiki Ippatsu!! was released exclusively in Japan for the Super Famicom on February 17, 1995. It was the only game in the series released exclusively for the home market. Originally planned as a port of Fighter’s History Dynamite, many changes were made to the game, including the addition of a new game mode where Mizoguchi is the protagonist.
This title includes some returning and new faces from Fighter’s History with similar controls. The biggest addition is the Mizoguchi Mode, which is a story mode where the player controls Mizoguchi across fights interspersed with cutscenes. The latter are unfortunately not translated from Japanese which is a pity as the story seemed quite interesting from what I could gather from the still images.
Magical Drop & Magical Drop 2
Magical Drop sometimes referred to by the native Japanese users as MagiDro, is a series of puzzle games originally released in the arcade, and later primarily released for several platforms such as the Neo Geo, Super Famicom, Sega Saturn and Neo Geo Pocket Color developed by Data East. The games are notable for being extremely fast-paced
Magi Drop is played in a ‘stack’ of random colored bubbles that descend from the top, and a player is defeated when a bubble hits the bottom. Bubbles can be picked up and dropped by the player’s ‘clown’ at the bottom, and are destroyed when three or more of the same color are put together on a single column. Game modes include the Story Mode played against the computer, VS mode played against another person or just casual play as a puzzle game.
Both games are practically the same, with Magical Drop 2 having more characters to choose from, better visuals and some new gameplay elements.
Super Side Pocket
The main objective is to cross different USA cities and reach the predetermined scores to go ahead. But remember: you’ll have only 16 balls and every error can be lethal! The game also comes with modes for 2 players with two variants: 2P Pocket Game (the traditional mode) and 2P 9-Ball Game, where the premise is to sink 9 balls before the other player makes them first. If you prefer, test your target in Trick Game or even hear your favorite song in Jukebox.
A Collection?
Truth be told, the games included in this pack are an odd mix as they don’t all belong to the same or a related genre. Like with the Brawler’s Pack, the games in this multicart aren’t even that well known but they do provide a decent amount of entertainment for a brand new $34.99 cartridge. Additionally, the Classic Collection is an affordable reason enough to dust off your SNES and experience lesser known games in from the SNES era. The cart was tested on the the Super RetroTRIO Plus and ran flawlessly.
Verdict
- 5 games in one cart
- Cartridge Dust Cover
- Exclusive “Collector’s” Button and Sticker Set
- Fighter's History Mizoguchi not fully translated
- Custom cartridge design is not like original SNES ones
- Odd mix of games
