Review Data East Arcade 2 Review

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Data East Arcade 2 is the latest addition to the Evercade's growing library of retro game collections. This cartridge brings 12 more classic arcade titles from Data East's extensive catalog to the Evercade platform, offering a diverse mix of genres and gameplay styles.

Game List

1. Edward Randy
2. Joe & Mac Returns
3. Trio The Punch: Never Forget Me...
4. B-Wings
5. Crude Buster
6. Express Raider
7. Last Mission
8. Midnight Resistance
9. Peter Pepper's Ice Cream Factory
10. Shoot Out
11. SRD: Super Real Darwin
12. Super BurgerTime

Highlights

The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy

One of the standout titles in this collection is "The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy." This game is making its home debut on the Evercade, which is a significant achievement for retro gaming enthusiasts. It's an action-packed title that blends elements of Castlevania and Indiana Jones, featuring impressive sprite scaling for its time. While the controls can be frustrating at times, it's a unique experience that's worth trying.

Trio the Punch: Never Forget Me

This game stands out for its sheer oddity. It's often described as one of the strangest arcade games ever made, with a surreal and often nonsensical style that feels like it was designed by the Monty Python team. While it may not be the most polished game in terms of gameplay, it's certainly an interesting piece of gaming history.

Midnight Resistance

A fan-favorite, Midnight Resistance is included in this collection. However, it's worth noting that the original arcade version used a rotary joystick for aiming, which isn't possible on the Evercade. The game uses shoulder buttons for aiming instead, which works but may feel less intuitive during intense gameplay moments.

Super BurgerTime and Joe & Mac Returns

These sequels to popular Data East franchises offer refined gameplay and updated graphics compared to their predecessors. Super BurgerTime builds on the classic formula, while Joe & Mac Returns surprisingly shifts genres to a Bubble Bobble-style platformer.

Verdict

Data East Arcade 2 is a solid addition to the Evercade library, offering a mix of well-known classics and obscure gems. While not every game in the collection is a masterpiece, there's enough variety and quality to keep retro gaming fans entertained. The inclusion of games making their home debut, like Edward Randy, adds significant value to the package.

Pros:

• Diverse selection of games
• Home debut of some titles
• Includes fan-favorites like Midnight Resistance and Super BurgerTime

Cons:

• Some games haven't aged as well as others
• Control adaptations (e.g., for Midnight Resistance) may feel awkward

Overall, Data East Arcade 2 is recommended for Evercade owners, especially those with an interest in arcade history or fans of Data East's unique game design philosophy.

Rating: 7/10