Mzo-3 Reviews

Super Mario All-Stars (1993 Video Game)

A very worthy collection...

[10/10 · 31 August 2000]

This game brings together some of the best games from the 8 but generation, the Mario games. I think nothing needs to be said except to remind people that SMB3 is the best game on the NES. They're perfect translations, every enemy that was there is in here (Trust me, I checked). The most welcome addition of all is the ability to save in SMB3, a game that takes a full day out of your life to completely play through, something I've done only once. Every other time, I used the warp whistles. So, if you're a newbie trying to catch up, this cart means 3 less purchases to make. If you're not, you need it for the Japanese SMB2: The Lost Levels. Either way, buy it.

Mario Kart 64 (1996 Video Game)

The finest kart title on the N64, except...

[8/10 · 29 August 2000]

OK, let's get something out of the way. Two player battle mode in Mario Kart 64 is the most fun you can have with a multiplayer game this side of GoldenEye. Now, for the bad news. Although the control is exceptionally tight (a Nintendo trait if ever there was one), and the new power slides are very intuitive, there is a MAJOR problem with the AI. For one thing, unless they pick up a weapon while you watch, they always have banana peels. Now, in the original Mario Kart each computer controlled opponent had their own distinctive weapons, but that was OK, since you had whatever you picked up to use. Now, not only does the computer have unlimited peels, they can also use your weapons against you. That's a minor gripe; here's the big one: rubber band AI. To maintain all races tight to the finish, the computer can never really be left behind too far, they mysteriously bound back. Gone are the days of lapping Toad (sucker!). Besides that, this is a great game for the N64.

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (1995 Video Game)

What an original se(pre?)quel! A must have.

[10/10 · 29 August 2000]

This one surprised me. When I heard that the next Mario game would star Yoshi, I was a bit skeptical. Sure, I like that rascal, but hey, you can't upstage Mario (unless you're Luigi. How many other people out there prefer to be player 2?)! Well, once I played it, all my doubts went out the window. Original gameplay (flawless as always for the big N), beautiful and lively graphics, and shyguys a-plenty (my personal fave). Now, for anyone that says this game is too easy, I can assure you that they did not collect all the items in the game. Each stage has a letter rating, based on the amount of red coins, flowers, etc. you collect. The process of collection is never tedious, but always challenging, especially near the end. Sure, tearing through the game from start to finish might be a medium challenge, but doing it right is a challenge worthy of most gamers, one which will be a joy to complete.

Super Mario Kart (1992 Video Game)

The kart game that started it all...

[10/10 · 28 August 2000]

Super Mario Kart for the SNES is one of the best games I've ever played. From the learning curve to the play control to the characters (go koopa troopa!), this one is a definite classic. If you're a fan of any of today's kart titles, know that Nintendo invented the genre with this amazing game. Go get it. Now!

Super Mario 64 (1996 Video Game)

THE best video game of all time.

[10/10 · 28 August 2000]

Yes, that's right, it is. I firmly believe that the N64 and the weird looking controller were both designed just so this game could be made. It was amazing the first time I saw it, with its huge environments and colorful characters, and its amazing now. The play control is perfect, the graphics are beautiful, and it has that Nintendo charm that is always so intangible but undeniably there. A must have for any N64 owner, and a reason to get an N64 for everyone else.

Mario Bros. (I) (1983 Video Game)

One of the classics

[7/10 · 28 August 2000]

This game must be very confusing to the younger generation, weaned on the PSX and its ilk. They've almost never been to an arcade to play anything but fighting games, and long lost battles for high are but a memory, save for some Sega games (eg, Crazy Taxi). So, the point of the game is a high score, not a boss or an end level. It's most enjoyable with two players going at it, knocking each other into enemies and the such. Give it a try, it's old school at its best.

I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

Waste of time

[31 August 1999]

As much as I enjoy the antics of a magic geriatric fisherman, who's breaking and entering skills give Batman a run for his money, this movie was worse than the last. Sorry to say I left this one behind, so I don't know who the killer was, and, oddly enough, I don't care.

Payback (I) (1999)

Insipid and dull.

[1/10 · 31 August 1999]

It takes a special movie to get a comment out of me, and this definitely qualifies. I've only been tempted to leave a theater a few times in my life, and this was one of them. The story lags and drones along to Gibson's unusually bad character development, complete with weak one-liners and phlegm-filled voice. The odd bluish tint of the whole film also worked to annoy me. A total worthles waste of time.

The Big Hit (1998)

It's a spoof, people!!

[8/10 · 31 August 1999]

This movie was not to be taken seriously. From the incredible gunfights to the car chase in the woods, it was an action packed humorous thrill ride through and through. Mark Wahlberg was terrific as the compassionate hit man, the movie's worth seeing for his performance alone. Just take it with a grain of salt.

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Incredibly disappointing

[1/10 · 31 August 1999]

Now, this film might be better than the others I've deemed with ones, but it just had so much HISTORY behind it, y'know? They tried "resurrecting" a series that had maybe not ended on a good note, but was one of my favorites growing up. With this new version they add comedy (a la Gremlins 2), and a very weak plot to bring back Sigourney Weaver. It was very disappointing, and it tore down the Alien legacy with it, deserving the 1.

A Life Less Ordinary (1997)

A wholly magnificent piece of excrement.

[1/10 · 30 August 1999]

This film is jam-packed with bad acting and implausible feelings and responses to implausible events, leading to one of the single worst moviegoing experiences of my life. I urge anyone even slightly inclined to watch this movie solely by the talent invloved to rethink themselves. The worst part is that, with it's cast, and with the bare bones of the plot (remove the ENTIRE Heaven connection), this might have made a decent movie. Stay away at all costs.