November | 2018 | RVGFanatic

Ranma ½: Hard Battle (SNES)

***Pub: DTMC | Dev: Atelier Double | November 1993 | 12 MEGS***

Street Fighter II, with its revolutionary gameplay and intense competitiveness, launched the fighting game boom of the early 1990s. It was to no one’s surprise, then, that this movement would follow suit on the SNES with everyone and their dog cranking out fighting games left and right. Enter Ranma ½: Hard Battle, which was released in North America on the Super Nintendo 25 years ago this month. Unlike many other SNES fighters, Ranma ½ wasn’t based off an arcade game. Based off a famous anime and manga series, I remember Ranma ½ being something of a big deal in my gaming group 25 years ago. It was the first “really Japanese” SNES game I can recall that made it stateside mostly unaltered. That alone blew our minds back in November 1993 — an era that saw many Japanese games westernized for the worse. But that alone doesn’t guarantee a quality product if the gameplay is less than solid. It does, however, at the very least make for a memorable effort.

This was originally released in Japan on Christmas of '92 — This was originally released in Japan on Christmas 1992

Street Combat, anyone? Yeah I didn't think so — *Street Combat*, anyone? Yeah I didn’t think so

THE STORY GOES…

Remember when 12 MEGS was considered pretty big? — Remember when **12 MEGS** was considered pretty big?

This was a big deal for us 25 years ago!

MEET THE FIGHTERS

REVISITING RANMA

I have some fond memories of playing this game with my gaming crew back in the day. Therefore, I was super excited to revisit it 10 years ago in 2008. It had been a good 15 years since I last played this game. I forgot a lot of things about it during that time. For example, jump is set to the button X by default rather than simply pressing up (as it is in most fighting games). Thankfully, you can change the buttons in the option menu to make jump the up button. Secondly, the controls are a bit awkward. In order to perform special moves, one must hold down a button and then press the d-pad in the proper motion. That just feels clunky and unnatural. And it certainly makes for a bit of an unpleasant fighting game experience. The fighters are also a strange bunch and may not be very appealing unless you’re a huge fan of the property.

Each character gets their own plot to explain why they’re fighting.

It’s neat how the game is offbeat by virtue of the source material itself being quirky. For example, some of the fighters couldn’t care less about being the best in the world. They just want to wiggle out of taking their exams!

For its time, Ranma ½: Hard Battle sports some bright and colorful graphics. It looks best in screenshots. Unfortunately, it’s nowhere as impressive in motion as the animation is a little on the lacking side.

My gaming crew and I liked this game quite a bit when we rented it 25 years ago in the fall of 1993. We played the hell out of it that weekend. I remember thinking that it was a fun silly little fighting game that didn’t take itself seriously (at all).

We sure did. It featured some pretty cool looking special moves for its time and was a nice break from Street Fighter II, or so we thought as kids.

Unfortunately, I realized after revisiting the game that it was better off left in the past. It’s significantly hampered by an awkward control scheme (holding attack buttons and then pressing the D-Pad is no way for a fighting game to be), and a lack of real intricate strategy (only two attack buttons and a lack of special moves are on hand). I was majorly disappointed after revisiting it years later as an adult. I guess some fond childhood memories are merely a product of the time coupled with the innocence of being a kid who doesn’t know any better!

The best Ranma fighting game on SNES is the Super Famicom exclusive, Ranma ½: Chougi Ranbu Hen. It is way better than the previous two editions, with a fun combo system, super special moves and even a tag team mode.

It’s pretty plodding and slow, however. But if you can look past its flaws, it’s actually a decent little fighting game.

But for those playing this game here’s a big tip to maximize your pleasure. Change the shoulder buttons to be a power attack. That way you can strike with one special move (i.e. Y + B) while unleashing R + Back then Forward. It’s making the best of a flawed control scheme. Also, if you want to battle the computer in 2 player or Team mode, simply hold R + L and select with Y. This slightly increases replay value as the 2 player mode allows you to use different characters and pick different backgrounds as you wish. Team mode is 5 vs. 5, non-elimination style.

ProTip: EGM is way better than GamePro ever was — **ProTip:** EGM is way better than GamePro ever was

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID

EGM gave it very respectable scores of 7, 7, 8, 8 and 8. GameFan gave the import version ratings of 84, 84, 84 and 89% in their February 1993 issue. GameFan later scored the North American version in their December 1993 issue with marks of 65, 75, 78 and 80%. Super Play rated it 71%. I think many SNES owners got some enjoyment out of this title 25 years ago, but it has aged rather poorly ever since.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

One of the great things about video games is the ability to revisit old childhood favorites. Sometimes they play just as well as you remember them. Other times, you wonder what in the blue hell you were thinking as a kid. Before I revisited this game, I recalled to myself how much fun my gaming group and I had with it back in 1993. The bright, colorful graphics. The unique character roster. The groovy special moves. But after revisiting the game I was left wondering what we were smoking as kids. I guess part of the charm of being a kid is sometimes you just don’t know any better. And that you were resourceful enough to fill in the gaps where needed and make the most out of any situation.

It’s a shame any time your memories of a game doesn’t live up to the actual quality of the game. I’m not trying to insinuate that Ranma ½: Hard Battle is a stinker. More like strictly average. And, with so many good games available on the SNES, it’s not worth your while to play Ranma ½: Hard Battle. Awkward control scheme and a lack of special moves makes it a cumbersome fighting game that, license aside, is better left in the past. The character balance is very poor; some fighters are at a major handicap. I can’t recommend this game, not even for huge fans of the manga or anime. Again, if it’s a Ranma ½ fighting game you want on your SNES then make sure it’s Ranma ½: Chougi Ranbu Hen. Ranma ½: Hard Battle is ho-hum and ultimately forgettable. It’s a shame but that’s the thing about revisiting old childhood favorites. Some hold up remarkably well while others simply sink. Ranma ½: Hard Battle is not a stinker, just a sinker. Sometimes, it really is best to leave the memories alone.

Graphics: 6.5
Sound: 4
Gameplay: 5
Longevity: 4.5

Overall: 5.0

Blaster Master (NES)

*Pub: Sunsoft | Dev: Tokai Engineering | November 1988*

Blaster Master celebrates 30 years this month. Released in November of 1988, Blaster Master is one of those beloved 8-bit classics that most kids from the NES era fondly remembers. Although my gaming crew never held it quite in the same light as Contra or Mega Man 2, it was always right up there with the best of the rest. There was something about it. Something different and memorable. The ability to man a powered up tank was unique enough on its own, but throw in the ability to hop out of said tank to patrol around on foot made the blasting experience double cool. Switching from side-scrolling action to a top-down shooter differentiated Blaster Master from the masses, making it stand out in an era where most games featured very little variety. As a fun bonus, the title of the game encompassed the late ’80s. BLASTER MASTER. It was cool, yet cheesy. Charming, yet campy. It fit in perfectly with the times we were growing up in. Happy 30th Anniversary, Blaster Master!

The good old days when back of boxes were so cool

THE STORY GOES…

And who said Jason and Freddy can't be friends?? — And who said Jason and Freddy can’t be friends?

The game features a timeless plot. You know it by heart. But just for the record…

Boy loves frog.

Frog escapes.

Frog licks radioactive tin.

Boy follows frog underground.

Boy finds tank.

Boy saves world.

Riveting stuff, really.

"Would you like flies with that?" [SMH -Ed.] — *“Would you like flies with that?” [Oh dear -Ed.]*

No lid eh? Way to go, Einstein... — No lid eh? Way to go, Einstein…

Where the HELL is this kid living anyhow... AREA 51?! — Where the ***HELL*** is this kid living anyhow… **AREA 51?!**

Have we not learned anything from Godzilla? — Remember *Godzilla*, anyone?

You gotta appreciate the nonsensical wacky plot

[You mean HELMET. Hmm, why did I hire you again? Remember kids, STAY IN SCHOOL!-Ed] — *[You mean HELMET. Why did I hire you again?*
*Remember kids, ALWAYS STAY IN SCHOOL!-Ed]*

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

Hard to fathom it's been 30 years — Hard to fathom it’s been 30 years

Navigating Sophia around the landscape is satisfying in and of itself. Managing the momentum of the tank as it moves about is all part of the fun. Add to that a healthy dosage of blasting bad guys and it’s a grand old time.

You can leap out of the tank and patrol around on foot as Jason himself. He has his own health bar and there are certain locations that only Jason has access to.

The tank is inoperable underwater, so Jason hops out for a quick swim. Thankfully, you don’t need to worry about finding water bubbles as a respite. Sonic the Hedgehog Jason ain’t!

You’ll find a ladder at the end here that will take you to the first overhead section, where you’ll play exclusively as Jason.

He becomes a much easier target to hit — Reminiscent of NES *Rygar*, no?

Life Force is another NES classic — *Life Force* is another NES classic

"Don't open til Doomsday!" — **“Do not open until Doomsday!”**

You’ll receive an upgrade for your tank after defeating the boss. Backtrack because now you can destroy the wall guardian with your new power-up. Nice!

It definitely does, what with its backtracking and various upgrades that allow you to access previously inaccessible areas.

It's got that classic NES vibe — It’s got that classic NES vibe to it

Yup, you know what this means! — Yup you know what this means

Shades of Legend of Zelda — Shades of *Legend of Zelda*

New power-ups allow you to expand the game as well as fortify your tank.

You can see the Metroid influences — You can see the *Metroid* influence

Color schemes range from — Blast bricks to reveal new areas

Obligatory slippery ice level — Ice affects your tank’s traction

It captured my imagination — The action get crazier and crazier

In the words of Van Halen: jump! — In the words of Van Halen: ***JUMP!***

The end (of the world) is near — The end (of the world) nears

The box cover star rears its ugly head — The box cover star finally appears

Can you vanquish the evil Overlord? — Can you slay the evil Overlord?

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Often heralded as an NES classic, the real question is does Blaster Master stand the test of time? It was definitely a memorable title 30 years ago, but how well has it aged exactly? Obviously your mileage may vary, but from where I sit Blaster Master is a bit of an uneven playing experience. I found myself looking forward most to the side scrolling tank blasting action while the overhead sections patrolling around as Jason, not so much. Controlling the tank S.O.P.H.I.A. (which stands for Subatomic Omni-directional Probative Hyper-responsive Indomitable Abdicator) with its various power-ups is quite the good time. But the overhead bits feel a little clunky and cumbersome. They did so even back in 1988. 30 years later and it’s even more apparent. Throw into the equation some moderate backtracking and no save or password system and you have a game that hasn’t aged all that well.

But judged on its own merits 30 years ago, it was an easy 8.5-9.0 of a game for many of us. It’s not as fun to play today but it’s still a decent time. However, I highly recommend playing Blaster Master Zero instead. I beat that one on the Nintendo Switch and it’s AWESOME. Makes it really hard going back to NES Blaster Master! Regardless of which game you choose to play, here’s a toast to 30 years of BLASTER MASTER. Thanks for the memories, SOPHIA!

Blaster Master Zero is the shit — *Blaster Master Zero* is the bee’s knees

Halloween II

Friday. August 5, 2016. One of the most memorable days of my life. It was the last week of my summer break and I had to end it with a bang. And that I did. I drove hundreds of miles to Alhambra, California, to visit my childhood best friend. Nelson and I go way back. We met in Kindergarten and were best friends through 7th grade, but then my family moved in 1996 and things were never quite the same. Yet despite it all, we remained in touch throughout the years. Nelly and I share a special bond. We may go weeks, months and sometimes even years without talking, but as soon as we get back in touch it’s like we never left. Those are the best! Little did I know when I left my house to go visit Nelson in LA that he only lived 3 miles away from many of the filming locations of the 1978 classic, Halloween.

"Haddonfield" in August 2016 — “Haddonfield” in August 2016

The initial plan was just to reconnect with my childhood best friend and go to Disneyland to hang out with Mickey Mouse. How serendipitous it was, then, to find Michael Myers unexpectedly lurking in Nelly’s backyard! Nelson and I were literally running down the streets of “Haddonfield” (AKA South Pasadena) hunting the Boogeyman — we were not only chasing a piece of our past but we were living it up in the present while looking forward to the future. When all the cosmic forces in the universe magically collide like that, it makes for the absolute best memories.

We visited many of the filming locations that day

Nearly 40 years of history! — Nearly 4 decades of history!

Obligatory "That's me!" shot — Obligatory ***“That’s me!”*** shot

One of the most iconic scenes in horror cinema! — One of the most iconic scenes in horror history

It was so surreal standing there. Gave me goosebumps — It was SO surreal standing there. Gave me **goosebumps**

Michael stalked these streets nearly 40 years ago — *Michael stalked these very streets nearly 40 years ago…*

Hunting the Boogeyman indeed! There Nelson and I sat admiring the sights and sounds of Haddonfield. We fondly reminisced about our childhood memories growing up watching the Halloween movies together and a more innocent time of our lives. It was just what the doctor ordered to end summer with a bang and look forward to what the next chapter of our lives would bring. It’s funny how that works, eh?

Jump to October 2018. Fall break was fast approaching as was the release of the new Halloween movie, which was rapidly racking up rave reviews. Since I had the week off from teaching, I decided to capitalize on a once in a lifetime opportunity. Horror’s Hallowed Grounds with Sean Clark was doing a 40th Anniversary bus tour of Halloween. Sure, I had seen many of the locations just two years prior, but this was the 40th Anniversary! No way was I gonna miss that, especially with it perfectly landing during my 10 day fall break. This was all in addition to attending the 40th Anniversary Halloween Convention. Without further ado, here are some pictures and memories from that awesome weekend.

Not exactly paradise but it'll do — Not exactly a view from paradise but it’ll do

Going with Nelson would have been perfect but unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. He left to Thailand for the month to visit some family and since I left on a Thursday (October 11, 2018), everyone else was working. So it was the first solo trip of my life. They say everyone should experience a solo vacation at least once in their lives. I don’t know if this qualifies per se, but I’ll take it. It was a blast and a weekend getaway that I will always cherish and remember. I slept at America’s Best Value Inn. It wasn’t the most lavish of places but it sufficed for a 2 night stay.

I left Thursday morning and hit Pasadena around 5:30 PM. After unwinding for 10 minutes in my room, I went out to grab an early dinner. The long drive had me feeling hungry as a mofo.

There were lots of cool Halloween decorations lighting up the darkening streets of South Pasadena.

Nothing like an awesome Halloween display

Back in 2016 when I visited Nelson, he took me to Shakey’s Pizza Palor and I have been craving it ever since. It’s just pizza, fried chicken and potato wedges but damn did it hit the spot 2 years ago. So I had to come back.

Half Firehouse half Rustic Garlic Chicken

Mmm, so good. I wish there was a Shakey’s where I live. I ate a few slices and took the rest to go.

Made for a greasy yummy midnight snack ;) — Made for a greasy yummy midnight snack

I then spent the better part of 3 hours texting a new lady friend before crashing for the evening…

Friday, October 12. Let's get the show on the road! — Friday, October 12. Let’s get the show on the road

Halloween promotion was off the charts in LA! — *Halloween* promotion was off the charts in LA!

My new friend next to me said Artse. I only saw ARSE — My new friend next to me said *Artse*. I only saw **ARSE**

The house from Nightmare on Elm Street — The house from *Nightmare on Elm Street*

Sean Clark was our tour guide. Super cool guy

Here we are getting ready to pass by the now defunct All American Burger from Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Good times.

The Doyle House 1978 — The Doyle house 1978

The Wallace House 2018 — The Wallace house 2018

The Wallace House 1978 — The Wallace house 1978

Fans from all over flocked to celebrate 40 years

More Halloween promotion — More *Halloween* promotion

The promotion was LEGIT — *Halloween* is **BACK**, baby

Love the sight of Michael Myers looming large over LA — Love the sight of Michael Myers looming over LA

Here’s the infamous spot from Halloween II where Michael Myers bumped into the boombox guy. After hearing the news that Laurie Strode has been admitted to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, Michael Myers is once more on the move.

And here's where we see the bouncing guy — And here’s where we see the bouncing guy

Surreal standing there so many decades later

We even visited the church from The Fog — We even visited the church from *The Fog*

The Buccaneer from Halloween III — The Buccaneer from *Halloween III*

I took a seat at the bar and chatted with Craig. He asked what all the commotion was for. I told him it was a bus tour celebrating 40 years of Halloween. “Shit, it’s been 40 years already?” He took the rest of the work day off to start his weekend early to drink It was nice chatting with the locals.

Sean Clark takes us to the "Garbage Day" spot — Sean Clark takes us to the *“Garbage Day”* spot

From Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2 — From *Silent Night Deadly Night Part 2*

"GARBAGE DAY?!?" *BANG* — ***“GARBAGE DAY?!?”*** ***BANG***

The infamous cemetery scene from Halloween — The infamous cemetery scene from *Halloween*

Pee Wee's Big Adventure — From *Pee Wee’s Big Adventure*

Another one of my favorite films, this was a nice bonus

Looking at it from this angle, its pretty ridiculous :P — Looking at it from this angle, it’s pretty ridiculous

America… a precious land where dozens and dozens of horror movie fans can gather to take pictures standing half obscured by a 7 foot tall hedge. God bless America indeed.

The restaurant from Terminator — The restaurant from *Terminator* (1984)

The Night They Came Home — The ~~Night~~ Late Afternoon They Came Home

"I SHOT HIM! SIX TIMES! HES NOT HUMAN!" — Just wish I was here at night…

It sure would be spooky standing there at night... — It sure would be spooky standing here at night…

Definitely not spooky in the daytime :P — It loses its effect a bit in the daytime

Standing where Donald Pleasence once stood

Dr. Loomis, if only yo ass turned around... — Dr. Loomis, if only yo ass turned around…

All of a sudden all the houses went DARK... — Reminds me of the creepy scene the lights go out

Off to my Friday night dinner... SHAKE SHACK! — Off to my Friday night dinner… SHAKE SHACK!

I’ve heard the hype for Shake Shack for years now, and finally I had a chance to try it out for myself.

Nothing like meat hanging out over the tray — Nothing like hot meat hanging out over the tray

Went to Target to see their Halloween display — Nothing warms my heart like a Halloween display

Went to Target to pick up a few items — From that fancy hoity-toity store… Target

Love seeing the ghoulish sights of Halloween

Yo bro, didnt I kill your ass in Resident Evil? — Yo bro, thought I killed your ass in *Resident Evil*…

Had fun driving around LA at night blasting 80s songs — Driving around LA at night blasting ’80s songs

There’s something about driving around LA at night playing all the old hits. I blasted Jackson Browne’s Somebody’s Baby as I drove up and down West LA. It was so damn peaceful and beautiful. The cool night air smacking my face as I left all my worries behind. Really transported me back to the ’80s. I felt like I was going to see Damone at the next light!

*“Act like wherever you are is the place to be”* -Damone

So awesome blaring this while driving around LA — So awesome to play this while driving around LA

I eventually made my way back to the hotel and ended up texting a new lady friend for 4 hours before finally crashing…

Saturday, October 13. Halloween Convention — Saturday, October 13. *Halloween* Convention time!

Met a new friend. Heres my convention buddy, Crystal — Met a new friend. Here’s my convention buddy, Crystal

After parking and taking the elevator down, I ran into Crystal. She flew in from St. Louis and we became Convention buddies for the day Shout out to Crystal. It was fun walking around the Convention and hanging out!

Tom Atkins from Halloween III was a big hit — Tom Atkins from *Halloween III* was a big hit

Best part was seeing a guy propose! — Best part was seeing a guy propose to his girlfriend!

Early Saturday evening I made the long drive back

I finally made it back super late and crashed like a mofo — I-5 is so damn spooky and eerie at night

CLOSING THOUGHTS

I had a blast roaming around in LA hunting the Boogeyman once more. Although Nelson was out of the country and unable to make it, I still made the most of it. Met a bunch of cool Halloween fans and we just got to live out our fandom and toast to 40 friggin’ years. Not many movies carry with it such a legacy and fanbase as John Carpenter’s Halloween. Best of all, I’ll also remember this trip as the weekend I really hit it off with my new lady friend, who is now currently my girlfriend. We spent 7 hours texting Thursday and Friday night while I was in LA laying in my hotel bed. We had our first date on Sunday (the day I drove back from LA). The next week we went to see the new Halloween (fittingly so) and it just went from there. So yeah, I’ll always look back on that weekend fondly. It was well worth the long drive and expenses I paid to make it happen. What else can I say but thanks for all the memories and long live Halloween!

Hey, who’s that good looking guy at 1:32?!