Skyblazer (SNES)

Pub: Sony Imagesoft | Dev: Ukiyotei | January 1994 | 8 MEGS
Pub: Sony | Dev: Ukiyotei | January 1994 | 8 MEGS

The SNES is home to many great action titles. Everyone knows about classics such as Mega Man X, Super Castlevania IV and Super Metroid. But there are a bevy of lesser known “hidden gems” that have since gone on to enjoy something of a cult following. Skyblazer is one of those games that sort of flew under the radar when it came out back in January of 1994. I missed out on it back then and was excited to finally play it in early 2006 when I had my SNES comeback. What’s all the fuss about? With the fan hype surrounding it, even back in 2006, I was anxious to see if it really was as good as many were claiming. I was only 12 years late to the party, but better late than never!

KaruraouBox

Skyblazer is known as Karuraou in Japan. To no one’s* surprise, the US box art was “modern and hip” while the Japanese box conveys a more anime-inspired cover.

*Unless you’re someone who wonders what SNES** stands for.

**Surely Not Everyone’s Stupid!***

***[Quit this asterisk nonsense! -Ed.]

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If Skyblazer plays with a certain air of familiarity, that might be because you’ve played Ukiyotei’s first game, Hook. Skyblazer was their second, and the similarities between Sky and Peter Banning are quite similar.

I recommend Hook. Its a simple fun little game
I recommend Hook. It’s a simple fun little game

I’VE GOT THE POWER!

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Sky will gain key magic powers throughout his journey. They’ll eat up magic points of course, but you can restock said points by killing enemies. Randomly, refills will drop. Use these skills to even up the odds.

THE STORY GOES…

It aint rocket science, folks
It ain’t rocket science, folks. It’s…

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INTRO STAGE

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Things start off with a bang. A heavy downpour and lightning flashes make for a striking introductory stage.

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Showing off his magical prowess, Sky launches the Super Flash. It only consumes one magic bar and is generally useful in most situations.

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Clinging to walls like Spider-Man, Sky knows how to make a dramatic entrance.

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Speaking of dramatic, this is a great level to play on a dark stormy night.

Meet Ashura, Raglans right-hand man, er, demon
Meet Ashura, Raglan’s right-hand man, er, demon
Sky is left for dead
Sky is left for dead until…
But a bearded old man takes you in, saving you
… a bearded old man takes you in, restoring you
He also provides passwords
He also provides passwords
Between the three islands, 20 stages await
Between the three islands, 17 more stages await
Mode 7, baby ;)
Mode 7, baby ;)

FALTINE’S WOODS

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Faltine’s Woods makes for a nice jaunt but I’m still racking my brains out over exactly WHO IN THE BLUE HELL IS FALTINE!? Nobody by the name of Faltine ever appears in Skyblazer. So pray tell, WHO!? *grumble*

One second youre streaking on top
One second you’re streaking on top…
... and the next youre slipping through the foilage
… and the next you’re slipping through the foliage
Every now and then I get a little bit lonely...
Every now and then I get a little bit lonely…

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Faltine’s Woods is too short a stage. Actually, that’s a recurring theme with Skyblazer. The stages are often over right before you can *really* sink your teeth into them.

TEMPLE INFERNUS

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Clinging to the side of a roving block as it transports you across a fiery pit of hell is rather satisfying. Be careful of what lies at the other end, though…

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Skyblazer isn’t too hard a game, but it does ramp it up a bit later on. Mr. Genie here is a cakewalk. He’ll throw some fireballs at you but they float slowly and are easily avoidable. He can only be damaged when he’s in the lamp.

CLIFFS OF PERIL

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Flying Hero, released on the Super Famicom on December 18, 1992, was developed by Sting Entertainment who later went on to make one of my favorite SNES RPGs, Treasure Hunter G. Anyway, that flying enemy in Skyblazer there always reminded me of the hero from Flying Hero.

TOWER OF THE TAROLISK

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Skyblazer has some cool stages but this is arguably the most memorable and notable of them all. It’s cool to see the tower rotating as you jump about.

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Magical powers, like the Comet Flash, come in super handy here.

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Beware of the spiky platforms… time your leap just right! Once inside the tower, you’ll have to deal with spiked walls and assorted nasties.

Déjà vu...
Déjà vu…

The Tower of Tarolisk is very reminiscent of an old 1987 video game by the name of Nebulus. Created by John M. Phillips, Nebulus was released to various home computer systems such as the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64.

Thanks for nothing, Nintendo of America!
Thanks for nothing, Nintendo of America!
Somebody skipped Kindergarten
Somebody skipped Kindergarten

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Crossing great distances is made a lot easier thanks to the Comet Flash. Talk about style, Sky’s got it in abundance.

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Disappearing blocks appear just to make life a little harder. Brings back some bad Mega Man memories…

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Making it to the top is a great sigh of relief. The walls inside close in intermittently, so don’t get crushed!

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Notice how this giant spinning armored eyeball boss gets bigger each time you hit it. It makes the later jumps rather difficult. As you can see, I barely clear the hurdle on the fourth time.

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Eventually it’ll get so big that you can no longer jump over it. Instead, kneel for safety. It’ll come awfully close to clipping you, but Sky will be in the clear.

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Magazine previews of this giant rotating eye boss back in the day always caught my, er, eye. Sorry. But yeah, as a kid you couldn’t help but love it.

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BITCH! -Jesse Pinkman, probably
BITCH! -Jesse Pinkman, probably
[SEE your way out... -Ed.]
[SEE your way out… -Ed.]

GATEWAY TO EASTERN PLAIN

Collect enough gems to earn an extra life
Collect enough gems to earn an extra life

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PETROLITH CASTLE

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You knew a slippery ice level was coming. Step on those bad boys and they’ll give way. You don’t want to be riding one when it does!

Unless, of course, were talking about this!
Unless, of course, we’re talking about this!

Riding an ice wedge has its moments, though. Or rather, just one moment. But what a fine moment it is.

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Flying Hero, I hate to kill you but sorry I have to! Later on, Skyblazer turns into Mario Blazer. Very reminiscent of Super Mario World, eh?

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WATCH OUT THERE, SKY! It’s slippery so don’t let your forward momentum impale ya!

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Another cool ass boss! With each rotation it makes in an attempt to crush Sky, the gap in the side of its wall will randomly change. Be prepared to jump, kneel or even cling and climb over!

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WHOA, GET DOWN! Sky almost becomes a flattened pancake, but luckily he is able to duck in time. I love how the monster’s eyeballs are taken out one at a bloody time.

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Naturally, the wall moves faster after each rotation. By the end, things get rather hectic… and deadly.

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Good stuff, Ukiyotei
Good stuff, Ukiyotei
Suck it, dirt face!
Suck it, dirt face!

FALLS OF TORMENT

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Skyblazer is largely a linear adventure, but this part gives you some freedom of choice. The Falls of Torment (what a name) has rotating logs that make standing still on them an impossible task. Pair that with some vile creatures and you’ve got a recipe for potential disaster.

LAIR OF KHARYON

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Throughout the history of video gaming, water-based stages have tormented and haunted generations of gamers. This to me is the most annoying level in Skyblazer. Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about breathing underwater. However, there are a lot of switches to flip and annoying currents that correspond to said switches. I dread having to play this level. Still, it’s got nothing on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. You know what I’m talking about!

THE SAND RIVERS OF SHIROL

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Jumping from pillar to pillar as they steadily descend is not as easy as it may appear to be. Thankfully, the control is pretty good so it comes down to your skills and timing. But there’s hardly a safe haven waiting for you, thanks to fire breathing beasts.

GATEWAY OF ETERNAL STORMS

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There’s a lovely fall (and even Halloween-lite) atmosphere to this stage, making it perfect to play on a late darkening afternoon this time of the year. Use your magic powers to clear the path.

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Creepy how killing this demon leads to his head falling off and then it disturbingly turns into a one-eyed spider with gangly legs. Nightmarish stuff, really.

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Skyblazer is a beautiful looking game, with plenty of pretty parallax and scrolling. There’s a nice mystic quality to it all.

STORM FORTRESS OF KH’LAR

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Gimmicks lead to more diversity, and this stage is no exception. Watch the currents. It’ll guide your path.

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Finding the exit is always a relief. It’ll lead you to more bizarre enemies but at least you’re one step closer to the end.

FORTRESS SHIROL

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Reminiscent of the horizontal shooting levels from Legendary Wings. Sadly though, the control for Sky’s flight always felt annoying to me. Something about it that was slightly off. Hmm.

NOT MY GAMERA

Batman (1966) would be proud
Batman (1966) would be proud
Take that, Gamera!
Take that, Gamera!
Cult classic childhood guilty pleasure
Cult classic childhood guilty pleasure
Apples? Yeah, no. Not my Gamera
Apples? Yeah, no. Not my Gamera!
Watch out for his ramming attack
Watch out for his ramming attack

THE LORD OF WAR

Remember him from the beginning? He's baaaaack...
Remember him from the beginning? He’s back…
You gotta beat Ashura first before fighting Raglan
You gotta beat Ashura first before fighting Raglan
This time you're ready for him
This time you’re ready for him
Find a way to shatter his shield first
Find a way to shatter his shield first
Ashura is actually a pushover
Ashura is actually a pushover
Prepare yourself for...
Prepare yourself for…
Holy shit
Holy shit
That's a lot of flashing
That’s a lot of flashing
Guile would be proud
Guile would be proud
Nice try, Sky. Hey, you can't blame the guy :P
Nice try, Sky. Hey, you can’t blame the guy :P

POSTERIZE ME

The game has a cool poster to its name
The game has a cool poster to its name

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID

Skyblazer graced the beautiful cover of Super Play
Skyblazer graced the beautiful cover of Super Play

Skyblazer received fairly strong reviews when it came out nearly 25 years ago. It even graced the cover of Super Play Magazine in December of 1993 (issue #14). EGM gave it ratings of 8, 8, 8, 8 and 7. Super Play rated it 78%.

Wil Overton with the gorgeous art as always
Wil Overton with the gorgeous art as always
Not a bad rating at all, especially come from SPlay
A fairly respectable rating all things considered

DID YOU KNOW?

GameFan Graveyard September 2000
GameFan Graveyard (September 2000)

18 years ago, GameFan ran a love letter of sorts to Skyblazer. Writer ECM called Skyblazer “one of the greatest SNES games of all time.” GameFan was well known for their hyperbole and overly enthusiastic opinions, and this was no different. Skyblazer is definitely a quality action game but one of the greatest SNES games of all time it certainly is not. At least, from an objective point of view.

Hmmm, might want to check your facts, GameFan...
Whoa, what?

Interestingly enough, the man responsible for Gran Turismo, Kazunori Yamauchi, is also the same man behind Skyblazer. Pretty cool obscure little fact!

Thank you Kazunori-san
Thank you Kazunori-san
Gran Turismo was a huge deal back in 1997
Gran Turismo was a huge deal back in 1997
The franchise is still going strong, 21 years later
The franchise is still going strong, 21 years later
To think, he started here!
To think, Kazunori started here!
Pretty eye-popping if ya ask me...
Pretty eye-popping if ya ask me…
Sadly, not too many bought Skyblazer back in 1994
Sadly, not too many bought Skyblazer back in 1994
It could have been a franchise. What could have been
It could have been a franchise. What could have been

CLOSING THOUGHTS

skyblazertower

I came into Skyblazer with a ton of hype and 12 years of roaring anticipation. The previews back in the day made it look like a can’t miss classic. After reading all the rave reviews and love letters regarding Skyblazer both in print and online, it became one of the earliest SNES games I went out of my way to play during my SNES resurgence in early 2006. In the end, I was a little let down. Don’t get me wrong, I still consider Skyblazer to be a good game. But it’s hardly “one of the greatest SNES games of all time” as GameFan writer ECM put it 18 years ago. Too many flaws prevent it from reaching its full potential. I’m not a fan of Sky’s short limbs and the hit detection feels a little wonky at times. Clinging to walls is a fun mechanic, but there’s the occasional ill-advised spot where Sky will do so just because he’s near a surface. The problem arises when you don’t intend for him to latch on! And that could be the difference between winning and losing. Pressing a button to enable sticking to surfaces would have mitigated this unnecessary annoyance. Sky’s sound effect whenever he’s hit isn’t too flattering, either. He sounds a bit like Homer Simpson and it feels out of place. “D’OH!”

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Still, Skyblazer gets a lot right. It’s kind of got this cool epic mystic vibe going for it, even if much of it is extremely cliché. Some of Sky’s magical powers are really fun to use and light up the screen in a dazzling array of lasers and lights. Almost every stage has some sort of little wrinkle or gimmick to keep gameplay fresh and varied. One minute you’re scaling an impressive rotating tower and the next you find yourself slipping in and out of foliage somewhere deep in the woods. The difficulty starts out rather light but quickly picks up. It never gets too hard, but later levels can infuriate with deaths caused by the odd occasional bit of clunky control. It’s things like this that stop Skyblazer from achieving even greater heights.

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The graphics are really good for the most part. It’s vibrant and cartoony, typical of its era. The Mode 7 actually adds to the package rather than detracts, and of course you can’t help but admire the insane amounts of parallax. Sky looks and animates great. But every once in a while you see a crap water effect or a dull enemy design that occasionally makes you stop and wonder. The music is a delightful and eclectic mix of different styles, each one befitting of its respective stage. Ranging from calm and soothing to frenetic and frantic, a sense of real adventure jumps through your stereo system. There’s definitely a Middle Eastern-inspired flare to it all which makes it stand out from your typical SNES action game soundtrack. The boss theme will definitely get your adrenaline pumping.

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The biggest weakness of Skyblazer is less than stellar control (particularly in the flying levels) and the levels themselves are way too damn small. They’re more like bite-sized sections than they are full levels. Just when you’re about to sink your teeth into a certain level’s gimmick, it ends. More than disappointing, it’s downright annoying. It’s like they tried to rush this game out in time for the Christmas season of 1993, but they still came up short and in more ways than one! Nonetheless, if you can overlook some of the game’s shortcomings and focus on the positives, of which there are plenty, Skyblazer rises above the typical crop of forgettable, fair-to-middling SNES action games. It’s not in the pantheon of the upper tier classics, but it does hold its own pretty well against the rest of the field. Best of all, Skyblazer allows you to satiate your inner child by embracing your magical powers and taking on a band of mystical mayhem-mongers all while saving the universe from an ancient evil Lord of Darkness. Hey, that’s what video games are all about.

Graphics: 8.5
Sound: 8.5
Gameplay: 7.5
Longevity: 5.5

AwardOverall: 7.5
Bronze Award

Maybe Skyblazer didnt quite reach its ceiling...
Maybe Skyblazer didn’t quite reach its ceiling…
... but its still pretty damn cool!
… but it’s still pretty damn cool!
Those blocks remind me of...
Those clear blocks are just like…
... the ones from the Batman toy commercials!
… the ones from the ’90s Batman toy commercials!
I call them the Batman blocks :P
I call them the Batman blocks :P
Classic stuff. I was sad the blocks were never included!
Classic stuff. I was sad the blocks were never included!

DAMN YOU, KENNER! *SHAKES FIST*

Hook (SNES)

Pub: Sony | Dev: Ukiyotei | October 1992 | 8 MEGS
Pub: Sony | Dev: Ukiyotei | October 1992 | 8 MEGS

Hook tells the story of Peter Banning, a 40 year old man who works hard to provide for his wife and two little children, Jack and Maggie. Peter is very much grown up and has lost sight of his imagination. In the magical realm of Neverland, Peter Banning is better known as Peter Pan. This video game adaptation is a side-scrolling platformer with pretty visuals and a soaring soundtrack. It does move a bit slowly at times, but there’s an overall whimsical magic to it all. Let’s revisit Neverland shall we?

THE STORY GOES…

Hook-Story

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HookNight

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And the adventure begins -- NEVERLAND HERE WE COME!
And the adventure begins. NEVERLAND HERE WE COME!

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Sky Blazer fans will likely appreciate this effort
Sky Blazer fans will likely appreciate this effort

LEVEL ONE

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Almost looks a bit like a Capcom game, doesn't it?
Almost looks a bit like a Capcom game, doesn’t it?

When I got back into the Super Nintendo in early 2006, I’d heard quite a few positive things about Hook being a solid underrated little title. I passed over it in rental stores back in the day because Hook the film never grabbed my fancy. However, seeing as how a large reason why I got back into the SNES was due to my overwhelming desire to play platformers, Hook looked very appealing all of a sudden. Upon firing the game up and seeing this first level here any worries that this was just another “bad licensed video game” went straight out the window.

Oh my dear Lost Boys, you did this to yourselves...
Oh my dear Lost Boys, you did this to yourselves…

The colors were so vibrant and lush. The sound and music came straight from the movie. It looked and sounded like a Capcom SNES game, and more times than not, that’s a good thing. Pan moves around a little slowly, however, which is my biggest gripe with the game. But far from a deal breaker. The game instantly clicked for me as I maneuvered Peter Pan around the first stage.

No Lost Boys were harmed or injured in the making
No Lost Boys were harmed or injured in the making

Don’t worry, you don’t actually hurt the Lost Boys. It’s just a friendly game of tag… with your dagger. But see how they freeze in place? No harm done… really. Shout out to Thud Butt! My man!

Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts...
Think happy thoughts, think happy thoughts…

Just like the movie, Pan can fly but he needs to find Tink first. Watch your flight meter. The flight system is handled much smoother here than what we saw in Ukiyotei’s SNES follow-up, Sky Blazer.

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Rufio, the stand-in leader of the Lost Boys, is your first boss encounter. He doesn’t believe you are the actual Pan, so show him who’s really the boss around here!

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LEVEL TWO

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Cherries fill your health bar by one. Apples fully restore your health.

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Here monkey monkey...
Here monkey monkey…

Smee, a fitting name for a weird little critter, guards the end of this forest. All the boss fights in Hook are quite easy. Nevertheless they’re still fun.

LEVEL THREE

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It’s hard to articulate but there’s something about the look of this stage that simply does it for me. It just fits in with the whimsical nature of Hook — there’s a child-like charm to it all.

Sometimes you just can't beat simplicity
The charm comes in how basic Hook is

There’s a simplicity to the game in which I greatly admire. I guess, like Pan himself, we’re all grown ups (and some of us are in some way) searching for remnants of our childhood in the midst of a cruel world. A spark or ember of when life was simple and carefree.

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If you’ve read my work for some time now then you know I’m a huge fan of the little details. I love the look of the trees in this level — they add a nice touch to this stage.

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Certainly is. Although Pan moves a bit slow, you’ll soon get used to it. It’s really not that bad after a while. Plus he can run and fly to collect bonuses like this with the greatest of ease. Overall, the control is pretty good.

LEVEL FOUR

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Ah, our old friend Tink appears right at the beginning. That must mean we’re in for some flying lessons…

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Is it just me or do those tigers remind anyone else of the tigers from Mega Man 5? Alas, I digress. Your flight meter drains rather quickly so make haste! If you don’t waste time you should be able to make it to the next “Tink refill station” just in the nick of time. These spots are perfectly placed to avert frustration and promote a sense of satisfaction.

They'll try pushing you into the bombs!
They’ll try pushing you into the bombs!

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I like how this stage really focuses on Peter’s flight ability. Even the boss fight requires flight precision! It’s levels like this that help to keep the game varied and interesting.

LEVEL FIVE

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Although level five has no boss, it’s super fun to navigate and has a decisively adventurous atmosphere. It’s a great stage to play through in the middle of the night in particular…

But don't jump too high either!
But don’t jump too high either!

Remember how in Sky Blazer you slip through the foliage of trees and bushes? It’s easy to spot the similarities between that game and Hook.

Your head is smaller than its mouth -- yikes!
Your head is smaller than its mouth — yikes!
Too close! Thank God for all those DDPYOGA sessions
Thank God for all those DDP YOGA sessions
Thankfully swimming is a cinch
Thankfully swimming is a cinch

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Another cool moment There’s just something special and precious about these old 16-bit games that resonate deeply with me. Hook is as fun to play as it is to look at!

LEVEL SIX

Hook has a lovely presentation to it, no?
Hook has a lovely presentation to it, no?

We’ve seen forests, oceans and caves. So of course, what’s left but the standard ice level! And it’s quite a good one.

They can only be killed from behind
They can only be killed from behind
Oops
Oops

Easiest boss fight ever. You don’t even have to move an inch after positioning yourself correctly. A little disappointing but I always say it’s better for a game to be too easy than too hard, if forced to pick between the two.

LEVEL SEVEN

Ye standard auto scrolling level
It’s the token auto scrolling level

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This is the strongest attack in the game, but sadly it’s scarcely available. You also lose its power on first hit. Oh well, the game’s easy enough as it is.

LEVEL EIGHT

Best level in the game!
Best level in the game!

Try hitting that ball of flame and see what happens…

Whoa!
Whoa!

Hit the ball and you snuff out the lights. But don’t hit the ball and it’ll chase you. Quite the dilemma. The trick is to balance the two, naturally. This leads for a very cool on and off effect that carries throughout this level.

Thankfully the light goes out only for a little bit
Thankfully the light goes out only for a little bit
Pan's lack of foot speed adds to the drama
Pan’s lack of foot speed adds to the drama
Better think happy thoughts fast!
Better think happy thoughts fast!
Not making any top 10 lists, but it's pretty solid
Not making any top 10 lists, but it’s pretty solid
Endearingly reminiscent of Castlevania this part is
Endearingly reminiscent of Castlevania this part is
I love bad puns... [Well I'm not HOOKED -Ed.]
I love bad puns… [Well I’m not HOOKED -Ed.]
A never ending chase this level is
A never ending chase this level is
Such a lovely level, this
Such a lovely level, this
Finally, a somewhat challenging boss
Finally, a somewhat challenging boss

LEVEL NINE

No, Hook doesn't actually have transparencies...
No, Hook doesn’t actually have transparencies…
They just don't know when to quit
They just don’t know when to quit
An apple a day keeps the bad guys away
An apple a day keeps the bad guys away
Make haste or become waste
Make haste or become waste
Try to find all the extra leaves for extra health
Try to find all the extra leaves for extra health
Easily the toughest level of the game
Easily the toughest level of the game

Level nine is definitely a dog fight, especially compared to the other levels. After level nine it’s on to the final level and the showdown with Captain Hook. Can you save Jack and Maggie?

THANK YOU FOR BEING SO TRANSPARENT

Ukiyotei sure was ahead of their time...
Ukiyotei sure was ahead of their time…

As you saw with a screenshot from level nine, don’t be fooled thinking that Hook features fancy transparencies. It’s just a graphical glitch that only appears in the rom. Thankfully this visual hiccup doesn’t appear with the actual cartridge game.

WHAT THE CRITICS SAID

"Please let them think happy thoughts only..."
“Please let them think happy thoughts only…”

When I got back into the SNES on January 17, 2006, my goal was to buy all the games I ever loved as well as the ones I missed out on. I remember browsing various retro gaming forums reading up on different opinions in my early days. Hook always received rather favorable praise. The ad back in the day stated “The Critics Are HOOKED!” It went on to quote, “One of the hottest action games I have ever played. The music is absolutely beautiful and the graphics are top-notch” (Super NES Buyer’s Guide), “Hook is intelligently made from start to finish. Its execution is excellent” (Game Players, Nintendo Guide) and “Hook’s multi-layered, smoothly scrolling visuals inspire comparisons to Super NES legends such as ActRaiser and Super Castlevania IV. The music is so good, you’ll want to crack open the cart and see if there’s a Compact Disc inside! Five star gameplay. Hook succeeds in every way.” (GamePro). EGM gave it scores of 8, 9 and 9. Super Play rated it 72%.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Sorry, Wolfe. Pan proves you CAN go home again
Sorry, Wolfe. Pan proves you CAN go home again

Hook is a simple fun little game. It weighs heavily on the easy scale. The ten levels are short, and some don’t even feature bosses. Most of the bosses are a cake walk. Yet I can’t help but like this game. I’m not a fan of the movie but there’s something basic and charming about this game. It takes me back to the good old days when action games were magical and whimsical. Sure you got your clichés, but really, what would a game of this type be without them? Hook is a pleasure to play through thanks to some rather atmospheric stages, vibrant visuals and a banging soundtrack straight out of the movie. It also features one of the coolest intros in SNES history, instantly transporting you to a land of magic and wonder.

Never lose your own sense of self and wonder
Never lose your own sense of self and wonder

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Hook is one of the best games you might have never played. I wish Pan moves a smidgen (or two) faster. I wish it was a bit more challenging. And similar to Sky Blazer, when the levels start to reel you in, before you know it it’s over with. It would have been nicer to see meatier levels. The gameplay is not shabby, just good enough in most places to be satisfying overall, but not quite good enough to take it a notch above the norm. Therefore, Hook falls short of being a very good game. Still, I don’t hesitate to recommend Hook to all SNES gamers. Too lightweight to be considered for heavyweight contention, Hook nevertheless put a smile or two on my face. Like Peter Banning himself, most of us are now grown-ups. Yet deep down, there is still a little child inside each one of us. This video game does a good job representing that. Playing Hook reminds me of a simpler time where junk emails don’t exist but pixie dust and flying sure do! Better than the movie, and better than most movie to game adaptations, Hook deserves a spot in any Super Nintendo collection.

Graphics: 8.5
Sound: 9
Gameplay: 7.5
Longevity: 6

AwardOverall: 7.5
Bronze Award

 

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HookCT4

I don’t know who this might be for but I feel compelled to share this. Could be YOU… if you’ve had a ‘ship pass in the night’ recently, my heart goes out to you. Myself, been there too many times to count. May I suggest some further reading/viewing? This might bless you: Jesse’s Girl. Take care, and always, chin up!