Having jumped on the retro bundle bandwagon I think Arc System Works has done good to bring to the gamer a larger than average collection of classic titles that will no doubt take the player or players on a trip down memory lane. Whether you grew up playing the Double Dragon series, Renegade, River City Ransom, or any of the sports drama spin-offs like Dodge Ball from the Kunio-kun franchise you will find those games intact, and upgraded with tweaks that not only revive said brawlers, but that do so for an entirely new generation to experience. Containing 18 games in total with an ease of access menu featuring quality updated versions or the originals as they once were along with optional additions such as wallpapers as well as offline and online play "Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle" aims to fill that nostalgic void that might be empty in your own personal gaming library.
Getting into, and enjoying this collection of brawlers is a task made easier through well applied organization options, and an all inclusive main menu system. At the game select menu you can filter the game listing according to system, title, recently played, and other orders that will make clicking on, and selecting the game you desire all the more easy. Each game is displayed as a clickable cover art image with access to a history of said game made optional for viewing. Some games also feature a "quality" or "original" version as a choice before starting. The quality version being one that is fixed, and plays more smoothly, and the original the original version of the game with flaws present. Each game also comes with three different wallpaper borders including the original box art, a colored silhouette of the box art, and the title tiled over and over again on a colored background. The display can also be changed from the original 4:3 aspect ratio to a zoomed presentation, and even a stretched full screen display. Allowing the gamer to experience the game as they wish to view it. Scanlines, and scanline intensity are also taken into consideration.
Taking a hint from past Arc System Works fighting games the collection will also allow the player to pick an avatar to represent them while online as well as three words that can be put together to form a player name or title. The avatars, and assortment of title options cannot be purchased with in-game currency though. They must be unlocked by performing certain feats in each of the games. Some avatars, and title phrases are unlocked from the start, but only a limited selection. As with any retro collection of the modern era the game also includes an OPTIONS menu for saving progress, loading a save, and changing the control scheme when already in a game. There's even a way back to the main game selection screen should you feel the need to try out something different.
Offline in this particular bundle is as you'd expect. It includes one to two player local play, and versus CPU play in some situations. You'll start off by selecting the game then the player count or mode, and go into the actual gameplay. Online is a different story in comparison, and features the basic quick play matchmaking options as well as room creation, and room selection. Some of the games, which are noted in a pop-up notification have mentions of certain features having been taken away. Things like the ability to name teams or characters are removed for online play. I imagine it's to keep players from sharing inappropriate character or team names online. As of this review the online portion of the game is a dead zone, a ghost town. I couldn't get in with quick play, or by searching for a room.
The Verdict ...
The offline offerings of "Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle" are enough for a recommendation for me. While I'm not particularly fond of some of the games like the sports titles, or the high school drama based brawler adventures I feel the Double Dragon trilogy, and River City Ransom more than make up for it. The rest are interesting enough to play through at least once, especially the ones that originated in Japan despite my lack of interest. It is definitely a bundle that features more games than the usual collection, and one that is certainly with an America to Asia reach. Also worth noting is the smoother controls, and the "Quality" versions that make for the perfect experience of an otherwise flawed game. Double Dragon, my most beloved of all, was fun to play again, and with the thumbstick being allowed as a movement option it made for an easier playthrough than I remember. Definitely a more inviting experience than the original release.
When it comes to worth, and value you are getting your money's worth even without the online being played or playable. It is, as I've said, a larger than average collection that offers the gamer a library of series from connected creators that were the first to make the brawler genre so attractive. It gets the okay from yours truly, especially if you want in on some of that retro Double Dragon action!
Getting into, and enjoying this collection of brawlers is a task made easier through well applied organization options, and an all inclusive main menu system. At the game select menu you can filter the game listing according to system, title, recently played, and other orders that will make clicking on, and selecting the game you desire all the more easy. Each game is displayed as a clickable cover art image with access to a history of said game made optional for viewing. Some games also feature a "quality" or "original" version as a choice before starting. The quality version being one that is fixed, and plays more smoothly, and the original the original version of the game with flaws present. Each game also comes with three different wallpaper borders including the original box art, a colored silhouette of the box art, and the title tiled over and over again on a colored background. The display can also be changed from the original 4:3 aspect ratio to a zoomed presentation, and even a stretched full screen display. Allowing the gamer to experience the game as they wish to view it. Scanlines, and scanline intensity are also taken into consideration.
Taking a hint from past Arc System Works fighting games the collection will also allow the player to pick an avatar to represent them while online as well as three words that can be put together to form a player name or title. The avatars, and assortment of title options cannot be purchased with in-game currency though. They must be unlocked by performing certain feats in each of the games. Some avatars, and title phrases are unlocked from the start, but only a limited selection. As with any retro collection of the modern era the game also includes an OPTIONS menu for saving progress, loading a save, and changing the control scheme when already in a game. There's even a way back to the main game selection screen should you feel the need to try out something different.
Offline in this particular bundle is as you'd expect. It includes one to two player local play, and versus CPU play in some situations. You'll start off by selecting the game then the player count or mode, and go into the actual gameplay. Online is a different story in comparison, and features the basic quick play matchmaking options as well as room creation, and room selection. Some of the games, which are noted in a pop-up notification have mentions of certain features having been taken away. Things like the ability to name teams or characters are removed for online play. I imagine it's to keep players from sharing inappropriate character or team names online. As of this review the online portion of the game is a dead zone, a ghost town. I couldn't get in with quick play, or by searching for a room.
The Verdict ...
The offline offerings of "Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle" are enough for a recommendation for me. While I'm not particularly fond of some of the games like the sports titles, or the high school drama based brawler adventures I feel the Double Dragon trilogy, and River City Ransom more than make up for it. The rest are interesting enough to play through at least once, especially the ones that originated in Japan despite my lack of interest. It is definitely a bundle that features more games than the usual collection, and one that is certainly with an America to Asia reach. Also worth noting is the smoother controls, and the "Quality" versions that make for the perfect experience of an otherwise flawed game. Double Dragon, my most beloved of all, was fun to play again, and with the thumbstick being allowed as a movement option it made for an easier playthrough than I remember. Definitely a more inviting experience than the original release.
When it comes to worth, and value you are getting your money's worth even without the online being played or playable. It is, as I've said, a larger than average collection that offers the gamer a library of series from connected creators that were the first to make the brawler genre so attractive. It gets the okay from yours truly, especially if you want in on some of that retro Double Dragon action!
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