Extra Guy writes: Would you ever be able to understand just how difficult is for me, Gabriel Jones, to write a review of Guardian Heroes? This is a game that is so wrapped up in nostalgia and history that I don’t think I’d ever be able to give it a review that even remotely approaches objectivity. All of the times I have purchased and re-purchased Guardian Heroes are chance encounters, like the kind you’d see in a poorly written romantic-comedy. Choosing to go to the mall instead of dealing with a mouse, a random trip to the local game store (likely prompted by some other bit of reality I was in the midst of escaping). Growing up I always thought games like Super Mario Bros. 3 or the original Sonic the Hedgehog were going to be what defines me, but it turns out that Guardian Heroes takes that title. It is by no means the perfect game, but I hold it above all others, and as you can tell I’ve already given this game an A+ rating just by virtue of what it represents to me.
oprainfall writes: "Guardian Heroes is a classic, and is considered one of the best Saturn games ever released. I bought the original in 1996, and still boot my Saturn from time to time for a play through. The XBLA release takes the game and molds it into something even better, removing the slowdown, tweaking the combat in meaningful ways, and adding online functionality to the already fun multiplayer, all while being far less expensive than the original ever was. This is a game that deserves to be in everyone’s collection, and I highly recommend Guardian Heroes to anyone with an Xbox 360."
I still play the original on my Sega Saturn, great time with friends, the versus multiplayer was a blast.
Just beat it with some random yesterday and its well worth the time and little money it cost me. Got it off of the marketplace for 160 points...best deal ever.
This week Trees returns and we are talking about the Japanese developer Treasure, best known for some of the most impressive games on Sega’s consoles (Gunstar Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, Guardian Heroes, and Ikaruga) as well as Nintendo’s later consoles (Bangai-O and Sin & Punishment). We discuss the company origins, values, and of course the entire library of this innovative developer.
EDGE - Scrolling beat ‘em ups are one of gaming’s longest-serving genres – not yet in retirement but teetering on the pensionable as each blundering Final Fight: Streetwise turns up to undo the good work of an Urban Reign. One-on-one scrappers have settled down into a stable domestic relationship with gamers, but the dedicated scrolling beat ‘em up still remain marginalised. The art of one-on-many thumping has moved on: absorbed into myriad action games, it’s always the bridesmaid and never the bride. It features in many games but stars in few, long divorced from the arcades where it once achieved a blissful, balanced existence, able to wow the punters with instant, tap-tap-tap combo gratification while siphoning the credits out of their pockets with cruel boss scraps.
Man I loved Guardian Heroes! used to play it all the time with my kid brother, I think the only VS character we never managed to unlock was Han with the mystic sword.
Would be great to see some more games like this making a return.
