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- Pat “Coldguy”
For those who are unfamiliar with game battles, here are the basic rules: two games that are somewhat linked to one another are chosen.
These games then enter into combat, thunder-done style, to determine which one is better. There are 7 different criteria that these games
go through: Graphics/Animation, Gameplay, Sound/Music, Story, Challenge, Controls, and a final wildcard category that could be any-
thing. All decisions are final. Don’t complain to me that your game lost, suck it up! This is a Game Battle!
Now when it comes to game series there is no question that the NES had a bunch of classics. The 8-bit toaster or top loader, no matter
which one you had, you used your little controller to rock with games over and over again. There was, however, a trend that happened
during this era, bad sequels. For some reason, once a game became a hit a sequel is made. And it is never as good as the original. With
the rare exception of Mega Man, people shuned anything that had a number 2 in it. In this special event we have three combatants with
the number 2 pined on them; it’s time for them to battle determine which sequel is best. Enter Super Mario Bros 2, Zelda 2, and Castleva-
nia 2.
Round 1: Graphics/Animation
On the surface there is something clearly apparent here, Super Mario Bros 2 is actually Doki
Doki Panic. Yea I know it’s a shocking thing too, who did they think they were trying to fool?
It is clearly obviousoh… , wait. We didn’t know until the internet came into the picture, never
mind. What we got was the exact same game with some sprite changes. Although Doki
Doki Panic was on the Famicom Disc system and the graphics had to take a hit, it did not
excuse Nintendo for not improving the graphics when porting it over to the NES. Heck, even
when Castlevania 2 and Zelda 2 were ported from disc, their graphics were improved. So
which of these floppy-to-cart translation games is the best?
In the end the nod goes to Castlevania due to the fact the sprites and background had some-
thing that was lacking in the other two, detail. Mario has a nice solid color background and
Zelda has a solid color with random images appearing here and there. But in Castlevania,
we get to see mountain ranges, bricks, and detailed enemies.

Super Mario Bros. 2 Legend of Zelda 2 Castlevania 2

Round 2: Gameplay
Although I did tear apart Mario already, I do have to admit they kept the game-play intact. Jumping on platforms never felt so good as you
threw random objects to defeat the transgendered Birdo (look it up!). All just to get a bubble to lift above your head, go into an eagle
shaped door, and play a slot machine. Hey! It made sense when we were kids.
Zelda 2 took what we knew and love about the original and gave us more fighting moves. We could stab, upward strike, downward strike,
and Zelda 2 also added a multitude of magical abilities to help us get those Triforce pieces. Items were not used & used as much as the
original Solid gameplay and a level up system that is enjoyable entices players to come back again and again.
Castlevania, well, let’s put it this way. If you wanted an example of games you cannot beat without a players guide, this would be one of
them. Who would ever imagine equipping a crystal at a wall, kneeling and waiting 5 seconds for a tornado to take you to another area?
Zelda wins this round due to the uniqueness of it’s gameplay and having it executed so well that anyone can pick up a controller and
have fun. And, perhaps more importantly, one can keep playing due to the evolving game play.
(Continued on page 21)
20 | Video Game Trader Magazine | July 2008 | www.VideoGameTrader.com
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