GRAPHICS SOUND CONTROL FRUSTRATION FUN FACTOR OVERALL

NES Beat 'Em Up 2 Players Passwords If there is a more fitting label for River City Ransom than "classic", no one is going to find it. River City Ransom is the kind of game that shows just what looking at something a little differently and with a little dedication can produce. This is easily one of the best games for the NES and definitely one of the most memorable. The story is entirely disposable and basic: Bad guy kidnaps girlfriend of hero, hero and friend go to save her while beating up countless gang members with the intelligence of peat, beat boss, get girl, watch horribly corny ending, repeat. While it's not the story that makes this game (one look at the ending, which won't be given away, and anyone can see why), the sum of parts and how they all fit together is what makes River City Ransom a true masterpiece. Simply put, River City Ransom does most everything right. First off, you start off with one of the two selectable characters (whose names can be customized), which are attacked almost immediately by gang members. River City Ransom's enemies aren't too stupid, as they can effectively block your attacks and strip your life away in a matter of seconds. That's not to say that there aren't holes in the AI, but overall, the enemies are smart, which is an accomplishment in itself. There are also a variety of weapons that your characters can use, which range from sticks to tires. Unlike other fighting games, the weapons stick with the character until he loses them, and they're only as effective as his ability to use them. This opens up another of River City Ransom's major features, which is the ability to build up a character's abilities, such as strength or speed. This is done by using various items that can be purchased at the many shops that are littered throughout the game. The items that can be purchased in the world of River City Ransom are staggering. Defeated enemies will drop coins, the value of which varies depending on what gang or boss is defeated. Money can then be used to buy a large variety of items, which can restore life, increase abilities, and even teach new techniques. Money collecting and character building, a trait rarely seen outside of RPGs, has been implemented seamlessly into River City Ransom, and the result is a deep brawler that can be entertaining for years. The graphics are the usual Technos fair: well drawn, with ample and clean detail on characters and backgrounds. Everything is well animated and doesn't look awkward or out of place. The graphics are on the simplistic side, however, and the colors are a bit dull. There is also some flicker here and there and bouts of slowdown in the two-player mode when things get hectic. Overall, the graphics are excellent, but a notch away from perfection. The sound also performs exceptionally well. The sound effects are excellent and varied, each one fitting, realistic, and crisp; clearly a case of quantity and quality. The effect of the steel pipe collapsing to the ground is particularly worthy of praise. The music is also very enjoyable, with every track being memorable and appropriate. The only downside is that there are only a handful of tracks, and they sound similar to each other. A few more selections would have helped, but it's not a problem that most will notice or care about. The controls are solid, allowing for a variety of moves and the ability to defeat opponents in many different ways. The controls are a little stiff, though, especially when attempting to jump precisely. This can also result in getting pounded on by opponents, which is not the optimal situation when the player is down to their last health bar. The variety of attacks can also get confusing at times, but it's not something that affects the game badly. The controls perform admirably, overall. River City Ransom can get very frustrating, as it is almost a requirement that the character "level-up" in order to defeat the later enemies. This translates into backtracking to defeat enemies for their cash to buy items to enhance the player's character. If the player is defeated, it's back to the last shopping area with half the money. This is horribly frustrating, especially when the latest item is only a few coins away. The gameplay is smooth, however, and not disconcerting in itself. River City Ransom was given to me when I was in second grade, if I remember correctly. Obviously, I loved it, not because I know it was, for the NES, a revolutionary game, but because it was a blast to play. On the rare occasions I played video games with friends, we would spend more time smacking each other around (in the game) than we would making actual progress. I have a friend who discovered River City Ransom when he played it with me, and now he is a believer. Needless to say, we take a more organized approach and actually beat the game. I think it goes without saying that I never sold my copy; the copy I still play has been in my collection for over ten years. ......BOTTOM LINE: All of the elements of River City Ransom come together to make a phenomenal game that can be enjoyed for years, even though it's too short. This is a title that is strongly recommended to anyone who enjoys NES games with a little depth, or needs a fighting fix. Run, don't walk, to secure a copy of one of the best NES games ever created. -The Collector