SEGA AGES OutRun (NS)
It may have been releases more than 30 years ago, but SEGA's arcade OutRun is every bit as good now as it was when it was released in 1986. The game has seen numerous releases over the years but the Switch version going under the SEGA AGES OutRun title is the best, most accessible version to date.
No stranger to porting old games, M2 has proven themselves to be wizards at the craft, having worked on tons of SEGA titles, making them run just like they did on the original hardware they were released on. This also includes past OutRun releases like the Japan exclusive SEGA AGES 2500 OutRun on the PS2 and the 3D OutRun on the 3DS.
For the few of you not in the know, OutRun is a racing/driving game that pits you against the clock. Driving with your girlfriend in a convertible (SEGA no longer has the Ferrari license), there are a total of 15 stages, but you'll only go through five of them on each play through. Before each stage ends, you'll come to a fork in the road, allowing you to choose your own path. This non liner gameplay has been one of OutRun's biggest draws and each path has a different ending. OutRun is one of many SEGA arcade game's to use the company's super scaler technology, creating a very convincing pseudo 3D scrolling affect that is impressive to this day. That combine with the high speed you can achieve in OutRun makes for a trilling racer. On the other hand, simply cruising on the open virtual road is just as enjoyable as.
OutRun is also famous for it's soundtrack. Originally composed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi (often going under the name Hiro), OutRun's soundtrack has a heavy Latin feel with long lasting songs that can be selected before each run. Magical Sound Shower, Passing Breeze, Splash Wave and Last Wave are some of the most memorable arcade jams of all time, nay, in the history of video games. 3D OutRun brought two new songs to the overall OutRun soundtrack, Cruising Line, scored by Manabu Namiki and Camino a Mi Amor, written by Jaelyn Nisperos and they fit right in with the original OutRun music, even mimicking the original sound font. The tracks from 3D OutRun have been included in SEGA AGES OutRun and they are joined by four new arranged tracks: Step On Beat -Arcade Edition, Midnight Highway -Playback, Radiation -Nostalgic Ver., and Driver's MegaMix Vol.1. All new arrangements (with the exception of Driver's MegaMix Vol.1) use the sound format of the original OutRun and are splendid additions to the game's already stellar soundtrack.
Other features include a wealth of screen options including wide screen with optimized, non stretched pixel, multiple arcade screens, smoothing and filtering settings, scan lines or you can just go vintage and play the game with the original arcade screen, complete with screen curving. You can also play the new or old version of OutRun, the different between the two being some slight course alterations between the Japanese an American versions. There's also motion controls for those that want an even more arcade-like experience and online rankings is another reason to push you to perfect your driving skills. You can even unlock the original arcade version of OutRun that only contains the iconic three music tracks and runs at 30 FPS as opposed to the special versions 60. Unless you absolutely must play with a Ferrari, SEGA AGES OutRun on the Switch is the definitive version of SEGA's classic driver.
Also on (but without the extras): ARC, PS2, 3DS
Downwell (NS)
Part shooter, part platformer. All awesome. Downwell is a very interesting take on the two genres. This rogue-like game has you descending down what I can only assume is the world's most ridiculously deep well.
Armed with the sickest pair of kicks ever known as Gunboots, your in game persona can shoot blocks to clear a path or dispose of enemies that cannot be jumped on. Your Gunboots can also be used to position yourself as you fall so you can reach platforms and stomp on those enemies that just so happen to be stompable. If you can continue stomping on enemies without touching terraferma, you can get a combo chain going. Maintaining that chain however, is anything but easy.
It is actually possible to beat Downwell in the 20 to 14 minute range. For those that are really, really skilled at the game and know the ins and outs of it, that is. For the rest of us mere mortals, well, Downwell is pretty dang difficult. You get one life to make your descent and when you die, you've got to start all the way back from the beginning. With the rogue elements, no two attempts will be the same but with enough practice, you'll be able to breeze through the first area with little to no problems. The second area is where things start to get harry and the difficulty only goes up from there. Did I mention that this game has bosses? If all the enemies flying and creeping your way aren't enough to end your run, a boss most surely will.
Despite the difficulty, Downwell remains a highly entertaining shooter/platformer. I've had the game hand me my butt cheeks on a silver platter time and time again but I keep coming back for more due to the simple premise being executed so well and to see how much farther I can get. There are different play styles you can unlock like one that gives you more health at the cost of far less frequent shops. You can also unlock a multitude of palettes to change the game's colors. In particular I'm fond of the Aqua palette but I'm sure others will find the GB and VB (Virtual Boy) palettes chuckle worthy. At $2.99, Downwell is a steal.
Also on: iOS, AND, PS4, PC
