16-bit platforming, jetpacks, and awesome opossums are back once more with the release of Limited Run Games and Konami’s Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked. Featuring three titles from days gone by, does this collection light a spark?
Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Review
Platforming giants Sonic and Mario dominated the 16-bit landscape when Sparkster and his Rocket Knight Adventures first hit the scene, but just because he never took center stage doesn’t mean he should exit stage left.
Kicking things off with Rocket Knight Adventure, players wield a chargeable energy sword and jetpack (cool tools of the trade, to be sure) to take on the evil Devotindos Empire. Boss fights, shoot-em-up sections, and even robotic mech duels make sure this title leaves a lasting impression – the impressive spritework and soulful musical source are no slouch either.
Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 follows similar beats, pitting Sparkster (and his sword and jetpack combo) against King Gedol in an attempt to save Princess Cherry.
Gameplay mechanics are as sound as ever, though the slot machine after collecting gems is a mixed blessing. Nevertheless, Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 is well worth a playthrough for platforming fans.
Finally, a second Sparkster title is included, though it was a completely different title that was released for the SNES. Players will know the drill, with more high-flying and sword-faring action platforming fans will love. Just be warned that players will need to bring their A-game to see the true ending on higher difficulty settings.
While Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked packs three absolutely killer platforming adventures, the rest of the package is a bit light on content. Features like filters, eight different borders, screen size adjustments, and a rewind feature are par for the course, but emulators like RetroArch have been doing that for years.
To sweeten the pot, Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked features a Boss Rush mode for each title, a Music Player, and a Museum.
The first two don’t have too much flair to them; Boss Rush says what it is on the tin, while the Music Player doesn’t have too much functionality outside playing the tracks themselves.
Even the Museum Mode of Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked is more of a gift shop. While it’s great to see magazine ads, box art, internal design documents, manuals from different regions, it’s not taken far enough.
Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked features platforming greats that are absolute must-plays, but the overall package is bare bones. It’s great to see Sparkster and his jetpack make a return, but this awesome opossum deserves so much more.
Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD is well worth a play for those looking for sheer charm and puzzling adventures in equal measure; just don’t expect too many new twists and turns as you bust ghosts in the moonlight.
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble sticks to its roots a little too closely, with its multiplayer mode coming off as more of a bonus than the main attraction.
Anya Forger’s adventures in SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories are well worth the time of any secret agent.
Still Wakes the Deep is a truly immersive tale, but its linearity ultimately prevents it from reaching new heights.
Shadow of the Erdtree is the perfect swan song to Elden Ring. It gives you all the challenge, the loot, and the lore of the base game in a smaller chunk. Prepare to lose yourself to its siren call yet again.
Nightmare Kart is positively dreamy, channeling the best kart racers to create something truly divine. While the emphasis on combat might lead to some unnecessary chaos, its addictive blend of speed and offense makes it worthy of all Hunters.
Overall – 70%
70%
Official Score
Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked features platforming greats that are absolute must-plays, but the overall package is bare bones. It’s great to see Sparkster and his jetpack make a return, but this awesome opossum deserves so much more.