16-Bit Gems #8: ActRaiser (SNES)
November 21st, 2009 | 
Roo
RooWe're digging early in the Super Nintendo's life cycle this week to bring you a game that many people didn't play, but the few that did will never forget. ActRaiser may have gotten lost alongside such classics as Super Mario World and Castlevania IV, but it deserves it's place in the pantheon of early SNES greats with its unique mix of action and town simulation stages. Watch Roo's review to see what you may have missed, as well as just how many Mel Brooks jokes he can squeeze in to one review.
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I almost forgot how great actraiser was, the music was amazing. How about the loud grunting in the action sequences while swinging the sword to make you feel bad-ass...ah good times.
Oh yeah, the sword swing yells. I should've mentioned that - how could I forget?
"Hah! Hah! Hah!"
Most bad-ass ballerina ever.
I downloaded this game. I sware to go. You were so good about the world 1 act 1 music. I swear to go, I'm obsessed with the song. I downloaded it and I can't stop listening to it
I actually got this game because it was one of the challenge staples of the classic 'Nick Arcade' I'd love to see an update of that show...and this game with it.
I think the closest re-imagining of games like this one was Dark Cloud for the PS2, although that was more like another Enix game - Soulblazer. That game - said to be the first in the GaiaTrilogy, with Illusion of Gaia coming afterwards and Terranigma finishing it up - was all about searching dungeons for pieces of a village that had been erased.
It is true, that there have been no other games that utilize an action theme alongside the town simulation - at least, not in the same light that once shined upon Actraiser. It would be very nice to see this game completely reimagined with everything that was seen in this game put back in. The only thing that was missing from Actraiser 2 was the simulation mode, and that was what kind of stopped me from liking it.
To this day, I still play Actraiser. I praise this game for its content and try to expose it to friends who never knew what gems there once were. A few friends had become fans of this game and it pleases me to know that I finally have someone to talk to about the adventures as The Master.
How about Viking battle for asgard?
you dont actually build citys, but you "save" them and lead them into battle against hell!
not the same, but comon! it is cool sirs :D
I've had this game in my collection for a while now but never got around to palying it. This review definately gave me a reason to whip it out - to great avail!
Would only disagree with one thing. Best first level music in my opinion would be Simon's Theme (Castlevania 4), but each to their own.
You mentioned it's in the top 5 of SNES soundtracks. What would be your other 2 (other than the holy grails of course)? Possibly David Wise score in DKC2?
just picked up a super famicom copy of this game and so far, i can't read the game :D