BATTLE FORMULA
SUNSOFT - NES
Reviewed by Neil Salvemini

Well well well, what is this we have here? Sunsoft? Aren't they that crappy company that brought out those sucky Looney Toons games to the Super Nintendo? What a stupid name! How generic! (Voice of Neil in the distance)

::Hey! What are you talking about? Sunsoft rocks! Did you know they made Albert Odyssey for Saturn, and re-released the Final Fantasies on Game Boy in the USA (Or should I say the Romancing Saga side-stories, and Seiken Densetsu) Well, how about the fact that they brought out Xak: The Art of Visual Stage to the Super Famicom(Awesome Action RPG by Micro Cabin). Plus, you gotta admit it...Road Runner's Death Valley Rally rocked! And sure, there's a ton of awesome Sunsoft-related things I am leaving out. But just to let those who avoid Sunsoft know: DON'T! Sunsoft has alot of great software! Check them out! Please!

Now, about this Shmup, Battle Formula. Heh heh. All I can say is: EXCELLENT! It reminds me of Blazing Lasers in that it keeps giving you more and more challenges. Just when you think it is over...ZOOM! Some mini-boss or large ship decides that it shall accost you like you have never been accosted before. Playability: 6 out of 10

Graphics: Actually very well done for the Famicom. It reminds me alot of the classics Konami was releasing for the Famicom at the time. Full of action, causing the Famicom to explode with power that would make the 'more advanced' gamers of the new Mega Drive and PC Engine era say, "Hey. I didn't know the Famicom could do this. Wait a minute... This gamne's pretty fun. In saying this, I am referring to some mind-blowing Famicom games that were tweaked to perfection, using expert programming and re-programming, and sometimes using extra hardware in their cartriges. For example, Konami made use of the VRC-6 sound chip to get excellent drum sounds and more music out of the Famicom's DPCM Sound channel. Konami also made use of new graphics mappers to get their beloved Famicom to do the unthinkable. (Bear with me. I am on a tangent). Now, what are some crazy games that could make you see the Famicom in a different light might you ask? Here is a quick list before I continue the review. I guarantee that you will be surprised after playing them. Cocoron, Crisis Force... [ snip! he goes on! - Felix the Cat ]
Ever see Mega Drive-like Raster effects on the Famicom? VERY Rare! Battle Formula has tons of them! Just watch as the road curves back and forth, and huge packground pieces move over one another. Marvel at the fading colors. Graphics: 10 out of 10

Sound: EXCELLENT! THE MUSIC SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A VRC-6 chip attached to the cartridge! Imagine loud distorted guitars playing the music, which is fast, and frantic. I NEED TO SAY THIS NOW! This game's soundtrack is so good that it is right up there with that of Contra....an instant classic. You heard it correct. You will find yourself remembering and humming the tunes with the game. PLAY IT LOUD! Music: 9 out of 10

I will now give a small overview of how the game is played, and leave the pictures to explain themselves. Over the 6 stages in the game, you have control of verious cars, a plane, and a boat. Do not disregard the game and call it a Bump 'N Jump re-hash, for it certainly is not! I positively know that this game is a SHMUP, and it will be a total shame if it ends up in SHMUPS! almost-shooter section. This game has absolutely every quality that a SHMUP has, and even reminds me of a toned-down Giga Wing with no reflect shield or Super Burst. basically, you move your vehicle vertically at a high speed, with your own shooting powers and usually a turret that shoots in about 9 different directional positions. Over the course of the game, your ship can pick up various power-ups. Well.....how should I put this...

~LET's ATTACK AGRESSIVELY!~ [ *groan* - Felix the Cat ]

GRAPHICS: 6/10
SOUND: 10/10
GAMEPLAY: 9/10
OVERALL: 8/10



Cheers Neil! Lovely review there. Seems like you liked this game huh? I never heard of it, but I'm quite interested in it now ;)
Yup, the NES is a fair old console when it comes to brilliant games - Mario Bros, Zelda, Metroid, special versions of Lifeforce and Gradius 2, and even some surprices like Recca. Investing in an NES isn't hard, but the rewards can be well worth it...

Stage 1: Speed through the town, as helicopters and turrets chase after you. Zoom past the broken, swirvy bridge that looks over the water only to find yourself on another, less stable bridge that slowly surves right and left. Imagine driving on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge during a wind storm. :) The boss is pretty cool. First you fight an oil truck and a helicopter at the same time. The truck tries to ram you while the heli shoots ar your ship. Destroying the truck reveals two more helis.

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