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C-PRIME's VG Reviews #34: Rescue Rangers
15 years ago
General
Before I begin the review, I feel that there are a couple of things that I need to address.
First of all, this will be the first review under the new scoring system. While the rankings and number scale remain the same, I've adjusted some of the percentage weights on the overall score in hopes of better reflecting what is more/less important in a video game. Some elements, such as Graphics, Story, and Replay Factor/Intangibles will remain the same as they were (with 20% for Graphics and Story and 10% for Replay Factor/Intangibles). What has changed is Gameplay and Music. The gameplay percentage has been increased to 35% of the overall grade while music has been decreased to 15%. I would also like to stress that these are merely my best guesses for what matters in any video game and future adjustments may need to be made in order to "get it right".
Secondly, I don't know if the rest of you guys noticed this, but I don't tend to give very many high scores of greater than 8.5, even on games that are considered amongst the best out there. Well, first of all, that's part of the reason for the score adjustment...to give great games their fair dues and a lot of scores have been adjusted as I made the change. Secondly, the scores aren't the only thing that I rely on...the scores are mostly used as a reference for me to assign a letter grade to the game (which I consider to be my OFFICIAL opinion on it). I've heard a lot of places that say a score of "7 out of 10" is considered average and I think that's bullshit. I subscribe to the Angry Joe scoring method where a score of "5 out of 10" is considered average, a game with a score of "7 out of 10" would be considered a good game, but not a great game in my eyes. However, you're best off by going by my letter grades for each game as well as individual category scores (particularly in gameplay), which is what I base most of my opinion on.
Anyway, now that I've gotten all that out of the way, it's time for the review...
Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers
Year Produced: 1990
Publisher/Developer: Capcom
Game Style: Side-Scrolling Platformer
Additional information: The is one of several video game titles released by Capcom based on various Disney franchises.
Sample Video of Gameplay: CLICK HERE
Plot: Chip (and Dale if you play with two players) have to go stop Fat Cat while also rescuing Gadget from his clutches. (To be honest, it's been YEARS since I last watched the show and I haven't seen a great deal of it...but I do know the gist of the series).
Personal Experience: I didn't get around to playing this game for the first time until a few years ago. Although, I do remember the show and I do remember when the game came out. Over the course of the years it was on, I watched it periodically...though to be honest it wasn't my favorite series of the Disney Afternoon (that would be Ducktales with Darkwing Duck being second). I do remember watching the Chip and Dale cartoons as a kid, which is why I got interested in the series when it first came out. But of course now, I'm sure you all know the REAL reason why I remember the series, and for those of you who don't know let this be a hint for you.
Things I liked about this game
+: The Map System (somewhat similar to that you'd see in SMB3 and SMW where you don't necessarily have to play every level to beat the game)
+: Simplistic yet challenging gameplay (basically, all you need to do is run, throw boxes, bombs, etc, and jump your way through the levels. Although there are challenges along the way including boss battles. Some levels are easier than others)
+: Bonus stages after each level is beaten (for the most part, unless you find the hidden 1up, these don't really do a whole lot of good...there's a time limit for each stage)
+: Being able to throw your partner around the screen (if you're playing as two players)
+: Gadget (Hate her name...absolutely adore her*)
Things that frustrated me about the game
-: The "Castlevania Syndrome" (you get knocked back when you get hit, which can possibly lead to you falling down a pit of doom)
-: There isn't a whole lot of interest in the Bonus Stages (the time limit is too short and aside from a hidden 1up, there's not much worth in it)
-: Having to get used to throw boxes and shit up when I needed to (but once I learned it got easy to do it and it is essential to beating the game)
-: The ending (pretty much the standard group shot plus a bit of text at the end...I found this to be a bit of a disappointment, especially when Ducktales appeared to get more of a satisfying ending than this)
Things that confused me from the game
?: What the hell is that "P" for anyway?
?: Why is Zipper dancing above your head when he's not bashing into enemies?
?: How can Chip and Dale lift apples over their heads...are they on super steroids or something. Yeah, I know that apples aren't that big, but these are chipmunks, who are roughly about the same size as an apple. Maybe they'd be able to lift it enough to move it...but over their heads?!! Granted, it does show them straining whenever they're holding the apple, but it still brings me back to the question I asked.
CONCLUSION: Much like many of Capcom's games based on Disney franchises, this is an example of a game that does justice to TV shows and Movies that are turned into games. It may not be the best example of this, but it does a good job and is at least worth a try if you can find it.
Graphics: 7 (Good for NES standards, Average for Capcom standards *points to the NES Mega Man games as an example of how good the graphics can be*).
Music: 6 (Most of it is rather average and bland, but the final stage theme is pretty good)
Story: 8 (Follows the series and the characters from said series rather well)
Gameplay: 7 (Once you get used to throwing boxes up in addition to the sides, the game becomes enjoyable...but more could've been done to make it better)
Replay Factor/Intangibles: 5 (A fairly standard ending plus relatively worthless bonus stages hurt here, but the ability to hurl your partner across the screen when playing in two player mode does help. Plus, the game adds enough challenge so that you'd want to try and beat it)
FINAL GRADE: 6.9/B (Fans of the Disney-based Capcom games will like this, for all others...the game's worth at least a playthrough or two to determine if you like it or not. It's not great, but it's a halfway-decent game.)
Next VG Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV (SNES)
Next week's Review: Alien
*: In regards to her name...let me get one thing straight, I don't dislike the name "Gadget"...if it were her nickname. After all, she is the most technically inclined of the group and probably the most intelligent. However, as an actual name. No, I do not accept that. You could've at least given her an actual name and then have her want to be called Gadget by her peers, much like how Tails prefers to be called Tails as opposed to Miles.
First of all, this will be the first review under the new scoring system. While the rankings and number scale remain the same, I've adjusted some of the percentage weights on the overall score in hopes of better reflecting what is more/less important in a video game. Some elements, such as Graphics, Story, and Replay Factor/Intangibles will remain the same as they were (with 20% for Graphics and Story and 10% for Replay Factor/Intangibles). What has changed is Gameplay and Music. The gameplay percentage has been increased to 35% of the overall grade while music has been decreased to 15%. I would also like to stress that these are merely my best guesses for what matters in any video game and future adjustments may need to be made in order to "get it right".
Secondly, I don't know if the rest of you guys noticed this, but I don't tend to give very many high scores of greater than 8.5, even on games that are considered amongst the best out there. Well, first of all, that's part of the reason for the score adjustment...to give great games their fair dues and a lot of scores have been adjusted as I made the change. Secondly, the scores aren't the only thing that I rely on...the scores are mostly used as a reference for me to assign a letter grade to the game (which I consider to be my OFFICIAL opinion on it). I've heard a lot of places that say a score of "7 out of 10" is considered average and I think that's bullshit. I subscribe to the Angry Joe scoring method where a score of "5 out of 10" is considered average, a game with a score of "7 out of 10" would be considered a good game, but not a great game in my eyes. However, you're best off by going by my letter grades for each game as well as individual category scores (particularly in gameplay), which is what I base most of my opinion on.
Anyway, now that I've gotten all that out of the way, it's time for the review...
Chip 'n Dale's Rescue Rangers
Year Produced: 1990
Publisher/Developer: Capcom
Game Style: Side-Scrolling Platformer
Additional information: The is one of several video game titles released by Capcom based on various Disney franchises.
Sample Video of Gameplay: CLICK HERE
Plot: Chip (and Dale if you play with two players) have to go stop Fat Cat while also rescuing Gadget from his clutches. (To be honest, it's been YEARS since I last watched the show and I haven't seen a great deal of it...but I do know the gist of the series).
Personal Experience: I didn't get around to playing this game for the first time until a few years ago. Although, I do remember the show and I do remember when the game came out. Over the course of the years it was on, I watched it periodically...though to be honest it wasn't my favorite series of the Disney Afternoon (that would be Ducktales with Darkwing Duck being second). I do remember watching the Chip and Dale cartoons as a kid, which is why I got interested in the series when it first came out. But of course now, I'm sure you all know the REAL reason why I remember the series, and for those of you who don't know let this be a hint for you.
Things I liked about this game
+: The Map System (somewhat similar to that you'd see in SMB3 and SMW where you don't necessarily have to play every level to beat the game)
+: Simplistic yet challenging gameplay (basically, all you need to do is run, throw boxes, bombs, etc, and jump your way through the levels. Although there are challenges along the way including boss battles. Some levels are easier than others)
+: Bonus stages after each level is beaten (for the most part, unless you find the hidden 1up, these don't really do a whole lot of good...there's a time limit for each stage)
+: Being able to throw your partner around the screen (if you're playing as two players)
+: Gadget (Hate her name...absolutely adore her*)
Things that frustrated me about the game
-: The "Castlevania Syndrome" (you get knocked back when you get hit, which can possibly lead to you falling down a pit of doom)
-: There isn't a whole lot of interest in the Bonus Stages (the time limit is too short and aside from a hidden 1up, there's not much worth in it)
-: Having to get used to throw boxes and shit up when I needed to (but once I learned it got easy to do it and it is essential to beating the game)
-: The ending (pretty much the standard group shot plus a bit of text at the end...I found this to be a bit of a disappointment, especially when Ducktales appeared to get more of a satisfying ending than this)
Things that confused me from the game
?: What the hell is that "P" for anyway?
?: Why is Zipper dancing above your head when he's not bashing into enemies?
?: How can Chip and Dale lift apples over their heads...are they on super steroids or something. Yeah, I know that apples aren't that big, but these are chipmunks, who are roughly about the same size as an apple. Maybe they'd be able to lift it enough to move it...but over their heads?!! Granted, it does show them straining whenever they're holding the apple, but it still brings me back to the question I asked.
CONCLUSION: Much like many of Capcom's games based on Disney franchises, this is an example of a game that does justice to TV shows and Movies that are turned into games. It may not be the best example of this, but it does a good job and is at least worth a try if you can find it.
Graphics: 7 (Good for NES standards, Average for Capcom standards *points to the NES Mega Man games as an example of how good the graphics can be*).
Music: 6 (Most of it is rather average and bland, but the final stage theme is pretty good)
Story: 8 (Follows the series and the characters from said series rather well)
Gameplay: 7 (Once you get used to throwing boxes up in addition to the sides, the game becomes enjoyable...but more could've been done to make it better)
Replay Factor/Intangibles: 5 (A fairly standard ending plus relatively worthless bonus stages hurt here, but the ability to hurl your partner across the screen when playing in two player mode does help. Plus, the game adds enough challenge so that you'd want to try and beat it)
FINAL GRADE: 6.9/B (Fans of the Disney-based Capcom games will like this, for all others...the game's worth at least a playthrough or two to determine if you like it or not. It's not great, but it's a halfway-decent game.)
Next VG Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV (SNES)
Next week's Review: Alien
*: In regards to her name...let me get one thing straight, I don't dislike the name "Gadget"...if it were her nickname. After all, she is the most technically inclined of the group and probably the most intelligent. However, as an actual name. No, I do not accept that. You could've at least given her an actual name and then have her want to be called Gadget by her peers, much like how Tails prefers to be called Tails as opposed to Miles.
Story Commission Status
NOTE: Commissions usually get top priority when it comes to stories that I owe people...limit of 10 paid commission slots open at one time between FA and Inkbunny (IB commissions are shown in pink text).
1: Fira
2: Bigchris369
3: AsphaltLucario
Freebies (in progress)
rallyranger Bonus Story for purchasing a mini-series commission (In progress: 25% complete)
rayo_elgatubelo Story prize featuring his characters with Charlene (In progress: 25% complete)
Freebies (to be started) and Story Credit
NOTE: Any picture commissions have been converted into story credit ($5 per picture I owed)
rallyranger (1 3-part mini-series prize...separate from commission): Yet to be started...will start working on this as soon as $5 freebie is finished
PRIVATE PRIZE STORY FOR ANONYMOUS: Idea received...yet to be started (I hope to get started soon)
lonewolfsega $5 in story credit available
keeperofjunk $5 in story credit available
thewanderingpikachu $5 in story credit available
jade_styx $10 in story credit available
NOTE: Commissions usually get top priority when it comes to stories that I owe people...limit of 10 paid commission slots open at one time between FA and Inkbunny (IB commissions are shown in pink text).
1: Fira
2: Bigchris369
3: AsphaltLucario
Freebies (in progress)
rallyranger Bonus Story for purchasing a mini-series commission (In progress: 25% complete)
rayo_elgatubelo Story prize featuring his characters with Charlene (In progress: 25% complete)Freebies (to be started) and Story Credit
NOTE: Any picture commissions have been converted into story credit ($5 per picture I owed)
rallyranger (1 3-part mini-series prize...separate from commission): Yet to be started...will start working on this as soon as $5 freebie is finishedPRIVATE PRIZE STORY FOR ANONYMOUS: Idea received...yet to be started (I hope to get started soon)
lonewolfsega $5 in story credit available
keeperofjunk $5 in story credit available
thewanderingpikachu $5 in story credit availablejade_styx $10 in story credit available
The second one was better anyway. :3
Good times, good times. Certainly better then a lot of the crap that was to come from such properties.
And I totally agree with you about that other statement as well, many of Capcom's games from Disney franchises were actually good and I have a few of them. In addition to Rescue Rangers, I also have Ducktales, as well as Alladin for the SNES...all of which are good games. They're certainly a lot better than the garbage that LJN churned out based on similar subject matter. Yes, I am aware that most of those games weren't developed by LJN, but they still published them...which is like the equivalent of driving the getaway car in a robbery. You may not have actually robbed the bank, but you're still as guilty as the actual thieves.
But both games are pretty fun in their own right.
I own Aladdin on the Genesis, which I always liked a great deal. There's a trick in stage 2, where on a clothes line are a pair of Mickey ears. If you line him up just right, to make it look like he's wearing them...you get an extra life! Woo!