Everything you could want out of a sequel
About the time mascot games began exploding on the Super Nintendo console, Sunsoft jumped on the bandwagon with the release of their original platformer Aero the Acrobat. While the game featured many of the classic platforming elements that were showing up in the games of the time period, it was criticized for its bland play control and limited level designs. Sunsoft decided to tweak the formula for their sequel, and this bit of extra attention ultimately made for a much more varied and playable platforming experience the second time around and manages to hang with some of the better Super Nintendo platformers.
Although there are at least a few new gameplay moves in the game, Aero the Acrobat 2 remains very similar to the first game in both style and playability. Aero still has his jump and spin moves, both of which allow him to reach platforms of varying heights, as well as dispatch of the game's many enemies. In this sequel, you'll also get to swing from ringing bells, jump on beds and assorted trampolines, and collect all of the circus-style candy and goodies that you did in the first game and with a few new twists tossed in here and there. Also making a return are the cannons from which you can shoot Aero out of in order to reach some of the trickier platforms throughout the various levels.
Aero also gets to ride a couple of slick vehicles in this sequel, including a locomotive train and a snowboard. While the train level is more of a standard-type level, the snowboarding levels tend to mimic that of the various vehicle levels that were becoming popular during the 16-bit era. They're not only quite challenging in their design, but these snowboarding levels also offer up a great gameplay diversion from the regular levels in the game. All in all, Aero the Acrobat 2 just feels a lot more playable and responsive this time around and the many new gameplay elements make it a much more well-rounded gaming experience.
Graphically Aero the Acrobat 2 is a slick looking game. It features amazing detail in all of the levels and even the multi-layered backdrops offer up some impressive visual eye candy from time to time, especially when you reach the psychedelic motion of the Disco Inferno level. Great use of vibrant colors and a variety of styles in each of the different areas all come together to make Aero 2 even better looking than the first game. You'll see a little bit of everything ranging from icy landscapes to strobing disco levels complete with compact discs and jukeboxes. Aero even manages to look a lot more impressive in his sequel. He was animated well in the first game, but he seems to have a more fluid motion this time around courtesy of a few frames of added animation, not to mention quite a bit more detail in his outfit. It's nice to see that the developers put a bit more time and effort into the visuals for this sequel and it really paid off in finished product.
There's no denying that the circus-style musical score of the first game was catchy and certainly a fun experience given the light-hearted theme the game made use of, but it always felt like it needed a bit more variety when it came right down to it. Thankfully, the developers took a bit more time with the soundtrack for this sequel and it really adds a whole new level of polish to the game with so many varied types of musical tracks to enjoy. Each track fits the level perfectly and the tunes are long enough that they don't have to keep repeating over and over again as you play each level. The sound effects remain the same in many places, but the developers did include a few new ones to liven things up a bit. While the soundtrack still isn't on par with later Sunsoft releases like Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, it's a huge step up from the original Aero the Acrobat score and a great compliment to what is already a very polished title.
Conclusion
NINTENDO DOWNLOAD: DISCOVER NEW WAYS TO RUN, THROW, KICK AND COUNT DOWN ON NINTENDO SYSTEMS
Sept. 20, 2010
This week's new game downloads for Wii™ and Nintendo DSi™ systems will test players' mettle in a lively mix of activities. For the WiiWare™ service, Triple Throwing Sports can help hone your skills with Olympic-styIe projectiles, while The Very Hungry Caterpillar's ABCs challenges youngsters to grow their vocabulary. The Super NES™ cIassic AERO THE ACROBAT™ 2 makes its debut on the Virtual Console™ service, offering fun ways to boost your aerial acumen. For the Nintendo DSiWare™ service, Nintendo Countdown Calendar introduces a cool tool for helping to manage your busy schedule. You can also assess your need for speed with GO Series 10 Second Run or go for the goal in Everyday Soccer. Ready? Set? Download!
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WiiWare
Triple Throwing Sports
Publisher: The Code Monkeys Ltd.
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points™
Description: Triple Throwing Sports is the most advanced recreational throwing game available for the WiiWare service, immersing players in the world of competitive projectile throwing. Most Olympic events consist of activities that are traditionally derived from hunting and combat skills. Over time these practices have evolved into a variety of competitive sports that include Javelin, Discus, Shot Put and Hammer. As with real-life throwing events, you will have full control over the aim of the projectile. You must also take into account the angle, release point and power - all of these factors can influence the success of your throw.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar's ABCs
Publisher: CYBIRD Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: EC (Early Childhood)
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: The Very Hungry Caterpillar's ABCs is an educational game based on the children's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It allows parents to help children learn basic English while enjoying a game together. The game consists of four parts, including alphabet flash cards featuring colored letters and pictures by Eric Carle, plus a vocabulary quiz for preschool-aged children that includes numbers, colors, shapes, animal names and simple verbs and adjectives. Young players can also engage in fun activities such as erasing parts of a colored screen to reveal a hidden illustration, or placing a variety of animal stamps on the screen. Finally, parents can use the "To The Parents" option to check their children's progress in remembering vocabulary words. Your whole family is sure to appreciate the colorful illustrations by Eric Carle, internationally renowned as a creator of beautifully illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for children.
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Virtual Console
AERO THE ACROBAT™ 2
Original platform: Super NES
Publisher: Sunsoft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) - Mild Cartoon Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: The aerialist extreme, Aero the Acro-Bat, bounds back into the spotlight once again to stop the wicked industrialist, Edgar Ektor! Aero has entered a new realm of enchantment and must now use all of his acrobatic prowess to foil a criminal plot known only as "Plan B." Join Aero as he discovers new friends - and enemies - in a world custom-built for his high-flying adventures. There are 45 levels of acrobatic fun, including Bonus Rounds, Chance Stages and Hidden Chambers. Discover new villains and original digitized character voices. A password feature allows you to return to any level. The Chillin' Snow Boarding Stage adds a new twist to Aero's styIe, and you'll find new moves and fighting techniques for Aero's attacks.
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Nintendo DSiWare
Nintendo Countdown Calendar
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: Not Rated
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: With Nintendo Countdown Calendar, you can add and track all of your important events in a fun and exciting countdown format. Simply set up your personal profile and then start entering events. Adding events is easy: Choose a date for the event, decide whether it will be an open event (which you name yourself) or a set event (chosen from the School, Work or General Events categories), and select an icon from the wide variety of available options. If necessary, you can set the recurrence of the event or even move the event to the Hidden Events List. From there, the calendar does the rest - just watch the days count down! On subsequent visits to the application, you may see special greetings or suggested seasonal events you can choose to add to your calendar. All events added to the calendar are displayed chronologically, so you can quickly view all of your upcoming events in one place.
GO Series 10 Second Run
Publisher: Gamebridge
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Run like the wind in this unique twist on the cIassic platform game. Take control of a stick man and run for your life across an obstacle course to reach the goal within 10 seconds. Dash across platforms and avoid various hazards, desperately trying to reach the exit in time. Ten seconds is all you've got. Go flat out over 50 stages and three game modes. Do you have what it takes to reach the finish line?
Everyday Soccer
Publisher: Aksys Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Play soccer against teams from all over the world. Customize your characters to be normally sized, small, tall or muscular. You can also customize their shirts, shorts and shoes. Take advantage of your players' specific traits as dictated by their body types. Assembling a well-balanced team is the key to becoming world champions. There are many teams to play against, so keep your mind sharp and your kicking foot sharper. Play against friends via DS Download Play and find out who's the true soccer champion!
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