Post by Nester the Lark on Feb 17, 2008 12:27:09 GMT -5
3PS #41
Devil’s Crush
Developer: Naxat Soft
Publisher: Hudson Soft
System: Wii Virtual Console (TurboGrafx 16)
Ever since video games began moving into the home, they have attempted to simulate their old arcade counterparts: pinball machines. Some have been more successful than others, but the fact of the matter is that it’s difficult for a digital game to recreate pinball’s analog mechanics. However, for years Hudson Soft’s Devil’s Crush has been considered one of the best video pinball games, not because it’s an accurate portrayal of pinball, but because it did things that could never be done in real pinball.
The world of Devil’s Crush presents you with a ghoulish table three screens high, but you’ll find more than the standard bumpers, kickers, targets, and saucers. Instead, you’ll encounter a realm where monsters, lizards, druids and guards patrol the board. You’ll be able to crash through gates and destroy tombs, unleashing more foul beasts. The dragon will breath fire, the skull will laugh at you, and the sleeping maiden in the center of the table will reveal an unsettling surprise for those who are foolish enough to wake her up. This is living, breathing pinball that simply would not be possible on a real machine.
That’s not to say the physics of the game don’t do a pretty good job of simulating actual pinball. The play is smooth and quick whether you choose the “Slow” or “Fast” ball speed. The graphics are reminiscent of the gothic imagery you usually see in a Castlevania or Ghouls ‘N Ghosts game, and the music is just excellent. Even though there’s only one song for the main table, it takes a long time to get old.
Staying faithful to its roots, the main goal is to score points, and the game has no shortage of ways to accomplish this. There are six very challenging bonus rooms you can access, and beating them yields huge bonuses. It will take several hours of play to figure out many of the game’s subtle scoring methods. If you happen to be a pinball wizard, maxing out the score counter at 999,999,999 will reward you with a small ending of sorts. More likely, though, you’ll have to use a cheat password to see it.
Devil’s Crush is actually the second in a series of pinball games from Naxat Soft. The first was Alien Crush, released on the TurboGrafx 16 and also available for the Virtual Console. A Japan-only follow-up, Jaki Crush, came out for the Super Famicom. Devil’s Crush, itself, was ported to the Sega Genesis in a slightly altered form and renamed Dragon’s Fury. Most fans seem to agree, however, that Devil’s Crush is the one to play.
It’s great that the Virtual Console allows some of these more obscure classics to be easily available again. Devil’s Crush provides an engaging fantasy pinball experience. The play is challenging yet addictive. If you like pinball, going for high scores, or just bowling over goblins, then download this game and prepare to get crushed!
Bonus Links:
Gameplay footage - from GameTrailers
Naxat Crush Pinball - article from Hardcore Gaming 101
Review - from Virtual Turbo
Devil’s Crush
Developer: Naxat Soft
Publisher: Hudson Soft
System: Wii Virtual Console (TurboGrafx 16)
Ever since video games began moving into the home, they have attempted to simulate their old arcade counterparts: pinball machines. Some have been more successful than others, but the fact of the matter is that it’s difficult for a digital game to recreate pinball’s analog mechanics. However, for years Hudson Soft’s Devil’s Crush has been considered one of the best video pinball games, not because it’s an accurate portrayal of pinball, but because it did things that could never be done in real pinball.
The world of Devil’s Crush presents you with a ghoulish table three screens high, but you’ll find more than the standard bumpers, kickers, targets, and saucers. Instead, you’ll encounter a realm where monsters, lizards, druids and guards patrol the board. You’ll be able to crash through gates and destroy tombs, unleashing more foul beasts. The dragon will breath fire, the skull will laugh at you, and the sleeping maiden in the center of the table will reveal an unsettling surprise for those who are foolish enough to wake her up. This is living, breathing pinball that simply would not be possible on a real machine.
That’s not to say the physics of the game don’t do a pretty good job of simulating actual pinball. The play is smooth and quick whether you choose the “Slow” or “Fast” ball speed. The graphics are reminiscent of the gothic imagery you usually see in a Castlevania or Ghouls ‘N Ghosts game, and the music is just excellent. Even though there’s only one song for the main table, it takes a long time to get old.
Staying faithful to its roots, the main goal is to score points, and the game has no shortage of ways to accomplish this. There are six very challenging bonus rooms you can access, and beating them yields huge bonuses. It will take several hours of play to figure out many of the game’s subtle scoring methods. If you happen to be a pinball wizard, maxing out the score counter at 999,999,999 will reward you with a small ending of sorts. More likely, though, you’ll have to use a cheat password to see it.
Devil’s Crush is actually the second in a series of pinball games from Naxat Soft. The first was Alien Crush, released on the TurboGrafx 16 and also available for the Virtual Console. A Japan-only follow-up, Jaki Crush, came out for the Super Famicom. Devil’s Crush, itself, was ported to the Sega Genesis in a slightly altered form and renamed Dragon’s Fury. Most fans seem to agree, however, that Devil’s Crush is the one to play.
It’s great that the Virtual Console allows some of these more obscure classics to be easily available again. Devil’s Crush provides an engaging fantasy pinball experience. The play is challenging yet addictive. If you like pinball, going for high scores, or just bowling over goblins, then download this game and prepare to get crushed!
Bonus Links:
Gameplay footage - from GameTrailers
Naxat Crush Pinball - article from Hardcore Gaming 101
Review - from Virtual Turbo
