Impressions: 3DO Edition (plus some Saturn and Neo-Geo)

I got a handful of new games with my new 3DO testing station.  After taking them for a quick spin, I have a few thoughts to share on each.  Here goes:

• Alone in the Dark: I played and beat this game for the PC back in the day.  Good stuff all around.  I’m kinda looking forward to digging into this game again and reliving it.
• Ballz: What the hell is going on here?  It’s some sort of proto 3D fighter, but it basically sucks.  I dunno, whatever.  It’s a little more interesting than most of the “me too” fighters from the 90s, but its gimmick falls flat.
• Battle Chess: Another PC classic ported to the 3DO.  It’s chess, and it has fun animations to show the pieces doing battle as you play.  Play 2-player or against the computer, play in 3D or 2D… That about covers it.  It’s Battle Chess, so it can’t be too bad, but it moves along a little slowly.
• Super Street Fighter II Turbo: Technically impressive and with an improved soundtrack, it’s likely the best home port of the time.  But it’s virtually unplayable with a regular 3DO control pad.  I’m supposed to hit the Play button as part of normal gameplay?  Seriously?  No thanks…
• Way of the Warrior:  Mortal Kombat rip-off.  It’s another one of those dime-a-dozen 2D fighters from the 90s that had digitized characters.  This one also happens to pretty much be a crapfest, much like the rest.  It’s games like this that give the 3DO a bad name.

And some bonus coverage of non-3DO games I’ve also been playing:

• Super Baseball 2020 (Neo-Geo CD): Generally, the only time I will like a sports game is if it’s arcade-style and over the top.  And if Super Baseball 2020 is anything, it’s arcade-style and over the top!  Basically, it’s fast-paced futuristic baseball with robots and mines scattered throughout the field.  Keep your robots in good mechanical condition and swing for the fences.  Bright, colorful, and fun — I’m looking forward to playing more of this one.
• Virtua Cop 2 (Saturn):  Virtua Cop 2 is like the original, but better in every way.  More enemies to shoot, more civilians to save, better level design, branching paths, and more interactive bits to the environment.  I’m liking it quite a bit, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a nice review in the near future.