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Just so you don’t feel alone, yes, you’re allowed to scream ‘WOOHOO’ at the top of your lungs every time you read the word ‘Ducktales’ during this review. That’s a good thing too, as I doubt very much you’ll be shouting anything but expletives if you decide to sit down with Remastered.
For individuals who aren’t aware, Capcom’s NES ‘classic’ is a platformer in the oldest, and truest, sense of the word, as Scrooge McDuck pogo sticks his way around the world in search for treasure. While everything you remember is here, what your memory may’ve forgotten is how much of a screw job this is. No one has ever tried to cover up that Ducktales is tough, but few seem to have spoken out against how unfair it can be. For every pin-point jump that does require some skill, there’s the ‘trial and error’ approach, also known as **** *** *** **** game.
Unless you have the ability to see into the future, on numerous occasions Ducktales Remastered will destroy you. There’s no way you could’ve known an enemy was going to pop up on-screen at that exact moment – usually after you’ve taken a huge leap – but next time you’ll use what you’ve learned and can time things more appropriately. The only problem with that, though, is given how tight lives are (if you run out, it’s back to Scrooge’s vault with you), it’s awfully mean-spirited. You’ve been punished for not having super powers.
Nostalgia does play a huge part in why this is somewhat successful – if you were part of that era, the memories that’ll come flooding back make it almost worth the purchase alone. Even then, however, it’s certainly not difficult in a pleasing way unless you’re a sadist. Those who have never sampled its ‘goods’ should probably not bother.
Throw in that the artstyle isn’t as pleasing in motion as it is in stills – it’s nice enough but a little drab, really – and Ducktales Remastered is a nice addition to digital libraries around the world, but definitely not an essential one.
Version tested: Xbox 360. Game finished in 8 hours. Click here to read about VideoGamer.com’s new review policy. For those who need a visual aid of how Simon felt about Ducktales, watch the below video…
