Adventure Island
Game by Hudson
Reviewed by Adrock
adam@dmgice.com
Size: 1 Megabit
Save: None
Released: 1991
Works with: Any Game Boy
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Opening Snide Remarks: Master Higgans stars in this early Hudson platformer.
He has a cousin, named Baits, who also wanted to get into making video games
as well. Unfortunately, Nintendo turned down his resume. Maybe it was the
grass skirt?

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Gameplay Descripion: The play consists of some bland platforming action. The
challenge of the game is making some mildly difficult jumps and keep moving.
It's more like frustrating the gamer then challenge. You go through 8 islands
of levels. You have some hammers to throw and a little dinosaur to ride. He's
no Yoshi, but he'll do.

There are some bosses here and there, some mini-games... but nothing really
exciting or new. It's one of the more bland platformers. It's the "Diet Coke"
of platformers. Only one calorie. Oh, and how lame is this... you have to get
fruits as you go along, or you die. What is that? That's stupid. I'd go for
a set time limit anyday.

Liked: Dinosaur rides are fun.

Hated: Bland.

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Graphics Description: There's no eye candy here. Master Higgans is a short
fat man in his middle 40's. One who hustles tax frauds from his hawaiian
resort house. One who has about 3 woman a day. (4 on weekends.) Yeah, he's
a pimp in a grass skirt.

The game is very first-gen and isn't afraid to show it. It needs more detail.

Liked: Wanna watch a hawaiian pimp jump over clams? We got you covered.

Hated: Needs way more detail.

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Sound/Music Description: The music is some typical, short, tropical beats.
Gets kind of old. The sound FX are "Boing! Boing!" when M.H. jumps.

Liked: Music is catchy at first.

Hated: Gets on your nerve fast. No real Sound FX.

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Play Control/Game Design: The control sucks on this game. I admit. I would
like it if the controls were better. But jumping sucks... hit detection
sucks... it's a real mess. Even Baits's game couldn't make a bigger mess.

Liked: Nothing.

Hated: Work with the controls... and you'll have a decent game.

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Improve: More detail... better controls, and a little work on the sound.

RIYL: Platform games. Mario.

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Final Words: I think this game is an OK platformer... but sorry! The controls
are unacceptable!

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Score
Gameplay: ***
Graphics: ***
Sound/Music: ***
Play Control/Game Design: *
Personal Opinion: ***
Total: 13


Final Score: 52%

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Currently Known Codes: 

Level Select: On the Title Screen, after Master Higgins gets hit on the head
by a coconut, press Right, Left, Right, Left, A, B, A, B for a Stage Select. 

Continue with all items: Get the Hudson Bee from World 1, then hold Left, and
press Start when your game is over.  The Hudson Bee is inside a secret room
in the first cave of the first island. Jump up and down after passing the
fifth skull to find the entrance to the Secret Room.