Retro City Rampage - New Game of the Day #48

What? The Legend of Grand Theft Super Mario Bros – as though presented by the hallowed NES.

When? May 2012

Where? XBLA, PSN, WiiWare and Steam

It may not actually be as new as some of our other New Games of the Day, but our latest featured title has been on our radar for ages. Announced back in the yesteryear of 2010, Retro City Rampage has certainly been a long time coming – and next month, come it shall.

What started off as a homebrew project by designer Brian Provinciano, originally titled Grand Theftendo, has transformed into a full blown digital release. Jacking cars and bonuses for driving on the sidewalk may be familiar territory to players these days, but it’s the gamers from the NES era that this little curio will strike a chord with.

If you were lucky enough to own a NES back in the day then you are going to feel right at home with the 8-bit graphics, chiptune soundtrack and countless homage to games and popular culture in general from years gone by.

The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros, The A-Team, The Dark Knight, Back to the Future, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Duck Hunt (!), Frogger; the list of references you’ll find throughout the game goes on and on. It’ll only be the eagle-eyed out there that won’t need a couple of playthroughs to avoid missing out on the myriad subtle and not-so-subtle treats provided by Vblank Entertainment.

From right at the beginning of the game you’ll be travelling back in time in a rather familiar-looking contraption, taking cover and shooting at enemies (not even an 8-bit top-down open-world crime-sim can escape from cover mechanics!), and bouncing on pedestrians Super Mario-style.

As well as a hefty 50 mission strong story mode, there’s an arcade challenge mode with 30 levels of its own. It’s rumoured to be costing $15, according to Provinciano, and he’s assured us that it’s going to be worth the approximate £10 price tag.

It’s hard to argue with that.

Developer Legacy: Retro City Rampage is Vblank Entertainment’s first release. They may not have a legacy right now but this could be the start of something really special.

What They Say: "With Retro City Rampage, I felt very strongly that it was a $15 game, and that's what I'm charging. In fact, it's bigger than Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars, and that launched at $40. And I've questioned, do I have to launch it at $15 because of the 'race to the base?' And I've tossed [and turned] about that, but no. It's a $15 game, at least.” – Brian Provinciano, Vblank Entertainment.

What We Say: As long-time gamers this is as exciting as it gets. With so many gameplay elements to reminisce over and to experience again it’s hard to control our anticipation for anything that helps us recapture our youth.

Can’t Wait? Play This: The original Grand Theft Auto on the Playstation is the most recognisable tribute in the game from the top down view, carjacking and random murder of pedestrians. Or you could replay any NES game that Retro City Rampage lampoons.

Website: www.retrocityrampage.com

Facebook: Facebook/RetroCityRampage

Twitter: @RetroCR

Words by Nathan Clifton (Twitter: @nathanclifton)

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