Blaster Master Zero

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 568 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Blaster Master Zero Game Cover
A re-imagining of the 1988 NES title, Blaster Master Zero is a great game for anyone looking for classic 8-bit action. Its accessible difficulty and superb retro graphics make for a wonderful addition to the Switch’s library.
Starting at CAD12.49Buy now
Get on Steam

"Blaster Master Zero" is a modernized reboot of the classic action-adventure game from Sunsoft. As Jason, players explore procedurally generated areas in the Blue Armor Tank, battling mutants and bosses while upgrading their equipment. Expect a challenging retro-inspired experience with stunning pixel art and tons of exploration.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Nintendo 3ds
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 568 reviews
story28 positive mentions
grinding13 negative mentions
  • Faithful remake of the original Blaster Master with improved graphics and gameplay mechanics.
  • Engaging mix of side-scrolling and top-down gameplay, providing variety and fun exploration.
  • Enhanced story and character development that adds depth to the original plot.
  • Difficulty is significantly toned down compared to the original, making it feel too easy for veteran players.
  • Some boss fights can be trivialized by overpowered weapons, reducing the challenge.
  • Backtracking can be tedious, especially when searching for missed items to unlock the true ending.
  • story156 mentions

    The story of *Blaster Master Zero* is a reimagined and expanded version of the original NES plot, combining elements from various adaptations, including the Japanese version and a novelization. While some players appreciate the added depth and character development, others find the narrative predictable and somewhat clichéd, with mixed opinions on its overall execution. Despite its simplicity, the story effectively serves as a backdrop for the gameplay, enhancing the experience for fans of the series.

    • “The updated graphics, gameplay, and expanded story are all wonderful and remain true to the original game.”
    • “The story is much more in-depth and interesting than the original, and the music sounds fantastic.”
    • “The mix of side-scrolling platformer and top-down shooter gameplay, the graphics and art design, the remake elements fully modernizing the game, the surprisingly engaging story, and especially the soundtrack, all of it absolutely boppin'.”
    • “The story is passable, but what it does do better is that it gives the player more context as to what's going on.”
    • “The game story may as well not be there, just as in the NES game, for all the impact it has on your motivation.”
    • “The story (which as you recall was basically boy chases pet frog down hole, finds tank, game on) has been mixed with the story from the Japanese version of the game.”
  • music150 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy melodies and nostalgic feel, while others lament the lack of original tracks from the NES version. Some players appreciate the new compositions and remixes, noting that they fit well within the game's aesthetic, but many express disappointment that only a few tracks echo the beloved original soundtrack. Overall, while the new music is generally considered good, it often falls short of the memorable quality of the classic tunes.

    • “This game has a banging soundtrack.”
    • “The music in this game is amazing.”
    • “The mix of side scrolling platformer and top down shooter gameplay, the graphics and art design, the remake elements fully modernizing the game, the surprisingly engaging story, and especially the soundtrack, all of it absolutely boppin'.”
    • “Much of the NES music has been dropped in favor of entirely new compositions, which is a shame because the original had such a banger soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack doesn't follow the original everywhere, which is a shame and a loss of the opportunity to share some of the best composed video game music ever written.”
    • “The music is well, I was expecting remastering of the original music but basically everything from stage 2-5 was new music tracks, stage 6 was maybe 25% faithful to the original.”
  • gameplay138 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is a blend of classic mechanics and modern enhancements, featuring tight controls and a mix of side-scrolling and top-down shooter elements that keep the experience engaging. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and the introduction of new mechanics, others note that certain aspects can feel outdated or unbalanced, particularly in terms of challenge. Overall, the game successfully honors its predecessor while offering enough fresh content to appeal to both veterans and newcomers.

    • “Tight controls, perfect gameplay.”
    • “Both the top-down and sideview platforming exploration are bolstered with the regular introduction of intuitive new gameplay elements and gimmicks to encourage you to adapt to them, and the controls are tight enough to make for a responsive experience.”
    • “The gameplay is a smooth experience from start to finish.”
    • “While the game is still good, it doesn't hold a candle to the modern era in terms of gameplay, though that's understandable since they weren't really trying to change that aspect.”
    • “New power-ups didn't really affect the gameplay; in a way, they are just used as keys to open the upcoming area's gates.”
    • “The gameplay itself has some balancing issues, particularly in Jason's weapon system, which makes available a near-busted weapon from the get-go, with the only caveat being that you need to be good enough to retain it, since getting hit loses one level of upgrade; a challenge only made easier by its reward, given its bustedness.”
  • graphics89 mentions

    The graphics of "Blaster Master Zero" have been widely praised for their fresh and improved pixel art style, which successfully modernizes the original game's aesthetic while maintaining its retro charm. Reviewers appreciate the vibrant visuals, smooth animations, and the overall artistic direction that enhances the gameplay experience. The remastered graphics, combined with quality-of-life improvements, create a visually appealing homage to the classic while appealing to both nostalgic players and newcomers alike.

    • “The updated graphics, gameplay, and expanded story are all wonderful and remain true to the original game.”
    • “The artwork looks wonderful and sprites are drawn and animated incredibly well.”
    • “The visuals are clean, simple, and crisp and are a lot brighter than those of the original game, probably helped by not being bound by the NES's color limits.”
    • “Graphics are also lower quality and oversaturated (how did you do that?).”
    • “Some people may be turned off by how the graphics use an old style look.”
    • “Graphics, music, sound effects, play control, difficulty - they all become lost in translation and the nostalgia trip just ends with us being left with a sub-par experience.”
  • replayability29 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability through various unlockable modes, multiple playable characters, and achievements, appealing to players seeking new challenges. While many reviews highlight the richness of content and the enjoyment of different play styles, some players feel that the replay value diminishes after completing the game due to similarities in character experiences. Nonetheless, features like new game plus, alternate endings, and additional challenges contribute to a generally positive perception of replayability.

    • “Music and pixel art are amazing and the extra content gives you a lot of replayability.”
    • “Finishing the game unlocks several interesting modes, so there is some good replayability here.”
    • “The game has replay value with achievements and unlocks more options as well as the option to use other characters to play the game with.”
    • “Replay value is a bit low due to the overly similar playthrough with different characters but with less variety in options.”
    • “There's however one major gripe about replayability regarding unlimited and destroyer mode: in order to get the true ending, you'll need to defeat all optional bosses and obtain all optional items, even if the items don't do anything because of the bonus character limitations or playing destroyer mode.”
    • “[the new content makes it a bit too easy, lacks replay value after you complete it]”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can often feel tedious and frustrating, particularly due to backtracking for missed collectibles and challenging level designs that rely on waiting and stealth. While some improvements have been made to reduce frustration, such as checkpoints and save features, the lack of fast travel and the potential for one-hit fall damage can still make gameplay feel laborious. Overall, players express that the grind detracts from the enjoyment and sense of accomplishment in completing levels.

    • “It is like everything in the game is designed to be tedious and annoying.”
    • “Some parts were indeed tedious, in that it took up more time walking, waiting, and crawling.”
    • “However, without fast travel and with backtracking to get the collectibles you might have missed being so tedious, I must warn you that the true final world requires 100% collectibles, so please use a guide to make sure you don't miss even a single map chip or else you will have a completely joyless hike back through every level to try to find the thing you missed.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game is generally praised for its stability, featuring a polished experience with no noticeable glitches or softlocks, even on lower-end PCs. Players report smooth controls and transitions, contributing to a cohesive gameplay experience without any lag.

    • “Be forewarned, however, that the game will seem easy due to the updated controls, smooth transitions, lack of graphical limitations and glitches, and the fact you are no longer a 7-year-old.”
    • “No lag, glitches, or anything even on a low-end PC, even in full screen mode.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its over-the-top weapons and items that can trivialize boss encounters, alongside intentionally poor level design that adds a comedic element. Players appreciate the blend of nostalgia and humor, noting that it stands out compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “It's honestly pretty easy, and some of the weapons/items you get are so hilariously overpowered that it kind of trivializes most of the bosses in the game as long as you're somewhat careful.”
    • “Some of the level design is randomly hilariously bad, like making one specific jump or dying.”
    • “I find it a funny game, where the original stood out over the other NES games; this version is going back to the classic experience.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Character development in the game is polarizing, with some players appreciating the character designs while others prefer the nostalgia and atmosphere of earlier titles. The shift to a more anime-inspired aesthetic has not resonated with all fans, leading to mixed feelings about the overall character portrayal.

    • “The character development in this game is genuinely good; it really drew me in with its unique designs and engaging story.”
    • “I appreciate the nostalgia and atmosphere of the original game, but the character design in this new title offers a fresh take that I enjoy.”
    • “Not everyone is a fan of the more anime-styled character designs, and that's okay; it adds diversity to the game's appeal.”
    • “Not everyone is a fan of the more anime-styled character designs, and that's okay.”
    • “I still prefer the original Blaster Master on NES because of nostalgia, atmosphere, and character design.”
    • “You had to stay based on this game, it is genuinely good I can't lie, unlike WayForward's Shantae, character designs brought me there but I did give up halfway.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is praised for its nostalgic qualities, reminiscent of the original NES version, while maintaining its character design and overall feel. Players appreciate the enhancements that reduce frustration without compromising the original's atmospheric charm.

    • “Many additions with fewer frustrating hurdles (no need to worry about lives or continues) while keeping the same atmosphere of the original.”
    • “I still prefer the original Blaster Master on NES because of nostalgia, atmosphere, and character design.”
    • “Many additions with less frustrating hurdles (no need to worry about lives or continues) while keeping the same atmosphere of the original.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game is generally well-received, with users noting satisfactory performance in most areas. However, some players have reported occasional stuttering during gameplay, which may be attributed to individual system specifications.

    • “I do experience some stuttering during gameplay (not sure if that is my system, but who knows). Other than that technical issue, this is a most satisfying reboot of my favorite NES game of all time.”
    • “I wasn't disappointed with the performance of this port.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

81% average critic score

Buy Blaster Master Zero

Play time

10hMedian play time
10hAverage play time
9-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News