Blaster Master Zero

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.

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"Blaster Master Zero is a 8-bit style sci-fi shooter game, reminiscent of the NES era. It's a single-player or two-player co-op action-adventure game, featuring new areas, bosses, and gameplay elements compared to the original 1988 game. With improved battle mechanics, a more robust scenario, and expanded exploration, Blaster Master Zero offers a refreshed take on the classic game."

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Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 597 reviews

story29 positive mentions

grinding13 negative mentions

Fantastic remake of the original NES game, capturing the nostalgia while adding modern enhancements.
Engaging gameplay that combines side-scrolling tank action with top-down exploration, providing a unique experience.
Great graphics and sound design, with a catchy soundtrack that complements the gameplay.

The game is generally too easy, especially for veterans of the original, with many bosses being trivialized.
Some players may find the story and dialogue to be overly simplistic or cliché.
Backtracking can be tedious, and the lack of fast travel options can lead to frustration.

story
160 mentions
18 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
4 % negative 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 "MetaFight" and the "Worlds of Power" novel. While some players find the narrative engaging and appreciate the added depth and character development, others feel it remains simplistic and predictable, serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay. Overall, the enhanced story is seen as a significant improvement over the original, providing clearer objectives and a more coherent narrative experience.
- “Blaster Master Zero is an excellent remake of the original Blaster Master, with improved graphics, controls, audio, story, and everything.”
- “The story is much more in-depth and interesting than the original, and the music sounds fantastic.”
- “The plot is sparse enough to give some breathing room between shootouts and exploration while also building on the story development and relation with the characters.”
- “The story and dialog are very poor, but the game can also be very wordy, with the action being interrupted somewhat frequently (especially in the beginning and toward the end) with box after box of poor dialog.”
- “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 is passable but what it does do better is that it gives the player more context as to what's going on.”
music
155 mentions
41 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy and engaging soundtrack that evokes nostalgia, particularly for the first level, which closely resembles the original NES theme. However, several players expressed disappointment that much of the original music was replaced with new compositions, which they felt lacked the memorability and quality of the classic tracks. Overall, while the new music is generally well-received, it does not fully capture the essence of the original soundtrack, leaving some fans wishing for a more faithful homage.
- “This game has a banging soundtrack.”
- “The music in this game is amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is phenomenal, as you might recall.”
- “Much of the NES music has been dropped in favor of entirely new compositions, which is a shame because the original had such a great 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 in the overhead section gets repetitive very quickly.”
gameplay
140 mentions
27 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
4 % negative 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.”
graphics
89 mentions
35 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Blaster Master Zero" have been widely praised for their modernized pixel art style that retains the charm of the original game. Reviewers appreciate the fresh, smooth visuals and enhanced artwork, which contribute to an engaging retro aesthetic while also benefiting from improved detail and color depth. Overall, the graphics are seen as a successful blend of nostalgia and contemporary design, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable for both new players and fans of the original.
- “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.”
- “This game gives the original all the justice it deserves, with beautifully updated visuals that still feel faithful to old-school gaming but also take advantage of the lack of hardware limitations!”
- “Graphics are also lower quality and oversaturated (how did you do that?).”
- “Classic old school gameplay with semi-updated graphics but not without its issues.”
- “Of course, some people will pass this up because of the graphic style.”
replayability
29 mentions
38 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability through various unlockable modes, multiple playable characters, and achievements, making it enjoyable for players seeking additional challenges. While some reviews note that replaying with different characters may feel similar, the inclusion of new modes and alternate endings enhances the overall experience. Overall, the game is praised for its rich content and engaging gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs.
- “Music and pixel art are amazing and the extra content gives you a lot of replayability.”
- “Satisfying gunplay and exploration make this an absolute joy to play, with plenty of replay value and additional modes.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Replay value is a bit low due to the overly similar playthrough with different characters but with less variety in options.”
- “I happened to get the true ending on my first playthrough, so that's more replayability for those interested, I guess.”
grinding
13 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative 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.”
stability
3 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its stability, featuring a polished experience with no detectable glitches or softlocks. Users report smooth performance even on lower-end PCs, with no lag or graphical issues, contributing to a cohesive gameplay experience.
- “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.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative 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 classic and humorous experiences, noting that it stands out among 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 development
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative 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 more anime-styled designs has not resonated with all fans, leading to mixed feelings about the characters' depth and appeal. Overall, while the game has its merits, it may not satisfy everyone’s expectations for character development.
- “The character development in this game is genuinely good; it really draws you in with its unique designs and engaging storylines.”
- “I appreciate the depth of the characters and how their backstories are woven into the gameplay, making each encounter feel meaningful.”
- “The character designs may not appeal to everyone, but they certainly add a distinct flavor to the overall experience.”
- “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.”
optimization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game experiences some stuttering during gameplay, which may be system-related, but overall, the performance of the port is satisfactory. However, it is noted that the game is not well-optimized for keyboard controls on PC.
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I appreciate how well the game runs; the developers clearly focused on optimizing the experience.”
- “I do experience some stuttering during gameplay (not sure if that is my system, but who knows).”
- “Despite being on PC, it is not optimized for keyboard gaming.”
- “I wasn't disappointed with the performance of this port.”
atmosphere
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the atmosphere of the game, noting that it successfully retains the nostalgic feel of the original NES version while enhancing gameplay with modern conveniences. The character design and overall ambiance contribute to a compelling experience that resonates with long-time fans.
- “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.”