Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Collection
- June 11, 2024
- Limited Run Games, Inc.
Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked features platforming greats that are absolute must-plays, but the overall package is bare bones. It’s great to see Sparkster and his jetpack make a return, but this awesome opossum deserves so much more.
Get on Steam"Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Collection" is a 3-game set featuring the acclaimed opossum knight, Sparkster. Players will battle robots and pigs to save the princess across the original game and its two sequels. Additional features include a museum, music player, boss rush mode, save anywhere function, and rewind feature for a smooth gaming experience.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The collection features three classic games, with Rocket Knight Adventures being a standout title that holds up well and offers enjoyable gameplay.
- The emulation is generally good, with options for resolution and a rewind feature that adds convenience for players.
- The inclusion of both Japanese and American ROMs allows players to experience the games without the 'rental difficulty' of the original Western releases.
- The price point is considered steep for only three games, especially when compared to other collections that offer more content for a similar price.
- There are significant emulation issues, including audio problems and a lack of video options, which detract from the overall experience.
- The absence of button remapping and other customization options limits the accessibility for players using different controllers.
- music29 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the Rocket Knight trilogy is widely praised for its catchy and energetic 16-bit soundtracks, with standout tracks like "Kingdom of Zephyrus" and "Ancient Ruins" receiving particular acclaim. However, players have reported significant issues with the in-game music being broken, which detracts from the overall experience, especially since the soundtrack is considered one of the game's highlights. Despite these problems, the inclusion of a music player and a museum feature adds value for fans of the series.
“The music is slamming, the sprites are detailed, the boss battles are epic, the game has a humorous style, and it is challenging enough for multiple play-throughs.”
“I like the way you can listen to the in-game music on the main menu because I remember some of these tunes being incredibly catchy, specifically 'Kingdom of Zephyrus' from the first stage of Rocket Knight Adventures and 'Ancient Ruins' from the first stage of the Mega Drive/Genesis version of Sparkster.”
“The soundtrack is incredible (especially level 5 in 'Adventures').”
“Okayish port with a nice rewind system, some sound bugs like glitchy music.”
“The in-game music is wrong; you can hear it fine in the sound test, but inside the game, it is broken. Considering its soundtrack is the best part, it made me ask for a refund.”
“The 'new' features, the museum, a music player, a save/load and rewind feature, and a boss rush mode don't justify the price tag.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their amazing 16-bit quality, showcasing the charm of Konami's hidden gems. While the emulation is mostly faithful, there are minor graphical issues noted. Additionally, the inclusion of raw PNGs for manual scans and artwork adds a unique touch, enhancing the overall visual experience.
“A trio of some of the best hidden gems in Konami's library: fun gameplay, amazing 16-bit graphics, banging soundtracks, and fun characters.”
“It's very faithfully emulated with tiny graphical issues, but otherwise, it's spot on.”
“The manual scans, artwork, and museum content are raw PNGs you can access freely, which is genuinely cool, as it has stuff like Japanese ads and flyers.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users experiencing erratic frame skipping and sub-par performance reminiscent of emulators, leading to frustration over the $30 price tag. However, others report that the games run smoothly and control well, particularly on PC and Steam Deck, suggesting that performance issues may vary by platform. Overall, while some players enjoy a polished experience, others feel let down by the optimization quality.
“All three games run smoothly and control well, impressive museum section and music player, the Rocket Knight Adventures trilogy that you always wanted!”
“I opened with 'people have been playing these games on emulator for 20 years' partly because that's literally what you're doing when playing this release, only it's an emulator with sub-standard performance in which frame skip will occur erratically without any apparent reason, and you paid $30 like a mug to play 30-year-old games that perform better on unofficial software.”
“Mvg of Limited Run Games himself addressed the issue and was able to fix all performance issues on PC/Steam Deck.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is primarily centered around engaging boss rush modes, which are complemented by enjoyable mechanics and a nostalgic 16-bit aesthetic. Players appreciate the combination of fun gameplay, impressive graphics, and memorable soundtracks, highlighting the title as a standout collection of Konami's hidden gems.
“The actual gameplay attraction on offer here is the boss rush modes.”
“A trio of some of the best hidden gems in Konami's library: fun gameplay, amazing 16-bit graphics, banging soundtracks, and fun characters.”
“Fun gameplay, amazing 16-bit graphics, banging soundtracks, and fun characters.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humorous style, which adds a lighthearted touch to the overall experience, complementing its detailed visuals and epic boss battles. Players appreciate the blend of humor with challenging gameplay that encourages multiple play-throughs.
“The game has a humorous style that adds a delightful twist to the gameplay.”
“The humor in the game keeps the experience light-hearted and enjoyable.”
“The witty dialogue and funny character interactions make every moment entertaining.”
Critic Reviews
Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Review
Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked features platforming greats that are absolute must-plays, but the overall package is bare bones. It’s great to see Sparkster and his jetpack make a return, but this awesome opossum deserves so much more.
70%Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked (Switch eShop) Review
I'm sure some of you will dig this retro compilation.
70%Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked Review
Rocket Knight Adventures is a series comprising two fine games and one stellar, timeless piece of work. While the sequels are above average for '90s platform gaming, it’s the series debut that really informs this review’s score. Rocket Knight Adventures is a title that sits comfortably alongside Gunstar Heroes in the pantheon of exceptional games overlooked in their heyday. It does everything an arcade action adventure needs to, and more, outdoing a vast number of actual arcade games in the process. Its constantly evolving stages, incredible variety of scenarios, and driving cinematic soundtrack make it one of the best of its kind. If that’s not the very definition of underrated, we don’t know what is.
90%
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