The classic “Adventure Island” by Master Takahashi is back in 3D!
- JP release: 18th December 2003
- EU release: N/A
- NA release: N/A
- Developer: Red Entertainment
- Publisher: Hudson Soft
- NGC Magazine Score: N/A
- Mods Used: Widescreen Code
Like Bonk, this is another classic 2D platformer, although Adventure Island is probably more forgotten than Bonk. This is another Hudson Selects remake with 3D graphics, with a nice visual look to it. Unlike Bonk, though, this version is not redesigned, but is an identical copy of the NES version with new graphics.
Adventure Island is a surprisingly punishing game. Treat it like a regular platformer and you’ll die. The health bar in the top left isn’t for when enemies hit you (they kill you in one hit), but constantly goes down over time, at an alarmingly fast rate. There’s lots of fruit in the level to top it up, but you really need to be going at full pace the entire time.
You’ll also collect different weapons, some which move in annoying arcs. These weapons will also destroy different enemies and obstacles, with the fireball blasting through nearly every obstacle. You can also collect a skateboard which does give you an additional hit. If you manage both the fireball and skateboard and get a good flow, it can be rewarding, but losing everything results in a big disappointment.
It’s a well made remake, but I’m not keen on not being able to take it at your own pace.
Fine
This is what we all ask for in the face of countless first-person shooters and tiresome 3D adventure games. It’s oldschool, it’s tight, it’s hard, and if you liked the original you’ll love this. Sadly for all of us and for Hudson as well that’s a recipe for certain death, because we’ve all seen that giving the fans what they want isn’t how you make money. Fickle bastards that we all are we finally get what we asked for and we just won’t buy it.
Lawrence, NFG Games
Remake or remaster?
An Adventure Island collection would be good.
Official Ways to get the game
There’s no official way to get this version of Adventure Island.
Europe
Japan
North America
GameCube Games by Date
2002: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2003: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2005: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2006: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
