Co-op Spotlight #8 - Sonic Games

By Zachariah Hosoda

With the recent release of Sonic Mania, we thought it would be fitting to do a spotlight covering all of the co-op Sonic games. Being around for nearly three decades, the games were a big part of many gamer's childhood . Unfortunately, the road has been a bumpy one for the blue hedgehog. With that being said, there are definitely some great games worth trying out.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis) - 1992

Sonic 2 is the first Sonic game to feature co-op gameplay, and is considered by many to be the definitive Sonic game. Playing as Tails might be frustrating for some. He can't fly, and the majority of your time will probably be spent just trying to keep up with Sonic. But when controlled by the right player, Tails can be a great asset to the team. And when it comes to boss fights, Tails can really shine.

SegaSonic the Hedgehog (Arcade) (JP) - 1993

Sega Sonic is a true hidden gem. Most people are completely unaware of its existence due to the fact that it was released in Japanese arcades only. As well as it's exclusion from all Sonic collections. This may be due to the trackball control being hard to transfer over to analog. Although, I seemed to be able to use a D-Pad in my emulator without any problems. Although, it still didn't feel exactly right. One day I hope I can play the game on original hardware. What sets this game apart from all other Sonic games is the isometric view, the slower paced gameplay, trackball controls, and most importantly, the three player co-op gameplay! If you get the chance, definitely put some time into playing this through emulation.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 + Sonic & Knuckles (Genesis) - 1994

Sonic 3 picks up where Sonic 2 left off, and in many ways, improves upon some gameplay elements. The music is arguable the best of all Sonic soundtracks, and the same can be said about some of the level design. One of the biggest improvements is that Tails can now fly. On top of that, he can also carry Sonic for a short distance. This definitely adds more playability for the second player outside of boss fights. After finishing the Sonic 3 story, you can attach the game to the Sonic & Knuckles cartridge and continue to play through Sonic's story with Tails by your side. This was very revolutionary for the time. 

Knuckles' Chaotix (Sega 32X) - 1995

Knuckles' Chaotix is one of the best Sonic games that doesn't even have Sonic in it. Also, it's one of the few co-op 32X games. The gameplay is very similar to prior Sonic games, but levels seem to be a bit simplified, trading the different routes for a more straight forward approach. The other difference is when playing two player, characters are connected together through a chained ring. Some might think this is a negative, but I personally thought it added a new layer of teamwork to the gameplay. Plus, it's nice not leaving the second player in the dust.

Sonic Battle (Gameboy Advance) - 2003

Sonic Battle is very different from other Sonic games. Usually when a Sonic game strays from the classic style gameplay, it's not a good sign. But in this case, the game works really well. Sonic Battle plays similarly to Super Smash Bros. Or Power Stone. Up to four players can connect their GBAs for free for all or team based battles. Unfortunately, there isn't much of a story. However, two players can team up against the computer for two on two co-op battles. 

Sonic Advance 3 (Gameboy Advance) - 2004

After going many years without a proper 2D Sonic game, the Sonic Advance series brought the Hedgehog back to his roots. Although, prior Sonic Advance games did have multiplayer, Sonic Advance 3 was the first to include co-op. One of the main advantages of playing the game with two GBAs, is you now have two screens. This removes the issue of losing Tails when the camera follows Sonic. The downside to this, however, now the levels can at times feel more like a race, and less like teamwork. As soon as one player makes it to the goal, the stage ends. It almost feels like you're not even playing together at times. It's still a fun game, and definitely worth trying with a friend.

Sonic Colors (Wii) - 2010

Sonic colors was one of the first Sonic games to start the trend of mixing 2D and 3D gameplay together. Some consider the game to be one of the better recent Sonic releases. Which isn't saying much. Unfortunately, the story mode is only single player, leaving co-op to be played in a separate challenge mode.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, Steam) - 2012

This game is considered by many to just be bad. But I think if it had a different title, it wouldn't be judged so harshly. Personally, I really like this game. I think it got a lot of things right. The co-op is done well, Tails is still able to fly Sonic, and the camera keeps both characters on the screen at all times. That being said, I wish the graphics were done in a pixel art style, the music doesn't feel like Sonic, and sometimes the level design just feels lazy. Overall, I enjoyed this game, but it just didn't quite capture essence of classic Sonic games.

Sonic Lost World (Wii U) - 2013

There's not a lot to be said about this game. Many people call it a rip off of Mario Galaxy, not only due to the level design, but the limited co-op gameplay is similar as well. It's definitely one of the better recent Sonic games though.

Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U) - 2014

Sonic Boom was met with very negative reviews. It had numerous glitches, bad camera and controls, terrible acting, story, and dialogue. But also, the game doesn't play anything like a Sonic game. I'm not sure it deserves all of the hate it gets. Maybe if the Sonic name wasn't attached people would view it more fairly.

Sonic Mania (Pretty much Everything) - 2017

I'm just going to come out and say it... Sonic Mania is amazing! This is a game that did everything right. It has great pixel art, amazing level design, interesting and unique boss fights, music that sounds retro but with some modern flair. This is the Sonic game I have been waiting for. I can't really think of a single negative thing to say about it. Other than, the two player mode is the same as Sonic 2 and 3. Meaning, Tails is constantly getting lost as Sonic runs through levels. I think they could've figured out a creative way to improve upon that. That being said, Tails is still able to help out with flying and in boss fights. Coming from a life long die hard Sonic fan, this could very well be the best Sonic game ever made. Sonic 2 and 3 are two of my all time favorite games, but if I am truly looking at this game objectively, I think it improves upon just about everything those games did. This is easily in my top five games of the year so far. If you haven't yet, go out and play this game! I just hope that the people that make future Sonic games take some note!

Co-op Spotlight #7 - The Sims 2

By Logan Hosoda

For this week’s spotlight, I’m gonna talk about The Sims 2, one of my favorite games to hit the PS2 back in the day! It was developed by EA Games, and released in 2004 for Windows, and later ported to consoles. Now, I’ve never played any version aside from the PS2 version, so all features mentioned will be available to that version specifically. For anybody that doesn’t know, The Sims is a series that’s based on the thought of living your life through a character that you created, with a heavy focus on realism (to a quite vague extent). You need to play the game as you would your own life, improve your skills, get a job that governs those skills, climb the corporate ladder, and become majorly successful, or fulfill whatever aspiration you chose to fulfill throughout the game.

What really stands out about The Sims 2 specifically, which crowns it as the best sims game available in my opinion, is the co-op feature. Yes, you can play through the entire story mode in co-op. Each player begins by making their own sim, customizing how you look, what your goals in life are, etc. Then you embark on the adventure together, working your way up in life. It’s a feature that has unfortunately been absent in every other Sims game in the series, which personally has left a large co-op shaped hole in the future entries.

There’s two modes that you can experience in co-op for The Sims 2, which includes the main story mode, and free play. In story mode, you progress through a set list of objectives, all of which you must fulfill while at the same time keeping your Sim alive and satisfied (which is surprisingly difficult at times). Once you complete every objective, you’ll eventually gain the ability to move into a new location, with a bigger house, and different roommates. As for free play mode, you are given a budget at the beginning, and can create an entire house from scratch! Meaning, you must create the full layout, the floors, walls, ceiling, lighting, appliances… Everything! It can be pretty fun if you’re creative, but if you like progression, then story mode is the way to go.

There are loads of things to do in The Sims 2, and all of them are made better when you have a friend to enjoy it with you. If you want a slow paced game that you can kick back and relax with, the Sims 2 is a great option. So go on out there and live an awesome life… as a Sim! Just remember to not walk in on people taking a dump, they’ll hate you for it. Oh, and stay away from fire, and other dangerous things, or you’ll die… Yeah...

Co-op Spotlight #6 - Heavy Barrel - Nes

By Zachariah Hosoda

Heavy Barrel is a top down run and gun game by Data East. The Game was originally released in arcades in 1987, but today we will be covering the NES port. Similar to games like commando, Ikari Warriors, and the top down levels from Contra, Heavy Barrel didn't exactly break new ground. But not all great games need to reinvent the wheel. Despite the lack of originality, Heavy Barrel might be one of the best run and gun games of all time. It's a shame not many people remember it.

The name of the game is from an in-game weapon. The Heavy Barrel is found in six pieces and is an energy cannon capable of destroying any enemy in the game with a single shot (Minus the final boss). The gun has a wide range and can be shot as fast as you can tap the fire button. However, it only lasts for thirty seconds. There are weapon upgrades, shields, and bombs as well.

The music in the game is always upbeat and fitting for the situation. I think the soundtrack can compete with the best of NES music. The same can be said about the graphics. Although simple, the colors and textures keep things looking nice. One of the most fun parts of any game of the genre are the boss fights, and this one is no exception. Each boss has it's own unique look and abilities that require you to put in some time to learn their patterns. 

Overall, Heavy Barrel is a lost classic that every retro gaming fan should at least try out. And unlike most NES games, this one's difficulty is pretty manageable. As an added bonus, if you're an NES collector, this game can still be found for fairly cheap. Heavy Barrel ranks among the best of NES co-op games. I can't recommend it enough!

Co-op Spotlight #5 - Jet Force Gemini - N64

By Logan Hosoda

Jet Force Gemini is a sci-fi third person shooter/platformer that was published by Rare, and released on October 11, 1999 exclusively for the Nintendo 64. It’s about three heroes that get separated in the beginning, and individually are attempting to oppose the dark insectoid tyrant Mizar, and his giant bug/drone army. The heroes are Juno, Vela, and their dog, Lupus. They all work together by traveling across the galaxy to save the Tribals, push back the invasion, and defeat the army.

Aside from The Legend Of Zelda games available for the Nintendo 64, Jet Force Gemini is easily my favorite game for the console. It features giant open worlds, dark/scary themes (for a kid back in the day), loads of gore, suspenseful and intense boss fights, and it’s still rated T somehow! The best part is that they managed to sneak a fun little co-op mode into the main storyline. Even though it seemed like it wouldn’t have one.

As far as the co-op is concerned… It’s definitely not the best on the market, that much is certain. After you reach the 3rd planet as Juno (which can be done relatively quickly), there’s a small robot named Floyd that you’ll find, and he’s missing pieces. If you do the little side quest to grab all of the parts, you’ll put floyd back together, and congratulations, you unlocked co-op! Just plug a second controller in, hit start, and BAM, the second player can play as Floyd. Like I said, it’s not great, he’s just a crosshair on the screen that can shoot, but it’s actually pretty helpful, and plenty of fun to keep another player engaged in the game.

The best part about the game is that it is vast, and by vast, I mean SUPER VAST. There are so many planets to explore, so many weapons to acquire, and so many little mini games to do in the game. On top of that, each character has their own unique skill set that they have. Juno can walk on lava, Vela can breathe underwater, and Lupus can hover for a short amount of time. Since each character can navigate different environments, that means that you have to explore every single planet at least 3 times in order to discover all that they have to offer... Which is insane! Shamefully I have to admit, after about 16 years or so of playing the game, I still have yet to beat it completely. The spaceship parts mission seems near impossible to beat, but you’ll discover this later.

One thing that I really have to mention is that this game has a stellar soundtrack. Every single track in the game is just incredible. As a kid, I remember just aimlessly roaming around Mizar’s palace and the Water Ruins planet just so that I could listen to those songs as I played the game.  Needless to say, they really captivated me, and have stuck with me after all of these years. One of the major things that I look forward to whenever I return to this game is getting to hear those awesome tracks again!

In my opinion, Jet Force Gemini was a true hidden jewel of its time, and should be given the opportunity to be enjoyed by everyone. It was an incredible experience as a kid, and even though the controls and visuals are heavily outdated now, it still remains a great game. Whether you’re going to go at it solo or with a buddy, so long as you look passed the visuals, you will not be disappointed. Just don’t forget to build Floyd!

Co-op Spotlight #4 - Kirby Super Star - SNES

By Zachariah Hosoda

Kirby Super Star was a late release for the Super Nintendo. In fact, the game was released about a week before the launch of the Nintendo 64 in the US. Despite the late release, the game still sold fairly well, and received favorable reviews.

Kirby Super Star plays similarly to the previous Kirby games. However, this is the first Kirby game to feature two player co-op. There are seven main modes of gameplay, each showcasing unique experiences. For example, "Spring Breeze" and "Dyna Blade" play like traditional Kirby games. Then on the other side of things, "Gourmet Race" and "The Arena", play out like a racing game and a boss rush mode, respectively. 

One of the main aspects of a Kirby game that keep things interesting is the copy ability. Whenever you encounter an enemy, you simply suck them up, swallow them, then take control of their powers. Then when you want to add a second player, you are able to turn that power into a "helper". This is great, because the second player is never tied down to any single character. Whenever you see a power you want, Kirby just uses the copy ability, then turns that into the second player. These features, mixed with the large amount of enemy types, definitely keeps the game from getting boring. 

Kirby Super Star is not only one of the best co-op games for Super Nintendo, it is, in my opinion, one of the best co-op games of all time. It's definitely in the running for best Kirby game as well. If you haven't had the chance to play this game yet, do yourself a favor and pick this one up, or emulate it, or play the DS version. Whatever you have to do, just play this game!

Co-op Spotlight #3 - Portal 2

By Logan Hosoda

If you haven’t ever played Portal 2 before, then you are seriously missing out. It was developed by Valve, and released for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and OS X back in April 2011, and it is still to this day an incredible experience, both single player and co-op. It is a heavily puzzle focused game that features only one piece of equipment: the portal gun. With the gun, you can shoot two different colors of portals, and once both are active, they will connect and teleport you when you walk through them. It’s a confusing concept made even more confusing during co-op play, but it makes for a very fun experience!

The game features a single player campaign, and a co-op campaign, both with their own exclusive puzzles and story. While the single player story is certainly more developed (I mean, it is a continuation of the first game), the co-op story is still fun, and filled with the same great comedic writing. In the co-op mode, you play as two different robots, named Atlas, and P-Body, both equipped with fully functioning portal guns. This really makes the game interesting, because now you have twice the portals to deal with. While this may seem to make the game easier on the outside, in reality it enhances the difficulty ten-fold.

What you absolutely need in order to complete this game is serious cooperation. It starts off pretty easy in the beginning, where you just need to place your portals in the correct spots to complete the test, but the game gets progressively harder, and will twist your brain to the point of spontaneous combustion! One thing that I really love is the natural need for coop. The second player isn’t just a helping hand in the situation, he/she is actually needed every step of the way, and there isn’t any way around it.

In my opinion, the best quality of this game is how blatantly simple it is, yet how amazingly complex it can become at the same time. It’s incredibly easy to pick up and play, you’ll learn the controls in minutes, and you can even beat the whole game in a sitting or two. What really shines is how complex the game becomes as you play. Between the physics based puzzles, portals leading in every which direction, and many more elements, the game picks up incredibly fast. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself staring at a dumb wall, wondering how in the world you could possibly solve what seems unsolvable, it’s downright glorious!

One major feature that I really loved about Portal 2, contrary to many modern day games, is the use of split screen co-op! Most modern games with co-op features focus on co-op over a LAN connection, or the internet, and don’t feature split screen. Even the copy that I own on Steam for PC features split screen as well, which is very rare, while still including online play. The versatility is key here, and sets this game above many others as far as variety of options is concerned.

In conclusion, Portal 2, while not quite a “hidden” gem, is certainly a gem nonetheless. Every co-op enthusiast out there should play it at least once. In my opinion, it is the pinnacle of co-op gaming, and it set a very high standard for co-op games to come. Your brain will certainly regret playing it, and you may end up losing a friendship over it, but you’ll come to find that in the end, it was definitely worth it!

Co-op Spotlight #2 - World of Illusion (Genesis/Mega Drive)

By Zachariah Hosoda

World of Illusion is a platforming game that was released in 1992. You play as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The game starts out with a short cutscene, revealing that during practice for their magic show, they stumble upon a magic box. Before Mickey can stop him, Donald immediately walks into the box. The two are then transported into a magical world. They then must work together to get back home.

This was one of the first games I remember renting from Blockbuster when I was a kid. And probably one of the only games that I rented multiple times. World of Illusion plays like most platformers of the time. Your main form of defense is a magic cape that you can wave at an enemy to transform them into various objects. You can also run by holding in A, and, of course, there is a lot of jumping. But what sets this game apart from other platformers, and co-op games of the time, is the fact that you actually must work together to get through the levels.

There are times that you come across a platform that is too high to jump to. In order to get to the next level, you must use the log catapult. To pull this off, one player must stand on one end of the catapult, as the other jumps on the opposite side. This will boost the first player to the next area. But then the player that was boosted needs to drop a rope so their teammate can climb up to them. Also, there are specific parts in the game where you need to jump on the shoulders of the other player to get higher up. Sometimes there are small gaps you must crawl under. Donald will not fit, so the player that controls Mickey must press A to pull Donald through. 

The game is fairly short, consisting of only five levels. Some people may consider this to be a negative, but for me, I always appreciate a game I can play through in one sitting. Especially when you don't alway have a lot of time to dedicate to games. The difficulty is pretty manageable as well, but still might take a few attempts to beat. 

Although, there were plenty of co-op games from this time, there just weren't many that actually required team work to progress through the levels. Sure, you were able to play side by side as you kill and dodge enemies. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, good team work can definitely benefit in those game. But what I'm referring to is the purest form of cooperative gaming. It's when having another player not only enhances the gameplay, but also involves mandatory teamwork. And without it, you simply won't progress. In my opinion, this is what makes a great co-op game.

Co-op Spotlight #1 - Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory

By Logan Hosoda

Without a doubt, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is the first game that I simply have to spotlight. This game features two different co-op modes depending upon which version of the game you have. This includes the primary Xbox version, and the two-disc Gamecube version. If you haven’t ever heard of the series before, Splinter Cell games are traditionally third-person, stealth action shooters. They feature in-depth stealth mechanics that were way ahead of their time, which allows for deep strategic approach to almost every situation in the games. The reason that I have chosen Chaos Theory specifically is because it features one of the best, in my opinion, co-op game modes ever made.

Most co-op games today seem to have a co-op mode that is never as satisfying as the main story, or feature an invisible husk in the main story that has zero relevance, and is simply there for another player to take control of (I’m looking at YOU Fable 2 and 3!). What I love about Chaos Theory is that it has an entirely separate co-op campaign, that’s entirely different from single player, and features two new agents that must work together to complete the missions. This brings me to the difference of the two versions of the game.

For the Xbox version, the co-op campaign is a complete standalone story, where both players must work together in order to progress, and complete longer missions, very similar to the main campaign. In the Gamecube version, however, it features smaller bite-sized missions to complete, with no save function. This means you have to complete the entire mission on your first try, or fail and restart the whole thing. On top of this, you need both discs if you want to get through every mission (most likely owing to the lack of memory on the small Gamecube discs). They both offer very different experiences, and are both amazing in their own aspects. If you’re looking for a longer binge session with a friend, then the Xbox version is more ideal. But if you just want to jump in and play some quick missions with a friend, then the Gamecube version is better because it’s less of a commitment.

Structure aside, both versions maintain the exact same gameplay elements, which is arguably the best part about the game! Earlier I mentioned that the game has some great strategic elements, and I wasn’t joking! If you want to approach the game without touching a single enemy, then you can ( unless the mission says you have to)! You just have to plan ahead big time, shoot out all of the lights, and figure out how you could possibly sneak across the whole level without being detected. Or you can simply pull out your assault rifle, and have a blast! The game supplies you with various tools that will help you get the job done, like explosive cameras that can incapacitate your targets, or grenades if you’re impatient. It’s set up to perfectly compliment your play style, even if the shooting itself is somewhat subpar.

Overall, if you haven’t already, pick up Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, grab a buddy, and have some fun. Even after 12 years, I still pick this game up from time to time, and I’m never disappointed! It definitely falls under the “timeless” category for me!