Dave Frear


71 games reviewed
70.3 average score
70 median score
43.7% of games recommended
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Apr 17, 2018

Initially seeming quite basic, Arcade Archives Moon Patrol becomes a lot of fun thanks to the various dangers encountered and discovering the different ways the limited controls can be utilised to clear these dangers. Working through the different sections is enjoyable and it is thrilling to clear a troublesome one.

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Apr 5, 2018

World Heroes 2 Jet is not a bad fighter, but it's not a must-download title either.

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Apr 3, 2018

Aero Fighters 3 is another great shmup among the growing library on Switch.

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Mar 30, 2018

Arcade Archives Star Force can be fun at times, it's unlikely to offer long-term appeal especially with so many high-quality shooters already on Switch.

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Mar 20, 2018

There's been a tweak to the controls, but Real Bout Fatal Fury offers similar fast-paced fighting thrills to Fatal Fury 3.

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Mar 18, 2018

Return to it after a while away (alone or with a friend) and Sengoku 2 will provide some decent sidescrolling slashing action.

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Mar 14, 2018

The mix of gameplay styles works fine, but the game is quite simple with neither style standing out among examples of each genre. It's a tough game with the limited range of your weapon and the lack of continues being the biggest hurdles to completion, although successfully speeding through a section is very satisfying. It can entertain and the usual online leaderboards add some replay value as you take on the world, but Arcade Archives: Heroic Episode is unlikely to be a game often played on your Switch with so many retro goodies already available on the eShop.

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Mar 12, 2018

Simple to play, Magical Drop III is hugely entertaining as you frantically move about firing balloons to make lines or ideally set in motion a combo.

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8 / 10 - Samurai Aces
Mar 5, 2018

Whether playing alone or with a friend Samurai Aces is fun to replay whenever you choice to boot it up.

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Feb 21, 2018

Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory is an entertaining game with a good presentation and the new lane system gives a slightly different feel to fights (mainly used for short-term evasion) that works well. There's been a reduction in characters, but there's a good range leading to plenty of enjoyable fights. The Real Bout games that followed would build on this however, so although Fatal Fury 3 is a competent enough fighter, it's not a must download title.

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Feb 19, 2018

2020 Super Baseball is a simple to play baseball game, with a few twists to shake things up. At times it can feel quite limited due to the way many hit balls end up in the hands of the opposition (and naturally it's not as fully-featured as games the followed in subsequent years), but it's still satisfying to hit a home run and amusing to watch someone chase after the ball only to then be sent flying by an exploding landmine. With a surprisingly lengthy single player mode and the always fun option to have a match against a friend, 2020 Super Baseball is not a bad choice for those seeking (slightly off-kilter) ball hitting action.

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Feb 13, 2018

Crazy Climber is a game with a simple premise: just climb!

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Feb 9, 2018

The first game was already a well put together fighter, but Samurai Shodown II improves on it with an expanded cast and additions to the gameplay that add to the fighting experience without over-complicating things. This is still a game that requires thought, but when you do spy your opportunity fights can be over quickly. Even if they're not, they can still be fast-paced as you each use various means to avoid getting hit and the new weapon-breaking moves can help turnaround certain defeat - or lead to you looking a bit foolish if you get defeated by an unarmed opponent. There's plenty of one-on-one fighters on the Switch, but this is one of the best.

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There's only eight levels, but there's enjoyment to be had from Arcade Archives Kid Niki Radical Ninja as you hop about and avoid attacks, take some enemies out on the left, then the right, jump to move forwards and smack some in midair too. The game can be challenging, but satisfying when you up your pace sufficiently to stop that timer hitting zero and the boss battles are fun too. If you are just looking to finish the game there's not much replay value once cleared, but there's a few ways to improve your score which adds to the replayability when combined with the online leaderboards.

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Feb 5, 2018

World Heroes 2 may not be the best fighting game available on Switch, but it can still entertain.

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Feb 1, 2018

Sky Force Reloaded is a fun shmup with a good variety of dangers to deal with and one that gives you a number of options to deal with them. Stages can be tough, but when you nearly make it you'll want to dive back in and try again, certain you know how to do better this time around. Sometimes you'll be forced to replay them in order to proceed further in the game, whether that's grinding for stars or looking to achieve a medal, although that can still feel fresh due to tackling the stages a different way. The thrill of finally beating a tricky level can be dampened by the realisation you need to go pick up a handful of medals however, but it can be fun to return to a previously tricky stage and ease through thanks to an improved craft. Sky Force Reloaded may force you to spend time with it and feel like a grind as a result, but for the most part, the time invested is enjoyable.

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9 / 10 - Strikers 1945
Jan 30, 2018

Strikers 1945 II is a lot like the first (already great) game, but improves on it thanks to its frantic gameplay and new approach to charged attacks. Two-player is a lot of fun whether played on the big screen or undocked in TATE mode with detached Joy-Con and trying to improve on your high score adds plenty of replayability. The game could benefit from an online high score board, but Strikers 1945 II is a joy to play through each time and is one of the best shmups available from the growing range on Switch.

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Jan 24, 2018

Once you've got the hang of things Power Spikes II is a simple volleyball game that can provide some entertainment. There's a range of serve options, power shots and frantic moments where you hope to get to the ball in time, but the simplified nature leads to little variety even with the various shot types. There are times you can score quickly (maybe even from a serve) and there is a rush of excitement when you do so, but there is also a lot of time spent knocking the ball back-and-forth, simply tapping left or right to get into position to make sure the process can continue.  Ultimately Power Spikes II is a little too simple to offer long term appeal.

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Jan 21, 2018

Double Dragon gives you a number of ways to dispatch enemies, a few different attacks to deal with thanks to the use of weapons and the fighting generally works well. There are a few issues with the game, however, with the biggest two being its short length and its distracting slowdown. If you are just looking to clear the game, then there's little long term value here, although it is fun to go through again with a friend, battling the bad guys before your final showdown. Arcade Archives Double Dragon is not an essential download, but there's still enjoyment to be had from this old school title.

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Jan 15, 2018

Art Of Fighting 2 takes the first game and improves on it in a number of ways.

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