Meganoid – The Epic 8Bit Platformer!
by Jonathan Lonczak
Aug 15, 2011 12:36 PM –
Install
Meganoid. Save the world from evil invaders in this rendition of a classic 8bit graphics inspired platformer game for Android. Collect diamonds and be sure to check out all the hidden places to unlock extra achievements.
Price: Free
Tested on: Sony Xperia Play, HTC Droid Incredible 2
Content Rating: Everyone
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Incredibly enjoyable 8bit platformer reminiscent of NES and Gameboy!
- Support for touch screen controls, keypad, Xperia Play, accelerometer controls, and Wii Mote!
- Almost 200 levels with all three characters!
- Achievements and online leaderboard provided by OpenFeint!
- Epic old school soundtrack and sound effects!
- 2 unlockable characters and many secret zones in each level!
Cons
- Graphics are old school. So what? They are supposed to be!
- No vibration.
- Tilt controls a little finicky to say the least.
Features:
Meganoid is an excellent 8bit retro platformer for the Android platform. Meganoid features customizable controls and support for the Xperia Play, hidden achievements in almost every level, an unlockable Sarge mode, OpenFeint support, and a full range of in-game achievements.
In Meganoid you are a boy who was chosen to save the world from the evil invaders. In each level your object is to collect all of the diamonds throughout the level and to make it to the level exit. There are achievements for collecting all of the diamonds hidden throughout each level, and achievements for completing each level within the given time limit. If you complete both achievements for each level you will be able to unlock new characters like Sarge and Oreah along with new levels to conquer and explore!
The control system is extremely customizable. The touch screen controls consist of a left and right button onscreen, as well as a button for jumping. On the Xperia Play the touch screen controls are replaced with the six axis control pad and gives off an excellent retro Gameboy feel. At various points in the game you will encounter objects like help bubbles and boxes. In order to interact with the help bubbles, or to pick up the boxes, all you need to do is to pass over the object you wish to interact with. The help bubbles give you small tips in order to teach you how to play the game and to beat the level. The boxes can be picked up to be thrown at enemies. The box is automatically thrown when you come in range of an enemy which eliminates the need for an attack button.
The levels are set up in a similar fashion to old platformers like Alex the Kid, Mario, and Megaman. You have to jump from platform to platform, dodge spikes, and time your movement perfectly in order to land on disappearing or moving elevators throughout the level. Many of your jumps need to be timed perfectly or a double jump will be used in order to collect many of the more difficult diamonds. Also throughout almost every level is at least one secret area filled with diamonds. The best trick to find these locations is to constantly run against large walled areas to see if there is a secret passage. If you find a secret passage you will need to jump and move from side to side to make sure you have fully explored the hidden area and collected all the precious diamonds.
If you do manage to collect all of the diamonds and complete all the levels within the given time limits you will unlock the hidden Sarge mode and Sarge levels. This is a whole new section of the game with a whole new character, but the game play remains the same with the variation being in the player and the levels he traverses through. Another game mode was recently added for a new Oreah character which is unlocked by playing through Sarge mode and collecting all diamonds and completing all levels within the given time frame. The developer for this game is extremely active and is always adding more content to the game.
Finally, Meganoid features OpenFeint support! This allows you to earn achievements as you play through the game and to compare your achievements to those of other players. Achievements are unlocked for completing levels within the given time frame, collecting all the diamonds in a level, or performing other daring feats! OpenFeint is an excellent addition to the game and greatly enhances addictiveness through its achievement system.
Watch on Mobile
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Meganoid Preparing to Fire
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Meganoid Going Up
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Meganoid Monster Kill
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Meganoid Preparing for The Gap
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Meganoid Box Pickup
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Meganoid Help Bubble
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Meganoid Level Stats
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Meganoid Title Screen
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Meganoid Adjust Controls
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Meganoid Cutscene
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Meganoid Open Feint
Fun Factor:
Meganoid is extremely fun to play through. The game is nostalgic and makes you think of gaming on the NES once again. I love the integration with the Sony Xperia Play, and this is one of those rare few free games available for the Play. The secrets hidden in each level add greatly to the replay value of the it as well as the fun factor, because they constantly challenge the player. Often I will spend 5 minutes trying to get past a spike pit or up a disappearing elevator, but end up having to risk it all in order to find those hidden diamonds! Like Cordy this is a platformer you could play for hours!
Addictive:
This game is very addictive due to its many secrets, OpenFeint support, and unlockable characters and levels. I will find myself playing this game for long sessions trying to locate all the hidden diamonds and achieve acceptable times, in order to discover what exactly changes are in Sarge mode. I also love the Feint support, because it encourages the gamer to discover all the hidden content in the game.
Graphics:
The graphics for Meganoid are what you would expect from an 8bit platformer. Obviously most games hold themselves to a much higher standard nowadays, but retro gaming are still popular and the graphical style of this game is one of the things that makes it a win. Perhaps a higher definition version could be offered in the future for those who do not prefer the old school style of Meganoid, but I don’t think many will turn away from the game in its current state.
Accelerometer, Vibration & Sound:
Meganoid actually offers accelerometer controls within the games control menu. The controls are simply tilt to move and tap to jump, but I found that the tilt controls were much too difficult to play with. Instead I preferred to use the Sony Xperia Play D Pad, or even connect my Wii remote to the phone and the game!
There is no support for phone vibration in Meganoid, but there is an excellent old school soundtrack that will bring back memories of Gameboy and NES. Music is constantly playing in the background and creates fun and energetic atmosphere while old school sound effects for jumping and death will remind you of Alex the Kidd and Jill of the Jungle. I thoroughly enjoyed the sounds for this game!
Tags:
2D,
8BIT,
Android App,
Android Apps,
Android Game,
AndroidTapp.com App Review,
Meganoid,
NES,
OpenFeint,
Platformer,
Retro Games,
Xperia PLAY
Categorised in: Arcade & Action
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