Darkwing Duck

"Mega Man 7?!"

First off, it has to be said, so I'll just say it. Yes, this game is intensely similar to Mega Man. The different weapons, the level select, the facing-the-bad-guy-in-a-separate-room-at-the-end-of-the-level factor, the level design, the graphical style..... This is Mega Man with a Duck in it. No surprise really - it came from the same people. However, the Mega Man games are ace, so is this a problem?

Yes and no. Although ultimately the lack of originality docked this game a point, I also love this game because it is like Mega Man.

Anyways, F.O.W.L. (what did that stand for, anyway?) is up to no good, so Meg-Darkwing is sent to battle it's operatives one by one, across a variety of levels, such as sewers and bridges. At first only three are available for selection, but more open up as you progress through the levels. Most of the villains are easily recognisable from the TV show, such as Quackerjack, although some of them I don't remember (it has been a while since I saw it though). Darkwing has one ability that Mega Man does not - he can hang on to things. This can lead to some tense moments, such as the cityscape level, where D D must progress by jumping from hanging on one lamppost to the next, and to the next..... This adds some welcome variety to the jump-shoot-jump formula. Darkers can also protect himself using his cape (batfink style) - this will deflect enemy bullets, but you cannot shoot while in this state. Since one of the more common enemies uses this protect then shoot method, it is possible to find yourself engaged in some lengthy standoffs during the game!

During the level Darkwing can pick up different ammo for his 'gas gun', which can be refilled with gas canisters (that look shockingly similar to the E-cans in, yes you guessed it, Mega Man). The different types of ammo serve different purposes - arrow gas, for example, can stick to walls, providing a very handy ladder.

This is a superb game, one I would recommend to anyone. It is one of my favourite NES games, a real underrated gem, but I felt that in all honesty, I couldn't give a higher score to a game that is so similar to another, without it being a sequel. A pity, as on it's own this would have merited a 9 for sure, but as it stands.......

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/01/01, Updated 09/01/01