Arcade Classic 4 Defender / Joust

"Fun to play once in a while, but not worth buying"

I bought this game back when I cared about getting all 4 arcade classics for the Gameboy. This isn't the worst of the 4, but it isn't that great.

Graphics: 4/10

The graphics have been watered down for the Gameboy, and they are fairly simplistic. Sometimes on Joust it's difficult to tell which bird is the one you're riding on. Not a good thing. The Defender graphics are bland, just like they were in the arcade.

Sound: 6/10

Ironically, the sound in these games aren't that similar to the ones from the arcade. The ones in Defender are okay, but the ones in Joust needed tuning. Both Defender and Joust have a tune you can listen to while you play, which aren't bad.


Gameplay: 5/10

Unfortunately, these classics just aren't as fun when it comes to travel games. In Joust, you are a knight riding on an ostrich (don't ask why) who must defeat all the other knights that are riding on buzzards. Once you've stomped on an enemy, you must collect the egg that they've dropped. The good thing about Joust is that it's actually easier to control your ostrich from before. However, it doesn't really save the game. Defender is the same old game where you must save the people who are on the ground from the aliens that are flying above. The more people saved, the more points. If an alien does manage to take a person, they will become faster and stronger. Overall, these games are a little bland nowadays.

The challenge on Defender is high, and the challenge on Joust is pretty high as well. I've never gotten to the end of either one.

This game doesn't have much for replay value. They're fun to replay every once in a full moon, but that's it.

Overall: 5/10

These games are just too average to waste a lot of your time on.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 08/09/00, Updated 08/09/00