Iridion 3D

"Graphics, check. Sound, check. Gameplay,...oops looks like they forgot that one."

Iridion 3D generated a lot of buzz back around Space World 2000. It was just about the most visually impressive game anyone could hope for out of a 1st generation Gameboy Advance title. I remember downloading some of the movies and drooling over them myself. By the time the Gameboy Advance launched in the US, however, I’d already heard the awful news. Iridion 3D was bad. But I just couldn’t let go; I had to buy it anyway. So I bought it, and what do I think? I think the other reviews were right. I should have left this one on the store shelf.

Graphics
Awesome! For a relatively unknown company like Shin’en, they were really able to pull some amazing stuff out of the GBA. Although I’m pretty sure it’s all Mode 7, the backgrounds actually look like they are 3D.

It’s not all a bed of roses, though. The levels look great, but get repetitive because the backgrounds are always the same for the entire level. The enemies you fight, except for the bosses, aren’t very detailed. Also, sometimes it’s hard to gauge distance because it’s not true 3D.
9 out of 10

Sound
Another success for Iridion 3D. The music is some of the best I’ve heard on a portable system and the sound effects get the job done.
9 out of 10

Gameplay
Here’s where Shin’en finally drops the ball. In Iridion 3D you pilot a ship through corridors, shooting anything you see. In your average shooter, you expect to do a lot of shooting. Well, Iridion 3D has that covered, fortunately. But unfortunately, that’s all you do. No cool power-ups, no bonus stages, and all the enemies look basically the same. There’s nothing to break the monotony that sets in after about 10 minutes of this game. It’s boring, it’s repetitive, and it’s mindless.
2 out of 10

Story
There was some kind of intro at the beginning but I don’t think I ever watched it all. Maybe I should have, it was probably more exciting than the game itself. Other than that, there is no story. Just shoot guys and get to the next level. That some good ol’ story line pioneered by Galxian and Galaga way back when. Nothing wrong with that.
N/A

Replayability
Replayability? What replayablility? If you even manage to play through the entire game once and want more, you’ve got a stronger stomach than me.
1 out of 10

Bottom Line: Rent vs. Buy
Don’t buy this game, don’t even rent this game. It’s terrible. No GBA deserves to be violated with this foul game. If you see someone thinking about buying or renting this game, please warn him or her first. It’s the least you can do.

Pretty graphics and great sound aren’t enough to keep me from giving this stinker a 3 out of 10

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 07/10/01, Updated 07/10/01