DuckTales resonates with countless people's childhoods. I didn't play the game during its heyday, but I was still totally in love with the cartoon. In fact, DuckTales is easily one of my favorite animated shows due to its fun characters and all of the adventures they had. That's why I, along with many others, was ecstatic to play DuckTales: Remastered.
I only have brief memories with the original NES game, which I played for the first time a few years ago, but as a fan of Uncle Scrooge, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, I was more than glad to dive right into the money vault.
Up Up: Objectives make the game a lengthier affair
DuckTales no longer forces you to deal with a strict time limit. Instead, you can take your time completing each of the game's stages. The omission of time limits is especially welcome considering the new objectives. You must now collect a specific number of items before you can proceed to the boss battles. This lengthens the game, making it so that you can't just breeze through Scrooge's treasure-filled adventure.
Down Down: Still kind of short
Even though snagging collectibles is mandatory, DuckTales is still on the short side. You get a nice chunk of playtime, but with only six levels, the game is over a bit too soon. It's hard to tell how WayForward could've remedied this, especially since the studio added a tutorial and a brand new final stage. If you really want more madness, you can always play the Hard difficulty setting.
Up Up: Looks good
The original 8-bit version of DuckTales looks really nice even to this day. WayForward managed to give the game a new look while still adhering to the colorful cartoon vibe that fans embraced all those years ago. The inclusion of hand-drawn characters amidst the 3D backgrounds is a nice touch and something that has that innate WayForward-ness fans of the developer have come to love.
Down Down: A fully hand-drawn style would've been great
As nice as DuckTales may look, I have to admit I was a bit bummed out that the whole thing didn't sport a clean hand-drawn look. As it is, the game certainly looks good, but given that it's based on an animated series that kids from the '80s and '90s fell in love with, it's somewhat of a shame that we didn't get something that straight-up looks like a cartoon.
Up Up: Voice actors from the cartoon reprise their roles
If you were a fan of the DuckTales cartoon, you're well aware of just how iconic each of the voice actors was. These folks did a great job bringing the characters to life, so the fact that they reprise their roles in the video game hits all the right nostalgic notes. Even Alan Young, who's an impressive 94 years young, returned to deliver another enjoyable performance as Scrooge McDuck.
Down Down: Story sequences can drag on
As much as I love hearing the boys talking with their “Unca Scrooge” and getting berated by the cranky treasure hunter, most of the story bits in the game drag on just a tad too long. Maybe this wouldn't have been an issue if these sequences were actual animated shorts. But the fact that all you get are shots of the characters standing in place while their lines are spoken is underwhelming.
Up Up: A few welcome enhancements
The inclusion of must-have collectibles, tutorial stage, and new final stage are all nice touches on the part of WayForward. The dev also went the extra mile to enhance the experience further. DuckTales boasts new mini-bosses and even lengthens some of the levels. And for the true completionist, there's even a bunch of artwork, screenshots, sketches, cartoon screens, and music that can be purchased using the cash you obtain within each level. Again, this all helps to expand the treasure hunt, and it's a great way to keep you engaged in Scrooge's memorable quest for more loot.
Down Down: The original 8-bit version should've been included
As much fun as I had playing this lovingly designed remake, I really wish the original 8-bit version of DuckTales would've been thrown in for good measure. That game is revered as a true NES classic, so the opportunity to play through it again — or for the first time ever if, like me, you didn't beat the original — would've made for a truly splendid blast to the past.
Left Right Left Right: DuckTales: Remastered is a cool trip back in time
Whether you've played the original or not, DuckTales: Remastered is a beautiful way to revisit the past. It's true to its NES forefather, and the entire time you're playing, it feels like you're playing an old school game from 1990. It's also impossible to avoid the sheer, unadulterated nostalgia that fills up inside of you as you play. DuckTales isn't just a love letter to fans of the original game; it's the love letter to fans of this entire splendid series.
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