Software:Blaster Master: Enemy Below

From HandWiki
Short description: 2000 video game
Blaster Master: Enemy Below
European box art
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)Sunsoft
Director(s)Hiroaki Higashiya
SeriesBlaster Master
Platform(s)Game Boy Color
Release
  • JP: February 24, 2000
  • NA: September 20, 2000[1]
  • EU: October 27, 2000
Genre(s)Run and gun, Metroidvania[2]
Mode(s)Single player

Blaster Master: Enemy Below, known in Japan as Metafight EX (メタファイトEX), is a 2000 run and gun video game released by Sunsoft for the Game Boy Color. It was also re-released for the Virtual Console on the Nintendo 3DS system in 2011, and on the Nintendo Classics service in 2023.

Gameplay and premise

See also: Software:Blaster Master

Blaster Master: Enemy Below is a run and gun game in which players control Jason and Sophia, a human and a vehicle respectively.[3] It is set after the events of preceding titles in the series' timeline.[2] It features areas with the same visual scheme as areas in the first Blaster Master game and also reuses sprites from it. The layouts of each area are different from the original. Enemy Below features both sidescrolling and overhead gameplay, the latter taking place in dungeons that players find while exploring the sidescrolling portion. These portions are typically put players in control of Sophia or Jason, though Jason can exit Sophia during the sidescrolling portion. In the overhead portions, players can only control Jason in four directions.[3] Unlike Blaster Master where players could skip most dungeons, Enemy Below adds a key that is hidden in one of these dungeons that is required to fight the boss of the area. Players collect upgrades for both Jason and Sophia.[3]

The premise of the Japanese version is entirely different than that of the English version. Players instead control Leonardo Gardner, who is tasked with eliminating invading monsters.[3]

Development

Blaster Master: Enemy Below was developed by Sunsoft's British development studio.[4] It was released on February 24, 2000 in Japan, September 24, 2000 in North America and October 27, 2000 in Europe. It was re-released for the Nintendo 3DS' Virtual Console service in 2011, and for the Nintendo Classics service in 2023. In 2024, Blaster Master: Enemy Below was eventually re-released on the Sunsoft Collection 2 cartridge for the Evercade.[5]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
3DSGBC
AllGameN/AStarStarStarStar[6]
Game InformerN/A8.25/10[7]
GameSpotN/A8.6/10[8]
IGN8/10[9]8/10[2]
Nintendo PowerN/A7.6/10[10]
ONM70%[11]N/A
Aggregate score
GameRankingsN/A76%[12]

The game received favorable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[12] Game Informer praised it for how it brought the series back, noting its length and difficulty as positives.[7] Both Hardcore Gaming 101 and IGN felt it was a solid entry in the series, but lamented that it did not offer much new for it.[3][13] IGN also felt that fans of the series would enjoy it, though noted that it was difficult to the point of frustration.[2] They added that it was "probably the game [they] were asked most about" after opening IGN Pocket.[2] The 3DS release in particular was noted by IGN as the definitive version due to the presence of save states.[13] Despite criticism for feeling too similar to the original game, Allgame felt that the additions were adequate to set it apart. However, they felt that the overhead portions were a downside of the game due to its controls.[6] GameSpot praised the addition of a password save function and added weaponry. They also found the visuals to be of high quality, noting that it was "hard to believe" that these are Game Boy Color graphics.[8] Official Nintendo Magazine felt that it would appeal to people who enjoy difficult games, but that many will be turned off by it. They also criticized the game for its overhead controls, finding them difficult and frustrating.[11] Digitally Downloaded felt it was dull, stating that it copies Metroid without copying its charm. They also criticized it for a lacking story and soundtrack.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Harris, Craig (2000-09-20). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/20/blaster-master-enemy-below. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Harris, Craig (September 20, 2000). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below (GBC)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/20/blaster-master-enemy-below. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Brownlee, Paul (October 19, 2016). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below". Hardcore Gaming 101. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/blaster-master-enemy-below/. Retrieved August 30, 2019. 
  4. ↑ "Blaster Master: Enemy Below". IGN. December 21, 1999. https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/12/22/blaster-master-enemy-below-2. Retrieved August 30, 2019. 
  5. ↑ "Sunsoft Collection 2 - Cartridges and Games". February 12, 2024. https://evercade.co.uk/cartridges/sunsoft-collection-2/. Retrieved February 12, 2024. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Thompson, Jon. "Blaster Master: Enemy Below - Review". AllGame. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115011327/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=20997&tab=review. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fitzloff, Jay (April 2000). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below - Game Boy Color". Game Informer (84). https://www.gameinformer.com/reviews/review_detail.cfm?ITEM_ID=1085. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Provo, Frank (September 7, 2000). "Blaster Master Enemy Below Review". http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/blaster-master-enemy-below-review/1900-2625687/. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  9. ↑ Thomas, Lucas M. (December 15, 2011). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below Review (3DS)". http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/16/blaster-master-enemy-below-review. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  10. ↑ "Blaster Master: Enemy Below". Nintendo Power 130. March 2000. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 East, Thomas (December 22, 2011). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below review (3DS)". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141007235203/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/33885/blaster-master-enemy-below-review/. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Blaster Master: Enemy Below for Game Boy Color". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/gbc/371213-blaster-master-enemy-below/index.html. Retrieved May 29, 2016. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Thomas, Lucas M. (December 16, 2011). "Blaster Master: Enemy Below Review". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/16/blaster-master-enemy-below-review. Retrieved August 30, 2019. 
  14. ↑ Sainsbury, Matt (December 13, 2011). "Review: Blaster Master: Enemy Below (3DS Virtual Console)". Digitally Downloaded. http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2011/12/review-blaster-master-enemy-below-3ds.html. Retrieved August 30, 2019. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
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