Jan 2018
In a time when arcade games ruled the land, along came a quirky little gem known as 'City Connection.' Released in 1985 (seriously, that's before people knew what a Wi-Fi was), it now makes its way to the Nintendo Switch via the Arcade Archives collection. Get ready for a retro ride that makes you question if you really want to paint the town red- or in this case, green- or yellow- and absolutely nothing is what it seems on the city roads.
City Connection centers around Clarice, a blue-haired speedster who drives around iconic global locations in her spiffy Honda City hatchback. Players must maneuver her through twelve levels, painting highways and dodging overzealous police cars eager for a game of bumper cars. And what's that? Cats! Yes, cats that wave flags in your way, turning each gameplay session into a bizarre cat-and-mouse game- probably one that takes place in a surreal world where cats run the city. The idea is simple yet maddening: paint all the road sections while somehow keeping your car intact. You can stun the police using oil cans (yep, that's a valid strategy), but tread carefully; if you dawdle, spikes will pop from the road, making you question your life choices.
Let's talk visuals, shall we? The graphics are a kaleidoscopic blast from the past! Charmingly simple yet oddly colorful, it feels like you've stepped into an 8-bit fever dream. Each level is moderately detailed and serves as a perfect homage to the beloved arcade era, reminding us why we take poorly drawn cats with flags so seriously. Sure, it won't win any awards in the graphics department today, but it's got that nostalgic charm that can make you smile and roll your eyes at the same time. Picture this: giant iconic landmarks and Clarice's cute little car juxtaposed against plain backgrounds, all paying homage to ridiculous platformers past.
In conclusion, 'Arcade Archives: City Connection' is the retro lovechild of cuteness and chaos, wrapped in vibrant 8-bit nostalgia- and it's just as frustrating as you'd expect. While the controls can feel more like a gentle recommendation than a firm direction, it certainly appeals to die-hard fans of classic arcade games and has enough charm to make younger players curious about the origins of gaming. If you're in the mood for some classic chaos, a good giggle at the bizarre premise, or just looking to relive the dubious joy of dodging felines while keeping the fuzz at bay, then hop in your Honda City and go paint the town! Just remember: it's not about winning; it's about how many oil cans you can throw before hitting spikes. Score? A respectable 6 out of 10- because sometimes you just need to embrace your inner retro without fully understanding why.
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