Dynafire has 132 chronicles

1. Under the Radar: Under-Appreciated Titles in Gaming: #1 (#3) - Super Dodgeball
   

   Player Chronicle -- Posted on Apr 29 2009

   Anyone following along with my new little "series" is (yes, all 3 of you) should notice that I have renamed it to something more appropriate. Great Games You've Probably Never Heard Of is admittedly a pretty terrible name, but it does the job of showing the intent of the articles written under it. However, that name would also negate anything newer because since I'm guessing that the majority of the members on the site is at least 16 years old, anything after the PS1 has probably been heard of, thus limiting me to write about games older than that. By changing the series name to "Under the Radar", I'm no longer limiting myself to older games, and actually have a decent series title to boot. Anywho, enough jibber-jabber. Now for the first installment of "Under the Radar".
   
   Super Dodgeball is a personal favorite of mine, and if it had more "meat" to it, it would have made it into the "My Top Ten Favorite Games of All Time" series that was written many aeons ago.
   
   The game is made by the same folks who did River City Ransom (hint hint), and is practically a carbon copy with similar looking sprites and controls. The core gameplay differs greatly however, as this game has you playing dodgeball 3 vs 3 style. Technically, it's 6 vs 6. You have 3 players in-bounds and 3 players out of bounds on the opposing side. This does not play out like traditional "gym class" dodgeball. The objective is to pummel your opponents with the ball until their HP is reduced to zero. Victory is attained by eliminating the 3 in-bounds players.
   
   To aid you in this, each player on your team has a unique special attack that be performed by running, then pressing B (or jumping then pressing B) at the right time. These special moves are the only way you will win the game, and are comical in the way they destroy your enemies. There are attacks that can cut right through your opponents, launch them out of their side of the court and land them in yours, etc. If the ball goes out of bounds on the opponent's side, one of your teammates can pick it up and attack the other team, or pass it back to your primary players, and so the cycle continues until one of you is defeated. Like the name of the game implies, you can also dodge balls thrown at you. Press B at the right time, and you'll grab it. Press A and you'll duck while the ball goes harmlessly over you. This actually makes versus play a nightmare if you've got an opponent of equal skill. You'll likely end up volleying for an hour since it's so easy to dodge.
   
   There are 3 modes of play, though each is played practically the same. The single player mode lets you select a nation's team, then beat all other nations for the ultimate dodgeball championship title...or something. You can also do a 6-man free for all match, or play against a friend.
   
   This wound up being pretty short, but like I said, there's not much meat to the game. It is definitely worth playing though, so go download it on VC or find an NES copy, though the cartridge version will cost you a bit more.

   
   

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Dynafire has 2 comment s on this chronicle.

1. JackDaniels624
   Posted On Apr 30 2009

   I was actually thinking of playing this a few nights ago when I saw it on my emulator. I'll probobly play it after I get home from the concert (if I don't die in the Walls of Death), or possibly before! And your welcome for the comments that made you change your title

2. BEN
   Posted On Apr 29 2009

   If i enjoy this game as much as I enjoy REAL dodgeball, this may be a game I need to try! Especially it being super and all, haha.
   
   Also, although this seris title is still uber-long, I appreciate it thanks to your commentary