Adventure Island 3 - NES Review

 Adventure Island 3

Hudson Soft - 1992

Adventure Island 3, developed by Hudson Soft and published in 1992 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), is the third installment in the Adventure Island franchise. This time around, the game features much more diverse gameplay and a new adventurous storyline, but also retains the same design flaws and challenging difficulty level as its predecessors.

The game follows the same protagonist, Master Higgins, as he sets out to save a mysterious girl named Tina from an ancient evil. The game takes place across eight different worlds, each with its unique theme and challenges. Higgins must overcome obstacles, dodge and defeat new enemies, and gather hidden items throughout each level to progress and unlock new powers.

One of the significant improvements in Adventure Island 3 is the addition of new power-ups which offer new abilities. For example, the player can transform into different forms, including a flying pterodactyl and a mermaid that can swim underwater. Each form has different strengths and weaknesses and the game's design requires players to strategically select which form to use at any given time.

The graphics in Adventure Island 3 show significant improvements compared to the earlier titles. The world-building is more extensive and features lovely visuals with vibrant colors and diverse scenery. The soundtrack holds up well and features classic chiptune-style music that stays true to the Adventure Island franchise.

However, there are some issues with this game. Firstly, the game's difficulty level is much higher than its predecessors, making it quite challenging for most players. Additionally, the game's mechanics quickly become repetitive, with most of the challenges being similar throughout the levels.

Overall, Adventure Island 3 is a worthy installment in the series. While it does have some design flaws and a high difficulty level, it is still an enjoyable and challenging platformer game that fans of the Adventure Island franchise will appreciate. If you enjoy retro gaming and platforming titles, then Adventure Island 3 is worth checking out.