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Sidescroller: Ports-a-plenty – Metro US

Sidescroller: Ports-a-plenty

“Resident Evil” is now available on more than just the Nintendo 3DS.
Credit: Capcom

Boy meets game. Boy plays game. Game gets released for another system so boy can play game again, this time in a different format. These reissues, known in the gaming world as ports, have really picked up steam this generation. Here are a couple of “new” releases that might give you deja vu.

‘Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D’
Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo
5 (out of 5) globes

It used to be that portable systems were the severely less powered cousins of home consoles. This is starting to change, with both the Vita and 3DS getting eerily close to home console horsepower. Case in point? “Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D” is a near-flawless port of a Wii game from just two years ago.

The game is your average Nintendo sidescroller, meaning it is brilliant. You control the infamous gorilla and his adorable sidekick, Diddy Kong, as they stomp on enemies, avoid obstacles and collect lots of trinkets. It’s just as good as it was on the Wii, except now you can play on the toilet. Beware, however, this game can get brutally difficult.

‘Resident Evil: Revelations’
Xbox 360 / PS3 / Wii U
Capcom
4 (out of 5) globes

“Donkey Kong” went from a home console to a portable so it’s only natural we do the reverse. “Resident Evil: Revelations” was released to critical acclaim last year for Nintendo’s 3DS. It was lauded for bringing actual scares back to the “Resident Evil” franchise. Now it’s back, on every major home console, to terrify your living rooms.

The game still offers up what you loved about early entries in the franchise. Ammo is scarce, corridors are tight and ooze monster zombie thingies lurk around every corner. The graphics do look a bit dated. Vistas that looked gorgeous on the 3DS look a bit off when blown up. Even with that it’s still an essential title for survival horror fans.