[img width=500 height=300]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/PowerBladetitlescreen.jpg[/img]

I picked up Power Blade at a garage sale for $1 about 3 months ago. It looked (and still does) very lame from the artwork on the label. Because of this (also because I was moving at the same time) it sat around the bottom of my priority list. Well I've finally gotten around to playing some of the NES games I've been putting off for so long. Man was I wasting my time on some junk in the last 3 months when I could have been playing Power Blade instead.





Power Blade doesn't do anything overly original, but it does rip off many solid ideas from other games. And does it well. PB plays very similar to Mega Man, but with more of a Contra feel to it thanks to the art style. The first "borrowed" idea you'll notice is the level select right when you start.

[img width=256 height=224]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/PowerBladelevelselect.gif[/img]

This is just like the Mega Man series. You get to start wherever you want. The only problem is that it doesn't really matter which order you choose the levels. There doesn't seem to be any benefit to starting at different areas.

Once you start a level, you'll notice that you are vastly underpowered and the game seems very difficult. As you destroy enemies, they will occasionally drop power ups to increase your firepower. After getting your Boomerang-esque weapon even half powered up you should find the challenge lessen significantly.

The objective in every level is to find a friendly agent, who gives you an ID card, and then use said card to open the final door to the levels Guard (boss). Once you've defeated all six Guards, you'll be able to access the seventh and final level. The level design is really great and one of the areas where the game really shines. Each level has multiple paths and can be completed in various ways without even entering every screen. Occasionally you'll find the guard door before you find the friendly operative and have to back track for the ID card. In addition to this there are also two especially powerful upgrades hidden in each level. These give you an additional three hits (these don't subtract from your life meter) and greatly increase your attack power.

Because of the possibility of backtracking, you may be stuck on a level for longer than your average NES game. Don't worry, because the music kicks ass. I purposely wandered a couple levels looking for the extra powerups, as it gave me an excuse to listen to the music for a few more minutes.

[img width=256 height=224]http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/Crabmaster2000/PowerBladeGameplay.gif[/img]

The gameplay is very tight and responsive. A jumps and B throws your weapon. Like Contra, you can shoot in any direction including diagonal.

If you let the title screen sit for a minute, you can watch a long cut scene describing the story of the game. The world is at peace and security is entrusted to computers. Of course, the main computer decides to wipe out humans. Enter Nova. Humans hire Nova to destroy the main computer and restore peace to the world. Your basic Sci-Fi scenario, but given its an NES games I enjoyed having it anyway.

After everything is said and done Power Blade is a solid game. If you have played the Mega Mans and/or Contras on the NES and are looking for more action platforming games definitely give this one a go. If you haven't played the Mega Mans or Contras yet, shame on you.

Final Score - 7.0/10

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