Rocket Knight

GameSpot (8 out of 10) (80%)

Length and untrustworthy difficulty are the only minor problems here. You can finish the game in four or five hours, depending on how often you get killed and have to retreat to the start of a level with a continue. Length seems padded, too, because you only have three continues per game, and when they're gone, you have to start from scratch. This is a great game, but there are better deals out there for $15. Difficulty sometimes soars in odd places but then drops to cakewalks in boss battles. You can run into stretches of murderous jumping puzzles, die repeatedly, then make it to the next boss and kill it in one try. This is a classic retro platformer--one of the best released in some time--even if it is a little pricey.

4Players.de (80 out of 100) (80%)

Schwein gehabt: Konami hat seine altehrwürdige Rocket Knight-Serie erfolgreich wiederbelebt. Die ersten, hässlich-kahlen Screenshots erinnerten eher an Grabschändung, doch seit dem vergangenen Herbst haben die Entwickler ordentlich zugelegt. Das Endergebnis kann sich sehen lassen: Sparkster grinst als Polygonfigur zwar nicht mehr ganz so putzig wie sein handgezeichnetes Gegenstück, davon abgesehen hat Konami aber den Charme der Vorgänger wunderbar eingefangen. Rocket Knight ist waschechte Plattform-Action alter Schule, mit viel Geballer, erfreulich knackigen Sprungsequenzen und zähen Kämpfen gegen dicke Bossmonster. Das Highlight des Spiels sind die Akrobatik-Einlagen in Kombination mit der flüssig flutschenden Steuerung: Es macht unheimlich viel Laune, Sparkster wie einen Flummi durch die Level zu schnipsen und nebenbei ein paar aufmüpfige Wölfe aufzuspießen. Die Flug-Levels sind nach wie vor eine willkommene Auflockerung.

Game Informer Magazine (8 out of 10) (80%)

It may only be a two-hour game, but the difficulty is perfect, and it offers plenty of incentive for completionists. You can go for speed-runs, try to collect 100% of the gems in each level, or take on hard mode. Nostalgia for the series isn't a requirement if you want to enjoy Rocket Knight, but nostalgia for the era it comes from certainly doesn't hurt.

Cheat Code Central (3.8 out of 5) (76%)

We've waited a long time for Rocket Knight to make another appearance, and for the most part, the marsupial hero does us proud. The main platforming ideas hold up surprisingly well, and Climax Studio has done a bang-up job translating the Rocket Knight experience for the present day. A few unfortunate control issues crop up from time to time, and $15 is quite the premium for such a fleeting romp. Still, anyone who has been eagerly awaiting Sparkster's return should be satisfied with Konami's latest offering.

IGN (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

If you've been waiting for the return of Rocket Knight, I think you'll be pleased with this effort. It's got a vibrant, modern look, but the gameplay is rooted in the 16-bit original. Gamers who don't have warm fuzzies for the SEGA Genesis original will still find an inventive platformer here. Eyebrows may be raised over the $15 price tag and short length of the game, though.

ZTGameDomain (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

Rocket Knight is never enigmatic in what it offers. This is a straight up side-scroller from gaming's past, and it executes that extremely well. While the price tag may be a bit on the high side I still think it is worth checking out if you have fond memories of the original game, or are simply in need of a blast (processing) from the past. Rocket Knight is definitely a well put together game, and one that will entertain you for the short time it lasts.

That Gaming Site (7.5 out of 10) (75%)

A solid action-platformer with cool action and creativity. It brings back many of the winning elements of its predecessors, but lacks the variety of gameplay of the original Rocket Knight Adventures. As it is, it’s a welcome return to form but ultimately not as fun as the Sega Genesis classic.

Eurogamer.es (7 out of 10) (70%)

Rocket Knight es ideal para nostálgicos, pero el resto de usuarios encontrarán en su cortísima duración y alto precio (1.200 MS Points / 12.99€) un impedimento importante para optar por su compra. Climax ha hecho un magnífico trabajo recuperando un título clásico de la era de los 16 bits y manteniendo pura su esencia, aunque ignorar los gustos del jugador actual, acostumbrado a títulos que duran más de dos horas, puede haber sido un error fatal que evite su viabilidad comercial.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (6 out of 10) (60%)

It's hard to know how many people are really going to care about the return of Rocket Knight. Climax has done a decent job of giving it a modern sheen, but while it's mildly entertaining and completely inoffensive, it's also forgettable. It's a bit like when one-hit-wonder indie bands get back together and go out on tour to relive their glory days. Some things were just of their time and should remain that way.

Teletext (6 out of 10) (60%)

On top of the platforming are sections that work like a horizontally scrolling 2D shooter, with the jetpack turned on permanently and a new charged shot. It all works perfectly well - the bosses are particularly competent - but like the rest of the game it does all feel a bit empty and inconsequential. It's a fun way to pass a few hours, particularly for nostalgia hounds, but at 1200 Points a touch too expensive.

1UP (C+) (58%)

For all its competence, there's no real hook for anyone who doesn't remember the original Rocket Knight game. It appeals mainly to nostalgia for the way platformers used to be. Although it has a lovely next-gen presentation with the hi-res, 3D graphics engine, this is very much two-or-three-gens-ago gameplay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But when you cost $15 and you're competing with, say, Soosiz on the iPhone, Trine on the PC and PSN, and Shadow Complex on the 360, you need more than a long-forgotten possum and his rocket pack.

Jeuxvideo.com (9 out of 20) (45%)

Attendu par de nombreux fans, Rocket Knight est une grosse déception. Malgré quelques bonnes idées de gameplay, les passages originaux sont trop rares et on finit souvent par foncer dans le tas sans trop faire gaffe aux ennemis. Mais que dire de l'absurde durée de vie du jeu, alors que ce dernier est vendu à 13 euros ? C'est vraiment prendre les gens pour des pigeons...