While playing this game, I had a flashback to when I was a kid. Of course, I would never do it now, but I’m pretty certain when I would rage while playing my Game Boy, I would rip the cartridge out while the game was on.

I nearly did this several times.

The GBC version of this game is a side scroller, typical for the system at the time. You swap characters at certain moments of each level to access their abilities. On each level you have to collect the characters' weapons to fight enemies; weapons do not carry over from previous levels.

There’s no cutscenes or dialogue. In fact, the ending was quite anticlimactic (if you ask me) for the amount of time I put into this game.

I was able to get through the first four or so levels fine. However, the system to gain lives is too difficult. Before I hit the halfway mark, I had to abandon the passwords and use the cheat to access the level select screen so I could start with three lives and a full health bar.

On two of the last three levels, I had to use a video walkthrough because the labyrinth of the levels were so frustrating and so undecipherable, and I was sick of dying.

Even the last level, I had to refer to a video to understand how it works.

There’s a certain level of jank and charming yet bad gameplay that some nostalgic licensed titles are allowed. This game does not fit that bill.

I’m praying the GBA version is more fun.