Retro(game)spective - Phantom 2040

Every day Ben “Ben Pack” Pack or one of his brave compatriots will play a retro game, and break it down for you. That’s right, every day. To complain about us eventually missing a day or suggest your own, go ahead and comment below the article, or email us at retrogamefunclub@gmail.com.

2/14/2011

The Game: Phantom 2040

Release Year: 1995

Skewes: SNES, Genesis, Game Gear

That's what you get for making fun of the purple suit.

So what’s it like: Phantom 2040 may be the first game I've gone into cold that actually isn't shit. And, even stranger, it's a licensed game. Phantom 2040 was an animated television show in the early nineties that was pretty terrible, which itself was based on a comic book character named “The Phantom.” But enough about that, let's talk about the game.

I'm going to geeeet you roooboooot.

There is no plot right off the back, but throughout the game you find out you are a “phantom” who, aside from wearing a rediculous purple outfit, must defeat some shadowy organization from ruling the world. You do this by traveling around an open world to different locations. You get items at each location which help you unlock other items in other stages, sort of like Super Metroid or the modern Castlevania games. Where you go in each chapter effects what happens in the story, and result in different endings.

Man why don't I have a shadow panther. I just have this regular-ass panther.

The gameplay is that of your averege side-scrolling shooter. It doesn't feel a lot different than say a Bionic Commando, in that you even have a gun that lets you swing. The enemies are not difficult at all but the exploration is the key draw to the game. There are over 20 endings to the game, so replayability is huge in this game. I found myself going back to it and while I haven't beaten it more than once, I can see myself continue to try.

Tuck and roll, Phantom. Tuck and roll.

Should you go back: Yes. This is a rare gem worth checking out with solid controls and a lot of replayability.

Should this game be remade: No. This game is, in a way, Shadow Complex. So aside from The Phantom ip being irrelevant, this game has already been made.