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Review: 3D Classics: Urban Champion A 3D update of Urban Champion? How did this happen? Here's how I think it went down... Nintendo President Satoru Iwata (the responsible one) heads over to the house of Nintendo creative mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto (the rambunctious one) on a bright and sunny Saturday, toting a briefcase. It's filled with notes and suggestions on all the aspects of the company that need to be assessed if Nintendo is to survive into the next era of gaming. Stuff like beefing up the online experience on Nintendo consoles, developing portable games that are competitive with smartphone games in both price and quality, creating new IP that captures the imagination of gamers brought up on Mass Effect and Halo, and a myriad of other things that gamers have been begging Nintendo to look at for years. Cut to twelve hours later. The briefcase remains unopened. Miyamoto and Iwata are both in fuzzy pajamas, eating brownie ice cream, listening to Beatles records, lying on their bellies, staring up at a SD TV, playing old Famicom games on their original cartridges. After spending hours replaying Clu Clu Land and Gyromite, they finally hit upon Urban Champion.  3D Classics: Urban Champion (3DS eShop) "This game is genius!" giggles Miyamoto. "If only people today understood how great it is!" Iwata presses pause on the game, grabs Miyamoto by the cheeks, forcibly turns his head towards Iwata's, and looks him dead in the eyes. "I'm the President of the greatest videogame developer on the planet," he hisses. "I'll make them understand." "I'll make the world see that it doesn't get any better than Urban Champion. On the 3DS, it will become the most popular portable game of all time." "Damn straight, son!" bubbles Miyamoto. "Angry Birds can suck Urban Champion's chin-chin [Japanese word for penis]." OK, maybe it didn't happen exactly like that, but there had to be some kind of non-logic-based Folie à deux at Nintendo for a game like this to be included in the 3D Classics line-up.
Have you ever talked to someone who hates fighting games? I sure have, and I'm usually quick to ask them why they don't enjoy the genre. Most often, they say something along the lines of "They're just stupid. One guy punches another guy until one of the two guys falls down and doesn't get back up. That's all. That's it. That's stupid." In the case of most fighting games, that bleak summation would be missing a lot of the fine details. When it comes to Urban Champion, it's one-hundred percent accurate. Urban Champion is a versus fighting game with a grand total of one selectable character, who comes equipped with two types of attacks (high and low). That fighter comes in two sizes (weak/fast and strong/slow), giving you a total of four different attacks, spread across two glorious buttons. As for defensive options, you can block (high or low) and dodge. That's all you get in Urban Champion; no jumping, no ducking, and there sure as hell aren't any Hadoukens. It's sort of like Punch-Out!! turned on its side, except even more simplistic. There aren't even any health meters. The winner of each fight is determined by who can knock the other guy off the opposing side of the screen first.
The combat plays out sort of like competitive rock/papers/scissors, except without the scissors. Rock (high punch) crushes paper (low guard) unless paper (low punch) hits rock (high guard) first, and vice versa. You could also say that Urban Champion is like that non-videogame game where you try to slap someone on the top of their hands before they can move them out of the way. It's game that wholly relies on reflexes and guessing games, rather than on dexterity or complex strategy. There are a couple of other random elements thrown into the game to keep things from getting totally repetitive. Disapproving neighbors will try to drop flowers pots on you and your combatant. If they score a hit, you'll be dazed, giving your enemy an opportunity for a free attack. The cops also come by every so often, breaking up the fight and causing the young, eager street toughs to head back to their respective sides of the block to avoid looking like criminals. That causes the fight to more or less start over from scratch, which can be a problem as you also have to watch your stamina and your time as the match goes on. If your stamina runs out, your punches will be much slower; if time runs out, whoever is closest to losing the fight will be hauled off by the cops. And that's really all there is to the game.
Nintendo didn't add too much to the formula for this re-release. Of course, you get some glasses-free stereoscopic 3D. The game's world and characters are now made from polygons, though they stay completely faithful to the original game's low-res, sprite-based style. The 3D here looks really good, especially with the angled camera mode turned on. Seeing old NES games remade with new visual pop via the 3DS' glasses-free 3D display still hasn't gotten old for me. I just hope that in the near future, we see more deserving NES games -- games like Kung-Fu, the original Mario Bros., and the previously mentioned Punch-Out!! would be great for this 3D classics treatment. That's not to say I don't like Urban Champion. I know that I really should dislike it, as it is incredibly stupid, but I just can't help but enjoy it. The game asks so little of the player in terms of thought or effort, and is so quick to reward you for simple violence, that it's hard to not get back more than you put in. It reminds me a lot of one of the many addicting micro games from the WarioWare series, except stretched out into a full, standalone title. There are a couple of catchy little chip tunes to keep you smiling, some simple and charming little animations, and constant moments of anticipation to keep you playing.
"Am I about to punch a man?", "Are the cops going to catch us being bad?", and most intensely, "Why am I still playing this?" are questions you'll be constantly asking yourself multiple times a second while playing the game. The action, as incredibly shallow and random as it may be, is still non-stop. Unlike in most real fighting games, there are no moments of breaks between "big moments." There's no waiting out a turtling opponent, no sense of deflation after failing to pull of a big combo, or feeling as though you are incredible outclassed by your enemy. There's also no bordom in being pitted against an opponent you can easily beat the crap out of. With Urban Champion, all you get is non-stop, stupid violence. The enemy A.I. in single player mode also ramps up considerably. I've only been able to get to round 61 (which took about an hour, and earned me the in-game achievement of "Village Champion"). By that point, I was really getting my ass kicked. A quick save feature allows for you to put the game down if you don't want to slog through that many rounds in one sitting. There is also local multiplayer, though I haven't been able to test that out, as I don't actually know anyone else in real life who is willing to purchase the game. I have played "competitive" Urban Champion on the NES plenty of times though, and assuming that this 3D port is faithful enough, I can wager that the Vs. mode is just as stupid and compelling as the single player "campaign."
All in all, Urban Champion is almost an ungame. There is nearly no design here. I'm sure that most of you will hate it, but I know for a fact that few like-minded readers of Dtoid will have a good time with the game. In fact, I've already gotten a few private messages requesting that I fight them online. The game doesn't actually support online play, which shows just how weirdly enthusiastic fans of Urban Champion can be. This is an extremely acquired taste. Even fans of the game will likely admit that it is technically shallow and idiotic, almost to the point of self-parody. That said, if you have similar tastes as Miyamoto, Iwata, and myself, you'll find yourself enjoying Urban Champion much more than you rightfully should. THE VERDICTLegacy Comments (will be imported soon)You already know how I feel about this game. And for those of you who don't, I love it.
Seriously. I played this game last night for over an hour. Mind you, I could have played my Xbox, PS3 or Wii but I chose to play this instead. I hit level 33 last night and had to force myself to stop playing. I am one of those weirdos that like the fame, and I still have the NES cartridge, if I'm not mistaken
However, I wholly agree that Nintendo should not have chosen this as a 3D Classic, as it truly isn't exactly classic. I really liked this game, but it seems I need some schooling in what good games are. Gonna shoot some dudes till they don't get up, those are the fun ones right? I liked Urban Champion when I played it, but I would much rather have something like Punch-Out be made into a 3D classic. It seems that they're choosing games that would work well in 3D or be improved by it as opposed to popular games.
For example, I don't know how a game like Zelda would be improved by 3D. I admit though, a more rated game like Punchout would work equally as well. In fact, I'd be very surprised if Punchout wasn't the final 3D classic in the works, as there's only so many more bizarrely obscure titles Nintendo can choose without being awful. Johnathon, this is why you are fucking awesome. I lolled so hard at your depiction of Miyamoto and Iwata. Jonathan, this is why you are fucking awesome. I lolled so hard at your depiction of Miyamoto and Iwata. love UC! most people dont seems to "get" it. its all about fighting your friends. it gets way more intense!
go play it 2 player on a NES. sitting on the floor in front of your TV with your opponent sitting right next to you. Uh, I honestly can't believe all the love I'm seeing here for Urban Champion. Finally, I don't have to feel alone anymore!
*sniff* Here's an idea. If you all really think Nintendo should let this game go to rest already, everyone buy it and give it 1 star. As of this comment, it has an average of 4.5 stars, 45 5-star ratings, and eight 1- and 2-star ratings. Someone's buying it and they don't care what you think. I loved the description of Iwata and Miyamoto playing old NES games. I felt like I was there giggling along with them. I've never played the original, but this sounds pretty fun. I really like the idea of remaking these old NES games with 3d visuals. Games like SMB3, Punch Out, and Kirby's Adventure would be amazing in 3D. @johnathan It is love for you man....
I want this game. I just do not see it as a great value, I really love to play on my t.v. Maybe Nintendo will allow me to play 3ds games on my tv someday.. Damn it Nintendo, you can't release a few games already in English but you put all that R&D; money into bringing us THIS? @MasterBalls
How is Urban Champion improved by 3D, other than having the generic slightly rotated camera angle that 2D fighters tend to show off "3D"? Zelda at least has stairs and walls and objects of presumably some height. On the other hand, Zelda has rooms sized to one screen, and it would look like a box floating in a black void if you angled the camera. As well, the graphics are designed with a fake 3D perspective in mind, so Nintendo would have to do some real work to convert it to 3D. And then it wouldn't look the same when you turned off the 3D. A better bet would be Zelda II, but that would pretty much be back to the generic rotated camera. Thinking about the work, maybe that is part of the answer. Nintendo is picking simple games because it takes less effort to convert them. Urban Champion has little graphics and simple gameplay. The Legend of Zelda is a much larger game with a lot more graphics to rebuild in 3D, even ignoring the perspective issues. Zelda II dodges the perspective issues, but is again a large game. The same it true for other classics, such as Metroid, the various Super Mario Bros games, and the like. After hearing you guys all talk about this game so much on Podtoid, I laughed out loud when I saw that you even reviewed it. Johnathan, you are my hero. @BanksAntonio: what order of spambot are you? As I've seen that written elsewhere. DIE MONSTER YOU DON'T BELONG IN THIS WORLD! "OK, maybe it didn't happen exactly like that..." By that you mean they're weren't speaking English, right? @ Excel-2011- "If you all really think Nintendo should let this game go to rest already, everyone buy it..."
Whoa what? Well, Nintendo obviously didn't use much effort to make this,it makes them money, and some people who haven't played it will buy it.
I bought it. It's at least better than Excitebike and I suck less than I do at Xevious... Or maybe I'm just giving my money to Nintendo to make better games. Eh, Either way I'm fine with it. I mentioned this when the game was announced, and I say it again here: I'm actually a big fan of Urban Champions. It's a fun time-waster, and much to my surprise, the 3D version did make some subtle improvements! So yeah, was it an amazing $5? No, but when you take into account that I've paid that much for the e-Reader and Virtual Console versions with no improvements (and I was quite content there), then this was a pretty darn worthwhile purchase. Mileage may vary.
@Jonathan Holmes: 5/10 is accurate. But it is, unquestionably, a very fun 5/10. Thanks for taking the time to highlight this title! "The combat plays out sort of like competitive rock/papers/scissors, except without the scissors."
Yeah I was suppose to be in this game, but it was getting late and I started drinking. The next day I woke up naked in in a Tijuana bath tub filled with lobsters. I was being held for ransom, so I couldn't make it to the development studio. Sorry about that. @Jonathan Holmes:
I was thinking about the Amazon rating bombs when I wrote that. I remembered that you can only rate games that you've played for more than an hour at the same time. It really doesn't make sense now that I think about it. (thinks about a funny way to use chin-chin in a sentence)
Well, I think it's a nifty little game and just because it's terribly outdated it doesn't mean it's not a classic.. And anyone who thinks this game sucks chin-chin, well, can suck on my chin-chin (there you go, I guess I failed) This was such a great review. Comedy, truth, wisdom, justice, and ultraviolence... This is why I visit Destructoid. @ Excel-2011- Yeah, I hear you.
And you're not half wrong. If a lot of people did buy the game and gave it a low rating, I do think that Nintendo might be less likely to bring out the next Urban Champion re-release without adding some new features (like jumping, or maybe even kicking). As it stands, I'm still hoping they bring out a really fun 9but still simple) 3D Classic after Twin Bee, like the previously mentioned Punch-Out or Kung-Fu. I know they may have some issues to the rights to Kung-Fu in Asia, where the game is actually an adaptation of a Jackie Chan/Samo Hung movie. But hey, if they can take Mike Tyson out of Punch-Out, then they can take Samo out of Wheels on Meals, and make it Kung-Fu for the global market. I want to kick those purple guys in 3D, Godammit! Also Excitebike 3d was Fucking amazing imo. Course I'm biased because its one of my top five NES games.... Double Fine's latest adventure The Cave drops next weekThe Cave publisher Sega has pinned down the release schedule for this new adventure game from the joyful minds at Double Fine Productions. Even though it's coming to several digital distribution services, there thankfully are... more Review: Kinect PartyHey, Television! Check out Double Fine’s latest game for Xbox Live Arcade: Kinect Party. In fun-loving Double Fine fashion, it was released for free upon launch in mid-December until the New Year. For those of you who d... more Pre-orders for Double Fine's The Cave open on SteamWhile the exact release date for The Cave hasn't been nailed down quite yet -- it's "January 2013," for now -- the upcoming adventure game from Ron Gilbert and co. at Double Fine Productions will be available shortly. In fact... more Double Fine's Middle Manager of Justice out now on iOSI had forgotten Double Fine was getting into iOS development with Middle Manager of Justice. Following a number of great sim games that fit very well with these mobile platforms, this tasks players with managing superheroes i... more Kinect Party will be free when released next weekDouble Fine's Kinect Party, the game that is going to make your high fives sparkle, is also going to be totally free. A list of upcoming releases on Major Nelson's blog looked like a possible typo, but Double Fine's website confirmed that this Kinect game will be free on December 18, and will remain free for the rest of the year. Got a Kinect? Then you have no excuse. more Kinect Party trailer makes your high fives sparkleThere's a lot of interesting stuff going on in this new Kinect Party trailer, but what I'm most interested in is having sparks come off my high fives with other people. How great is that? I imagine that happening anyway, so ... more Win one of 10 early tickets to Ümloud! this ThursdayIn the Bay Area this Thursday? Come melt your face at San Francisco's DNA lounge for Ümloud!, the annual California fundraiser that benefits Child's Play. Did I mention Tim Schafer, creator of Psychonauts, Grim... more Explore the new trailer from The CaveSega, Double Fine, and Ron Gilbert have sent along their newest trailer for upcoming puzzle action/adventure title The Cave. In it, a talking cave gives us a brief rundown on a few of the seven characters that you'll ch... more Brazen prototype added to Amnesia Fortnight bundleSome of you were very enthusiastic about Double Fine's Amnesia Fortnight bundle, which is essentially the studio's way of giving people the opportunity to check out playable builds of prototypes and also vote on potential pr... more Double Fine opens up voting on its next game prototypesDouble Fine Productions has been pretty vocal about its Amnesia Fortnight prototyping process that ultimately resulted in games like Costume Quest and Iron Brigade. This time, they're going a step further, and you'll have an... more |     Dtoid is... Dale North Editor-in-Chief Jim Sterling Reviews Editor Hamza Aziz Dir. Communications Conrad Zimmerman Managing Editor Jordan Devore PC Editor Andy Dixon Community Manager Rick Olson Dtoid.TV Producer Niero Gonzalez Publisher Editors Meet the team Our sites Flixist Japanator Tomopop Contact Us Suggest News Advertising General Info  |
6:15 PM on 08.21.2011
