Gamers! I’ve got you a challenge today! Just like I like to fit a joke in about your mum in articles, I also like going in on a game through a mode
gaming rapper Dan Bull called Iron Man mode. Because I’m not a thief, and I’m trying to save my word count, I’m just going to post his awesome song to explain exactly what I mean:
So, have we got that out of the way? Good! Here’s a collection of games I highly recommend playing on “Iron Man”, and I’m Davey “Tony Stark” Armitage for Gamerhub.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Do I have to explain what this game is? [Editor’s note: Yes, you lazy bastard, you do]. Fine, okay then. Rocksteady Studios truly changed the world of gaming in 2009, straight off the back of The Dark Knight. Nobody had any high expectations that this game would be good, but it’s become the industry standard for superhero games. Even on other genres, you can feel the influence of this game. From cinematic cutscenes (Infamous, Uncharted) through to progressive gadget play (Marvel’s Spider-Man), the influence of this game is everywhere.
The reason this game needs to be played through Iron Man Mode is simply because of the plot of this game. Batman: Arkham Asylum takes place over one night, and thus, sinking twelve hours into this game without dying, saving or reloading is a lot of fun, but a hell of a challenge.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
The game’s tag line might be “be greater” but it really should be “be Spider-Man”, because really, Spider-Man is all of us in 2020. I say that, while linking to some of my work for previous publications, but hear me out: Now we have ample amounts of time to kill, it’s time to crack out the game controllers and enjoy a fully fleshed out Spider-Man game.
This game is chock full of twists, turns and a team-up of some of Spider-Man’s greatest villains. The game is quite a long one to complete in one sitting, but it’s fucking rewarding when you do. From the failed relationship between Mary Jane and Peter Parker, to the fall of Martin Li, all the way through to Otto Octavius’ tragic transformation, this game’s plot will put a lump in your throat repeatedly. The moment between this paragraph and the next one fucking breaks me at every time I get here, and you’ll understand why:
This game has so many heartbreaking plot points that you just want to give Peter Parker a big hug at the end. He’s effectively been orphaned twice (or has he?) and yet still fights to save New York.
Also, the gameplay in this game is so good that on the first playthrough, you’ll find yourself leaning forward with every web swing and every punch. Astonishing, Amazing, wonderful, spectacular and friendly neighbourhood, you’ll understand afterwards that we are all Spider-Man. That’s right, breaking kayfabe slightly, we are all heroes this year.
Pokémon Yellow
It’s time to go back to the time of our childhoods with this one, when smoking cigarettes in shell suits wasn’t considered dangerous, and Tamagotchi was new. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pokémon was everywhere. Pikachu has a permanent spot at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York. Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network fought over the rights to air the Anime and you couldn’t escape the franchise. This is why Pokémon is the biggest entertainment franchise in the world, this shocking yellow mouse is more recognised than Mickey Mouse in Japan.
Pokemon Yellow is basically a slightly more completed version of the Red and Blue games brought to the Nintendo Game Boy, and adds a few more challenges. Yes, Pikachu follows you around, but this causes a difficulty rise. Because Pikachu won’t go into a box, you have to take him everywhere. I mean, everywhere. Having to take Pikachu through Mount Moon, Rocky Tunnel and Brock’s Gym are incredibly difficult, this game is a real task! (Don’t use this glitch)!
To Iron Man Mode this game, several different rules are introduced, but to get the most fun, this is what I do. Firstly, no more than 5 visits to the Pokemon Centre until you reach Indigo Plateau. Once your Pokemon faints (other than Pikachu), you can only revive it once before releasing it. Buy as many aids as you can from the Mart. However, the “missing no” glitch doesn’t work here, so good luck!
You can buy this game at a local Computer Entertainment Exchange (if you’re lucky enough to have access to one), or on your Nintendo 3DS.
Super Mario Bros
What needs to be said about this game? It’s the definitive platform game, and has been ported to just about every Nintendo Console! I’m not joking about that either, I’ve owned it on 3 different consoles myself. Seriously, go and kill the goombas, defeat Bowser and defeat Bowser.
In fact, speed running this has become so popular that it’s inspired an entire industry. There is now a Guinness world record to beat. I challenge you gamers, to beat this. Go on, smash it!
And that’s our recommendations so far! Have you enjoyed it? Did you think I’ve missed some out? Here at Gamerhub, we’re happy to see what you guys think, and are available to chat to. If your mum fancies returning my hooded jumper, you can get her to contact me here.
For the Gamerhub, I’ve been Davey. Take care, stay safe and happy holidays.
