I recently got a chance to play through all three games in the Joe and Mac Retro Collection on the PlayStation 5 Pro, thanks to a review copy provided by Red Art Games.
You can find my gameplay video below:
You can find my mini review of the Joe & Mac Retro Collection below:
Pros:
- Fun SNES platformers.
- Rewind and save states add quality of life.
- Boss Rush mode and lots of other extra content.
Cons:
- None.
Overall:
Joe & Mac Retro Collection includes three SNES games: Caveman Ninja: Joe & Mac, Congo’s Caper, and Joe & Mac: Lost in the Tropics.
Caveman Ninja: Joe & Mac is a 2D platformer that takes place in a prehistoric world. As a caveman, you use power-ups to defeat both enemies and bosses. These special attacks include bones, boomerangs, stone wheels, and fireballs.
While Caveman Ninja aged the worst of the three due to its clunky platforming and grindy boss fights, it is still quite fun with the rewind feature added.
Congo’s Caper is a spin-off of Joe & Mac. The level design in this game is the easily best of the trilogy as the stages will constantly surprise you. Not to mention that they don’t overstay their welcome.
So, even with the lack of special attacks like in the first and third game, Congo’s Caper is the most fun title in the collection.
Joe & Mac: Lost in the Tropics is the direct sequel to the first game, providing a better platforming experience. Although special attacks are available in the sequel, they aren’t as prominent or as fun to use as the original. With that said, the sequel does offer a world map with different biomes that contain interconnected levels. There are also two small towns: one of which is your home village while the other lets you shop for power-ups, home decor, and even flowers to attract cave women.
So, while it doesn’t play as well as Congo’s Caper, Lost in the Tropics does have plenty going for it thanks to the additions of RPG like elements.
Outside of the games, you will be able to listen to the soundtracks of all three titles via the juke box. Not to mention that you can also look at the various artworks, box arts, and cartridge designs as well.
The emulation features multiple display settings, including CTR scanlines. You can also use rewinds and save states for all three titles. Last but not least, each game features a boss rush mode where you get a limited number of lives to defeat all bosses in the game.
Overall, Joe & Mac Retro Collection is a great collection featuring three classic SNES platformers. The added rewind and save states help alleviate some of the clunkiness to these games, especially the original release. Not to mention that there is plenty of extra content as well.
If you are a fan of retro 2D platformers, then Joe & Mac Retro Collection is a must buy.