[Mechanical R]

Published by: Disney Interactive Studios
Genre: Action
Also Available On: Arcade

Retro comeback makes a disappointing return

Upon the films release, a coin operated arcade game shortly followed. Here, this January, Tron re-appears to us in Xbox Live Arcade form, for us all to play again. The retro games are making one hell of a comeback this year.

The game, being a complete original of the arcade, features 12 levels of 4 mini-games. Each of the 4 games must be completed to progress to the next level. Each level has the same 4 mini games just with additional difficulties as you progress.

The 4 mini games consist of the I/O Tower, where you’re given a short time to reach the Input/output tower and make your way past varying numbers of Grid bugs. The MCP Cone, where you must destroy a moving multicolored wall between you and the cone, and you must get past the wall to finish the level. Battle Tanks is a simple gun fight between you and a tank in a small area, however you must hit the tank 3 times, where as you can only take one shot. Finally the most recognized would be the Light Cycles where you must use the trail of the light cycle to cut off the bikes on the map.
As interesting as the games can be for the first few minutes, if you manage to make it through to the later levels it can become a little tedious and repetitive. With only having 3 lives to play through it becomes a little agitating as you play through the same levels just to reach one section that you just cannot get past.

Unfortunately, the game has had little to no visual improvements on its arcade predecessor. Lines have been smoothed out at the most and anyone expecting a HD visual delight on their favorite childhood past time might want to take a miss on this as visually the game is old, and tired.

Sound wise, the sound is very plain and same old from the original, the victory and defeat tunes sound near on exactly the same, and slowly turn into a excessive drone of flat keys in your ears after hearing them too often, putting you off playing altogether, might be better off with your own soundtrack, or even just on mute. Play some songs in your head.

With 12 levels of the same four mini games, only the few who favored this as a classic will try to consume all that’s worth from the game.

Generally one of those games for either the massive fans of the original arcade game or any recent Tron film fans that might be interested. Otherwise I’d suggest a severe miss for this retro arcade title.

Rating: 3.1


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