QUByte Classics – Jim Power: The Lost Dimension by PIKO

Genre: Compilation / Action-Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

Jim Power is an Action-Platformer first released on Super Nintendo in 1993. A Sega Genesis version of the game was nearly finished but never actually saw release until Piko Interactive spearheaded a crowdfunded effort that saw the release of that version of the game in 2021, alongside a brand-new Nintendo Entertainment System version of the game. It is actually these latter two versions of the game that find their way into this Compilation, released in 2022 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Yeah, that’s right – this collection lacks the only version of Jim Power that could truly be considered a “classic” (even then, stretching that term pretty far given that this is a game most gamers have largely forgotten about).

Both the Sega Genesis and Nintendo Entertainment System versions included here (albeit referred to by more generic “16-Bit” and “8-Bit” descriptors) are both roughly based on the same basic gameplay and level design, but differ significantly in their particulars. The 16-Bit version of the game lets players automatically use their weapon in rapid-fire by holding down the attack button, while the 8-Bit version instead has you charging up a more powerful shot. The 16-Bit version features somewhat more dynamic environments and better-articulated boss enemies, but also suffers from some pretty limited Platforming. Meanwhile, the 8-Bit version has a power-up system, but players get a downgrade if they take a hit. Between the two games, I actually prefer the 8-Bit version, though both have their charms.

Having said that, both games also have their problems. Both games suffer from an issue where you can’t attack and move at the same time, and the 8-Bit version fares even worse off here because even charging your weapon plants your feet and forces you to bunny hop to move. Both games also have an issue with the visual presentation, where parts of levels that look like platforms sometimes aren’t, and even things that appear to be walls may not be.

This isn’t to say the presentation here is outright bad. Quite the contrary, for a pair of retro (sort of) games, these two look very good for games from their platform of origin. Both games have detailed 2D pixel art characters and backgrounds, and I thought the 8-Bit game even benefitted from some truly excellent animation. Both games feature chiptune soundtracks, as one would expect, though neither is particularly memorable.

Both games include save states, display options, and button reassignment features. Nothing extraordinary but I suppose it’s sufficient. However, there is one nice bonus here – the game opens with a delightfully 90s-style fully-animated intro.

In the end, I think both Jim Power games have their good and bad qualities. They’re not terrible Action-Platformers, but they’re definitely not great ones either. If you were attracted to this Compilation in hopes of finding a lost classic, you’ll likely be disappointed, but QUByte Classics – Jim Power: The Lost Dimension by PIKO may still mildly entertain fans of older games in the Action-Platformer genre.

tl;dr – Jim Power is a Compilation of two versions of the same Action-Platformer, albeit not the Super Nintendo game that was released back in 1993 but an unreleased (until recently) Sega Genesis version and a newly-developed Nintendo Entertainment System version. Both versions are flawed but decent games, and while you’re not likely to see these as “classics”, they aren’t without their charms.

Grade: C

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