You saw that right! For the first time in my Backlog Burner history, I actually managed to complete a winning bingo card, just yesterday, in fact, with NiGHTS Into Dreams… forming the final column.

In previous Backlog Burner attempts, I would force myself to write an entry immediately after finishing each game. While thorough, that approach bogged down my motivation and slowed my progress. For May 2025, I decided to shake things up: I played several games back-to-back before diving into a longer writing session. The difference was remarkable, my momentum improved, and I found myself enjoying the process much more.

It also helped that I started using Perplexity AI to streamline my write-ups. After jotting down my messy, detailed thoughts as I played, I found it much faster and easier to use the AI to turn them into polished, readable entries. The quality of the results has definitely made the whole process more enjoyable.

With only a few days left in the month, I’m dedicating my remaining time exclusively to playing as many games as possible. I’ll be posting all my write-ups together in the final May 2025 Backlog Burner thread.

And as luck would have it, I have games lined up that start with the letters H, I, J, K, and L, thanks to the flexibility of a Free-type Bingo Card that covers nearly the whole alphabet.

Without further ado, let’s get to the write-ups!

Granblue Fantasy: Relink

“Granblue Fantasy: Relink? That came out of nowhere!” you might say. While it may seem surprising that the franchise has spawned several video games in recent years, there’s a rich history behind Granblue Fantasy that explains much of Relink’s appeal.

Back in 2014, Granblue Fantasy launched exclusively in Japan for Android and iOS devices, with a browser version that included English support. The game quickly distinguished itself thanks to stunning character art by Hideo Minaba and a memorable soundtrack by Nobuo Uematsu, both veterans of the Final Fantasy series. Combined with strong storytelling and extensive voice acting, Granblue Fantasy managed to attract not just casual players, but also RPG enthusiasts seeking a deeper experience.

How does a free game generate such impressive revenue? Granblue Fantasy employs a "gacha" system, where players can spend real money for a chance to obtain new weapons or summons,much like the capsule toy vending machines (gachapon) popular in Japan, which dispense a random toy for each coin inserted.

In 2015, the game became the center of controversy when a streamer spent thousands of dollars in pursuit of a rare, limited-time character named Andira. The lack of transparency around drop rates and the brief availability window sparked public outcry. In response, developer Cygames introduced the “Spark” system, guaranteeing a specific character after a set number of draws, a feature that would become standard in future gacha games.

Nearly a decade later, Granblue Fantasy still hasn’t seen an official Western release. Despite its pioneering role in the gacha genre and its high production values, Cygames has been hesitant to officially bring the game to Western markets, possibly due to its age and differing attitudes toward microtransactions.

Western gamers, who often have higher disposable incomes, tend to prefer one-time purchases or monthly subscriptions over frequent, smaller payments. Many also view microtransactions as undermining merit and fairness, likening them to hidden taxes that compromise a game’s integrity.

In contrast, Japanese gamers, accustomed to microtransactions for decades, are less concerned about their presence. With generally lower incomes and limited living space, home console gaming is less prevalent, making mobile gaming a more practical choice.

Despite these differences, Granblue Fantasy’s immense popularity and lucrative microtransaction model have led to several spin-offs in the early 2020s. These include the approachable 2D fighting game Granblue Fantasy Versus, its expanded sequel Rising, and, most recently, the action RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink, which is now available on Steam.

Initially announced for a 2018 release and co-developed with PlatinumGames (of Bayonetta and Nier: Automata fame), Relink’s development shifted fully to Cygames Osaka in 2019, with Platinum’s Yasuyuki Kaji remaining as director until completion.

Relink adapts the core elements and meticulous attention to detail of the original mobile game into a standalone, full-fledged console experience. The turn-based combat is replaced by real-time, team-based action, giving players the freedom to explore and battle across beautifully crafted, mostly linear stages filled with enemies and platforming challenges.

You can customize your four-character party and choose who controls each hero in lively hubs like the village of Folca, where you’ll also find shops and upgrade stations. Each character boasts unique elemental affinities, skill sets, and personal skill trees for further customization, though, unlike one crewmate's tip for having eagle eyes, you won’t get to manage the vitamin A stat through that way.

The roster isn’t limited to the six main story characters, either; most of the fifteen more heroes can be unlocked using a Crewmate Voucher, with some additional characters available through free and paid DLC.

If you’re a fan of the original Granblue Fantasy, you’ll feel right at home in Relink’s immersive fantasy universe. The transition from 2D to 3D art is handled beautifully, with added visual flourishes like dynamic wind effects that bring hair and clothing to life.

After two hours with Granblue Fantasy: Relink, I’ve only scratched the surface of its combat potential. Yet the game’s charm and depth have already hooked me, and I’m eager to see what further adventures await.

Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup

What happens when you faithfully recreate the fantasy sport of Quidditch, taking only minimal creative liberties to make it work as a video game? You get Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup, played here on the GameCube, a title that brings J.K. Rowling’s iconic wizarding sport to life with impressive accuracy.

Matches unfold in an oval-shaped arena, where two teams of broomstick-riding witches and wizards compete to outscore each other by hurling the Quaffle through one of three ring-shaped goals, earning 10 points per successful shot. Each team is made up of:

• 3 Chasers (handling, passing, and shooting the Quaffle)

• 2 Beaters (launching and deflecting homing Bludgers)

• 1 Keeper (guarding the goals)

• 1 Seeker (chasing the elusive Golden Snitch)

Most of your time in-game is spent as a Chaser, passing, dodging, and occasionally calling on a Beater to ward off or spawn Bludgers. You’ll also step into the Keeper’s shoes to return the Quaffle to your team, and, near the end of the match, take control of the Seeker in pursuit of the Golden Snitch.

A Quidditch match ends the moment someone captures the nimble, golden Snitch, worth a staggering 150 points. In this adaptation, the Snitch only appears once you fill your half of the Golden Snitch meter on the HUD, which you do by performing actions like passing, shooting, and executing special moves. This system gives you some control over match length, letting you extend play to rack up points for your overall Cup score.

Special moves come in two flavors: basic and team. Basic moves, triggered by button prompts, let you dodge Bludgers, launch counterattacks, or tackle from a distance. Team moves, which require unlocking specific Quidditch cards by completing objectives, guarantee at least 10 points and provide a significant boost to your Snitch meter while hindering your opponent’s progress.

When both sides fill their Snitch meters and the icons merge, the Seekers take flight. The team with the fuller meter gets a head start and a longer boost gauge. The goal is to stay centered on the Snitch’s yellow trail to conserve your boost, fend off the rival Seeker, and, if you time your grab just right, secure victory for your team.

In Exhibition mode, the sheer value of the Golden Snitch can overshadow the rest of the game. Matches can end abruptly if you focus on quick passes and combo moves, exploiting the system to rack up points and trigger the Snitch chase as soon as possible. This imbalance is likely why the more recent Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions reduced the Snitch’s value from 150 to just 30 points.

However, in the Hogwarts Cup and World Cup modes, winning isn’t everything. Points scored in each match contribute to your overall Cup ranking, so it’s possible to win every game yet still fall short of first place if you don’t maximize your score.

If you decide to give Quidditch World Cup a try, I strongly recommend playing on any difficulty above Comet 260. The lowest setting makes it far too easy to exploit the AI, turning matches into repetitive routines of tackles and easy goals with little challenge.

Even so, I found it hard to stay engaged after a few matches. Despite each team having unique stats and special moves, and each country offering visually distinct arenas, the core gameplay loop rarely changes. It’s a fun, immersive experience in short bursts, especially if you’re craving a Quidditch fix and enjoy the game’s vibrant audiovisual presentation, but it may not hold your attention for long stretches.

INSIDE

Six years after Playdead’s acclaimed release of LIMBO, the studio returned with INSIDE, a short, atmospheric puzzle-platformer that builds on its predecessor’s strengths. This time, players guide an unnamed boy through a surreal, mostly monochromatic world where minimal controls and simple environmental puzzles allow the bleak art direction, haunting atmosphere, and enigmatic narrative to take center stage.

I’m currently about halfway through the PS4 version, so my understanding of the story is still unfolding. For now, I’ll share my impressions and observations within the spoiler tab, so to avoid accidentally unconvering major spoilers.

Joy Mech Fight

Think Super Smash Bros. is the only accessible PvP fighting game that balances simplicity with real depth? Think again, there’s another contender, and it’s even less complex: the Famicom classic, Joy Mech Fight (ジョイメカファイト).

The Nintendo Entertainment System is renowned for its straightforward controls: a directional pad for movement and just two red action buttons, with Start and Select handling secondary functions. This minimalism naturally led to simpler game designs than those seen on later, more complex consoles. Yet, Joy Mech Fight manages to turn these limitations into strengths, focusing on fighting game fundamentals with only a handful of buttons.

Joy Mech Fight strips away the usual fighting game trappings, there’s no timer, no items, no stage hazards, no consumable specials, no tag teams, and no extra mechanics to keep track of. It’s just you, your opponent, and your moves: punches, kicks, and projectiles, executed with combinations ranging from a single button press to a sequence of up to five inputs.

Choose マニュアル (Manual) in single-player mode, and you’ll enter a training segment that demonstrates your character’s special moves and lets you practice them. Some harder CPU opponents even hint at hidden, more powerful moves, rewarding experimentation and mastery.

Every stage is a simple, endlessly looping strip of ground, with only the background art and music to set them apart. Fighters can’t move past the screen’s edges when far apart, keeping the action tight and focused.

Despite this simplicity, matches are surprisingly intense. Large, distinctive character sprites (actually clusters of smaller sprites, cleverly sidestepping hardware limitations) dominate the small screen, and attacks have impressive reach. The lack of zoom means every bout feels immediate and claustrophobic, in a good way.

Joy Mech Fight’s solid gameplay, charming and easily recognizable character designs, and energetic chiptune soundtrack have helped it endure since its 1993 debut. It’s a game I'll find myself returning to, especially after discovering you can rematch opponents as many times as needed in 1Pクエスト (Story Mode) to progress and unlock more fighters.

Unlocking all 28 additional characters, many of which are stronger clones, while others are unique bosses with exclusive moves that adds plenty of replay value.

Fun fact: Joy Mech Fight began as バトルバトルリーグ (Battle Battle League), a project by Koichi Hayashida and Koichiro Eto at a Nintendo programming seminar. Both would go on to work at Nintendo and help bring the game to life.

I played Joy Mech Fight on my original frontloader NES using a Famicom-to-NES adapter, outputting through composite video to a RetroTINK-5X Pro’s SCART port. While the setup introduced some classic NES video artifacts, rainbowing and dot crawl, these were largely smoothed out with a bit of video blurring and a scanline effect, recreating that nostalgic CRT look.

Want to give this hidden gem a try? You can find Joy Mech Fight on the Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online app, available now for subscribers.

Kirby's Block Ball

Breakout-style games task you with clearing all the blocks on screen by bouncing a ball off a paddle at the bottom. Depending on a game’s mechanics, this can be either a fun diversion or a tedious grind. But if there’s one Breakout-inspired title I’d recommend above all, it’s Kirby’s Block Ball for the Game Boy, a game that builds on the classic formula with clever innovations and Kirby’s trademark charm.

Kirby’s Block Ball adds several twists to the standard Breakout gameplay. Pressing the A button just as Kirby lands on a paddle triggers a "Power Bounce", launching him faster and stronger, letting you smash through tougher blocks or rack up more points. The B button activates Kirby’s familiar Copy Abilities, which you can acquire from certain roaming enemies. These abilities, such as Spark, Stone, Needle, and Burn, grant Kirby unique powers to clear blocks more efficiently and act as an extra hit point, much like a Super Mushroom in Mario games.

If your paddle isn’t aligned with Kirby, you can quickly snap it underneath him by pressing the Control Pad in his direction, ensuring you rarely miss a bounce. The paddle’s movement also affects Kirby’s trajectory, adding a layer of skill to your shots.

Unlike most Breakout games, Kirby’s Block Ball sometimes features up to four paddles on the screen, one on each side, forcing you to keep track of Kirby’s movement from every angle. Spikes lurk behind paddles, and hitting them means losing a life, so quick reflexes are essential.

Struggling to clear all the blocks? Grab a star-in-a-circle item to trigger a bonus round, where all blocks become soft and easily crushable for a limited time. Some Warp Stars can also whisk you away to one of four mini-games, including Air Hockey, where you face off against a UFO for extra lives, all using the same core paddle mechanics for a seamless experience.

Each of the game’s ten main worlds culminates in a boss fight. Bosses range from tricky, like Big Cappy who shrinks your paddle and spawns minions, to more straightforward, like Big Squishy who simply moves side to side.

To unlock the final 11th stage, you’ll need to surpass the Borderline score in every world, a feat achieved by breaking blocks, collecting power-ups, and maximizing your points. Achieving first place on each world’s leaderboard is both a challenge and a rewarding goal for completionists.

Kirby’s Block Ball stands out for its crisp visuals, catchy chiptune soundtrack, and polished presentation, qualities that make it as engaging today as it was in 1995. The game was re-released on the 3DS Virtual Console and is likely to join the Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online app, making it accessible to a new generation of players.

Whether you track down an original cartridge or play it via Nintendo Switch Online, Kirby’s Block Ball is a must-try for fans of puzzle games and Kirby alike. Its inventive mechanics, satisfying gameplay, and cheerful atmosphere set a new standard for Breakout clones, and arguably, none have done it better since.

Lords of Thunder

Back in the early ’90s, CD-ROM technology was rapidly becoming more affordable to manufacture, offering vastly greater storage capacity than the pricier, faster mask ROMs found in traditional cartridges. Game developers quickly seized this opportunity, launching CD-ROM add-ons for their consoles to push the boundaries of audio, visuals, and gameplay.

One such platform was the TurboGrafx-16 (known as the PC-Engine in Japan), already renowned for its extensive library of shoot-’em-up titles, games where you guide a ship or character through waves of enemies, dodging obstacles and unleashing firepower. Among these, Lords of Thunder on the TurboGrafx-CD stands out as a true gem, thanks to its meticulously crafted stage design, dazzling fantasy anime visuals, and a legendary hard rock soundtrack that perfectly matches the game’s relentless pace.

Lords of Thunder lets you choose from seven stages in any order, reminiscent of the Mega Man series. Before each stage, you select one of four elemental armors, each dramatically altering your firepower and bomb abilities:

• Fire Armor for balanced strength and range.

• Wind Armor for long-range, piercing shots that don’t disappear after hitting enemies.

• Earth Armor for high damage output but limited range and piercing.

• Water Armor for offering vertical protection and semi-piercing shots, with excellent backward coverage at higher levels.

Before diving into a stage, you can also spend your hard-earned gems on helpful items, health refills, power-ups, bombs, shields (which act as extra hit points), elixirs (full health restores upon death), and extra continues. Health and unused power-ups even carry over between stages, adding a strategic layer to your purchases.

While Lords of Thunder doesn’t reach the bullet-hell extremes of games like Mushihimesama, its level design still demands quick reflexes and precise dodging. Each stage is packed with relentless enemies, carefully placed hazards, and a steady flow of pickups and currency. The result is gameplay that’s consistently engaging and rarely feels unfair, at least on Normal difficulty.

In my own playthrough, I tackled the Dezant desert and Auzal water stages, finding them a bit challenging but fair. The difficulty does ramp up in later levels, according to veteran players, so be prepared for a real test of skill.

Lords of Thunder’s visuals are a showcase for the CD-ROM format, with sharp, stylish 90s fantasy anime aesthetics and impressively detailed boss designs. The game’s hard rock soundtrack is a highlight, keeping the adrenaline high and perfectly complementing the on-screen action.

The English localization of the Wii U Virtual Console port's menu UI, however, is infamous for its “Engrish” translations, most notably the meme-worthy “Do you want the game of reset?” prompt. It’s a quirky, endearing touch that adds to the game’s retro charm experience.

For this playthrough, I used the Wii U Virtual Console version, taking advantage of save states to get through tougher boss fights. Screenshots were captured using Morph 4K, with the Wii U outputting at 720p and the image stretched vertically to minimize horizontal shimmering, a setup that does justice to the game’s vibrant visuals.

I also considered playing on original PC-Engine hardware with a Turbo Everdrive Pro and the MiSTer FPGA core, but ran into technical issues: unreliable video output from my hardware setup and missing CD audio on MiSTer, likely due to file or core compatibility problems.

Lords of Thunder remains a standout in the shoot-’em-up genre, blending tight gameplay, striking visuals, and a killer soundtrack into an unforgettable package. Whether you’re a retro enthusiast or a newcomer, this is a classic worth revisiting, just be prepared for a challenge and a few quirky translation moments along the way.

I’ll definitely be returning to Lords of Thunder in the future, there’s still plenty of thunder left to bring down!

Mario Tennis (GBC)

Mario Tennis on Game Boy Color delivers the same approachable tennis action as its Nintendo 64 sibling, but adapts the experience for handheld play with simplified, intuitive controls. Using just the A and B buttons, players can perform topspin, slice, lobs, drop shots, and powerful smashes, all directed with the Control Pad for precision. This streamlined system ensures that both newcomers and seasoned players can jump right in and enjoy a satisfying tennis match.

Rather than being a stripped-down conversion, the Game Boy Color version goes above and beyond with exclusive content, most notably, the Mario Tour mode. This RPG-like story mode puts you in the shoes of a rookie tennis player at the Royal Tennis Academy, where you train, compete in tournaments, and gradually rise through the ranks to challenge Mario himself.

Progression isn’t linear: you tackle singles and doubles campaigns separately, each culminating in a final showdown with hidden characters. Along the way, you’ll participate in training sessions and mini-games, earning experience points (EXP) to allocate to your characters. Leveling up lets you boost specific skills, though some stats may decrease based on your choices. Ultimately, maxing out your level allows for well-rounded characters, as stat limits prevent further gains past a certain threshold.

Early on, training sessions highlight the importance of balanced stat development. For example, focusing solely on serving before improving speed can leave you struggling to reach returns, a lesson quickly learned as you grind for EXP and refine your skills.

A standout feature is the ability to transfer your custom character to the N64 version via the Transfer Pak, allowing you to earn EXP on both platforms and unlock additional courts and mini-games. While this functionality is absent from digital re-releases, the Nintendo Switch Online version unlocks all Transfer Pak-exclusive content by default.

Beyond the main story, Mario Tennis offers a variety of character-specific mini-games designed to sharpen your skills. Baby Mario's Target Shot, for example, teaches shot types with on-screen prompts, while Bowser’s Two-on-One (a Transfer Pak exclusive) pits you against Wario and Waluigi in a challenging scenario, this time without your doubles mate.

The game’s robust single-player structure and RPG elements evoke comparisons to modern titles like Golf Story, which similarly blend sports gameplay with narrative progression. I'd be curious to hear about a more modern tennis game that takes this particular approach.

Mario Tennis on Game Boy Color remains a must-play for fans of both sports and RPGs. The full experience, including all previously exclusive content, is now available on the Game Boy – Nintendo Switch Online app for subscribers. Whether you’re revisiting a classic or discovering it for the first time, this portable tennis adventure is well worth a spin.

Oh, and legendary composer Motoi Sakuraba, renowned for his work on Golden Sun, the Tales series, and Star Ocean, masterfully captured drama and emotion, making the most of the Game Boy’s rudimentary yet surprisingly versatile 8-bit sound hardware.

NiGHTS Into Dreams...

While Sega famously struggled to translate classic 2D Sonic the Hedgehog gameplay into 3D until the Dreamcast era, Yuji Naka and his team at Sonic Team realized a different vision of flight years earlier with NiGHTS Into Dreams… Released on the Sega Saturn, a console celebrated for its 2D graphical prowess but hampered by late-stage, awkward 3D hardware, NiGHTS remains a fascinating experiment in both style and gameplay.

The game invites you to enter the dreams of Claris or Elliot, each with three unique 2.5D stages and one shared level. Every stage is divided into four sections, or “Mares.” Your goal in each Mare is to collect blue orbs (blue chips), use them to destroy a globe imprisoning one of the stolen Ideyas (spherical dream objects), and then reach the gazebo-like goal before time runs out. After clearing all four sections, you face a boss to reclaim the final Ideya and complete the stage.

You’ll see six of the eight levels by default, but to unlock the remaining two and truly finish the game, you must earn at least a grade C in each stage, a challenge that’s easier said than done. Your score isn’t just for bragging rights; it directly determines your grade for each section and the overall stage.

Points are earned by collecting items, passing through rings, and defeating enemies. Chaining these actions together in rapid succession increases your “Link” multiplier, which is key to boosting your score. However, the game’s visually cluttered environments and a zoomed-in camera, meant to showcase the Saturn’s graphical effects, often make it hard to spot scoring opportunities, making high grades feel more like the result of trial and error than pure skill.

Replayability is built into the design: with only a handful of stages, NiGHTS encourages you to revisit levels repeatedly, chasing higher scores and better ranks. While this could be engaging, the experience is hampered by visual clutter, limited screen real estate, and the need to slog through menus and lengthy loading screens after each run. These issues significantly detract from the game’s flow and enjoyment, making it feel more awkward than the polished classic it aspires to be.

It’s a shame, because NiGHTS Into Dreams… boasts a whimsical soundtrack, imaginative visuals, and a central concept, soaring through fantastical dreamscapes, that taps into childhood wonder. With its reputation as a cult classic, I expected a magical experience, but it ended up being my biggest disappointment in my Backlog Burner journey so far.

However, after watching DiGi Valentine’s insightful video, How To Play NiGHTS (And Why You Should), I discovered a crucial mechanic the game never clearly explains: you’re encouraged to do multiple laps within each section by skipping the goal even after destroying a globe, which respawns collectibles and makes achieving A Ranks much more manageable. This revelation made the stage design click for me and mitigated some of the visibility frustrations, as repeating paths allowed for better planning and scoring.

With this new understanding, I’m tempted to give NiGHTS Into Dreams… another chance. While its initial learning curve and design quirks can be off-putting, there’s clearly a deeper layer of strategy and replayability waiting to be discovered. Perhaps, with a fresh perspective, I’ll finally see the magic so many others have found in this dreamlike adventure.