Wolfenstein 3D, a groundbreaking first-person shooter, was developed by id Software and initially released in 1992, for DOS PCs. Inspired by the 1981 game Castle Wolfenstein, it marked the third installment in the Wolfenstein series. The SNES port, released in 1994, was coded by id for the Japanese company Imagineer. Notably, the SNES version stands out due to its censorship, aligning with Nintendo's content policies.
This was the 2nd first person shooter I ever got to play in my gaming life. The first was Doom on the SNES. My feelings on this are kinda mixed.
The Story
In Wolfenstein 3D for the SNES, you'll navigate through the castle armed with machine guns and flamethrowers, facing off against formidable bosses. Your mission: collect keys to unlock hidden vaults filled with treasures, medikits, and power-ups. The Nazis are relentless in their pursuit, but your speed and firepower can help you escape the castle. It's time to prove your worth, soldier!
The Graphics and Sound
This is where Wolfenstein 3D is severely lacking. The worst part of this is the graphics. It seems as if the 3D capabilities of this game were severely sloppy, or were just not well formed enough at the time it came out. Once you get to moving around a lot, the game will slow down, and almost freeze. The graphics in and of themselves are very choppy, and the people and colors are not very clear. The weapons are very clearly made, cut the ammunition that expels from them is very poorly animated. The problem with the graphics is that it gives you either a headache or motion sickness because of the 3D effect mixed in with choppy animation.
The sound is off key, and the voices are very shaky and unclear. If you really listen, the background music is what comes in the best, and it is really good. Although in contrast, the weapon fire sounds are very low key, and sound very wimpy. It sounds like the Pistol has more power than the Chain gun.
The Gameplay
The game offers a consistently exciting experience, keeping players alert for surprises like guards, rats, or sinister SS Officers. The controls are easy to master, with simple button functions: select for changing weapons, pause for the map screen, A for opening doors, and B for shooting. Movement is handled by the control pad. The game's difficulty can be tailored to your preference with three settings: easy, normal, and hard. Easy provides a breeze, while normal increases the challenge in combat and stealth. Hard mode makes it notably difficult to defeat enemies and bosses, requiring advanced skills for success.
Replay value is a bit good. Despite the graphics causing some discomfort, Wolfenstein 3D has an immersive quality that overshadows any negatives. The game's intensity, coupled with hidden areas and diverse weapons, adds a desire to complete it.
My Verdict
While the graphics may be a drawback, Wolfenstein 3D excels in every other category, making it an excellent choice for those seeking an action-packed 16-bit first-person shooter experience.
Play it on the unforgettable Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a worthy emulator.