Master Higgins returns for another 2-D jaunt in this WiiWare title...
On the surface, Hudson Soft took the time to give the series a half-decent visual upgrade. While the graphics run smoothly, however, every stage in each level looks identical to one another, and don't feel anything like prior games in the series. Some might consider this an opportunity missed, since other franchises (Contra, Mega Man, Super Mario Bros., to name a few) have jumped at the chance to connect with longtime fans of the genre.
The same concept that has worked since the original is used here, once again. Collecting randomly placed fruits and veggies extends your time limit, while dinosaur eggs found along the way contain weapons, speedy skateboards, invincibility fairies and (to the unsuspecting gamer) a purple eggplant of sorts that leeches time away from you. It's a formula that has had dinosaur buddies, RPG elements and other things added along the way, but none of these make an appearance.
In the end, Adventure Island: The Beginning is a great idea that never seemed to be followed through with great inspiration. A handful of poorly-conceived mini-games and boring level design bring down a title that could have been so much more.