So...what do we have here?

U.S. Game Box Front

Now THIS is the Lost Dimension!

Some may know of this game...many may not. This game is arguably said to be one of the hardest SNES games of all time ranked above even Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts! If you don't like challenging yourself, stop reading this while you're ahead. However, if you crave a challenge, I'm right here craving right alongside you brothers and sisters! The challenge of the game is high, but impossible? Not at all and it is unjust to say so. The same excuses that you can use for SGNG can also be used for this game. What do I mean? You know the rules...memorization, timing, multiple playthroughs, etc. Not only can the game be significantly easier than SGNG (Jim can change directions in midair during a jump. Sorry Arthur!), but the game is actually very generous, contrary to popular belief. The story? You take the role of Jim Power who has been sent to assassinate Vaprak and halt his evil plans. Not much more than that.

The graphics are superb. Crisp animation, weather effects, excellent color usage, and beautiful environments are all abound in JP. Bosses are quite detailed and very large and the game uses a "3D" effect. Its not REALLY 3D, but you get the idea. There are a special pair of 3-D glasses that came with the game to produce that effect. The normal game music is pretty neat and fits the environments well. The title screen music, however, is so awesome that I want to talk about it in particular. It's VERY long for an SNES music tune (About 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 minutes before it loops) and it's one of the greatest tunes I've ever heard in an action game. Period. To hear all of it, you must listen inside the options menu.

The gameplay is pretty decent. For starters, you get a standard shot that can be upgraded several times and smart bombs. You also get time (because you die if time runs out) and invincibility as well as 1-ups. Speaking of 1-ups, this game has them ALL OVER THE PLACE. Add to this, the game sports different kinds of levels. For instance, level 1 is a standard run-n-gun affair with spikes, moving platforms, oozing liquid and such trying to take the life of valiant Jim. The boss of the level requires Jim to equip a jet pack and fly around space while the boss utilizes typical standard difficulty tactics and patterns that you could figure out in any action game in a short amount of time. The second stage has no boss. You navigate a maze with dangerous flooring and machines in an overhead view "Contra" style! I'm referring to the overhead levels in Contra: The Alien Wars for SNES. Another level is a horizontal shooter. Yet another level has our hero racing against time on an airbike in an overhead view.

These small differences add a cool and unusual style to Jim Power, making it an all-around good game to play. It requires a keen sense of observation, a vigilant eye, and dexterity that is quick to pull your buns out of the fire. I like SGNG...After all, it's a classic. If I were given the choice, though, I'd choose Jim.

- Written by Vyse the determined -