There are chess games, and then there are battle games. If you grew up in the late 80s or early 90s, the words "Battle Chess" likely trigger a specific memory: the satisfying clack of a rook, the dramatic swoop of a knight, and—most importantly—the gory, hilarious, and utterly over-the-top animations when pieces captured each other.

Version 1.1.1.18720 represents the peak of "edutainment" and "video game novelty." It is the perfect gateway drug for teaching a kid the movements of the pieces. You don't forget how a Knight moves after you’ve seen yours get drop-kicked off the board by a Bishop.

♔

But is it a good game ?