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March 1994


Mindscape - For SNES
Alfred Chicken
Action-Platformer | 8 MB
Release: Feb 1994
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An Amiga game, huh? Alfred Chicken, a "Hero of Another Feather" according to Minescape's adverts, is the newest in a long, long line of mascot platformers on the SNES. This cart is targeted primarily at the younger gaming demographic (or, at least, we hope so), and is overall the textbook definition of a tedious platforming game: Avoid obstacles, collect gems, find the exit, rinse and repeat. The titular chicken controls poorly despite its cute appearance, and the ultra-bright Amiga palette in this game can grow tiring to look at. Players searching for a slowly paced, simplistic SNES cart should start right here. Total snooze-a-rama!

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Imagineer - For SNES
Wolfenstein 3D
First-Person Shooter | 8 MB
Release: Mar 1994
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Tom Hall and John Romero's surprise 1992 DOS hit, Wolfenstein 3D finally found its way to the Super Nintendo. This translation was brought to you by a small Japanese game company named Imagineer. Have they "imagined" a proper port? Mostly so. Albeit limited by crushed 16-Bit graphics and a shrunken framerate, the first-person gameplay is well enough. Exploring maze-like levels in a 3-D environment never brings about a dull moment as evil henchmen try relentlessly to blast apart our protagonist, BJ Blazkowitcz. All Nazi references and blood splatters may be gone, but this one screams violence! For shame, Nintendo!

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Sony - For SNES
Equinox
Puzzle-Adventure | 12 MB
Release: Mar 1994
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Equinox is the long-awaited localization of Solstice II, an isometric action-adventure title developed by Sony Imagesoft. Apart from the striking graphics and forced perspective trickery, the first facet of Equinox which may pop-out at you is Mr. Tim Follin's wonderful soundtrack (of Castlevania IV fame). Crank up that volume dial and take on these labyrinthian worlds and mysterious dungeons. Build up your magic power and raw strength by accumulating special items and collecting 12 special tokens kingdom-by-kingdom. This cart's mix of RPG storytelling and perilous platforming is an absolute treat.

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Data East - For GENESIS
High Seas Havoc
Action-Platformer | 8 MB
Release: Feb 1994
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The Evil Pirate Bernardo has stolen a legendary emerald, and it's all up to the rookie, Havoc, to save the day! High Seas Havoc is your stereotypical action-platformer staring a fluffy yet spunky mascot. Data East looks to join the ranks of Virgin and Konami in delivering a top-quality Sonic-like, and it has done it in spades. This cart is a sight to see with crisp and gorgeous graphics galore and some excellently emotive character sprites. Havoc enjoys satisfactory play control and a unique jump-kick attack to vanquish foes with ease. Though it heavily borrows from the best, HSH proves itself a title worthy of its pricetag.

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Konami - For GENESIS
Castlevania
Action-Platformer | 8 MB
Release: Mar 1994
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Konami has released yet another epic to the gaming landscape. Castlevania: Bloodlines on the Genesis is, well, the best in the series since Super Castlevania IV; a well-rounded effort in virtually every avenue. Play as Eric Lecarde with Alcarde Spear in-tow or John Morris with his trusty whip. Chase down your bloodstained ancestry beginning in Castle Dracula, Romania, thrashing minotaurs, giants, and dragons of all sorts. Beautiful boss designs as well. Konami's animation, special effects work, and horror soundtrack is top-notch as usual, making Bloodlines a worthwhile pick for all Castlevania fans.

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Zyrinx - For GENESIS
Sub-Terrania
Shooter | 8 MB
Release: Mar 1994
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Sub-Terrania is best described as Asteroids for the 90s. You pilot a tiny, prototype spaceship tasked with rescuing underground miners from a sudden alien attack. Players must drive their shuttle throughout the treacherous caverns, engaging in some interstellar combat whilst discovering weapons upgrades on the way. Beneath an intriguing exterior, even experienced games may find frustration in Sub-Terrania's gravity-centric physics and delayed controller response. Watch your gauges! Thrusters deplete fuel and shields fade quickly, meaning the alien fighters may be the least of your worries.

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Arena - For GENESIS
NBA Jam
Sports | 8 MB
Release: Mar 1994
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This is a Slam Jam! The PPM Review Crew rarely recognizes sport titles (And for good reason! -Jet), but the likes of NBA Jam is guaranteed to appeal to anyone who fancies video games. Acclaim and Arena have released stellar ports of the arcade cab on SNES and Genesis. Both versions are kick-butt fun! NBA Jam displays superb graphics, flawless and addictive gameplay, one to four-player modes, and slam dunks that may literally end up in flames! Some sacrifices were made to squeeze this title onto consoles, meaning fewer sound effects and music tracks, but this remains the funnest competitive game in a long while.

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SEGA - For SEGA-CD
Tomcat Alley
FMV-Action | CD
Release: Mar 1994
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The fate of the world is in your hands! You have been chosen by the US Air Force to pilot an F14-Tomcat on a secret mission to stop a shipment of dangerous chemicals. Tomcat Alley puts you in the cockpit and, for all intents and purposes, in Maverick's shoes on 1986's Top Gun. Aim the cursor and pinpoint foes to blast them out of the sky: An accomplishment accompanied with some seriously cool cinematics. We can appreciate Tomcat's ambitiousness, but like all FMV-styled games you either love it or you don't. For those of you who fancy movie-like games, this SEGA-CD title is sure to get your adrenaline pumping!

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CD - For 3DO
Total Eclipse
3-D Shooter | CD
Release: Mar 1994
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Crystal Dynamics claims Total Eclipse is a video game you can feel, "barrel-rolling through the atmosphere," at 24 (!) frames p/s. Our team tends to agree! This spacefighter combat simulator really demonstrates the power of 32-Bit. Hurtling into lava-filled canyons and dark tunnels was never so fun and re-playable! The player must shoot blimps and energy cannisters, strike down an alien swarm, and avoid environmental obstacles too. Total Eclipse features excellent lighting effects and detailed textures, making for a superior graphical showpiece to the Jag. Difficult as heck, but worthy of this advanced hardware.

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TTI - For TG-16 CD
Terraforming
Shooter | CD
Release: Feb 1994
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Take flight through a variety of alien worlds on the long search to reach mankind's new home in Terraforming, an all-new side-scrolling shooter for the Turbo Duo. Traversing the Milky Way is a dangerous task, and on the way, you'll need to face hostile beings set on destroying all intruders. On the positive side, your ship's thrusters can function as a bonus back-fire onto enemies and your power-ups can wipe the entire screen of baddies. However, this game's graphics are bland and its core shooter gameplay has far better outings on the Turbo. Switch over to Lords of Thunder instead. Is TTI is losing its edge, or simply overstayed its welcome?

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SEGA - For Game Gear
X-Men
Action-Platformer | 4 MB
Release: Jan 1994
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Attention, Mutants! The Juggernaut is causing havoc at Hoover Dam! It's up to Wolverine and Cyclops to calm the chaos, later joined by their superpowered comrades as the game goes on. This action title includes tough boss fights with Magneto's minions and some thought-inducing platforming with the use of your Spin Jump ability. Crisp and clean graphics for Game Gear standards, though we've seen better on SEGA's mini console. The music is so-so and at times may leave you reaching for that mute dial. Be sure to bring extra AAs, since some of these sprawling levels never end! A decent rental for X-Men fans, lackluster elsewise.

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Capcom - For NES
Chip & Dale 2
Action-Platformer | 2 MB
Release: Jan 1994
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Four years have passed since the Rescue Rangers originally released on NES, and Capcom decided now was time to answer the call! Ch-ch-ch-Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers 2 is the Big C's latest entry on Nintendo's 8-Bit star. Take the two 'munks on a platforming adventure to capture the dastardly Fatcat, rescue theme park riders, and recover the stolen Urn of Pharaoh. Like C&D 1, the gimmick here is grabbing crates to stack-up and toss around, and such C&D 2's play control is well-refined. Its music harkens back to 8-Bit Disney titles, and the graphics aren't half-bad for an NES cart. Plus, you get to help Gadget Hackwrench! Not too shabby.

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