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March 1995


Ocean - For SNES
Addams Fam Values
Action-RPG | 16 MEG
Release: February 1995
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Every so often, a licensed game comes along with an unexpected dose of greatness hidden deep within. This is most certainly the case with Addam's Family Values, perhaps the unlikeliest place to find a stellar game. Think Zelda, except starring Christopher Lloyd's Uncle Fester. Yes, the rebirth of the Addams' has strangely resulted in an action RPG-like adventure courtesy of Ocean. Traverse a huge map and unravel the mysteries of your lost family members. Expect to see detailed graphics, top-shelf spookiness, and eerie tunes galore. It can be a toughie, at times. We can tell the developers put in the extra mile. Whether a property as bizarre as The Addams Family merits that work is another story entirely.

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Nintendo - For SNES
Kirby's DC
Strategy-Puzzle | 8 MEG
Release: February 1995
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Kirby is a cute and lovable puff ball with a smile to melt hearts. As such, Nintendo decided he was the perfect candidate to be pummeled by a golf club! That's right, in Kirby's Dream Course, previously known as Kirby's Tee Shot, players will hit the pink lad like a golf ball through some wild and turbulent courses dotted with levers, traps, and monsters intent on ruining your putt. Avoid tumbling off those edges by using a special hook shot or choose the long aim to travel further down the track. It's a bit like Marble Madness meets a tilted sort of billiards, and this cart's not only great fun in solo play, but it can prove to be awfully competitive in two-player contests. Be warned, controls are tricky!

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Capcom - For SNES
Bonkers
Action-Platformer | 8 MEG
Release: November 1994
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Working the beat in ol' Toon Town, Bonkers D. Bobcat (get it?) is assigned to keep the peace with his trusty human partner. But - uh oh - a trove of treasure has been stolen! Help this bumbling cop save the day before catching a dreaded Game Over! This title is, of course, based on the hit Disney Afternoon cartoon. It seems Roger Rabbit was unavailable, so you'll get this bobcat, and you'll like it. Though not as awe-inspiring as some of its prior successes, Capcom's Bonkers does exhibit the right sort of cartoony style mixed with above-average platforming fare. Some of the animations are admittedly amusing, notably the silly donut-throw. Its uncanny linearity and color palette give away the intended audience.

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Hudson - For GENESIS
Mega Bomberman
Action-Puzzle | 8 MEG
Release: March 1995
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Bomberman fans, take heed! One of our favorite competitive titles from the Turbo and SNES has made its way to the Genesis. Mega Bomberman is an excellent strategy puzzler from the good folks at Hudson Soft. It takes everything we love about this series, adds a few notable sprinkles to the mix, and ends up giving Genesis owners a certain treat. One-player mode will have players fend off critters in maze-like areas using bombs of all sorts, while the incredible multiplayer battle option unleashes Bomberman's trademark grudge matches. Players can also use a rideable companion called Louie to add an upgrade like super-speed to the mix. Don't expect much in terms of graphics, though. Strongly recommend it.

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Sunsoft - For GENESIS
Death of Superman
Brawler | 16 MEG
Release: January 1995
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What could that be soaring through the sky? Is it a jumbo jet, or a space shuttle? No, it's...! Yet another average 16-bit superhero cart. Clark Kent has suffered a mortal blow, and it's now up to Superboy, the Eradicator, Cyborg, and the metallic Steel to pick up the pieces. For fans of The Death and Return of Superman comic book, this otherwise forgettable brawler could well be a dream. The rest of us were not so enthused. On the graphical front, we have seen better from Sunsoft. Even their Batman hit from 1990 did not contain as much redundant gameplay. Now, it's not all bad. The background music is well-done, and the four characters do each have their own unique moves. Maybe worth a rental if you're curious or a super nerd.

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Acclaim - For GENESIS
NBA Jam: TE
Sports | 24 MEG
Release: February 1995
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NBA Jam was one of the hottest surprises last year when it began a basketball phenomenon in arcades across the nation. What's so different with NBA Jam: Tournament Edition? Well, this may not be a complete sequel, but a ton has improved since the original cart. The gameplay system had undergone a refurbishment, lessening the odds of catching a goal tending penalty and adding in player substitutions each quarter. With a bit of rest, you'll find Patrick Ewing will be ready to jam, fresh as new. All 27 teams are available to choose from, plus a rookie team with hopefuls like Jason Kidd. Casual fans may brush this off as a retread, but for true fans it's a must-get. This title will be available for both Genesis and SNES.

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Vic Tokai - For SEGA-CD
Flink
Action-Platformer | CD
Release: February 1995
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The rise of fighters in recent years may have overshadowed the once-omnipresent genre of traditional platformers, but the Misadventures of Flink is not a title any gamer should pass up. This disc features a simply staggering degree of color, sprite-based artwork that will make your eyes pop out, and some incredible environmental detail. Flink is a wizard's apprentice searching for spell ingredients to whip up some magic. Help him out by cracking open treasure chests and disbanding tribes of foes in an array of neat-o levels from castle grounds to far-our sky palaces. Prepare for a helping of some CD-quality tunes to accompany your adventure, as well. This lengthy journey is well worth a full purchase for Sega-CD owners.

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Psygnosis - For SEGA-CD
Shadow Beast II
Action-Platformer | CD
Release: December 1994
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You've gone through all the trouble of defeating the Beast Lord's minions and confronting the contemptuous monarch himself, but now Aarbron is forced to reckon with the kidnapping of his kid sister! Despite this cart showing up on the Sega-CD as opposed to the base Genesis, there is not a ton to make it worth your while. The opening sequence is pretty cool, but the graphical style is your standard sprite scene. The CD voices are nice to hear, at least. As for the core gameplay, it may not leave you totally spellbound, but it's solid and challenging platforming action. Thrashing giant monsters is a hefty chore. In fact, it may leave you cursing at the tv set! Take a break by conversing with a guard, even if they're not so nice.

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SEGA - For 32X
Space Harrier
Shooter | 24 MEG
Release: January 1995
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A classic Sega arcade title returns to the scene with Space Harrier. The fun and addictive gameplay of the original cab is here in all of its glory, minus the hydraulic seat. This cart may be a bit divisive for the younger crew out there. Our team has fond memories of guiding this chap named Harri across the screen, blasting your top-grade bazooka and basking in the killer hardware-scaled environments. Feel free to fly up in the air as well but look out for obstacles! One hit and goodbye! Same goes for those pesky trees. Unlike the old Space Harrier II from the early Genesis years, this cart is an exact replica of the original. If you're looking for a nostalgia trip, give it a try. But if you're after the next big thing in high-tech graphics, skip it.

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EA - For 3DO
The Need for Speed
Racing | CD
Release: December 1994
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Are you looking for a title similar to Ridge Racer to hold you over until the next generation finally reaches store shelves? For a taste of that magnificence, try out The Need for Speed, a realistic 3-D racer with graphics that are hot, hot, hot! Speed showcases great racing, and even better collisions. Cruise around the track in your choice of exotic sports car, ranging from the Acura NSX to the Ferrari 512TR, and enjoy feeling the subtle changes in shifting, handling, and acceleration between vehicles. The realism is there, just check out that lifelike horizon line. After checking out a snippet of the real car in action through an FMV clip, take on a computer opponent or race against the clock.

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Atari - For JAGUAR
Iron Soldier
3-D Shooter | 32 MEG
Release: November 1994
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In Atari's Iron Soldier, you control a four-story tall robot and go to town in a slew of Battlezone-esque environments. This life-size tinker toy is a captured soldier from the no-good Iron Fist Corporation, and you must guide it through 16 challenging missions to help stop the corp's dreams of global conquest. The through-the-eyes perspective brings you right up to the action as you explore lands filled with polygonal buildings and smashable enemies. The graphics are well-done, but the controls will take some time to master. Iron Soldier requires simultaneous button and control-pad pressing due to the clumsy Jag joypad. Blast everything before things get too hairy, and enjoy this romp.

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Acclaim - For Game Gear
Itchy & Scratchy
Action-Platformer | 4 MEG
Release: March 1995
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Itchy and Scratchy, the show-within-a-show from The Simpsons, are the headliners in an all-new Game Gear game. This cat and mouse duo fit naturally into the action-platformer mold as one would imagine. Your job, as the titular rodent, is to smash, slash, and incinerate Scratchy before the time runs out. Use an assortment of tools from fiery bazookas to pointy hedge clippers to steadily drawn down Scratchy's energy meter. Munch a hunk of cheese to get a jolt of speed, too. For the Game Gear, this cart is serviceable at best. Players will not get a sense of the laugh out loud humor, nor the over-the-top violence parodied in the cartoon from the mundane animation or grainy graphics, so stick to renting it.

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