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September/October 1993


Konami - For SNES
Zombies
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Action-Shooter | 8 MB | Aug 1993
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Konami delivers a love-letter to the B-Movie Horrors of yore with Zombies Ate My Neighbors, an arcade-style action title available now on Super NES (and soon on Genesis!). Fight off dripping, green zombies, howling werewolves, chainsaw-wielding maniacs, and a wide array of other baddies on your way to rescue the ignorant neighbors from an oh-so-certain doom. Konami has done it again, folks, presenting us an unforgettable, endlessly-replayable cart that's bound to captivate players of all ages. You gotta try the two-player mode for the full experience. Sound and music are fantastic, controls are snappy, and the game's a challenge! A solid winner.

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Nintendo - For SNES
Mario All Stars
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Platformer | 16 MB | Aug 1993
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In celebration of the 100 millionth Mario cart sale, Nintendo has elected to release a compilation of all four 8-bit Super Mario games. You read that right! All four of them, squished into a single worthwhile cart. This Mario collection includes redone versions of Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, 3, and the Japan-only Super Mario game also named Super Mario Bros. 2: A real toughie deemed too tough for American audiences. Whether or not you've played these classics, this variety-pack is sure to blow you away with fun platforming, vibrant colors, and unforgettable, remixed music. Relive the glory days of the NES with this stellar enhancement for SNES owners!

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Capcom - For SNES
SF II Turbo
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Fighting | 20 MB | Aug 1993
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The Street Fighter craze lives on with Capcom's latest offering for the SNES: The brand-new Turbo edition. It seems the visionaries behind the revolutionary fighting-game phenomenon smacking arcades and consoles alike have decided to go all-out. Turbo follows the same plot and general gameplay stylings of its predecessor, only with mounds of extras thrown in. Now you can use new moves, play as previously un-playable boss characters, and, as its namesake implies, play in the super speedy Turbo mode. Genesis owners may have been excited for their upcoming Champion Edition, but we'd be hard pressed to find a worthy challenger.

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Capcom - For SNES
Goof Troop
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Action-Puzzle | 4 MB | Sept 1993
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The Disney Afternoon is back on SNES with Capcom's Goof Troop, a cooperative, top-down action title in the mold of Zelda. Its theme song gives helpful advice: "We'll always stick together!" We strongly recommend playing this adventure with a buddy in its simultaneous two-player mode. Goofy and Max have their own strengths and weaknesses, like Goofy's strength and Max's speed, so having both on-screen at once can save you from a barrel to the face! Much of the game is geared toward a younger audience, but we found some puzzles a bit of a head-scratcher anyway. Gorgeous graphics and great sound design too!

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Hudson - For SNES
Super Bomberman
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Puzzle | 4 MB | Sept 1993
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Straight from the Turbo Duo to the Super NES comes Bomberman, the antenna-wearing bomb-thrower from outer space. Taking shape in an overhead view, the player bombs their way through over 45 stages, exploding unruly foes and finding hidden power-ups. Returning from older titles comes the Bomb Kicker bonus which allows Bomberman the ability to kick bombs down an alleyway, but several new power-ups join it like invisibility skulls and timed detonators. Best of all, with the purchase of the Bomberman Party Pak (ESRP $69.96) you'll also get a Super Multi-Tap for 4 Players! Loads of fun to be had, here.

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U.S. Gold - For GENESIS
Strider Returns
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Action | 8 MB | Sept 1993
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Since the success of the well-received Genesis port of Strider, many fans had high hopes for future titles. We at PPM were ecstatic to learn of a sequel in development. Yet, the final product is lacking in more areas than one. Strider Returns was not created by the same developers as the original, and once that fact is known everything comes into focus. The graphics took a nose-dive from Strider's 1990 outing, the controls feel somewhat sloppy, and the action is merely so-so. An abundance of digitized voices is a pleasant treat, however. Rent it if you're a die-hard fan of the ninja platformer, otherwise steer clear and replay the original.

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Sega - For GENESIS
Shinobi III
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Action | 8 MB | Sept 1993
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Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master comes to Sega Genesis with more challenging action than ever before. The Neo-Zeed criminal syndicate is taking over! Only Shinobi can take them on, sword in-hand. We found the latest entry in this beloved series much improved over 1991's Shadow Dancer in nearly every way (see, Strider II, you CAN improve upon a great title!) Players will discover smoother action scrolling, stronger bosses, new attacks, and some killer riding segments to boot. The premier Sega Ninja gets our vote of confidence, and we can say without a doubt it's worth a look or two, or three.

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Sunsoft - For GENESIS
Aero the Acro-Bat
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Action | 8 MB | August 1993
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Move over Sonic (and Bubsy.. and Sparkster...) here comes the official Sunsoft mascot, Aero the Acro-Bat!, in his very own 16-bit adventure on the Genesis. Aero is a nimble circus bat, capable of launching himself with an aerial drill attack and shooting star-shaped weapons at his many enemies. Stopping the nefarious Edgar Ektor from ruining our big-top fun is this batty hero's mission. So, Aero, what separates you from the furry competition? Beyond the flashy character design and amusing level arrangements, we struggle to come up with an answer. A commendable first foray, indeed - but we hope for more in the inevitable sequel!

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Arena - For GENESIS
Mortal Kombat
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Fighting | 8 MB | Sept 1993
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The arcade smash hit comes to a living room near you courtesy of two splendid console ports. Acclaim released their somewhat controversial interpretation of Mortal Kombat on SNES, bringing forth groans of disappointment from fans due to its lack of blood and gore. Worry not, with a special code, blood and gore can be unlocked in the Arena translation on Genesis! It's all there, just as you remember. Some voice samples are a bit choppy and the graphics are noticeably lesser quality than the original, but the Genesis version, with a six-button controller, easily surpasses the SNES'. "Get over here!" and play it today.

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Success - For TG16-CD
Cotton
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Shooter | CD | June 1993
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A redheaded witch on a broomstick launching magical attacks on mutants, zombies, and dragons? No, you're not lost somewhere in Oz, you've made to the world of Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams available now on Turbo Duo. This is a console version of a Japanese-only arcade title, and the two versions seem to differ very little. Players take the role of Cotton, a young witch set out on a mission to defeat monsters and recollect her favored Willow candy. It's you versus the world in Cotton, since everything is trying to kill you! Her flight may be charming and colorful, but it sure ain't easy. Practice hard, it's addictive!

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Acclaim - For Game Boy
Mortal Kombat
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Fighting | 2 MB | Sept 1993
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Squeezing the complex graphics and arcade action of Mortal Kombat onto the tiny, green and white Game Boy screen must not have been an easy task. Acclaim certainly appeared to give it their best shot, and the result is... well, maybe a good enough job considering the limitations. Move varieties for all available characters are present minus Johnny Cage, but the blood is nowhere to be found, the animation is horrendously sluggish, fighter sounds are totally absent, and the controls are limited to the A and B face buttons. It may be a technical marvel, but we think Game Boy owners may emerge disappointed and ask for a return.

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Arena - For Game Gear
Mortal Kombat
Game Type | Game Size | Release
Fighting | 4 MB | Sept 1993
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Now, if you're looking for Mortal Kombat in a portable form without sacrificing too much of the original arcade flare, our recommendation is to hit up Arena's Game Gear version straight away. The graphics are commendable (blood included!) and the controls are mostly responsive and accurate as they ought to be. All of the fighters aside from Kano are here to choose from - Don't ask us why Kano missed the memo, maybe he had a dentist appointment! Sound design is not great, lacking notably in the voice department but still a cut above the Game Boy edition. For a condensed Kombat-lite, pick up this cart before taking a long car trip.

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