PyroPlayers Magazine - PPM Reviews

GENESIS

Pocahontas

Disney Int Funcom

Act-Platformer Release: March 1996
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

Play as the Disney-fied interpretation of the historical Native American heroine Pocahontas in the same-named game on Genesis. Seeking to capture the basic story elements of the animated film, whilst making the package accessible to younger games players, Funcom devs crafted a different kind of action-platformer. As Pocahontas and her raccoon companion Meeko, traverse the deep forest and help save critters in danger. There are no monsters to fight. In truth, there is no fighting at all! This game is one-hundred percent puzzle and exploration. Saving an animal will unlock new spirit powers, like a quick speed boost upon helping a troubled deer. Putting aside unexciting gameplay, the controls are the real hindrance, here. Think Prince of Persia stiffness, made worse with sluggish input lag. Not worth much for those above age 6.

GENESIS

Spot: Hollywood

Virgin Interactive Eurocom

Act-Platformer Release: December 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Who would have imagined a red circle on a soda can would become so popular? Virgin Interactive's unexpected smash hit Cool Spot makes his long-awaited return in Spot Goes To Hollywood. This sequel is an all-new platformer/puzzler with similar light-hearted overtones to that of the first game. In perhaps the most critical change that may make-or-break Spot for picky players, the traditional side perspective shifted to the more controversial 3/4ths overhead. As in previous entries, Cool Spot must rescue his fellow, er.. spots from imprisonment and reach the exit to continue onward. This cart's control method is touchy and not without its moments of frustration, predominantly due to the new viewing angle, which may overshadow the rest of the adventure. The score sadly lacks the oomph often sought after by Sega fans.

GENESIS

Maui Mallard

Disney Interactive

Act-Platformer Release: December 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Thus far limited to its exclusivity through Sega Channel, Maui Mallard is yet another excellent landmark for Disney Interactive on the Genesis. Maui, a detective character played not-so-subtly by Donald Duck, is undergoing a quest for the missing, evil-dispelling idol of Shabuhm Shabuhm. To track down this ancient artifact, you must leap through all corners of danger from surrealist locales to faux paradises. You begin with a mere bug-launching pistol at your side, but soon transform into Cold Shadow, Maui's ninja alter ego, who uses a staff as a hearty short-range weapon. Collect ninja tokens throughout each stage to improve Shadow's strength and combo chain ability. DI exhibits their creativity in this unique twist to the typical platformer, as well as with detailed, non-linear stage design and appreciated elements of humor.

GENESIS

Gargoyles

Buena Vista Disney Interactive

Act-Platformer Release: November 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Disney Interactive's Gargoyles is a surprise winner on Genesis! Not to get too ahead of ourselves, Gargoyles, for those not in-the-know, is a Disney Afternoon cartoon about a team of nocturnal crime-fighters that turn to stone in the daytime. The DI team successfully captured the spirit and atmosphere of the television show, delivering first and foremost brilliant art and animation. The titular heroes, straight from the toon, impressively attack their foes and use all modes of abilities, from wall-scaling to double-jumping. The dim locales are a treat to explore. Busting through glass as a stone creature never looked so cool! On the downside, Gargoyles sadly allows mandatory damage in many spots weighing it down, especially during boss fights. Play control can be somewhat spotty, too. Worth a certain try.

GENESIS

Garfield

Sega Sega InterActive

Act-Platformer Release: November 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

The world's most beloved, lasagna-eating, Monday-hating feline is making his way to the Genesis courtesy of Sega InterActive. Garfield: Caught in the Act is your standard action-platformer based on a well-known license. You control the titular cat, who managed to get sucked into the world of late-night television alongside his puppy pal Odie. Travel in side-scrolling fashion, swipe at nasty enemies, and pick up items like hamburgers to replenish your health. We do commend the animations on this cart, which are admittedly pretty solid for the Genesis, but even fans of the comic strip will find Garfield creatively void and cumbersome with poor play control and incessant hits. Levels are short and the devs only programmed in around six of them, so think twice about purchasing, or even renting, this one.

GENESIS

Separation Anxiety

Acclaim SoftCreations

Brawler Release: November 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Separation Anxiety is a stealth sequel to last year's rather infamous Maximum Carnage. Back for more, the evil symbiote Carnage is up against our heroes Spider-Man and Venom. Fight through an assortment of Final Fight-type stages, which often feel quite repetitive with almost-identical backdrops and clones of enemies. For a brawler, this cart sorely misses the mark on the fun scale. Street fighting via constant button-mashing with a jumping dodge thrown in here-and-there has aged like milk. To make matters worse, you can usually only can take a step or two before another roaming gang of criminals reappear to strike our heroes. Boring graphics void of special effects and a baffling lack of cutscenes makes Separation Anxiety feel more suited to a late NES entry than a competitor to something modern like Vectorman.

GENESIS

Toy Story

DisneyInt Traveller's Tales

Adventure Release: November 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

The artistry of 3-D computer rendering has officially reached a new landmark achievement thanks to the animation wizards at Disney. While the movie commands stunning figures at the box office, the home video game on Genesis impresses much the same. Rendered graphics make this title a certain sight to behold as you follow the trials of rival toys Buzz Lightyear and Woody. All throughout the 18 levels of Toy Story, players will take on numerous challenges from standard platforming segments to overhead racing levels. The variety in gameplay styles is great to see from Disney Interactive, and the lighthearted feel makes this an easy choice for both young and old. How the developers captured the 3-D feel of this flick on the base Genesis is totally nuts, keeping in tradition of the likewise fun of Aladdin.

GENESIS

Light Crusader

Sega Treasure

Act-RPG Release: October 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Treasure, the all-star company behind Dynamite Headdy and Gunstar Heroes, worked at-length to studiously create the definitive action role-player on Genesis. And on that, the company's rave experience may be overstated. It's always a welcome sight to discover an RPG on Sega, and even more so one with an intriguing story and nice-looking graphics. This release uses an isometric viewpoint along the lines of Landstalker, which will take time to get used to. The 3/4ths perspective means strictly diagonal movement, making for some control issues. Most puzzles are shallow and easy to sort out, such as igniting an explosive barrel to open a passageway. Fighting can be somewhat repetitive unless you forget your sword and spar with magic. Kudos to the sound design team for an uplifting musical score.

GENESIS

Vectorman

Sega BlueSky

Adventure Release: October 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Showcasing groundbreaking special effects and fast-paced shooting action for the Sega Genesis, Vectorman proves that 16-Bit has some life in it yet. This platform game stars a morphing hero, an "orbot", who seeks to return to earth to restore peace following a nuclear threat from the sinister Raster. You are armed with a standard laser shot at first, and later have the capability to upgrade to a rapid-fire cannon and three-way gun. Vectorman boasts an ability to morph into a racecar, a drill, and much more to navigate treacherous stages. Play control is top-notch, the sound work will rock your speakers, and special effects like simulated lighting is quite nice. Best of all, the levels are giant with both horizontal and vertical areas to explore. It's awe-inspiring to see the Genesis can impress after six years.

GENESIS

Scooby-Doo

Acclaim Sunsoft

Adventure Release: September 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

Scooby-Doo Mystery from Sunsoft and Acclaim is out now for Sega Genesis and SNES. Like the myriad of PC adventure games out on the market, the gameplay of Scooby consists of guiding the characters from room to room, clicking on options like "Look" and "Use" to make progress. The two overarching mysteries in this title have their fair share of brain teasers, though veterans of this genre will solve the puzzles in a cinch. Scooby's plotlines and visuals are borrowed straight from the TV series. You even get to unmask the bad guy at the end! Unfortunately, the graphics are a bit weak on the base Genesis system and the simplistic, albeit humorous, quests are way too short.

GENESIS

Weaponlord

Namco VC

Fighter Release: September 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Hard

Namco tried its hands at something new with Weaponlord, a traditional one-on-one fighter, but the developers may have focused on the wrong aspects. The fighting techniques in this cart are a fresh change of pace, surely, with clever offensive counters and guard drops. In most other areas, Weaponlord suffers rather miserably. Semi-decent character art is squashed to bits by grainy graphics, a limited roster begs for some more creativity, and shockingly choppy movement animation makes play control a tiresome endeavor. The choppiness is such an issue, in fact, that despite knowing all the commands to pull off combos, the computer player is built too fast for a fair fight to be had. We recommend a pass on this disappointment.

GENESIS

Primal Rage

Time Warner Probe

Fighter Release: September 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Intermediate

Re-configured for home console is Primal Rage, the epic prehistoric firefall from arcade fame. Each of the original fighters have successfully made the journey to Genesis, their many blistering special moves and combos well in-tact. The Genesis itself, however, appears to struggle to pull off the translation despite programmers' best efforts. Movement stutters prevent the Sea edition of PR from reaching its potential greatness. Sprites are colorful and recognizable despite their small size, plus the backgrounds are nice and vibrant, yet the play control simply doesn't cut it. Pressing upwards of four buttons plus the directional pad makes one wish for an earnest joystick. We do commend the lovely, spine-shattering sound fx.

GENESIS

Toughman Contest

EA High Score

Boxing Release: July 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Intermediate

EA bursts back onto the fighting scene with its boxing delight, Toughman Contest. The developers styled this game after the same-named amateur competition, starring the oh-so-charismatic Butterbean Esch on the cover. Fight it out in the ring against an assortment of fictitious opponents, utilizing fourteen special punches in over-the-shoulder matches to attain victory. The player character is represented by a green wireframe, making this package a direct look-a-like to the arcade version of Punch-Out!!. On the upside, the humorous background animations are neat, and the enemy AI is smart enough to pose a challenge. And yet, the short length of fighting rounds and hollow strategy often left us wanting more.

GENESIS

Exosquad

Playmates Novotrade

Action-Platformer Release: July 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Brought to consoles by Novotrade International, ExoSquad is an all-new action title based on the eponymous cartoon series. It all kicks off with some rather wonderful cinemas to raise hype levels, but, alas, the shift to gameplay is such a letdown! ES showcases a jumble of various gameplay stylings, including side-scroller and first-person shooter segments. As the old saying goes, "Jack of all trades, but master of none." These play mechanics sorely needed some fine tuning prior to release. This cart's graphics are rather ghastly as well, perhaps even 8-Bit. None of these ruin the game, per se, yet between frustrating controls (or lack, thereof) and simplistic visuals, seek fun elsewhere.

GENESIS

Judge Dredd

Acclaim Probe

Action-Platformer Release: June 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Intermediate

JD is less powerful on Genesis, but still a remarkably similar experience. Delve into a post-apocalyptic world with large levels filled with tricky areas to reach, puzzle-like situations. This one sports good graphics, realistic special effects, and standard Genesis musical stylings (far inferior to the SNES, per usual). Playability is where the main difference lies. Play control takes a hit in this version, making the game all-around tougher for all the wrong reasons. Acclaim still manages to create a decent title from a movie license, so kudos are deserved regardless. We only wish this one was above decent, forgoing the unnecessary degree of patience and timing required to beat up nasty bosses.

GENESIS

The Ooze

Sega Sega TI

Action-Strategy Release: May 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

It's The Ooze! Straight from Sega of America comes an all-new curiosity developed exclusively for the Genesis. Far from another run-of-the-mill title, the concept behind Ooze is an innovative one. You play as an amoeba-type mass capable of stretching its body out in multiple directions to absorb enemies. Once you do so, the ooze will grow in size. The objective is to swallow-up as many baddies as you can, pile-on the strength additives, and extend your playfield both vertically as well as horizontally. Tackling bosses will require a bit of strategy, such as the power generator in the first world, but the difficulty level is not too severe. Fun for an afternoon yet somewhat mediocre for Sega TI.

GENESIS

Skeleton Krew

Core Design

Action-Platformer Release: April 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Skeleton Krew is kick ass. If you've played and relished the manic fun of Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Contra, this title from Core Design is right up your alley. In the ultimate fight for survival against a city plagued by the hellish DEAD Inc. and their mutant army, it's either destroy or be destroyed. SK is an above-average, fast-paced shooter with a supremely dark aesthetic and an original pseudo-3D presentation. Ammo and bombs are unlimited, and the foes are aplenty. You can figure out the rest. Two-player simultaneous mode is a joy, reducing any shred of monotony one may experience. Our team found this a ton of fun for an afternoon (or two, or three -Jet) of playtime.

GENESIS

Saturday Slam

Capcom

Sports-Fighter Release: January 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Easy

Capcom finally decided to bring its beloved wrestling fighter to home consoles. Saturday Slam Masters is 32 Megs of brawling bliss. Competently mimicking the style and impact of the arcade version, this port should satisfy wrestling fans chomping at the bit for a console iteration. Fight it out in the ring with a slew of characters and modes to pick from. Of its mode variety is Death Match, in which wrestlers must battle in a barbed wire ring filled with throwable items like bottles, tables, and chairs. Graphic-wise, Slam Masters is as clean and colorful as ever. SF2 players will pick this up fast, no doubt due to how similar those special moves are executed. A well-done conversion, but not much new elsewise.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Desert Demolition

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: February 1995

Desert Demolition works to bring to the forefront beloved Looney Tunes characters, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner. Essentially two games in one, players have the option to select either toon, then run rampant in a select assortment of platform stages. Wile E. must use his ACME tools like rocket skates and cannon launchers to capture Road Runner, while the bird is tasked with escaping at high-speed. We appreciate the innovativeness and adore the classic Warner Bros. humor at play, not to mention the crisp and colorful sprite animations, though it all gets a bit routine rather fast. The six levels for each toon are somewhat short and easy, and the music only kicks in sporadically. Rent it.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Ecco Jr.

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: April 1995

Sega's lovable aqua mammal takes an all-new direction with Ecco Jr., a younger sibling of sorts to the oft-celebrated Genesis series. From the get-go, it must be stated that this title is definitively made for kids - just spot that "Sega Club" branding on the box. Nevertheless, Ecco Jr. looks and feels an awful lot like previous entries. The ocean scenes are beautiful as ever, exhibiting breathtaking visuals and smooth animations. As for gameplay, Ecco is relegated to simple tasks like finding lost eggs and playing hide and seek. No fighting, no drama, and no time limit to staying underwater. In case the simplistic play style did not give it away, the manual being part coloring book ought to do it.

Acclaim - For GENESIS

Stargate

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: March 1995

Right off the bat, let us say players who enjoyed the likes of Super Star Wars will almost certainly have fun in Probe Entertainment's Stargate on Genesis. As the story goes, after Colonel Jack O'Neal passes through the ancient and mysterious Stargate, he comes face-to-face with an alien world enslaved by the nefarious Ra. O'Neal must free the oppressed of this land as well as his own soldiers! This is another side-scrolling affair. Explore a diverse selection of levels, collecting supplies and locating the kidnapped Marines, dealing with nasty beasties along the way. The rotoscoped graphics were pleasant, but the funky controls certainly were not. What a chore! It's fine, but we've all seen better.

U.S. Gold - For GENESIS

Izzy's Quest

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: April 1995

Those Summer 1996 Olympic Games may seem a ways off, but for Izzy, the urgency is here and now! Izzy is the mascot set up to help market the upcoming Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, and in this licensed cart from U.S. Gold, the little creature must search the vast Torch World to collect the five Olympic Rings before he runs out of time. This sub-standard action-platformer is what most players may expect from the genre. It features a handful of multicolored stages, a few power-ups and collectable items, and a cuddly main character. Judging by its simplistic difficulty level and silly soundtrack, our take is that this title is aimed squarely at youngsters. This is no DKC. But it is wholesome.

SEGA - For GENESIS

X-Men 2

Action-Brawler | 16 MEG

Release: February 1995

Comic book fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief: It's a solid game, this time! X-Men 2: Clone Wars from Headgames and Sega is a brawler-type side-scroller that utterly and completely blows its predecessor away. Play as one of six X-Men, from Wolverine to Gambit, and use their mutant powers to annihilate all that stands in their path. It showcases tasty graphics with fine detail, expressive sound effects, great character animations, and an enjoyable sort of action. Controls are easy to pick up, too. No need to learn wacky, Street Fighter-like combos to pull off moves like in the recent SNES iteration. We consider this the best comic book adaptation in a long time. Sunsoft should take notes.

EA - For GENESIS

Road Rash 3

Racing | 16 MEG

Release: February 1995

EA's Road Rash is a staple in the racing genre of games. Unlike your more traditional racers like Super Monaco GP, RR proudly declares itself immune to standardized rules. Road Rash 3 is a marked step-up from the prior two entries on Genesis. It sports realistic background settings, five brand-new types of weapons, seven novel tracks, and enough bloody violence to satisfy even the most angsty teenager. Oh, did we neglect to mention that? Players can physically thrash competitors and inflict bodily damage with no penalties. Now, if you have yet to be spoiled by the excellence of the 3DO version of RR, this will dazzle you. Otherwise, it may seem a touch stale and out-of-date.

Hudson - For GENESIS

Mega Bomberman

Action-Puzzle | 8 MEG

Release: March 1995

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.

Sunsoft - For GENESIS

Death of Superman

Brawler | 16 MEG

Release: January 1995

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.

Acclaim - For GENESIS

NBA Jam: TE

Sports | 24 MEG

Release: February 1995

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.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Phantasy Star IV

Role-Playing | 24 MEG

Release: February 1995

It's been one thousand years since Algo was under threat by Mother Brain and Dark Force. The planet of Motavia is in danger once more and it's up to a lowly party of heroes to save the day! This title features an intriguing storyline with an assortment of well-developed characters. Battle animations are splendid, full-screen cinemas are eye-popping, and the soundtrack is A-plus work. In the gameplay arena, little has evolved or improved since previous entries appeared on the Genesis, giving the impression to some of an outdated cart. Our team would argue this is one of the best RPGs released yet by Sega with dozens of hours of adventuring to be had. Next to FF III, however...

SEGA - For GENESIS

Ristar

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: February 1995

Hot on the heels of Dynamite Headdy, Sega is determined to manufacture yet another child-friendly mascot. Meet Ristar, a meteoric hero making his auspicious debut in a pretty top-shelf platformer. Its spritework is impressive, there is no shortage of neat-o special effects, and the play mechanics are loads of fun, too! Use Ristar's stretchy arms to grab baddies, climb up walls, or swing from vines a la Tarzan. Best of all, stage designs are totally unique and require a dose of brainpower to work out: An absolute rarity for platform games these days. Speaking of whic, those projectile-throwing lobsters in the undertow level deserve a mention. No Sonic speed to be found, but otherwise about perfect.

SoftCreate - For GENESIS

The Tick

Brawler-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: December 1994

Starring the giant, 700lb superhero from the popular Saturday morning cartoon series, The Tick has arrived with his very own Genesis (and SNES) game. As much as we do enjoy the toon, this title is sorely lacking in a number of key areas. Gameplay, mainly confined to a brawler/platformer format, is hardly varied as the levels play on endlessly. This cart's animation is extremely poor, evidence of a rushed job, which is disappointing considering The Tick's fluid movements on TV. We got a real kick out of the voice sampling, however, which includes vocals taken directly from the original cartoon. For fans of the show, this cart may be worth a rental, but we would advise all others stay far away.

Konami - For GENESIS

Animaniacs

Puzzle-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: November 1994

It's time for Animaniacs! Is this game zany to the max? Featuring a style strongly reminiscent of The Lost Vikings, Animaniacs from Konami is as exactly as odd as the titular cartoon. Join Yakko, Wakko, and Dot as they platform abound a variety of set pieces and sort out silly puzzles. Depending on the task at hand, you may need to swap siblings to better suit the situation, which at times can be a tad clumsy and result in otherwise avoidable hits. We appreciated how faithful this was to the WB toon as far as the humorous presentation and level design goes. Considering the high energy pace of the Warners, our team expected a Buster Busts Loose, but this was fine. A good choice for kids, anyway.

Sammy - For GENESIS

Viewpoint

Shooter | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

Viewpoint is an isometric shooting game with some rather superb graphics. It was impressive back in '92 when this baby released on the NeoGeo (at a far higher Mb count), and it is doubly impressive to see it out on the Genesis sans an SVP chip or add-on device. These devs managed to stuff that entire package down to a measly 16 MEG. Now, that does come with its usual drawbacks. The 3-D-like graphics are not as sharp or colorful, the soundtrack took a notable ding in quality, and the game is plagued with a consistent slowdown. Nevertheless, the core of Viewpoint remains a winner. In an era increasingly dominated by fighters, we at PPM always enjoy a stellar shooter when we see one.

Acclaim - For GENESIS

Wolverine

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

The Acclaim-published Wolverine: Adamantium Rage is available now on the Sega Genesis. If you, like us, were once enthralled with the hardcore aesthetic and brutality of the X-Men Comics from Marvel, you may be tempted to go out and purchase this action-platformer. Sure, the graphics as shown in screenshots do appear to do the character justice, and c'mon - it's Wolverine, the baddest superhero of them all! Yet the game itself is a disappointment. Play control is sloppy and the assortment of moves are weak. Wolverine will take tons of instant hits without much chance to dodge. Only a single life to complete the whole adventure, too. Save your controller from an inevitable wall-throw and skip this.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Ecco: Tides of Time

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

Sega and Novotrade's high-flying dolphin buddy swims back to our hearts in Ecco 2: The Tides of Time. Journeying below the water's surface never looked so beautiful as in this cart. Gorgeous colors grace your TV screen, practically leaping from the set as easy as this dolphin jumps from the sea. The gameplay is fun and varied. You'll go from traversing transparent tubes on one screen to jumping through rings in 3-D environments. Ecco can also transform into various creatures like a seagull to avoid detection - a handy trick! Some players may dislike the harder quests in Ecco 2, which are pretty much given without guidance or direction. If the original caught your (fish)eye, this is a no-brainer!

Konami - For GENESIS

Sparkster

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

Returning for a second run is Sparkster, the jetpack-clad possum from the spectacular plat- oh wait we said that already. Yes, Rocket Knight 2 comes to Genesis as well, and to our surprise, the Sega version is easily the better choice. Join the valiant marsupial Sparkster as he embarks on a journey to save his home world of Eginasem from evil forces. Konami delivered to Genesis players pinpoint-accurate play control, awesome special effects, super cool bosses, and an overall absolutely intense experience. Platform games are nothing new to games players nowadays, but the clever programmers behind Sparkster have just about perfected the formula. Treasure ought to look out!

Sunsoft - For GENESIS

Zero Squirrel

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

Zero: The Kamikaze Squirrel is your standard 16-Bit action-platformer with an acorn's worth of uniqueness thrown in. Zero is Aero the Acrobat's nemesis. Just like Wario before him, this bad dude is starring in his very own game. While we critiqued Aero upon release for doldrum gameplay and slippery play control, Zero has thankfully remedied some of these issues. Use martial arts techniques to overcome the baddies, whipping butt with throwing stars and a neat-o nunchaku. Iguana Entertainment has included a bunch of fun bonus levels, too! The only downsides here lie with some tricky platforming and a subpar heavy metal-ish soundtrack. We say rent this one first and decide for yourself.

Viacom - For GENESIS

Beavis and Butthead

Puzzle-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

Quit it, Fartknocker! Beavis and Butthead may not be the finest example of quality entertainment, but the two MTV stars have nonetheless shown up to cause some havoc on the Genesis. Your mission: Make it to the GWAR concert on time. To accomplish this, players must solve a jumble of puzzles, collect ticket pieces, and use your nasty offensive tactics to clear the way when necessary. This cart's graphical style is straight from the television show - warts and all. The gameplay is so-so, nothing revolutionary, but this one ain't no walk in the park. Some of the puzzle-solving elements can be a head-scratcher, so figuring them out may lead for long play sessions. Not for younger players.

Interplay - For GENESIS

Boogerman

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

Prepare to be plucked! Fans of the gross-out genre will have a hoot and holler with Interplay's ultra-nasty Boogerman, a title exclusive to the Genesis. This noxious superhero attacks enemies with a barrage of nauseating attacks, from booger-flicking to atomic burps. So-called "butt blasts" were added to this array as well. Gather up capes for energy and milk for spit power-ups as you help guide Boogerman down five massive worlds. Now, we can tell these programmers put their heart and soul in this one. The presentation is a parallel dimension's Aladdin. The graphics convey the nastiness intended, the sound effects are disgusting, and the game plays just fine. No need to hold your nose!

Accolade - For GENESIS

Bubsy 2

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

Oh, hairballs! Bubsy is back and, erm, not precisely better than ever. Bubsy the Bobcat, the King of Mediocrity, stumbles back onto Genesis and SNES courtesy of Accolade. This cat has scored a new position leading tour groups around a far-out museum called the Amazatorium. Bubsy 2 will have players exploring the wings of this facility in search of the big bad guy, Oinker P. Hamm. Indeed, the story is quite dull, as is the full game. Out of the many platformers available today, most of which with superior graphics and engaging gameplay, there is no need to consider picking this up. Be sure to check out the latest Slime of the Season to see a bit more of our thoughts on this hairbrained sequel.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Shining Force II

Strategy Role-Playing | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

Marketing for this much-awaited sequel claims, "Evil shines darkest before dawn." We have no clue what this means, but we're huge fans of Sega's brilliant Shining Force series anyway! II improves upon a number of facets of the original. Start from the bottom and build experience through tactical warfare, recruiting a customizable 25-30-person army in the process. From mages to knights, each of the named characters are entertaining and imaginative, although the overarching, lackluster story does run at a snail's pace. Stellar battle scenes, too! Force II is a major toughie, however, so we would restrict our recommendation to experienced players.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Sonic & Knuckles

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

Sonic & Knuckles is the heavily marketed Genesis release hitting department stores as we type these words. For all intents and purposes, this could be termed "Sonic 3.5" and it would remain just as accurate. The cart itself contains seven additional, tougher levels to complete the story of Sonic 3, although on first glance this package merely appears a minor expansion to 3. More interestingly, you can also unlock the full potential of S&K by trying out Sega's all-new Lock-On technology, a fancy term for plugging either Sonic 3 or Sonic 2 into the top of this cart to expand on those two games with Knuckles-infused action! That alone deserves commendation.

Sony - For GENESIS

Mickey Mania

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

Take a trip through Disney history courtesy of Sony Imagesoft in Mickey Mania. Available on both Sega Genesis and the Sega CD, Mania exhibits a totally unexpected rockstar experience in what appeared at first a mundane side-scroller. Play through seven legendary Mickey cartoons with Sony's top-notch graphical touches. Forget those old Mickey Mouse games, Mania blows them out of the water. Featuring incredible animation taken straight from the TV screen in partnership with a fantastic soundtrack and voice clips, fans of the Mouse cannot afford to miss this one. Not to mention, pin-point accurate controls. Players of all ages ought to give it a go!

Acclaim - For GENESIS

Mortal Kombat II

Fighter | 24 MEG

Release: September 1994

Time for Sega players to thrash opponents to a pulp in the Genesis conversion of Mortal Kombat II. Compared to the original, MK II exceeds expectations with an abundance of new combos, all twelve fighters, and some deadly stages. Carnage is sure to ensue as tournament competitors battle their mortal nemeses to the point of fatality! Play control is on-point with the six-button joypad. And yet, this cart feels a touch unfinished. Some colors and background pieces are missing, and the sound is downright crud. Where are the digitized voice effects and announcements? Players with both home consoles are advised to choose the more complete SNES copy for a full-on arcade experience.

Playmates - For GENESIS

Earthworm Jim

Action-Platformer | 24 MEG

Release: October 1994

The Jim has landed! One of the galaxy's bravest superheroes is... an earthworm?! Indeed, Earthworm Jim from Playmates and Shiny Entertainment is an undeniable pick for ingenious innovation. The Animotion technique from David Perry is downright gorgeous. An abundance of stylized creatures looks right out of a fresh cartoon for the 90s. Ten topsy-turvy levels take Jim from a sprawling, fiery underworld to a seriously warped laboratory. Whip enemies up close or use the eight-directional blaster to take 'em out from a distance. EJ looks fantastic, controls perfectly, and is rife with raunchy humor. Talk about raising the bar for an entire genre of video games! Well done.

Konami - For GENESIS

Contra Hard Corps

Shooter-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

Contra returns to the gaming landscape with Hard Corps on Genesis! Listen, Konami, we need to have a talk. Our crew loves the pure Contra action you chose to instill in this cart. With four playable characters and power-ups aplenty, we know players will trek through the twelve chaotic stages over and over again. We even commend you for the astounding effects programmed into Hard Corps, including pseudo-3-D scaling and rotation. And yet, did you have to take the name so literally? This game is hard as nails! So many bullets and objects fly at you from all angles, it's easy to get hit and lose a life. Test your skills if you dare, reader, this one epitomizes frustration.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Dynamite Headdy

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

The developers behind the wicked Gunstar Heroes are back with a zippy platformer on the Genesis. Dynamite Headdy features an alien-looking character rife with attitude and a desire to kick butt! This is an absolute top action-platform game, made so through buttery-smooth animation, a healthy dollop of humor, and a unique ability to change your head to gain new superpowers. Put on a hammer-head to smash blocks to smithereens, or a speedy-head for speed so fast it'll shock a hedgehog! Some of the special effects are impressive for the Genesis as well, including rotating platforms and obstacles. This cart is a colorful treat which is sure to entertain.

PFM - For GENESIS

Ballz 3D

Fighter | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

What rolls down the stairs alone or in pairs.. oh, never mind. It's Ballz 3D, the exceptionally bizarre fighting game brought to the Sega Genesis by PF Magic. These blokes put a whole new spin on the worn-out head-to-head fighter genre by crafting their creatures in a novel manner. The fighters are not humans, nor aliens, nor turtles. As the title implies, they are all made up of animated ballz! Each sphere-based fighter has their own personality despite lacking facial features, like a strong-man or a climbing monkey. Enjoy brawls in a giant arena, complete with a background screen to catalog the violence. Fighting fans should rent a copy and try this out.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Taz: Escape

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

These Loony Tunes seem to be all over the gaming landscape these days! Taz: Escape from Mars has arrived courtesy of HeadGames and is meant to act as a sequel for the extraordinarily dull Taz-Mania. The gameplay in Taz 2 is a step above the likes of its predecessor, but nowhere close to Buster Busts Loose or even Sylvester. Players will find sub-standard platforming, simplistic graphics, and immense frustration in this package. Why is that Stage 3 boss so impossibly difficult? On the upside, precision play control is done rather well, and the variety of cartoon music is decent enough. Overall, lackluster gameplay makes this one a certain pass in our book.

US GOLD - For GENESIS

The Incredible Hulk

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: July 1994

In iconic comic book form, the Hulk smashes square onto your Sega Genesis courtesy of US Gold. This exciting action title puts you in the role of Bruce Banner as you traverse five large levels to take down Leader and his hoard of mutant minions. Rhino and Abomination will need to be taken care of. Smash your way through with an assortment of moves, from a powerful headbutt to a nasty death squeeze. Discovering alternate routes is a grand time as well. Hulk demonstrates a crisp and colorful graphical style on top of decent sprite animation and level design. We found this a solid platformer overall, and miles above similar comic-based offerings in the past.

TechM - For GENESIS

Sylvester

Puzzle-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: June 1994

Back at his old tricks again, Sylvester is more eager than ever to finally chomp down on his nemesis: Tweety. In Sylvester and Tweety in Cagey Capers from TecMagik, players will control the titular cat in a range of zany puzzles and toon environments. Character animations are done rather splendidly, as if ripped straight from the WB studio, but boy are these backgrounds ugly. Jumping from platform to platform (ie, a platformer -Jet) is no easy task and will leave some players reaching for the plug. We appreciate the use of ACME products to ward off predators, and the stacking mechanic was fine enough. Still, at best this cart is a decent weekend rental.

GameTek - For GENESIS

Zool

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: February 1994

A tiny gremlin named Zool: The Nina of the Nth Dimension is wreaking havoc on both Super NES and Genesis. This quick ninja may not have become Amiga's star mascot to rival the likes of Super Mario and Sonic, but this speed demon has finally burst onto the console scene. Zool's rainbow-colored journey across 28 levels is a bit of a mixed bag, chiefly due to its slippery-as-ice play control and lousy level layouts. Zipping around these stages is rough with this many tiny baddies to ruin the fun. The graphical style screams '92 Amiga, garish colors well in-tow. The years have not been kind. Well, except for Zool's downright awesome techno jams.

Virgin - For GENESIS

The Jungle Book

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: July 1994

Virgin has returned with a new adaptation of the classic Kipling story, The Jungle Book. Having proven their worth with gems like Cool Spot and Aladdin, Virgin Games acquired a bit of weight to their name and set new platforming standards. JB resembles some of that same spark, utilizing fantastic sprite animation, grade-A play control, and music straight from the film. Levels are huge, so much so that you could get yourself lost! We did agonize over some repetitive sound effects, especially Mowgli's loud yelp, and prepare for "Bear Necessities" to be scarred into your brain. Overall, good Disney fun for players of all ages.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Streets of Rage 3

Brawler | 24 MEG

Release: July 1994

Our favorite Genesis brawler is here for another go-around, courtesy of some brilliant Sega programmers. It's back to dangerous downtown in Streets of Rage 3. Much like its famed predecessors, Rage 3 espouses superb, addictive gameplay with remarkable character animation. The scenarios are as wacky as ever, from tackling ninjas in a bar to battling a clan of motorcyclists, and with four fighters you can unlock four endings! Your moves will be plentiful (use the 6-Button gamepad!) and much-needed to take down armies of evil thugs. We discovered momentary slowdown, and boy was this soundtrack awful, but otherwise this is on par with 2.

Data East - For GENESIS

OutRunners

Racing | 16 MEG

Release: July 1994

Move over, Virtua Racing, here comes OutRunners!. We kid, we kid. Sega and Data East have teamed up to release a home port of this sit-down racing hit, complete with a wide selection of cars to choose from with varying statistics. Play solo against the computer or head-to-head in two-player competition in this rubber burnin' funfest. Our only gripe is the forced split-screen visual, a cluttering feature that sticks around even when playing alone. Apart from that, the music is excellent, the races are challenging, and the crash animations are endlessly amusing. Outrun, this iteration included, remains classic zoomin' fun.

Core - For GENESIS

Bubba 'N' Stix

Puzzle-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: June 1994

Move over Puggsy, there's a new off-beat, sort of slow, comical-looking puzzle-platformer in town! Bubba 'N' Stix, brought to you by Core Design, is a novel take on this aging formula. Now to its credit, Bubba leans further into the action scene than its slower counterparts. The gameplay is admittedly challenging, and the animations are stylistic enough (Like Bart Simpson in the Bayou -Jet). Play this side-scroller for just a short while, and it will be rather evident just how dull and repetitive these puzzlers have become. It becomes a downright chore! If you must copy a gameplay style, copy Gunstar Heroes.

Takara - For GENESIS

Fatal Fury 2

Fighter | 24 MEG

Release: June 1994

Coming in with a mighty 24-MEG cartridge, Fatal Fury 2 barrels forth onto the SEGA Genesis as the latest and greatest conversion of a Neo-Geo masterpiece. This conversion from Takara is leagues better than the first entry on the Genesis, and its gameplay speed is throttled-up high courtesy of that killer blast processing! Fighters seem to be a dime a dozen these days, but Fatal Fury never does get old. Play control is fantastic, the graphics are smooth and well-done, and dueling with the six-button gamepad pulls you right back to the arcades. It's practically begging for your buck!

Koei - For GENESIS

Operation Europe

Strategy | 8 MEG

Release: June 1994

Operation Europe: Path to Victory 1939-45, or as it is known in Japan, Europa Sensen, is a newly released war strategy game developed by Koei exclusively for the Genesis. To preface this review, you need to be a very specific kind of games player to get the most out of Operation Europe. If managing microscopic military units meticulously on a chessboard-like map sounds like your deal, then you'll fall in love. For the rest of us, our brains ache a bit just thinking about it! Our team prefers the Shining Force breed of strategy, but geeky WWII historians (and them alone) should check this one out.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Virtua Racing

Racing | 16 MEG

Release: May 1994

Utilizing the all-new SEGA Virtual Processing (SVP) chip, Virtua Racing for Genesis has zoomed onto store shelves. Racing fans, arcade fans, and high-octane action game fans will all undoubtedly appreciate this hot new cart. Race to your heart's content with three courses, two transmission options, and high-flying speed. Cramming a state-of-the-art coin-op onto this home system was no easy feat. Indeed, the SVP chip was custom made for VR in order to help generate quick movement for the complex 3-D polygons. Even then, at a startling $100 price tag, this one may be reserved for super fans.

Sunsoft - For GENESIS

Pirates of Dark Water

Brawler | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

Sunsoft's Pirates of Dark Water is an action-adventure title based on the animated TV show. Your quest in this swashbuckling tale is to find the six Treasures of Rule in order to drain the dreaded Dark Water the high seas. The truth is, if you've owned a Genesis for a fair bit of time, chances are you've played several carts in the exact mold of Pirates. Grab your trusty sword, slash at your foes, jump across obstacles, etc. Nevertheless, Pirates shines best in the graphical realm, exhibiting detailed sprites and parallax-scrolling backgrounds galore. Good, challenging (but somewhat forgettable) fun!

SEGA - For GENESIS

Asterix

Puzzle-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: April 1994

The Europeans are at it again! Asterix and the Great Rescue is a puzzler with a color palette about as bright and saturated as any hit Amiga game. Guide our titular hero across a host of levels fraught with dangerous obstacles, pitfalls, traps, and bucking broncos, all without breaking his stride. Saving your kidnapped dog, Dogmatix, from the dastardly Romans is paramount to victory! Asterix may primarily appeal to younger gamers looking for a brain tease, but if thematic predecessors like Lemmings or Krusty's Fun House are your jam, then this Genesis game is an absolute buy.

Tengen - For GENESIS

Grind Stormer

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: April 1994

With the onset of the fighting game revolution, PPM has noticed a stark lack of premier-league shooters on the super systems. Tengen and Toaplan's Grind Stormer seeks to answer that call! This vertically oriented shooting title puts the player in the seat of a Terran Defense Force pilot tasked with repelling an evil alien invasion. Not the most original plotline, but GS offers a tremendous amount of challenge in its gameplay. Toaplan, the makers of Truxton, programmed an ultra-tough game! Otherwise, a run-of-the-mill blaster. Fair for experienced players and shooter fans, awful for newbies.

Data East - For GENESIS

Mega Turrican

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

"Another Turrican?" Oh, Heck yes! Mega Turrican, on store shelves now for Genesis consoles, is not merely a lazy redressing of last year's Super Turrican. Mega offers a ton of new features exclusive to this version, including a tricky plasma rope for ledge-scaling and wall-climbing, a shuffled mix of power-ups and level layouts, and a secret stage or two. The graphics here are not the best and may appear blurry or repetitive. Excellent play control, fun gameplay, and rockin' sound keeps this from becoming a sour experience. It's mega-action with Mega Turrican on the Mega Drive.

BlueSky - For GENESIS

Shadowrun

Role-Playing | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

Genesis players better brace themselves. If you have not yet tried out Shadowrun, you are in for a treat! Maniacal corporations have taken over the planet (This is meant to be fiction? -Jet) and Shadowrunners prowl the dilapidated streets of Seattle. Shadowrun is a top-down role-playing game far removed from its beloved SNES counterpart. Unlike that point-and-click entry, this new cart is action-oriented with a touch more grit, violence, and open-endedness. Don't forget the hard-hitting soundtrack! Certainly, several weeks worth of inspired enjoyment for RPG lovers.

Data East - For GENESIS

High Seas Havoc

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: February 1994

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.

Konami - For GENESIS

Castlevania

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

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.

Zyrinx - For GENESIS

Sub-Terrania

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

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.

Arena - For GENESIS

NBA Jam

Sports | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

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.

RaisingH - For GENESIS

Wiz 'n' Liz

Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: January 1994

A wizarding duo is in desperate need of some ingredients to prepare their spells just right. Collecting the proper bits can only be achieved by nabbing up tons of "wabbits," odd alien rabbit creatures, which grants you power-ups, spell characters, time extenders, and more. This arcade-style game is in some ways a throwback to coin-ops of yore: A simple yet addictive concept that requires no prior research or combo memorization. Your main challenge is to beat the clock, and to do so you must run faster than a naked squirrel through each winding stage. Blast processing was made for this!

SEGA - For GENESIS

Sonic 3

Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: February 1994

Hot on the tail of CD, Chaos, and Spinball comes the newest iteration in the main series of spiny adventures with Sonic 3. Sega surprised us with a release on February 2nd (hours before printing, no less! -Jet), and boy are we overjoyed. 3 is packed with brand-new enemies, giant zones to explore, and much-improved stylized graphics to boot. You'll meet Knuckles and Echidna, a dastardly foe duped into siding with Dr. Robotnik, as well as elemental shield abilities, cool bonus stages, and a battery save system! We've even seen Snowboarding Sonic in Ice Cap Zone! Sega's work speaks for itself. Well done.

Traveller's - For GENESIS

Puggsy

Puzzle-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: January 1994

Puggsy is a cute action/puzzle game published by Psygnosis for the Genesis. It reminds us of some similarly styled Amiga games, but it's rather rare that these are ported to home consoles. Your objective as the titular character is to wander across various technicolor stages as the titular orange alien to collect pieces of a broken spaceship. Much like Wiz 'n' Liz, Puggsy is fun and suitable for all ages, but this cart is waaay slow. Prepare for Mach Negative 10 because this alien is in no rush at all. The animations are done well enough for an 8 MEG cart, but this one's nothing too special.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Eternal Champions

Fighter | 24 MEG

Release: December 1993

With every last combat game and its sister claiming to be the natural successor to SF2, its surely been proven that such a mantle is hard to attain. Eternal Champions overpromises and underdelivers dramatically. Movesets are basic, characters are unbalanced, the music is horrid, and glitches are running rampant! Now, onto the graphics. We admit the animations are quite good. But for a 24MB cart with this much hype, it falls short. Here's the skinny: EC is an all-around OK fighting game that in '92 may have blown audiences away. But these days, go for the real deal and stick with Capcom.

GAU - For GENESIS

Ranger X

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: October 1993

Also known by its Japanese title "Ex-Ranza," Ranger X from GAU Entertainment and published by Sega is yet another fantastic action-shooter available now on Genesis. For a paltry 8 MB cart, its effects astounded us. The character sprites are well-textured and defined, the enemy types are varied, and the backgrounds are as detailed as a Picasso painting. Ranger X's color palette proves how the Genesis can easily match the SNES despite hardware limitations. Its controls are a bit unorthodox, and your tactics will need honing, but the chaotic carnage of this title is pure Sega fun.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Mean Bean Machine

Puzzle | 8 MEG

Release: November 1993

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is a Sonic-themed puzzle game available now on Genesis. Memories of Tetris and Columns flooded the heads of our reviewers the minute this cart sprang into action, and could you blame us? We know full well these types of one-screen puzzle games have their audience, but our team wasn't overjoyed this time. The player drops multi-colored beans in the right order to make them vanish, and in turn drop colorless beans onto your opponent's screen. The loser is whomever suffers from a bean overdose, or in our case, from boredom playing this slow cart.

Capcom - For GENESIS

SFII: SCE

Fighter | 24 MEG

Release: September 1993

If you've read through our Nintendo vs. Sega article from September, you'd know exactly how we feel about Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition and how it compares to Turbo on SNES. Frankly, we love it! First, get yourself a six-button controller before even thinking about buying this cart. With that taken care of, you'll have a blast. The whole package is a faithful carry-over from the arcades, complete with a lightning-fast speed mode and killer graphics. Our biggest gripe is in the sound department, but we'll gladly take it over Turbo's slowdown problem.

Treasure - For GENESIS

Gunstar Heroes

Action-Shooter | 16 MEG

Release: September 1993

This caught us by surprise! Now available for your Sega Genesis is Gunstar Heroes a fun and chaotic action game developed by Treasure. This cart is the first ever title published by this studio, and boy-oh-boy does this set the bar high. Gunstar is a kick-butt scrolling shooter game with non-stop action and intensity to keep you occupied. Think Contra paired with the speedy nature of Sonic. Excellent chip music, a diverse cast if baddies to fight, tough as nails combat, and beautiful stage design makes this a game worth your time and spare cash. Not to mention a sick 2-player mode!

Virgin - For GENESIS

Aladdin

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: October 1993

Riff raff. Street rat. We don't buy that! Disney's Aladdin on Genesis is the latest translation of an animated film to gaming consoles, and do not be deceived by the kid-friendly branding of this platformer, we had a heck of a time with this cart. As we mentioned in last issue's preview, Virgin Games brought aboard Disney animators to assist with this project, and their work shines in the fantastic sprite work and character movements. The addictive gameplay is above average and level variety hits the spot: from the streets of Agrabah to the halls of Jafar's Palace. Movie-quality magic!

U.S. Gold - For GENESIS

Strider Returns

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: September 1993

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.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Shinobi III

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: September 1993

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.

Sunsoft - For GENESIS

Aero the Acro-Bat

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: August 1993

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!

Arena - For GENESIS

Mortal Kombat

Fighter | 8 MEG

Release: September 1993

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.

Sonic Soft - For GENESIS

Shining Force

Role-Playing | 12 MEG

Release: July 1993

Off in the mythical land of Rune, our fearless hero, Max, is sent on a journey to put an end to the notorious Commander Kane and prevent the return of dragons. Shining Force is meant as a sequel to 1991's Shining in the Darkness, yet this cart is an entirely different beast. This RPG takes place on a grid-based battlefield, and has the player strategically move and interact with characters not unlike a chess board. Each party member has his or her own unique skillset, personality, and leveling system. If you enjoy titles like Dragon Warrior, then this will absolutely be up your alley! Give it a try!

SEGA - For GENESIS

Jurassic Park

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: August 1993

Making its roaring debut on the Sega Genesis, Steven Spielberg's dino-tastic film makes its way to the video game front. Jurassic Park is being advertised as an action-packed thriller matching the likes of Flackback, using state-of-the-art Silicon Graphics computer technology and stop motion photography. The game is quite fun but not Delphine level. This licensed title gives the player the choice to play as a human or a dino and set out on a platforming adventure either to rescue trapped visitors or escape the facility. Atmospheric graphical eye candy aplenty, but subpar gameplay and controls hurt its score.

Sunsoft - For GENESIS

Blaster Master 2

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: June 1993

This sequel to the cult classic run-and-gun NES title, Blaster Master, has all of the welcome upgrades we expect from the latest 16-bit-ers without losing any of the original's charm. You control Jason, a small infantryman nestled inside of a lightweight tank named SOPHIA, and have the option of traversing the colorful, graphically diverse landscape either on-foot or in your vehicle. It does play far more like an NES game than a Genesis cart and chooses not to push the envelope in any department, but take that as you will. We've found this one is quite a fun and addicting arcade-like platformer.

Konami - For GENESIS

Rocket Knight Adv.

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: August 1993

Move over Sonic and Bubsy, here comes a new face on the mascot scene. Rocket Knight stars an ambitious, speedy possum named Sparkster chock full of personality and abilities (and awful cuddly too). Our possum friend uses a special jetpack to boost across the screen and damage enemies, and like all possums, he can use his tail to hang upside-down! Konami's sprites are very well animated, the gameplay is exemplary, and with over 30 levels, there is plenty to work through on this cart. As far as action-platformers are concerned, Rocket Knight is among the best in our book. Highly recommended for all ages.

Delphine - For GENESIS

Flashback

Cinematic-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: September 1993

Delphine Software strikes back with a brilliant iteration of Flashback for the Genesis. Utilizing cinematic polygon graphics much like the lauded Out of This World, this new quest pits man vs. mystery as you see to learn more about a strange alien planet. We're astounded that all six fun and memorable levels could fit on a standard Sega cart. Unless you have a pricey PC, this is the version to get.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Cool Spot

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: April 1993

A video game based on the 7-Up mascot? In most cases, we would share your skepticism. Yet Cool Spot is no less thrilling and rewarding as any other action platformer on the market. As the aforementioned red spot, collect soda bottles and mounds of dots on your way to rescue some kidnapped friends. This one's nothing complex or groundbreaking, but it's commendable all around.

SEGA - For GENESIS

X-Men

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: April 1993

Smash up Magneto's minions and take control of one of four X-Men superheroes; Cyclops, Wolverine, Gambit, or Nightcrawler. Graphics and animation for an 8-Meg cart are OK, but this isn't the greatest comics-based game available on the Genesis. If you're a die-hard fan of the genre, you may love this one, but otherwise the choppy, lackluster side-scrolling gameplay is a major turn-off for us.

Sunsoft - For GENESIS

Superman

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: December 1992

Not a bird, ne'er a plane. The Man of Steel himself makes his way to the Sega Genesis courtesy of Sunsoft (the makers of Batman). As Superman, fight the baddies with your ultra super powers and safe Metropolis from the forces of evil! This game is extremely challenging, requiring fast reflexes, albeit faithful to the comic hero.

SEGA - For GENESIS

Chakan

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: December 1992

Based upon the comic book of the same name, Sega's eerie title Chakan: The Forever Man is a challenging romp through dark lairs and bat-infested castles. If you are up for a Genesis platformer with tons of slashing and thrashing, plus a hearty tinge of frustration, this may be worth picking up. At least you have unlimited lives!

Konami - For GENESIS

TMNT Hyperstone

Brawler | 8 MEG

Release: December 1992

For all you SEGA cats who felt left out with the sweet Turtles cart on the Nintendo platform, the wait is over at long last. Hyperstone Heist is quite a lot like the SNES title, including all four of our favorite Heroes in a Half-Shell, yet the game is a touch short for our taste and our reviewers found the cart too easy! TMNT is out now!

EA - For GENESIS

Road Rash 2

Racing | 8 MEG

Release: December 1992

Take a long ride on the ol' highway with the long-awaited sequel, Road Rash 2 from Electronic Arts. This game improves on basically everything from the original classic, giving the player fifteen new bikes to choose from and split-screen, two-player action! You gotta play ruthlessly to make it to the top! Do you have what it takes?

SEGA - For GENESIS

Ecco the Dolphin

Action-Adventure | 8 MEG

Release: December 1992

Something smells like tuna! Is it Sunkist's Charlie? No, it's Ecco the bottle-nosed dolphin, a sea-dwelling creature tasked with protecting his family and friends from a mysterious force. This unique title allows the player to control the dolphin itself through some beautiful, albeit challenging, levels. Take a ride with Ecco asap for a brand-new experience!

SEGA - For GENESIS

Sonic 2

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: November 1992

Sonic fans, your prayers have been answered! The blue devil is back and, indeed, better than ever. This sequel comes packed with a wallop from the start, flaunting corkscrew spins and loops a'plenty. Doctor Robotnik's robots plague the wilderness, and with eiter one or two players, you can bounce them to oblivion. Nearly everying is improved, from music to level design. Believe the hype, players!

SEGA - For GENESIS

Sports Talk Football

Sports | 12 MEG

Release: November 1992

Play as your favorite NFL team and try your darndest to win on the ol' grid iron. Madden has its merits and its die-hard fans, but our sports crew found this game a surprising close-match. Character and announcer voices keep the realistic feel, and a fair variety of plays as your disposal keep the replay value high. ST FB does well with the task, but in truth you may want to hold on for Madden '93.

Virgin - For GENESIS

Global Gladiators

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: October 1992

In this Virgin Games adventure, take control of Mick and Mack as they look to rid the world of a goop-infested species of monsters. Despite the obvious cash-grab nature of this McDonalds-licensee, the game itself is solid enough. The gameplay is fair for a standard platformer and the sound design is nothing to sneeze at. Is it worth the price tag? Our reviewers aren't sure.

RazorSft - For GENESIS

Death Duel

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: October 1992

In the year 2140, You, the last duelist of the Federation, must eliminate the alien scum taking over the galaxy! This is a first-person shooter game, meaning you will likely wish you had access to a light gun of some sort to take down the baddies. There are plenty of stages and ways to upgrade your arsenal, but the lack of variety leaves this a fun rental, but not much else.

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