PyroPlayers Magazine - PPM Reviews

SNES

Aah! Real Monsters

Viacom Realtime

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

Based on the hit Nickelodeon cartoon, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is a standard, sprite-based action-platformer on the Super NES. Its saving grace is the source material at-hand with Klasky Csupo's zany world. Take the role of three young monsters, Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm, in their quest to gain high scaring scores from Headmaster Gromble. Several features of this game inspired by the show include the goofy character designs and the strange power-up items (Apple cores, diapers, and roaches! How trashy! -Jet). You can also swap between the three protagonists to use different moves or triple attacks. Gather up Monster Manuals along the journey to gain the means to scare humans, our favorite bit in this game. Elsewise, the music and sound effects are fine, controls are serviceable, and the platforming is run-of-the-mill SNES fare. Not too shabby.

SNES

Frantic Flea

GameTek Haus Tek

Act-Platformer Release: April 1996
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

GameTek had to really dig into its history to find this title, made by German company Haus Teknikka. The game is Frantic Flea, and the main objective is rescuing tiny flea friends from certain doom at the behest of nasty aliens. Leap, run, and spin around fairly large areas filled with all assortments of traps, however no hidden items or secrets to discover. Frantic Flea is as straightforward a platform game can get. The stark lack of cinemas or bonus levels make for an extremely dull and repetitive experience, as does the constant re-collection for fleas when you get hit and lose them. Poor controls inhibit this further, as does Flea's annoying, obnoxious sound design. Decent stages with fun locales like the vertical Stikko Hills makes for a nice sight, but little else merits a full purchase. Curious flea circus fanatics should try another cart.

SNES

The Brainies

Titus France

Puzzle Release: April 1996
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

Like Ardy Lightfoot, The Brainies is an older Euro-only release that is just now making its way stateside. This is a top-down puzzle game created by Titus France as an off-shoot of an Amiga computer disk. Your task is to direct multicolor orbs into the appropriate slot on-screen according to their color tones. Move the cursor to one of the Brainies, select it, and choose where it will move. The tricky bit is that the round creatures will continue moving in the direction chosen until they smack into an obstacle, the land's edge, or another Brainie. With over one hundred levels to conquer, Titus certainly put in the footwork to keep players occupied. Indeed, the game can be quite addictive. That said, if the gameplay fails to grab you, this will be a dud. Flat graphics, homogeneous levels, and tiresome tunes hardly make The Brainies a worthwhile pick-up.

SNES

SOS: Sink or Swim

Titus Zeppelin Games

Puzzle Release: January 1996
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

In this perplexing puzzle game from Zeppelin Games and Titus, do your best to keep your head above water and survive! Sink or Swim, a puzzler exclusively available on Super NES, places you upon a massive ship doomed to the ocean depths. As the vessel takes on water, it is your mission to save the crew from certain death by guiding them through mazes of rooms, building bridges, eliminating debris, flipping switches, and racing against the clock to get everyone out before the tide ends the fun. As is vital for any puzzler, the element is challenge is unmistably present. Players will require practice to perfect the objectives in S.O.S., though fortunately the early levels do assist in building experience prior to throwing them in the deep end. That said, the formula gets extremely stale after five stages, and the hideous graphics made us barf. An OK rental.

SNES

Cutthroat Island

Acclaim SoftCreations

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

Play as the sword-weilding Lady Pirate Morgan Adams and begin her journey to collect all three missing pieces of a mysterious treasure map in the 16-Bit adaptation of Cutthroat Island. To start, we offer commendation to the dev team for their commitment to the theme of the film. Regardless of its box office standing (You mean, "Box Office Bomb". Caralco Pictures since filed for bankruptcy. -Jet), Software Creations attempted to create a decent swashbuckling platformer with varied levels and two-player cooperative action. However, this cart turned out as average and tedious as the next movie-to-game on the market. The graphical presentation is dull and flat with generic baddies, combat is outdated with formulaic sword-slashing that is a step below mid-80s brawlers, and level variations do not aleviate any repetition.

SNES

Revolution X

Acclaim Rage

Shooter Release: December 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Hard

While its foundation as a redundant gallery shooter remains faithful to the arcade original, the team from Rage has done little to merit the existance of a home console edition. The main issue to contend with here is that the SNES may not be capable of closely mirroring newer arcade hits. As such, Revolution X in 16-Bit presents a cursor-driven shooter with grainy, non-detailed foes and an aburdly tough level of difficulty. The cursor itself handles inaccurately, and one cannot gauge the scale of damage without tracking an antiquated life meter on top of the screen. On this upside, the digitized voices and much of the Aerosmith soundtrack is indeed preserved, but the experience is too unpleasant for any of that to matter. Frankly, the charm and adrenaline-pumping fun of the original is nowhere to be seen in this utterly lackluster portover.

SNES

Ardy Lightfoot

Titus ASCII

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

Set off on an adventure with Ardy Lightfoot, a fox questing to gather the seven lost pieces of the Mystic Rainbow and stop the forces of evil. This cart is a traditional action-platformer along the same lines as Super Mario. Explore a variety of colorful stages with lovely backgrounds, nooks and crannies to delve through, and above-average sprite animations. Your Kirby-esque helper, an odd blue creature called Pec, will accompany you throughout the journey and transform to help take down obstacles and enemies. For those who may see this and wonder why it appears like a years-old SNES game, you are absolutely correct! Ardy completed development and was published in Japan in late '93 with the U.S. release occurring this January. A bit stale nowadays, albeit with great play control and a solid formula.

SNES

Toy Story

Nintendo Disney Interactive

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

Last issue we dedicated a Snapshot quickview for Toy Story on Genesis. As we proclaimed then, Disney Interactive is on a hot streak. With this similarly styled and same-named title for Super NES, DI continues to deliver fine work. Toy Story is heavily inspired by the cinematic release, conscientiously mimicking the storyline and overall visual design. It presents a mix of side-scrolling stages as well as a handful of decent Doom-like 3-D sequences and Mario Kart-like driving segments. The translated music score and vocal clips from silver screen to, erm, living room screen is well-done, too. However, whereas the graphical fidelity of TS on Genesis brought on a sense of awe, that is totally absent here. SNES games like Killer Instinct and DKC stole that wonder. Not too bad overall, and a great choice for kids.

SNES

Final Fight 3

Capcom

Brawler Release: January 1996
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Intermediate

The heroes of Metro City, Guy and Haggar, reunite to face down the Skull Cross Gang in Capcom's Final Fight 3. This third iteration in the commendable brawler series borrows many of the same elements from the previous games, including a diverse array of enemies to fight, access to pick-up weapons, and unique bosses in sore need of a whooping. On the plus side, Capcom did add several new bits like special techniques and a rechargeable Super Move, a la SF II: Turbo, in addition to a welcome option to play alongside a computer-controlled ally. However, our team found the controls rather imprecise with delayed action and sloppy maneuvering. Final Fight 3 is weighed down by repetitive street fighting with nothing added to spice up the routune, dulldrum flavor. The Super NES is showing its age, at last.

SNES

Mega Man X3

Capcom

Act-Platformer Release: January 1996
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

Capcom continues its long running Mega Man platformer series with an all-new iteration, (expectantly) named Mega Man X3. Once more, you gain control over the cybernetic hero and fight it out with an array of evil robot masters, gaining possession of their abilities as they are defeated. X3 introduces the option to customized Mega Man with your own balance of power-ups to conquer certain areas easier. A specialized power-up slot may also be used to boost any ability tenfold. Navigating levels and solving tricky subsections can be accomplished either with X or Zero, the latter capable of utilizing his massive strength and high durability to turn any enemy into total rubble. The formula is an enjoyable one, we admit, although we would have preferred more than a retread. Capcom's trademarked challenge is present, nevertheless.

SNES

Prehistorik Man

Kemco Titus FR

Act-Platformer Release: January 1996
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Kemco brought forth for SNES owners a platforming game straight out of the Stone Age (In a good way! -Jet). Exhibiting just how well certain developers have familiarized themselves with the Super Nintendo by its sixth year on the market, Prehistorik Man is one of the more superb third-party titles to emerge in quite a while. It is visually impressive, bright and vivid from all angles. It shows off 6-layer parallax scrolling effects, double transparencies, and huge numbers of sprites on-screen at once. Answering the only real criticism we had of games like Astal and other 32-Bit platformers, PM is a long adventure with more than 20 levels to conquer! PM's protagonist, a caveman, is delightfully animated and amusing to boot. His ability to use an assortment of tools from pogo sticks to hang gliders keep this a fun journey.

SNES

Big Sky Trooper

JVC LucasArts

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

This is a strange and interesting title programmed by the LucasArts team mostly known for innovative and imaginative adventure games. The idea here is a conglomerate of space slugs are wreaking havoc across the galaxy, and it is your duty to eliminate them and stop the dreaded Sultan of Slime. Aboard an advanced spaceship, your character will equip a mech suit and, upon your request, beam down to an alien planet to begin the seek and destroy mission. The heart of Big Sky Trooper is a top-down action-shooter. It heavily borrows from another LucasArts game, Zombies Ate My Neighbors: Killing repetitious enemies, finding upgrades strewn about the levels, and rescuing distressed civilians. Shoot down slugs as fast as you can, otherwise they will join into groups and be much tougher to take down. It's worth a rental to check it out.

SNES

Breath of Fire II

Capcom

Role-Playing Release: December 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

Capcom presents an all-new RPG adventure with Breath of Fire II, a return trip to a fantasy realm rife with dragons and spells. This cart holds an intricate and complex plot surrounding Ryu, questions about his family's lineage, and a fascinating religious dynamic. On the graphical side, the spritework BOF2 is a marked step-up on the original. Overworld figures are okay, but the in-battle artwork is magnificent - With monsters acting out cheeky animations and big bosses exerting tremendous presence. Your battling technique will evolve depending on party members, each of whom holds a special ability like helpful healing magic or a multi-hit offensive. What has worsened is the abundance of encounters, thereby making world traversal a painful chore. We recommend this even though RPGs like Chrono blow it out of the water.

SNES

Spawn

Acclaim Ukiyotei

Act-Platformer Release: October 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

Todd McFarlane's Spawn (Geez, what a title. -Jet), as one may imagine, presents a comic book universe chock full of dangerous henchmen, dark cityscapes, and a controversial hero with biblical connotations. This side-scrolling brawler is nothing too special on the surface. Beyond sporting some decent visuals, the essence of this cart is much like the pile of similar games available for 16-Bit systems. The uniqueness of Spawn comes down to those special moves. You see, Spawn can fire off cookie-cutter attacks, but with the right button combinations he can use a variety of SF2-esque feats of power like fireballs and bombs. Each Power Move siphons a small amount of your limited meter, though, so look out. To our chagrin, subpar play control can make this at pain at times. A word of caution: This sucker is tough. Of anything, rent it first.

SNES

Speedy Gonzalez

Acclaim Sunsoft

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

Never shy to scrape the bottom of the licensed property barrel, Sunsoft and Acclaim recently unleashed the newest Warner cartoon onto unsuspecting Super NES owners with Speedy Gonzales in Los Gatos Banditos. Your quest entails saving captured animal friends by dashing through technicolor landscapes and kicking enemy tail. Sound familiar? Put simply, Speedy is an exceptionally basic, slow platforming game closely mimicking the likeness of Sonic to the point of entering rip-off territory. There is not much speed to be found here (Maybe if this were made for Sega... -Jet), "puzzles" require no brain power, and none of the levels pose a challenge for seasoned gamers. It is clear, in our view, that this cart was designed with the young'uns in mind. Even then, we can only recommend a weekend rental with Slowy, er, Speedy Gonzales.

SNES

Super Turrican 2

Ocean Factor5

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

Forget all about cutting-edge visuals and specialized, wow-za graphics. Super Turrican 2 is a action-fan's paradise, complete with all the elements that made the original arcade hit such a fantastic title. Romp through a variety of levels in this sci-fi platform shooter, blasting as hard and fast as possible in intense Turrican fashion. Certain stages require a different approach, either meticulous timing to outfox the foes or running straight ahead in total mayhem. In no short time, players will be racking up points and extra lives, invalidating any real challenge in this adventure. Though death is not too likely to occur in ST2, be aware that there is no password system implemented here. In other words, game over means re-starting from the very beginning each time. Excellent playability on this cart.

SNES

Dirt Trax FX

Acclaim Sculptured

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

Dirt Trax FX was a good effort at utilizing the Super FX chip for Super NES, but the hefty drawbacks keep this one from attaining the fun levels of last year's Stunt Race FX. Those who approach this release as another arcade-style driving game will be sorely disappointed. Dirt Trax, with its stern emphasis on realism over all else leaves it feeling far more like a rather half-baked simulator. Now, the dirt bikes and riders themselves are well-designed, as are the stunt tracks. But rendering issues and a lack of indicators will mean commonly flying blind into unavoidable course corners (Though no crashes or falls! What gives? -Jet). As such, players must tread carefully and stay away from high speeds to win, but where is the fun in that? Good luck in two-player mode. Talk about 0 frames per second.

SNES

Earthworm Jim 2

Playmates Shiny Ent

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

Jim is back, baby! Straight from the folks at Playmates and Shiny Entertainment, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved worm-turned-hero Earthworm Jim had landed on SNES and Genesis. This cartoon-in-a-box successfully captures all of the fun elements of the original while adding a ton of features and as much weirdness as expected. The animation is smoother, the gameplay is a great deal more balanced, and the humor is choice. EJ2's diverse selection of levels encompass a library of genres, from standard platforming bits to isometric shooting mini games. A solid, near-perfect control scheme keeps the player in charge at all points. Developers turned up the creativity as well, adding even more whack-o ideas than before: Including contests with a giant maggot! Totally groovy!

SNES

Dracula X

Konami

Act-Platformer Release: September 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

To sum up Konami's Dracula X in a nutshell, think of it as the Mega Man 7 to Super Castlevania IV's Mega Man X. It takes inspiration not from the previous game, but the original successes on NES. Although it exhibits the same sort of spooky flavoring and fun enemy design which put the series on the map, Dracula X fails to improve upon the 8-Bit entries. The visual style is a touch too bright and colorful for our tastes, and the upbeat arcade-like soundtrack feels mismatched. Its difficulty is dialed up to 11, probably to artificially lengthen DX's incredibly short span of eight levels (As is tradition for NES games -Jet). Altogether, an oddity and a rare miss from the reputable Konami.

SNES

Secret of Evermore

Square Soft

Action RPG Release: October 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Intermediate

Coming off of a stream of hits like Chrono Trigger and FF III, expectations for Square Soft have risen sky-high. Secret of Evermore, despite the insinuation of its name, is not Secret of Mana 2. It does, however, borrow elements like the same top-down perspective, battle system, and ring-like menu system from Mana. Evermore was developed by the North American division of Square, which may explain the, erm, lesser quality. Combat can be a bit tedious due to unreliable hit detection and the sound effects seem out of place. However, the plot is fantastic and full of intrigue, made better by an incredible atmospheric landscape. It's worth a try, but we advise tempering your hype.

SNES

The Mask

Black Pearl Software

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

Is Black Pearl's conversion of The Mask just as snazzy as on-screen? Our team enjoyed the film quite a bit upon release last year, but this platformer, with a few noteworthy exceptions, is as generic as any other halfway decent 16-Bit side-scroller. Jim Carrey's likeness leaps onto the game surprisingly well, with all of his wacky mannerisms and cartoon craziness pulled right from the movie. The spritework is well-done overall, as are the assorted attacks moves from mallet strikes to Taz-Mania tornado spins. Mask's stage design is a bit dull and confusing, especially those vertically oriented levels that require pin-point accuracy. Better than cardboard cut-out platformers like Alfred Chicken, but still dull.

SNES

Doom

Williams Sculptured

3-D Shooter Release: September 1995
Age Rating: Mature Challenge: Hard

Fresh out on the scene with an all-new variant for SNES, id Software's core creation, Doom, has finally made its way to 16-Bit. And to our astonishment, the translation is pretty close to the original. This better-than-expected quality is mostly thanks to the beefier tech of the Super FX-2 chip, a tool that appears to allow the aging console to keep up quite handily. Now, it's not all roses. Moving aside its decent control scheme and PC-like gameplay engine (Do I hear better than 32X? -Jet), Doom's visuals suffer from pixelation, choppiness, and headache-inducing draw distance issues. Floor and ceiling textures are also MIA. Between this and the computer version, there is simply no contest, but it's hardly the worst attempt we at PPM have seen.

SNES

Primal Rage

Time Warner BitM

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

Satisfied with its arcade domination, Primal Rage is ready to conquer living rooms everywhere. The monstrous fighter with its seven carnivorous beasts plays rather well on the 16-Bit Nintendo platform. With an abundance of fighters on the market, Primal Rage does well in introducing an assortment of bites and slashes, as well as hypnosis and acid-spitting attacks, to ruffle some veteran's feathers. Pulling off combos is a cinch, though perhaps not as impactful as on MK2. Multi-hit combos register on-screen just as in the coin-op, allowing for ample bragging from victorious players. A graphical powerhouse, this is certainly not. Colors can be murky with odd clashes. However, it is undoubtedly a step above the lackluster Genesis entry.

SNES

Mega Man VII

Capcom

Act-Platformer Release: September 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

He's back...again! Capcom's flagship platforming franchise returns to the Super Nintendo with Mega Man VII, a stylized reversion of sorts to the original NES titles. Sophisticated graphics have been toned down a tad from the X games to appear more like the original series, yet the presentation is just as crisp and detailed as ever. We do love those parallax layers, after all. Play control is on-target, gameplay is rife with high difficulty sections, and the edition of a weapons shop provides a fun spin on the old formula. Elsewise, this is the Mega Man of yore, from the robot bosses with their funky abilities to the death-by-spike hazards. Not much is novel in this entry, so if you were not a fan before, this will certainly not change your mind.

SNES

Wild Guns

Natsume

Gallery Shooter Release: July 1995
Age Rating: Teen Challenge: Intermediate

Shooter with an Old West theme. Folks that brought you Pocky & Rocky shooter have unveiled their newest sort of shooting action, this time with an Old West theme. Unlike other first-person entries, Wild Guns keeps the player character on-screen alongside the gunsight, much like Operation Wolf. Keep your character moving while trying to aim at the baddies can be a touch tricky, but it is lots of fun - especially in two-player mode. Featuring fun and frantic action, a nifty Western theming mixed with futuristic robotics, and well-animated explosions and enemies, Wild Guns is certainly a welcome diversion from the never-ending stream of fighters and platformers we SNES owners have endured.

SNES

MMPR: The Movie

Bandai Natsume

Brawler Release: June 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Easy

Cashing-in once more on the jumpsuit mania that has overtaken the world, Power Rangers: The Movie is a successor to the previous game released earlier this year. This one is a simple side-scroller. Much like a clone of Final Fight, MMPR: The Movie gives the player control over a heroic figure and lets loose brawler-style. We did get a kick out of the MMPR set pieces and familiar foes, but this is otherwise a cookie-cutter title. Attacks are rather limited with only the jump-kick move proving useful in any scenario. Levels all play the same and enemies are far too easy to knock out. The audio gets a bit irritating after some playtime as well. It's an average game, but one that the kiddos and fans will undeniably love.

SNES

Judge Dredd

Acclaim Cryo Interactive

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

Based on the forthcoming film, Judge Dredd is an action-platformer very much in the same vein as Alien 3. Exhibiting superb play control, moving Dredd and fighting an onslaught of evil minions is a delight. Players will have the ability to experiment with an array of different weapons as well, and even arrest some baddies for extra points and power-ups. The huge, detailed levels were lovely to explore with no shortage of secret passageways to fight in, each with good graphical styles. Boss fights, however, were just too hard. Although it does not offer anything new, JD is easily one of the better movie-license games, proving enjoyable and rewarding enough to justify the price. Dredd IS the law!

SNES

Air Cavalry

Cybersoft Synergistic

Flight Simulation Release: June 1995
Age Rating: All Challenge: Hard

As seasoned SNES players know, there is no shortage of military shooters or helicopter simulators on the market nowadays. Air Cavalry, well, joins the cavalry while doing little to separate itself from the pack. You control a chopper in a rather pixelated Mode-7 environment and are tasked with shooting down vessels and rescuing folks. Synergistic Software programmed a healthy dose of missions to complete in this cart, as well as a good variety of weapons. Grounded foes like anti-air vehicles have uncanny accuracy. It is just far too easy to get shot down. The developers emphasize realism with Air Cavalry, meaning the action is slow-paced and the color scheme is dull as dirt. Shooter fanatics best avoid.

SNES

Phantom 2040

Viacom New Media

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

The year is 2040. Metropia is under siege. With crime rising to new heights, it's your job as the mysterious Phantom to prepare for action and restore justice. Based on an animated series, Phantom 2040 is a sparkling action-platformer from Viacom. Considering the sea of games cluttering this genre, some great and others agonizing, this title is quite good. Jump, shoot, dash, and duck for cover as you explore warehouses filled with robots, wall climbing gizmos, and other tricky electronics. This cart plays very well. It exhibits excellent control, as well as a sleek graphical style - albeit with rather stiff-looking animations. The never-ending flood of baddies can get old fast, but fans of adventure games will enjoy this.

SNES

Time Cop

JVC Cryo Interactive

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

A young officer named Max Walker has been chosen to police dangerous sci-fi tech capable of allowing folks to travel through time. Max, now a part of the Time Enforcement Agency, or TEC, must move through various time periods to stop dastardly criminals from plundering past treasures. The gameplay in this cart is so-so. Passable but without much flare. What shines here are the lovely, digitized graphics. In addition to your own character, enemy scientists, robotic entities, and punk rockers all are cascaded in a pretty sweet digital look. Movements are smooth as well, and it is clear the programming team paid attention to the finer detail. This one is a sure-fire rental that will delight movie-goers, but may be more of the same elsewise.

Acclaim - For SNES

Warlock

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: March 1995

Warlock? That old 80s movie? Yes, the fantasy schlock of yesteryear is back on Super Nintendo. Warlock's plot is serviceable: Find the six mythical runestones before the son of Satan can beat you to it. We expected from the brow-raising story that this cart would be a fun adventure game, but, alas, this one is a pitiful platformer. Dull and unimaginative as is typical for the genre nowadays. Despite sharp background graphics and satisfactory animations, there is nothing particularly notable about this one to merit the purchase. Horribly lagged controls make striking out enemies a source of frustration, especially flying creatures that move way faster than you. Save yourself from buyer's remorse.

Ocean - For SNES

Flintstones

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: February 1995

It's no trade secret that games based on movie licenses tend to suck. How, then, could a Flintstones cart be anything other than utter trash? As it turns out, this entry is not half bad. It all starts with a snip from the BC-52s (Get it?!) hit single, and then you are off to the races. Control a John Goodman-looking Fred Flintstone in this prehistoric-themed side-scrolling action game. Fred can utilize three different attack types: Rock-throwing, club-smacking, and bowling ball, uh, bowling. Bashing Neanderthals and dastardly dinos never gets old. The oddity here is the Mario Kart-esque bonus level with Barney. All in all, this title needed a bit more innovation, but does its best to resemble the movie and plays fine.

Acclaim - For SNES

True Lies

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: February 1995

Whereas Flintstones represents a halfway adequate movie licensed game, True Lies demonstrates the best way to do it. This one is a top-notch cart containing tight controls, superb graphics, excellent shooter gameplay, and some nasty blood effects to boot. The film itself was an action-heavy thriller, so it stands to reason the game should be the same. Players will be blasting loads and loads of baddies - and some good guys too, be careful! Levels do look different from one another, but they all play the same. Linear gameplay is the fatal flaw with True Lies. There will be no surprises if you've played it once before. Still, if you enjoyed SNES games like Ghoul Patrol, this is right up your alley.

Konami - For SNES

Metal Warriors

Action-Shooter | 16 MEG

Release: April 1995

Remember Cybernator? While not an outright sequel, Metal Warriors is likewise a side-scrolling, futuristic action game. Players control mega battle mechs and fly through futuristic venues shooting enemies. There is not much new here, but the execution from LucasArts and Konami cannot be brushed off. Using high-powered weaponry to engage in pure destructive fun is a joy, but the cut-scenes get a bit dull and the sound fx sometime falls flat. The levels get excruciatingly tough too, so newcomers be warned. The inclusion of a two-player Battle Mode is a welcome treat, allowing friends to go head-to-head in armored battle. The lack of variety and innovation does lead us to recommend this as a rental.

Taito - For SNES

Bust-A-Move

Puzzle | 4 MEG

Release: March 1995

The adorable-looking dinosaurs from Bubble Bobble have returned in a new type of puzzle game. Here is the lowdown: Rows of brightly colored bubbles appear at the top of the screen. Your objective is to clear the screen by operating a mechanism which shoots bubbles of a randomized color upward. If the colors match, the bubbles phase-out Tetris-style, and you win some points. Misalign your shots or wait too long, and you'll quickly face a game over. This puzzler from Taito geniuses is the pinnacle of addictive gameplay. Carefully aiming your shot is key in handily conquering this one. It's all in the reflexes! It graphics are well-done, the core gameplay is endlessly replayable. Just one more level, Mom!

McO'River - For SNES

Aero Fighters

Shooter | 12 MEG

Release: November 1994

Based on one of our team's favorite arcade Tecmo shooters in recent years, Aero Fighters is an action-packed, vertically-scrolling blastfest. Choose one of four pilots based on four different nations, and four altering storylines, and cruise on through this coin-op convert. Utilize an array of weapons including bombs, lasers, and missiles to blow apart enemy tanks, jets, and even buildings. It may not be much evolved from the arcade cab on the graphical end, but it plays nearly perfect with an occasional bit of SNES slowdown. Aero controls like a dream, too. What more could a shooter fan ask for? Oh, and speaking of which, experienced players should swap right over to Hard Mode for a genuine challenge.

Ocean - For SNES

Addams Fam Values

Action-RPG | 16 MEG

Release: February 1995

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.

Nintendo - For SNES

Kirby's DC

Strategy-Puzzle | 8 MEG

Release: February 1995

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!

Capcom - For SNES

Bonkers

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: November 1994

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.

Natsume - For SNES

Pocky & Rocky 2

Action-Shooter | 12 MEG

Release: September 1994

Natsume's premier shooting duo is back with an all-new adventure on SNES. Showcasing the same stand-out sprite graphics and thrilling shoot-em-up gameplay as the original cart, Pocky & Rocky 2 is a worthwhile purchase for all fans of the genre. This one packs in a plethora of diverse levels to explore, with plenty of hidden treats and surprises to discover on the way. The option to swap sidekicks makes for some added replayability as well (Try tossing them at your foes for extra fun! -Jet). While P&R was famous for its high difficulty, Natsume cooled this new cart down significantly. It's a bit too easy to make major progress on your first or second outing, which may shorten the overall experience.

Jaleco - For SNES

The Ignition Factor

Action-Strategy | 8 MEG

Release: February 1995

According to the advertisement, "This game is NOT cool!" Hm, I daresay they have a point. In all fairness, this top-down adventure-like game presents a healthy dose of innovation in an era increasingly bogged down with sequels and re-hashed formulas. Players are given a briefing by the fire chief, then it's off to the races. Traverse rooms filled with walls of fire and exploding barrels and use clues at your disposal to rescue residents before they get roasted. The puzzle-solving element is neat, and the point-and-click interface to choose your gear is doable, but between the horrendous running controls and the repetitive nature of the timed rescue missions, we were not enthralled. Hose this one down.

Absolute - For SNES

Home Improvement

Action-Platformer | 12 MEG

Release: December 1994

Santa Claus is on SNES! Oh, wait, wrong Tim Allen property. Home Improvement, for those living under a rock, is a hit sitcom based on the life and times of ignoramus Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor. This title by Absolute attempts to convert this rather ordinary show into a action-platformer with middling results. Tim must retrieve a collection of stolen Turbo Tools or risk losing his job! Search through about twenty levels in zany environments from jungle treetops to ghost houses. The clever bit is exclusive to the array of weaponry. Use equipment like staple guns to nail down baddies and make your way to safety. This cart isn't a total bust, but Al could have done it way better.

Nintendo - For SNES

Uniracers

Racing | 16 MEG

Release: December 1994

You'll ride! You'll spin! You'll wipe out hard! Uniracers is the latest Nintendo-developed title for SNES. This one showcases the very same Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) technology used to create the excellent Donkey Kong Country. In this unique stunt racer, players control topsy-turvy, multicolored unicycles and go head-to-head at ultra-top speeds to grab the gold. Race through streams of side-scrolling, tubular tracks in 1 or 2-player mode. Try out trick maneuvers when catching some killer air to accelerate even faster! Lacking even a touch of lag or slowdown, Uniracers exhibits Sonic-like attributes often absent on Super Nintendo, and the wide array of track layouts makes for heated gametime.

Konami - For SNES

Batman & Robin

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: December 1994

Konami's Batman & Robin is based on the outstanding animated TV show on Fox Kids. No Keaton to be found, here! As one may insinuate from the Batman license, this is an action-platformer with brawler elements. Use an array of abilities to wipe clean the streets of Gotham from the recently liberated inhabitants of Arkham Asylum. The graphics are totally spot-on, bearing a striking resemblance to the series. It successfully captures the dark and brooding nature of the world with the right balance of atmospheric environments and engaging levels. As for a dash of originality, it's awful fun bashing fists with the Joker atop a racing roller coaster! Batman fans will surely love it, as should all action-game aficionados!

Kemco - For SNES

Kid Klown

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: October 1994

An evil pirate named Blackjack has kidnapped the princess! The ever-inept Kid Klown must rescue the Clown King's daughter and thwart Blackjack's no-good plot. Kid Klown in Crazy Chase from Kemco is an isometric platform title where you traverse a long and arduous path of obstacles to reach an objective before time runs out. Don't forget to grab balloons on the way to find all four card suits, otherwise you will need to re-play the level! Kid Klown's silly slapstick makes this an absolute treasure. Whether splashed by water or slipping on a banana peel, Kemco devs created detailed, custom animations for it. The sprite work design is gorgeous, and the soundtrack is SNES perfection. Perhaps too tough for some, though.

JVC - For SNES

Ghoul Patrol

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: November 1994

Having discovered a mysterious book in a glowing chest, paranormal fans Zeke and Julie incidentally summoned demons of the past. Save the demon's victims before it is too late! Ghoul Patrol is an overhead action-shooter title inspired by the ghosts of cinema past. Players will fight throughout five multistage levels of boggling terror in this spooky game, rescuing helpless fools and tearin' up monsters. This is a hushed sequel to last year's Konami classic Zombies Ate My Neighbors, made clear by the similar gameplay stylings and protagonist designs. Although a few handy tricks have been added to the mix, like sliding under obstacles, Zombies remains the superior cart. Loads of ghoulish fun anyway!

Konami - For SNES

Sparkster

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: October 1994

Returning for a second run is Sparkster, the jetpack-clad possum from the spectacular platformer Rocket Knight Adventures. This time our marsupial friend has landed on SNES! Featuring Konami's gold-ranked graphical touches and superb play control, this high-flying lad looks and plays great on Nintendo. Sparkster exhibits constant, heart-thumping action from start to finish, meaning players must be wary of enemies poised to strike at all angles. Rocket toward 'em or perform a whack-attack while hanging upside-down. There is a heck ton of enemy repetition, however, and we found the Genesis edition of Sparkster stronger in the playability department. These levels are too dang short as well!

Nintendo - For SNES

Super Punch-Out!!

Boxing | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

Ding ding ding! A beloved boxing simulator from the NES days makes a triumphant return with Super Punch-Out!!, an additional piece to Nintendo's holiday game-fest. Duke it out with a crew of wacky and weird foes in full-size sprites, from old-time favorites like Bald Bull to Jamaican powerhouse Bob Charlie. Work your way up the ladder to fight the greatest boxers of all-time (Though we are sadly missing Mike Tyson from the picture. -Jet). As with the original cart, the Super edition ensures that controls are as accurate as can be. That means once Mr. Bruiser whoops you for the hundredth time, you cannot go blaming the controller! We were glad to see a battery backup, too, for when it's time to retire.

Capcom - For SNES

Great Circus Mystery

Action-Platformer | 12 MEG

Release: October 1994

In this sequel to last year's Magical Quest, Mickey and Minnie Mouse must take to the center ring and discover what has gone amiss at the circus. Explore six levels in all, collecting various costumes to gain special abilities. The Great Circus Mystery displays emotive sprites and an array of colors much in-line with Capcom's prior Disney platformers, but on the gameplay front, our team found this one far easier than any Mickey Mouse game in recent memory. Younger players or those new to the world of video games will find this number enchanting, yet those of us with a gaming pedigree are advised to steer clear. Of the two mouse titles out this holiday, PPM picks Mickey Mania.

ElectroBrain - For SNES

Vortex

3-D Shooter | 4 MEG+SFX

Release: September 1994

Now making its third appearance since back-to-back successes in Star Fox and Stunt Race FX, the Super-FX chip serves as the core membrane for ElectroBrain and Argonaut Software's Vortex, an ambitious 3-D shooter. Within the scope of an open polygonal world, this unique title puts players inside of a giant robotic vehicle capable of morphing into new modes to fit their needs (I'm getting Cybermorph flashbacks! -Jet). Your vehicle may be rather impressively detailed, however enemies will mainly appear as undefinable shapes as they did in Star Fox. We admire the attempt at greatness and give kudos to the graphics team, but complicated controls weigh this sucker down a peg or two.

Bandai - For SNES

Power Rangers

Brawler | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

You've seen the TV show, bought the action figures, and worn the underwear. Time for the Sentai heroes to bring their fighting action to the gaming scene. Bandai's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers for SNES, a separate entity from the same-named Genesis title, is a comic action title with brawler elements. Pick any one of the five rangers and work to thwart the plans of the evil Rita Repulsa. The folks over at Bandai developed this game with a younger audience in mind, so the controls are a cinch, and the overall difficulty is on the milder side. MMPR's graphical presentation is average, as is the sound design. Bashing foes with the ranger suit is lots of fun, we will admit. Shame this is one-player only.

Capcom - For SNES

Demon's Crest

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1994

Fans of Ghouls 'N' Ghosts ought to get a kick out of this one. The newest side-scrolling adventure game from Capcom is called Demon's Crest, reportedly a continuation of Gargoyle's Quest on the Game Boy. Play as a malicious gargoyle named Firebrand and fight on through seven impressive stages. Crest's spritework and character designs are splendid to look at, but the true winner here is its gameplay. Harkening back to their classic arcade side-scrollers of yore, Capcom revitalizes an old formula with brand-new play mechanics such as ledge-clinging and a neat hovering ability to hit a total homerun. Not a speck of slowdown to be seen, either! Reserved for mature players due to the gore factor.

Rare - For SNES

DK Country

Action-Platformer | 32 MEG

Release: November 1994

Hold onto your bananas! Ever since our first look at Donkey Kong Country at CES this summer, we knew this game was shaping up to be a special one. Upon its official release on November 21st, players across the nation will go ga-ga for this ape. Created on supercomputers by some of the industry's finest wizards, this return of DK features fully rendered graphics and outstanding color compositions. Over 100 levels are packed in this sucker, and each one better than the last. Tons of collectables, hidden areas, and mini games will keep you coming back to discover more. Superb play control with lots of variety, CD-like sounds, and best of all - no need for extra hardware! Play it Loud, Nintendo!

Virgin - For SNES

The Lion King

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: October 1994

It's time to take your place in the Circle of Life. Brought to you by Virgin Games, The Lion King is, as one would guess, based on the blockbuster Disney film. Play as the young lion cub, Simba, in a swathe of levels which take players through the full story of the theatrical release. The hand-drawn animation showcased within this cart is as stellar as Aladdin. Just check out the stampede level, oh goodness! Disney licensed games have been on a hot streak lately, and Lion King follows suit in the gameplay arena. Platforming and game control is programmed well, although our team noticed a stark difficulty spike early on. Good luck on that ostrich level, sheesh. Worth renting for the tots.

Acclaim - For SNES

Mortal Kombat II

Fighter | 24 MEG

Release: September 1994

One year after the legendary Mortal Monday, on an otherwise tame September day, Mortal II slammed down on the shelves. Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. Forget all other version of this game and pick up the Super NES translation. It is a perfect rip of the arcade cab. From the silky-smooth character movements, to the colorful graphical details, to the wide assortment of fatalities and combos, MK II on SNES captured it all in splendid fashion. Seven new fighters are here with loads of new moves and violent finishers to boot. Beneath a deceptive surface of edgy humor and gore, this fighter has excellent playability. A genuine improvement from the original in every way.

Square - For SNES

Final Fantasy III

Role-Playing | 24 MEG

Release: October 1994

Behold, the king of role-playing games! Long, long ago, a legendary war left the world a total wasteland bare of all magic. 100 years have passed, and an evil force seeks to revive spells to enslave our world. Square's much-anticipated Final Fantasy III is an unambiguous home run, securely blowing all other RPGs away. FF III features a story above and beyond any other on console; intricately woven, emotional, and full of twists and turns. The interface is a marked step-up from FF II, the battles are outrageously exhilarating, and the photo-real sprite work is incredible. Millions of copies have already sold in Japan, and for good reason! Get lost in the world of Final Fantasy.

Interplay - For SNES

Illusion of Gaia

Action-Adventure | 16 MEG

Release: September 1994

Your father was lost in a heroic expedition to discover ancient relics within the Tower of Babel. It's your duty to adventure forth and find him - oh and save the world from the deadly Chaos Comet! Illusion of Gaia is a welcome treat for action-adventure game fans anxiously awaiting the next Zelda. This epic successor to Soul Blazer propels you into the world to search for clues, decrypt puzzles, and explore enormous lands. Gaia's graphics are bright and stunning, and its gameplay will have you hooked in no time. Our only gripe is with the super slow introductory sequence, but once you get started the pace notably improves and the challenge comes into view.

Hudson - For SNES

Super Bomberman 2

Action-Puzzle | 8 MEG

Release: September 1994

When discussing multi-player video games, sooner or later discussion of Super Bomberman will arise. It was excellent fun on the Turbo, and four-man battling was better than ever on SNES. Now, the sequel has landed for Hudson fans. SB 2 contains all that we love about the first iterations, from a variety of maze-like screens to an awesome battle mode. There are plenty of new bomb types and traps to trip up your opponent and bring twice the fun to matches. Co-op mode is done rather well, although it and the single-player option hardly capture the manic mayhem of 4-player battles. In our view, not too many major gameplay improvements to be seen that truly merit a sequel.

Enix - For SNES

Brain Lord

Action Role-Playing | 12 MEG

Release: September 1994

Brain Lord is an all-new action-RPG from the storytellers over at Enix. Sharing attributes and play mechanics with Zelda and Soul Blazer, this cart is sure to hook all SNES games players. Traverse lands, gather clues, and battle for your life within dangerous dungeons. Brain Lord hardly breaks new ground in the genre, and its plotline is no deed of Shakespeare, but we found this title struck an excellent balance between mind-numbing action and monotonous role-playing fare. Sporting huge levels and wonderfully atmospheric music, not to mention above-average graphics for 16-Bit, Enix's unique work deserves kudos and a certain recommendation.

Interplay - For SNES

Blackthorne

Cinematic-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: September 1994

A mysterious hero named Kyle Blackthorne is armed and ready to tackle a brutally repressive world mired in revolt. Fans of Prince of Persia or Flashback will quickly fall in love with Blackthorne from Interplay. Jaunt through a side-view perspective adventure with smooth animation, numerous puzzles to solve, and plenty of fights to be had. This title presents a dark mood and an edgy sort of humor which may best appeal to a certain subsect of mature players. Blow away innocents and baddies all you like! The play control is a touch sluggish at times, but far exceeds similar games done in this style. For hours of gruesome entertainment, try it out!

Hudson - For SNES

Fievel Goes West

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: August 1994

Find your way to the Western Frontier in this follow-up to An American Tail, brought to you by Hudson Soft. Help Fievel save his family from Cat R. Waul's no-good plot to lure unsuspecting mice to their doom! Fievel Goes West takes the shape of a standard platforming game, with a healthy variety of detailed levels spanning from sewers to saloons, but it all ends up shallow and unappealing. Play control was our prime issue thanks to exceptionally poor hit detection and near-impossible jumps. Exploring the five main areas and gathering up neat power-ups was otherwise tainted by a less-than-solid gameplay experience. Not the greatest cartoon conversion.

Square - For SNES

Breath of Fire

Role-Playing | 12 MEG

Release: August 1994

Breath of Fire is a refreshing change from the glut of sub-standard 16-bit RPGs. Square, the creators of Final Fantasy, did us Americans a huge favor by localizing this Capcom gem. Even tepid fans of the genre will be pulled in. Showcasing memorable music and a brilliant storyline, BOF is a sure bet. Join together a diverse party of heroes to take down an evil goddess named Tyr, building up levels and improving stats along the way. We were especially overjoyed by the abundance of fully animated attack moves during battle scenes. Non-battle graphics are a touch forgettable, in the vein of a Lufia. Our team considers this an excellent title overall.

TradeWest - For SNES

Double Dragon V

Fighter | 24 MEG

Release: August 1994

Since recovering from its crossover with the Battletoads series, Double Dragon renewed its look with a so-so cartoon show. DDV grabbed inspiration from the TV toon and, to a sea of shrugging games players, remodeled itself into a tournament fighting game. Yes, a fighter, not a side-scroller. The one-vs.-one matchups in DDV teeter on SF copycat territory, but a greater emphasis on specialty weaponry over martial arts is noteworthy. Moves are tough to master, and combos nigh impossible. Also, these stubby characters all seem to have been squashed by a piano for some reason. Poor graphics and animation too. DD deserved better. We say skip this chore.

Nintendo - For SNES

Stunt Race FX

Racing | 8 MEG

Release: July 1994

Perhaps the most-hyped Super Nintendo release since SFII, Stunt Race FX is billed by Nintendo as the next "big thing". Star Fox revealed to players the power of the Super FX chip and the new wave of SNES tech. Now it's time to put the pedal to the metal. Using an all-new and improved FX2 game chip, Stunt Race FX showcases amazing polygonal graphics in enhanced 3-D environments. Select one of four unique modes, pick your vehicle, and race to your heart's content. On the downside, play control is finnicky to get ahold of and the game tends to run on the slow side. Be sure to try out the Stunt Trax mode for extra fun!

Capcom - For SNES

Super SF2: TNC

Fighter | 32 MEG

Release: July 1994

You didn't think we'd get through 1994 without the latest Street Fighter release, did you? Super SF2 is hitting the shelves via one monstrous 32-MEG gamepak capable of bringing that phenomenal arcade action right to your TV. Capcom brought their A-game as usual, presenting players with an additional four fighters, sharpened graphics, and loads of new attack combos. We did note a handful of moves which were MIA, and sadly this is a port lacks the re-balancing and super-speed of Turbo Edition. Super SF2 is a riot nonetheless, and available now at $70 for Genesis and SNES (Psst, the Sega release has an extra star!).

Seika - For SNES

Legend

Brawler | 8 MEG

Release: July 1994

Scrolling 16-Bit clashers make yet another return with Legend from Seika. Developed by two fine games designers as an apparent passion project, this brawler tells the tale of dual knights Kaor and Igor in their quest to defeat the despotic conqueror, Clovis. The medieval journey will last a brisk six levels as you tango with baddies and challenging bosses. Legend's core gameplay is so-so, not unlike genre sibling King of Dragons, but this cart's graphical fidelity is astounding. Brilliant thunderstorm effects and rotating backgrounds do liven up the atmosphere. Slasher fans may enjoy it, but Legend is a bit dull.

Bullet - For SNES

Spike McFang

Action-Adventure | 8 MEG

Release: June 1994

Undoubtedly the highlight of this month's reviews, The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang is a must buy for all Super Nintendo owners. McFang is an action role-playing/adventure title developed by Bullet-Proof Software. It presents an engaging vampiric story, awesome-looking pixel graphics, and an amusing collection of animations to boot. Throw your hat like a deadly boomerang or toss out cards to tackle foes throughout the mysterious island of Vladamasco. Along the lines of Soul Blazer, McFang has a ton to offer and is sure to take a long time to complete. Thank goodness for those battery saves!

Data East - For SNES

Fighter's History

Fighter | 20 MEG

Release: June 1994

Data East wants in on that fighting game action! Fighter's History is indeed their shot at stardom and, yes, an attempt to capitalize on the SF2 craze. Before diving into this one, an entertaining tidbit to note is how similar Capcom found FH as well. This title was a target of a copyright lawsuit by the big C, who alleged theft and demanded FH be stopped at all costs! Well, Capcom lost that battle, but they will likely win the war. In sales, that is. Data East delivered a generic and derivative fighter than has little to offer on its own. Our recommendation is to hold onto your funds until SSF2 is released next month.

Jaleco - For SNES

Peace Keepers

Brawler | 16 MEG

Release: April 1994

Lennon asked us to give peace a chance, so here we are! The Peace Keepers is a brawler/beat-em-up for SNES by Jaleco and a threequel to the lesser-known titles Rival Turf! and Brawl Brothers. One look at this cart and memories of Final Fight may flood your brain, but unoriginal though it may be, we deem TPK an above-average outing complete with sharp graphics and multiple, branching storylines for added replayability. Four players can brawl cooperatively with the Super Multitap, or you could journey out as a lone ranger if you so desire. With lots to love in TPK, I suppose the third time truly is the charm.

Capcom - For SNES

Mega Man Soccer

Sports | 12 MEG

Release: April 1994

Capcom has delivered a second Mega Man title exclusively for SNES systems, and this time it's war on the soccer pitch! Mega Man Soccer is a fun sports simulator with an arcade-like feel. It brings the Mega personality and colorful graphics of the titular series and loads it all up within this lighthearted soccer arena. Play control is not the greatest - a bit sluggish and cumbersome for a younger audience to enjoy. This cart does exhibit a wonderful four-player mode for party play as well as a password feature. A fine rental with some charm, but nowhere close to X.

Nintendo - For SNES

Super Metroid

Action-Adventure | 24 MEG

Release: April 1994

After a long wait, Samus is here in all of her 16-Bit glory. Nintendo's first smash hit of 1994 has arrived, and boy does it deliver on all fronts. Super Metroid is an action-adventure title, chock full of labyrinthian exploration complete with nasty bosses and secret rooms. Fans of the NES original will find tons to love in this Super cart: Beautiful graphics, stellar music, an array of weapon types, and pinpoint control accuracy. Once you get sucked in, you may find yourself playing Super Metroid for hours and hours on end. Leave it to the Big N to remind us to cherish our SNES.

Capcom - For SNES

Knights of the Round

Brawler | 12 MEG

Release: April 1994

Knights of the Round is the latest in a string of arcade rips for SNES. Looking past Capcom's bizarre choice to release the markedly similar King of Dragons right alongside this cart, it cannot be said that the developers did a poor job at translating this for home systems. Choose from three characters; Lancelot, Arthur, and Percibal, and bash your way through the shockingly unsafe Kingdom of Camelot. Albeit no Final Fight, Knights controls splendidly and has a great deal of replay value thanks to its cooperative mode. An excellent beginner brawler for all ages to enjoy.

Activision - For SNES

X-Kaliber 2097

Brawler | 16 MEG

Release: March 1994

In a surreal world fraught with killer aliens, mutants, and robots, it's up to you to save the world. Grab X-Kaliber, a sword of mystical powers, and take down the notorious Raptor and his evil henchmen. This science fiction title created by Activision has all the marks of a competent scrolling-brawler. Programmers on this cart skillfully brought to life this idea of a tarnished future with foreground and background graphics stylistically akin to those of Strider. Pull your buddy into the fray with X-Kaliber's cooperative mode for double trouble! A sharp title with an edge that's worth an honest look.

Capcom - For SNES

King of Dragons

Brawler | 16 MEG

Release: April 1994

Capcom's The King of Dragons, one of our favorites at the neighborhood arcade, has made its way to Super NES consoles starting in April. Explore sixteen challenging levels and conquer a large array of baddies on your way to bring down the mighty red dragon: Gildiss. Players will choose from five toughened warriors, each with their own sizes, speeds, and attach ranges. Gain levels as your game progresses to grow more powerful! The inclusion of a two-player mode doubles the fun (and the chaos!). This is a faithful translation, but if brawlers aren't your thing, do yourself a favor and skip it.

Data East - For SNES

Joe & Mac 2

Action-Adventure | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

Those crazy cavemen are back and sillier than ever in Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics. Talk about an upgrade! Joe & Mac was a fairly decent SNES title from awhile back in the system's life, but it suffered from a lack of features and more-than-occasional slowdown. J&M2 expands the world of the original from its addition of villages, new attack combinations, vehicle gameplay, and, thankfully, a save feature. In confining itself to 8 MEGS, Data East under-delivered on its graphically-creative capabilities. Still, we've concluded J&M2 is a grand ol' time for everybody from Old Ugg to Baby Pebbles.

Mindscape - For SNES

Alfred Chicken

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: February 1994

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!

Imagineer - For SNES

Wolfenstein 3D

First-Person Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: March 1994

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!

Sony - For SNES

Equinox

Puzzle-Adventure | 12 MEG

Release: March 1994

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.

Neverland - For SNES

Lufia

Role-Playing | 12 MEG

Release: December 1993

One hundred years ago, the destructive Sinistrals were defeated by the forces of light. Now, the monsters have returned! Gather up the fiercest warriors and restore peace to the land! Lufia is an exceedingly well-done RPG by the folks at Taito, presenting crisp graphics, an enjoyable soundtrack, and an easy-to-use interface. Your off-beat characters explore the world from an overhead perspective and battle foes in Phantasy Star-like fighting sequences. Lufia hardly presents a revolutionary vision for RPGs, but this entry-level title should satisfy all players.

Sony - For SNES

Skyblazer

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: January 1994

From Sony Imagesoft comes their greatest action cart yet revealed to starving gamers everywhere. Skyblazer is a side-scrolling action-adventure which puts you in the role of Sky: A hero tasked with a rescue mission versus one horrendous baddie named Ashura. Take down demons, locate magic points, and fight off huge, morphing bosses to save the day. Skyblazer is a blast, and gorgeous to look at too with vibrant graphics and Mode-7 aplenty. Your joy from these imaginative levels based in mythology may be fleeting as this is a short game, but a fun journey nonetheless.

Sunsoft - For SNES

Rabbit Rampage

Action-Platformer | 12 MEG

Release: February 1994

Ehh, what's up Doc? Sunsoft is partnering with Warner Bros has developed an animated platformer named Bugs Bunny Rabbit Rampage. This right here is a quality license, and fortunately Sunsoft did it (mostly) right. Toon fans will love the endless references to the classics and fawn over the sprite art and attention to detail. All, of course, accompanied by lovely, nostalgic music. As Bugs, knock out baddies with clever Acme trinkets - Anvils ahoy! Play control isn't a highlight here thanks in part to poor hit detection, yet nevertheless this oughta be an enjoyable weekend rental anyway.

Konami - For SNES

TMNT Fighters

Fighter | 16 MEG

Release: December 1993

Your very own heroes in a half shell give their own spin on the tried-and-true fighting game formula in Tournament Fighters available on both SNES and Genesis. The player may choose from any of the four turtles or six additional characters and engage in thrilling matches 'til the sun comes up. Every fighter has its own flare and fun combos to pull off, which in our view makes this title every bit as good as a Street Fighter game-alike can hope to be. Graphics are brilliant on both systems, but the Genesis cart is plagued by poor sound and controls so do avoid that version if you can.

Capcom - For SNES

Mega Man X

Action-Platformer | 12 MEG

Release: January 1994

Mega Man is at last upgraded to 16-bit! With better graphics, superb gameplay, extra-refined controls, hidden surprises, and a greater range of platforming techniques than ever before, it's safe to say we've reached pinnacle MM. Capcom's base formula remains intact, giving players a complex run-and-gun action game capped off with an intriguing robot master (and a reward power-up). Seeing as this title takes place a century after the now-bygone 8-bit iterations, Mega Man has evolved past the need for disappearing platforms! The difficulty varies, so don't get too comfortable.

SoftCreations - For SNES

Empire Strikes Back

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: November 1993

Star Wars returns to the Super NES with a second movie adaptation: Super Empire Strikes Back. Once again, we have here an engaging platformer based on George Lucas' famous space opera franchise. Empire, like the film, drastically improves upon its predecessor. Combat is tight, music is incredible, and Luke's newfound force powers bring a new element to the gameplay. Vader is here too, intimidating as ever! Players may find themselves flustered by precarious platforming segments, notably right off the bat on the Hoth level, but overcoming the difficulty is part of the fun - right?

Square - For SNES

Secret of Mana

Role-Playing | 16 MEG

Release: October 1993

The hard-hitting, RPG-maker Square Soft once more emerges from its laboratories with an exquisite role-player on SNES with Secret of Mana. This 16-meg cart presents a Final Fantasy-like exterior, with action gameplay not unlike that seen on Zelda III. The story revolves around the restoration of a mysterious energy powersource called "mana," although the showstopper in this RPG is more on the gameplay front. Smart AI, real-time combat, extensive weapon variety, and an optional cooperative, two-player mode may make Mana more palatable to American audiences than the traditional, turn-based affair. Or at least Square thinks so.

VisConcepts - For SNES

ClayFighter

Fighter | 16 MEG

Release: November 1993

Tired of the realistic blood and gore of fighting games nowadays? If so, you may be inclined to pick up the unique brawler ClayFighter, a monster smash at Chicago CES this year. VisualConcepts and Interplay have put together a humorous spin on the fighting genre, pitting angry snowmen and grumpy, green blobs against one another in what sometimes feels like a parody of Mortal Kombat. You still have your usual combo attacks and health bars, but now with impressive, claymation-like graphics and lovably silly sound fx. Under the surface, the core gameplay is rather simplistic without much replay value.

SoftCreations - For SNES

Plok

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: September 1993

Plok, a character described in the game manual as the manifestation of "pure energy," is an, erm, unique protagonist in one of the most brightly lit and psychedelic platformers to date. In this hair-raising adventure through jigsaw puzzles and lush meadows, the player will guide Plok as he collects shells, bashes baddies, and rescues his coveted flags. Software Creations did very well with this title, programming quality play control as well as catchy-as-heck music. No passwords, saves, or easy continues, so keep your limbs close (even as Plok tosses them around!) and remember to look before you leap!

Konami - For SNES

Zombies

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: August 1993

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.

Nintendo - For SNES

Mario All Stars

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: August 1993

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!

Capcom - For SNES

SF II Turbo

Fighter | 20 MEG

Release: August 1993

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.

Capcom - For SNES

Goof Troop

Action-Puzzle | 4 MEG

Release: September 1993

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!

Hudson - For SNES

Super Bomberman

Action-Puzzle | 4 MEG

Release: September 1993

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.

Natsume - For SNES

Pocky & Rocky

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: June 1993

Up for a real challenge? Don't be deceived by the bright colors and cutesy characters, under the hood lies a unique run-and-gun/platformer synthesis unlike anything we've seen here in the USA. Natsume presents Pocky and Rocky, starring a fierce heroine and her trusty raccoon sidekick. Voyage through four exceptionally difficult levels to save the land from a horde of mind-controlling goblins. This one is special, boys and girls. Whilst void of any Mode-7 scaling effects or FX-chip sparkle, beautifully detailed backgrounds, fascinating enemy designs, and memorable music makes Pocky the freshest SNES cart in ages.

Atlus - For SNES

Run Saber

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: June 1993

Run Saber appears to be Horisoft and Atlus' answer to Strider and Contra. Available exclusively on the Super NES, this cart takes inspiration from an assortment of beloved games to craft a respectable side-scrolling fighter. Wacky stages? Check. Creative yet unsettling boss designs? Check-aroony! High difficulty to make up for short levels? Yup, check that box too. We certainly had a grand ol' time playing Run Saber in an afternoon (We did so with the awesome 2-player mode!) but it is indeed painfully short and left us hankering for a Contra 4. Definitely worth renting, however, to see for yourself!

Seika - For SNES

Super Turrican

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: June 1993

The advertisement for the game says it all: "Freakin' Awesome!" Featuring over a dozen unique and colorful levels, a multitude of power-ups, bombs, and lasers, and over 1,000 screens, Super Turrican is among best action-shooters thus released for the Super NES. The graphics are commendable for a cart, matching some of the better Turbo Duo offsprings, and yet everything is crammed into just 8 Megs of power. As a plus, Seika also adds support for Dolby Surround Sound! It's tough as nails, as the greatest run-and-gun shooters are nowadays, but you're missing out if you skip this one, players. Turrican is back!

Nintendo - For SNES

Star Fox

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: March 1993

Soar through the skies as Fox McCloud in Star Fox, an ultra-realistic space shooter made from polygonal graphics. Aside from the outstanding graphics, the play control in this title is just as primo as we've come to expect from the Big N. With branching paths and a notable learning curve, not to mention some catchy tunes, you'll be playing this one more than once.

Data East - For SNES

Shadowrun

Role-Playing | 8 MEG

Release: May 1993

Burned out on swordplay and dragons in high fantasy role-playing games? Shadowrun is a horse of a different color. Taking place in a futuristic, mega-corporate cityscape, this punky explorer throws you directly into the dark action. Search for information, talk to rival gangs, and build your own adventure. This mature title one is a lovely change of pace for the Super NES.

Accolade - For SNES

Bubsy

Action-Platformer | 16 MEG

Release: May 1993

This bobcat has kept us waiting! Was it worth holding your breath over? Well, not exactly. The four colorful worlds of Bubsy are your standard platforming fare, and the animations are plentiful and do merit the occasional chuckle, but the wacky and cartoonish journey is nothing that veteran games players haven't seen before. Worth a rental to see and judge for yourself.

Konami - For SNES

Tiny Toon Adv.

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: February 1993

Buster Bunny "busts loose" in the newest game based on the tiny and toony (and a little loony) Warner Bros. critters. The graphics are totally stunning, and the sounds feel straight out of the cartoon show. Some portions feel a bit inspired by Sonic on Genesis, but speed is all the rage right now. Give it a shot, and good luck on the train level!

Interplay - For SNES

The Lost Vikings

Puzzle-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: April 1993

The Lost Vikings is an oddity. A fun oddity, though! This game mixes elements of both action and puzzle genres to concoct an amusing, brain-teasing adventure. Helping out these bearded chaps is no easy feat, and you'll be swapping between them to solve the trials, but do yourself a favor and see it in action for yourself.

THQ - For SNES

Wayne's World

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: March 1993

Party on, Wayne! THQ's movie tie-in may look and feel a lot like other 16-bit movie tie-ins, and that is for good reason. Their interpretation of the classic Saturday Night Live duo is fun for what it is, including commendable music and digitized scenes, but it leaves much to be desired as far as the gameplay goes. "Not worthy!"

Konami - For SNES

Cybernator

Action-Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: February 1993

Suit up in a futuristic mech suit and fire on all the baddies in the new action-filled Cybernator. Your very own Assault Suit comes equipped with powerful punching abilities and shotgun blasters to help eliminate hoards of alien attackers. It's a very well done cart, complete with an excellent score and Mode 7 explosions! Worth a try!

Capcom - For SNES

Magical Quest

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: December 1992

Capcom does it again! Mickey Mouse takes center stage in this new platformer adventure games on the Super NES. Six action-packed levels have you traversing all sorts of obstacles on the way to take down Emperor Pete. The gameplay is spectacular, and the action is quite good, not to mention the stellar graphics. Definitely worth a play.

MicroProse - For SNES

Super Strike Eagle

Flight Sim | 8 MEG

Release: February 1993

Soar through the skies in this super-realistic jet flying game from MicroProse. The graphics are dizzying, the action is heart-pounding, and the sounds are totally supersonic. This title lets you fire your rockets at enemy jets as you look to keep the world safe for freedom. It even has two-player mode! If that sounds fun, strap-in!

Lucasfilm - For SNES

Super Star Wars

Action-Platformer | 8 MEG

Release: November 1992

Based on the beloved 1977 hit film, Star Wars puts you in control of Jedi Luke Skywalker as you fight your way through rip-roaring levels to take down the dreaded Empire. This title has packed a surefire punch, putting those 8 Megabits to work! With spectacular music straight out of the picture and excellent, varied gameplay, it's safe to say you won't want to miss this one. May the force be with you!

Nintendo - For SNES

Mario Paint

Interactive | 8 MEG

Release: October 1992

This "game" is actually more of an art studio simulator than a earnest gaming experience. From the tech wizards at Nintendo comes this Mario-based toolbelt for your Super NES. It allows the player to create lifelike masterpieces, compose symphonies, and more! It comes packaged with a computer mouse accessory that will allow for better control. It's worth a rental to try something a bit eccentric.

Nintendo - For SNES

Super Mario Kart

Racing | 8 MEG

Release: October 1992

Play as your favorite Super Mario character as you race through colorful, new worlds in this competitive fun-fest! Do not be fooled, this game is more than your average clone of F-Zero in a Mario skin. Super Mario Kart is a heck of a time. Item power-ups like bananas and mushrooms keep you on your toes, and the music keeps the adrenaline pumpin'! A ton of fun all around, and a Super Buy no doubt.

Atlus - For SNES

BlaZeon

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: November 1992

This port of the arcade hit, developed by Atlus, grants you the power to freeze and control various robots on your way to the oppressive Bio-Cyborg home world! The power-up technique is certainly a unique one, putting it ahead of your average shooter in some regard, but otherwise it does not go above and beyond. It's satisfactory enough, and fans of the genre will have enjoy the ride.

NTVIC - For SNES

Strike Gunner

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: September 1992

This port of the vertical arcade shooter allows for two-player simultaneous gameplay as you fight to stop an alien invasion. The weapon selection in Strike Gunner is equal with the arcade counterpart, but do not expect the same amazing scrolling effects or graphics. STG is an undisputably fun ride, but a lackluster difficulty and poor style make it unmemorable.

Toho - For SNES

Space Megaforce

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: October 1992

In Space Megaforce, you operate a small vessel in a mission to stop a mysterious, spherical object from destroying the planet. This game is fast - incredibly fast. The opening levels are a touch too easy, but it ramps up with a slew of crazy power-up devices and weapons. It's hard not to be won over by the mind-boggling Mode 7 scaling effects as well.

Konami - For SNES

Axelay

Shooter | 8 MEG

Release: September 1992

An advancement of their prior shooters like Life Force, the new Axelay title from Konami grants you control over the D117B space fighter ship in a fight to save the galaxy from an alien empire. You have three weapon styles to begin with, but as you proceed through the levels, your arsenal expands. It's excellent, visually, and a great shooter as a whole.

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