FIFA International Soccer		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Electronic Arts (1993) Reviewed: 2003/11/28

Being Electronic Art's first soccer game, you might expect this to be a little weak, but FIFA is the complete package. Believe it or not, this game even compares favorably to the latest FIFA games on the PS2. At least with this game you don't have to be an expert to score a goal. With its simple control scheme and straightforward gameplay, this is a game anyone can pick up and immediately enjoy. The basic control scheme includes lobs, back-heels, slide-tackles, and one-touch passes. It's possible to head the ball and perform bicycle kicks, but these don't occur very often. Passing the ball is easy, and you don't have to set up the perfect shot to score - just about any shot has a chance. And things really heat up when the ball starts bouncing around in front of the goal - anything can happen. Graphically, FIFA has small but well animated players who jump and flip in celebration when they score a goal, and the little rotating soccer ball looks terrific. The game boasts 48 teams from all over the world, and there are a surprising number of options that let you tweak your lineup and strategy. The crowd noise has its share of static, but the chants are pretty neat. But it's the fact that FIFA is fun for even casual players that proves it's a great game. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for FIFA International Soccer on Ebay, Amazon

1 to 4 players

FIFA Soccer 95		Grade: A
	Publisher: Electronic Arts (1994) Reviewed: 2003/11/28

As good as the first FIFA was, this one is even better thanks to more polished visuals and better AI. Right off the bat you can see that the action is faster and smoother, and the control has been tightened up as well. FIFA '95 is still easy to play, but your supporting players act more intelligently, clearing themselves for passes and heading balls at every opportunity. There are more flashy moves, and the cleaned-up visuals make them easier to see. Realistic details include shots that curve and goalies that direct their players with hand gestures. The sound has been cleaned up as well, so the crowd has less static, and the crisp sounds of firework explosions can be heard after each goal. One very interesting aspect of the game is the use of ads on the sideline (Panasonic). This is the earliest video game I can recall that actually contains advertisements. In terms of options, EA threw in everything but the kitchen sink. There are 200 teams and eight international cups, and you can customize everything down to the victory celebrations. In terms of soccer video games, you can't ask for much more than this. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for FIFA Soccer 95 on Ebay, Amazon

1 to 4 players

FIFA Soccer 96		Grade: B
	Publisher: Electronic Arts (1995) Reviewed: 2003/11/28

Probably running out of ideas of how to improve an already outstanding soccer game, EA decided that this edition would concentrate on realism. The players are modeled from 3D animations, and although most of the detail is lost in their small size, the players definitely look more realistic than they did in past years. The new animations look fine, but the gameplay has lost some of its arcade sensibility. The computer opponents are extremely quick and it's hard to maintain possession of the ball for more than a second. Passing is difficult, and the game definitely seems less fun and more frustrating than past editions. However, if you've mastered the other FIFAs and are hungry for a challenge, this game is for you. And soccer die-hards are sure to appreciate the 3800 players from 237 teams in 12 worldwide leagues. Personally, I think the series peaked with FIFA '95. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for FIFA Soccer 96 on Ebay, Amazon

1 to 4 players

Fire Shark		Grade: B
	Publisher: Dreamworks (1990) Reviewed: 2003/5/23

Fire Shark is a turbo-charged version of the arcade game 1942. This highly regarded shooter certainly delivers in terms of sheer firepower and number of enemies. Your biplane is swarmed by dozens of enemy forces from the air, ground, and sea. Fortunately, your powerful guns are up to the task, and you also have a supply of devastating bombs. The bombs take out a large area, and you can time their detonation by holding the deploy button. There are three types of weapons, and each can be powered-up to an insane degree. Fireshark is a shooter lover's shooter. The action is fast and furious with no hint of slowdown. The graphics are a little weak, especially the desert and water backgrounds, but the animation is smooth and flicker-free. Fire Shark is a little on the easy side, mainly because the power-ups bounce around the screen until you catch them. It's cool how your plane catches fire when hit, allowing you to get off a few extra shots before going down. This one's a winner. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Fire Shark on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Flashback		Grade: A-
	Publisher: US Gold (1995) Reviewed: 2000/5/21

Flashback was advertised in 1995 as a "CD-ROM game on a cartridge", and this description was not too far off. At the time, systems like the Sega CD boasted games with full-screen cinematics interspersed with the action. Flashback delivers the same kind of intermissions on a 16 megabit cart. Another breakthrough was the used of realistic character animation. Instead of "hopping" from ledge to ledge, the character would fluidly leap up, grab the ledge and pull himself up. There are several smooth character animations here, including leaps, rolls, and sneaking up on an enemy with gun drawn. And you don't "see" bullets in this game; if you shoot, and someone is in your sights, they're shot. Pretty realistic. You begin your adventure with little background information, but as you progress, occasional cinematics shed light on a compelling storyline that really draws you in. The gameplay involves shooting enemies, using objects, and opening new areas, but you'll need to be slow and deliberate in order to succeed. The sound effects and music are exceptional and add atmosphere and tension. Flashback may never impress like it once did, but it's still a solid adventure. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Flashback on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Frogger		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Sega (1998) Reviewed: 1999/10/7

This version of Frogger appears to be a direct port of the arcade game, which is a good thing. It's much more fun than the horrible 3D treatment that poor Frogger was subjected to on the Playstation. This is quite addicting and features very catchy music. My only complaint is that there are no extra options or game variations. I mean, c'mon, even the Atari 2600 had a few different modes and skill levels. Oh well. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Frogger on Ebay, Amazon

1-2 players

Gaiares		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Revovation (1990) Reviewed: 2006/9/17

This has always been one of my favorite Genesis shooters, despite the fact that I've never been able to pronounce its freakin' name! A conventional side-scrolling space shooter, Gaiares isn’t very original but what it does, it does well. Holding down the fire button engages rapid-fire, and your ship is escorted by a round device called a "Toz". Not only does the Toz serve as a shield and an extra cannon, but you can deploy it to capture and equip enemy weapons. The "catch" is that you can't fire when deploying the Toz, leaving you temporarily vulnerable. Each weapon can be powered-up to three levels, and once fully charged, your firepower is awesome. What the graphics lack in detail they compensate for with personality and variety. The attractive layered backgrounds are constantly changing. One moment you'll be hurling through a cloudy atmosphere at break-neck speeds, and the next you'll been navigating the tight corridors of icebergs bobbing in water. Your attackers aren't particularly memorable, but like the backgrounds, they come in a wide variety. The bosses are formidable, and most resemble screen-sized humanoids. The weak spot of the first one is his crotch, which makes a heck of lot of sense if you think about it. The adrenaline-pumping soundtrack is outstanding, and anime cut-scenes are used to flesh out a background story. Gaiares is surprisingly long, and although several continues are provided, you'll probably need a cheat code to reach the end. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Gaiares on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Galaxy Force II		Grade: F
	Publisher: Sega (1992) Reviewed: 2003/4/24

Often the worst games are also the most interesting. Despite its negligible play value, I have to give Galaxy Force credit for being somewhat ahead of its time. This behind-the-ship 3D space shooter resembles games like Total Eclipse (3DO) which would appear years later. Come to think of it, those games weren't any good either! Despite the Genesis' limited 3D capabilities, Galaxy Force delivers some respectable scaling of objects flying in over the horizon. The other 3D effects are achieved using more traditional means, like rotating colors on flat planet surfaces and in rectangular tunnels. Your ship shoots forward automatically and continuously, but these shots aren't readily apparent because your ship covers them up. Your gun is pretty useless for the most part, but Galaxy Force has another trick up its sleeve. Markers appear on objects you move a cursor over, and by pressing the missile button, you can unleash a swarm of guided missiles that destroy these targets instantly - very impressive. If this sounds a bit familiar, that's because it's basically the same shooting mechanism used much later by the Panzer Dragoon games (Saturn, Xbox). Galaxy Force II also makes an admirable (but unnecessary) attempt as voice syntheses, telling you to turn left or right while navigating the tunnels. With all the technology, you'd think this would be a decent game, but it's too easy and gets downright boring after only a few minutes. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Galaxy Force II on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Gargoyles		Grade: B-
	Publisher: Buena Vista Interactive (1995) Reviewed: 2006/6/18

Gargoyle's platform gameplay may not be exceptional, but its graphics will certainly grab your attention. Apparently this is based on a cartoon show from the 90's which I've never even heard of. You control an animated gargoyle who can slash with his claws, slam enemies, perform shoulder charges, crawl on walls, and "flap" to briefly elevate. The first stage takes place in burning castle ruins, and it's one of the best looking stages I've ever witnessed on the Genesis. The degree of detail and masterful use of color is very pleasing to the eye. The crumbling castle walls glow red amidst a pool of flames, and it looks magnificent against the deep blue night sky. Later, you'll explore a modern downtown area with a beautiful parallax-scrolling skyline. Another notable stage takes place in a moving subway train. The single uninspired level is the volcanic cavern, which seems to appear in every platform game. Your gargoyle character is extra large and detailed for a Genesis title. The Vikings you battle in the first stage aren't very distinct, but the shiny robots in later stages look terrific. I enjoyed Gargoyle's brand of wall-busting platform action, but the game really does beat that whole "flap jump" move to death. You often have to "flap and grab" your way up tall structures, and taking a single hit sends you plummeting. Gargoyles fighting action is mediocre. The throw move often doesn't register, leaving you vulnerable to counter attacks. Despite the artistic beauty of its graphics, the game's sparse soundtrack is less memorable. With the exception of some pounding drums, it sounds hokey at times. The sound effects however ring out with a clarity and crispness that you normally don't associate with the Genesis. It's no classic, but Gargoyles is rock-solid platformer with showcase graphics to boot. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Gargoyles on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Ghouls 'N Ghosts		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Sega (1989) Reviewed: 1999/10/12

Ghouls and Ghosts plays like a lighthearted medieval game with a horror movie flavor (think Army of Darkness). You control a knight battling his way through a constantly-changing landscape of graveyards, caves, mountains, and burning towns. Along the way you encounter a remarkable variety of creatures including skull-spewing plants, zombies, and puking trolls. When you take a hit, you lose your armor and have to run around in your undies until you find a new suit (or die). New weapons and armor can be found in chests. You have to be careful though, because some chests contain an evil magician who will turn you into an old man or a duck! The dark graphics and fantastic musical score really create a terrific atmosphere. Ghouls and Ghosts is excruciatingly hard, but at least you get unlimited continues, so you can play all night. And you will. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Ghouls 'N Ghosts on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Golden Axe		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Sega (1989) Reviewed: 2000/1/26

Golden Axe is a side-scrolling medieval hack-n-slash fighter. One or two players choose between a muscular warrior, a sexy female, or dwarf character. Your eight-stage quest is filled with barbarians, lizard men, skeletons, and little elves who try to steal your supplies. With only one attack button your moves are fairly limited, but other aspects of the game make up for this. Collecting magic pots allows you to cast destructive magic spells. Some enemies ride in on the backs of creatures, and after commandeering one you can perform devastating attacks like the tail whip or fire-breath. After each game the players are rated by performance. Besides the normal arcade mode, there's a duel mode that pits one player against foes of increasing difficulty. ALthough the graphics and sound are plain by today's standards, Golden Axe is a lot of fun to play. A sequel soon followed. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Golden Axe on Ebay, Amazon

1-2 players

Golden Axe II		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1991) Reviewed: 2003/8/15

I really love this game. It surpasses its predecessor in every way, although both play pretty much the same. The same three characters are back (warrior, babe, and dwarf), but the enemies are much more interesting this time around. Skeletons rise from their graves (as if from an old Ray Harryhausen film) and large demonic creatures tower overhead. The graphics are slightly refined, as are the controls. You can now aim left or right when performing throws, adding a bit more strategy. Another new feature is controlling the "strength" of your magic attack. By holding down the magic button for a certain duration, a visual meter displays the degree of carnage you're about to unleash. The medieval scenery looks great and the musical score is first-rate. Golden Axe 2 is fun enough with one player, but the two-player mode is where it really shines. Fans of the first Golden Axe should feel right at home with this one. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Golden Axe II on Ebay, Amazon

1 or 2 players

Granada		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Renovation (1990) Reviewed: 2004/2/6

If you love Genesis shooters but are weary of the standard formulas, you should try Granada (or as it says on the box, "XGranadaX"). This innovative game is quite enjoyable and unlike anything else I've played. In most shooters your course is predetermined, but in Granada you move a tank freely around a large maze-like area, using a radar screen to locate your targets. Enemies include tanks, cannons, giant rolling pins, and star-shaped space ships. Once you clear a stage, a boss is unleashed, and you can tell that some thought was put into these things. The first one looks like a Tinkertoy spider and it bounces around the screen trying to squash you. The second boss only reveals its vulnerable spot when you stop shooting, and it took me a while to figure that out. The stages are interesting too, including a huge flying airplane and an elevated city. The graphic quality is just average for a Genesis game, and the sound isn't so hot either. The most unusual aspect of the game is the control scheme that requires you to hold down two buttons at a time. The 'A' button is for rapid fire, 'B' allows you to strafe and 'C' provides your power shot. You'll need to hold down A and B most of the time, and yes, it is awkward. Your power shot looks pretty dinky, but it's extremely effective on bosses. Another interesting aspect is the power-ups. I challenge anyone to find a power-up more innovative than the "deflectors", which are floating disks that allow you to shoot around corners - very cool. Despite its stupid name, Granada is a pleasant surprise that I can recommend to all shooter fans. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Granada on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Greendog The Beached Surfer Dude		Grade: B-
	Publisher: Sega (1992) Reviewed: 2005/8/11

I always enjoy games with alluring tropical environments, so it was hard to resist Greendog. It's a side-scroller with stages set on Caribbean islands and inside mysterious Aztec-looking temples. The main character is a lanky, blonde surfer with an odd bowl haircut which resembles a straw hat. Greendog's graphics are not great but it's hard not to like the bright, tropical scenery. The platform action is fairly standard, with the usual floating logs, sinking blocks, springs, and door switches. You'll be attacked by birds, starfish, and crabs, but these creatures can be destroyed by tossing your Frisbee at them. This Frisbee "weapon" can be tossed straight forward or diagonally, but there's not a fine degree of control. It's fairly awkward, but Greendog does a lot of other things right. The background music has a relaxing, steel drum, island vibe that I found appealing. Falling in the water will not cost you a life (thankfully), and there are some fast-paced skateboarding stages to break up the platform-jumping monotony. On the downside, when a creature ends up on top of our hero, it's frustratingly hard to escape (or kill) it. Many areas feature annoying red fish that latch onto you and won't let go. The skateboard stages feature some ill-conceived "spring" traps that send you back in the stage, and the underwater stages are predictably slow. Bonus stages put our surfer on an odd, flying unicycle contraption to collect items, but it's hard to control and not particularly fun. In the end, Greendog is a good game for a hot summer day, but its numerous flaws ensured we'd never see a sequel. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Greendog The Beached Surfer Dude on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Grind Stormer		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Tengen (1994) Reviewed: 2003/3/23

Grind Stormer is such a generic and non-innovative shooter that it's hard to believe it came out in 1994. This vanilla vertical scroller looks more like a 1990 game (not that there's anything wrong with that). You just guide your ship over bland backgrounds and blow away waves of nondescript cannon fodder. What's the deal with these muddled graphics? They look like they were drawn with crayons! One thing I do like about Grind Stormer is the massive firepower you get practically from the start. Your ship is armed with a rapid-fire weapon and a limited number of bombs. In the first stage, if you collect a power-up you can pretty much weave back and forth across the screen, destroying most enemies before they can even fully enter the screen. I also like the "smart" missiles that seek out and latch onto enemies like parasites. Ironically, your insane firepower sometimes makes the game harder, because all the missiles and support cannons tend to confuse the action. Your bombs not only clear the screen, but also provide a protective shield, so use them defensively. Visually, Grind Stormer has some ugly graphical glitches and slowdown is also a problem. The music and sound effects are so lame you probably won't notice them. Shooter fans might find it worth their while, but Grind Stormer won't appeal to casual gamers. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Grind Stormer on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Growl		Grade: C
	Publisher: Taito (1991) Reviewed: 2006/1/4

This side-scrolling beat-em-up isn't much to look at, but fans of the genre will find it worth their while. In a heavy-handed attempt to take a stand against animal cruelty, Growl gives you the pleasure of beating up and mowing down evil hunters and poachers. It may not be the most positive message for kids, but work with me here. Growl's mediocre graphics and sound are pretty much what you'd expect from an early Genesis title. The generic scenery looks grainy and the music quality wavers between poor and fair. In fact, the title screen music earns the title of "worst video game music ever"! For the love of God man - what an unholy cacophony of noise! You can play as one of four grizzled musclemen, but they all control pretty much the same. Growl's gameplay involves punching, jumping, and kicking your way through gangs of colorful thugs, who appear up to ten at a time! Most are the typical brutes you'd expect, but what are those shapely women wearing heels and business suits doing in there?! Getting their asses kicked, apparently! You'll find a nice assortment of weapons including swords, knives, whips, pistols, machine guns, grenades, and even a rocket launcher! After stumbling upon a poacher teasing a falcon, there's nothing more satisfying that mowing down his ass with a machine gun! No animals were harmed during the course of this game, but you'd better believe a lot of people were! (It's okay though, because they were all bad!) When you run out of ammo, the whip is an effective option since it can strike enemies in the front and back of your character. When in a crowd, it's a good idea to execute your devastating flying kick that obliterates everything in the area. It costs you a bit of life, but it's well worth it. After tossing a grenade, I like how your character takes cover - it's a nice touch. It's also nice how you can knee a guy in the face who's already down. There are a surprising number of explosions in this game, often accompanied by flying charred body parts. Whatever you do, however, keep your distance from the fat dudes, because they tend to explode without warning. Yeah, Growl is definitely a silly game but it serves it purpose (just please don't ask me what that is). You're allotted three continues, and a high score displayed on the bottom of the screen gives you something to shoot for. Remember, somebody has to stand up for these innocent animals. Won't you help? © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Growl on Ebay, Amazon

1 player

Gunstar Heroes		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Sega (1993) Reviewed: 2006/1/4

This game has achieved legendary status by Genesis shooter fans, so my primary question coming into this review was: Is Gunstar Heroes overrated? After careful consideration, intense meditation, and deep soul searching, I've come to the conclusion "no, not really". In fact, I find this game as amazing today as I did twelve years ago. Gunstar Heroes pulls out all the stops with its insane rapid-fire action, marvelously detailed graphics, hyper soundtrack, and offbeat sense of humor. This game has some of the most distinctive visuals and sound effects I've witnessed on the Genesis, and serves up one surprise after another. One or two players can blast their way through four memorable stages of regenerating baddies and imaginative bosses. The gameplay is total mayhem, but that's part of what makes it so cool. The number of enemies and explosions on the screen at any given time is remarkable, with no slow-down in sight (this game would never work on the SNES). The developer, Treasure, incorporated a lot of innovative features, so there's a lot more depth than first meets the eye. Your hero can jump-kick, throw enemies, duck, slide, perform hand-over-hand climbs (while shooting), switch weapons on the fly, and even defend. That's pretty impressive when you consider the controller has just three buttons! Before each game you're offered a choice of two control schemes: move while shooting, or stop while shooting (to aim with more precision). Four types of weapon power-ups can be combined in ten ways to produce all sorts of devastating firepower. The stages can be played in any order, and they include a grassy village of tiny people, a wild mine-cart sequence, and an epic battle on an airship that culminates with a showdown against a muscleman on the wings of a flying plane. The fourth stage is the most innovative however, playing like a surreal board game. As you roll the dice to progress, each square offers an interesting mini-stage, including some truly over-the-top bosses. Gunstar Heroes is loaded with laugh-out-loud humor, and I'll never forget the flea-sized "boss" who tossed me clear across the screen! Its cool how the life meters of bosses take the form of numeric counters - it's always satisfying to watch them count down. Despite its overall greatness, there are a few minor flaws. First, in two-player mode the players look very similar, so it's easy to confuse them in the heat of the battle. When in close proximity, you often throw your partner inadvertently. Also, your score is never displayed after the game ends, so your only real goal is to finish the game. That's okay, because there are three skill levels and it's not very long to begin with. Collectors and shooter fans should try to track down Gunstar Heroes at all costs. This game pushes your Genesis to the limit! © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Check for Gunstar Heroes on Ebay, Amazon

1 or 2 players