Mortal Kombat		Grade: B-
	Publisher: Acclaim (1993) Reviewed: 2003/12/30

When I first switched on Mortal Kombat for the Game Gear, I was blown away by the size of the characters. Not only do they fill the screen, but they also boast level of digitized detail and clarity you might not expect from the system. Does the gameplay match the impressive graphics? Not quite. The fighters' movements are rough and erratic, and certain special moves (like Raiden's flying attack) cause major graphic break-up. Control is not as responsive as it could be, and trying to execute certain special moves (like Sub Zero's Deep Freeze) is problematic. Still, I found the gameplay to be similar to the arcade game and fairly enjoyable overall. The best part is the tournament mode, where you dispatch a parade of increasingly difficult foes en route to facing the huge four-armed boss, Goro. There are three skill levels and six playable fighters: Johnny Cage, Lui Kang, Rayden, Scorpion, Sub Zero, and Sonya (Kano is missing). Like its Genesis counterpart, there is a "blood" code (2,1,2,Down,Up on title screen). © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Mortal Kombat II		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Acclaim (1994) Reviewed: 2004/2/16

The first Mortal Kombat for the Game Gear was impressive, and this one is even better. In fact, it's hard to imagine a better fighting game for the Game Gear. This time around you get eight warriors instead of six: Lui Kang, Reptile, Sub Zero, Shang Tsung, Kitana, Jax, Mileena, and Scorpion. For some reason, the two women look a little too thick around the middle - not very attractive. The graphics and sound are about the same quality as the previous edition, but the gameplay is faster and the controls are tighter. A ringing sound effect alerts you when your health is low, but it sounds a lot like a telephone. Thankfully, you don't need to enter a code to unleash the blood, although it's not as gratuitous as you might expect. Like the first Mortal Kombat, there are three skills levels, and you can't pause because the Start button is used to block. Overall, this one is a head-ripping, spine-tearing good time. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

NFL Quarterback Club		Grade: D
	Publisher: Acclaim (1994) Reviewed: 2003/12/30

If not for its obvious technical flaws, QB Club would be a nice little football game. It certainly scores highly in terms of presentation. The side-scrolling field looks sharp, and the pudgy players are easy to follow. A smart control scheme lets you spin or speed burst when running with the ball, and this is one of those rare football games where you really can break away from the pack for a long run. Passing requires precise timing because throws tend to float in the air. On defense, you should be able to switch to the closest defender at any time, but most of the time this doesn't seem to work. The play calling screens are attractive and easy to navigate, and even contain trick plays like reverses, shovel-passes, and half-back options (yes!). All the NFL teams are available (circa 1994), and you can play a password-saved season. Unfortunately, the CPU opponent is weak, even on the "pro" level. That's a serious problem considering there's no link capability. Other issues include players that disappear from the waist down, and sometimes disappear completely! The ball moves at an angle instead of an arc, which indicates lazy programming. After an incomplete pass, you have to wait for the rolling ball to come to a complete stop before you can continue - for no good reason at all. The option to use X's and O's instead of animated players is ridiculous. NFL Quarterback Club is a playable game, but there's got to be better football action available for the Game Gear. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

PGA Tour Golf		Grade: D
	Publisher: Tengen (1993) Reviewed: 2003/11/26

I thought I'd love this one, considering how crazy I am about the old Genesis PGA games. But this wasn't made by Electronic Arts, and it shows. While initially perusing the options menu, I noticed you could turn off displays like the overhead view, ball lie, green close-up, and others. I couldn't understand why anyone would want to turn these off, since they all play a part in the strategy of the game. Then I started playing and realized just how freakin' slow this game is. You're constantly hitting the Start button to pass through all the aggravating set-up screens, and once you finally get an opportunity to swing, you can't even tell where you're aiming. The sparse scenery doesn't help much, and neither does the useless overhead map. One thing the game does do right is employ a standard, 3-button-press swing meter that's easy to use. Unfortunately, once the ball is hit, you have to wait several seconds for the new spot and surrounding scenery to be rendered slowly on the screen. This game will test the patience of most gamers. A few seconds here and there really add up over eighteen holes. PGA Tour Golf is a pretty weak golf game that you won't want to play unless you have a lot of time on your hands. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

PGA Tour Golf II		Grade: B
	Publisher: Electronic Arts (1993) Reviewed: 2003/12/30

This is golf done right on the Game Gear. Like the Genesis PGA Golf games, this one features a streamlined interface, tight controls, a wealth of options, and realistic gameplay. Play modes include practice, tournament, or skins, and up to four people can play (taking turns). After viewing an overhead preview of each hole, you are taken to the main screen that provides all the information you need to make an informed shot. Unfortunately, rendering the scenery on this screen can take up to 10 seconds, which dramatically slows down the action. The swing meter is a pleasure to use, and you can adjust your draw or fade before the shot. You can't add topspin or backspin, but you can select "punch" or "chip" shots. When on the green, a detailed "grid" appears to help you line up the shot. There are six courses to choose from, and a generous options menu lets you fully tailor the presentation of the game. There's even a password save feature. PGA Tour Golf II is a terrific golf game, and if not for the pauses in the action, it would be 'A' material. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

RBI Baseball 94		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Tengen (1993) Reviewed: 2005/5/8

With its brisk gameplay, simple controls and detailed players, RBI is a good choice for Game Gear baseball fans. Perhaps most impressive is how similar this game is to the Genesis version, both in terms of graphics and gameplay. The pitching/batting interface is simple as can be, and chasing down balls in the field is actually enjoyable. The players are exceptionally large for a portable game, although their animation looks somewhat robotic. I do hate how fielders always catch the ball while reaching straight up and standing on their toes! It looks idiotic; especially when a throw comes in low. I suspect this may be a bug in the code. RBI features its trademark instant replay feature and a pleasant melody plays throughout the game (no, you can't turn it off). The game moves along at a steady clip, but like the Genesis version, an excessive number of foul balls tend to slow down the action. Otherwise, RBI Baseball 94 delivers an addictive, arcade-style flavor of the national pastime. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Sonic Chaos		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Sega (1993) Reviewed: 2003/10/8

Compared to the first Sonic title for the Game Gear, Chaos offers a far more satisfying experience. For one thing, you can choose between Sonic or Tails the fox, and Tail's ability to fly greatly alters the dynamics of the game and adds replay value. You'll notice a difference in the graphics right away, with larger characters and more elaborate scenery. The stages are larger and less linear, with multitudes of alternate pathways, breakable walls, and secret areas. And thankfully, Sonic Chaos is loaded with all kinds of all those crazy loops and corkscrews you can't get enough of. New gizmos include missiles you can fly around on and pogo sticks you can bounce on. In terms of control, the speed dash is a welcome new addition (essential in my book), allowing the hedgehog to go from zero to sixty in an instant. Unlike the first Sonic on the Game Gear, you can even continue your game after you've exhausted your lives. As good as Sonic Chaos is, it still shares a few flaws with the first game. The speed is very inconsistent, alternating between medium speed and near slow motion. And in later stages, it's too easy to fall off the bottom of the screen, resulting in instant death. But if you found the first Game Gear Sonic to be lacking, give this one a try. It's a major improvement. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Sonic The Hedgehog		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Sega (1991) Reviewed: 2003/10/8

Sonic's initial foray onto the Game Gear is fair but lacking certain elements that made Sonic famous in the first place. For one thing, this Sonic lacks speed. Compared to the turbo-charged Genesis version, this plays more like a Mario game. And where are all the crazy loops that we all love so much? You won't find them here. At least the control is dead-on, and the upbeat music and sound effects are surprisingly faithful to the original game. The graphics are bright and cheery, with large enemies that are easy to make out. There are six zones in all, some inspired by the original game, but they tend to be pretty linear and the backgrounds are plain. Many zones are loaded with fatal drop-offs, forcing you to proceed at a very slow, deliberate pace. The second stage of the Bridge zone features a screen that constantly scrolls slowly to the right - a lousy idea that you won't find in any other past, present, or future Sonic titles. The bonus stages, which featured rotating graphics in the 16-bit version, are pretty lame here. All you do is bounce around an enclosed area trying to snag as many rings as you can. Slow-down is a common problem, especially after you grab a power-up. Taking a hit only causes one ring to fly out of you, but your total is reduced to zero anyway. Each zone also has a chaos emerald hidden in it, and collecting all six allows you to view a "special" ending. Despite its flaws, Sonic is enjoyable enough, and it's definitely a challenge. Unfortunately, there are no continues unless you snag one in the bonus stage, so you'll always have to work your way back through those early stages. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Star Wars Return of the Jedi		Grade: A-
	Publisher: LucasArts (1995) Reviewed: 2004/2/16

The force is strong in this one. Like its impressive SNES counterpart, Return of the Jedi delivers challenging platform action with top-notch graphics and amazing music. The stages loosely follow the storyline of the movie, including Leia rescuing Han from Jabba the Hutt, Han knocking out the shield generator on the moon of Endor, Luke defeating the Emperor, and finally, Lando destroying the new Death Star. If you've played any of the SNES Super Star Wars games, you know there's a lot of platform jumping involved, and it can border on tedious at times. Fortunately, Jedi has outstanding control that makes it easy to navigate even the narrowest ledges. You can choose between several characters for each mission, and there are even two vehicle missions to spice things up. You'll face some huge bosses including the Rancor, but some bosses take far too long to defeat. I really enjoyed Jedi until I reached the speeder bike chase sequence in the woods of Endor. Yikes - those pseudo 3D graphics look awful and you can't even tell what's going on! Other than that aberration, Return of the Jedi is pure gold for your Game Gear. A password feature is also included. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Streets of Rage 2		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1993) Reviewed: 2003/11/26

This game is remarkable! The Genesis Streets of Rage 2 set a new standard for side-scrolling fighters, and this Game Gear version is a surprisingly close adaptation. In fact, it looks like the exact same game - only in miniature. You can choose between Axel, Blaze, and Skate, and the characters look almost identical in to those in the original game. Max the wrestler isn't included, but you won't miss his big slow ass anyway. Most of the stages are included, although slightly abbreviated. My personal favorites are the bar and the amusement park. A few minor details have been left out, like the rain in the back alley at the end of stage one. I find it amazing how all the fighting moves have been preserved despite the fact that Game Gear only has two buttons. This game rates sky-high in terms of fun. There's nothing quite like the feeling of walking down a street and wacking complete strangers with a long lead pipe. Even the music sounds like the original. Two players can link up for some cooperative action. Streets of Rage 2 is a stellar title, and Sega did one heck of a job of squeezing it into a Game Gear cartridge. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Super Battletank		Grade: D-
	Publisher: Majesco (1994) Reviewed: 2003/11/9

Looking like an update of Atari's Battlezone, Super Battletank unsuccessfully tries to straddle the line between arcade game and simulation. Dedicated to the men and women who served in Desert Storm, this first-person tank shooter takes place in the dull, brown desert of Iraq, so there's really no scenery to speak of. You embark on a series of missions, usually to destroy a group of targets such as tanks, helicopters, or scud missiles. A scanner screen provides the location of all of your targets, and you can move between them fairly quickly. The main screen is loaded with indicators and gauges (most unnecessary), leaving only about a third of the screen for your first person view out of the tank. Enemy vehicles look surprisingly detailed and realistic, but their erratic movements make them frustrating to hit. Despite having several weapons at your disposal, each encounter is like a cat-and-mouse game, and there's little fun to be had. Only one enemy appears at a time, and keeping it in your crosshairs is a constant struggle. The missions are all pretty much the same. Overall, Super Battletank probably won't hold your interest for long. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Vampire Master of Darkness		Grade: A-
	Publisher: Sega (1993) Reviewed: 2004/2/16

I don't know what the story is behind Master of Darkness, but it looks and plays a heck of a lot like Castlevania, and that is a good thing. Vampire takes place in the late 1800's, and you control a well-dressed fellow with the odd name of Ferdinand Social. The turn-of-the-century London scenery is quite realistic and conveys a nice atmosphere. There's plenty of platform jumping, but nothing too frustrating, and there are plenty of weapons hidden behind white masks. Stages include the Thames river, a cemetery, a laboratory, and my personal favorite, the wax museum. This museum stage reminded me of an old horror flick I watched as a kid called "House of Wax" starring Vincent Price. That movie was creepy, and this stage recreates the spine-tingling chills of seeing wax figures come to life. Other monsters in the game, including zombies, skeletons, and wolves, are large and nicely animated. The control scheme is identical to Castlevania - one button jumps and the other attacks, and pushing up while firing engages your special weapon. With the exception of navigating the stairs, the control is right on the money. Even the music is sinister and well orchestrated. Vampire is really an amazing game, and probably one of the best titles for the Game Gear. I only wish a password feature was included so it wasn't always necessary to start from the beginning. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

World Series Baseball		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Sega (1993) Reviewed: 2003/10/8

Sega knows a little something about baseball games, and this diminutive version of World Series Baseball provides some terrific, ultra-fast arcade action. The speed of the game is beyond fast - it's frantic. I can only assume Sega programmed it like this so you could play a whole season before your Game Gear batteries wore out. The behind-the-batter pitching view features large players and a perfect view of the strike zone. The simple, intuitive controls reminded me Sportstalk Baseball (Genesis 1992). This is a game that anyone can pick up and start playing right away. When the ball is hit, an overhead view of the field appears, and your fielders can jump or dive to snag balls. Unfortunately, the action moves so fast that you have almost no time to react. You won't see many extra base hits or double-plays in this game. At first, I wished Sega had slowed down the action to something more reasonable, but after playing a few exciting games at break-neck speed, I got used to it. Problem is, now I can't sit through a "normal" baseball game (too slow!). Sound effects include a voice umpire and non-stop in-game music that could, quite possibly, drive you insane. World Series has a lot of nice features as well, including a slew of playing modes, two-player link, a battery back-up, and all the major league players and teams. This is an ideal game for sports fans with short attention spans. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players