Batman Returns		Grade: C
	Publisher: Atari (1992) Reviewed: 2005/1/4

Wow, this one caught me somewhat off-guard. Batman Returns was a hit on the Genesis and Super Nintendo, but this mini version is also very impressive. It's quite evident that Atari put a lot of effort into this high-quality, action-packed side-scroller. The large characters look awesome and their size does not detract from the gameplay. The Caped Crusader is easy to control but his moves are limited. He can basically jump, duck, or attack, with the "option" button cycling through his weapons. I was disappointed by the lack of a jump-kick move, but I do like how Batman performs flips off high ledges. Interesting backgrounds include gothic building facades and panoramic views of the city skyline. Unlike other games that repeat the same scenery ad-nauseum, there's always something new and interesting to see. The goons you encounter include motorcycle-riding clowns, and each villain is distinctive, exhibiting a unique attack pattern. A nice synthesized musical soundtrack plays throughout the game and adds to the intensity. One aspect that turned me off was the game's excessive difficulty. Just surviving the first stage (out of four total) is a major accomplishment. That's partly due to the excessive number of cheap hits you absorb from bombs, knives, and dynamite being tossed all over the place. There is, however, a secret: just run through and avoid the bad guys! Of course, that pretty much defeats the purpose of the whole game. It's a shame, because Batman Return could have been the best Lynx game of all. Hint: Take cover behind the mailbox when the storefront blows up or you're toast. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Blue Lightning		Grade: D-
	Publisher: Atari (1989) Reviewed: 2007/3/8

As a demonstration of the Lynx graphic capabilities, Blue Lightning is a technical marvel. As a game however, it's far less successful. Piloting a jet fighter, you embark on a series of missions to destroy enemy forces using a cannon and guided missiles. The rear of your jet consumes a sizeable portion of the screen, but you still get a clear view of what's ahead. The scaling scenery looks pretty amazing as you soar over enormous glaciers, farmland, and mesas in the desert. Your cannon fires slightly downward, allowing you to easily strafe ground installations and even sink battleships. Enemy planes explode with crisp audio effects, and the raining debris makes the carnage that much more satisfying. The Lynx hardware does an admirable job of keeping up with the mayhem, even when things get hectic. Nine action-packed missions take you from tropical islands to twisting desert canyons. Blue Lightning sounds like a blast, but it's really a bust due to its lack of difficulty. When I pick up a hand-held game, I'm only expecting to play for just a few minutes, but Blue Lightning seems to go on for hours (or maybe it just feels that way). Enemy missiles are easy to avoid (just keep moving side to side) and you get a whopping five lives! Since each stage is basically the same with new scenery, it doesn't take long for the boredom to set in. Had Atari put as much effort into the gameplay as the flashy visuals, Blue Lightening could have been something special. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

California Games		Grade: A
	Publisher: Epyx (1989) Reviewed: 2003/11/14

This is the game that made me realize just how great the Lynx is. California Games is not particularly complex or involved, but it's always a good time. Atari made a smart decision bundling this game with the Lynx. It's a likeable, high-quality title with four events that play like individual games: BMX biking, surfing, half-pipe, and footbag. There's not a dud in the bunch, with each event being easy to play but difficult to master. It helps that the events tend to be short, giving them an addictive "one more time" quality. The graphics are terrific in all four games, but surfing has the most eye candy, with the crystal blue waves and frothy white foam. BMX, my personal favorite, puts you on a bike careening down a dirt hill, dodging obstacles and jumping ramps. Half-pipe is a skateboarding event that requires precise timing to perform stunts like aerial turns and hand-plants. In footbag, you control a kid trying to keep a small beanbag in the air using your knees, feet, and head. California Games has some very catchy tunes, including a respectable rendition of "Louie Louie". The bright sunny graphics put you in a good mood, and the fine gameplay will keep you in one. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Championship Rally		Grade: A
	Publisher: Songbird (2000) Reviewed: 2007/3/8

With its back-to-the-basics controls and overhead point of view, this is one old-school racer I can really sink my teeth into. The gameplay couldn't be much simpler as you race three other cars on a series of diverse tracks. As with most racing games, the brake is pretty much unnecessary, so you can just accelerate and steer. There are few power-ups or hazards to complicate matters, although you do encounter a rare speed boost or pothole. Learning the tracks and anticipating curves is key to winning Championship Rally. The highways wind through a desert, snowy Alaska, a coastal town, and downtown area. There's not much to see in terms of scenery, but each new course offers a unique layout and attractive color scheme. Despite their diminutive size, the cars look pretty neat. The responsive controls make power sliding around turns is a breeze - as long as you know they're coming! A small radar display in the lower corner indicates the position of both you and your competitors. Championship Rally offers four modes: tournament, single race, time trial, and versus (head-to-head via a comlynx cable). The tournament mode lets you unlock addition tracks, and man is it tough! Championship Rally is one addictive, high quality title that all Lynx fans will want in their library. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Chip's Challenge		Grade: C
	Publisher: Atari (1989) Reviewed: 2004/2/26

All you intellectual gamers out there will probably appreciate this brain-teasing, mind-bending puzzle game. Chip's Challenge puts you in the role of a kid trying to solve a series of mazes loaded with bombs, monsters, portals, slides, traps, buttons, and keys. The game requires skill and problem solving, and you'll need to manipulate items in a certain order and within the time limit. I thought the first few mazes were challenging enough, and then I realized they were just the "training" mazes! The mazes gradually grow in complexity, and they can be frustrating at times since making a single bad move (like pushing a block into a corner) can make it impossible to finish the maze, forcing you to restart it. Chip's Challenge does give you an infinite number of tries, and even offers you the option of skipping a level if you fail it repeatedly (not that this ever happened to me!). Living up to its name, the game offers 144 (!) levels, and if you complete them all without losing your mind, you deserve an honorary college degree. Chip's Challenge was a little too thought-intensive for my arcade sensibilities, but those with a knack for puzzles games will eat this up. Special thanks to D. Nolan for providing me with a working copy of this game. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Cyberball		Grade: F
	Publisher: Atari (1991) Reviewed: 2006/11/27

Atari probably realized they couldn't squeeze a legitimate football game onto the Lynx, so they took the "cybernetic robot football" approach. It may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but Cyberball is practically unplayable. The motorized players look like pixelated blobs on the field, and they move painfully slow. The running game is non-existent, and only the CPU can pass with any degree of accuracy. The rules are different from normal football, and they're hard to grasp because they're scattered over the back of an oversized poster (in different languages no less). The main thing to remember is that the offense retains possession of the ball until it explodes. Cyberball incorporates a number of voice samples, but most are indecipherable. I gave this game a good college try, but couldn't get the hang of it. Despite its ambitions, Cyberball never really amounts to anything. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Gates of Zendocon		Grade: D-
	Publisher: Epyx (1989) Reviewed: 2003/11/14

*Yawn* This side-scrolling space shooter looks like a winner at first glance, but gradually sinks into the realm of mediocrity (actually a bit lower than that). I love shooters with massive firepower, and at the very least, Gates does deliver that. Your piercing laser weapon is a continuous beam of energy that wipes out everything in its path, and the explosions are huge. Other weapons are available, but you'll only need to use them when you laser breaks down. Initially you battle some generic UFOs and bouncing balls, but later face eyeballs, insects, and large slimy creatures. The screen scrolls up and down, but there's little incentive to take risks. As a result, you tend to remain in your own little area and be defensive. The dull, unsatisfying stages are endless parades of enemies moving in predictable patterns. I especially hate when they line up single-file, preventing you from getting a shot at them. It's hard to believe that Gates of Zendocon was play-tested at all; it seems like very little thought was put into the stage designs. And what's up with the music? Is that an accordion I hear?? Please make it stop! When Gates of Zendocon is finally over, you're awarded with a huge, seven-digit score, but it doesn't mean much. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Gauntlet: The Third Encounter		Grade: F
	Publisher: Atari (1990) Reviewed: 2005/1/17

With apologies to all the Lynx Gauntlet fans, I can't play this thing. Third Encounter may boast some nice technical features, but I found its repetitive gameplay to be agonizing. The game is played with the Lynx system held vertically, creating a "long" screen configuration (that's why the screen shot looks distorted). Holding it like this tires your arm during extended play, but it does make sense in terms of screen layout. The top area conveys an overhead view of your fighter, the maze, and the well-designed creatures. A box on the lower right lists your vital stats, and the lower left displays impressive scaling images of monsters and treasure as you approach them on the main screen. Going beyond the standard D&D character classes, you can also assume the unconventional roles of a pirate, nerd, cowboy, or punk rocker. To be honest, it doesn't make a heck of a lot of difference what you are. Like previous versions of Gauntlet, gameplay involves exploring dungeon mazes while shooting monsters and collecting keys and treasure. The problem with this game is your projectiles move too slow, and you're constantly being overwhelmed by hordes of creatures. Okay, you could probably say that about any Gauntlet, but here your firepower is simply no match. Fortunately, there are no "portals" to generate new monster (unlike previous Gauntlets). Blasting a monster causes it to shrink and disappear, and while it's a neat visual effect, it's not nearly as satisfying as blasting the thing to bits. Lacking the frantic shooting action the series is known for, this Gauntlet falls flat. Third Encounter does allow multiple Lynx systems to "link up" for cooperative action, but I suspect this is a rare occurrence. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Hydra		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Tengen (1992) Reviewed: 2003/11/14

To anyone who doesn't believe the Lynx was far ahead of its time, I'd challenge you to compare Hydra to the Game Boy Advance Spy Hunter. Both games look and play nearly the same, despite the fact that Hydra was released about 10 years earlier! Hydra is a high-speed boat combat game where you whiz down canals while blasting targets and collecting crystals. Both the scaling and illusion of speed is quite convincing. You can change weapons on the fly, which include uzis, flamethrowers, heat-seekers, and six-way shots. But what's most impressive is your ability to "boost" into the air at breathtaking heights for short periods of time. While you're up there, you can shoot blimps and helicopters while collecting floating items. From the water, targets and obstacles tend to be chunky and hard to make out, but there's a nice amount of variation in the scenery, making it fun to see what the next level looks like. Although technically impressive, Hydra does stumble in the gameplay department. First, you need to hold the control pad down to accelerate, which is more than a little awkward. And then there's a problem with the difficulty. I could play the easy skill level all day, but the medium difficulty is terribly frustrating, with hard-to-avoid missiles and a fuel tank that always seems to be on empty. When all is said and done, it's pretty much a wash. I did find it amusing that the hero's close-up image looks exactly like Arnold Schwarzenegger with a mullet haircut. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Kung Food		Grade: F
	Publisher: Atari (1992) Reviewed: 2003/11/14

What in God's name were those guys at Atari smoking when they came up with this one? Atari boss: "We need an concept for a new Lynx game. Any ideas?" Programmer: "Hey, we don't have any games that let you beat the crap out of a carrot!" Boss: "Jennings, I think you're onto something there - let's get to work on this immediately." Kung Food is a wacky side-scrolling beat-em-up that puts you in control of a diminutive naked green muscleman. Would it have been too much trouble to put some pants on this poor guy? Moving through various locations in a kitchen you punch and kick your way through an endless army of vegetables, bugs, ice monsters, and rats. Your control is limited to basic kicks and punches, and you can't interact with the scenery. Most enemies require multiple hits to kill, but it's hard to line up with them and even harder to tell if you're doing any damage. Additional obstacles like spikes appear without warning and inflict cheap hits. The characters are quite large but not particularly well animated. There's a fine line between zany and stupid, and Kung Food crosses that line often. On the bright side, compared to Kung Food, most other Lynx titles are terrific! © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Malibu Bikini Volleyball		Grade: B
	Publisher: Atari (1993) Reviewed: 2003/11/14

Good game! Similar to Kings of the Beach (NES), Malibu Bikini provides some exciting beach volleyball action. The large, easy-to-see characters are a mix of dudes and bikini-clad ladies. The bright sand court has a beautiful ocean backdrop, complete with speedboats, swimmers, water skiers, and even sharks. During one game I was actually distracted when I noticed a swimmer and a shark swimming towards each other (nobody was hurt, unfortunately). The game itself is quite challenging, but could have benefited from being more forgiving. To hit the ball, you need to position your player almost perfectly, and timing spikes takes a lot of practice. I do love how your players will automatically dive to "dig" out low shots. You play alongside a computer partner who's competent for the most part, but occasionally just stands around clueless. A wealth of options allows you to adjust wind conditions, point/time limits, game speed, and even change the look of your player. Up to four players can "lynx up" for some multi-player action. There are three skill levels of "friendly" games, but the tournament mode is where the real challenge is. Upbeat musical tunes play throughout the contest, and some are pretty amazing. Malibu Bikini Volleyball is no joke. I could easily picture myself sitting on the beach playing this. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 4 players

Paperboy		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Atari (1990) Reviewed: 2005/1/4

This arcade favorite is a perfect fit for the Lynx system. It's fun, easy to play, and well within the limits of the Lynx's graphic capabilities. Controlling a delivery boy riding a bike up a diagonally-scrolling screen, you must to toss newspapers into specially marked boxes while avoiding a host of obstacles including pets, kids on big-wheels, runaway tires, cars backing into driveways, and men engaged in fistfights. Obviously the animations aren't as detailed or comical as those in the original game, there's a still nice variety of dangers to keep you on your toes. At the end of each street lies a bonus dirt course with targets and ramps. Paperboy's graphics are bright and attractive, but the developer's choice of colors could have been better. The newspapers are almost the exact same shade of white as the sidewalk, making them hard to distinguish. Otherwise there's not much to fault with the game. The looping background music is okay but starts getting on your nerves after a while. The crisp controls allow you to adjust the speed of your bike and toss papers in a rapid-fire fashion. If you're looking for some simple arcade fun, Paperboy delivers. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Pinball Jam		Grade: D
	Publisher: Atari (1989) Reviewed: 2005/1/17

It's an ambitious game, but Pinball Jam fails to convey the frenetic action and pinpoint control real pinball is known for. Two tables are included: Elvira "Queen of Darkness" and Police Force. Designed like genuine, full-sized pinball tables, both feature full sets of bumpers, lanes, spinners, ramps, and two flippers on the bottom. The tables scroll up and down smoothly to follow the action, but the ball itself tends to move in a "floaty" manner. Pinball Jam's flipper controls are responsive enough, and you can even shake the table using the option button. What's a shame is how the Lynx's low resolution severely restricts the amount artwork shown on each table. The tables look messy, with hard-to-distinguish targets blending in with pixilated decorations. Audio is one aspect where Pinball Jam does excel. The Elvira table features a freaky, Halloween-inspired tune as well as numerous voice samples ("unpleasant dreams!"). I think Pinball Jam was just too ambitious for its own good. Simpler table designs would have served the Lynx better. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Pit Fighter		Grade: D
	Publisher: Tengen (1992) Reviewed: 2004/2/26

This game wasn't even that good on the 16-bit systems, so I didn't hold much hope for this portable version. Pit Fighter is a one-on-one slugfest between two fighters in a sleazy underground club. The digitized graphics are actually quite impressive, and the fighters scale nicely as they walk around the arena. There are three playable characters: Buzz, Kato, and Ty (whose mug looks just like Kobe Bryant). The animation is sloppy and the control is far from responsive. You can punch, kick, jump-kick, duck, perform "super attacks", and I especially like how you can kick a guy while he's down. Unfortunately, Pit Fighter makes use of the two "option" buttons, which are NOT well suited to fast button tapping. You'll face interesting opponents like a masked "Executioner" (looking like the Gimp from Pulp Fiction), a hot chick in a black leather skirt, and a huge seven-foot dude. There are scattered weapons like knives and barrels that you can pick up, but that's easier said than done. The game is fairly easy, but getting stuck against the side of the screen exposes you to a barrage of cheap hits. Once you win a match, the screen flashes an odd congratulatory message like "Awesomely done" or "Totally studly". The prize money that accumulates around your feet looks more like a green puddle. Pit Fighter is no prize, but all things considered, this is a respectable version of a mediocre fighter. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Power Factor		Grade: F
	Publisher: Hand Made Software (1992) Reviewed: 2005/1/4

Boy, you have to hand it to those marketing wizards at Atari - they could conjure up some imaginative names! Power Factor is one of those titles you forget the instant you stop playing the dang thing. The box portrays what appears to be some kind of Metroid-style shooter, but that's just to get your hopes up. Set in the future on a distant planet, you control a soldier wearing a jet pack who has infiltrated some hazardous power facility. As you fly around corridors while dodging fireballs and blasting obstacles, you attempt to collect parts and construct a bomb. The graphics wouldn't be half bad if they weren't so boring. The metallic platforms all look the same after a while, although a large boss occasionally breaks up the monotony. You adversaries mainly take the form of floating disks and generic robots, but it's hard to determine what you can or can't shoot. Large character graphics are usually a good thing, but here they are a major liability, as avoiding oncoming obstacles is an exercise in futility. I love how the game manual states that the "Game controls are easy to use." I'll be the judge of that, thank you! In fact, the control scheme is a mess. The directional pad is used to both fly around and select your weapons, and I could never quite get a handle on it. Like many Atari games, Power Factor lacks polish and could have benefited from some quality control. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Qix		Grade: C
	Publisher: Telegames (1990) Reviewed: 2005/1/17

I am not one to be trifled with when it comes to Qix. I played this oldie in the arcades, on my first home computer, and on several consoles over the years. I appreciate the beauty of its simplicity and understand various strategies used to beat it. There's never been another game like Qix. Playing it involves guiding a little diamond around an empty screen, sectioning off areas while avoiding a roaming, twisting set of colored lines called the "helix". This miniature edition captures the same risk-taking gameplay as the original, but it's less exciting. The helix is more predictable and appears to be moving in slow motion. Like the arcade, you can employ a fast or slow "draw" to section areas, slow being riskier but worth more points. Unlike the arcade game however, areas cordoned off with slow draw look the same as those made with the fast draw (they should be a different color). Qix's audio is above average. The sound of the helix brings to mind a swinging light saber, and melodic tunes play between stages. Good, but not quite up to arcade standards, Qix is an average title for the Lynx. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Raiden		Grade: A
	Publisher: Telegames (1990) Reviewed: 2004/2/26

It's hard to imagine a better shooter for the Lynx than Raiden. This intense, vertically-scrolling arcade adaptation features massive firepower and well-defined graphics. You'll need to turn your Lynx on its side to play Raiden, but once you start playing, you'll agree that this makes a lot of sense. You ship can move around freely, and the screen scrolls slightly from side to side. You can shoot missiles and drop bombs, but unlike other versions of Raiden, there's no differentiation between ground and air targets. Enemy missiles are easy to see, and the frame rate keeps up with the action very well. You'll encounter helicopters, tanks, and some huge airships. Ample power-ups allow you to spray the screen with missiles, but the game is still quite challenging. Attractive background scenery features nicely shadowed but generic-looking buildings. Raiden provides unlimited continues. This is one fantastic shooter for the Lynx that collector's should take notice of. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Rampart		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Tengen (1991) Reviewed: 2006/11/27

It took me a while to get the hang of Rampart, and at one point I was tempted to just say the hell with it. It not the "pick up and play" experience you normally look for on a portable system, and I was not keen on cracking open that thick-ass instruction manual! Repeated plays are required to get a feel for the rules and strategy, but if you stick with it, Rampart turns out to be a fun little game with surprising depth. Played from an overhead view, you construct castle on the edge of a harbor, blasting wave after wave of attacking ships. The game is played in short phases, beginning with a brief construction phase. The battles are an exercise in target shooting, as you move a cursor over ships and unleash a bombardment of cannonballs. Once your ammo runs out, the action pauses so you can "rebuild" your damaged fortress. Using simple Tetris-style shapes, you try to fill in the gaps, and it's even possible to expand its original boundaries. This rebuilding phase requires quick thinking, and it's definitely the best part of the game. Rampart offers two difficulty levels (beginner or veteran), and there's a high score screen to track your progress. If you're a Lynx fan looking for a thoughtful gaming experience, Rampart is a rock solid choice. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Xybots		Grade: C
	Publisher: Atari (1991) Reviewed: 2006/11/27

It would be easy to write off Xybots as an outdated corridor shooter, but I think it's kind of cool. You view the action from behind a space soldier as he treks through the colorful but non-descript hallways of various space stations. The illusion of movement is relatively smooth as you walk forward, but turning is disorienting as the screen abruptly shifts 90 degrees. It's fun to strafe and fire rapidly at enemy robots, and the ensuing explosions are satisfying. These metallic monstrosities look properly menacing, and each type exhibits unique attack patterns and vulnerabilities. A separate map screen is available, but it's rarely needed because the stages are relatively small. Xybot's graphics are better than average, with large, colorful sprites and imaginative animations. You can tell the programmers took pride in their work. Likewise, the jaunty musical score exhibits a surprising range of styles. One notable flaw is the fact that your energy is not displayed on the main screen, and all too often you'll keel over without even realizing it was running low. Xybots won't bowl you over with its generic gameplay, but Lynx fans looking for some simple shooting action will find plenty to like. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players