Maze Hunter 3D		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2001/4/28

This is a case of Sega taking a mediocre game and spicing it up with some snazzy 3D graphics. You control a little guy who must make his way through a series of multi-level mazes. The overhead view reveals a scrolling maze with several "tiers". You are pursued by small creatures, which you can either leap over or beat with a club. Visually, I have to give this game a lot of credit - the 3D aspect is totally convincing. The walls clearly rise up around you, and the platforms appear to be at different heights. Even your jumps are in 3D. Unfortunately, all the nice graphics in the world can't hide the "by-the-numbers" gameplay. All you do is locate a key and find the exit. Sometimes you even need to backtrack, which is a pain. Hitting creatures with your club can be troublesome because you can't aim diagonally. The various stages are attractive, but the scenery (or lack of) makes them uninteresting. There's even the obligatory ice stage. I did like the catchy music however. Maze Hunter 3D is cool at first, but the novelty probably won't last. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Missile Defense 3D		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2001/4/28

Now THIS is exciting. Combine the simple fun of light gun shooting with some awesome 3D effects and you get one hell of a game. You'll need both the light gun and the 3D glasses, which are tough to find. While most gun games are generic, this one is quite innovative. On the first screen, you shoot cruise missiles being launched from a missile base. The control is great, and missed shots are clearly indicated on the screen. The next stage lets you to shoot at the missiles you missed on the first screen, which are now on their way to the target. This outstanding stage depicts an overhead view of the Arctic, with missiles flying over cliffs and winding their way through deep crevasses. If any of the missiles get through that screen, you have one last chance to shoot them down - as they approach the city! Very cool. The next round has a whole new set of scenery, including a VERY impressive view from space (with missiles coming over the horizon). Missile Defense 3D won me over in a big way. It's the best 3D game on the Master System, and probably the best light gun game as well. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Monopoly		Grade: C
	Publisher: Parker Bros (1988) Reviewed: 2000/12/14

Let's get something straight up front: If you want to play Monopoly with another person, you do NOT want to play it on a video game system. Buy the board game for Pete's sake! On the other hand, if you can't find anyone else willing to play this tedious, long game, then this version will provide plenty of computer challengers. I'm not a big fan of Monopoly, but found myself playing this game longer than I thought I would. From what I've seen, you can do just about anything in this version that you can do in the real game. The main screen provides an overhead view of the board and critical stats for all players, but it's difficult to make out the tiny pieces and houses. Fortunately, when a piece moves you get treated to a nice scrolling close-up of the board. There are a few little animations (like going to jail), but overall there's nothing fancy here. The menus are well-designed so you can make your decisions without a big hassle. One nice feature is the "speed up" button, which speeds up the game during the computer's turn. Another useful feature turns off that annoying music (thank you!). It won't replace the board game, but this version of Monopoly is a respectable one-player game. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 to 10 players

My Hero		Grade: C
	Publisher: Sega (1986) Reviewed: 2002/6/4

It's evident that this game was ported from the arcade by the fact that it's so incredibly HARD. If you can stay alive for over a minute, you're doing a good job. You actually earn points for each step forward, which underscores the difficulty. The premise of My Hero is as corny as its name. A thug with a Mohawk has taken off with your girl, and you have to battle wave after wave of lowlifes to get her back. You also need to dodge bombs and bottles dropped from windows. Your character looks like a big dork wearing a blue prom tux. He can jump, punch, duck, and kick, but his best attack is the flying kick. When you strike an enemy, he flies diagonally off the screen. What makes the game so hard is that one hit (touch really) will kill you instantly. There's little room for error, so when you accidentally duck instead of kick, you'll pay the price. Still, there's something to be said for arcade-style games like this. It has an addictive quality that keeps you coming back. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Ninja, The		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1986) Reviewed: 2001/2/11

I really got into this game. You are a ninja attempting to infiltrate a palace and save a princess. You're equipped with throwing stars and the ability to become invisible temporarily. As you progress up the screen, you'll pass through various locations, each offering a unique challenge. Enemy ninjas come of the woodwork. If you see a rock, chances are it's about to transform into a ninja (don't ask). And these guys are equipped with an arsenal of weapons. In order to keep them from ganging up on you, it's a good idea to retreat momentarily to keep them in front of you. One button on the controller throws stars forward, and the other allows you to direct your throws. Pressing both buttons activates your cloaking device, which comes in very handy in tight situations. I really like the graphics, except for the recurring boss who looks like Ernie from Sesame Street. Also, the attack dogs seem to turn into people when they die (lazy programming?). The up-tempo background music is pretty good, and when stars collide they make a satisfying "clank" sound. Good control, colorful graphics, and a cool cloaking device add up to a fun game. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Outrun		Grade: C+
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2000/12/14

I've played several versions of this game, and I'm fairly satisfied with this one. In this arcade racer you speed your convertible down a highway that cuts through many different environments. Forks in the road allow you to select your path, which adds to the game's replay value. The backgrounds aren't spectacular, but the change of scenery spices up the monotonous gameplay. Basically you just need to stay on the road and avoid oncoming cars. The road is wide and the control is good. Unfortunately, when you crash the people don't fly out like they did in the arcade (couldn't they have squeezed that in?). Your car looks great, but the oncoming cars are distorted. The scaling scenery is choppy, but that's okay because it's basically just eye candy anyway. At the beginning of the game, you can select your background music. Outrun is likable enough, but not all that exciting. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Poseidon Wars 3D		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2006/8/21

Designed for use with the Sega 3D glasses, Poseidon Wars puts you in command of a naval ship in hostile waters. Played from a first-person perspective, you aim crosshairs at approaching enemy ships and aircraft. The collision detection is generous to say the least, allowing you to shoot down scaling planes and missiles while they're still little more than a pixel on the horizon. I like the choppy water effects, but those scaling missiles look pretty rough. The effect of the 3D glasses is respectable, although it takes a few minutes to adjust your eyes to it. Much like staring at those crazy 3D designs popular a few years back, you have to "unfocus" your eyes a bit to experience the full effect. Despite being designed for the glasses, Poseidon Wars can also be played in 2D mode (by pressing button one on the second control pad), but that's far less interesting. Completing five "training" stages opens up eight "normal" stages you can play in any order. The shooting action is fun for a while, but it's far too easy and tends to wear out its welcome. When a game plays tricks with your eyes like this one does, you don't want to be staring at it for long stretches. Ultimately, Poseidon Wars probably offers more novelty value than play value. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Psycho Fox		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1990) Reviewed: 2002/10/8

Here's a platform game I can get excited about! Too bad it's so hard to find. It took a while for Psycho Fox to win me over, but when it finally did, I was hooked! At first glance, the game doesn't look like much. The graphics look like a Sonic and Mario mix. Your fox can jump and punch, but that's about it. The gameplay seemed pretty lackluster until I discovered the item screen. You collect items from enemies you punch, and can access these goodies when you press pause on the console (NOT reset like the book says!). Obviously, you need to sit close to the console (to reach the button), but it's worth the effort. One item lets you to transform into other animals including a hippo (power), monkey (higher jumping), or tiger (speed). The fox is the most well-rounded character, but certain situations are best suited for the other creatures. Other items let you activate smart bombs (to blow away everything on the screen), or trigger temporary invincibility. You can even bet money to earn more items! This game has a lot of good ideas. Strategically using your items is the key to finishing the game. Another awesome feature is a black bird you can throw like a boomerang, taking out multiple enemies at once. The jumping controls take a while to get used to, mainly because they rely heavily on momentum. There are seven stages in all, each with its own boss, and a bonus game as well. Psycho Fox is an absolute blast to play. While it's tempting to zoom through the stages, your best bet is a slow, methodical approach. The music is upbeat and quite catchy. This may be the best platform game I've played on the Master System. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

R-Type		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2004/4/17

When it comes to the greatest shooters of all time, R-Type ranks pretty high on the list. This challenging and addicting side-scroller features excellent control, gorgeous graphics, and loads of power-ups. You'll blast your way through cannons, robots, and all kinds of creepy-looking biological monstrosities, and the bosses are exceptionally large and grotesque. But R-Type's main gimmick is your "droid", a remote ball that not only provides extra firepower, but is invincible as well. It can be positioned anywhere on the screen, so when you find a boss's weak spot, just send in the droid and let him do all the work. You can also use him as a shield. R-Type is one tough game, but thankfully its continue feature is one of the most friendly I've seen, letting you pick up right near where you died. There is some flicker and slowdown in the graphics, but nothing objectionable. This classic shooter belongs in every gamer's collection. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Rambo III		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2006/8/21

I had one heck of a time getting this game to work on my TV, but I'm glad I finally did, because Rambo III's brand of mindless shooting mayhem is right up my alley. I had to really crank up the contrast and brightness to get the light gun to properly register. Each of the game's seven stages offers a unique locale including a village, prison camp, and Soviet base at night. As the camera slowly pans the scenery, enemy soldiers pop out behind jeeps, barrels, and other obstacles. Occasionally a helicopter will attack from the air. The light gun control is pretty accurate, but the game is unforgiving and some foes can absorb multiple shots before going down. You'll want to be careful not to blast civilians, but since the game plays the same each time through, it doesn't take long to recognize the patterns. Besides shooting like a madman, you can employ a bomb by shooting an icon at the bottom of the screen, and there's a health icon down there as well. Rambo III's graphics are fairly elaborate, and a rousing military march keeps the adrenaline flowing. Several continues are available, and taking into account the difficulty and fact that your score doesn't reset, it's reasonable to treat these as additional lives. I did notice one odd bug in stage two. When you shoot the guys camped out on the roofs of houses, the mountains behind them change shape! Rambo III is not exceptional in any way, but if you're in the mood for some simple shooting action, you'll have a ball. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Rambo: First Blood Part 2		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1986) Reviewed: 2004/3/13

I knew I was in for a treat when I saw that cool picture of Rambo on the title screen, and my first impression was dead-on. Rambo is the real deal - both the graphics and gameplay are simply outstanding. The screen scrolls slowly vertically as Rambo forges his way through an ever-changing jungle environment. He need to overcome an endless army of bad guys armed with guns, grenades, and even flame-throwers. I like how enemies wade through the mud and fall over when shot. There's even an occasional tank to spice up the action. In order to survive, you'll have to combine sharp shooting with evasive maneuvering. You're equipped with unlimited bullets and a limited stash of exploding "arrow-bombs". Enemy bullets are large and slow, so you can't say you didn't see them coming. Your shots have slightly longer range than your adversaries, and this can be enhanced further with power-ups. Ironically, when you blow up a villager's hut, he rewards you with a fresh stash of arrows! At the end of each stage, you must penetrate a well-fortified enemy fortress. Rambo even includes a great two-player simultaneous mode, and furnishes several continues. With its superb visuals and challenging (but fair) gameplay, Rambo stands as one of the best titles for the Master System. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Rampage		Grade: D+
	Publisher: Activision (1986) Reviewed: 2006/8/21

I've reviewed this game on so many systems that I'm starting to feel like a broken record. I've never been a big Rampage fan, but I will admit that its premise is awesome. As a kid I always loved watching those cheesy Ultraman shows and Godzilla movies on Saturday afternoons. In the same spirit, Rampage places you in control of a giant ape, wolf, or lizard, wreaking havoc on various city skylines. Two people can play at once, which is always a nice feature. While dismantling buildings you'll have to contend with pesky tanks, helicopters, and snipers in windows. Rampage should be a blast to play, but poor controls and repetitive action really minimize the fun factor. You'll spend much of the time grappling with the poor controls. It's really tricky to climb up the sides the buildings; you'll need to line up your monster almost perfectly to get any traction. Since you can't damage a building until you climb on it, there's no way to touch the first floor, which really stinks. Despite the lousy controls, Rampage is awfully easy, and the games seem to last forever. Since all the stages look and play pretty much the same, the game probably won't hold your interest. I will give Rampage credit for its graphics. This looks like something straight out of the arcade! There are a lot of funny animations and you can even make out the tiny people. A catchy tune loops in the background, but like the game itself, it wears thin. In my opinion Rampage is a brilliantly conceived but poorly executed title. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Rastan		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2002/2/17

This game is similar to Legendary Axe for the Turbografx-16, but I like Rastan better. The main character is a Conan look-alike who must hack his way through hordes of mythical creatures. The characters aren't very large, but the artwork and use of color is impressive. The monsters look great, and each meet their demise in a brief splash of blood. Rastan is so easy to control that even the platform jumping seems simple. And there are some cool moves, the best of which allows Rastan to strike DOWN during a jump - a move that comes in very handy. There are a lot of ropes to climb and vines to swing on, and he can still use his weapon while hanging on them. With a nice variety of weapons and power-ups, this is a game that will keep you coming back for more. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Reggie Jackson Baseball		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2004/4/18

My first impression of Reggie Jackson Baseball was NOT good, and I think you'll understand why. When I first turned it on, I witnessed the most hideous sight ever seen in a baseball game: a RED FIELD with a GREEN crowd! I honestly thought my TV was broken. After nervously resetting the game, I was shocked to discover that Reggie Jackson Baseball has three fields - red, yellow, and green - which are selected at RANDOM! This has got to be the most unwanted feature EVER in a baseball game! Everyone I know who's played this game absolutely INSISTS on resetting it until you get the green field, and I feel the same way. Once you have the green field, the graphics are not bad at all. The behind-the-batter view of the pitcher looks nice, and once the ball is put into play, the game switches to an overhead view with tiny fielders. The ball movement is smooth, but it takes some practice to track fly balls, thanks to their deceiving arcing shadows. Your fielders are slow, so you'll need to get a good jump on the ball. Reggie Jackson also offers an "auto-fielding mode" for the lazy player. Forget that - once you get used to the controls, Reggie Jackson is one heck of a baseball game. The throwing controls are intuitive, so you'll be turning double plays with ease. During close plays at home, a close-up treats you to a nice view of the runner sliding into the catcher. There are some other nice graphical touches as well, like animated umpires, third base coaches, pitchers warming up on the sidelines, and cheerleaders (huh?). And be sure to check out what happens when the pitcher hits the batter with a pitch - a bench-clearing brawl always ensues, and although medics with a stretcher carry the batter away from home plate during the mayhem, five seconds later he magically appears on first base. Annoying music plays constantly throughout the game, and I have no idea why Sega did that. The teams are real, but the players are fictitious (except for the managers). The computer opponent isn't too bright, but against a human, Reggie Jackson Baseball is a fun contest. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Rocky		Grade: D+
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2000/11/18

This is a fine-looking boxing game! It pits Rocky against Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang (Mr. T), and that nasty Russian Ivan Drago. One player can work his way through the ranks, or two players can beat the heck out of each other. In the one-player mode, there are short training sessions before each match that can improve your chances in the ring. The graphics really make this game special. The training sessions in particular feature a large, muscle-bound Rocky and smooth animation. The fights feature detailed ring graphics and a crowded audience. The boxers look good, but they're a bit small and it's tough to tell what's going on up close. Between rounds you can even see the boxers resting in their corners! The gameplay doesn't quite live up to the standard set by the graphics. There are three types of punches, but there doesn't seem to be an advantage to using any particular one. The guard moves don't seem to be very effective. The matches inevitably turn into button mash-a-thons. The up-tempo music is pretty good. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players