Safari Hunt		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1986) Reviewed: 2001/4/28

This light gun game is similar to Duck Hunt for the NES, but it's better in every respect. While the cartoonish visuals may be the same style, the scenery is more detailed and you get a better variety of enemies. The first stage is set in front of a pond, and the next two stages take place in a forest. After that it's back to stage one. You get a certain number of bullets for each stage, displayed across the bottom of the screen. A certain number of points is required to qualify for each round. The action is addicting and non-stop. My only complaint is that in the later levels, your margin of error is so small that it's almost unfair. But Safari Hunt still delivers some good one-player shooting action. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

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

This is the ninja fighting game that started the popular series that peaked on the Genesis. Shinobi looks more like a commando in this game, decked out in a camouflage outfit. All of the characters are nicely detailed and animated, as opposed to the backgrounds that are plain by comparison. As you pick off the various thugs with throwing stars, you also rescue hostages for points. Like the later Shinobi titles, you have to approach each enemy with technique and strategy. The gameplay is rock solid and the control is dead-on. The vertical scrolling is a bit choppy, but otherwise the action is smooth and fun. The difficulty is fair, and it ramps gradually. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Shooting Gallery		Grade: D
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2001/8/27

This has to be one of the lamest light gun games ever. You start off shooting at birds, balloons, and blimps. Those huge blimps are tough to miss! At least the birds explode into meaty chunks. In later stages, you shoot at balls that move through a maze of tubes. It's very confusing, and not very fun. Shooting Gallery is playable, but weak. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Space Harrier		Grade: F
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2000/12/14

Sorry, but there's no way you can do a game like this on the Master System. In Harrier, you control a man flying over a planet surface, shooting all types of monsters and objects that come over the horizon. The intense scaling really requires some hardware support. Heck, even the Genesis couldn't pull this off. The rough animation and obvious "shape stamping" makes the screen look like a total mess. The more objects you have on the screen, the more ugly and confusing it looks. Control is good, and there are a few voice sound effects, but overall this game is a lost cause. If you're looking for some fun arcade action, stay away from this. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

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

The regular version of Space Harrier for the Master System is pretty bad, but the 3D graphics in this version give the game a new lease on life. Sure the objects are still blocky and poorly animated, but the 3D perspective makes the game much more attractive and easier to play. And this isn't a just the same game in 3D. No, it has all new stages with fresh challenges; including huge spears that drop down from the sky (wild!). Unfortunately, the stages run too long. I was like, "when is this thing going to end??" The gameplay gets pretty intense though. Here's some advice: Keep moving! You'll need the special Sega 3D glasses to play this game. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Spiderman Vs. the Kingpin		Grade: F
	Publisher: Sega (1990) Reviewed: 2007/7/11

This is a poor man's version of the Genesis Spiderman game, and I don't like it at all. The graphics aren't too bad, and judging from the crisp, colorful title screen alone you might even assume this was a Genesis game. Sadly, Spiderman is ruined by poor design and hazy objectives, causing confusion, frustration, and eventually rage. The action starts in front of the Daily Bugle building, in a scene oddly reminiscent of Spiderman for the Atari 2600. As you attempt to swing and climb your way to a high open window, your efforts are thwarted by thugs in the windows but mostly by the poor controls. Spiderman can kick, punch, sling web, swing, climb, and even activate icons. How did Sega map so many functions to just two buttons? Not very well! Even when you know exactly what you're supposed to do, the clumsy controls make everything an onerous chore. The second stage takes place in a warehouse, where you slug it out with thugs in blue helmets and orange jump suits. You need to kill each and every last one of them before Dr. Octopus will appear, and it took me quite a while to figure that out! Kicking thugs causes them to bounce around like basketballs - pretty cheesy!! The third stage puts Spidey in some nasty sewers with falling red drops, rising green bubbles, and pesky rats scurrying around. This stage also features nasty pit traps that are next to impossible to escape from. Even the layered background music sounds like a jumbled mess. I wanted to like Spiderman, but this game is just a monumental waste of time. © Copyright 2007 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Super Tennis		Grade: D
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2001/10/1

In the years between Activision's Tennis (Atari 2600, 1981) and Virtua Tennis (Dreamcast, 2000), there weren't many good tennis games. Super Tennis is fair, but the lack of control really limits the fun. Also, you can ONLY play against the computer. That's right, even though the game supports two players, you can't play against each other. The good-looking tennis court graphics feature a judge and crowd. The cartoonish players are detailed and colorful. Serving is tough. You'll make a lot of double faults before getting the timing down. During volleys, the ball moves slowly, while the players move fast. If you miss the ball, you can actually run back for another try! One time I swung four times before hitting it! Another thing that happens quite a bit is that the ball will hit your body, causing you to lose the point. You don't have much control over your shots - you can't aim at all! The lob shot is too slow and high to be effective. The only effective move is to smash the ball when it hangs in the air. Otherwise Super Tennis feels like a contest to see who will mess up first. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Teddy Boy		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Sega (1986) Reviewed: 2001/10/1

What a queer name! I wasn't expecting much out of this one, but before long I became addicted to it! If Sega had created a better lead character and changed the name, this could have been a big hit. You control a little boy with a green beanie on his head. He jumps around platforms trying to shoot all the creatures in each level. When shot, the creatures turn into eggs that can be collected (just like Joust). You can shoot rapid-fire, but if you stand in one spot for too long, the floor drops out beneath you. Each screen is a small, simple maze of platforms, although they tend to look larger because they wrap around on themselves. The stages are short but challenging, and there bonus levels that let you rack up big points. Teddy Boy is undeniably fun. The games tend to be short, which makes you want to play over and over again. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Thunder Blade		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2000/11/14

Yeah baby, we're talking about some hot arcade action now! But it looks like the Master System may have bitten off more than it could chew. Thunder Blade is a fast-action helicopter shooter with multiple stages. The first stage gives you an overhead view of the city. Large, detailed helicopters fly your way, and tanks approach on the ground. The action is fast and furious, and you'll need to keep moving to survive. Your two buttons let you shoot air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. Since you have unlimited ammo, you'll want to pound them for all they're worth. I was feeling pretty good about this game until I reached the second stage and the view changed to a 3D perspective. This stage reminded me of Colecovision's Turbo. The choppy animation looks terrible. It's hard to tell what's going on, and you end up flying in circles while shooting ahead blindly. Ground forces appear out of nowhere. Eventually you'll go down in flames as a result of the unavoidable ground fire. It's not a total loss, but Thunder Blade is too ambitious for its own good. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Time Soldiers		Grade: C-
	Publisher: Sega (1989) Reviewed: 2004/3/13

This disappointing shooter lets two players forge their way through stages set in various stages of history. It plays a lot like Ikari Warriors or Rambo, but Time Soldiers isn't nearly as fun as those games. The box cover shows two grizzled veterans, but on the title screen they look more like two frumpy housewives! The randomized stages include "primitive times" (dinosaurs and cavemen), ancient Rome, medieval Japan, World War II, and a future world. If you're expecting to see some fantastic scenery, you're going to be disappointed by these plain-looking stages. I did find it amusing how the Roman stage is full of ruins. It seems to me that if you went back in time, they wouldn't be "ruined" yet, would they? There also seems to be an excessive number of marshes to slowly slosh through. Most of the time you move up the screen, but some stages are side-scrolling. Your enemies are poorly rendered, and in fact, it's hard to tell what some of these things are supposed to be! Most of the dinosaurs look more cute than realistic. Occasionally you'll pick up a special weapon, which you'll probably want to save for the bosses. The programmers went crazy with the bosses - each stage has no less than FOUR. Most look pretty cool, like the hydra, minotaur, medusa, and Tyrannosaur Rex. The sub-bosses die pretty quickly if you just whale away at them, but defeating the "big" bosses can take forever! Besides that major annoyance, the controls are not very good. My shots never seem to go where I want them to. I normally enjoy games like this, but the lousy controls, uninspired graphics, and emphasis on bosses turned me off. Note: You can "continue" repeatedly by tapping the fire button after using your last life. You'll lose your weapons but your score will not reset. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Walter Payton Football		Grade: D
	Publisher: Sega (1989) Reviewed: 2005/12/13

It's easy to laugh at Walter Payton Football, but you have to admit it's a step up from Great Football. This one offers an expanded playbook (including blitzes), multiple defensive schemes, the ability to "flip" plays, and a season mode made possible by a password feature. There are some nice options, like the ability to select the skill level and quarter length. Walter Payton Football is not much to look at, largely due to its overhead view. The field looks fairly hideous with its alternating shades of green, and the players look like a bunch of flailing roaches. The center of the field is inscribed with an "FL" logo. I can only assume the programmer erased the "N" after the NFL license fell through. The kicking game incorporates a nice cut-scene and a two-press meter. The first press is for power, and the second is for "spin". Spin? Since when do football kickers apply english to the ball? Voice synthesis is used for the quarterbacks and referees, but their high-pitched voices sound hilarious. The text displayed is also good for a laugh. Missed field goals are ruled "incomplete", breaks between quarters are referred to as "quarter time", and the game alerts you about the "two minutes warning". In the end, Walter Payton Football is just another amusing step in the evolution of football video games. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

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1 or 2 players

Wonder Boy		Grade: C
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2004/5/23

Wonder Boy is a fairly entertaining Super Mario clone, but its cuteness factor is enough to turn your stomach. The main character is a smiling, blonde-haired kid in a grass skirt who jumps over snails and skips across clouds. With sugary-sweet games like this, is it any wonder that Sega got its butt kicked by Nintendo? And no, the fact that Wonder Boy sometimes rides a skateboard does not make him cool. Gameplay involves collecting fruit, jumping on platforms, and tossing hammers at monsters. The bright, tropical graphics are inviting enough, but the repetitive "happy" tunes will really get on your nerves. The controls are poorly designed. There's a jump button and a throw button, and pressing both lets you jump extra high. Unfortunately, the "normal" jump is totally useless, so you're forced to spend the whole game mashing both buttons at the same time - pretty lame. On the bright side, the skateboard sequences do pick up the pace of the game, and there are frequent checkpoints and unlimited continues. But let's face it - there's nothing here that distinguishes Wonder Boy from any other generic side-scroller. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap		Grade: A
	Publisher: Sega (1989) Reviewed: 2004/5/23

Picking up where Wonder Boy in Monster Land left off, Dragon's Trap features better graphics, more involved gameplay, and expansive levels. To be honest, I didn't have a good first impression of Wonder Boy III. It begins by dropping you into a confusing first dungeon with little explanation. Only when you emerge does the title screen appear and the storyline is revealed. But the more you play Wonder Boy III, the more you appreciate it. I grew to love it. Like the Wonder Boy in Monster Land, you control a knight who battles monsters, navigates platforms, and can purchase items to make his life easier. The gameplay is not completely linear, but it's usually pretty evident where you need to go next. What really makes Wonder Boy III unusual is how the main character transforms into various creatures after facing each boss (similar to Megaman). You'll assume the form of a fire-breathing lizard-man, a wall-crawling mouse-man, a swimming piranha-man, a powerful lion-man, and a flying hawk-man. Each stage is tailored to the specific character, and the gameplay is dramatically altered in each case. The graphics are first rate, with beautiful, varied stages and interesting creatures. You'll encounter headless skeletons, cyclops, genies, crabs, ninjas, goblins, cobras, and dragon bosses. The only creature I do NOT like is the pesky "cloud" that always drops fire on you - he's a real pain in the butt. Defeated enemies drop items, and I like how the number of coins they drop has a random element. I also appreciate the wide selection of items you can purchase, including some expensive "mystery" items. Wonder Boy III is far deeper and more challenging than other Wonder Boy games, and it provides unlimited continues and a password feature. This may be the best game I've ever played on the Sega Master System. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Wonder Boy in Monster Land		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2004/5/23

A radical departure from the first Wonder Boy game, this enjoyable sequel puts Wonder Boy in a suit of armor in a game that's more Zelda than Mario Brothers. Wonder Boy can move left or right as he carefully explores each stage. There are items to collect, doors to open, and small creatures to slash with your sword. The small, cartoonish monsters take the form of snakes, goblins, rats, and ghosts. Your health is represented by hearts across the top of the screen, and defeating enemies yields gold coins. You can purchase armor, weapons, or health in shops at the beginning of each stage. Besides slashing with your sword, you can unleash secondary weapons (like bombs) by pushing down on the control pad. Magical doors lead to bosses or bonus levels. Monster Land features bright, medieval scenery and a superb soundtrack. My only complaint is that some of the platform jumping is more difficult than it needs to be. There's no continue or password feature, but you do get a score at the end of each game. Simple and innocent, Wonder Boy in Monster Island is pleasant and entertaining to play. Note: The "art" on the box of this game has got to be the worst I've ever seen. The chubby lead character looks like somebody's mom for Pete's sake! © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

World Grand Prix		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1986) Reviewed: 2002/6/4

It would be easy to call this game Pole Position for the Sega Master System, but World Grand Prix deserves a little more credit than that. The graphics themselves aren't very impressive. The cars all look the same, and except for the distant skylines, there's no scenery to speak of. But the game has it where it counts - it's fun to play. The car handles beautifully, and it's great fun to weave through cars (which usually appear two at a time). There are only two gears, so shifting is a no-brainer. The game is tough, and you need to run a near-flawless race to advance to the next course. The game encourages you to be aggressive. There's a track map in the corner of the screen so you can see how far you have to go (each race is one lap). Unfortunately, your rank is never revealed until after the race, and if you didn't rank near the top, the game ends abruptly (no score or anything). There were a few races where I thought I did pretty well, only to be greeted with that black "game over" screen. If you race well, you can earn extra parts to upgrade your vehicle, which is a nice touch. There's even a track editor on the main menu. To be honest, the editor isn't too exciting since the tracks are just a series of curves and straight-aways. Still World Grand Prix is a very cool racer that's worth playing. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Zaxxon 3D		Grade: B
	Publisher: Sega (1988) Reviewed: 2001/4/28

Although there is a 2D option, you really need the 3D glasses to play this shooter. The 3D graphics are not just eye candy; they play a vital part in the action. Okay, not all of the objects look so hot; it's tough to focus your eyes on "close" objects like your ship. But your shots disappear into the distance, and enemy ships emerge convincingly on the horizon. The space stages are the best, because you're clearly playing in a 3D area. The stages where you fly over a platform look good also, but since all the enemies are at ground level, the action is mainly 2D. The easy bosses are the least impressive aspect of the game. If you have the glasses, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. And yes, you DO look like an idiot wearing those things! © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player

Zillion		Grade: B+
	Publisher: Sega (1987) Reviewed: 2001/8/27

Zillion is an exceptional action/adventure title that reminds me of Metroid (NES) and Flashback (Genesis). Your goal is to penetrate an underground base, save your friends, and blow the whole thing up. Fortunately the main base computer has a "self destruct" code. Who programs these things anyway? Anyway, in order to infiltrate the hidden reaches of the base, you'll need to utilize computers, cards, and pass codes. Each room is like a little puzzle, with a set of platforms, a computer system, traps, and cylinders that contain secrets and bonuses. You'll need to enter the correct codes to turn off traps and access hidden areas. At first this isn't too hard (some codes are provided up front), but as you progress, you'll need to use more complex combinations. In addition, guards are shooting at you at every turn. Luckily, you're well armed with your "Zillion" laser, which can be powered-up. Your character is easy to control, and can jump and duck to avoid enemy fire. This guy is so agile that he can crawl faster than the guards can run! Zillion is a pretty elaborate game. As you progress, you'll meet other characters, increase levels, and gain dexterity. The graphics are good, and the music isn't bad either. Zillion does have a few flaws. First, you'll often need to remember a series of odd symbols, and the manual recommends writing them down. I don't like games where you need to take notes. Secondly, there's no save feature, so you'll have to complete you mission in one sitting. You do get three continues though. Overall, this is a fine title that does a good job of combining action and puzzle solving. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

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1 player