The Sega Master System was Sega’s first game console in the US. The Console History page has more info on the times and the SMS vs the NES. The SMS sold very poorly in the US partially due to Sega signing a contract with Tonka Toys to distribute and advertise the system in the US. Tonka did very little to advertise the SMS, and even less to get the system on retail shelves across the country.
Unlike the other game lists, this is not a list of notable games for the SMS. This list is actually every game that was released for the system in the United States. Most of the game's have comments from gamers from rec.games.video.sega and alt.sega.genesis that have made comments on them.
E-mail me with suggestions or comments.
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Action Fighter
Spy Hunter for the SMS. Kinda fun, in a bizarre sort of way. I stink at it,
though, so my review will end prematurely.
Dr. Luveno
Start out with a motorcycle, upgrade to a car, and then to a flying car and
the game turn into a shooter more like PowerStrike than anything else, but
with bombs too. This game would have been great had the music not been so
terribly grating on my ears.
Scott
A last-generation game for the SMS. Good graphics, but not a whole lot there to really
keep you glued. The plot is corny (save the ozone layer?!?) and there isn't much variety. Play
R-Type instead and thank me for saving you the time. It is extremely rare, though.
Dr. Luveno
A good translation of the pulse-pounding arcade classic. Easy until level
12, at which point you need to start paying attention. To avoid the missiles
after level 11, fly level until the missile is just about to hit you, and
then quickly move up or down. If anybody can beat the final flying fortress
on level 18, congrats, you are a bigger man than me. For an arcade-perfect
experience, go for the Saturn version.
Dr. Luveno
Afterburner is the reason I bought an SMS, and the port of the game that sealed
me into gaming forever. Compared to other 8-bit games of this kind, it is
certainly excellent. I was personally always a little disappointed with the
conversion, specifically that there was no AFTERBURNER in the game, meaning
that you didn't have the throttle control of the arcade version.
Scott
The third in the series. Solve puzzles in the castle and then go to the
arcade
to play Sega games. Sega never lacked self-promotion, that is for sure. The
game
itself is pretty good, and I passed the quiz without cheating, so it made me
feel like a real Sega fanatic.
Dr. Luveno
The first and best of the Alex Kidd games. This game is dead-on, and smokes
Mario. Lots of areas to explore, and all sorts of cool gadgets to use while
there. Don't miss this one.
Dr. Luveno
I'd compare this with Super Mario Brothers. I remember having a difficult
time finishing this game but it was incredible and full of surprises. Very
innovative and fun at that time and still is to this day. Definitely one of
the classics in my book.
Azmun
Yep, you guessed it: Alex Kidd meets Shinobi. The graphics are typical Alex
Kidd, and the music is EXACTLY the same as Shinobi. It is a neat premise,
and it
works well. This is the game that is so rare that I had begun to think that
it
never really existed, and the Internet community was playing some sick joke
on
me by saying it did. Oh well, if you get the chance to snag a copy, do it.
Dr. Luveno
I don't know what Sega was thinking with this one. Yuck. The graphics are
OK,
but the game is so sickeningly cute that it is virtually intolerable to
play.
There is voice, though.
Dr. Luveno
Yuck. Yuck. And yuck. The ALFster makes a video game appearance, although
using
the term "game" is pretty charitable considering how awful it is. Can you
say
collision detection? The street levels give the illusion of depth-of-field,
however the sprite collision detection does not. Hmmm. Kinda rare, and
almost
worth playing just to laugh at.
Dr. Luveno
This game is cool. Top down shooting at its best. Suspenseful and violent,
blowing away aliens has never been so much fun. It is missing the smooth scrolling
of the arcade version, but you don't miss it. Now if Sega had only made ALF
one of the aliens you could blow up.
Dr. Luveno
This is probably one of the few games in which the 8-bit famicom (NES) was
the superior version since it was more faithful to the arcade in overall gameplay
and graphics. I believe it even incorporated a two player [simultaneous] mode
unlike the Sega version.
Azmun
Alien Syndrome is a very intense game, with unique level designs and enemies
and great boss fights. It pretty well plays like Ikari Warriors, but it's
in enclosed areas, very unique and well done game. The NES game actually mirrors
the arcade's level design and enemy closer than this SMS version does. For
one reason or another the SMS version of Alien Syndrome (1987) has the levels
split up into different screens that switch in the same way Zelda did on the
NES, but the colors, sprite sizes and music are superior in this version.
The NES version (1989) has all of the level at once, with smooth scrolling
between areas, the same enemies that the arcade game has, and 2-player simulataneous
gameplay to the SMS versions take turns 2-player gameplay..
Scott
I had this one - screenshots look great, but it's very choppy (a really
low frame-rate), and the monsters just break up into their individual
sprites when you destroy them, which I thought was lame.
Servotron
Bad side scroller. A joke of a game that was released around the same time
as it's big brother on Genesis, which makes it look all the worse. Would've
been better if it played faster, as the graphics are actually pretty decent.
Dr. Luveno
The animation of the main character in this game is a little bit choppy, but
the scrolling, sprite size, number of sprites and colors in this game are
actually quite good. The gameplay is fairly well replicated from the arcade
version, with the most notable exception being the Bear level, and that the
game is slightly slower than the arcade version. Since it came out a year
before the Genesis version did in the US, I found it a must have.
Scott
Endless vertical space shooter. Fight bosses with diabolical names. The
graphics
are good, especially for a first generation game. One of my favorite
shooters
for the SMS, highly recommended.
Dr. Luveno
This is a bad game. There, I said it. Poor top-down action in which you can'
t
move diagonally, but you wish you could. I played this for about 7 seconds
or
so, before I got the urge to throw it out the window at the neighbor's dog.
It's
not rare, it's not good, so it's only for collectors going for completeness.
Dr. Luveno
An awesome first-gen side-scrolling beat-em-up. Exploding the post-apocolyptic
forces of evil with your bare hands never felt so good. There are cool mini-bosses
in the in middle of the rounds (like those absolutely dastardly fat guys with
the swords and stars on level 4) and cool Street Fighter-esque boss fights.
I rule at this game, and my supremacy has never been challenged.
Dr. Luveno
Very fun and memorable. Perhaps comparable to Nintendo's Spartan X (Kung fu)
game but this one was much better in terms of graphics and gameplay. It was
relatively long and challenging.
Azmun
This is an excellent side scrolling beat-em up in the same vein as Kung Fu
on the NES. It's actually Fist of the North Star in Japan. The levels have
an impressive number of sprites, parallax and colors on screen. Each level
has several unique mid bosses and the end boss switches to a view where your
characters are almost a quarter of the screen in size, and you actually have
to quage your attacks and defensive moves to win. Very very good game.
Scott
Top-down vertical shooter on two planes. This is the one 3D game I do not
like.
The should've done After Burner 3D or something like that instead. This game
has
a spiritual ancestor on the Virtual Boy called Vertical Force. But it is a
3D
game, automatically making it worth having.
Dr. Luveno
Vertical shooter much like 1942 only better. Lots of power-ups to be had and
some huge bosses. Notable for being one of the few third party games. I
actually
finished this game back in 1989 or so. I can't remember if that is special
or
not.
Dr. Luveno
It's boxing, and it's not good. I prefer Rocky, as it feels more solid,
whatever
that means. This game is exceptional only for it's absurd rarity, which I
attribute to lack of sales because of it's lackluster gameplay.
Dr. Luveno
The popular Epyx mult-event game makes it's way to the SMS. A solid version
with
good graphics, nothing else worth mentioning. If you like cheesy '80's
style,
this is your game.
Dr. Luveno
Even after reading the instructions, I still can't figure out why your
character
is running around trying to spell his name. I was never big on the whole
pirate
thing, so this game suffers in my eyes even more. In a nutshell, bland
side-scrolling action.
Dr. Luveno
You can play poker with fake money, which is cool, until you win a lot and
try
to shake the cash out of you SMS so you can make your mortgage payment. And
the
last time I was at a casino, I don't recall ever hitting big on the pinball
machines.
D r. Luveno
Surprisingly good side scroller. Conveys the cartoon atmosphere in which the
game is based on. Fun, but it didn't keep my attention past the first level
as
the sound is incredibly annoying. Play with the volume down. Better yet,
play
the Genesis version. I kinda wish some of these last gen games never came
out,
actually.
Dr. Luveno
This game was already old when it was released on the SMS. It is fun, if
not a little hard, especially for players that like to go in with guns-a-blazing
(like me). I can remember the almost impossible to execute level select, but
I don 't remember exactly how to do it. Does this game have an ending?
Dr. Luveno
It's difficult to describe this game to somebody who hasn't played it. You
fly a helicopter over hostile terrain to the left or right on the screen,
and have to land to let hostages board your helicopter. All the while targets
in the foreground and background are firing on you. I'd say this is definitely
one of the best games the system has to offer.
Scott
More proof after Fantasy Zone that Sega Enterprises has employees with
severe
drug habits. I can't think of any other game that bowls of rice are enemies
that
need to be shot from the sky. Because they are flying, and you know bowls of
rice do that, especially the evil kind. Premise aside, it is OK, with big
graphics which make the game harder than it should be.
Dr. Luveno
Sega's answer to Tetris. The thing about Columns is that you can play a
single
game for an infinate length of time, or at least until you get sick of it
and
turn it off.
Dr. Luveno
I finished this game, too, back in 1989. I remember being really impressed
by
the graphics. And they still hold up. Kinda reminds me of Technocop on the
Genesis, except much better.
Dr. Luveno
Think of this as Gangster Alley for people who don't own light phasers. Or a
cross between Dick Tracy and Dynamite Duke. Either way, it stinks.
Dr. Luveno
Think of this as Dead Angle with the Dynamite Duke part taken out. I don't
like
it, it's no good, and that's probably why it is as rare as it is.
Dr. Luveno
One of the games that let you rub it into the NES lover crowd. Two player
simultaneous action, and the levels actually are patterned after the arcade
game. I actually beat it once without losing a single guy.
Dr. Luveno
A port of one of the most popular arcade games at that time. Better graphics
than the Nintendo version with two player simultaneously which made it more
faithful to the arcade. It lacked the extras of battle mode the NES version
though.
Azmun
This is a 2-player simultaneous version of the famous arcade game. Overall
this is the most accurate translation, but many people like the Nes version's
changes. Personally, I couldn't get into Double Dragon the same way without
a friend fighting along with me.
Scott
A non-translation of the oft-forgetten arcade game of the same name. SMS
Enduro Racer eschews the behind-the-bike view for an admittedly cool ¾ perspective.
Unusually good graphics for an early game and a level select cheat for the
lesser gamers make this a worthy title.
Dr. Luveno
Enduro Racer could be compared crudly to Excite Bike on the NES, except that
it's 3/4 overhead view, involves racing for speed to earn powerups, and aside
from them both having jumps is nothing like Excite Bike. Enduro Racer is a
very good racer for the 8-bit days, and gets extremely fast when your bike
is fully customized, you'll literally fly over parts of the levels you formerly
had to weave through. Excellent game.
Scott
Blecch. I surely hope the 8-bit era isn't remembered only for the
over-abundance
of crappy side-scrollers that were released. Too many enemies make forward
progress nearly impossible in this lackluster translation of a lackluster
arcade
game. Pass on it.
Dr. Luveno
The much-maligned SMS flight sim. It actually is impressive if you consider
the scope of what the game is trying to accomplish. Most gamers don't have
the patience, though, including me.
Dr. Luveno
One of the first flight simulators in consoles. I enjoyed this game a lot.
Azmun
One of the classic SMS titles. Great action, great graphics, and great fun.
This
game was designed by demented people on controlled substances. Just get it.
Very
challenging, but it can be beat much easier if you stock up on heavy bombs.
Dr. Luveno
The sequel. Bigger and better graphics this time around compromise gameplay,
as you often end up running out of space to dodge the enemy. Not as fun as
the original, but quite the collectors item.
Dr. Luveno
Great shooter with great gameplay and music. Highly recommended.
Azmun
Pac-Man on the SMS. Single-handedly shows that Sega knows how to abuse their
mascots better than anybody else in the biz. No thanks, I'll pass.
Dr. Luveno
Everybody else says this game is better than After Burner. Bah! It is too
fast
and choppy to be any fun, but it does come in a cool silver box, so it looks
good on the shelf.
Dr. Luveno
Get two phasers, and sit down and blow away the original gangsters. Shoot
your hat on the game over screen to have another chance if you die (and you
will).
Dr. Luveno
One of the most hilarious gun games I've ever played and seen. A must have
if you ever owned the light phaser.
Azmun
This is a surprisingly catchy game. Kill Dracula before he steals your
family
jewels (no kidding). Sounds like enough motivation for me. Catching an arrow
in
the head is always good for a laugh, but I imagine it kind of hurts.
Dr. Luveno
Buy ghostbusting gear and have at it. Prepare to play the first part of the
game
for about 22 million times before you figure out how to get your guys past
the
bouncing marshmallow man. Then be prepared to play another 22 million times
to
figure out how to beat Gozer. I'm exagerating, but it does have it's
frustrating
moments. More fun if you are old enough to remember the movie and seeing Ray
Parker Jr. on MTV every two minutes.
Dr. Luveno
A very good version of the game, has every element (scalled down) from the
arcade version, I think. Just as hard, too!
Servotron
Watered-down port of the Genesis game. Still one of the best last-gen SMS
games,
graphically and otherwise. Kinda hard to find, too.
Dr. Luveno
This game would be OK if humans had three hands. I guess Sega was trying to
make
games for the cheapskates who bought the base SMS without the light phaser
as
this game sorely needs it. It's common and not much fun. Pass.
Dr. Luveno
Good graphics, but Sega reached beyond their grasp with this one. If you've
ever played the arcade or Genesis versions, this game just won't do it for
you. Way too choppy, and you are stuck with the lame barbarian. Everyone knows
the dwarf and Amazon are better, but you have to do without here.
Dr. Luveno
Golden Axe came out after the Genesis version in the States, which kind of
gives it an impossible standard to live up to. I liked this game because I
thought the art style more closely mirrored the arcade game in some ways,
over the Genesis version, and because parts of the levels that were not in
the Genesis game are in this version. Other than that, Golden Axe has choppy
animation, decent music, good colors, and no slow down, and even though you
have to use the Barbarian, you can choose between which magic type you use.
Scott
Sega shamelessly copies Zelda. At least they did a good job. Less cutesy and
more stylish than the game it imitates. Great action/role-playing
excitement. It
is also pretty rare, so seize the opportunity to get a copy if it arises.
Dr. Luveno
A cool action RPG that doesn't copy Zelda. Awesome graphics and neat gameplay
variation. Highly recommended.
Dr. Luveno
Golvellius is one of those games that I hated, but got so wrapped up in that
I actually beat it. It's actually a very well made game, with side scrolling
aspects and overhead gameplay that kind of reminds me of Zelda 2, but you
have to fight in the overhead scenes too. Golvellius is definitely its own
game, and I probably would have liked it much better if the music had been
as easy on my ears as Zelda's was.
Scott
Sega's first-gen foray into baseball. It's good, but calling it "great" is
a bit of a stretch. But it's baseball, so enjoy. Not nearly as good as the
stellar Reggie Jackson Baseball.
Dr. Luveno
Great Baseball is a very playable baseball game that I played tons of hours
on back in the day. If you're looking for the SMS's good sports title, this
is one of them.
Scott
Pew. This stinks. The ball is bigger than the players. The voice in this
game is
so horrible, it's hysterical. If you absolutely need basketball on your SMS,
go
for the import Basketball Nightmare.
Dr. Luveno
Not as good as Walter Payton or Joe Montana. Spend a lot of time wondering
if
you called the play you intended too.
Dr. Luveno
The lone golf game in the US. Very average for a golf game, and horrible if
you
hate golf games.
Dr. Luveno
Requires the Sports Pad. Would be good if your players moved fifty times
faster.
Too slow to be fun. It's shame, too, because with proper use of the Sports
Pad
it could've be excellent.
Dr. Luveno
Nothing deep about this one. If you like soccer, you'll cry over how badly
it is
misrepresented in this game. If you don't like soccer, you'll simply pass an
d
never play it.
Dr. Luveno
Volleyball games don't make good video games. This one is no exception.
Dr. Luveno
A 2-player Volleyball game with six sprites per team on screen at once, with no flickering or slowdown, and quick
and smooth scrolling to go along with that. For those that don't know, as far as 8-bit Volleyball games go,
this is pretty significant. To accompany the good graphics that show off the SMS's strength in processing muscle,
the gameplay is pretty well done as well. The two rows of three sprites for each team control very much like a
foosball table until the ball gets near them, then you take over control of the player nearest to the ball.
Scott H
A good translation of the arcade classic. Endless motorcycle racing action.
If you can get in the zone, you can blow many hours on this one for a Zen-like
experience.
Dr. Luveno
I have to admit, that aside from the ultra smooth scrolling of this game,
I never did really like Hang On. It actually is an excellent racer, with great
graphics, unique gameplay, and so much more going for it.
Scott
Better than Great Football, but that isn't saying much. Stick with Walter
Payton
Football and thank me later.
Dr. Luveno
A neat side scroller that is typical of the heavily Japanese influenced games
that pervaded the SMS. Good graphics and challenging gameplay make this one
worth playing.
Dr. Luveno
I would compare Kenseiden to the first Castlevania more than anything else.
This is a very well done game, with actually all of the same gameplay elements
of the first Castlevania, except that you're a samurai and fight the demons,
skeletons and flying heads with a sword instead of a whip. Kenseiden is a
good but very difficult action platformer.
Scott
I played this game for about five minutes before I got bored and nearly died
from it. If you like graphic adventures, you'll get enjoyment from this. Comes
from Parker Bros., so it's one of the harder-to-find titles.
Dr. Luveno
I played the heck out of the PC version of this game when I was stranded at
a relative's as a kid. The SMS game is identical as far as I can tell, but
since I got stuck in the PC version while trying to navigate a stairway to
the clouds with the quirky controls, I never saw the whole game.
Scott
Kind of like Kenseiden with more cartoony graphics. I enjoyed this game more
than I should have, as I really can't think of anything outstanding about
it.
Worthy of your time because I said so.
Dr. Luveno
Take Golvellius and make it a pure side scroller and this what you get. I
think
Sega missed the mark on what they were trying to accomplish, though. Maybe I
should spend some more time with it and my opinion will change.
Dr. Luveno
The title says it all. Every system gets a game like this. Nice graphics,
phaser games rule.
Dr. Luveno
There's not really a whole lot to say about this one, it's better than Safari
Hunt, and presents a nice challenge along with nice graphics and the same
music as Safari hunt.
Scott
SWEET!!! Think Gauntlet with one player, in the future, and in mind-blowing
3D. Some criticize this game for playing too slow, but that is plain nuts.
Aside from the excellent 3D effect, the graphics themselves are very, very
good and colorful. When on the highest level of any stage, jump and dig on
the 3D effect. Head gets big, head gets small, head gets big, head gets small.
Dr. Luveno
Maze Hunter 3D presents one of the better uses of the 3D glasses in an overhead
view game. Great music, challenge and effects make this game a must have for
anyone lucky enough to have the awesome Sega Scope glasses.
Scott
Good SMS effort, but yet another Genesis port that really shouldn't have
been
done. I'll skip all of the jokes about Jacko and the kiddies, so consider
yourself lucky. Don't get me wrong, it is a good game, but I have a hard
time
getting into the post-Genesis era of SMS games.
Dr. Luveno
Despite contrary belief, one does not need the map to beat this game. What
one requires is a great deal of patience. Typical RPG fare, nice graphics
help things along considerably. If you've played this game on Massage, you
will realize that it would've been awesome if the US SMS had the MIDI chip
included.
Dr. Luveno
I don't know why but this game rarely gets the recognition I think it deserves.
Came out almost the same time as Phantasy Star and was perhaps quickly overshadowed.
I was really immersed in this world. Nice plot with loads of riddles and some
of the most memorable tunes to this day.
Azmun
Miracle Warriors is a very good RPG with a very different approach to the
graphical representation of the world map. It's not for everybody, but what
non-standard RPG is?
Scott
Light phaser == cool. 3D glasses == really cool. This game uses both. Guess
what? It's awesome. Expect to duck ICBM's as they go whipping right for your
forehead. I find it a bit hard, and have never finished it, but right after
Space Harrier 3D, this one makes it's way into my SMS cart slot whenever I
break out ye ole 3D glasses. Intense, intense, intense.
Dr. Luveno
Let me put it this way, I walked into a store that had an SMS and a NES playable
on two seperate screens. The NES had something or other, Mario, Rad Mobile,
whatever, I'd seen most of it at friend's houses, and the Master System had
this game, with 3D glasses hooked up to the system. The 3D effect created
by this game is flat out stunning, and the reason I walked out with an SMS
that day, though I actually never did buy the glasses during the system's
lifetime.
Scott
I won't bother explaining the game, because if you don't know, you've been
out
of the loop just a bit too long. Competent compared to other video
adaptations
of the board game (animations, etc.) It's OK when you want to play and you
have
no friends around. However, I detest all video versions of Monopoly, because
the
computers players are either morons or they won't deal with you, period. And
you
can't cheat, either.
Dr. Luveno
Bland platform game, but a good port of it at least. I don't understand why
old
games are ported to newer systems with no updates. It doesn't make sense.
Dr. Luveno
This game is stoopid. Think Vigilante, except absolutely no fun whatsoever.
Yuck.
Dr. Luveno
This is another quirky little game, much like Kenseiden in terms of appeal.
Top-down action kind of like Rambo (which in turn was like Ikari Warriors).
Some people swear by it, I still like Rambo better.
Dr. Luveno
Almost unlike any other game at that time.
Azmun
I love Out Run in the arcade. I love having the arcade-perfect port on my
Saturn. And I loved the SMS version for many years. Sure, the graphics aren'
t the best, but there are serviceable, and the flavor of the arcade is kept
intact with the tracks being the same and all. And Splash Wave is the best,
don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Dr. Luveno
Outrun is somewhat of a mixed bag. The animated sprite changes that simulate
scaling is fairly smooth, but the road animation is nowhere near as smooth
as Hang On's, and there is flicker at points as well, though it's not anything
that happens even replicatibly. This game would compare most to Rad Mobile
on the NES, and it's difficult to say which is better, even though Rad Mobile
is a rip off of Outrun. Outrun has more colorful graphics, has way better
music, and the notoriety of being the copied, rather than the copy.
Scott
Out Run in 3D. Like Space Harrier 3D, it is more than a remake - new
courses,
new music, etc. Unfortunately they butchered the controls. It just feels
loose .
An awesome collectible, though. Good luck getting a copy!
Dr. Luveno
This game isn't fun as you don't get properly rewarded for chucking papers
at
the non-subscribers like I think you should. Not to mention the game gets
exceptionally cheap in how it kills you at times. And then the music, egad.
Dr. Luveno
This is better than I thought it would be. Darts is the best of the bunch,
as
the billiards table has is immune to the laws of physics thus making the
realism
level a little on the low side, charitably speaking.
Dr. Luveno
Fun little puzzler. The object is to get your egg to the bottom on the
screen
without breaking it. I think the penguin should've waited until he got to
the
bottom and THEN layed the egg, but that's just me.
Dr. Luveno
The pentultimate RPG of the 8 and 16 bit era. Smart, stylish, classy, and
immersive. Some newcomers to the SMS might not "get it" but us old-timers
will always remember. Every generation of hardware has one truly special game,
and for the 8-bitters, this is it.
Dr. Luveno
Phantasy Star is the first console RPG in the US, and also happens to be one
of the best of all time.
Scott
Awesome graphics and 3D effects diluted by questionable play mechanics
choice.
If this was a phaser game it would've ruled. As it is, you have to control a
crosshair with the control pad and shoot everything. Don't get me wrong, it
still is a very good game, and it's 3D. But it hurts to think what could've
been.
Dr. Luveno
Vertical shooter. Known as Aleste in Japan. Also known as not any fun in
my book. I'll take Bomber Raid any day of the week over this.
Dr. Luveno
Super-deformed characters duke it out in the squared circle. Actually quite
fun if you can play with a friend. For you wrestling freaks out there (you
know who you are), there are no 'official' characters so you'll be disappointed.
But get over it and go grapple in the Mexican League!
Dr. Luveno
Tired gameplay even by 8-bit standards. Entire formula was kick opponent
until they are stunned then perform grapple at your leisure. NES Pro
Wrestling ruled all of 8-Bit wrestling to a frightening degree.
Joe Ottoson
Pro Wrestling should be compared directly to Pro Wrestling on the NES. The
NES version is just a better game all around, with much easier control, and
generally speaking much more entertaining.
Scott
I think this is supposed to be Sega's answer to Super Mario 3. It's a pretty
good game with some interesting bonus games to play. Worth a look.
Dr. Luveno
Port of the arcade game of the same name. Two players can go and shoot stuff
and get keys to progress to the next level. It's more fun than it sounds,
but fans of the arcade version will appreciate this one the most.
Dr. Luveno
Ah at last, the game that I got first for my shiney new SMS. Quartet is an
excellent game that can't be compared to anything. Collect Keys, energy, and
jet packs over five levels with unique enemy swarms and boss fights. It's
two player simultaneous, and difficult enough that I have never known anybody
who could play it all the way to the end with me. Much to my dismay, as I've
always wanted to know if the 2-player ending had two huge sprites walking
across the screen, since the 1-player ending has one.
Scott
This is Ikari Warriors. Puts the NES to shame. Some people knock this game,
I
don't understand why. The graphics are good, the action is good, the game.
it's
good. Even more fun with two players.
Dr. Luveno
This is Operation Wolf. Puts the NES to shame. I like phaser games, and this
one
doesn't disappoint. Get it.
Dr. Luveno
Puts the NES to shame (see a trend here?). One of my favorites. Grab a friend
and have at it. The graphics are absolutely great, and the fun really can't
be topped. Beat the snot out of each other if you get bored eating people.
Dr. Luveno
Rampage man, be a giant beasty, climb buldings and smash them till they collapse,
all the while eating women and toilets. This version is the best home version
of the day as well.
Scott
You are Conan, except they call you Rastan. Fun sword-swinging action. I
like this game, it's atmospheric. Way better than it's sequel on Genesis.
Dr. Luveno
I'm not certain if Rastan pioneered a genre, but I can't think of an earlier
game that cuts loose the ole' barbarian sword hacking platformer genre like
this one does. This game is most similar to Legendary Axe on the TG16, which
came out years later obviously. Great game with great level designs, wall
jumps, upward and downward attacks, and upgradable weapons.
Scott
Racing with RC cars. Fast-paced and fun, you don't get time to ever set the
controller down. The parts shop guy is the guy who wrote the game. I know
because he told me. Recommended.
Dr. Luveno
My favorite baseball game of all time. Great graphics and a blast to play. I
still get a kick out of watching the ball scale in and out on pop flies.
Probably the only baseball game where to Milwaukee Brewers are any good.
Dr. Luveno
Innovative phaser game in which you have to protect a medic on a mine cart
from
assault by the bad guys. This game is enhanced by it's excellent graphics
and
twist on the phaser genre. My highest recommendation.
Dr. Luveno
Better than Buster Douglas, that is for sure. You can't beat Drago unless
you
get a 7 on the punching bag, which I have NEVER been able to do, but my
cousin
did once. Only three boxers to fight, then it is over. The graphics are
good,
and beating the heck out of Apollo Creed and Mr. T, err I mean Clubber Lang
is
fun, so it isn't all bad.
Dr. Luveno
Pretty cool, very nice graphics, slows down but this is to be expected of
a shooter. A good version of the game.
Servotron
Another "Eat your heart out, Nintendo" type of game. Awesome side-scrolling
shooter. Very faithful the arcade, this game has excellent graphics, sound,
and gameplay. I can't beat it without cheating, but some people claim to be
able too.
Dr. Luveno
R-type is the shooter that got me into shooters. Great music, great graphics,
huge bosses, great level designs, bad flicker and slowdown at points. R-type
is really second to none.
Scott
Very basic, but I used to play this the most on my SMS.
Servotron
Mah-jong. Bor-ing. If you want something more intellectual and less action
oriented, play Columns or Casino games. This is not fun.
Dr. Luveno
Be the ninja. I do like the power bar system better than the one-hit-and-you-are-dead
system of the arcade. The cool bonus stages are here intact. There is fun
to be had here, get this game.
Dr. Luveno
I was somewhat dissapointed in the conversion of Shinobi to the SMS. Especially
now that I know how Shadow Dancer turned out in Europe, this game just could
have been much better. Only one music track for every level, and without the
Japanese SMS's synth chip that one song doesn't even sound all that great,
no parallax and even some extreme slowdown in the last level really kinda
dragged this one down in my eyes. Nevertheless it's still Shinobi, and still
extremely unique, and well done for a game from 1987.
Scott
Pretty self-explainatory. A fun phaser game that has noticably very good
graphics. Some stages get real hard real fast, though.
Dr. Luveno
One of the blue-labeled US games. It's hockey. Nothing outstanding. I wish
Sega
would've copied Ice Hockey from the NES instead of doing this.
Dr. Luveno
Yep, the blue rodent made an appearance on the SMS here in the US. Think the
Genesis version with worse graphics and sound. These Genesis ports are
somewhat
hard to play after seeing them on Genesis. I know that isn't fair, but it is
true.
Dr. Luveno
Impressive port of the arcade game. This game still holds up well against
time. I won't go into details, but it a forward scrolling shooter will stunning
art design and pacing. Get it.
Dr. Luveno
When I bought a Master System and this game I was in the rare position of
having not seen any other version of it prior to this. Space Harrier for SMS
is a very well made game, the ground is somewhat smooth, or very smooth scrolling
if you compare it to other SMS games, there are lots of sprites that have
pretty good scaling animation, I always loved the music of this game, and
the levels where a ceiling comes down and creates an enclosed level with scrolling
ceiling and floors are just amazing to see in action. I'd say that this is
a better conversion than After Burner was, simply because all of the gameplay
is intact, and nothing is missing from the levels.
Scott
Not only did Sega take Space Harrier and put it in 3D, they made a wholly
new game of it instead of taking the easy road and just copying the original.
The 3D effect is EXCELLENT. Get this game, as it is one of the few where everything
just comes together.
Dr. Luveno
If there was ever an item to own an SMS for, Space Harrier 3D should be it.
Even without 3D this game sports upgraded graphics, better animation, better
scrolling, and better sound. It even attempts to simulate the arcade's technique
of making it look like you're getting higher off the ground, so that you're
not limited to just one screen to scroll around on like you were in the first
Space Harrier on Master System. Then there's the 3D. 3D glasses make this
game a freaking technical marvel. The far background looks like your TV screen
is ten feet deep, your character looks like he's where the screen should be,
and everything in between, including the scrolling ground looks like it's
in between. Amazing technique, way before its time, and an amazing game as
well.
Scott
Ever play Mystic Defender on the Genesis? This is it's predecessor. A
side-scroller with RPG overtones and cool manga cut scenes. A worthy
purchase.
Dr. Luveno
I got this game and put in my SMS just to make sure it worked. And that is
all.
Sad, heh?
Dr. Luveno
It's Great Football that requires the Sports Pad. Actually more fun to play
without the Pad, as you can move very, very quickly, albeit only in
diagonals.
Dr. Luveno
I tried to play this but I didn't understand what I was doing. Supposedly
good with two players. Draw your own conclusions.
Dr. Luveno
Basically you find weapons and booby trap rooms in anticipation of the
other player coming through. A little planning will let you set up some
nasty combinations. Boring without someone else to torture thoguh. Think
Deception without the story or the clever level design.
Joe Ottoson
Yet another Genesis port. Small characters, bland action. Would've been
better
in my eyes had it been a first-gen game.
Dr. Luveno
Still another Genesis port, and a bad one at that. Driving with no sense of
speed, zero-handling, and totally crappy graphics. For collectors only.
Dr. Luveno
Teddy Boy
Turn down the music. Then be prepared to play a boring game. Too
deriviative,
but it comes on a card!
Dr. Luveno
Really two games in one: forward scrolling like Afterburner and top-down
shooting like Astro Warrior. The graphics are pretty good. I wish Thunderblade
would get a modern update.
Dr. Luveno
I actually bought the Genesis version before this one because I thought that
version would be better. However, the Genesis game has buildings that scroll
to the screen very choppy, but also actually scroll back and forth between
sprites at time, making it just look broken. I think this version of Thunder
Blade is better, just because it pushes the hardware more than the Genesis
version does. Fight as a Helicopter in overhead view levels where helicopters
and jets attack you in the air, while tanks that you can bomb fire on you
from below, and fight in simulated 3D with buildings on either side of you,
tanks below and helicopters and jets above. Great boss fights as well.
Scott
Another great isometric overhead view shooter in the vein of Ikari Warriors. Travel through time
destroying dinosaurs, nazis and more. Time Soldiers sports great graphics and fast gameplay, a must
have for any shootem up fan.
Scott
Vigilante
Walter Peyton Football
Wanted
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Wonderboy
Adventure Island brought home with some massive graphical overhauls to create Wonderboy. Great
graphics, difficult to master gameplay that lets you coast to a stop when you need to stop on a dime.
The music is what really killed this one for me, gads that repetative string still gets caught in my
head to this day.
Scott
Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap
World Grand Prix
Y's: The Vanished Omens
Zaxxon 3D
The original overhead shooter with 3D gameplay redone from a behind the
ship view, with 3D glasses to complete the effect. Very nice game, if not
for novelty purposes alone. I haven't played the original extensively, so
I can't comment if anything was lost in the transition to full 3D.
Scott
Definitely one of the classics. Very original with unforgettable
music.
Azmun
Zillion is flat out one of the best games ever made for any system to this
day. Take Elevator Action or Metroid as an example of what type of gameplay
you've got. Zillion is really a series of corridors and rooms. In the corridors
is usually tons of enemies to destroy, and in the rooms are more of them,
and a computer, several canisters that you have to destroy to get the passcode
for that room out of, and a locked or hidden door. Shoot the canisters and
look inside to find a letter in the alien language, memorize which letters
are hidden in the canisters (not in any particular order) and go to the computer
and enter them in.
You're given a limited number of ID cards to feed into the computer, so making
mistakes when entering these passcodes is not advised, as the computer will
eat your card and you can end your game prematurely. The computers are also
useful for turning off electrical or sensor barriers, turning off motorized
walkways or laser cannons and more. You'll also dramatically upgrade your
weapon into a fireball launching cannon and your jumping ability and running
ability along the way.
Zillion is a great highly detailed game for its time that could have used
a full fledged sequel in the same style, with more intricate graphical details
and possibly some rooms that offer traditional platforming, and more boss
fights. Though, that last boss fight is nothing short of epic.
Scott
Less of a sequel to the first game, and more of another game based on the action anime, Zillion
2 offers a unique twist on shooters and action/platformers. Zillion 2 can be split into two modes,
shooter levels that start with you on a motorcycle, and end with you transformed into a flying mech of
some sort, and platforming levels that play most like Castlevania in that there are walking enemies and
flying bobbing enemies to avoid or kill. Each of the platforming levels ends in a unique boss fight.
The graphics in this game are top notch, the gameplay is clean and allows full control, and the music
and sound are also quite smooth. Very good game that got passed on by a lot of people for not being
a sequel in spirit to Zillion 1. This was one of the earliest game I can remember liking, even though
when I bought it I was hoping for more of the first game, not a completely different game.
Scott