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  • Cliffhanger (Sega Genesis)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Video games based on movie licenses are very, very rarely good. Or even average. There could be any number of reasons for this but I think most often they are made with a limited budget simply to capitalize on the interest generated by the movie. This isn’t necessarily the programmers’ fault. There’s only so much you can do with a short timeline and limited budget. Unfortunately, Cliffhanger does not seem to be an exception to this rule.

    Cliffhanger is based on the Sylvester Stallone movie of the same name and was released in 1993 for seemingly every system available at the time (NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, Amiga, Game Gear, Game Boy and maybe more than I am missing). There seemed to be two basic versions, an 8-bit version and a 16-bit version from which they all descend. The Genesis version was one of the better versions but that really isn’t saying much.

    Cliffhanger, while loosely based on the plot of the movie, played like a side-scrolling beat-em-up, a genre common at the time. Essentially, it was just a very poor imitation of games like Double Dragon. Even saying that is probably an insult to Double Dragon. The problems were many but it basically comes down to the fact that this was a game that lacked originality, was very repetitive, and had below average graphics. The 8-bit versions were even worse. Apparently, EGM awarded this game the worst movie to game translation of 1994. That’s pretty bad considering that this is a genre of games that has pretty low expectations to start with.

    So why would you want to play this? I can’t really think of many reasons. Maybe you are obsessed with side-scrolling beat-em-ups and just have to play them all. Maybe nostalgia for this game because you had the game or were fond of the movie as a kid (I’ve always kind of had a soft spot for the NES version of Total Recall for this reason). Maybe you just have some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder that requires that you play it. Maybe you just want to see how bad it really is. I can’t think of many good reason.

    If you do want to give it a try, then stick to the 16-bit versions like the Genesis version. The Sega CD version in particular has some extra snow boarding levels that some claim are actually fun. In any case, you’ll have to track down an original or be content with emulation. Licensed games rarely get re-releases of any sort because of, well, licensing reasons. It’s not as if this one would be on anyone’s ‘best of’ list or remembered with fondness enough to justify a re-release anyway.

    Screen shots above are from the Sega Genesis version of the game.


    Retro Games Sega Genesis 📎and tagged

  • Sonic Spinball (Sega Genesis, 1993)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/701929232243294208/duwango-sonic-spinball

    Soinc Spinball was a spin-off (no pun intended?) of the regular Sonic series on the Genesis. It was released late in 1993 between Sonic 2 and Sonic 3 and featured Sonic as the ball in a pinball themed game. This game was mainly developed as a stop gap to have a Sonic game available for the holidays since Sonic 3 was not going to be completed in time.

    The control scheme is somewhat unique in that in addition to more conventional pinball physics, you can also control Sonic’s direction while in motion. Due to the speed and limited visibility, this could be difficult. However, considering the game only had a two-month development cycle it was pretty impressive and a decent game overall. Graphics, sound and music were all pretty much up to the standard of other Sonic games and while the control scheme wasn’t perfect, it wasn’t terrible either. There are four different levels which you can more or less think of as four different pinball tables, in addition to bonus levels and mini games.

    The goal of Sonic Spinball is pretty much the same as any Sonic game in that you have to defeat Doctor Robotnik and his minions. One interesting item is that this game is the only one set in the Sonic animated universe, not that that really impacts the game much other than the story continuity is a little different. You must collect all of the Chaos Emeralds scattered throughout the various levels and defeat the four bosses to win the game.

    Despite a few problems, the game got mixed but mostly positive reviews. If you like Sonic and you like pinball then it is definitely a game to try. However, the control scheme can definitely put pinball purists off and if you are just a fan of the Sonic platform games and not of pinball then there isn’t much to like here, despite the Sonic theme. In any case I think it is worth trying.

    If you do want to give it a try then there are a variety of ways to play it. In addition to the Genesis release, there was also a Game Gear and Sega Master System release the following year. In addition, the Genesis version was released as part of the Sonic Mega Collection on the GameCube, PS2, Xbox and PC, as part of Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection for the Xbox 360 and PS3, on Wii’s Virtual Console, and via Steam and Nintendo Switch Online. The Game Gear version was an unlockable game in Sonic Adventure DX: Director’s Cut for the GameCube and PC and was released as part of the Sonic Gems Collection for the GameCube and PS2. In addition to the original on the Genesis, any of the re-release versions are fine but the Genesis based ones will be better than ones based on the Game Gear version.


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  • Mega Play (November/December 1991)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: Mega Play – Issue Number 7 – November/December 1991

    Mega Play was a Sega specific magazine covering mostly the Sega Genesis, Game Gear and related accessories. It was published by the same publishers as EGM so for a while they were publishing EGM, EGM2, Mega Play, and Super Play (a Super Nintendo magazine). The first issue of Mega Play was included as a freebie with EGM. The November/December 1991 issue includes:

    • Editorial – Things look rosy for Sega as Genesis hardware and software sales exceed expectations with the Mega CD/Sega CD coming soon.
    • Mega Mail – Letters from readers about RGB mode on the Genesis, a new Genesis design, playing Master System games on the Game Gear, and back issues.
    • Hi-Tech Sega – A look at a handy new third-party accessory called the ‘Master Gear Converter’ that will allow you to play Sega Master System games on the Game Gear.
    • Mega Tricks – Tips, tricks and cheat codes for Turrican (Genesis), Road Rash (Genesis), Spiderman (Genesis), Marvel Land (Genesis), Decapattack (Genesis), Saint Sword (Genesis), and Streets of Rage (Genesis).
    • Coming Attractions – Previews of upcoming games in the U.S. and Japan, including Golden Axe II (Genesis), Exile (Mega Drive), Super Fantasy Zone (Mega Drive), Corporation (Genesis), Devil Crash (Mega Drive), Isle Road (Mega Drive), Alien Syndrome (Game Gear), The Chessmaster (Game Gear), Galaga ’91 (Game Gear), Kabuki (Mega Drive), Alisia Dragoon (Mega Drive), Warsong (Genesis), Rings of Power (Genesis), and Game Gear Boxing (Game Gear).

    • Genesis Does… – A more detailed look at some games coming out for the holiday season. Games spotlighted include Growl (Genesis), a violent fighting game from Taito; The Terminator (Genesis), based on the movie of the same name; Trouble Shooter (Genesis), a shooter somewhat similar to Forgotten Worlds; James Pond 2: Robocod (Genesis), a platform game featuring a fish; Shadow of the Beast (Genesis), a fantasy based side-scrolling beat-em-up; Cal. 50 (Genesis), a top down action game in which you must rescue the prisoners; F-22 Interceptor (Genesis), a combat flight sim; Toki (Genesis), a translation of the arcade game; Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Gear), now on Sega’s portable platform; Halley Wars (Game Gear), a sci-fi themed shooter; and Bio-Ship Paladin (Mega Drive), a shooter with a unique twist.
    • Review Crew
      • Y’s 3 – Sadly, not as good as the Y’s games on the TurboGrafx-16.
      • The Terminator (Genesis) – Take the role of John Conner in this action game based on the movie. Better than most licensed games.
      • Robocod (Genesis) – Better than the original James Pond.
      • Trouble Shooter (Genesis) – Play Madison and Crystal as they fly around blasting everything in their quest to find the king’s son.
      • John Madden ’92 (Genesis) – Back when the Madden games were really good.
      • Mario Lemieux Hockey (Genesis) – An average hockey game.
      • Cal. 50 (Genesis) – A translation of the arcade game. Reminds me of games like P.O.W. and Ikari Warriors.
      • RBI 3 (Genesis) – Not really an improvement over the NES original.
      • Dark Castle (Genesis) – A pretty terrible adventure game from these reviews…
      • Buck Rogers (Genesis) – The computer version was excellent, apparently the Genesis version was not.
      • Art Alive (Genesis) – A painting and drawing program…but you can’t save your work.
      • Game Over – A look at the ending of Batman…the game based on the 1989 movie.

      …and more!


      Retro Games Sega Genesis 📎and tagged