Kid Chameleon

 Now a days every other game seems to be a bland looking first person shooter (FPS) but back in the 1990's games were more often than not platformers. Of course the kings of platform were Mario (on the Nintendo systems) and Sonic (on the Sega systems) though this didn't stop other platformers from being incredibly good games such as this one, Kid Chameleon.



The back story of the game is pretty meaningless but you're effectively playing a game inside a game. The local arcade has a new virtual reality game, called "Wildside" which has been abducting it's players and you, as Kid Chameleon must defeat the game and save the kids who have been taken by the game. Despite having such a pointless story the game it's self is actually excellent.

Although platformers were the big thing of the 1990's Kid Chameleon differentiated it's self from most of the other platform games of the era in a number of ways. Firstly, unlike most platform games you're not stuck in a single form, in fact Kid Chameleon sees the player taking 10 different forms, each with their own power. These range from the Kid (a child in jeans) to an Iron Knight (who can climb vertical walls) to Hovercraft rider (who can ride on the roof of levels). It's these helmets that give the game not only extra depth but also different strategies. For example you may wish to keep the "Cyclone" helmet which can fly to get through some levels or you may which to keep the Maniaxe mask which allows you to throw axes at enemies from a distance.

As well as the number of different forms (and strategies) a player can use to get through the game the game also stands out from the rest of the platformers on it's sheer size. The game in total features over 100 levels, and whilst you won't have to visit them all you will have to visit a lot of them (unless you use a cheat). Whilst this makes the game very long it's also rather frustrating as the game features neither a password system nor a save feature (at least in it's original form). This generally means most players will never manage to complete the game despite a number of shortcuts in the game.

Despite being one of the toughest games ever to actually complete it's also a game that has so much wealth to it that it's actually impossible to hate. The various helmets add so much to the game that always feels so fresh and original even when you've played through it before.

Whilst some of the graphics and some of the sound does fall below the standard of the gameplay it's merely a minor complaint (much like the games length) and you will find yourself really enjoying an excellent and unusual game.

87%

Details:
Console-Sega Mega Drive
Release-1992
Developer-Sega Technical Institute
Genre-2D Platformer
Players-1or 2

Trivia- To player can complete the game by completing as little as 3 levels by skipping from the 2nd level to the final level.

SPOILERS/MEGA CHEAT
At the end of Blue Lake Woods 2 you need to jump on the last prize block above the flag, then press Right/Down + Jump. You will skip one to the final level "Plethora".

Sonic The Hedgehog 2

Although Sonic the Hedgehog had been introduced to the gaming world in the first Sonic game in 1991 it was the sequel that really helped Sonic take over the world. Released in 1992 for the Sega Genesis (or Mega Drive) the game added a number of new features and improved on every part of the original game. To some it is not only the seminal Sonic game, but the seminal 2D platformer.

The first thing a player notices when they turn the game on is now recogniseable face of Miles "Tails" Prower on the title screen alongside Sonic. Soon afterwards the upgraded music kicks in and the player starts to realise they are now playing a special game

 the music adds more than one would imagine and it adds something throughout the whole game.

When you start the first level you feel completely at home as the level has a lot of similarities to the opening
level in the first Sonic game, though it's not long before the improved level design and graphics start to wow you. Levels now bring in not only multiple routes but scenery  that really plays a part such as lefts, pipes and slides that all come together to create a much fuller experience than the first game. Though the basis of the game is the same, the player controls Sonic (or Tails) and have to defeat Dr Robotnik (Dr Eggman in some versions) to save the world. The improvements are really brilliant and add a lot, not just in presentation but also in playability adding the now trademark spindash to the series.

With 20 in game levels (spread over 11 zones) and 7 bonus stages the game will take some time to get through though what you will find is that the game is genuinely a joy to play. The creative team from Team Sonic really nailed the 2D platform genre and made it not only a playable joy but a memorable experience. Even the worst levels in the games are wonderfully complex with out getting frustrating or annoying (see the water levels in the original Sonic game).

Whilst I personally feel Sonic 3 (and Knuckles) is the the best Sonic "game", Sonic 2 is a very complete and thrilling experience that really must be played by every single serious gamer.

92%

Details:
Console-Mega Drive
Release-1992
Developer-Team Sonic
Genre-2D Platformer
Players-1or 2

Trivia-
Sonic 2 added multiplayer to the Sonic platform genre with a 2 player racing game and allowed a second player to control Tails.

Barbie Super Model

Sometimes when reviewing these old games I have to ask myself 2 questions, 1-"Why?" and 2-"What am I doing with my life?" They have never been asked as much as when I was playing Barbie Super Model a game that has you continually wondering why you even bother with these sorts of games.

The first thing you notice is the pink overload, the game almost seems like someone has used pink paint brush and tried to use it as much as they can to create the games "look". Though rather funnily the pink is the least the games problems, in fact it's just one of many.
 The player controls Barbie who starts the game in a convertible (see above) and needs to get from the start of the level to the end of it to practice her catwalk routine. Then the player needs to guide Barbie back to the start of the level. You can make barbie go up, down slow down or speed up to avoid crashing into other cars though in the end of it it's simple, dull and boring.



Along the way you can run into a gift box or a camera and play one of the games two mini games. These games involve matching Barbie's clothes to that of a magazine cover, effectively a glorified memory game that involves the player looking at Barbie in a swimsuit (yeah it's as sexy as looking at a dead turkey).

After you get back to the start of the level you do a catwalk section needing to repeat the routine you practiced in the middle of the level. After completing this you need to do the entire thing again...this time on roller skates at the beach. It's much the same as the opening car section of the game except the obstacles have changed to include people and beach balls. Again you need to get to the end of the level to do a practice routine then make your way to the start of the 

level to put your practice into action. This same level pattern is repeated between the games final 2 levels (in which Barbie walks through a ski resort and cycles through a park).

 Whilst the game's "levels" are rather pathetic and monotonously slow they also feature frustrating items like snowballs being thrown at the player for what appears to be no reason. If the player is struck they lose a life (which is indicated in the top left of the screen) and losing all the life will see them given a Game over screen.

Sadly as well as having the fun of Christmas in Cromwell's era and enough pink and purple to make your eyes bleed the music and sound effects sound as if they were designed to give you headaches. Whilst we don't expect CD quality sounds in a SNES or Mega Drive game we don't expect to have our ears assaulted by bleeps, blips and blops that sound like our speakers are damaged.

The game has very little in case of redeeming factors and really is a nightmare of a game that is best off ignored unless your a 5 year old girl who thinks that Barbie is the perfect role model.

14%

Details:
Console-SNES/Mega Drive
Release-1992
Developer-Tahoe Software Productions
Genre-Action
Players-1 or 2

Trivia:
Their is a ROM of the unreleased Game Gear version going around

Streets of Rage (Mega Drive)

Having recently reviewed both the Game Gear Streets of Rage and the Master System Streets of Rage it seems only fitting to review the original Mega Drive version of the game, and by far the most enjoyable.

Released in 1991 the Mega Drive version was the only 16-bit version of the legendary beat 'em up and is by far the most complete version of the game. When comparing this to it's siblings you notice that they both look uglier, sound somewhat weak in comparison and have a number limitations (which effect the balance of the game). As a result this is the version of the game that everyone SHOULD make sure they player (though I do advise playing the Master System version as well).

As with the other version of the games the player can select which character they wish to play as (Adam is absent form the Game Gear version) with each of them having slightly different stats. Each of the characters have the same controls and similar moves as each other allowing them attack, throw combo's and throw enemies around the screen. Although they all have the same controls their moves do differ slightly and are stylised to their stats, for example Axel has the worst jump attack whilst Blaze has the quickest attacks and Adam's are the slowest.

The games backstory is the same as the other two versions of the game. An evil crime syndicate is running the city and needs to be taken out, only the three playable characters (and a single back up cop) are willing to try and take down the organisation. Although the story is somewhat weak compared to what we get now it's the right sort of background for the type of game it is. With out being rude it's a very basic and straight forward beat 'em up with the characters moving from left to right across the levels. Despite the simplicity it's also one of the most out and out fun beat 'em ups both as a 1 player game or as a 2-player co-op game. It's good looking, it's got amazing music

and more impressive is the fact the game is challenging with out being too tough. In terms of raw difficulty this is the most balanced of the 3 games as it manages to have enough enemies on screen at once to be tough (as opposed to the Master System which could only cope with 2) with out being frustrating like the Game Gear version (which took out the "knee" attack).


Although the game isn't the definitive beat 'em up, or in fact even the best Streets of Rage game out there it put down the marker for the series, it lay the foundations for the brilliant follow up which improved the game in pretty every way one could hope for. Although it's not Streets of Rage II it's still an exceptional game that even 20 years after it's release holds it's own and can easily hold your attention.

89%

Details:
Console-Mega Drive
Release-1991
Developer-Sega
Genre-Beat em up
Players-1 or 2

Trivia:
The game was sold one the Mega Games II cartridge (along with Golden Axe and Revenge Of Shinobi) which was later a pack in game much like Tetris had been for the Game Boy and Sonic had been for the Mega Drive early in the Mega Drive's life.
The Mega Drive version is the only one with 2 separate endings with a "good" and "bad" ending to the game.

Aladdin (Mega Drive)

In recent years games based on movies have generally been turgid affairs where it's been an obvious cash in, however that's not always been the case. In the early 1990's a number of licenses were taken into the video gaming world and turned into exceptional games and one of the very best was "Aladdin". Whilst this is a review for the Mega Drive version there were other versions available each of which was different to each other (the SNES and Mega Drive games are hugely different but both are excellent).

 In the game the player controls Aladdin who is armed with apples and a sword. You need to use those weapons to defeat enemies as you go through some of the most amazingly crafted levels of any 2D. The levels combine themes of the movie with wonderful gameplay whilst featuring all memorable locations as you attempt to dethrone the evil Jafar.

Where the game really stands out are the amazing graphics that use cel shading to provide a glorious background. The game also uses some of the most fluid animation for the characters and was worked on by Disney animators. This leads to the game having one of the most visually impressive displays on the Mega Drive. This is aided by some wonderful music that again seems amazing for the time and really did stand out on the Mega Drive.

As well as being a smooth game that plays wonderfully, has amazing graphics and amazing sound the game also has moments of brilliant humour and fan service. If you look at the image above you can see an enemy with his pants on show whilst the image on the left show some "Mickey Mouse ears" on the washing line.Whilst these are just extra little bonuses they do bring a little more to the game and help show off the Disney charm.

Although the main gain isn't that long (2-3 hours) you will find yourself coming back and trying to find some of the little secrets that are in the game and this again falls back on the games charm. Although I won't say it's the best platformer on the console it's certainly one of the most fun and one of the very best presented games of the era. It's also one of the greatest games based on the movie so well done the folks at Virgin for not just cashing in.

90%

Details:
Console-Sega Mega Drive (other versions are available, but differ from the Mega Drive version)
Release-1993
Developer-Virgin Interactive
Genre-2D Platformer
Players-1

Trivia:
A number of the developers of the game would later form Shiny Entertainment who created the equally wonder Earthworm Jim games.
Virgin Interactive would also be responsible for "The Lion King" and "The Jungle Book", both highly acclaimed Mega Drive titles based on animated movies.

Streets of Rage (Master System)

 Having recently reviewed the Sega Game Gear version of the first "Streets of Rage" game it only made sense to review Sega Master System version (and the Sega Mega Drive version). Like the other versions of the game this is a side scrolling beat 'em up where the player controls a character and attempts to battle through the game to defeat "Mr X" the leader of a crime syndicate which has been take over the city.

The first thing you may notice (especially if you have played the game gear version of the game) is that Adam is back (he was featured in the Mega Drive version but absent from the significantly shortened Game Gear cartridge). Though the characters do lack a stats screen it is nice to see Adam. Though this may seem like a little thing it is the first (of many) signs that the game is more complete port of the Mega Drive game.

As well as a returning Adam you also get the whole 8 levels of the Mega Drive game (rather than just 5) as well as the regular Cop back up special (that was completely altered for the Game Gear) and more importantly the "knee" animation has returned (thank god).

Despite being a much more accurate port the game does however have enough difference to make it a fun game for the Streets of Rage enthusiast, especially on level 6 where new traps are used as well as a totally new boss (see the bottom picture). In fact the game has a number of changes from original game due to the power of the Master System when compared to the Mega Drive. These include the way the player uses the Special cop back up (now needing to pause the game) which was changed to accommodate the fact the Master System controls only featured 2 buttons. Though the most noticeable "change" are the graphics which has been scaled back due to the processing power of the Master System. The game also seems to have been made somewhat easier due to the fact their was only ever 2 enemies on screen at any one time (at least on "normal") meaning the player can tactically defeat them before the next enemies appear.

Whilst the game is a pretty true port of the original game it does strike me as being not only the "ugly sister" of the family but also the easiest (as mentioned above, the 2 enemies on screen issue really does make the game "easy"). In fact the always troublesome "Mona and Lisa" enemies were actually really simple in the game. Thankfully however the return of Adam, the Cops, the extra levels and the knee animation really do help complete this game and bring back a lot of the Streets of Rage love we all have inside us.

If you're a Streets of Rage fan this is certainly worth adding to your collection just for a chance to play through the game again, if you're a beat em up fan it's worth a play and in fact if you're just a video game fan it's worth a go despite looking garish in places.

78%

Details:
Console-Sega Master System
Release-1993
Developer-Sega
Genre-Beat Em Up
Players-1 (as far as I'm aware)

Trivia:
The games title screen will say "Press start" oddly pressing start will do nothing and you actually need to press "2"

Streets of Rage (Game Gear)

The "Streets of Rage" series is one of the seminal Mega Drive series though it also spawned ports for the Sega Master System and the Sega Game Gear. In fact the first 2 games of the series were both ported to the Master System and Game Gear. It's the Game Gear version that is by far the most different from the original Mega Drive game.

Streets of Rage, like Golden Axe (and many other games of the era) was a side scrolling beat 'em up where the players had to get from A to B beating up punks along the way. Each of the levels featured a boss and by beating the boss the player could progress to the next level. The series was well known for a fine balance of difficulty, a good selection of enemies, weapons and levels which helped it to create a huge fans base, but how does this Game Gear version really do?

The first, rather noticeable difference between the Mega Drive version and this version is at the character selection screen. On the Mega Drive you had 3 available players (Adam Hunter, Axel Stone and Blaze Fielding) for the Game Gear version however Adam has been dropped (mainly due to the size of the Game Gear cartridges). You will also notice that the "Specials" (a cop car that fires on the enemy) are heavily altered in this version of the game making it much tougher. Though the key gameplay difference (and by far the most noticeable) is the lack of a "knee" animation making front holds almost useless (this really makes the game more difficult).

Despite being a more difficult game than it's Mega Drive and Master System siblings it's a much shorter game with just 5 levels which are all altered (shortened) versions of levels from the other games (completely dropping level 2,3 and 7 from the original game). Whilst this "should" make the game easier the big issue is the lack of "kneeing" which takes a lot of the strategy out of the game and makes it a lot more frustrating than it needs to be.

Whilst graphically it is impressive for a Game Gear game it is also the weakest in terms of playability of any of the Streets of Rage games, which is perhaps the best way to think of it. Whilst is is somewhat true to the original it's certainly not up there with full console versions of the game and I think that is probably the key. If you are a hardcore Streets of Rage fan this is probably worth a play through but for everyone else you can give it a miss and just get the much better Mega Drive version.

67%

Details:
Console-Game Gear
Release-1992
Developer-Sega
Genre-Beat em up
Players-1 or 2


Trivia:
This is the only version of the game with a cheat menu (see the bottom picture) to access this you need to go to the options menu and select song "11" from the sound test. Press the 1 and 2 buttons together and you should get the options to select start stage (1-5) and turn off damage (making the player invincible to damage from enemies).

Sonic The Hedgehog

In 1991 the video game world would welcome one of the biggest names in video game history with the launch of "Sonic The Hedgehog". The game, released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis became one of the keys behind Sega's huge boom in the early 1990's and the success of the Mega Drive/Genesis.

Although Nintendo had well established Mario character Sega's mascot up to then was somewhat lacking, but with Sonic at the helm they had a bad-ass hedgehog to challenge the Plumber.

The game is a 2D platform game with emphasis mainly on speed with Sonic being able to run at blistering speeds as he charges through the games levels. In total the game has 19 proper levels (with 6 "Zones" broken into 3 "acts" as well as a Final Zone) and a number of "Special Zones" where Sonic attempts to get a chaos emerald. Through out the Zones sonic will come across a variety of obstacles, enemies and a boss created by "Dr Robotnik" (or Dr Eggman).

In the game Sonic gets to collect a number of power ups including a shield and temporary invincibility though the main collectable are the golden rings that litter the levels. If the player collects 100 rings in a level they will be given a new life though the rings have a second purpose, if the player gets hit with out any rings they will die (if they have rings they will be thrown about the screen allowing for Sonic to re-collect them).

As well as the fast paced gameplay the game also features some fabulous music which often has an uptempo feel to it and sound as good as the game plays.

Whilst it's hugely fun and rather expansive the game does have it's serious flaws, mainly the frustrating level design of some of the later levels, most notably the water levels. For example Scrap Brain Act 3 feels badly designed and it seems to have enemies appearing at the worst times as well as having air bubbles spaced too far apart.

The level select screen

Whilst the game is wonderfully well crafted on the whole it has too many flaws to be called the "King of Platforming" as some declare it to be. The game is relatively short (if you take out the frustration of Scrap Brain Act 3) and on the whole it's "simple". Whilst it's not the greatest 2D platform game, it is a game that set the platform for the follow up Sonic games (including the amazing Sonic The Hedgehog 2).

88%

Details:
Console-Mega Drive
Release-1991
Developer-Team Sonic
Genre-2D Platformer
Players-1

Trivia:
The game became the "Pack in title" for the Mega Drive/Genesis much like Tetris had been for the Game Boy
The "Banner and stars" title screen was also used by Sega in the "Alex Kidd" and "Wonder Boy" games.

Fatman

 When it comes to terrible terrible games few compete with "Fatman" (also known as "Slaughter Sport") on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It's a game that almost makes "Pit Fighter" look like an enjoyable nights entertainment.

The game is a 2D fighting game (think Street Fight II or the early Mortal Kombat games) but one that really has very, very little going for it other than it's cult status as a broken and frustrating game. In fact it's awfulness is probably the only reason anyone even remembers the game.

 It's easy to make a bad game, but it's hard to make such a bad game that has no real redeeming factors. Firstly you are greeted by a big breasted man (see the screen shot) and a cross over of a mermaid and a mutated leopard. This should have said it all really, but then you get music that sounds like a computer being abused by a nerd who wants to test whether or not their Mac can feel pain. These would usually be signs that I should be turning a game off but yet worse was yet to come.


The in game graphics, whilst not terrible really don't do anything good for the game but what's worse are the controls and the lag which really make it unplayable. The game plays as if it's drunk and doesn't know what you're telling it to do, it acts as if taking a command is against it's code and it'll just do whatever it likes (which is generally nothing). Whilst your character is impossible to control the computer controlled character seems to never miss.

It's ugly, it gives you an earache and it feels like your fingers are worthless. When a game simply doesn't want to work there is little you can do but stick it in "The Hall of Shame" and hope others manage to avoid it.

11%

Details:
Console-Mega Drive
Release-1991
Developer-Atari
Genre-Fighting
Players-1or 2

Trivia-
It was previously released as Mondu's Fight Palace and Tongue of the Fatman

It's awful and it will make you want to kill yourself.

Barney's Hide & Seek Game

Warning: This game is awful, please do not hunt it down, it's not worth the time or effort.

Now I had to start the review with that as some fool (you know who you are) WILL go and download this game and will go "you are talking garbage mate, it can't be that bad", trust me, it is...thankfully however it will complete it's self if you leave it to it's own devices.

Anyway onto, arguably the worst Mega Drive game in history which, as you may had realised is based on Barney, the big purple smiling idiotic looking dinosaur. In the early 1990's "Barney and Friends" was one of children's TV's biggest...stars and in 1993 Realtime Associates along with Sega were responsible for bringing the Barney to the home console market.

The player controls Barney as he goes looking for a number of children and items associated with the children in a slightly more interactive version of the  equally appalling The Great Search for Waldo. Barney can hand on to balloons, jump and walk and yet no matter what he does, you can't help but want to punch the ugly grinning fool. What you swiftly realise though is that he walks as slowly as an old peadophile chasing down a bunch of pre-schoolers. This idea of pedophilia just gets worse when he actually finds on of the poor kids and hugs them. Not only does Barney hold them tightly but he also seems to sniff their hair and smile as he wraps his ugly, stumpy pink arms around the children.


As well as the nasty thoughts about Barney and children that would make Gary Glitter want to dress up in such a ridiculous costume you also come across 2 other very weird parts to the game. First you cannot kill Barney. If you try to step into the water or off a ledge you get Barney holding a stop sign. I thought for a second that this was subliminal messaging telling me to stop playing so then left the control and came to the other issue and the one that might make Stevie Wonder happy. If you leave the control for a minute or two Barney will walk through the entire game with out you needing to press anything. The smiling happy dope will literally complete his own game.

I really have no idea who decided that any of this was a good idea, I really need to wonder about the sanity of not only the programmers but also the poor folk that have played this, it's nothing short of a gaming nightmare that actually makes the aforementioned Waldo game look like good, challenging fun.

I was going to finish this by saying that this is the video gaming equivalent to self harm but it's not, the game completes it's self so it's more like video gaming assault. Really avoid it, avoid it like the plague, it'll last you 5 minutes of actual gaming as you swiftly breeze through it, then another 5 minutes of watching it complete it's self.

9%

Details:
Console-Sega Mega Drive
Release-1993
Developer-Realtime Associates
Genre-Self completing platform game
Players-1

Trivia:
Despite Barney being unable to go into the water on 1 level he's happy to walk underwater in another level and is unable to drown.
This game was the cause of "Retro Video Game Reviews' Hall of Shame"

Brian Lara Cricket '96

 When I was a little boy I was cricket obsessed, most of my family played the sport and as a result I'd been dragged into it. If you were a cricket fan during the 1990's one man stood out, that man was Brian Lara who was a living legend. It's rare to be called an icon whilst your still active in any sport but Lara was an icon, he's set numerous records and was a special cricketer. Whilst I wouldn't go as far as to say a one in a generation player (especially not what he was playing at the same time as the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar) he was one of the greats and Codemasters knew it. If there was one thing the Mega Drive (or Gensis) did, it was make licensed sports games and Brian Lara was the name to attach to a cricket game.

The original Brian Lara cricket was released in 1995 and the following year Mega Drive fans were treated to a vastly superior update in "Brian Lara Cricket  '96". The game was simple, it was cricket what could possibly go wrong?
Well sadly an awful lot didn't quite go right. Despite a huge number of options and various matches the game sadly seemed to just lack something. In fact it seemed like much of the game was "OK" but could have been better. The music for example played only during the menu with the main game having limited sounds for the ball hitting the bat and the crowd clapping a boundary, the controls seemed to be fine until you got around to fielding which was just a total nightmare and the graphics, although decent for the era were often dull.

Despite the issues with the presentation and the somewhat difficult controls that seemed to rely on luck at times, it was oddly playable and could easily keep you busy for a few hours, especially if you were playing with a mate. It was perhaps the games multiplayer mode that did save the game from being a bit of a duck. It was whilst playing the multiplayer that you ignored the poor sounds, you gave up caring about the slightly dodgy fielding and you instead revisited the Ashes whilst sledging each other in front of the TV.
Yes it was childish but my god was it ever fun to taunt your mate who was unable to stop the series of fours that just drifted past fielders.

The single player mode of the game did have a lot of depth, ranging from Test Series, to World cups, a practice mode and even a create a team option. Whilst the game has a lot of depth the single player mode sadly fails to ignite the same levels of fun as the multiplayer mode. As a result you may find yourself unable to enjoy what is effectively an out dated product that has more than just a few flaws. Whilst it doesn't do much "wrong" as such it just doesn't really do much "right".

67%

Details:
Console-Sega Mega Drive (Europe only)
Release-1996
Developer-Codemaster
Genre- Sport (Cricket)
Players-1-4

Trivia:
A version of the game was released in Australia baring the name of "Shane Warne" the immortal Australian leg spin.
Using the create a team option you could (if you were bored) pretty much re-create any actual teams playing today.