Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Aspect, Sega CS
Publisher: Majesco Sales, Sega
Released: 1994

Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck is a platformer that was also released on the Sega Master System in 1994.

+ Ability to tackle the first few stages in any order is neat and allows inexperienced players to see further ahead.

+ Later levels up the challenge by adding some puzzle / maze-like elements to deepen the established gameplay.

+ 60Hz refresh rate (compared to the 50Hz European-only console version) helps the gameplay feel less sluggish.

- However, the game engine still struggling to keep up with the action, as slowdown is rampant throughout.

- Donald's jumping momentum is unpredictable, leaving you constantly unsure as to how far he'll actually leap.

- Peppers that grant you temporary speed and invincibility are usually (and rather pointlessly) placed right in front of exits.

- Most bosses repeat simple auto-scrolling battles and the zoomed-in screen obscures your vision of what's ahead.