The Smurfs (Mega CD review)

Developer: Infogrames, Malibu Interactive
Publisher: Infogrames
Released: 1995

The Smurfs is a platformer that was also released on the Sega Mega Drive in 1995.

+ Level design is a step up from the 8-bit Sega versions and allows for environmental interaction to obtain hard-to-reach items.

+ Being able to play as rescued characters is a great touch and opens up the gameplay due to their special abilities.

+ Mixes in some minor puzzle elements that force you to slow down and check your surroundings for useful items.

+ Good use of parallax scrolling and the world map that's displayed prior to each stage is a neat presentational flourish.

- Bare-bones upgrade to the cartridge version, as the only differences are CD music and two short FMV clips. 

- Music is even more ill-fitting than the Mega Drive version, as the dramatic CD audio is at odds with most locales.

- Likewise, there's a distinct lack of atmosphere to each stage, mostly due to the lowered SFX that are barely audible.