Snail Maze (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1986

Snail Maze is a maze game that was hidden in the BIOS of early Sega Master System consoles.

+ Intricate maze layouts to test your noggin, specifically Round 12 which foregoes short corridors in favour of long straights.

+ Ticking clock gives the gameplay some tension and it's immensely rewarding when you figure out the correct route.

- No real pay off for completing all 12 mazes and instead the game kicks you back out to the BIOS screen.

- Nothing to keep you occupied once you know the maze layouts and it's a chore having to enter a code to access the game.

- A two-player competitive option would have enhanced replayability and added longevity to the primitive gameplay.

- Unfortunately, the game never received a standalone release, meaning those lacking an early BIOS are out of luck.

- Music consists of a short ten-second loop, which (while catchy) does start to drive you insane after a couple of rounds.