Battletoads (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Arc System Works, Rare
Publisher: Tradewest
Released: 1993

Battletoads is an action game that was released on multiple platforms including the Nintendo NES (1991) and Sega Mega Drive (1993).

+ Packs in an enormous amount of gameplay variety, which acts as an incentive to keep grinding to the next stage.

+ Notoriously difficult Turbo Tunnel now affords you multiple hits, which takes away some of the frustration.

- However, this stage has a fluctuating frame-rate and the incoming barriers no longer flash before launching toward you.

- Relies too heavily on trial-and-error and mercilessly drops in new mechanics with no prior learning to guide players.

- Missing numerous stages, so it feels like an incomplete port when compared to the similar 8-bit NES version.

- Collision detection is inconsistent and the camera doesn't always scroll far enough to let you see what's ahead.

- Grace period of invincibility after taking damage is ridiculously brief, and the controls are often unresponsive.