Bank Panic (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Sega R&D 2
Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Released: 1987

Bank Panic is a shooting game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1984.

+ Expands on the lighthearted action found in Wild Gunman (1985, NES), but with new wrinkles to heighten the tension.

+ Frantic gameplay has a fun multitasking element, and the difficulty curve is ideal for easing in newcomers.

+ Waiting for bad guys to draw their weapons before you shoot is nerve-wracking, but the extra points are a worthy reward.

+ Has a deceptively deep scoring system, with certain conditions enabling you to net huge special bonuses.

+ Includes detailed, chunky sprites, and the catchy jingle has both an upbeat and sombre version depending on your play.

- Would have been amazing if the game supported the Light Phaser alongside the controller for increased immersion.

- Takes a while to restart after a failed attempt, and the game can become repetitive due to the lack of additional scenery.

Great Volleyball (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Sanritsu
Publisher: Sega of America
Released: 1987

Great Volleyball is a sports game that's exclusive to the Sega Master System.

+ Practice mode is a great way to develop your serving / spiking skills, and the eight national anthems are a neat touch.

+ Strategy is afforded in the way of points that can be used to upgrade your team's service, spike or receiving abilities.

- Ball frequently exits camera view after a push shot, and it's difficult to perfectly time a spike when it's on the way down.

- Physics are floaty and unpredictable, and it's genuinely unnerving trying to line up a player to receive an incoming serve.

- Doesn't always select the nearest player, resulting in lost points as your team casually watch the ball hit the floor.

- No difficulty options, and despite the simple premise the gameplay is tough with the CPU showing no mercy.

- Tournament only consists of three matches (with no gauntlet mode), and the cup outcome isn't shown if you exit early.

Great Golf (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Whiteboard
Publisher: Sega of America
Released: 1987

Great Golf is a sports game that's known as Masters Golf in Japan.

+ Supports 1-4 players and the course design has some challenging layouts, particularly the devious split-island hole.

+ Unique features include throwing grass to gauge wind, and ground level angles showing the slope of the putting green.

+ Voice clips for a successful green shot are neat motivators and resemble those found in Neo Turf Masters (1996, Neo Geo).

- Only displays club distance on initial selection, so you'll constantly have to consult the manual or memorise them.

- It's potluck trying to determine where shots will land, as the overhead map doesn't include a path indicator for the ball.

- Putting is seriously flawed as the distance to the cup isn't shown, leaving you to guess how much power to use.

- Inability to add topspin or backspin makes it tough to shoot under par, and the lack of crowd SFX hurt the atmosphere.

Winter Games (NES review)

Developer: Atelier Double
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
Released: 1987

Winter Games is a sports title that was released on numerous other systems including the Atari 7800 (1987).

+ Allows two-players to compete for the gold medal, and you can practice any event to improve your technique.

+ Bobsled has a good sense of speed and it's fun trying to shave off milliseconds by taking corners at the perfect angle.

- Figure Skating is a mess with its needlessly complex controls that aren't properly explained in the manual.

- Hot Dog Aerials pails in comparison to Atari 7800's Ski Jump, as it strips away the complexity and skill of landing.

- A few more events would have increased the game's longevity, as the four events won't hold your attention for long.

- CPU contestants don't join you in the single player leaderboard, and continuously winning gold feels rather soulless.

- Presentation is super basic, with the dull Speed Skating event looking (and sounding) like an Atari 2600 game.

Ms. Pac-Man (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: General Computer Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1987

Ms. Pac-Man is a maze game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1982 as the sequel to Pac-Man (1980, Arcade).

+ Eight difficulty settings are available to cater to your skill level and the cute cut-scenes provide an adorable back story.

+ While the original game only had one maze, this sequel has four well-designed layouts to keep you invested longer term.

+ Ghosts have unique behaviours and speeds, and their A.I. is incredible as you can actively watch them trying to flank you.

+ Bonus fruits return, but this time with the treacherous twist of bouncing around the playfield to raise the suspense.

+ Extra tunnels have been introduced to the mazes, which is a brilliant idea that gives you multiple ways to escape foes.

+ While the Atari 5200 version (1983) only gave you three lives, this port affords you five to extend play sessions.

- Controls can get stuck on maze corners, and there's little reason to upgrade from the four-year-old Atari 5200 game.

Joust (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: General Computer Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1987

Joust is an action game that was first released in the Arcade in 1982 before being ported to the Atari 5200 a year later.

+ Action is fast and fluid with an impressive physics engine, and there's various wave types to keep things interesting.

+ Having to collect eggs before they re-hatch creates tension, as does quickly eliminating buzzards to avoid Pterodactyls.

+ Shrewdly, you can override the respawn animation after a death to get back into the action at the most opportune time.

+ Improved controls vs. the 5200 thanks to digital inputs that negate drifting from the former's non self-centring analog stick.

- However, the NES game (1988) does trump it with its multiple button layout that allows you to flap at normal or fast speed.

- Animation is noticeably choppier than the Atari 5200 version and the ability to pinball off surfaces isn't as prominent.

- Aside from a minor graphical spruce-up, there's not much reason to buy this over the four-year-old Atari 5200 port.

Summer Games (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: Epyx
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1987

Summer Games is a sports title that was released on numerous platforms including the Sega Master System (1991).

+ Supports up to eight contestants in multiplayer, and allows you to tailor the specific event(s) you want to compete in.

+ Controls for each event are a nice mix of joystick waggling, timing-based reactions and restrained inputs for variety's sake.

+ 4x400m Relay is a superb game of strategy as you try to monitor energy levels while sprinting against a CPU pacer.

+ Gymnastics is similar to Ski Jump in Winter Games (1987, Atari 7800) and the complex mid-air jostling is rewarding.

+ Platform Diving has a neat risk-reward element, as you can perform an easy dive or gamble using complex rotations.

- Both swimming events lack a CPU pacer and the intensity is lessened without a fellow competitor to race against.

- As with Winter Games, CPU contestants aren't displayed on the leaderboard so winning doesn't feel as impactful.