Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Interplay
Publisher: Interplay
Released: 1994

Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure is an action game that was re-released on the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console in 2008.

+ Stages offer sprawling verticality that allows curious players to traverse the environments in a more methodical way.

+ Focus on item collection adds a scavenger hunt element, and the elusive sewer areas provide fun, bite-sized challenges.

+ Mixture of short and long-range attacks gives ample ways to approach combat, and the ability to fly opens up the levels.

+ Animation is incredible, with expressive characters that ooze personality, and the music fits the kooky vibe.

- Gameplay doesn't do anything to advance its initial concepts, resulting in repetitive levels that blur together.

- Lots of blind leaps of faith and enemies that respawn out of thin air, and the disappointing boss battles are too samey.

- Controls have a slippery feel and the dodgy collision detection / spaced-out checkpoints amplify the frustrations.

Earthworm Jim: Special Edition (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Shiny Entertainment
Publisher: Interplay
Released: 1995

Earthworm Jim: Special Edition is an action game that was first released on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo in 1994.

+ Level design is refreshingly unconventional, with plenty of entertaining set-pieces and many secret areas to explore.

+ Exclusive Big Bruty stage is a worthy addition, as it throws in some mild puzzle elements to break up the action.

+ Combat features some awesome weaponry, and learning how to use each one effectively while conserving ammo is fun.

+ Enhanced sprite animation and clearer audio clips are fantastic, and the password system is a welcome inclusion.

- Relies heavily on trial-and-error and infrequent, yet obtuse game design which can artificially inflate overall play time.

- Later stages put too much onus on screwing the player with instant death traps and unwaveringly difficult bosses.

- Music is mostly ill-fitting and the tunes generally don't mirror or compliment the stage setting that they're wrapped around.