Hook (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Spidersoft
Publisher: Sony Imagesoft
Released: 1993

Hook is an action game that was released on numerous systems including the Sega CD and Sega Genesis in 1993.

+ Impressive port that retains much of the 16-bit's levels / gameplay feel, and the music conversion sounds excellent.

+ Weapons-based combat is satisfying, and your limited ability to fly adds depth and tension to the gameplay.

+ Responsive controls are a vast improvement over the Genesis version, and Peter no longer moves at a snail's pace.

+ Overworld map gives your quest a sense of scale, and the boss battles feature some well-designed attack patterns.

- Hit detection isn't quite dialled-in and it can sometimes feel like pot-luck as to whether you slash foes or take damage.

- Camera can't be shifted up or down, resulting in lots of blind leaps of faith that typically end in lost lives.

- Final stretch of this handheld port feels very rushed due to a number of cut stages and absent boss battles.

The Jungle Book (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Eurocom Entertainment Software, Syrox Developments, Disney Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Released: 1994

The Jungle Book is an action-platformer that also saw release on the Sega Genesis (1994) and Sega Master System (1993).

+ Level design has interesting layouts, and there's plenty of verticality that lends itself well to the exploratory gem stages.

+ Has great graphics and playful ideas, such as being able to launch yourself off crocodile snouts to reach higher platforms.

+ Scene 8 has some awesome parkour elements where you need to string together several moves in quick succession.

+ Ability to look up / down helps to compensate for the small screen, as you can safely dispatch foes on other platforms.

- There's a small, but noticeable delay when pressing jump, and later levels have bottomless pits that rely on trial-and-error.

- In some scenes, it's not always clear what's part of the background or foreground, resulting in missed platform jumps.

- Bosses are easily destroyed by nonchalantly spamming the attack button, and the game's ending is lacklustre.

Wimbledon (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: SIMS
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1992

Wimbledon is a sports title that was also released on the Sega Master System in 1992.

+ Includes multiplayer Gear-to-Gear Cable support, 1P & COM doubles, and a handy tournament password option.

+ Difficulty is more approachable compared to the SMS, and you're never forced to play from the opposite side of the net.

+ Service games are much easier due to decreased faults and lets that relentlessly plague the 8-bit console version.

+ CPU players have distinct characteristics that force you to adapt, and the awful music during matches has been removed.

- While you can play doubles in Practice, the game only allows for one-on-one matches in Tournament mode.

- Doesn't feature any real world tennis players or female stars, and the decorative between-game artwork is gone.

- Stereo SFX cut in and out if using the mono speaker, and it's easy for your timing to be thrown by absent audio cues.

Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Probe Entertainment, Atod, Climax Enterprises
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1996

Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble is an action-platformer that was also released on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1996.

+ Mimics the 16-bit version astonishingly well, and there's plenty of variety in the mission objectives and gameplay types.

+ Difficulty is toned down versus the Sega Genesis, and the zoomed-out window makes it easier to spot incoming foes.

- However, the character sprites are minuscule and it can be tough to precisely and successfully time your jump attacks.

- Objectives are awfully obtuse and the pre-mission hints don't do an adequate job of explaining the requirements.

- Slippery controls lack precision, and the Roman Legion Hare and Haunted Hare levels drag with tedious fetch quests.

- Hare-Abian Nights stages are a poor man's Aladdin (1993, Sega Genesis) due to bland layouts and obscured platforms.

- Missing the cool faux-3D Spaced Out Bunny levels from the console version, and the collision detection is questionable.

Daffy Duck in Hollywood (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Probe Software
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1994

Daffy Duck in Hollywood is an action-platformer that was also released on the Sega Genesis (1995) and Sega Master System (1994).

+ Tight level design breaks down each stage into three smaller areas to minimise backtracking and help you stay orientated.

+ Combat has a Bubble Bobble (1986, Arcade) vibe and quickly trying to capture / pop foes to eliminate them is entertaining.

+ Arms you with an impressive array of weaponry, and the game allows you to choose from multiple levels at any time.

+ Hidden areas are fun to locate, and managing to collect all nine Daffy Duck letters for an extra life is gratifying.

- More noticeable slowdown than the Sega Master System version, and enemies repeatedly attack from off-screen.

- Unlike the 16-bit release, this suffers from irritating one-hit deaths and lacks any boss battles to mix things up.

- Assault and Peppered stage removes your bubble gun in favour of brawling and throwing stars, but the variety is marginal.

Cool Spot (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Publisher: Virgin Interactive Entertainment
Released: 1993

Cool Spot is an action-platformer that was also released on the Sega Genesis and Sega Master System in 1993.

+ Plays remarkably well for a scaled down port, and manages to capture the look, feel and personality of the original.

+ Level design is exceptional with many unconventional themes / layouts, and the sprite animation is first-rate.

+ Plenty of lengthy stages available, and trying to collect all 100 Cool Points against the clock is endlessly compelling.

+ Being able to shoot through walls is hugely beneficial, and defeated foes don't respawn after you lose a life.

- Diagonal firing is challenging with the Game Gear's stiff d-pad, and grabbing onto ropes is consistently finicky.

- Wading Around relies on leaps of faith due to confusing background layering and your inability to see upcoming platforms.

- There's no boss battles whatsoever, and the final three stages are disappointing rehashes of previous themes.

Baku Baku Animal (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Minato Giken
Publisher: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Released: 1996

Baku Baku Animal is a falling block puzzle game that was released on numerous systems including the Sega Master System (1998).

+ Simple, addictive gameplay that refreshes the falling block genre by requiring multitasking to feed animals the correct food.

+ Excellent controls, and the cut-scenes showcase each character's personality while steadily advancing the narrative.

+ Includes a handy password feature after each round to allow you to continue progress at a later date.

- CPU opponent frequently receives perfect drops when close to defeat, which does cheapen your skilled groundwork.

- Has substantial spikes in difficulty that can be jarring, especially when they're followed by an easy 60 second win.

- In later rounds, item drops aren't always fair and you can receive an exhaustive barrage of either animal or food tiles.

- With only 19 rounds, single player is rather light on content and would have benefited from an Endless mode.