NBA Jam (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Iguana Entertainment
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment
Released: 1994

NBA Jam is a sports game that was first released in the Arcade in 1993.

+ Extravagant gameplay is highly addictive due to its fast-paced approach and control scheme that's easy to master.

+ Outlandish dunks provide showstopping moments, and the lack of fouls makes for some hysterical multiplayer combat.

+ Includes an enormous range of official NBA players and their sprites are beautifully crafted for impressive likenesses.

+ Turbo function is versatile for both offense and defense, and the metre always refills quickly to keep the action tense.

+ Iconic voice samples from Tim Kitzrow add excitement and the clips are higher quality than on the Sega Genesis (1994).

- No substantial improvements over Sega's cartridge version, and for some reason the load times are unbearably long.

- No true Season or Playoff mode means there's no real consequence to losing apart from your overall win-loss record.

Chuck Rock (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Core Design
Publisher: Sony Imagesoft
Released: 1992

Chuck Rock is an action-platformer that was released on numerous systems including the Sega Genesis (1991).

+ Good level design with multiple routes to explore, and the game introduces new enemies and collectables in each world.

+ Has some clever rock uses, such as being able to carry a boulder above your head to protect against volcanic eruptions.

+ Combining rocks to reach otherwise inaccessible areas is a great idea that adds an exploratory puzzle-like element.

+ Expanded levels make the CD adventure more comprehensive, and a password feature has also been added.

+ Presentational upgrades from the Genesis version are welcome, including the awesome CD soundtrack and world map.

- Bosses are easily exploitable and it can be tricky to accurately judge spatial distance due to Chuck's short attack range.

- Enemies often hide behind the foreground scenery for cheap hits and have a tendency to throw projectiles from off-screen.

Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Released: 1994

Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters is a light-gun game that was also released on the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis in 1994.

+ Light-gun accuracy is phenomenal and handily the calibration screen can be pulled up at any time by pressing Start.

+ Unlike the original game, accidentally shooting a civilian depletes your life bar rather than resulting in mission failure.

+ Interesting locales to battle in and the excellent two-player mode allows for a combination of light-guns and controllers.

+ Features cleaned-up audio with a terrific CD soundtrack, and there's even some fun mini-games to break things up.

- Does nothing to take advantage of the graphical capabilities of the hardware and comes across as a scant upgrade.

- Enemy voice clips are overused to a ridiculous degree and hearing the same phrases repeated ad nauseum is tiresome.

- Bosses are major bullet sponges and having to continually pull the trigger for minutes at a time is exhausting on the hand.

Lethal Enforcers (Mega CD / Sega CD review)

Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Released: 1993

Lethal Enforcers is a light-gun game that was also released on the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1993.

+ Hit detection of the Justifier light-gun is ultra precise and enemies give you a fair amount of time to spot them before they fire.

+ Obtaining different weapons has a neat risk-reward element as you try to mow down enemies simultaneously.

+ Voice samples have been cleaned up and the CD music provides an adrenaline-fuelled soundtrack for the gritty locales.

- Gameplay is harsh, as accidentally killing even one civilian means mission failure and having to restart the entire stage again.

- Mission 3's yacht scene overstay its welcome and keeps you contained in the same area for what seems like an eternity.

- Later bosses are complete bullet-sponges and trying to defeat them with single bullets is very fatiguing on the trigger finger.

- Visuals haven't been spruced up to any noticeable degree over the Genesis version, and the grainy digitised sprites remain.

Mad Dog II: The Lost Gold (Sega CD review)

Developer: American Laser Games
Publisher: American Laser Games
Released: 1994

Mad Dog II: The Lost Gold is a light-gun game and the follow-up to Mad Dog McCree (1993, Sega CD).

+ FMV is improved over the original and the one-on-one quick-draw events are used sparingly to make a greater impact.

+ Hit boxes are forgiving and unlike some other Sega CD light-gun games enemies give you time to spot them before firing.

+ Fun missions are more cinematic, especially those with sweeping camera angles such as the train getaway scene.

+ Ability to choose from three different progression routes adds replay value and intrigue to the interwoven plot.

- Despite the enhanced FMV, it's still infuriatingly tough to spot pixelated enemies in the distance, resulting in cheap deaths.

- Final mission is a complete mess, as the limited colour palette of the Sega CD means that enemies blur into the scenery.

- Unlike the original game, you now have limited continues which can compound the aforementioned visibility issues.

Crime Patrol (Sega CD review)

Developer: American Laser Games
Publisher: American Laser Games
Released: 1994

Crime Patrol is a light-gun game that was first released in the Arcade in 1993.

+ There's always at least three missions to choose from, as well as unlimited continues and generous checkpoints.

+ Incredible production values with varied locales that set a captivating backdrop to the game's entertaining missions.

+ Progression system of having different partners as you move up the ranks is a clever hook that rewards skilled play.

+ FMV quality is much better than other American Laser Games entries, as foes are always easy to spot in the distance.

- The final DELTA stages are absolutely brutal, as enemies give you no time to react before killing you with one bullet.

- In some scenes, the camera swings around wildly and the low FPS makes it challenging to line up shots.

- Your SWAT team partner is incredibly annoying and has a constant desire to refer to your character as: "Dude!"

Mad Dog McCree (Sega CD review)

Developer: American Laser Games
Publisher: American Laser Games
Released: 1993

Mad Dog McCree is a light-gun game that was originally released in the Arcade in 1991.

+ Locales, stunts, acting and set-pieces are all fantastic, and create an immersive backdrop for your gun-slinging adventures.

+ Unlike other Sega CD light-gun games like Who Shot Johnny Rock? (1994), there's a grace period before enemies shoot.

+ Affords you unlimited continues and fair checkpoints, and there's a nice amount of freedom in terms of choosing stage order.

- FMV quality is perhaps the worst on the system and it's challenging to see the pixelated enemies lurking in the background.

- Poor video quality means you can't decipher between a civilian and bad guy, hence, memorisation becomes a key strategy.

- Mine level tasks you with locating and shooting objects, yet the awful FMV makes it impossible to detect where they are.

- One-on-one quick-draw events are initially fun, but eventually slow your progress and purely serve to pad out the gameplay.