Virtua Racing (Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Sega AM R&D #2
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1994

Virtua Racing is the only Mega Drive / Genesis game to feature Sega's SVP chip which allowed for more realistic 3D graphics.

Like the Arcade original this version includes all three courses which are Big Forest (Beginner), Bay Bridge (Medium) and Acropolis (Expert). Each course is well designed and sees you racing alongside amusement parks, through tunnels and over bridges. There's a surprising amount of scenery including billboards, ferris wheels, boats and grandstands. Tire marks litter the tracks and there's even a pit stop where your crew will sort out any issues with your car! One of the most amazing features is that you can choose between four different camera angles during the races and switch between them on the fly. This is expected nowadays but back in 1994 it was extremely uncommon. These cameras include an in-car viewpoint, two from behind the car and one aerial angle. The latter is probably the best as you can see upcoming turns better and there's less pop-in. Another innovative feature is the ability to view a full Instant Replay of your last race; the camera automatically switches between all available angles and it really adds to the excellent overall presentation of the game. As well as a Free Run mode there's also a two-player split screen option which works well with no noticeable slowdown. My only minor criticism is that the dithering used on the 3D shapes can make turns and upcoming cars difficult to see. The game only runs at 15 frames per second but it's actually quite solid and the action still feels blisteringly fast. The music is upbeat and there's a wide range of excellent SFX and voice clips to enhance the arcade experience.

Virtua Racing is a technical masterpiece and Sega worked miracles to get this game to run well on their 16-bit system. The 3D graphics are great and the best part is that instead of being a gimmick they're backed up by some solid controls and entertaining gameplay.

Random trivia: The custom SVP chip was incredibly expensive to produce which meant that this version of Virtua Racing originally retailed for a whopping £70 or $100!

Golden Axe (Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Sega (AM7)
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1989

Golden Axe is a hack 'n' slash game that was released on Sega's 16-bit console in the same year as the Arcade original.

There are three characters, Axe Battler (a barbarian), Tyris Flame (a female warrior) and Gilius Thunderhead (a dwarf) and each has their own strengths and weaknesses. There aren't many attacks you can perform but double tapping left or right on the d-pad makes your character dash ready for a flying kick. The controls feel stiff and it's difficult to pull off a series of attacks without the same enemy interrupting your combo with some shots of their own. There's also times when you're knocked to the ground and the second you get up an enemy will repeatedly knock you back down. If you attack the small thieves around each level they'll drop blue pots that give you the ability of magic; the more pots you have the more powerful your magic will be. In certain levels you can ride dragons that have attacks such as tail whips and fireballs. These are great fun and make combat easier as you can take out enemies from a distance. The main problem is that there are only seven levels, most of which can be beaten in a few minutes; there's also little variety in the stage settings. The graphics are a bit murky but they're okay for an early Mega Drive title. There are a few nice touches such as Tyris Flare's dragon attack, weather effects and the level where you're riding on the wings of a giant eagle. There's also a Duel mode which consists of 12 short battles against different enemies on static screens. You only have a single life so you must complete the whole thing in one go. It's a nice idea and a good way to challenge your skills without relying on magic and health items.

Golden Axe is a well put-together game but it's too short and repetitive and hasn't aged as well as other Sega franchises like Streets of Rage and Shinobi. Still, give it a go if you're looking for a decent hack and slash game on the Mega Drive.

Random trivia: A few of the game's voice samples were taken directly from big Hollywood movies, namely Conan the Cimmerian, and Rambo - First Blood!

Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Sonic Team
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1991

After only a year in development Sonic the Hedgehog was released in 1991 as Sega's response to the Super Mario Bros. franchise.

In this platform game you're tasked with taking down Dr. Robotnik who has stolen the six Chaos Emeralds. Unlike its sequels which had two acts per stage the original is made up of three acts; I prefer this approach as it helps to pull you into each theme rather than rushing you through it. Although the series is known for its speed Marble Zone and Spring Hill Zone are slower-paced and designed so that you have to be more methodical and do some basic puzzle solving. They're the complete opposite of Green Hill Zone and Star Light Zone where you race through loops and try to finish the level as quickly as possible. I enjoyed the contrast between these two gameplay styles and was surprised how fast the game still feels with barely any slowdown. If you manage to get to the end of an act with at least 50 rings you'll gain access to the Special Stage where you have the chance to collect a Chaos Emerald. You continually move around a 360° rotating maze and it's fun trying to avoid the obstacles and locate the Emerald. The boss battles are varied including one where you have to travel underwater through a vertically scrolling level while trying to avoid hazards and keep up with Dr. Robotnik. There's tons of replay value in the game as each act has multiple routes to explore and there are two different endings depending on how many Chaos Emeralds you have. The graphics, level design, animation and SFX are top notch and everything feels polished to a sheen. The music is highly memorable and captures the atmosphere of each stage.

While most game developers failed in their bid to create a rival mascot to Mario, Sonic Team succeeded on all levels. Sonic the Hedgehog is a landmark title and it's no surprise that it was instrumental to the popularity and commercial success of the Mega Drive.

Random trivia: Before deciding on a hedgehog, Sonic Team tried out a number of other potential mascots. These included an armadillo, a rabbit, a kangaroo and a human character with Bart Simpson like hair!