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.

Daffy Duck in Hollywood (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Probe Software
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1994

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

+ 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.

- Has some unavoidable trial-and-error, and unlike the 16-bit version this suffers from irritating one-hit deaths. 

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

- Not always clear which foes are immune, and like Cool Spot (1993, Sega Master System) boss battles are entirely absent.

Back to the Future Part III (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Probe Software, Krisalis Software
Publisher: Image Works
Released: 1992

Back to the Future Part III is an action title that's based on the 1990 movie of the same name.

+ Music is one of the redeeming features, and once you've beaten a stage you can continue from that point indefinitely.

+ As the game only launched in PAL territories, the reduced 50Hz speed gives you more time to react in the horse riding level.

- However, it's still punishing due to logs that are dropped without warning, and heavy memorisation is required to succeed.

- Missing the Shooting Gallery from the Sega Genesis version (1991) and with only three stages the game's content is thin.

- Pie Throwing level is a shambles due to unintuitive controls and the isometric viewpoint affects launch angle calculations.

- The final Train level is hindered by oppressive checkpoints and the game often refuses to throw a dish towards enemies.

- Even if you do suffer through all three stages it's not worth the grind, as the ending sequence is lacklustre.

Back to the Future Part III (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Probe Software
Publisher: Arena Entertainment
Released: 1991

Back to the Future Part III is an action title that's based on the 1990 movie of the same name.

+ Music is one of the game's redeeming features, and once you've beaten a stage you can continue from that point indefinitely.

- Punishing horse riding level relies on memorisation due to a lack of horizontal space and hazards that zoom towards you.

- Shooting Gallery doesn't display the score criteria and uses a three-position vertical input instead of a free-moving crosshair.

- Pie Throwing level is an utter shambles, as the controls are unintuitive and it's far too easy to apply unwanted spin.

- The final Train level is hindered by unresponsive controls, enemies that fire from off-screen and oppressive checkpoints.

- There's only four stages in the entire game and it's not worth grinding through to see the lacklustre ending.

- Weirdly, the game is overly dark stemming from a programming oversight rather than a defect with the selected TV!

Mortal Kombat (Sega Game Gear review)

Developer: Grey Team, Probe Software
Publisher: Arena Entertainment
Released: 1993

Mortal Kombat is a 1992 Arcade title that was also ported to the Sega Master System (1993).

+ Endurance rounds against two characters spice up the gameplay and force you to change your strategy on a whim.

+ Each character has their own unique end screen, which is a great incentive to beat the game multiple times.

- Kano isn't available as a playable character, and there's only two stages which makes the combat feel repetitive.

- The pit death fatality is entirely absent, which is a major feature of the Arcade game that gave it its gory edge.

- Frame-rate is poor and the controls are unresponsive, meaning that executing attacks and fatalities is often pot-luck.

- Collision detection is dreadful and your character will regularly make contact with an opponent to no effect.

- Reduced screen real estate vs. the SMS version means little distance control, as well as concealed stage backgrounds.

Mortal Kombat (Sega Master System review)

Developer: Grey Team, Probe Software
Publisher: Arena Entertainment
Released: 1993

Mortal Kombat is a 1992 Arcade title that was also ported to the Sega Game Gear (1993).

+ Endurance rounds against two characters spice up the gameplay and force you to change your strategy on a whim.

+ Supports two-player competitive battle and the fatalities are satisfying to work out due to them not being listed in the manual.

- Kano isn't available as a playable character, and there's only two stages which makes the combat feel repetitive.

- The pit death fatality is entirely absent, which is a major feature of the Arcade game that gave it its gory edge.

- Frame-rate is shocking and the controls are unresponsive, meaning that executing attacks and fatalities is often pot-luck.

- Collision detection is dreadful and your character will regularly make contact with an opponent to no effect.

- Music is incredibly repetitive and the wimpy sound effects don't provide you with the necessary tactile feedback.

Body Count (Sega Mega Drive review)

Developer: Probe Software
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1994

Body Count is a Sega Menacer light-gun game that was only released in Brazil and Europe.

+ Item drops are plentiful, which creates strategic decision making as to whether to collect them, or keep attacking.

+ Gritty stage locales are a perfect backdrop for your battles, and the music compliments the action while upping the intensity.

+ Graphics are outstanding with chunky sprites, destructible scenery, great use of colour and some neat parallax scrolling.

- Never gives itself an opportunity to build tension, as there's literally a non-stop swarm of enemies from beginning to end.

- Considering you're always so overwhelmed, there's no logical way of defending yourself and damage is unavoidable.

- Regular enemies are enormous bullet-sponges from the outset, and feeling so under-powered sucks out much of the fun.

- Opponents show no signs of visible damage until defeated, meaning you'll often wonder if your bullets are having any effect.