Ghouls'n Ghosts (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Sega R&D 2
Publisher: Sega of America
Released: 1989

Ghouls'n Ghosts is an action title that was originally released in the Arcade in 1988.

+ Includes a compelling amount of ideas in its level design and reaching a checkpoint feels like a huge achievement.

+ Has a plethora of memorable moments, including the iconic opening graveyard and Level 3's vertically scrolling tower.

+ Between-stage map gives scope to the adventure, and the unlimited continues reset your points to aid high score attempts.

+ Menacing bosses are fun, especially Stage 4's giant worm hearts that resemble the alien pods in Contra (1988, NES).

- Some weapons are wholly useless in problematic areas and it's easy to accidentally collect a downgrade in the heat of battle.

- Enemies often spawn directly on top of your sprite, and your inability to steer in mid-air causes no end of frustration.

- Has an enormous amount of trial-and-error and needing to beat the game twice to see the ending is rather lame.

Hook (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Core Design
Publisher: Sony Imagesoft
Released: 1993

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

+ Level design is good with a nice mixture of scrolling types / locales, and the film's music is faithfully recreated.

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

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

- Stage layouts can occasionally give you the illusion of choice, while expecting you to follow a very set path.

- Controls are unrefined and despite the need for precise movements your directional inputs are sometimes ignored.

- Suffers from an infuriating amount of cheap hits from enemies / objects that are just out of your field of view.

- Peter Pan walks incredibly slowly and the lack of checkpoints in some areas can set you back a considerable way.

The Jungle Book (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

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

The Jungle Book is an action-platformer that was also released on the Sega Master System (1993) and Sega Game Gear (1994).

+ Lots of variety in the stage design with amazing verticality, and the Ruins levels are intense due to crumbling scenery.

+ Unlike the 8-bit versions, you don't need to collect all the gems in each scene, although doing so unlocks Bonus Levels.

+ Bosses offer a better challenge with their more comprehensive attack patterns, and the animation is top notch.

+ Addition of a jump attack opens up the combat, and the ability to switch between different weapons enhances strategy.

- Tons of instant death pits, and despite being able to move the camera up / down it doesn't always give you an ideal view.

- Some animal SFX grate, and Mowgli can no longer eliminate foes on upper or lower platforms with his weapons.

- Button presses are occasionally ignored, and the sketchy collision detection can lead to unavoidable damage.

Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis 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 Game Gear in 1996.

+ Like Toy Story (1996, Sega Genesis), the action has tons of variety, both in its mission objectives and gameplay types.

+ Spaced Out Bunny levels feature impressive faux-3D graphics, and the sprite animations are excellent throughout.

- 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 Bully for Bugs 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.

- Collision detection is unreliable and it's typically pot-luck as to whether you take damage when jumping on an enemy.

- Zoomed-in view doesn't give you adequate time to react, and some levels decrease your vision further via spotlights.

Daffy Duck in Hollywood (Sega Mega Drive review)

Developer: Psionic Systems
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1995

Daffy Duck in Hollywood is an action-platformer that was originally released on the Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System in 1994.

+ Level design breaks each stage down 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.

- Stage layouts aren't as creative and fun to navigate as the 8-bit versions, making letter icon collection more of a chore.

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

- Attack animations take forever to complete, leaving you vulnerable to damage until the cycle eventually resets.

- Bosses are a major disappointment, as each one is almost identical and relies on button mashing to succeed.

Cool Spot (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Virgin Games
Publisher: Virgin Games
Released: 1993

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

+ 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.

+ Precise 8-way firing plays like Vectorman (1995, Sega Genesis), and being able to shoot through walls is hugely beneficial.

+ Unlike the SNES port (1993), defeated foes don't respawn after you die, leaving a clear path in previously contained areas.

- Some levels rely on leaps of faith due to confusing background layering and your inability to see upcoming platforms.

- Time limits can be harsh, and Spot's sluggish initial speed doesn't help when you're trying to rush to the end cage.

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

Dick Tracy (Sega Mega Drive / Genesis review)

Developer: Sega Technical Institute
Publisher: Sega
Released: 1991

Dick Tracy is an action game that was also released on the Sega Master System in 1991.

+ Expands on the duck and cover gameplay seen in Rolling Thunder (1986, Arcade) by allowing you to shoot while jumping.

+ Switching attacks against foreground and background enemies is awesome, and Stage 5 brilliantly flips things 180°.

+ Cool scoring mechanic that rewards skilled play, as you gain bonus points by punching foes and avoiding scenic damage.

+ Car chase scenes are a fun diversion, and the between-stage cartoon strips look excellent and keep the story progressing.

- Punch-only stages can be brutal, especially as the hit detection goes to pieces when trying to attack annoying knife foes.

- Controls can feel quite stiff when you're surrounded by multiple enemies, and the boss battles are rather repetitive.

- Reuses stage backgrounds later in the game and the reflexes needed for the Bonus Rounds becomes comically tough.