Publisher: Sega (1994)
Reviewed: 2008/3/11
Publisher: Acclaim (1994)
Reviewed: 1999/11/13

This two-on-two arcade basketball game was originally released on the Super Nintendo, where it was a runaway hit. The Genesis can't quite reproduce the sharp graphics and clear voice samples of the SNES version, but it's close enough. I noticed it was easier to steal the ball in this version, which gives the defense a much-needed boost. The main problem I have with this game is the control. The Genesis controller just isn't designed for this type of game. Sure, you only need three buttons, but these need to be pressed in combination with each other. The SNES shoulder buttons were really the key. Anyway, if you can put up with the awkward control, this isn't a bad game. The action is fast and the dunks are ridiculously spectacular. But if you have an SNES, stick with that version. © Copyright 1999 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1994)
Reviewed: 2006/6/17
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1995)
Reviewed: 2006/6/17

As Electronic Arts has been known to do on occasion, they've taken a perfectly good basketball game (NBA Live 95) and inadvertently made it
worse. Yes, NBA Live 96 offers a few marginal improvements, but these are more than offset by its abrasive audio! The new "digitized" crowd noise that's so loaded with pops and static that it's practically unbearable! Even the soundtrack sounds coarse and unpleasant. Otherwise NBA Live 96 offers the same fast, frenetic action as its predecessor, although the framerate seems a bit less smooth. The players look slightly more refined, and new moves include a spin move for more agile players. Other minor additions include more play strategies, trivia questions between periods, and the ability to create your own player. One reader informed me that the create-a-player feature has an "easter egg" of sorts. Should you try to create an unlicensed player like Jordon or Barkley, their statistics will "magically" appear. Other than that there are the usual quirks, like the CPU's uncanny ability to toss up full-court three-pointers as the clock winds down. NBA Live 96 provides the same up-tempo style of basketball fun the series is known for, but I prefer the 95 version. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1996)
Reviewed: 2006/6/17
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1993)
Reviewed: 2005/4/20

With the advent of NBA Jam and arcade-style sports games, EA was forced to finally upgrade their basketball engine which they had been recycling for years. The result -- NBA Showdown, a game that resembles its predecessors but boasts faster, more fluid gameplay. The list of new features is significant. There's a terrific new "behind-the-player" foul shot perspective, a battery backup, season modes, support for a four-player adapter, and even the ability to call plays on the fly. The TV-style presentation has returned, with a single anchor behind a desk providing analysis before the game and also at halftime. The court includes an elaborate scoreboard where the scorer's table should be, flashing animations during the game. Michael Jordan is nowhere to be found, and the black referee from the first three games has been replaced with a white one. The previous two EA basketball game were offensive-minded, but Showdown takes the opposite approach, tightening the defense to the extreme. Every game is a "block party" - any shot attempted with a man in your face
will be rejected. The end result is less razzle-dazzle and more emphasis on strategy. Like past games, NBA Showdown is weak in terms of audio. Besides the bounce of the ball, the only sound you hear is "put it up!" as the clocks ticks down. All in all, NBA Showdown was a positive step for the series, but it wasn't quite up to snuff -- yet. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Sega (1994)
Reviewed: 2000/1/20

This is a weak football game, probably worse than any of Sega's previous efforts. The game looks like Madden, but it isn't very fun to play. The animation is choppy and the control sucks. The quarterback can only see one side of the field at any time, and passes float in the air too long. The game has a sloppy, unfinished look to it. For example, there is absolutely nothing behind the goalposts - it looks like the stadium is situated on the edge of the world. One new feature allows you to "taunt" your opponent with wisecracks. It's pretty silly but good for a laugh. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.
NFL Football '94
Grade: B+
Publisher: Sega (1993)
Reviewed: 2000/9/2

Talk about Deja Vu! This looks a LOT like Sega's college football game. In fact, it's exactly the same game except with professional teams. That's not necessarily bad though, since the college football game engine is pretty solid. The passing/rushing game is well balanced. The players are small, but the camera zooms in on players after catches and handoffs. The players look realistic and are well-animated, and a voice commentator does a decent job of keeping up with the action. The only nagging problem is an overcomplicated play calling screen. Other than that, this game brings the action home. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1993)
Reviewed: 2003/6/29

In my humble opinion, NHL '94 was the absolute
pinnacle of hockey video games. This edition introduced a number of new features including penalty shots, four-player support, and reverse-angle instant replays. But NHL 94's best addition is its "one-timer" shots (aka "quick-stick"), allowing a player to quickly redirect the puck into the net after receiving a pass. It really adds a whole new dimension to the offense. Other bells and whistles include a season mode, statistic tracking, and player cards. The game is fully customizable, and I'd advise you to turn those penalties
off! NHL 94 doesn't have any fighting or blood, but that's okay, because they would only interrupt the flow of the action. Interesting animations include a little boy in the front row of the crowd who occasionally walks up to the glass. When a player turns a hat trick, yellow hats are thrown onto the ice, although this looks so sloppy that I initially thought it was a glitch in the game! NHL '94 has held up well over the years, and I'd take the Pepsi Challenge between this and a modern hockey game any day of the week. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1994)
Reviewed: 2003/6/29

What the heck happened here? Apparently EA tried to speed up the action in their prized hockey franchise, but they managed to break a few other things in the process! For one thing, the passing is awful, and the puck never goes where you intend. That stinks, because precision passing is one of the hallmarks of the series, and without good passing, it's way too hard to execute one-timers. Yes, the gameplay is faster, but much less fun. Another problem has to do with the new digitized sound effects. The players sound like they all have laryngitis, and it's really hard on the ears. The theme music sucks royally, and the crowd noise is practically non-existent! And take a good look at the crowd - every single person looks like Thelma from Scooby Doo, and that's never a good sign. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1995)
Reviewed: 2003/6/29

After an off year, EA's famous hockey franchise made a comeback of sorts in 1996. Once again, NHL's engine has been completely overhauled, and the gameplay is faster, smoother, and more realistic than ever. The player graphics are better detailed, and improved physics makes for more realistic puck bounces. The rink is a deeper shade of blue, and the crowd looks better, but for some reason the referee looks like a midget in tights (not that there's anything wrong with that). One aspect where NHL '96 falters is the sound department. EA tried to incorporate new digitized crowd noise, but it's full of static and just sounds awful. There aren't many new features except for the new "elaborate on-ice Stanley Cup ceremony", which people who play through a whole season should appreciate. Overall, NHL '96 represents a return to form for the franchise. This is one slick hockey game. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1996)
Reviewed: 2003/6/28

With NHL '97, you can see that EA was content to milk its cash cow, putting out basically the same game as the year before. Minor enhancements include a "skills challenge" mode, national teams, and four simultaneous seasons. Nobody asked for these, so they hardly justify an upgrade. But it does deliver the same exciting action you've come to expect from the series, so you can't complain too much. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1997)
Reviewed: 2003/6/28

Man, EA must have had a lot of balls to put out the same frickin' game
three years in a row. Enough already! This final game in the Genesis Hockey series offers only a few miniscule enhancements. The game can be played at three different speeds, and players can have hot and cold streaks. On the box, EA tries to claim that
everything is enhanced, from computer AI to crowd reactions, but to be honest, I really couldn't tell. It may be a terrific game, but it's still a rehash. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1991)
Reviewed: 2003/6/29

This was the one that started it all. Being from Baltimore, my friends and I didn't know the first thing about hockey. We didn't know the teams. We didn't understand icing and offsides. We thought a zamboni was a big sandwich. But NHL Hockey completely won us over. As the first in a long series that would continue to this day, NHL Hockey is remarkably addictive, with clean graphics, easy control, and a large, easy to follow puck. The simple three-button control scheme fits the Genesis controller perfectly. The passing is dead-on, and your can inflict some hard-hitting checks on your opponent. There are no "one-timer" plays (they wouldn't appear until NHL '94), so you need to rely heavily on second-chance opportunities (i.e., the puck bounces off the goalie in front on the net). There's fighting, but once the novelty wears off it becomes a bit annoying. I always preferred to turn off all the penalties in order to ensure non-stop mayhem. This version didn't have all the bells and whistles of its sequels (you can't play a whole season), but it does have instant replay and that cool zamboni. In terms of sound, the exaggerated grunts are classic, but that grinding "Road Rash" theme song just doesn't fit. Overall NHL Hockey is still more fun to play than most new hockey games. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
NHLPA Hockey '93
Grade: B-
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1992)
Reviewed: 2009/4/29
Newman Haas IndyCar Featuring Nigel Mansell
Grade: D
Publisher: Acclaim (1993)
Reviewed: 2016/5/24

Who in the heck came up with this title, a committee of 20 people? I can't even read the spine of the box because the font is so
small. Newman Haas IndyCar featuring Nigel Mansell (*gasp*) plays a lot like
Super Monaco GP (Genesis, 1993) with its low, behind-the-wheel vantage point. Graphically the game is more ambitious than competitors like
Mario Andretti Racing (Genesis, 1994). Modest polygon graphics give the sceney depth, although those perfectly square "buildings" look a little silly. There's a wide selection of tracks but they're mainly differentiated by uninteresting backgrounds. To its credit, the game delivers a breakneck sense of speed and I love the whizzing noise as you drive beneath an overpass. Newman Haas would be a lot of fun
if I could play the damn thing! The low angle makes it difficult to gauge upcoming turns, and even when you know they're coming you often can't slow down in time. This game has rubberband physics of the worst kind. You'll painstakingly weave through a crowd of cars only to screw up and watch every single one pass you by - never to be seen again! It's
so hard to maintain your position! Locating the pitstop is another issue. A handy map is displayed the lower part of the screen but a rear view mirror would have been nice. Newman Haas IndyCar featuring Nigel Mansell is not a bad-looking game but its steep difficulty and long name will scare off all but the most ardent racing fans. © Copyright 2016 The Video Game Critic.
Save mechanism: password
1 or 2 players
Normy's Beach Babe-O-Rama
Grade: D
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1994)
Reviewed: 2002/6/1

This platform game is okay, but I liked it better the
first time I played it, when it was called
Chuck Rock. Normy has the same wacky, cartoonish look, but instead of being stuck in the prehistoric era, you find yourself in old England, a jungle, a futuristic planet, and eight levels of "Heck". The hero is a middle-aged beach bum, out to save a bunch of babes that have been kidnapped. Despite the wacky title, the gameplay is surprisingly bland and unimaginative. You attack monsters with goofy weapons (like rubber chickens) and collect beach balls for points as you progress through each level. The single innovative concept is the "dash" move, which makes you briefly invincible and able to leap long distances. The rest of the game is pure textbook. Normy didn't keep my interest for long, and the repetitive music didn't help. Maybe I'm jaded, but I didn't find any of the zany animations particularly amusing either. NOTE: To access the level select option, hold down A+B+C on the right controller when turning on the game. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.
Olympic Summer Games
Grade: B-
Publisher: Sega (1996)
Reviewed: 2016/6/24
Olympic Winter Games Lillehammer 94
Grade: D
Publisher: US Gold (1993)
Reviewed: 2006/4/20
Publisher: Sega (1995)
Reviewed: 2008/6/5
Publisher: Sega (1991)
Reviewed: 2016/5/24

This is a remarkably faithful translation of the arcade hit Outrun. Your shiny red convertible comes complete with working tail lights and a hot blonde in the passenger seat. According to my friend Scott your goal is to drive like a madman in order to get the hooker to a hotel before the hourly rates go up! As you zoom down the highway you'll weave around smoothly-scaling cars, jeeps, and trucks. The intensity builds as you approach the next checkpoint with the timer ticking down. The controls are simple and the sensation of speed is exhilarating. Notice the stereo sound when you pass a car? Pretty sweet! Major collisions are quite a spectacle, sending your car into a roll as its passengers bounce along with it. But the colorful stages are what truly steal the show. The road branches into diverse locations and climates, offering substantial replay value. From desert sands to ancient ruins, each stretch of road boasts its own unique landmarks. You will not find another Genesis game that makes better use of color - this game is
gorgeous. The opening stage is the highlight as you drive along a sunny beach with palm trees, bright sand, deep blue skies, and blooming cumulus clouds. If that doesn't put you in the mind of summer, there's no hope for you. The pleasant soundtrack exudes a fun, carefree spirit, with titles like "Splash Wave", "Passing Breeze", and "Magical Sound Shower". Easy on the eyes and music to the ears, Outrun is a timeless classic. © Copyright 2016 The Video Game Critic.
Our high score: CJS 4,302,710
1 player
Publisher: Sega (1993)
Reviewed: 2002/1/17

If you've played any of the games in the Cruis'n USA series, you know what Outrun 2019 is like. The racing is simplistic, but the graphics are undeniably stunning. Your futuristic car that can reach speeds of 700 MPH, although to be honest it looks more like 70 MPH. Still, the illusion of 3D is exceptional for a Genesis game. The bridges, tunnels, and overpasses are particularly impressive. Four branching tracks contain dozens of unique-looking stages, but while the scenery in the distance is an eyeful, there are few objects on the side of the road. The gameplay really takes a back seat to the graphics. The object is to get through each track segment in 80 seconds. The controls are simple - just hold down the accelerator and steer. Every few minutes your turbo boost kicks in, but it's so unimpressive you might not even notice. The early stages are a cakewalk; you can practically ride through the oncoming cars. In the later stages they can run you off the road, but the game immediately puts you right back on the track. The only thing you really need to worry about is falling off bridges or flipping your car. The audio is awful, and the monotonous background music drones on endlessly, even when you pause the game. Outrun 2019 has plenty of glitz, but it can't hide the shallow gameplay. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Sega (1993)
Reviewed: 2005/5/25