Publisher: Electronic Arts (1995)
Reviewed: 2003/12/22

Yikes! EA tried to take their popular golf series to the "next level" by rendering the courses with 3D polygons, but the Genesis hardware isn't up to the task. As a result, you have to wait between five and 15 seconds before
every shot while the scenery is slowly rendered on the screen! I suppose the fairways and sand traps look slightly more realistic than the flat courses of the previous games, but these new visuals don't improve the quality of gameplay one bit. In fact, PGA 96 is actually much
less fun than previous offerings. For one thing, the novice difficulty is too easy (the meter moves
slowly) and at the other extreme, it's almost impossible to hit a straight shot in the pro level (the "contact" zone is a line). In addition to having to wait forever for the screens to be drawn, once you hit the ball you don't get even a separate view of where it lands. And God forbid if your ball goes behind a tree - you may as well be behind a brick wall. The scenery looks nice from a distance, but up close the hills look like giant triangles and the trees look horribly pixilated. There are some extra modes and saved stats, but these bells and whistles mean little when the game itself is so poor. Better hold onto those old PGA games - you're going to need them. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1991)
Reviewed: 2002/4/14

One thing that just occurred to me about all of these old golf games is that their courses are totally flat. I never seemed to notice ten years ago, probably because I was too busy having fun. Golf translates surprisingly well into video game form. In PGA Tour, one to four players can compete on three actual courses and one fantasy course. The controls are simple to learn but tough to master, and the game moves along at a steady clip, eliminating the boring lulls you might expect from a golf game. The courses look nice, but because of their flatness, never seem to vary much. It's a pretty quiet game except for bird chirps and crowd reactions to putts. An extremely useful battery backup system saves your game and stats. The worst part of the game is the awkward, non-standard interface that forces you to navigate various drop menus. It's impossible to remember what button is used to select and what is used to cancel. But once your game is finally set up, you don't need to deal with it. PGA Tour Golf was the first in a series of fine golf games for the Genesis by Electronic Arts. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1992)
Reviewed: 2002/4/14

Electronic Arts made major changes to the graphics and difficulty in this edition, but the results are mixed. Graphically, the golfers are now digitized images, a big improvement over the illustrated golfers in the last game. The courses look slightly more realistic, but not as clean looking. It can be difficult to tell when the fairway ends and the rough begins. PGA II is also noticeably easier. In the first game, it was difficult to hit the ball perfectly, but in this game, you can do it almost too easily. Other new features include six courses (up from four), and a Skins Challenge. This game is not dramatically better than the first, but it's still a lot of fun. Unfortunately, the confusing drop-menu system is still used to configure the game. My favorite memory of this game is cranking up the sound in order to hear the birds (at 2 o'clock in the morning), and then getting my eardrums blown out by the loud, obnoxious music that plays at the end of each round! © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1993)
Reviewed: 2002/4/14

In the early 90's, EA had the market on golf cornered. This third installment of PGA Tour really outdoes itself. This one features no less than EIGHT courses and a 54-player roster. The graphics have been upgraded slightly, and some digitized pro swings have been incorporated. The control system is slightly modified, but you still get the same simple horizontal swing meter that made the previous games famous. There's a wealth of statistics and a battery backup that even lets you save instant replays. No question about it, this one's a winner. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.
Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures
Grade: F
Publisher: Namco (1994)
Reviewed: 2001/1/31

What a travesty! This ill-advised creation probably set the yellow guy back at least 10 years! Initially, Pac-Man 2 looks like it could be something special. The characters, which feature the entire Pac-Man family, are large and nicely animated. Combined with the detailed backgrounds, this game looks like an interactive cartoon. But the bizarre control scheme makes for a VERY poor game playing experience. The patented "Character Guidance Interface" is like nothing you've ever seen, or will ever see again! Get this - you don't control Pac-Man at all! All you can do is direct his attention to various obstacles and shoot a slingshot at certain targets on the screen. Pac-Man wonders through each "scene" oblivious to the dangers. Unfortunately, the controls are so worthless that Pac-Man ignores half of your commands anyway. If that's not bad enough, until you enter the correct sequence of commands, you're doomed to repeat the same scene over and over and suffer through the corny animations. If you've ever played Dragon's Lair, you can understand the frustrating experience I'm talking about. This game is pure torture. Even the fact that the original classic Pac-Man game is hidden in this cartridge cannot redeem this piece of trash. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Tengen (1991)
Reviewed: 2017/8/16
Recommended variation: easy
Our high score: 21378
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Tengen (1992)
Reviewed: 2019/6/7

I wasn't too keen on
Paperboy 2 (SNES, 1991) but this Genesis edition is something else. You play the role of a bike-riding boy or girl (your choice), tossing papers into subscriber mailboxes or onto their front stoops. The neighborhoods are buzzing with activity including scenes you won't find in the SNES version. There are workers at a construction site, a guy roasting a pig in his yard, and even a hottie sunbathing in a bikini! For the first half of each street you're throwing papers to the left, and then it switches to the other side. Your route is strewn with hazards like storm drains, attack dogs, cars, and lurking graveyard ghouls. Throwing papers to cause mayhem is fun, especially when you knock some elderly folks off of their porch swing or make a car come crashing down on the mechanic working under it. The voice samples are surprisingly clear by Genesis standards and the animation is smooth. Each of the three skill levels offers a new neighborhood, upping the replay value. Still, the scenery gets repetitive. It's one thing to have a scene repeat within the same stage, but on the same
block? The sidewalks could also be wider, especially considering how hard to gauge your position from the viewing angle. The end-of-stage dirt-bike obstacle courses are especially disorienting. Despite its flaws Paperboy II has a pick-up-and-play arcade style that's hard to resist. And it's always fun to discover what each new day has in store. © Copyright 2019 The Video Game Critic.
Our high score: 29,1501 o
1 or 2 players
Pat Riley Basketball
Grade: F
Publisher: Sega (1990)
Reviewed: 2001/9/13

This game is hilarious! You know you're in for a treat when the opening screen features a high-flying white boy attempting to dunk while another goes up for the block. Now there's something you don't see every day! This was the first basketball game for the Genesis, and all the players and teams are completely fake. It's definitely a bad game, but it does have some amusing elements. First of all, there are some nice looking cut-scenes that provide dramatic close-ups for tip-offs, foul shots, long-range jumpers, and dunks. The dunk screens even feature jump and block meters that affect the outcome. Unfortunately, the main type of dunk looks ridiculous! It features a guy jumping high over the net, and throwing the ball down without even touching the rim! But what really cracked me up was the number of missed dunks. I love it when a guy goes up for a dunk three times in a row and misses all three times! The action on the court is even worse. The players move painfully slow, and it's nearly impossible to maintain possession of the ball. The computer player is especially unfair, stealing the ball at will. And despite the fact that the ball is HUGE, it's really hard to tell when it goes through the basket! Graphically, the side-scrolling court features a crowd and cheerleaders, but no coaches or benches. Surprisingly, a half-time show IS included. There are no customization options in this game, and annoying background music drones away throughout the whole ordeal. Pat Riley Basketball is much more fun to laugh at than to play. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.
Pebble Beach Golf Links
Grade: B-
Publisher: Sega (1994)
Reviewed: 2002/4/14

Pebble Beach isn't a bad golf game, but it really can't compete with Electronic Art's PGA Tour Golf series. The fact that there's only ONE course doesn't help its cause. EA's PGA Tour 3, released the same year, has no less than EIGHT courses. Still, Pebble Beach is easy to play, fun, and fast-paced. The shot control is unique but not much different than what you're used to. After using a round shot meter, there's a second meter that determines the type and degree of spin you apply to the ball. You also have the opportunity to adjust your stance (move your feet) before each shot. The graphics are fine, but no better than EA's games. The screen contains everything you need to judge your shot, including an overhead map, wind and lie indicators, and hole status. You can compete against 48 top golfers. I should also mention that this version of Pebble Beach Golf is much better than some of the CD-based versions, which tend to be slow and bloated with unwelcome "features". © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Namco (1990)
Reviewed: 2008/6/5

I used to regard Phelios as a fairly mediocre vertical shooter, but I've grown fond of it over time. The graphics are marginal and the stages aren't particularly memorable, but the game has a simple, old-school vibe that's appealing. The fact that it's based on Greek mythology provides for some great bosses, including the hideous Medusa, the beautiful Siren, and Cerberus - the three-headed watchdog! The hero is Apollo, who is trying to save a blonde hottie in a low cut blouse - a noble cause indeed! He flies on his Pegasus, unleashing bolts of energy from his sword. All three buttons do the same thing (fire), but holding one down produces a powerful "charged" shot. You'll want to apply these liberally, especially on the bosses who otherwise take
forever to kill! Heck, even common foot soldiers seem unphased by the normal shots. The stages of Phelios feature temples and green meadows, but the lack of detail understates their grandeur, and I have no idea what the
steel girders are doing in the third stage! There are some modest scaling effects, like when Apollo takes a hit and falls from his steed. The audio features a triumphant musical score, but the garbled voice samples are really hard to decipher. Simple in design but challenging as hell, Phelios is not a bad option for those looking for a back-to-basics shooter. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.
Recommended variation: adv
Our high score: 61890
1 player
Publisher: Microprose (1993)
Reviewed: 2006/12/10

At its core, Pirates Gold plays just like Pirates for the NES, but the improved graphics and controls enhance the swashbuckling experience considerably. Like its predecessor, the idea is to gather a crew, construct a fleet of ships, pillage towns, and engage in sea battles. When visiting friendly ports, you can trade supplies, upgrade your ships, hear news at the tavern, or visit the governor. The NES title was fine, but once you experience the visual and aural splendor of Pirates Gold, it's hard to go back. The screens are ornately crafted, with graphical displays (like the captain's galley) substituting for generic text menus. The finely detailed ships move swiftly through the sea, and the sword fighting characters are huge (although their animation could use some work). You're able to explore various towns on foot, but sadly, they all look pretty much the same. The musical score is first rate, as are the clear voice samples. Pirates Gold incorporates a few new bells and whistles, like the ability to battle other pirates and recreate famous expeditions. You can save your game whenever you're in a town. Action-oriented gamers may have a hard time dealing with the game's slow parts (sailing against the wind can be laborious), but patient gamers will be pleased. Pirates Gold may well have been the pinnacle of the entire series. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.
Pirates of Dark Water, The
Grade: C
Publisher: Sunsoft (1994)
Reviewed: 2006/12/10
Our high score: 24050
1 player
Publisher: Tengen (1990)
Reviewed: 2011/12/21
Recommended variation: continues
Our high score: 666,840
1 or 2 players
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
Grade: C-
Publisher: Activision (1994)
Reviewed: 2018/6/29

With 16-bits of raw power behind it, I was expecting this modern Pitfall to be a heck of a lot better than it turned out. On the surface The Mayan Adventure is certainly beautiful. Its lush jungles are layered with dense foliage, bustling wildlife, and scenic waterfalls. The bongo drum soundtrack is catchy and the natural sound effects are clear. Pitfall Harry is fluidly animated with multiple weapons to use against wild boars, panthers, and skeleton warriors. It's clear the designers put most of their emphasis on graphics and audio. The gameplay feels more like an afterthought. It's hard to tell where you can or can't go, with invisible barriers constraining your movements. You can run past one tree and run smack right into the next one. The path through each stage is so convoluted that tiki-men markers are required to point you in the right direction. The controls would feel a heck of a lot more responsive if Harry didn't have to perform some kind of clumsy animation whenever he touches something. You'd think he was doing his best
Bruce Campbell impression for Pete's sake. It doesn't help that he's constantly being bombarded by hard-to-see pests like spiders and monkeys. Once you get familiar with the stage layouts the game is fun to play for score. But for beginners it's too aggravating and non-intuitive. That said, this Genesis edition of Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is widely considered to be the best version of the game. © Copyright 2018 The Video Game Critic.
Our high score: 52,510
1 player
Publisher: Sega (1995)
Reviewed: 2013/6/30
Our high score: 91195
1 or 2 players
Prime Time NFL Starring Deion Sanders
Grade: D
Publisher: Sega (1995)
Reviewed: 2014/10/24
Rating: Kids to Adults
Find Prime Time NFL Starring Deion Sanders on
eBay,
YouTubeFind Multi Tap on
eBaySave mechanism: Battery
1 to 4 players
Publisher: Psygnosis (1993)
Reviewed: 2019/3/29
Our high score: 2800
Save mechanism: password
1 player
Publisher: Capcom (1993)
Reviewed: 2012/9/8
Our high score: 1,846,600
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Sega (1991)
Reviewed: 2000/2/23

Sega's second Disney game on the Genesis (after Mickey's Castle of Illusion) is another winner. This time you're Donald Duck, equipped with a gun that shoots plungers, popcorn, and explosive bubblegum. This gameplay here is more complicated than Castle of Illusion. You can select what stage you want to play, and switch stages at certain checkpoints. Mexico, Transylvania, and the town of Duckberg are available at the beginning, but more stages open up later. One unique feature is how certain stages require items from other stages, forcing you to move between them. The graphics and animation are colorful and fun, and the music is very memorable. I especially enjoyed the spooky atmosphere of Dracula's castle. Quackshot is not particularly tough or long, but it's a quality game. There are a few flaws I should mention however. There's a scene in Dracula's castle where I went around in circles for quite a while before figuring out what I had to do. There's one slow-motion, underwater scene that I hate, but at least it's mercifully short. This game also comes up short in terms of replay value, and there's only one skill level. Still, Quackshot is great fun the first time through, and it's perfect for younger players. © Copyright 2000 The Video Game Critic.
Our high score: CJS 70,000
1 player
Publisher: Tengen (1991)
Reviewed: 2010/6/2
Save mechanism: Password
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Tengen (1992)
Reviewed: 2010/6/2
Save mechanism: Password
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Tengen (1993)
Reviewed: 2010/7/28

This baseball game is so old, the year in the title actually coincides with its year of its
release! Amazing! Unfortunately, you'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference between RBI Baseball 93 and the previous year's RBI Baseball 4. The box touts some genuinely unexciting new features like updated rosters, fielding practice, and individual player statistics.
Man - it made me sleepy just to
type that in! And could Tengen possibly have devised a more unimaginative box cover? It's a close-up of a
baseball for Pete's sake! As you've probably surmised by now, this is 99% the same game as last year. The "computer assist" option is noteworthy, but only because the fielding is so atrocious without it. It doesn't help that the stadiums have expansive outfields that seem to go on for
miles! After a homerun, the Jumbo-tron shows an animation of the player being congratulated by his teammates. I find it funny how the instant replays also replay the
Jumbo-tron animation! Last year's carnival music has been axed (thankfully), but the hokey new tunes aren't much better. I recall my friend Keith bringing this game over my house back in the day, only to have my other friends rake it over the coals. RBI 93 was clearly a case of Tengen taking a year off and "mailing one in". © Copyright 2010 The Video Game Critic.
Save mechanism: Password
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Tengen (1994)
Reviewed: 2010/7/28
Save mechanism: Password
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Activision (1994)
Reviewed: 2015/6/30
Publisher: Micronet (1991)
Reviewed: 2010/2/18
Recommended variation: Normal, Rapid-fire
Our high score: 167750
1 player
Publisher: Sega (1989)
Reviewed: 2008/2/20
Recommended variation: easy/5 lives
Our high score: 71850
1 or 2 players
Publisher: Sega (1993)
Reviewed: 2006/2/24

I expected Ranger X to be yet another excellent side-scrolling Genesis shooter, but I was wrong. Can someone please tell me what the
F is going on in this freakin' game?! Little help over here!? The game's designer was apparently trying to push the envelope with an elaborate six-button control scheme, but it will leave most players bewildered. Ranger X is simply too complicated for its own good. You not only control a robotic warrior with a jet pack, but also a robotic vehicle that follows you around on the ground. Both can fire independently, or combine to fire homing missiles. The control scheme is so confusing that even after I learned it, I never felt comfortable with it. The stages don't make a lot of sense either. You often can't discern the background graphics from foreground dangers, and in certain brief sequences, you seem to have no bearing on events. It's as if the game is playing out some elaborate background story and it forget to let you in on it. The stages are so-so, with the standard planet surfaces and caverns of lava pools. Even the music is mediocre. Each stage is introduced with some rotating wireframe models that are pretty advanced by 16-bit standards, but not too exciting in 2006. The game is extremely hard, so I'd recommend setting the difficulty to easy. All in all, I didn't care much for Ranger X, and I'm not just saying that because I didn't know what the F was going on half the time. Okay, maybe I am. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.
Recommended variation: easy
Our high score: 75700
1 player
Publisher: Taito (1991)
Reviewed: 2015/4/18
Our high score: 29,900
1 player
Publisher: Scavenger (1994)
Reviewed: 2005/2/2
Ren and Stimpy: Stimpy's Invention
Grade: F
Publisher: Sega (1993)
Reviewed: 2005/8/14
Find Ren and Stimpy Stimpy's Invention on
eBay,
YouTube1 or 2 players
Revenge of Shinobi
Grade: B-
Publisher: Sega (1989)
Reviewed: 2006/2/17
Recommended variation: easy
Our high score: 87800
1 player
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1992)
Reviewed: 2016/9/29
Our high score: 101,729
1 player
Publisher: Sega (1995)
Reviewed: 2013/10/7
Our high score: 66800
1 player
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1991)
Reviewed: 2003/5/10
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1992)
Reviewed: 2003/5/10

The original Road Rash was an incredible motorcycle racing game, but as good as it was, it begged for a two-player split-screen mode. Enter Road Rash II. Unfortunately, the new split-screen mode didn't exactly set the world on fire. The two screens are rather small and the framerate is painfully low. The action is choppy, and objects pop-up and disappear unpredictably. Control also suffers, with turning that feels sluggish and unresponsive. The one-player mode plays more like the original Road Rash, which is a good thing. There are a few minor enhancements, like the addition of a chain weapon and additional obstacles like deer in the road. There's a new set of tracks, but nothing too compelling, and the music is surprisingly lame. The hard-edged, grinding tunes of the first game have been replaced with light, upbeat melodies - bad idea! After each race you see a little animation that's pretty funny, and the passwords are more manageable this time around. But overall I prefer the original Road Rash. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Electronic Arts (1995)
Reviewed: 2003/5/10

The third and final Genesis installment of Road Rash has more depth than previous offerings, but treads water in terms of gameplay. The first thing that stands out is the overhauled graphics. Instead of the colorful, hand-drawn riders and scenery, everything now has a digitized look. While the drivers admittedly look more realistic, the scenery - especially the backgrounds - looks terribly grainy. The locations span the globe from Japan to Brazil, but there's really not a lot to see. The framerate in the split-screen mode is noticeably improved, but the one-player mode actually looks a bit choppier. I do like how your opponent's bike stays up momentarily after you knock him clean off of it, and it's always fun to crash just before the finish line and fly over it without your bike. The controls seem slightly more responsive than RR2, and police now come on motorcycles, patrol cars, AND helicopters. One area in which Road Rash 3 falters is in combat, despite the fact that there are now seven weapons. Unlike the first Road Rash, it's really difficult to get a clean shot at other riders. Another problem is the music. These uninspired tunes sound like leftovers from previous editions. Road Rash 3 is still good, but it can't top the original. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.
Publisher: Flying Edge (1993)
Reviewed: 2015/3/3

I might have enjoyed Robocop 3 more had I not already played
Robocop Versus Terminator (Genesis, 1993) which is about 100 times better. Both side-scrolling shooters are similar in design, but this one is
amateur hour. The red Detroit skyline looks appealing, but those decrepit green buildings look like
ass. Robocop's default weapon is a pathetic pea-shooter. Fortunately better weapons appear early and often including a handy three-way shot. In addition to shooting low-lifes hiding behind crates and falling from windows, you'll have to contend with robotic drones. And guess what - they're not delivering for Amazon! These drones are a serious pain in the ass because they buzz all over the place and can sustain too many hits. Equally annoying is when you find yourself overlapping with an enemy, incurring damage without being able to deal any. That's just shoddy game design. Even with a decent weapon you'll absorb a ton of mandatory hits, so collecting energy icons is your only hope. At the end of the first stage you're ambushed by 20 guys armed with bazookas.
Seriously?! Most people will give up at that point - and rightly so. Later stages look pretty
blah, but there is a mediocre vertical flying stage thrown in. The continue screen features the ED-209 robot from the original movie, who warns "you have 20 seconds to comply". When he finally opens fire you'll be grateful to be put out of your misery. © Copyright 2015 The Video Game Critic.
Recommended variation: continues
Our high score: 56850
1 player
Robocop Versus Terminator
Grade: B+
Publisher: Virgin (1993)
Reviewed: 2013/4/4
Recommended variation: normal
Our high score: SLN 39,640
Save mechanism: Password
1 player
Rock 'N Roll Racing
Grade: B+
Publisher: Interplay (1994)
Reviewed: 2001/6/7

This game was made by Interplay and Blizzard, two game companies that would become giants in the industry. Anyone who's played RC Pro Am on the NES will feel right at home with R&R Racing. The 45-degree, pseudo-3D view of the track gives you a good angle, letting you see just enough of the road ahead. Cars are equipped with front and rear weapons. The elevated tracks are available on six "planets", which offer unspectacular but colorful scenery. The gameplay is surprisingly deep. You can buy different types of cars, upgrade them, and equip them with all sorts of gadgets. A password lets you save your spot. The two-player split-screen is also a lot of fun, and let's not forget about the music! The Sega Genesis isn't known for its great audio, but you'll hear stellar versions of "Paranoid", "Bad To The Bone", "Born To Be Wild", and "Radar Love", among others. Be sure to turn off the annoying announcer, who often interrupts the music. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.
Rocket Knight Adventures
Grade: C
Publisher: Konami (1993)
Reviewed: 2011/9/24
Our high score: 94,250
1 player
Rolling Thunder 2
Grade: A
Publisher: Namco (1991)
Reviewed: 2018/9/9
Our high score: BP 41,120
Save mechanism: password
1 or 2 players
Rolling Thunder 3
Grade: B+
Publisher: Namco (1993)
Reviewed: 2018/9/9

Rolling Thunder 3 didn't "wow" me like the first two Rolling Thunder entries for the NES and then the Genesis. It's better in some ways but feels less inspired overall. There's no intro this time and they ditched the two-player mode as well. The basic gameplay remains rock solid as you methodically infiltrate industrial facilities, blast robots and take cover behind crates. There are several innovations worthy of mention. First, you select your special weapon like a machine gun or flamethrower before you begin each level. The interface is a little confusing, as it's hard to tell if you've selected a weapon or not (hint: press B)! My personal favorite is the shotgun that sprays five bullets at once. Your standard pistol now has the ability to shoot diagonally which makes it a lot easier to deal with baddies hanging out on the balconies. You can also shoot while jumping. The mechanical panthers are scary as hell and I love their snarling growls. Resist the urge to shoot everything in sight as it's very easy to run out of ammo. The industrial stages make good use of color but tend to be repetitive. The Las Vegas stage features somersaulting clowns that reminded me of
Batman Returns (Genesis, 1992). But the biggest surprise are the motorcycle and jetski (!) stages. While they play more like bonus levels, they look very cool. Namco got a little lazy with Rolling Thunder 3, but it's still a solid shooter at its core. © Copyright 2018 The Video Game Critic.
Our high score: 9530
1 player