Sega CD Reviews F-G

To prepare for this review I played FIFA International Soccer (Genesis, 1993) and was surprised just how good-looking and fluid it was. That set my expectations pretty high, and this Sega CD version lived up to them with cleaner visuals, better gameplay, and much improved audio.

Considering this came out a year after the Genesis game, it's probably safe to say it has more in common with FIFA Soccer 95 (Genesis, 1994). The first thing I noticed was how the intro credit screens are now animated and take a lot longer to sit through. Fortunately you can skip through them. The actual game intro is a series of grainy/washed out footage of real FIFA soccer not likely to get you psyched.

Once play begins the field looks great. An isometric view gives you a nice wide vantage point and the grass looks a lot less grainy than the Genesis game. The contests are fast and furious with plenty of back-and-forth action. I just wish I could maintain possession of the ball! When it's near the goal things get frantic with bodies flying all over the place. Frantic button-tapping can result in headers, back-kicks, and bicycle kicks. Fouls are off by default, so don't be shy!

This CD edition features enhanced animation, better AI, and 64 international teams. Its new "dolby CD" crowd effects really put you in the stadium, mixing chants, songs, and annoying horns into the steady hum of fans. Crowd reactions, although emphatic, tend to be a little delayed. If your system is hooked up to a stereo, crank it up.

There are a lot of little things I enjoy about FIFA International Soccer. I like the "picture in picture" presentation during corner kicks. I like how when your goalie has the ball he can boot it all the way out to the middle of the field. I love how the fans in the stands are so individualized, some even rolling out flags. The load screens are a drag but the four player action is right on point. My friends had a ball with this, despite the fact that some had never even played FIFA before. © Copyright 2023 The Video Game Critic.

For all you Sega CD fans looking for some side-scrolling, butt-kicking mayhem, Final Fight CD is a good choice. The gameplay is exactly like Streets of Rage (SOR), but these fighters are HUGE! The three playable characters are Guy, Cody, and Haggar. Unlike SOR, the Final Fight locations are entirely urban, including slums, bars, a subway, underground fight clubs, and industrial areas. The scenery isn't spectacular, but it's constantly changing and never boring.

The characters are nicely detailed, and their huge size lets you take out three or four bad guys with one kick! The cast of thugs includes all the usual suspects, including the spiky-haired punk, the fat guy, the Neanderthal man, huge bosses, and some fine looking hookers (with handcuffs even!). It's a nice touch how the bosses struggle to get up before they finally collapse in defeat. Along with the standard punches, throws, jump kicks, and special moves, there are loads of knives, swords, and pipes available to keep the bad guys at bay.

In a nod to Street Fighter, there are two bonus stages thrown in that let you destroy a car or smash glass panels. The jazzy Miami Vice-inspired background music is crystal clear but not particularly memorable. Likewise the sound effects won't really catch your ear. But if you're looking to kick some ass, don't hesitate to pick this game up. Unlike the lame SNES version, the game supports two players. My wife thinks it might be better than Streets of Rage. You be the judge. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

The Genesis version of Flashback was marketed as "a CD Rom game in a cartridge", so what does that make this? A CD Rom game on a CD Rom? That sounds a lot less impressive. The opening cut-scenes in this version utilize full-motion video, which was a pretty big deal back in the day. Unfortunately the grainy picture quality compares poorly to the clear visuals of the Genesis version. The actual game looks and plays exactly like the cartridge.

Flashback is an amazing futuristic adventure with rich graphics, fluid animation, and a compelling storyline. One major difference between this and the cartridge is the music. The Genesis game was largely a silent affair, with short musical interludes kicking in when the action got intense. In this version you'll hear a difference right away in the opening jungle stage. Tribal drums alternate menacingly between the stereo speakers, and then a booming orchestrated chorus (with vocals) kicks in. It sounds like something you'd hear in a Terminator movie, and it lends weight to the proceedings. Flashback for the Sega CD is not necessarily a better game, but audiophiles may find this version more appealing. © Copyright 2012 The Video Game Critic.

This intricate platformer takes place in an enchanted world with cozy cottages and lush forests with huge leaves you can hop between. The artistic graphics and delicate orchestrated music call to mind Castle of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse (Genesis, 1990), but Flink is a lot less fun. The main character looks like a little prince with a cape and bowl haircut. I'd really love to punch him in the face.

As you start a new game you're approached by a harmless-looking old man who is fatal to touch. Your enemies mainly consist of slow-moving elderly people. I'm surprised there's not a nursing home stage. You can knock people off the screen, but that requires pouncing on their head not once but twice. Flink also has the ability to slide down hills and toss objects.

One thing that really sucks about this game is its unforgiving collision detection. Touching any creature spells instant death and the problem is exacerbated by enemies that appear unexpectedly. It's really hard to catch an edge while leaping between ledges. The spell casting feature might have been interesting if it weren't so complicated.

After collecting a scroll with a magic spell, you then need to collect magic potions along with a laundry list of ingredients. What a chore! If that's not bad enough, you need to be in a specific spot to use a given spell! I'm not sure what's more nauseating - the overcooked gameplay or the cheesy musical score. Flink is one platformer that asks a whole lot of the player but offers little in return. © Copyright 2015 The Video Game Critic.

Formula One is a tough one to rate. My original review was written before I had a proper understanding of F1 racing, but thanks to Brent's intense tutelage I now possess a superficial knowledge of the sport. Beyond the Limit's high-revving introduction really gets you in the spirit, flashing rapid-fire racing highlights via full-screen FMV and a high-octane soundtrack.

If nothing else, the game deserves an A for effort. Fully licensed, it contains all the real pro drivers, racing teams, and fully-customizable cars. Brian and Brent even recognized racing personalities incorporated into the game. It faithfully recreates the 1993 racing season, which is widely considered to have been the pinnacle of F1 racing (or at least close to it).

Beyond the Limit offers three playing modes. Grand Prix is one of those tedious career modes where you build a team from scratch and work your way up the ranks. I'd rate the level of dedication required to see this one through as "legendary". A free run mode lets you race around any of the 16 courses with no competitors.

The "1993 mode" is the one you want, placing you smack-dab in a series of exciting, real-life scenarios. For example, the Australian track challenges you to overtake Alain Prost during laps 25-30, effectively moving you into first place. This mode is ingenious because it lets you dive right in. Each track has an exciting preview video showcasing the track and scenery. It gets you pumped!

Unfortunately the actual racing is the weakest aspect of the game. The framerate is jumpy and the steering has a twitchy, all-or-nothing feel. You really need to hold down the brake around turns to remain on the course. The good news is you can plow through barriers and buildings with no penalty! And if you find yourself turned around, holding brake+accelerator conveniently spins your car in place.

The tracks are surprisingly faithful to the real circuits in terms of layout and background scenery. The only thing missing is a little thing called elevation. The hills and dips are very slight, and it effectively waters down some of the more famous turns.

The scenery is colorful and bright, and even the pixelated, scaling buildings look very impressive by 16-bit standards. Monaco is a standout, offering the trademark tunnel under the hotel and yachts lining the pier. The sprites representing the other cars look sharp, although they tend to jump around a bit. Having a keen eye for detail, Brian noted JCB cranes on the side of the track. Better yet, he pointed out that your car's small rear-view mirrors actually appear to work!

Chris isn't a big racing fan, but he proved it's possible for a casual player to run a competitive race. It's hard to anticipate the turns on the fly, but once you get to know the track layout, it's not so bad. At one point I noticed under the scenery are "boundary" squares stamped into the road, a la Super Mario Kart (SNES, 1992). When you enter a pitstop, a hilariously-pixelated crew is waiting for you.

Formula One: Beyond the Limit is about as much as you can expect from the Sega CD. The game boasts an attention to detail and truly celebrates the sport. There's even an option to disable the qualifying laps. Technically, Beyond the Limit was a few years before its time, but if you're willing to give the game a chance you'll find a lot to like. © Copyright 2026 The Video Game Critic.

Like the CD classic Night Trap (Sega, 1992), this full-motion video title lets you toggle between cameras at various locations. Ground Zero Texas is far more linear however, playing more like a first-person target-shooter.

During the intro you're being flown into a small desert town on a helicopter where you're met by some military types. After being transported to the hotel base of operations you're briefed on the situation. Apparently the local population has been infiltrated by aliens who assume the form of normal townsfolk.

Four cameras are aimed at a cantina, hotel, plaza, and main street location. Unlike Night Trap, you're constantly being alerted where the action is occurring, there's no reason to explore. Once you select a location you just move a cursor around the screen and shoot anyone who points a gun at you (hint: they'll also have a green box around them).

The storyline is conveyed via cutscenes with dodgy characters that may be good or bad. You really need to stay on your toes because some of the most unlikely bystanders will suddenly pull out a gun. The hostage scenes are especially pivotal because saving one rewards you with a code you'll need later.

Since there's not enough "acting" stages to fill an entire game, Ground Zero is padded with generic stages with people popping up behind static scenery, not unlike Lethal Enforcers (Konami, 1993). The death animations are amusing to watch, with actors throwing themselves backwards, arms flailing.

What gives Ground Zero Texas a much-needed edge is its difficulty. Trying to aim that touchy reticle with any precision is tough, even when you know where the next enemy is about to appear. Should you accidentally shoot an innocent bystander, it's game over.

Advanced stages add another layer of strategy. When action occurs on multiple screens you'll need to deploy "shields" to protect unattended cameras. Enemy randomization enhances the replay value, but the game could really use some light gun support.

There's a certain charm in Ground Zero Texas. You tend to advance a little further with each play and it's fun to watch the cheesy alien plot unfold. The game may be shallow and grainy but hey - it's a Sega CD title. You can't blame a tiger for being a tiger. © Copyright 2021 The Video Game Critic.