Released in Japan as a licensed game based on “Fist of the North Star,” Last Battle is the weakest link in the Sega Genesis launch line-up. A side-scrolling punch-and-kick action game, it’s similarity and inferiority to Altered Beast leave it out in the cold. The game has some sort of plot, but the introductory text … Read more
As a launch title on the Sega Genesis, Tommy Lasorda Baseball has the distinction of being the first sports game on a system known for its sports games. It was also the first example of Sega paying big bucks for a celebrity endorsement, as they later did with Pat Riley Basketball, Joe Montana Football, and … Read more
Clearly the best game available on launch day for the Sega Genesis, Thunder Force II is a shooter that was ported over from the Japan-only Sharp X68000. While the original Thunder Force, which was only released in Japan on a variety of home computer platforms, was comprised solely of free-roaming levels, Thunder Force II oscillates … Read more
Another Sega Genesis launch title, Super Thunder Blade is a poorly-executed port of a decent arcade shooter. Combining both rail-style and vertically-scrolling levels, you pilot a helicopter while shooting at and avoiding fire from both air and ground-based enemies. While this may sound awesome in theory, the game loses it in the execution. The controls … Read more
Created by prolific Sega game designer Yu Suzuki, Space Harrier II was one of six Sega Genesis launch titles, and was a port of a popular arcade title of the day. The game is a rail shooter and feels like a combination of 3D Worldrunner (NES) and Panzer Dragoon (Sega Saturn). Your job is to … Read more
When I was a kid, the T&C Surf Designs T-shirts were a must-have part of any kid’s wardrobe and featured several characters created by artist Steve Nazar, including Thrilla Gorilla, Kool Kat, Tiki Man, and Joe Cool. Although the company for whom these characters were created still exists making surfboards in Hawaii, the iconic characters … Read more
Seaquest is yet another stellar arcade-style game from the folks at Activision. The game successfully combines elements of Defender and Choplifter and tosses it into the ocean. You pilot a submarine that rescues divers while fighting off huge fish, man-eating sharks, and enemy submarines. You have a limited supply of oxygen and a maximum capacity … Read more
Vintage Game Consoles: The Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time is a 2014 historical retrospective written by Bill Loguidice and Matt Barton. Loguidice is a well-known video game and technology author/historian with a myriad of books under his belt, and Barton is a professor of English and fellow video game historian who hosts and produces a … Read more
Episode 17 – This week on the show I review Explosive Diarrhea, a homebrew game for the Atari 2600 released by Packrat Video Games and designed by Chris Reed. Take control of a family of rednecks with food poisoning, guiding them to the nearest outhouse! It’s as much a conversation piece as it is a … Read more