The Megadrive/Genesis version of Sensible Software‘s classic Cannon Fodder is not the one I think of when I think “Cannon Fodder“, but it’s actually a really good port. The game was converted by PanelComp, who also made the excellent SNES version, and it too supports mouse play. Which is important, because without using a mouse it’s impossible to attain the right kind of intensity needed to play Cannon Fodder properly. IMHO.

Played with a mouse, the Megadrive version of Cannon Fodder I think is up there with the best versions of Cannon Fodder out there. Of course I played it in an emulator, but the mouse controls seemed more stable and less shaky than in the SNES version, for some reason. I could be imagining it, but the Megadrive mouse controls do seem slightly better to me.

Like the SNES version, this too has censored mission names. They changed “Bugger me it’s cold” to “Blast it’s cold“, and a few other borderline naughty words, but it’s no big deal really. And, like the SNES version, the music and sound in this are great. The gunfire sounds seemed louder and clearer in this than in the SNES version, and the “War” title tune is a wonderfully-funky chiptunes version of the classic Cannon Fodder anthem.

The Megadrive port was released in 1994 by Virgin Interactive. I’d say that it is on-par with – if not better than – the excellent SNES version and is still well worth playing today. And I believe that the original Megadrive version of Cannon Fodder is currently (at the time of writing) available on the online gaming service Antstream.

More: Cannon Fodder on Wikipedia
GOG: Cannon Fodder on GOG.com

Cannon Fodder Megadrive Passwords:

01 = PXJND
02 = UZHNC
03 = JHHJI
04 = OFLJA
05 = DWKFG
06 = EZMBE
07 = JBLBD
08 = OBSRH
09 = TTEFD
10 = UTEFD
11 = FRLYA
12 = EOBJF
13 = RYJBE
14 = GMEGF
15 = FFQRI
16 = ICXPA
17 = PXJVI
18 = IRORH
19 = TEOUA
20 = CLBGE
21 = JMNQG
22 = OOLQF
23 = NPXFC
24 = DUNNO