Tag Archives: Megadrive

The Revenge of Shinobi, Megadrive/Genesis

The Revenge of Shinobi (known in Japan as “The Super Shinobi“) is the 1989 Megadrive/Genesis sequel to the classic Sega arcade game. It once again features Joe Musashi, and takes place three years after the events of the first game. The criminal organization “Zeed” have reformed and have renamed themselves “Neo Zeed“, and they have decided to exact their revenge on the Oboro Ninja Clan by killing Joe’s master and kidnapping his bride, Naoko. So you must rescue your fiancée, and get revenge for the death of your master.

Continue reading The Revenge of Shinobi, Megadrive/Genesis

Atomic Runner, Megadrive/Genesis

A conversion of the 1988 arcade game, Atomic Runner Chelnov. Developer/publisher Data East dropped the “Chelnov” part from the title of the 1992 Megadrive/Genesis release, but the gameplay stays more or less the same.

You must shoot and jump your way through seven continually-scrolling stages, only stopping to fight bosses at the end of each.

Continue reading Atomic Runner, Megadrive/Genesis

Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure, Megadrive/Genesis

Developed and published for the Megadrive/Genesis by Interplay Productions in 1994, Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure is a humorous platform game starring a ‘superhero’ whose abilities are: burping, farting, and flicking ‘boogers’ at enemies to kill them… And, while that may sound puerile and stupid to some, this is actually a game with high production values and decent gameplay backing it up.

Continue reading Boogerman: A Pick and Flick Adventure, Megadrive/Genesis

Twinkle Tale, Megadrive/Genesis

Developed by ZAP Corporation and published by Wonder Amusement Studio (a subsidiary of Japanese record label Toyo Recording), Twinkle Tale is a scrolling ‘bullet hell’ shooter released exclusively for the Sega Megadrive, in Japan only, in 1992. Fan translations into English, Spanish and Korean exist, making the game accessible to a good proportion of the world outside Japan.

Continue reading Twinkle Tale, Megadrive/Genesis

Gauntlet 4, Megadrive/Genesis

Gauntlet 4 (aka Gauntlet IV) was developed by M2 and published by Tengen in 1993, exclusively for the Megadrive/Genesis. In some respects the development of this game is just as interesting as the game itself.

Gauntlet 4 began life as a homebrew remake of Gauntlet, among a small group of friends in Japan, for the Sharp X68000 home computer. Atari Games, the developer of the original Gauntlet, eventually caught wind of the project and commissioned the group (now named M2) to produce a sequel instead.

Continue reading Gauntlet 4, Megadrive/Genesis

Ultimate Qix, Megadrive/Genesis

Released as “Volfied” in arcades, this sequel to the original Qix was re-named Ultimate Qix for its Sega Genesis release in North America in 1991. And – let’s face it – “Volfied” is a crappy name anyway, so it’s no great loss.

Continue reading Ultimate Qix, Megadrive/Genesis

Rainbow Islands Extra Version, Megadrive/Genesis

The “Extra Version” of Taito‘s classic Rainbow Islands is a modified version of the original arcade game, where the levels have been rearranged and the enemies changed to make the game more challenging. There are some new power-ups to discover, and the bosses have also been changed too. Rainbow Islands Extra was released into arcades in limited quantities in 1988, and was also released on the Sega Megadrive in 1990 and the FM Towns in 1992.

Continue reading Rainbow Islands Extra Version, Megadrive/Genesis

Chase HQ II, Megadrive/Genesis

The Megadrive/Genesis exclusive, Chase HQ II, was developed by ITL Co., Ltd. and published by Taito in 1992. It is an enhanced, multi-vehicle adaptation of the classic 1988 arcade game, with similar gameplay to its parent.

Continue reading Chase HQ II, Megadrive/Genesis

Paperboy II, Megadrive/Genesis

The Megadrive/Genesis version of Paperboy 2 (or Paperboy II, as the title screen shows) is a real surprise, because it seems to be an attempt by developer Tengen to actually create a real sequel to the Paperboy arcade game. This game doesn’t strictly follow the rather lacklustre template of the Mindscape version of Paperboy 2, but instead does its own thing, which IMHO makes it special.

Continue reading Paperboy II, Megadrive/Genesis

Cannon Fodder, Megadrive/Genesis

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.

Continue reading Cannon Fodder, Megadrive/Genesis