[sv]informative]16- and 8-bit games

DISCLAIMER: There are no ROMs anywhere on SV, so don't bother poking around. If you can find the games I've reviewed on the Internet, good for you. But you don't get them from me anymore. I will still supply savestates, as I own all the games I've got savestates for. Cleared that up? Cheers. If not, feel free to email me...

[sonic]games

[md/gen]ristar
"Hey!" you say. "This is the Sonic games section!". OK, but this is Sonic-related... this was going to be Sega's post-Sonic "big thing". Besides, most of these people worked on Sonic Adventure as well (really, I've checked credit screens.) Basically, Ristar is this star-type-thing. For a move, he's got extending arms which he can use to grab enemies and nut them. He can also climb walls in this fashion. Find a "Star Handle" and Ristar can spin around for a while before turning into a fiery meteor of general destruction. Anyhoo, the reason you're still reading is... could Ristar have taken over Sonic's mantle? Well... I dunno. Personally, I had a lot of fun playing it - there are a lot of really fun, original touches that make this game worth your while. For example, on Planet Sonata, you'll contribute to the background music as you go along, before facing a boss who attacks in time to the now-complete tune. (I don't think I've ever enjoyed a boss so much in my life - even delaying beating it so I could fight it some more :) ) On Planet Freon, (and I think this is a world first in platform gaming) your "waiting animation" ACTUALLY SERVES A USEFUL PURPOSE at some points. It's these little things that elevate it above the crowd. It's not Sonic, but it's good.
Graphics: 18 (Great animation, changing backgrounds work too.)
Sound: 19 (Not only is it fantastic, it's interactive!)
Playability: 19 (Little touches make it a pleasure.)
Lastability: 19 (You'll go back to it. I did.)
Originality: 16 (It's a platform game. But all these neat touches are cool.)
OVERALL: 91% (You're still reading? Go download it!)

[ms/gg]sonic blast
Mmm. This is the game also known as "No Really, This Isn't Donkey Kong Country." Or, "No Really, These Aren't The Sonic And Knuckles Levels Rewritten For Game Gear." Basically, it's Sonic platforming action, redone in the 3D rendered style of DKC. It's not _bad_ I suppose, but, to be blunt, Sonic can do a _lot_ better. Even on Game Gear. And, unfortunately, it has some of the weakest special stages ever seen in a Sonic game. Distinctly average. It has Knux playable, tho.
Graphics: 15 (OK, but pseudo-3D unnecessary, some glitches)
Sound: 15 (Fairly decent music let down by terrible FX)
Playability: 16 (Good, tragic special stages though)
Lastability: 16 (Again OK, Knux adds a couple of points)
Originality: 10 (New concepts, what new concepts?)
OVERALL: 72% (Wouldn't be worth buying... but you can download it for free, and always delete it later...)

[32x]reviews
Knux Chaotix: Interesting concept game. A bit short though, especially if you play as Charmy. (he's kinda a Cream of the 32X) 80%

[mega drive/genesis]reviews
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine: Another puzzle game that absolutely rocks. 90%
Ristar: A cool platformy game - post-Sonic though? I dunno. 91%
Sonic & Knuckles: The 4th instalment in THE Sega platform series. 85%
Sonic 2 Beta: Incomplete version of Sonic 2.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles: Erm, Sonic 3, and Sonic & Knuckles. Together. 92%
Sonic 3D: Sonic finally does something a little different with his platformers. 87%
Sonic Spinball:Sonic goes bouncy, bouncy, bouncy. In a pinballish game. 82%
Sonic Crackers: VERY incomplete version of Another Sonic Game.
Sonic the Hedgehog: The Original Sonic Game. 82%
Sonic 3: What do you think? 83%
[game gear]reviews
Sonic Drift: A Sonic racing game. 54%
Sonic Drift 2: A much better Sonic racing game. 77%
Sonic Labyrinth: A 3D Sonic game. 63%
Sonic & Tails 2: AKA Sonic 3: Triple Trouble. 70%
Tails Skypatrol: A weird Tails-only obstacle-course-type platform game. Good though. Sequel to Tails' Adventure. 83%
Tails' Adventure: Tails' first solo game... platform levels, RPG framework, with various items to find and puzzles to solve (mainly involving how to get to said items). Good game. 86%
[master system]reviews
Names only here... sorry, but I'm getting lazy...
Sonic (80%)
Sonic 2 (77%)
Sonic Chaos (78%)
Sonicboy in Monsterland (hack)
Sonic Blast (72%)

[mega drive/genesis]savestates
Sonic 3D
This savestate has the level select enabled... just start a game to get to it.
Sonic 3 & Knuckles
This savestate has the level select and debug cheats enabled... AND Sound Test is highlighted on the menu for you!

[other]games

[md/gen]aerobiz supersonic
Ever wanted to run an airline? Now you can with Aerobiz Supersonic... a strategy game (for the Mega Drive! Strategy! Who'd've thunk it?) where your most megalomanical corporate cravings can be satisfied. At least, once you've worked out the icon system.
Graphics: 14 Sound: 17 Playability: 20 Lastability: 19 Originality: 20
OVERALL: 90%

[32x]reviews
Primal Rage: Revitalised a tired beat-em-up market of the day. Pretty good stuff.87%

[mega drive/genesis]reviews
Aerobiz Supersonic: An airline management game. 90%
Animaniacs: The Animaniacs in a platformer. 82%
Bonkers: Fun if repeteive platformer. 73%
Bubble Bobble II:Rainbow Islands: A weird but cool vertical platformer. 84%
Columns III: A puzzle game, sequel to Columns. 74%
Comix Zone: Slick beat-em-up with cool comic-style presentation. 88%
Cool Spot: A very cool platformer. 90%
Cool Spot - Spot Goes To Hollywood: Not quite as cool sequel to the above. 83% Cosmic Spacehead: A point-n-click adventure with platformy bits and surreal graphics. 83%
Earthworm Jim: If you don't know what this is I pity you. 89% Flicky: Old platformer. 65%
Introducing the Humans: Lemmings-style game with great title music. 79%
James Pond: World's first underwater secret agent. World's first British Mega Drive game. Er, shame it's not that good. 68%
James Pond II: Codename Robocod: More fishy frolics and terrible puns. Good game though. 82%
Lemmings II: The Tribes: Great fun puzzly thing. It's Lemmings, fercryinoutloud. 86%
Mega Bomberman: It's Bomberman. OK by yourself, essential with others. 73% in one-player, 83% in multiplayer.
MegaLoMania: Bizarre God-game, known as Tyrants for some weird reason in the US. 80%
Populous II - Two Tribes: Severely cool God game. 84%
Psycho Pinball: Strange multi-table pinballer. 75%
Pulseman: What Game Freak worked on with Sega before they did Pokemon. Whatever they were on at the time, I want some. 90%
Puyo Puyo: Bizarre Japanese original of Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. Funny, too! If you can read Japanese. 86%
Puyo Puyo 2: Sequel to the above and still as weird. 85%
Ren & Stimpy in Stimpy's Invention: Funny platformer featuring the Disgusting Duo. 77%
Ringside Angels: A game only the Japanese could've made, featuring all-girl wrestling. 71%
Rocket Knight Adventures: Great Konami platform game. Has bosses in places where other games don't even have places. 92%
Sensible Soccer: Fantastic soccer game. 85%
Snow Brothers: A vertical platformer in the style of Bubble Bobble. 72%
Star Control: Intense strategy game. 72%
Streets of Rage 2: Cool beat-em-up. 81%
Streets of Rage 3: Sequel to the above; not as cool. 69%
Star Trek: The Next Generation: An Enterprise-sim. 75%
TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist: Fun if repetetive beat'em up. Better than The Tick's game, but that's not hard.76%
ToeJam & Earl: Bizarre and extremely funky adventure game. 86%
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?: An edutainment title that is actually entertaining! It does get a tad repetetive though. 72%
Worms: Funny. Almost Cannon Fodder-meets-Lemmings 87%.

[master system]reviews
Names only here... sorry, but I'm getting lazy...
Alex Kidd in Miracle World (70%)
Bonanza Brothers (77%)
California Games (73%)
Dynamite Dux (73%)
Final Bubble Bobble (78%)
Great Golf (62%)
Mickey Mouse in Castle of Illusion (72%)
Phantasy Star
Rampage (77%)
Sensible Soccer (62%)
Terminator (57%)
Tom & Jerry: The Movie (54%)
Wonderboy (72%)
Wonderboy in Monster Land (75%)
Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap (74%)
Xenon 2 (57%)
Zool (68%)

[mega drive/genesis]savestates
Aerobiz Supersonic
2 savestates... .gs3 is the ending sequence and .gs0 skips the lengthy intro.

[mega drive/genesis]guides
Cosmic Spacehead Guide: Helping the cause of alien tourism has never been easier!