Fairly playable Tetris rip off with a few extras. To be fair though, the original is never going to be bettered is it boys. (Except perhaps by Bust a Move)

Zogging Hell Rating: 7/10

Revenge of Shinobi

Another of those alledgedly ground breaking Megadrive intial games (all of which look very similar to games already released on the 16bit home computers). This ones graphics must have been quite good once. The unpleasant bosses are impressively large. Err but thats about it. Its average to say the least. Gameplay wise its one of those annoying platformer type games, where if you miss time a jump, you die. Jumps are generally too bloody hard. The rest of the game is very irritating as well, you seemingly die far to easily. Compared to, say, Robocop or other comparable platformers on the computers, you just can't see what the fuss was about (saying that though, Robocop was much cop either!).

Zogging Hell Rating: 7/10

Sega Soccer

Is this a joke? How could this ever be released. God awful Kick Off style overhead soccer game (though it seems more closely related to Gazza's super soccer in terms of gameplay and graphics). To be blunt, and please excuse the language, this is total shit!

Zogging Hell Rating: 3/10

Sonic the Hedgehog

Almost as associated with the Megadrive as Mario is with Nintendo. Sonic's first outing on the Megadrive is a ground breaking excercise in platformers. Never before had such great graphics and sound been combined with such a 'just one more go' gameplay style. The graphics are something that the ageing Megadrive can still be proud of. The sound is the type of annoying tunes that grow on you. Gameplay is very addictive, for the early levels at least, though the pinball level towards the end of the game made me feel quite head fucked. Sonic really could have done with a Super Mario style map.

Zogging Hell Rating: 9/10

Splatter House 2

The first Splatter House was a strictly PC Engine only affair, the sequel however was released on the Mega Drive. Its best described as a sideways beat em up. The game is very pretty with your large, well animated Pyscho in a hockey mask carving his way gorely through the competition. This is all entertaining enough till you approach the end of level bosses. The lack of available space to escape their attacks makes you soon want to give up. Splatterhouse is very good, don't get me wrong, if you have the patience to work out how you deal with the end of level nasties you will be well rewarded. Its just getting there that hurts.

Zogging Hell Rating: 8/10

Streetfighter 2: Special Championship Edition

The Mega Drive version of the arcade classic was always going to have problems. Firstly it had to deal with one of the best conversions of all time on the SNES. Secondly there was the Mega Drive's controllers distinct lack of buttons. Graphically its almost as good as the first SNES version, only a few dodgy colours here and there making a difference. Sonically, however, its awful, the samples sound inferior to the ST version, and the tunes distinctly lacking in lustre. The original controller is also next to useless, using the start button to switch between punching and kicking makes a mockery of the games finely honed blow and counter blow system. It's not all bad, and if you haven't got a SNES its definitely worth a look, just make sure you get hold of the six button controller, which brings out the best in the game.

Zogging Hell Rating: 8/10

Streets of Rage

Alledgedly a ground breaking beat em up. This is just the classic Double Dragon with knobs. It shifted enough Megadrives though and to be fair it plays very well. The extra buttons of the Megadrive are used well and the game feels very arcadey. The music is particularly notable and exploits the bassey Megadrive sound chip to its full potential. Enjoyable then, though when you do fight your way to the final baddy there is a ridiculous bit where he asks you to join him. If you should dare to be a sinner and say yes then he drops you through a pit and back three levels. Why?, its got to be one of the stupidist endings that I've ever come across.

Zogging Hell Rating: 8/10

Super Monaco Grand Prix

Zero magazine had the gumption to give this nonsense a Zero Hero rating. Hhhhmm yes. It may be (once again) groundbreaking, both graphically and gameplay wise, once... but it plays like a dog. Horrible today, no matter how it played then. Grubby graphics, poor handling, god awful sound effects.

Zogging Hell Rating: 5/10