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Sonic The Hedgehog’s first adventure on the Master System was quite different than the on the Genesis. Developed by Yuzo Koshiro’s studio Ancient (and featuring some great music), it’s an excellent rendition that doesn’t try to be more than its hardware will allow, and it’s pretty much a new game. If you’ve already played Sonic to death but still haven’t tried it on the Master System, you’re missing out.
Sega fans had the Shinobi series, and there were always comparisons between it and Ninja Gaiden on the NES. While both are great, Sega fans actually got the better end of the deal. Ninja Gaiden made appearances on the PAL Master System and on the Game Gear. The MS version is as good as you’d expect and well worth tracking down.
Simulation games can be an acquired taste, and the advancement of time and technology can make some older titles seem like a chore. Centurion: Defender of Rome is one game that was much more enticing back in the day, when its paper-thin plot and shallow tactics made playing the watered down cartridge weren’t as noticeable.
Sega’s Toshokan modem service in Japan had a few titles that were released here, such as Flicky and Fatal Labyrinth. However, there were quite a few that never came to the west, and 16t is one such title. It has that early ’80s arcade flavor to it, and while there’s not much depth, its simple to play and can be fun for a while.
Namco’s early 16-bit efforts are a lot of fun, and Genesis owners everywhere should check them out. Among the batch is an underrated sports title that mixes American football with soccer (and a bit of wrestling). With its simple gameplay and frantic pace, fans of brutal sports games might want to give Powerball a spin.