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There are more than a few pinball games on the Genesis, and while most gamers seem to prefer Naxat Soft’s offerings over the others, there are actually some great alternatives. Codemasters’ Psycho Pinball is one game that offers some solid pinball action that most others on the console can’t provide. It’s definitely worth looking into.
Considered one of the most controversial games in history, Night Trap earned the wrath of the U.S. Senate and helped usher in the ratings system. All the notoriety aside though, is it actually a good game? Well… no. Awkward gameplay fails to mesh with grainy video, creating an experience that’s ultimately unsatisfying. The 32X version at least had cleaner video, but this release doesn’t even have that going for it.
Cute takes on standard genres are common in video gaming. Shooters with cute characters are a sub-genre all their own, and the trend even extends to sports. Namco made some of the better known examples, and its World Stadium series was highly popular in Japan. Sadly, the west saw it only in the first R.B.I. Baseball game and Batter Up on the Game Gear.
Namco had a rocky start on the Genesis, hampered by Nintendo’s ironclad licensing agreements. When it was finally free to publish on the platform, the company let loose with a slew of quality software. Among the titles released was a fighter that was almost instantly overshadowed by the impending transition to 32-bit consoles. WeaponLord was a deep and intriguing brawler, and too many gamers overlooked it in their mad dash to the next generation.
Every so often, a game comes along that takes an established dynamic and turns it completely on its head, or it at least shakes it up a bit. Sega’s Battle Golfer Yui is one such title, and the way it mixes a game as tranquil as golf with evil organizations and world domination is something everyone must experience. While it may stutter here and there in execution, the premise alone makes it worth at least checking out.