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The Bitmap Bros. are renowned for their excellent games, titles that are both well-presented and that play great. Speedball on the Genesis is a great example of that, but the Master System port, done by Mirrorsoft/Image Works, doesn’t fare as well. Everything that made the Genesis version so good is missing, so there’s no reason to bother with this version.
The ’80s were all about ninjas, and the Master System did its pop culture duty in stellar fashion. The imaginatively-named “The Ninja” is a cool little run-‘n-gun that has all the shadow warriors, shurikens, and action you could ask for! Find a copy and get ready to save the Ohkami Province and its princess from the forces of evil!
The Master System’s SegaScope 3-D glasses are largely considered to be a gimmick, but there is some solid gameplay with most of the titles that use the technology. Maze Hunter 3-D is a simple, arcadey maze game that makes great use of the effect for a solid and trippy experience.
What can really be said? This is the one that started it all! Phantasy Star kicked off an epic franchise and pushed the limits of what an 8-bit console RPG could do. It was a sight to behold when it debuted in 1987 and has aged very well. Anyone who has yet to join Alis, Odin, Myau, and Noah on their journey to defeat Dark Force needs to clear their calendar in a hurry.
Like giant monsters and trashing cities? Who doesn’t? Luckily, Bally Midway’s arcade classic Rampage smashed its way onto the Master System in 1989, and it was a great port. Two-player simultaneous destruction and 50 stages made it a great game to play in short bursts.