The Video Game Critic's
Turbografx-16 Reviews M-R

Neutopia is commonly described as Zelda for the Turbografx, and that description is dead-on. The most obvious difference between this any other Zelda game is that the main character's hair is brown instead of blonde. Neutopia looks, sounds, and plays like Link to the Past (Super Nintendo, 1992), albeit with slightly less polish. Even the storyline is familiar. An evil wizard has kidnapped the princess, but our hero can't save her until he obtains eight medallions spread across the land. Subtle details practically scream of Zelda, like octopuses shooting projectiles from the water, the constant beeping heard when your health runs low, and the way your character triumphantly raises a newly-acquired item. As you wander between contiguous land areas, you encounter dungeons, merchants, and people offering advice. You'll fend off wandering monsters with your sword and shield, blow up obstacles with bombs, and consume potions to replenish your health. Each dungeon offers a variety of enemies and simple puzzles, culminating with an obligatory boss encounter. Despite its derivative nature, Neutopia is irresistibly fun and its production qualities are impressive. The game saves your progress to memory, and even provides a password. I enjoyed Neutopia, but the stage design could have used some work. Often I couldn't figure out what to do next and ended up wandering in circles. Still, this is a quality adventure that Turbografx fans will savor. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Much like Altered Beast on the Genesis, this side scroller allows you to transform into wild animals while battling monsters from beyond the grave. I really, really wanted to like this game. The graphics are exceptional, with spooky scenery set in graveyards, catacombs, and deserted villages. Nightmare Creatures looks like a more serious version of Ghouls and Ghosts, and the creatures you encounter make quite an impression. There are nearly 40 different monsters if you include the bosses, and they tend to be surprisingly creepy. The effective visuals are matched by a haunting refrain that plays in the background. Unfortunately, the gameplay does not live up to the presentation. The interface used to switch weapons and transform is awkward, requiring you to pause the game. Your character takes a lot of cheap hits and is constantly dying. Even transforming into animals drains your life, so you can only do it sparingly. My best advice is to punch while squatting, which seems to make you much less vulnerable to attack. Nightmare Creatures lets you save your place if you're running on a Turbo Duo, but overall this title feels like a missed opportunity. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

This is a fighting game for shooter fans. I say that because you control a ninja who can amass a huge degree of firepower. He begins with a simple sword, but this weapon can be powered-up multiple times and its range extended substantially. Other weapons include stars, knives, bombs, and chains. Some power-ups even create mirror images of your ninja, who mimic your actions and multiply the damage you inflict. And if you think doubling your firepower is fun, wait until you get two or three mirrors! Enemy ninjas attack all directions (including under the floor), and they explode when you kill them. The collision detection strongly favors the player; some of my sword slashes killed guys that appeared to be far out of range. Only against the bosses do you need to be extra careful in this game. I really liked the carnage I could unleash in Ninja Spirit. There's not much technique required, but it's definitely a good twitch game. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

I remember Ordyne as a standout title on Namco Museum Vol. 4 (Playstation, 1997). Yeah, I know that's not saying much considering the quality of that collection. Ordyne is a whimsical little shooter with childlike graphics that can be played by two people simultaneously. You control little kids flying miniature planes and shooting at large, colorful objects. The game's whimsical nature and pastel color schemes really bring to mind Fantasy Zone. Your plane comes equipped with both missile and bomb weapons. Upon destroying a series of identical objects, bundles of balloons appear carrying "crystals" which can be used to upgrade weapons. Besides purchasing weapons at the floating "Space Inn", there's also a lottery ship that rewards you with random bonuses. The ability to buy and experiment with various weapons is easily the highlight of the game. The action moves at a leisurely pace, and is definitely on the easy side. Enemy projectiles move slowly and are shaped like large, orange circles. After breezing through the initial "airship" stage, and then through caverns filled with floating orange donuts, the challenge finally kicks in with a treacherous underwater stage. My friends weren't particularly impressed, but this likeable shooter is a natural for younger gamers. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Power Golf somehow won me over despite a phethora of faults and annoyances. The game's graphics are not particularly impressive, although the scrolling overhead view always provides a decent angle. Once you've selected a club and set your aim, a small window appears containing your golfer (who looks like the kid from Caddyshack) and a three-press swing meter. The shot meter moves crazy fast, making your tee shots exceptionally difficult. Even the most experienced players will themselves hooking and slicing a lot of shots into the woods. Still, gamers looking for a serious challenge will relish trying to tame these ruthless controls. Less forgivable is how your club ranges are not displayed on the screen. Yeah, they're listed in the instruction booklet, but who wants to bother with that? In addition, there's no caddy to "recommend" a club for each shot, so you'll need to experiment. Once you get a feel for the controls, you can even apply backspin and control the trajectory of your shot. The ball scales dramatically to indicate its height, and the greens have arrows to indicate slope. The game moves along at a brisk pace, so you can play eighteen holes in about twenty minutes. I love the "lounge music" that plays in the background - it's classic old-school all the way. Modes include stroke, match, and a competition mode that supports up to three players. Why the number of players is limited to three is beyond my comprehension. Power Golf can't compete with the classic PGA Tour titles on the Genesis, but if you're up for a challenge, give it a shot. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

The premise of this side-scrolling shooter is to "escape the world of your own mind". Well, if that world resembles this weird-o-rama game to any degree, it's time to get off the crack pipe. The initial stage of Psychosis reminded me of Bio Hazard Battle (Genesis, 1992). Set on a beach cluttered with lab equipment, you face all sorts of odd, indescribable life forms. From there you move to a flower-filled cave with floating Asian masks, and then to a stage lined with colored tiles. The programmers obviously used the "anything goes" premise as an excuse to toss in any frickin' thing they could come up with. Your ship rotates nicely, and is guarded by a pair of pods you can shift into various formations. Weapons include the forward shooting wide beam, a "back laser" that can be angled in any direction, and the poorly-named "thunder", which creates two electric fields above and below your ship. The graphics are not particularly attractive, and there's an annoying amount of flicker. The futuristic soundtrack is decent, but the sound effects are weak. Three continues are available, but the game doesn't even bother to display your score once you lose your last life. Psychosis is a playable diversion, but it certainly doesn't compare favorably to the other fine shooters the system has to offer. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

This classic shooter is great on any system, but it really shines on the Turbografx-16! With bright, crisp graphics and no slowdown, this is easily the best version of R-Type I've played. R-Type is a typical side-scroller in many ways, but its depth and challenge far exceeds most games of its kind. You can shoot your main cannon rapidly or "charge up" for a single powerful shot. Personally, I prefer to set the turbo switch on the controller for rapid-fire. One key element is the handy "power pod" - a remote weapon with much strategic value. You can attach this pod to your ship or deploy it to other areas of the screen. Once you acquire the pod and a few power-ups, your firepower becomes enormous. Enjoy it while it lasts, because once you lose that ship, your weapons are gone, and that really hurts. The stages are your typical space stations and slimy caverns, but the enemies and bosses are quite disgusting. R-Type is not for the faint of heart, and less skilled gamers are bound to get frustrated. Certain stages force you to move in certain predetermined patterns to survive, and even when you know the pattern it's hard to stay alive. For dyed-in-the-wool shooter fans however, R-Type is hard to beat. © Copyright 2004 The Video Game Critic.

Riot Zone tries to be another Streets of Rage (Genesis), but it lacks the depth and challenge. The characters are large and well-drawn, and Tony looks exactly like Axel from Streets of Rage. Heck, not only does he sport the same blond hair, t-shirt, and jeans, but he even has the same moves! The motley crew of thugs includes a lot of obese men and sexy women in skirts and high heels. The background graphics are mostly dull, and at times just plain ugly. The audio is equally mediocre, with unrealistic sound effects and a forgettable musical score. Riot Zone's gameplay is easy and repetitive, with no weapons or interesting items to use. Three buttons are used to jump, attack, and activate your special attack. Your only strategy involves tossing one bad guy into another one. And when I say this game is easy, I mean it! I finished this game in one sitting without even breaking a sweat! Perhaps the most offensive aspect of Riot Zone is the lack of a two-player mode! Considering the storyline involves two partners, it's unforgivable! © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.