Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Action Masters delivers an eclectic mix of five classic titles, each offering its own gameplay flavor. From the side-scrolling brawler Double Dragon II: The Revenge to the high-octane circuits of Turbo Out Run, the compilation lets players sample a range of mechanics without ever leaving the menu screen. You can dive into split-screen two-player combat, test your reflexes dodging enemy fire in an F-16 cockpit, or puzzle out falling blocks in Welltris—all within minutes of launching the game.

Double Dragon II retains its old-school toughness, demanding precise timing for punches, kicks, and jump attacks. Cooperative play shines here, as friends can tag in and out or go head-to-head in local versus mode. Enemies spawn in predictable patterns, but mastering the stagger and side-step combos is a rewarding challenge for fans of retro beat ’em ups.

F-16 Combat Pilot steps things up with a lightweight flight simulation experience. The controls are simplified compared to modern sims, yet the game still captures the thrill of a dogfight. Dog tags and mission briefings provide context, while the analog throttle and yaw controls feel surprisingly tactile on a classic controller. Whether you’re performing barrel rolls or lining up that perfect shot, the sense of speed and danger is palpable.

Rounding out the package are the arcade racer Turbo Out Run, the brain-melting Welltris (an intriguing 3D twist on the Tetris formula), and World Class Soccer (aka Italy 1990). Each offers pick-up-and-play appeal: race on sun-drenched highways, manipulate blocks before they vanish into the screen’s void, or bend infield passes past an opposing wall of defenders. The variety means that boredom rarely sets in—there’s always another genre waiting just a menu click away.

Graphics

Visually, Action Masters is a love letter to late ’80s and early ’90s pixel art. Double Dragon II’s gritty urban backdrops and character sprites remain sharply defined, complete with flickering streetlamps and graffiti-laden walls. Animations are fluid for their era, though occasional slowdown can occur when too many foes crowd the screen.

In F-16 Combat Pilot, you’ll peer through a rudimentary HUD that includes radar sweeps and basic cockpit gauges. The draw distance is limited, but the sense of speed as enemy jets zip by is convincing. Turbo Out Run looks downright vibrant by comparison, with palm trees swaying beside neon-lined highways and vibrant sunsets that really pop on a CRT or a well-tuned LCD.

Welltris and World Class Soccer take simpler graphical approaches—geometric blocks and basic field sprites, respectively—but both serve their gameplay well. The top-down pitch in Italy 1990 is readable, with small animations for goals and celebrations adding just enough flair. Across all five games, textures are appropriately blocky, colors stay bold, and each title’s aesthetic stays true to its arcade or home-console roots.

Story

Since Action Masters is a straightforward compilation, there’s no overarching narrative tying the five games together. You’ll encounter discrete plot intros for each title, but there’s no central menu theme or framing device beyond a basic game launcher. For purists, this clean separation preserves the authenticity of each original cartridge.

Double Dragon II sets up a classic revenge tale—Billy and Jimmy Lee must rescue Marian from the clutches of the Black Warriors gang. It’s a simple hook, delivered via text screens, but it gives you just enough motivation to wade through alleyways and warehouses. F-16 Combat Pilot’s “story” revolves around Cold War missions, with briefings that outline enemy threats and target coordinates.

Turbo Out Run, Welltris, and World Class Soccer hardly pretend to have a story at all; they’re arcade experiences in their purest form. Turbo Out Run is all about beating the clock from L.A. to New York, Welltris challenges spatial reasoning without pretense, and World Class Soccer simulates tournament play without any narrative beyond match progression. If you’re seeking deep lore or character arcs, you’ll need to look elsewhere—Action Masters is about gameplay over plot.

Overall Experience

As a value proposition, Action Masters nails its target: five distinct genres bundled into one inexpensive package. Whether you crave the brawler bravado of Double Dragon II or the zen-like focus of Welltris, there’s always something new to explore. The rapid genre-hopping keeps sessions fresh, and the nostalgic charm of each title shines through despite their age.

On the downside, there are no modern conveniences like save states, rewind features, or updated controls. If you struggle with lo-res graphics or pixel-perfect hitboxes, some sections—especially the final bosses in Double Dragon II—can be unforgiving. Multiplayer is limited to local pairing, so online matchmaking is absent.

Nevertheless, Action Masters succeeds in preserving a snapshot of classic gaming history. It’s an ideal anthology for retro collectors, casual players dipping toes in multiple genres, or longtime fans revisiting childhood favorites. Each game may be a quick blast, but combined they offer hours of arcade-style thrills.

For anyone on the fence, think of Action Masters as a digital arcade wallet: you drop in a coin, make your choice of five cabinets, and walk away satisfied—or press reset and try another. It’s straightforward, unpretentious, and brimming with old-school personality. If you appreciate the roots of modern action, racing, puzzle, and sports titles, this compilation is well worth the ride.