Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Triple Score: 3 Games In One delivers a trio of distinct gameplay experiences that showcase the breadth of the Mega Drive era. Super Hang-On brings high-speed motorcycle racing to your living room, offering intuitive controls that let you lean into curves and manage speed with precision. Each track increases in difficulty, demanding faster reaction times and smarter overtakes. The sense of velocity is palpable thanks to the game’s responsive handling, and split-second decisions can mean the difference between setting a new best time or crashing out.

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Switching gears, Columns offers a cerebral puzzle experience that contrasts sharply with the breakneck pace of Super Hang-On. Matching three or more jewels of the same color in vertical, horizontal or diagonal lines feels instantly gratifying. The game’s difficulty ramps up as gems fall faster and less predictably, challenging both pattern recognition and quick thinking. The straightforward rules make it easy for newcomers to pick up, yet the pursuit of high scores drives repeat play and strategic depth.

World Cup Italia ’90 rounds out the package with classic footie action. Its overhead perspective and simple control scheme capture the excitement of 90-minute matches without overwhelming complexity. You’ll jockey for position, pass with timing, and unleash shots on goal that demand accuracy. The national teams all play similarly, so mastery comes down to player skill rather than hidden statistics, making it an ideal couch co-op pick for competitive friends and family.

Graphics

Graphically, Triple Score stays faithful to the 16-bit aesthetic that defined the Mega Drive. Super Hang-On’s tracks are rendered with bright colors and a pseudo-3D effect that simulates depth and speed. While the environments may look blocky by today’s standards, the sprite work retains a charming retro polish, and the road’s vanishing-point visuals still convey adrenaline-pumping motion.

In Columns, the playfield is clean and uncluttered, placing all focus on the falling jewels. Each gem type is distinct enough to be recognized at a glance, and the animations—complete with satisfying sparkle effects when you clear lines—add flair to every match. The minimal background art keeps distractions to a minimum, reinforcing the game’s puzzle-centric design.

World Cup Italia ’90 employs simple player models and small, readable sprites for the ball and UI elements. Stadium backdrops are static but colorful, and the roar of pixelated crowds enhances immersion. Though animations are limited—running cycles can look choppy—they’re fluid enough to capture basic soccer maneuvers like slides, volleys and headers, preserving the feel of an international tournament.

Story

As an anthology of arcade and sports titles, Triple Score doesn’t rely on a narrative thread to tie its games together. Super Hang-On sets its own loose “story,” sending you on a global racing circuit where each victory propels you to a new locale and tougher competition. The sense of progression happens track by track rather than through cutscenes or dialogue.

Columns is purely gameplay-driven, inviting you to forge your own “story” of climbing leaderboards and besting personal records. The lack of characters or plot underscores its focus on strategy and pattern recognition—each new level simply presents a faster drop speed, turning your rising skill into a personal journey of mastery.

World Cup Italia ’90 follows the familiar format of international football tournaments. You pick a national team and play through group stages, knockouts and ultimately the final. Though there’s no story beyond the bracket, the thrill of advancing underdog teams and dramatic last-minute goals provides its own narrative high points, letting you create memorable moments match after match.

Overall Experience

Triple Score: 3 Games In One is a compelling retro package for fans of diverse arcade experiences. Its strength lies in variety—racing, puzzling and sports all in one cartridge—and each title is well-executed for its genre. Whether you’re chasing lap records, clearing jewel cascades or scoring tournament-winning goals, the gameplay remains crisp and addictive.

Because this bundle was only available bundled with the Mega Drive II in Europe, it carries a certain collector’s cachet. Even without a standalone release, it stands on its own merits as a budget-friendly way to sample three pillars of Sega’s early ’90s lineup. Modern players will appreciate the pick-up-and-play simplicity, while seasoned veterans can revel in the nostalgia of retro pixel art and chiptune soundtracks.

In the end, Triple Score: 3 Games In One offers enduring replay value and a balanced game selection that caters to different moods and audiences. It’s perfect for family gatherings, short play sessions and intense head-to-head showdowns. For anyone seeking a slice of Mega Drive history wrapped in diverse, pick-up-friendly gameplay, this bundle remains a worthwhile addition to any retro collection.

Retro Replay Score

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