Sega CD Reviews

A 30-Year Battle with One of the First Great Fantasy Strategy Games Introduction In the early 1990s, when most players were still enjoying straightforward platformers and action games, Dark Wizard for the Sega CD emerged as one of the earliest large-scale strategy and fantasy epics ever released on a home console. Combining an expansive world map, deep tactical gameplay, and a rich storyline with memorable characters, it stood apart from …

Introduction to a Cult Classic “Keio Flying Squadron” emerged on the Sega CD in 1993 to the delight of gamers looking for a fresh, vibrant take on the shoot ’em up genre. At a time when the gaming market was saturated with titles, this game managed to stand out with its stunning anime-style graphics, captivating music, and a storyline that was as charming as it was quirky. Developed by Victor …

Popful Mail: A Delightful and Overlooked Gem on the Sega CD As a fan of Working Designs, known for their excellent localization of Lunar: The Silver Star Story, I was thrilled to discover Popful Mail, a charming action-platformer developed by Falcom and published by Working Designs for the Sega CD in 1994. Despite being overshadowed by other high-profile releases of its time, Popful Mail is an amazing game that deserves recognition …

A Retro Review of Chuck Rock for the Sega CD: A Prehistoric Platformer Past Its Prime Introduction Released in 1991 for the Sega Genesis and later ported to the Sega CD in 1993, Chuck Rock is a side-scrolling platformer developed by Core Design and published by Virgin Games. The game follows the adventures of a prehistoric caveman named Chuck, who must rescue his wife, Ophelia, from the clutches of a rival caveman named Gary Gritter. …

** I had to mute so many portions of this game because of copyright issues.** Hook for the Sega CD: A Retro Review The Sega CD, known for its ambition to bring the power of CD-ROM to the gaming industry, hosted a variety of titles that sought to exploit its enhanced audio and visual capabilities. Among these games was “Hook,” a title based on the 1991 film directed by Steven …

I failed to pick the harder difficulty level, and the game cut off without letting me play the final few levels. So that’s that. I do not want to play through a 2nd time, perhaps I will revisit this one later in life. Demolition Man on Sega CD: A Retro Review The Sega CD, an ambitious add-on to the Sega Genesis, sought to revolutionize the gaming industry with its CD-ROM …

Retro Review: “Wolfchild” on the Sega CD – A Howling Adventure in Gaming History As a dedicated retro gamer, I have a deep appreciation for the classics and the not-so-classic titles that defined the early days of gaming. One such title that often goes overlooked is “Wolfchild,” developed by Core Design and released for the Sega CD in the early 1990s. My journey with “Wolfchild” began much later than most; …

Retro Review: Robo Aleste – Mechanical Majesty As the Sega CD spun to life, heralding the arrival of “Robo Aleste,” it promised a journey to an era where the line between man and machine blurred amidst the backdrop of feudal Japan. This shoot ’em up title, developed by Compile, was a spectacle of technical prowess that demonstrated the Sega CD’s capabilities. It was a game that made an indelible mark, …

Sol-Feace – A Solid Sega CD Shmup with Slick Style   Sol-Feace is a horizontally scrolling shoot ’em up that hit the Sega CD back in 1992. While it doesn’t drastically innovate the shmup formula, it delivers slick 16-bit style and responsive blasting action.   Story The story is pretty bare bones – you pilot the Sol-Feace space fighter to stop an evil alien race from conquering the galaxy across …

Final Fight CD for Sega CD: A Retro Brawler That Packs a Punch In the world of classic beat ’em up games, Capcom’s “Final Fight” stands tall as an iconic title that has shaped the genre. When it made its way onto the Sega CD as “Final Fight CD” in 1993, it wasn’t just a simple port; it was a statement that the Sega CD was a force to be …