Game: Golden Axe
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Sega
Release Date: 1989
Best known on the Mega Drive, Golden Axe is a hack n' slash game where players make their way through various stages battling baddies, riding attack beasts and collecting magic to use in devastating special attacks. While the Mega Drive versions featured a choice of three characters, there's only one on the Master System, though each type of magic can still be chosen. The game is also single player only which is a shame, since beat 'em up/hack n' slash type games are usually better with a friend.
With only 2 buttons on the Master System controller, the controls are simple with Button 1 used for attacking, Button 2 for jumping and both together for special attacks. Players are also able to pull off a dash attack by double tapping a direction on the d-pad. The movement and action in the game is noticeably slower than that of it's 16-bit counterpart, but this doesn't make it too much less playable. What can make the game difficult is the way that enemies are able to surround players with ease, attacking from both sides. As it's hard to turn around and attack quickly in this version of the game, this issue can easily lead to loss of health.
Graphically the game is somewhat basic, relying on shading and colour differences rather than actual detail to give the impression of realism to its sprites. The backgrounds especially tend to be of low quality, and the animation is slow and jerky. Musically the game features some watered down versions of the classic Golden Axe tracks which are still enjoyable, even if they're not as easy to rock out to.
Overall while the Master System version of Golden Axe is clearly a watered down and simplified single player version of the Mega Drive and Arcade experience. This isn't enough to make it unenjoyable, but players will have to deal with slower gameplay, less advanced hit detection, and not being able to play with friends. Still, for an 8-bit console it's not a bad effort.
Rating: 52/100
Grade: D
Game: Smash TV
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Probe Entertainment
Release Date: 1992
Another game that was more famous on other systems, Smash TV came to the Master System even though the Mega Drive was becoming well established. The game is presented like a game show, challenging players to make it through various rooms full of enemies, avoiding being whacked by their baseball bats and other weapons whilst shooting hordes of them to death, and collecting cash and prizes such as toasters and holidays.
The main selling point of Smash TV was its control scheme as dual stick shooter; most systems allow players to connect 2 controllers, one of which uses its d-pad for aiming and the other using its d-pad for shot direction. Only the SNES managed to have a dual stick set-up with just one controller, allowing players to co-operate without the need for a multi-tap. The Master System version however doesn't seem to allow for 2 controllers, meaning that players must cope with the single controller setup of using the d-pad to aim and the buttons to either lock or reverse shot direction, thus making the game about twice as difficult.
Graphically the Master System of Smash TV is pretty much the worst I've seen on any system with low graphical quality and a general lack of detail. There also seems to be a slight issue with hit detection as enemies can hit you from further away than would seem possible, confusing matters somewhat. The music is based on that of the original and isn't a bad effort, even if it is simplified.
Overall this wouldn't have been a particularly bad conversion of the game if it wasn't for the control issues, which hinder the playability of the game in a major way. The fact there doesn't appear to be a two player mode is also a shame as it looks like it should be possible, judging from the second player score display in the top right. Even so, they'd have to use the poor control scheme too so maybe it's best to stick to a single player game.
Rating; 46/100
Grade: D
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