3 Ninjas Kick Back did a decent enough job of breaking the cycle of poor licensed video games. It’s not perfect, but it won’t waste your time. The Sega CD version added a few bells and whistles to the presentation, along with a few exclusive stages, possibly making this the best version to play. If you’re looking for a solid platformer, this one is worth a look.
Tag: Malibu Interactive
NBA Action ’94
Sega gave EA Sports a run for its money with a line of quality titles that covered all types of sports. One of its strongest series during the 16-bit era was NBA Action. Real teams and players and solid gameplay made up for the weak graphics, and the game is worth playing for fans of B-ball action, particularly the multi-player mode.
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
The popular kids show chugs its way onto the Genesis, and it’s definitely a title made specifically for its demographic. Adults might not find a lot to spend time with here, and honestly, their kids won’t find much to do after spending some time with it. Short and simple, Thomas just runs out of steam too quickly.
Cliffhanger
Stallone has more than a couple of games on the Genesis, and they all range widely in quality, just like his movies. Some, like Rambo III, are quite good, and others initially seem horrible but warm up to you the more you play them. Cliffhanger fits neatly into the second category. It doesn’t really t make any effort to stand out among 16-bit beat-’em-ups, good or bad.
Ex-Mutants
The Genesis is home to lots of comic book games. There are plenty of Marvel titles and even a few DC. Also, there are some titles based on independently published comics, like The Tick, Dinosaurs for Hire, and Chakan: The Forever Man. Rubbing elbows with such company is Sega’s Ex-Mutants, based on the Eternity/Amazing/Pied Piper/Malibu series. An action/platformer with little to distinguish itself, it’s still worth spending some time with, provided that said time isn’t important at all and involves little cost.