Games of 1993 - ranked by preference

Release Date: July 11, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting

Street Fighter II was a huge hit and proof that fighting games could be incredibly fun when done well. After the success of the original release, Capcom put out a port of the second Street Fighter II arcade machine - Street Fighter II Turbo, which allowed players to play as any of the four final bosses, play as the same character against others (like Ken vs. Ken), and the fighting was sped up to a near perfect speed, making the nearly flawless Street Fighter II that much closer to perfection in the process.

Release Date: September 9, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Treasure
Genre: Shooter - Third-Person

Gunstar Heroes was the rookie effort from the wonderful developers at Treasure...And in their first attempt, they may have created the single best game available on the Genesis. Gunstar Heroes is a great shooter that can potentially be different each time you play through due to the way that you're able to combine weapon power-ups to find a style of firepower that is to your liking. The game also contains one of my favorite boss fights of all-time in Seven Force. Add in the ability to choose the levels you want to play, ala Mega Man, and you've got what many consider to be the best game on Sega's 16-bit console...I think I agree with 'em.

Release Date: July 14, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Compilation

Super Mario Bros. Great. Super Mario Bros. 2. Great. Super Mario Bros. 3. Great. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Great. Four great games, one great cartridge. I don't think there ever had been or ever will be a compilation that can top this one in quality. Being able to re-play all of these games with 16-bit graphics, improved sound, and a save feature...I struggle to find a single flaw with this fantastic collection. In my opinion, this is the greatest compilation to ever be published...By far.

Release Date: September 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Interplay
Developer: Silicon & Synapse
Genre: Racing

When it comes to racing games, there aren't many titles that I've put as many hours into as I have with this gem. I've beaten the game countless times, on all difficulty settings, and every time it has been an absolute joy. I went to play it a bit to nab some screenshots for this list, and found myself playing it for a few hours all over again. With the solid, enjoyable, isometric-style racing found in RC Pro-Am and a variety of weapons and power-ups to purchase and make the races a little more exciting, Rock N Roll Racing is a racing game that will likely appeal to the Mario Kart audience that doesn't want to play a realistic racing title. If you haven't played Rock N Roll Racing yet, do it...And thank me in the form of an envelope full of cash.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Compile
Genre: Puzzle

Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is easily one of my favorite puzzle games of all-time. While it seems as simple as matching up several of the same-colored "beans" to make them disappear, there's actually strategy involved as you want to try to stack the "beans" up in such a way that when you finally pop one, it starts a chain reaction with sets popping one after another. Doing so sends an avalanche over to your opponent and you can advance to the next round with relative ease. Known as Puyo Puyo or Puyo Pop in Japan, Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is pretty close to the pinaccle of what I believe a great puzzle game should be - strategic, competitive, and most importantly, fun.

Release Date: December 17, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Platformer

When I first played Mega Man X after getting it for Christmas as a wee lad, I wasn't sure if I liked it. This wasn't quite the Mega Man I was fond of. The more I played, however, the more I found myself absolutely hooked. This is like the original Mega Man formula on steroids....Larger levels, more abilities, secrets to find like hidden items and mini bosses...It was amazing. The only Mega Man game that I've ever played more than this one is Mega Man 2...And there's a reason I've played this so much - it's that good.

Release Date: August 5, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Platformer

I first discovered Rocket Knight Adventures about ten years after it initially released. I found a copy in a thrift store for dirt cheap and when I got home and tried it, I instantly fell in love. The opossum with a sword and a jetpack that battled evil pigs immediately became one of my favorite video game characters and the awesome gameplay just added to the enjoyment. I always felt like this game was underappreciated, but with the recent remake of Rocket Knight Adventures on modern consoles, maybe it was more appreciated than I ever knew.

Release Date: September 27, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Fighting

The Super NES got Street Fighter II and Street Fighter II Turbo, so when the third version of the Street Fighter II arcade game made its way to consoles, Capcom decided to toss it onto the Genesis. This is another very solid entry into the Street Fighter II franchise and a fantastic game to allow Genesis owners to see what they were missing and what SNES owners were enjoying. If you have a Genesis and love fighting games, then this is a game that you need in your library.

Release Date: June 25, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Action - Brawler

It's pretty disappointing that the best Golden Axe game on consoles never made it out of Japan. Golden Axe III introduces new characters, new enemy designs, improved graphics, improved controls, improved sound...It's the definitive Golden Axe game on the Genesis. If you're a fan of brawlers, I highly suggest tracking a copy of Golden Axe III down and playing it. You may need to purchase a converter to go with it (unless you already have a Japanese Mega Drive) but it's totally worth it.

Release Date: March 23, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratories
Genre: Platformer

Kirby's Adventure was such a good game that I'm fairly confident that I lost a friend due to the gluttonous, pink cream puff. I was a dumb kid in awe at this game, so when my friend stopped over, I refused to peel myself away from the adventure that Kirby had found himself in, and thus, didn't really hang out with him at all that day. I never really hung out with him again, actually...And I blame Hal Laboratories for creating such an addicting and fun platformer. Yes, I blame video games.

Release Date: April 3, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Squaresoft
Developer: Capcom
Genre: RPG

Breath of Fire is an underrated RPG, in my opinion. I remember playing it for the first time in college and not expecting much, but once the story started to get going, I absolutely fell in love with it. The hunting and fishing mini games alone are aspects of the game that I have fond memories of. If you're in the mood for a SNES RPG that doesn't have "Final Fantasy" or "Dragon Quest" in the title, Breath of Fire is a great one to play.

Release Date: November 11, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Virgin Interactive
Genre: Platformer

Supposedly, developer David Perry put this game together in just 99 days...When a game is not just this entertaining but equally good in graphics and audio, being completed in 99 days is absolutely insane. Anyway, the Genesis version of Aladdin is different from the SNES version and probably better in just about every way. In my opinion, it's one of the last great Disney platformers and well worth checking out if you've got access to play it.

Release Date: November 27, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Hal Laboratories
Genre: Pinball

Kirby's Pinball Land is one of my favorite pinball games that I've ever played. You can traverse through three different tables, with boss fights and hidden rooms awaiting you. Each table is designed well enough where it takes a while before you get bored...And when you do get bored, you just have to manipulate Kirby enough in a certain area to trigger a star that will transport you to the table selection screen, where you can enter a new table. I wish more pinball games were as fun as this fantastic addition to the Kirby franchise.

Release Date: December 28, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Human Entertainment
Developer: Human Club
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

Super Fire Pro Wrestling III continued on with the in-game improvements and inched ever-so-closer to the kind of wrestling game that diehard wrestling fans would go out of their way to import in order to experience the deep wrestling engine. Final Bout also allows players to create their own grapplers to go toe-to-toe with the in-game legends like Antonio Inoki, Hulk Hogan, Stan Hansen, Mitsuharu Misawa, etc. Later games in the series overshadow this game, but Final Bout was amazing for its time.

Release Date: October 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Canada
Genre: Sports - Hockey

I probably played this game more than any sports game ever released. My friends owned it and I remember we'd make trades to borrow each other's games for extended periods of time, and this was usually my selection. Later games in the series refined a lot and added speed, but NHL '94 was still great for its time and still a blast to play today - there's a reason that NHL '14 has a mode called NHL '94 Mode, you know.

Release Date: January 1993 (EU)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Racing

The original Road Rash on Genesis was passable. It was kind of twitchy and while fun, it just didn't feel right. Road Rash II fixes all of that. With smooth controls and a difficulty that slowly ramps up after each race, the learning curve here is just right. While later games in the series are what the Road Rash series are most remembered for, this 16-bit sequel can be ranked right up there as one of the best in the franchise.

Release Date: April 28, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Hudson
Developer: Produce
Genre: Puzzle - Action

Super Bomberman is a pretty simple single-player experience that is okay, but not really anything great. Where Super Bomberman excels is the multiplayer, which is one of the best experiences that you can find on the Super NES. If you've got a group of friends to play this game with, you're pretty much guaranteed good times. Some later games in the Bomberman franchise perfected the multiplayer aspects, but Super Bomberman really laid the groundwork down and is still a blast (pun intended) to play today.

Release Date: September 10, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports - Football

I was a fan of the Mutant League animated series that aired here in the 'States when I was a kid. When I found out that the series was based off of the Mutant League game franchise, I had to go out and get one of the games. Mutant League Football was the first one that I played and it was pretty much everything I wanted. Taking control of Bones Jackson (or any other player) to kill the referee that made a bad call is a blast...As is winning a game because to many people on the opposite team are pushing up daisies. Football purists probably want to stay away from this title, but if you want an absurd football game loaded with violence and comical comments from coaches and players, Mutant League Football may wind up being one of your favorite sports games that you've ever played.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Codemasters
Genre: Racing

The NES version of Micro Machines was released in 1991, and two years later, it got upgraded to 16-bits on the Genesis. It's just as fun here on the Genesis as it was on the NES, but honestly, even with the new coat of paint, it's still the same game that everyone had enjoyed two years prior. If this is your only chance to play Micro Machines, jump at the opportunity - it's a blast. However, if you've played the game before on the NES, aside from the fancier graphics, there's not much reason to play this version as well.

Release Date: December 24, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Bullet Proof Software
Developer: Bullet Proof Software
Genre: Puzzle

I'm not 100% sure why this game was never translated and shipped overseas to North America...But I have a suspicion that it has to do with difficulty. Tetris Butou Gaiden is like a combination of the Tetris we all know and love, and the battle-style of puzzle gameplay that the Puyo Pop franchise is known for. The end result is a game of Tetris where you and your opponent can use skills to load up your rival's screen. The difficulty lies in the fact that you could be doing great and then your opponent will sometimes instant-kill you with one of their skills. It can be frustrating against the computer, but against a friend, it's a hekuvalotta fun.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Namco
Developer: Namco
Genre: Racing

Back when Ridge Racer came out in arcades it was pretty amazing. Not only was it a beautiful 3D game for its time, but it was just plain fun to play. The fact that it technically only had once track made no difference - it was still fun. A personal fond memory of mine was was I was driving along and purposely slowed down after passing someone because I swore that the car I had just passed was a Dig Dug car. Sure enough, each car had the logo of Namco franchises, like Mappy in the screenshot above. Trying to figure out what game was on each car as you sped past them was a fun little game in itself.

Release Date: September 3, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Megasoft
Genre: Fighting - Sumo

I first discovered Aa Harimanada maybe ten years ago and was pleasantly surprised by the game I found. Since then, I've found out that this game is actually somewhat popular and is known for being notoriously hard - it's not that difficult. There is definitely challenge here, but once you begin to master the combat system, it's not nearly as difficult as it initially appears. I don't recall playing too many other sumo games to compare this to, but for what it is, it's an enjoyable fighting game that's well worth checking out if you're looking for some one-on-one combat that's different from the norm.

Release Date: June 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Tradewest
Developer: Rare
Genre: Action - Brawler

Battletoads in Battlemaniacs may have fancier graphics with beautiful-looking, large characters on the screen to both beat up and do beating up with...But it's still a small step down from the original Battletoads on the NES. It's still got a charming difficulty to it that will crush your spirits, yet still call you back for more. It also still has some memorable characters, good comedy spots, and a decent variety in the levels, which makes it a worthwhile brawler to play...But if you can only play one game in the series, the 8-bit original is definitely the better option.

Release Date: May 21, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Fighting

How this game was never released in North America is something that I'll never understand. Nintendo created this unique fighting game in the later days of the Famicom, which has you pick a robot that has no limbs (kinda like Rayman) so that you can battle another robot that has no limbs. It sounds weird, and this game is a little weird, but it's very fun and pretty innovative to the genre with its story and "capturing" of robots after beating them in battle. It's a quality game on all levels and one well worth checking out should you ever stumble across a copy.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Toejam and Earl Productions
Genre: Platformer

Unlike the first Toejam & Earl game, Panic on Funkotron is a platformer rather than an adventure game. In the process, a little of the magic from the originality of the first game was lost...not a lot, but a little. Due to the difference in genres, I could easily see if some folks prefer this game over the original...but personally, the simplicity and originality of the first game give that one a slight advantage over this decent platformer.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Gremlin Interactive
Genre: Racing

Lotus II is basically more of the same from Lotus Turbo Challenge. The controls have been tweaked a tad, and the overall game feels a little more polished...But for the most part, this is pretty much just the same game as before. If you enjoyed Lotus Turbo Challenge, you'll probably like this. If you didn't, you probably won't. If you never played the original, this is a decent racing game worth checking out, and with its minor tweaks, it's slightly better than the original.

Release Date: 1993 (NA/EU)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Western Technologies, Inc.
Genre: Action

I was so happy when I first played X-Men and saw that Nightcrawler (quite possibly my favorite X-Man growing up) was a playable character. Sure, Cyclops had laser beams, Wolverine had big claws, and Gambit had exploding cards...But Nightcrawler could turn himself into a fart cloud to damage enemies. How cool is that? But anyway, X-Men is a decent action game that I put plenty of time into when I was a young'un and one I like to go back to every now and then when I want to re-live parts of my youth. For its time, it was easily one of the better comic book-inspired video games to be published.

Release Date: August 13, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Action

9 years after Marble Madness first hit arcades, and after it had been released various times on various home consoles, Marble Madness finally found its way to the Genesis...And while it was still just as fun as ever...it was still the same game that had been released over and over for the previous nine years. If a 16-bit version of the game sounds nice to you, then you might enjoy Marble Madness on the Genesis. If graphics don't matter to you, you can get the same gameplay on pretty much every other version of the game.

Release Date: July 30, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports - Basketball

Electronic Arts' third NBA game feels like it takes a minor step back from Bulls vs. Lakers. Yeah, it's still fun, but there isn't much new here. With no innovation, I feel like I have to dock the score a hair. That said, however, if you liked Bulls vs. Lakers and want an updated roster from the 1992 season, Bulls vs. Blazers and the NBA Playoffs is worth playing. If you don't care about the updated roster, I'd recommend sticking with Bulls vs. Lakers.

Release Date: March 26, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sims
Genre: Racing

OutRun 2019 is basically a futuristic OutRun. One of the few differences is that 2019 shifts gears automatically, with the last gear being a turbo boost with flames shooting from the back of your vehicle. Collisions are also a little more forgiving - while your car can still spin out or tumble off of a bridge, sometimes hitting objects simply slows you down instead of bringing you to a complete stop. If you enjoyed the original OutRun, you'll likely find something to like here.

Release Date: December 10, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Tengen
Developer: Tengen
Genre: Pinball

This sequel to Dragon's Fury (Devil's Crush on the Turbografx-16) is proof that bigger isn't always better. While the pinball table is larger in scale, the design of the table just isn't quite the same quality as the original. Likewise, just because some of the bonus tables have scantily-clad ladies, it doesn't make the gameplay any more interesting. Thankfully, while it doesn't quite live up to the quality of Dragon's Fury, Dragon's Revenge is still a good pinball game worth playing if you're a fan of the genre...but Dragon's Fury should be your first choice.

Release Date: July 25, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Genre: Shooter - 1st Person - Light Gun

Lethal Enforcers is a decent light gun game...but not nearly as fun when using a controller. The Genesis version of the game offers both options, and isn't that bad of a port of the arcade game considering the difference in the power of an arcade cabinet and the Genesis. Anyway, if you're itching for a light gun game for your Genesis, Lethal Enforcers is a decent choice...And remember to not shoot those innocents.

Release Date: June 1993 (NA)
Publisher: LJN Ltd.
Developer: Acclaim
Genre: Fighting - Wrestling

WWF Royal Rumble is difficult to rate based on how I rate games...On one hand, this was one of the better wrestling games released in North America on the SNES. On the other hand, when you bring Japanese wrestling games on the SNES into the fold, this game is absolutely horrible and lacking in just about every area. That said, I lost a lot of hours of my childhood playing this game. The Royal Rumble match was always my favorite match of the year, so being able to participate in a Rumble match, at home whenever I felt like it, was awesome. The gameplay is mostly just button mashing, but it works good enough to be passable. Like I said, this has nothing on most wrestling games you can import from Japan for the SNES, but for what it is, it's passable.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Virgin Interactive
Developer: Trilobyte
Genre: Adventure - Point-and-Click

I like corny stuff and the 7th Guest is wonderfully corny. A point-and-click adventure that's supposed to be horror, the 7th Guest never really scares the player as much as it shows off some bad acting, which is something that I, personally, enjoy. As far as point-and-click adventure games go, this is about average. It's good, but not great. The corny aspects are really the make or break for you if you're considering playing it - if you like corny scenes like seeing a face form out of soup and attack a lady, then this is for you. If that doesn't sound like something you'd like, then you may want to try a different point-and-click adventure game.

Release Date: October 1993 (NA)
Publisher: JVC
Developer: Sculptured Software
Genre: Action

Super Star Wars was good fun. The Empire Strikes Back continues on where Super Star Wars left off, and continues to be fun as you progress through the game. While it's fun, I think the difficulty may detract some...And while I enjoy this game, I prefer the first Super Star Wars game to this one. Keep in mind, folks, I'm not a big fan of the Star Wars universe, either...So if you are, you'll likely find this game to be much more enjoyable than I already find it to be.

Release Date: May 22, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Genre: Action - Brawler

I liked Final Fight a lot. Final Fight 2...I don't like that one so much. It's a so-so brawler that doesn't really add much to the original to stand out, and somehow seems more boring and bland in the process. Capcom turned the series around a bit with the really good third entry into the Final Fight series, but this second entry isn't really worth your time unless you're obsessed with the brawler genre of games.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: High Score Productions
Genre: Sports - Football

Bill Walsh College Football isn't a bad game by any means, but it lacks the polish of a Madden title from that time. That's not to say that it's not good, but it does make it clear that Madden's NFL game is the big leagues and Walsh's College game is the little leagues. If you're a football nut, you'll probably still love it. For folks, like me, who aren't really into the sport, it's a solid game, but there's no real reason to play it if you've already got a 16-bit Madden game.

Release Date: August 9, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Electronic Arts
Genre: Adventure

The Immortal is a passable adventure game that was released on various platforms, but the Genesis version is the best - if for no other reason than the death scenes at the end of battles. Basically, with an isometric view, you wander around in an attempt to find your master, trying to avoid traps and defeat enemies along the way. The death scenes, though sometimes cheesy, are honestly enough of a reason for me to recommend this game to others...While I'm not wild about the game as a whole, those scenes are entertaining and it's not always the same old scene, so it's fun to see what scene you'll view next.

Release Date: March 12, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Tradewest
Developer: Monolith
Genre: Sports - Baseball

2020 Super Baseball is an arcade-y, futuristic baseball game that looks mildly similar to Baseball Stars, but isn't nearly as solid or polished. Fans of baseball games will find enough here to latch onto and enjoy, but if you're not a fan of the genre, you probably won't find anything here to hook you in...Unless you want to see a robot pitch a ball or go to bat...They've got that here.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Core Design Ltd.
Developer: Core Design Ltd.
Genre: Platformer

Bubba 'N' Stix doesn't look like much of a game at first glance, but the more you play, the more you see how clever some of the game design is. Using your stick friend as a weapon, platform, etc. is a neat little gimmick for the game, and it helps separate the game from other platformers. I've met folks who insist that this is an overlooked gem. I don't think it's as great as they do, but I do think it's a solid platformer that fans of the genre should check out.

Release Date: 1993 (EU)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: ITL
Genre: Platformer

For a long time, I was not a fan of Rainbow Islands. It wasn't until recently that I've actually begun to appreciate the game for what it is. What is it? Well, it's a platformer where you've got the ability to spew out rainbows that you can use as platforms to make it to the top of the level. If it sounds lame, it really isn't if you give it a fair chance. It's nothing worth writing home about, mind you, but if you're looking for a solid, unique platformer, look no further than Rainbow Islands.

Release Date: November 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Interplay
Developer: Visual Concepts
Genre: Fighting

Since I've always been a fan of comedy and the absurd, when I was a kid, I thought Clay Fighter was one of the best fighting games available. As I've grown older and obtained a better understanding of what makes a good game, I'll say that Clay Fighter is a passable fighting game, but by no means "one of the best." However, its personality won the hearts of several gamers, like myself, and spawned a couple of sequels...Unfortunately, neither of them seem to improve on the original formula found here.

Release Date: October 29, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Takara
Developer: Monolith
Genre: Fighting

Art of Fighting is one of the early SNK fighters, and like many of those early fighters, it's not quite refined yet. The fighting is passable, but it's not as smooth or fluid as later SNK fighting games would be, or as Street Fighter II already was. It's worth playing to check out the history of SNK fighting game franchises, but otherwise there are better fighters to play than this one in the 16-bit era.

Release Date: 1993 (EU)
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Sega
Genre: Action - Brawler

Streets of Rage is pretty much an exact port of the Genesis game with the same name, but in 8 bits instead of 16. It does lose a little in the translation in terms of gameplay, but not a whole lot. It's still a passable brawler and a so-so addition to your Master System library, but if you have the opportunity to play the Genesis version instead, do it.

Release Date: April 23, 1993 (JP)
Publisher: Takara
Developer: Gaibrain
Genre: Fighting

Fatal Fury isn't a bad game, but if you play it after playing a gem like Street Fighter II, the controls don't feel as smooth and the game as a whole seems rather disappointing. But, without comparing it to another game, Fatal Fury is still a passable experience, but I'd recommend other games in the Fatal Fury/King of Fighters series over this one unless you're curious and would like to see the origins of the long-running franchise.

Release Date: 1993 (EU)
Publisher: Mindscape
Developer: Twilight Games
Genre: Platformer

Quite honestly, Alfred Chicken isn't a bad game so much as it's a bland game. The game is passable in pretty much every aspect...It's not bad...It's just boring. If the overall design of the game, in particular the level designs and layout, was done better, that would add so much more to the game. But, as it is, Alfred Chicken is a fairly decent experience that isn't nearly as bad as you might think it would be...But also not nearly as good as it could have been.

Release Date: September 13, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Arena
Developer: Probe Entertainment Limited
Genre: Fighting

Mortal Kombat is a classic example of a game that was good when it was released, but has aged horribly. With that said, I wasn't a fan of the original Mortal Kombat, even as a youngster. I eventually grew to appreciate the game for what it is, a so-so fighter that doesn't really do enough good to make it a really great game. But, this is the game that laid the groundwork. The sequel, which is better in just about every way, is what solidified that Mortal Kombat would be a mainstay in the fighting genre.

Release Date: March 1993 (NA)
Publisher: LJN
Developer: Probe Entertainment
Genre: Action

Alien 3 is basically a game of hide and seek, with things trying to kill you while you're seeking. You've got a time limit to find all captured crew members. If you fail to do so, the game actually shows the aliens killing each one. How's that for a guilt trip? If the controls didn't feel so clunky, I'd like this game quite a bit more...But for what it is, it's not that bad.

Release Date: September 13, 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Sage's Creation
Developer: Aisystem Tokyo
Genre: Action

Devilish is basically Breakout with enemies to kill and a time limit to do it in. The game is a fun diversion, but the time limit can add an unnecessary amount of difficulty to it, making it an extremely frustrating experience if you're attempting to survive long enough to see the end credits roll. The end boss fight alone is difficult if only for the time limit that you must beat him in, and the fact that upon beating him, you've got to bounce the ball into a hole...And if you fail to do so in the time limit, even after beating the boss, it's game over. That said, a lot of aspects of this game seem impossible at times, but everything is surmountable with some practice and a little luck...But I have my doubts that many will stick around long enough to gain both.

Release Date: 1993 (NA)
Publisher: Accolade
Developer: Accolade
Genre: Sports - Basketball

Barkley Shut Up and Jam! was seemingly Accolade's attempt at competing with NBA Jam...and despite the various locations that you play in, rather than the basketball arenas of NBA Jam, it ultimately lacks the personality to really compete. On top of that, the controls are noticably less tight. The end result is a passable street basketball, but nowhere near being a suitable substitute for NBA Jam.