Gain Ground
 
   
90
Gain Ground on Master System
 
 
There seem to be many critics of Gain Ground out there so let me set this straight I like Gain Ground, it's a brilliant mixture of strategy and action elements. The game contains simple top down shooting but then throws into the mix a whole load of different useable characters you can rescue from the stages each with their own different strengths and weaknesses. Who doesn't want to collect and amass an army of warriors from different time periods?
 
 
The Terminator
 
   
89
Terminator on Master System
 
 
A no-brains all out blaster which follows the narrative of the film pretty well, and has a nice level of presentation. The SMS Terminator is a graphically downgraded port of the 16-bit version, but in my opinion turned out as the better game, the pacing and difficulty curve are just better judged than they had initially been, and overall the game flows better as a result.
 
 
Global Defence/SDI
 
   
88
Global Defence on Master System
 
 
Here's quite a unique game which plays like a mixture of scrolling shoot-em-ups and Missile Command. The levels alternate between moving "offense" levels where you fly your satellite through space shooting at enemy ships, and static "defence" levels where the aim is to frantically detonate incoming missiles before they hit a planet. The controls take some time to get used to (you control an aiming cursor, to move the satellite itself you have to hold down Button 1) but are worth persevering with.
 
 
American Pro Football
 
   
87
American Pro Football
 
 
Back in the day this was one of the most feature rich American Football games out there, and, in some ways was actually a bit of a benchmark for the time. The gameplay is fast and responsive, and you really do get the feeling that Sega were trying to cram as much stuff in there as possible.
 
 
Ghost House
 
   
86
Ghost House
 
 
Here's a nice, simple, and addictive early SMS game where you play as Mick the vampire hunter. The aim is to explore a set of mansions searching for the secret passageways and vampires to destroy (5 per mansion). Mick can punch, stab (if you have the item) and jump on the enemies to kill them. Ghost House is a simple game, due not only to its age but the fact that it was one of the budget games released on card, but its fun, and at the time really represented value for money.
 
 
 
World Class Leaderboard
 
   
85
World Class Leaderboard on Master System
 
 
World Class Leaderboard was pretty much the only word in serious golf games during the 80s. It's very well made and always had some of the more impressive graphics for the time period.
 
 
Paperboy
 
   
84
Paperboy on Master System
 
 
What we have here is a very high quality port (possibly the best of all the earlier home ports) of the innovative Atari arcade classic. The aim is simply to dodge obstacles, and deliver papers to every home (by hitting their mail box, or doorstep), if you miss a house the owner will stop their subscription the next day.
 
 
Cloud Master
 
   
83
Cloud Master
 
 
Challenging horizontal shoot-em-up with a Forgotten Worlds style shop system for varied upgrades (flame shields, bombs, etc) as well as some impressive, and humorous boss battles. The gameplay is solid in pretty much all areas and the whole thing has a distinctive art style with backgrounds that are drawn and coloured in the style of ancient Japanese scrolls.
 
 
Robocop Vs The Terminator
 
   
82
Robocop Vs Terminator
 
 
Though not really the Contra equivalent that the Master System needs, Robocop Vs Terminator is still a quality run and gun game alternative that has great graphics, some pretty impressive music (not too sure about the out of place end of level jingle though) and a level of gore that would never have been seen on Ninty's console.
 
 
Galaxy Force
 
   
81
Galaxy Force
 
 
One of the most impressive attempts at a 3D perspective for the Master System back in the day. Galaxy Force is a Space Harrier/Star Fox style rail shooter. The game controls and looks impressive for a Master System game, and was great at the time, but to be frank these days is a little dated due to choppy movement, making it probably more of a curiosity.
 
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