ALEX KIDD IN MIRACLE WORLD
The game that really defined the Master System. Loads of levels, varied gameplay and a good challenge. By far the best Alex Kidd game released.

ALTERED BEAST
While the Megadrive version of Altered beast wasn't too great to begin with, this version really is terrible. The gameplay is very slow, the graphics pretty poor and it's far too short and dull to entertain you much. Don't bother.

ASTERIX
With graphics of excellent quality, over 40 very varied levels and a 2 player mode, you would wonder how SEGA fitted it all on the cart. While Alex Kidd and Sonic were the games most people raved about Asterix is just as good if not better! Possibly the most impressive and accomplished Master System game ever.

BACK TO THE FUTURE II
Back to the future II is one of the worst Master System games ever released. The sound and graphics are terrible and the gameplay really doesn't make any sense either. The best bit is a sliding puzzle -halfway through the game-, go figure.

BANK PANIC
Not really a game you would play these days. The gameplay is reasonable but slightly spoilt by the 2 button Master System pad. The levels don't change much either, but then again this is a 32k game we're talking about. Overall mediocre.

BONANZA BROTHERS
The 16-bit game was limited but good fun. The game can be said about this release.It sadly lost its 2 player mode but the gameplay remained intact. A couple more levels wouldn't have hurt, though.

CASINO GAMES
Containing various card games, a slot machine and a (rubbish) pinball machine, Casino Games was fairly well done. The graphics are pretty detailed and the CPU poker players are a nice touch. Can you find the hidden lizard movie?

CASTLE OF ILLUSION
A great Disney classic featuring beautiful backgrounds, ingenious bosses and plenty of secret rooms and bonus bits. The music also suits the game perfectly. Certainly one of the best Master System Disney releases.

CHUCK ROCK
While the Megadrive version wasn't that good to begin with, Master System owners really got the sh*t end of the stick here. Lousy graphics, sluggish gameplay and very uninspired level design. If you want some decent prehistoric action get..

CHUCK ROCK 2: SON OF CHUCK
..this one. Chuck Rock 2 improved its lousy prequel in every aspect. 
Better graphics, speedier gameplay and level design which is a whole lot better. Not up there with the likes of Asterix or Sonic, but a nice game overall.

DOUBLE DRAGON
Yes, it does have a multiplayer mode (unlike the NES one) but it's still very average.The special moves are a pain to perform, the gameplay sluggish and the sprites basic looking and flickery. The final boss tune in the game is pretty cool, but that's about it.

ENDURO RACER
Ten levels of motocross racing which consist of dodging cars, piles of stones, tree trunks and whatnot. It's just a shame it's too short (it only contains five levels repeated twice as opposed to the Japanese Mark III version which had ten of them) and the sound pretty poor.

FANTASY ZONE
Graphics that make your eyes hurt, screechy tunes and rock-hard gameplay. Not the ingredients for an all-time classic, but Fantasy Zone remains a playable shooter with plenty of big bosses, cool weaponry and challenging levels.

FANTASY ZONE II
More of the same? Well yes, but the bosses are even better, the graphics more detailed and the challenge even bigger. Get this game!

GOLDEN AXE
A disappoing port of the classic arcade game. Dropping the multiplayer mode and two of the three characters is just a little too much. It would have been forgivable if the gameplay was up
to scratch, but the sluggish gameplay and glitchy sprites don't help much either. Get the Megadrive/Genesis version and don't bother with this one.

GOLDEN AXE WARRIOR
One of my favorite Master System games ever. Sure, it is a Zelda rip-off but a good one  at that. Ten castles complete with meaty guardians together with plenty of sub-quests, hidden places, weaponry and items make for an overall far above average game.

JUNGLE BOOK
Hmm, not too sure here. The gameplay is kinda dull, the level design isn't too great and it ain't that good looking either. Get one of the Mickey Mouse games instead.

KENSEIDEN
Despite the slow (and I mean SLOW) movement of the character you play as, this game really is one to look out for. Loads of levels, rock-hard gameplay, ace bosses and multiple routes! One of the best hack 'n' slash games on the Master System.

LEMMINGS
Lemmings was ported to loads of different hardware platforms and most the ports were pretty damn good. Thankfully, this Master System version doesn't disappoint either. Apart from slightly rougher graphics and a lower lemming count the game remained very much in-tact. Nice one!

PACMANIA
A fair pac-man spin-off in which the little guy is able to jump over the ghosts. Nothing terribly exciting, but fairly playable.

PARLOUR GAMES
Billiards, Darts and world-bingo(!?) are bundled in this pack. It's a shame all of them are very mediocre. Billiards is fairly fun but basic, Darts is far too tricky and who wants to play bingo without real prizes, anyway? Get Casino games instead.

PIT FIGHTER
In the arcades Pit Fighter may have impressed some (like me, strangely) but as an eight bit Master System game it just doesn't cut it. Puny sprites and lame gameplay.

PUTT & PUTTER
A very playable miniature golf game which just lacks another 36 holes.The courses are varied enough and fun, but it's just that there should've been more of it all.

RAMPAGE
Rampage; the game that was ported to about a million different hardware platforms..most of which were crap. This port ain't too hot either, but it certainly is a lot better than the NES version. The problem here is (as with most Rampage games) is the gameplay, 
which just gets tedious far too quick.

RENEGADE
It's a bit of mystery to me how they messed up this release, five years after Double Dragon! The gameplay is sluggish, controls sloppy and the game somehow just doesn't feel right. Looks alright, but that's its only saving grace.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
What a lovely game we have here. Released a couple of months after the Megadrive version and programmed with the Master System hardware in mind. Amazing 8-bit graphics, Yuzo Koshiro tunes (!) and bonus rounds that are arguably better than the Megadrive ones.
One of the best Master System games released.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2
Sonic 2 is let down by the lack of Tails, some uninspired and poorly laid out zones and the stupidly hard first boss. New elements such as the hang-glider add to the gameplay but overall it just ain't as good as the first game.
 

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG CHAOS
Released more or less as 'Sonic 3 for the 8-bit systems', but Sonic Chaos doesn't even come close to the quality of that game. Another couple of gameplay elements and power-ups were added, but the yet again the game was let down by the somewhat poor zones (which are all far too short) and the extremely easy gathering of 1-ups and continues.

TEDDY BOY
One of the better SEGA CARD releases, this. Some fair shooting action accompanied with catchy tunes. Not too bad, really.

TOM & JERRY: THE MOVIE
Instead of a regular platform game, Tom & Jerry is a highly annoying 'chase em up' in which Tom chases Jerry through tedious scenarios. Could've been fun, but really isn't.

TRANSBOT
Just two levels in this sidescrolling shooter. A couple of power-ups help somewhat but it's not really worth much of your time or money.

WONDERBOY III: THE DRAGONS TRAP
What can I say? Arguably the best action RPG for the Master System and a game you would be wise to try. Huge areas to explore, plenty of bosses and excellent gameplay. A classic.