The Sega 32X is considered one of the worst video game add-ons
ever created. It was poorly designed; it cost way too much; and it had a small
library of games. As expected, the Sega 32X didn’t last long and Sega stopped
supporting it about a year-and-a-half after its release.
Nowadays, the Sega
32X is an afterthought for most retrogamers. So much so, that they’d
probably walk right past it if they saw it at a flea market or a Goodwill. After
all, what’s the point in buying a Sega 32X if it has such crappy games?
For starters, the Sega 32X hardware is dirt cheap. You can
usually purchase
a used one for around $30. There are also several 32X games that are fun
and affordable, too.
The 32X version of After Burner might just be the next best
thing to owning the actual arcade machine. The graphics are silky smooth and
the enemy fighters and missiles jet around the screen. The sound effects and
music sound solid for a 32X game and the controls are spot-on. While the
gameplay gets repetitive, you’ll still get quite the rush when you’re able to
pull off a no-death run. A must-buy for old school gamers.
BC Racers is the poor man’s Mario Kart. It’s set in
pre-historic times and features characters from the Chuck Rock video games. The
gameplay is pretty rudimentary. You can punch your opponents and use a turbo boost
to speed ahead. There’s also a split screen mode so you can play the game with
a friend.
The 32X version of Doom has been lambasted by many gamers
for its poor music and letterbox display, but it’s still Doom dammit! Whether
you’re blowing away demons with your shotgun or punching imps with your fists,
Doom provides a constant level of carnage and fun. That’s why it’s still
considered a classic today.
Metal Head is a mech game that’s more action than
simulation. You’ll use a number of different weapons, including a chain gun and
grenade cannon, to take out enemy tanks and robots. After each level, you’ll be
able upgrade your weapons before heading out again. While the game gets a
little repetitive, there are a number of different objectives besides blowing
up everything in sight. One mission will have you taking a photo while another
will have you escorting a helicopter. Metal Head features impressive looking
polygon graphics and a number of different camera angles. However, the game
suffers from some serious pop-up, which can get distracting at times. The music
sounds good and the digitized speech is crisp and clear, but the weapons can
sound surprisingly puny at times. A polished and fleshed out Metal Head 2 could
have been awesome. But Metal Head, as it stands, is still a pretty decent mech
game.
The 32X version of Mortal Kombat II is a nice upgrade from
the standard Sega Genesis game. The graphics look sharp, the animations are
smooth, and there’s plenty of gore. Unfortunately, the music sounds a bit
scratchy. But the announcer sounds just as menacing as he did in the arcade. A
must-have if you’re a fighting game fan.
It’s NBA Jam, but better. NBA Jam: Tournament Edition
features the same colorful graphics, terrific animation, and hilarious voiceovers
as its predecessor. But NBA Jam: TE ups the ante with more players, more jams,
and new features like player substitutions. If you like to play with your
buddies, then this game’s a no-brainer. It has support for up to four players and
it keeps tracks of stats, so there should be no more arguments about who’s the
best.
Like After Burner, Space Harrier for the 32X is dang near
arcade perfect. The graphics are silky smooth while the enemies and objects
move around at blistering speed. No problems, though. The harrier controls
crisply with the Genesis controller, allowing you to deftly weave around
bushes, bullets, rocks, and stone pillars. Space Harrier’s classic melodies
sound a bit muddy, but the sound effects and voices come out crystal clear. All
the levels are present, including the epic bonus stages that let you fly atop a
white dragon. White dragons rule!
Use the Force and shoot down the Rebel scum in Star Wars
Arcade. One of the more visually impressive 32X titles, Star Wars Arcade
features impressive 3D polygon graphics that move quickly and smoothly across
the screen. Star Wars Arcade isn’t groundbreaking by any
means. It’s nothing more than a rail shooter with TIE Fighters and turrets as
enemy targets. But you’ll feel like Luke
Skywalker when you hear the awesome movie-quality music and sound effects pumping
out from your TV speakers. You can play along with a friend, too, as the second
controller can be used to aim another cursor on-screen.
Tempo is a mascot-themed platformer that’s so cheesy, it’s
good. Replete with attitude, Tempo dances, glides, kicks, and shoots his way
through seven psychedelic levels, including circus-themed and stereo-themed
stages. Tempo moves a bit slow, but that’s okay because there are lots of
enemies to destroy, obstacles to avoid, and musical notes to collect. The funky
background music pops and the crazy sound effects, like clapping and yodeling,
add to the overall atmosphere of the game. The game can get frustrating at
times, though. Sometimes the camera is zoomed in too close, obstructing enemies
and obstacles while the glide and jump maneuvers are performed with the same
button, which can lead to unintended actions and untimely deaths.
EA Sports’ Toughman Contest is a decent Punch-Out clone for
the 32X. There’s an exhibition mode and a tournament mode, which is the real
meat of the game. You’ll choose from a cast of fighters, including rapper Coolio,
and fight your way through a laundry list of lunch pail warriors. Each boxer
has his own distinct attributes and special moves that will dictate your
strategy once you’re in the ring. Just like Punch-Out, you’ll control a
wire-frame boxer who can dodge, duck, and punch. The action is fast and furious
while the game’s difficulty ramps up with each new opponent. Luckily, there’s a
password feature that you can use to continue or skip ahead in the game.
Toughman’s graphics aren’t that bad. The sprites are rather large, the
backgrounds are colorful, and the animated ring girl that appears before each
round proves to be a nice distraction. The sound effects are mostly simple
smacks, thuds, and whiffs; nothing to write home about. In summary, Toughman
Contest for the 32X is a simple, yet solid sports game.
If you like old school arcade racers, then you’ll want to
give Virtua Racing Deluxe a spin. While it doesn’t have the same charm as Daytona
USA or Outrun, it’s still a fast and fun racer that features enough
different cars and tracks to make it worth your time.
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