Sega8bit.com - Review: Taz-Mania


	Review Information

	Reviewer Name:	Tony Wilkins

	Game Difficulty:	Medium
	Difficulty Options:	False


	Game Information

	Full Title:	Taz-Mania
	Year Released:	1992
	Game Type:	Platform
	Max Players:	1

Introduction

Based on the popular Warner Bros. cartoon of the early 1990s, Taz has a taste for a giant egg having heard the legend of an enormous bird living far away. Taz decides to brave the dangers of the land-down-under-down-under in order to indulge in the world's largest omelette. The story essentially follows along the same lines as the more well-known Sega Mega Drive (Sega Genesis) version but rather than being a downgraded version of the 16-bit game it was instead developed specifically for the Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Gameplay

The game is a run-of-the-mill 2D action platformer. You control Taz as you navigate him across five different locations each of which consists of two stages and a boss stage.

Along the way, a plethora of enemies are out to stop him from his dream of a giant omelette which range from spear-armed bush rats to walking Venus flytraps and the odd rock monster. Some of the boss battles comprise of characters from the show such as Francis X. Bushlad and Bull Gator. Also, somebody has carelessly left a pile of bombs laying around that Taz thinks is food and tries to eat with explosive results. Taz has one attack; his powerful spin. This spin also helps increase the distance of his jumps but be warned it is a double-edged sword and can see you go flying off the edge of a platform especially when the enemies are right on the edge of where you need to be to jump to the next one.

Graphics

At first glance the game looks colourful but the graphics won't blow you away. However, if you compare the look of the game to the actual TV show you find that in fact it well represents the cartoon. This helps establish its authenticity as a proper licensed game and I would argue it beats the Mega Drive version in this area which I felt was disjointed from the look of the show. The animation of the characters is very smooth and the game scrolls very well.

Sound & Music

Average for the Master System. There are a few nice tunes here and there but nothing that distracts from the gameplay. I do especially like the jingle that accompanies finding a star power-up.

Controls

Taz controls reasonably well although feels a bit floaty. When jumping on some of the smaller platforms you may need to turn back slightly on landing to stop him from sliding off. Fortunately, acclimating to controlling Taz doesn't take long at all which leaves you concentrate on navigating the stages.

Replay Value


	Scores

This is not an overly challenging game so a lot of lives will be lost purely as a result of mistakes you make. This of course can be frustrating but is vented at yourself as a player rather than the game being unfair which can often kill the enjoyment of a game. This means you will be more likely to come back to it after using up the lives on that last continue. On the downside, once you complete the game there is nothing new to be discovered by playing it again so you you would be less inclined to take it off the shelf.

Conclusion

Having the Mega Drive version in my collection already, I was told by a handful of people online that this was the better game. It is indeed a rare beast in that I would agree it has its strengths over its 16-bit brother. It is an enjoyable game if a little short and well worth a place in your Master System collection.