Wardner review - Sega Megadrive

Although it features graphics that are a little fuzzy in places, this conversion of the mega-addictive Wardner coin-op is superb. It's got some of the best tunes yet heard on the Megadrive, more levels and new challenges that weren't even in the original coin-op, and very challenging and addictive gameplay...as long as you don't use its pile of continues. As with a lot of Megadrive games, there are far too many continues, and they allow you to finish the game very quickly. If you want to get full value for money out of the game, play one credit at a time, and you'll find it takes plenty of platform skills and good reflexes to get all the way through the game and get a decent highscore. And as long as you remember that, I thoroughly recommend it.

While Wardner mightn't be as graphically impressive as games like Mickey Mouse and Sonic the Hedgehog, it's certainly got the staying power to keep you challenged long after you're finished the others. There's plenty of platform action on offer, and the funky sound keeps you tapping your toes as you battle all manner of beasties. Although Wardner isn't a big-name coin-op, it's well worth looking up - platform fans will love it.

My first impressions of this game weren't good - the graphics are barely Master System quality. However after a few minutes play the game showed its true colours. This is an excellent action platformer, and a real hidden gem on the Megadrive. The challenge is pretty stiff as well - this will take a while to complete, which is more than can be said of most games on the Sega's 16-bit console. This comes highly recommended, and hats off to the MM team for giving the game a decent review - many other magazines were harsh on the game because of the way it looked.