Psycho Fox review - Sega Master System
In Japan, the Inari Daimyojin (a fox deity) is worshipped to promote a good harvest. How smelly creatures that hand around people's dustbins can manage this isn't explained, but apparently groups of foxes hold supernatural powers and act as special priests in the ceremony.
Unfortunately, one fox, named Madfox Daimyojin used these special powers in honour of all things evil and twisted. He took over a country and populated it with foul creatures that willingly do his bidding. Enter Psycho Fox, a young fox spoiling for a fight. Madfox's antics are the perfect excuse for him to travel to the occupied country and kick some Madfox ass - as befits someone with a psychotic disposition.
Psycho Fox's mission is simple. Travel through the seven zones (each with three sub-zones) kicking out Madfox's minions and generally causing a bit of aggro for the twisted fox-like one.
What the Mean Machines staff thought
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Although Mickey Mouse is more playable, Psycho Fox offers far more of a challenge as well as a bigger landscape to explore. There are also loads of Mario-style secret warps to find, and this adds to the lastability immensely. I did find the gameplay a tad frustrating at times - the fox takes ages to slow down so you can run straight into an enemy sprite even though your reactions are good enough to spot the danger. For a Sega game, the graphics are pretty good with well-animated sprites and varied backdrops. But it's the gameplay and lastability that count, and with loads of levels and a stiff challenge on offer, you'll be at Psycho Fox for ages. It's a classic game that all Sega owners should have in their collection.
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Retrospective comments
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I'm a massive fan of the Megadrive title Magical Flying Hat Turbo Adventure (rebranded as DeCapAttack for Western release) and when I heard that it was loosely based on this Master System platformer, I made sure I picked up a copy. |
Have your say about this review
Matt - 19 Feb 2008, 01:33 GMT
This truly is one of the greats. Get it on your Wii Virtual Console or if you can get your hands on a Master System and the game do so. What are you continuing to read for? DO IT NOW!
Greg Richmond - 06 May 2008, 15:42 GMT
One of the best platformers around back then, still play it to-day, classy stuff!!
star - 01 Nov 2008, 04:04 GMT
This is one of my favorites too. It never gets boring cuz of the crazy hectic gameplay (much like Flying Turbo/Decap Attack and Kid Kool). I always wondered who really made this game (and Flying Turbo) though. Was it Vic Tokai (who made Kid Kool) or Sega?
Tris Wicks - 05 Nov 2008, 04:08 GMT
This game was originally intended to be called 'FOX' but the full title was coined during a public promotion by Sega in which a live animal bit a child's face off. Great game though.
Ryan Hayward - 14 Jan 2009, 09:58 GMT
I used to walk a few kms to the videostore when I was a boy to rent this out as it was utterly addictive. I think i must have rented it out about 20 times!
Godpikachu - 09 Feb 2009, 18:21 GMT
This game is badass, why on earth they didnt include it as a pack in game with the MS instead of alex kidd is beyond me.
Ok, ok, so its a mario clone based off of some obscure japanese manga, but unlike super mario, you have 4 in game swappable characters to play with, each with their own different abilities, oyu have some colourful and whacky bad guys, and the gameplay itself is challenging enough without being annoying like alex kidd.
Well worth checking out, if you dont have an MS, its well worth buying a convertor for.
Dan - 25 Feb 2009, 16:17 GMT
Magical Hat topped it, but this was still a great game. Weird as well.
michael larkin - 03 Sep 2010, 00:39 GMT
awesome!!!! literally my all time fave master system game ever! get get get get get!
10/10 easily. best platformer ever
Mr. S - 12 Oct 2010, 01:10 GMT
Psycho fox indeed a real classic. I ask the same, why on earth we got Alex Kidd instead of this one?.
Spud - 03 Mar 2011, 18:33 GMT
One of my favourite Master System games, and pretty sure I bought it on the strength of the original Mean Machines review. It was that or Dynamite Dux (also reviewed in that issue I think), and I definitely made the right decision, D.D. was terrible heheh.
c told u - 16 Oct 2011, 02:57 GMT
me and my brother in law used to rent this game alot from the video shop 2 miles away what great nostalture
Will - 13 Jun 2012, 14:02 GMT
This was one of my favourites. My only gripe was that as there was no start/pause button on the master system control pad, you had to get off the sofa and go up to the console to access the menu screen and change characters/use a power up.
