The Final Word game review

Arcade Classics -- Sega/Atari

What do you get when you pack Pong, Centipede, and Missile Command into a handheld console? The answer is Atari's Arcade Classics for the Game Gear.

Jester
Feeling nostalgic? Well here's three classics in an easy portable form. Centipede, Missile Command, and Pong can all be found on this cart and are all close to arcade perfect. The biggest flaw is in Missile Command. No matter which speed the cursor is set on it's just slow. Also the Sega "enhanced" versions of these games are laughable with only minor graphics changes to be found. Additionally Pong against the computer might as well be called mission: impossible.

R.I.P.
Wow, I actually scored a point against the computer in Pong. You think that that act isn't that big a deal? Then you haven't played this Game Gear version. To be blunt, the CPU's skill level is to high. As for the other games in this set, Missile Command was unplayable due to the fact that regardless of the speed setting, you couldn't move the cursor fast enough to hit enemies. Centipede on the other hand was the saving grace here. It was a decent conversion of the arcade title and responded well with a joypad. A mixed bag to be sure.

(09/96)