Sega Smash Pack (Game Boy Advance)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 2.5 stars OK
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 5.5 (2.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Frank Provo
• Reviewed on: 10/08/2002
• Released on: 09/23/2002
• Originally published on GameSpot: Sega Smash Pack (Game Boy Advance) Review

For fans of classic console games, or for those who missed the entire life span of the Sega Genesis console, the Sega Smash Pack for the Game Boy Advance offers a unique chance to experience three of Sega's lesser-known hits. Published by THQ and developed by CodeFire, the compilation includes Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe, and Sonic Spinball. The games stand the test of time fairly well, but there are a few shortcuts and inaccuracies with the conversions that ultimately diminish the compilation's overall value.

From the selection menu, the first game you'll have the opportunity to play is Ecco the Dolphin. You assume the role of a bottle-nosed dolphin that has to rescue his friends from an invading alien parasite. It's your typical side-scrolling adventure game, except that you swim through the water and bash enemies with Ecco's durable nose. Two of the more fun things you can do include leaping out of the water to replenish Ecco's oxygen supply and using his upgraded sonar to cook the evil jellyfish and sharks that lurk underwater. The game includes 28 levels, all of which are pretty varied. Some have puzzles to solve, others are races against the clock, and there are even a few with bosses to defeat. Graphically, Ecco the Dolphin remains impressive to this day. The blue ocean and tropical backgrounds convey the mammoth scope of the underwater world, while Ecco himself moves with a considerable amount of grace and fluidity. Unfortunately, the awesome soundtrack that accompanied the Genesis version of the game didn't survive the transition. In its place is a single tune that loops the entire length of the game.

Golden Axe is the second game on the cartridge. It's a side-scrolling beat-'em-up with a medieval flavor. There are eight stages in all, and your basic objective is to slay every enemy before you run out of continues. You have three playable characters to choose from, and they differ in terms of speed, strength, and magical ability. Strangely enough, Golden Axe isn't just the oldest game in the compilation; it's also the most flawed. A number of graphical effects are absent that were once a part of the original game. Rivers no longer possess their animated wave motion, and day-to-night transitions no longer cycle from sunny orange to dim blue. Gameplay is somewhat problematic as well. Moves don't execute as quickly as they did in the original game, and it's now impossible to tag two enemies with a single attack. You can still make it through to the end, but it's pretty frustrating to be unable to execute combos or throws without incurring massive retaliation. Besides the standard arcade mode, there's also a battle mode where you can face off against monsters in an arena and a two-player head-to-head mode where you can link up with friends using a link cable.

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