Blaster Master 2

A sequel to one of the best regarded action games on the eight-bit Nintendo, this time on the Sega Mega Drive. Blaster Master 2, released in 1993, keeps its predecessor's central idea: you drive an armoured vehicle that can jump and shoot, and where the machine cannot fit, you climb out and continue on foot with a hand weapon.

Alternating between two movement modes was the original game's strength, because it split the world cleanly into vehicle territory and areas for an exploring pedestrian. The sequel builds on that foundation, but development went to the British team Software Creations rather than the studio behind the NES entry, and many players have since considered the follow-up the weaker game, whether because of pacing, jump handling or less inventive level construction.

The Mega Drive offered a faster processor and a richer palette than eight-bit hardware, which shows in busier screens and more detailed backgrounds. The game remains a single-player side-view title, a classic action platformer with exploration elements.

SUNSOFT as publisher was among the studios with a recognisable audio signature on sixteen-bit consoles, and its games could often be identified by their music alone. Specific area counts, enemy names and contemporary magazine verdicts are omitted here because we cannot document them. On OldGame.cz you can play Blaster Master 2 directly in your browser, so comparing it against the NES original takes only a few minutes.