Mean Machines Sega


The Incredible Crash Dummies

Publisher: Flying Edge
Machine: Sega Game Gear (EU Version)

 
Published in Mean Machines Sega #9

The Incredible Crash Dummies

Stuntmen will do anything if the money's right, but some routines even these crackpots avoid. This is when crash dummies step in - characters who'd be regarded as brave if they had nerves, or stupid if they had brains. Slick and Spin are yours to steer into walls and guide through vertigo-inducing leaps off buildings!

This game involves damaging them as spectacularly as possible and raking in the cash. It's as easy as falling off a building!

Personal Disasters

While skiing, it's natural to meet high-velocity fir trees - it's better to avoid them though and knock down the poles instead. On the race track, the Crash Dummies' car is fitted with an airbag. Air cannisters are dotted about - collect them to fill the bag. Other items, such as spanners for repair and cash for... well, cash's sake are also lying about.

Burn Baby Burn

When your disco business faces bankruptcy here's what to do: set fire to the premises. Don't worry about getting the blame, so what if you haven't seen a paying customer since the last seventies revival - fires happen all the time. But if you're going to jump, why not crash through a few awnings and bounce off the odd balcony.

Onto your work at a bomb factory where some idiot starts lighting the fuses!

The safest course of action is to head for the exit and leave Mr. Brain Cell to his hot bursts of excitement.

Alternatively, just hang around trying to blow the fuses out. Finally, take your seat in a rocket ship, mind the missiles, and watch out for that nasty lunar landscape.

Land the craft on that miracle of future technology, the flashing target for three cheers and a pat on the back.

Gus

A lack of lasting challenge and over-simple game sections mar this polished and enjoyable game. Graphics and sound, however, are excellent throughout and go a long way towards making up for the game's deficiency. If you're a fan of multi-event games, have a look at this.

Paul

Each event of this original game uses different styles of gameplay which leads to a healthy interest value. Trouble is, it doesn't take long to get through the five stages on Easy level and after that the game merely repeats itself, adding more obstacles and stricter time limits which may disappoint solo players. Thankfully, the two-player option transforms the game into a fun alternative Olympic challenge.

Verdict

Presentation 82%
Entertaining intermission screens and a nice sense of humour.

Graphics 84%
Large and colourful sprites, which are humorously animated.

Sound 81%
All the music is fairly pleasant to the ear. The sound effects are okay.

Playability 86%
With two players, there's much fun with the destructive competition.

Lastability 80%
Great fun for two players but not enough events for one.

Overall 85%
An entertaining and humorous game which offers hours of enjoyment for solo players and is even more fun for two.