Fantasy Zone
System: TG-16
Release Date: December 1989
Developer: Bits Laboratory
Publisher: NEC Avenue
Genre: Shoot ‘Em Up
Fantasy Zone is back on consoles over three years since making its debut on the Sega Master System. You’re back in the cockpit of Opa-Opa and you need to save the Fantasy Zone from the alien attackers. In order to do so, you’re going to have to kill all the baddies and their bases while collecting as much money as you possibly can to build up your arsenal.
Not much has changed since 1986. The levels are the same. The controls are the same, Button II shoots guns, Button I drops bombs. The bosses are the same. The music is the same. The graphics are basically the same. Slightly nicer? Sure. The enemy bases now have a jewel on them that change color as they take damage, so that’s nice. I felt, but didn’t verify, that coins disappeared more quickly than I felt they should have.
The annoying shop mechanic is back, where you have to rack up enough money for the balloon to appear. Weapon powerups must be equipped as you leave and are only useful for a limited amount of time. The Lasers, Wide Shot, and 7 Way Shot all return. Bombs are one off weapons, except for the Twin Bomb, which allows two on screen at once. Speed boosting items are back and you still really only want the Big Wings.
Graphics: 2.0
The graphics are fine, but have barely advanced beyond the original release.
Sound: 1.5
The music and sound effects haven’t lived up to my memory.
Gameplay: 2.0
It plays like it should, but there are many more enemies and bullets on screen, hampering maneuvering.
Difficulty: 1.5
The extra enemies and bullets make navigating levels much more unfriendly.
Fun Factor: 1.0
There was a lot of frustration in this port of Fantasy Zone, I don’t think the TG-16 got a good port.
Overall Grade: 1.6
Fantasy Zone earns a C-. If I was looking for a port of Fantasy Zone to play, this would not be the one I choose.