Psycho Fox
System: SMS
Release Date: June 1989
Developer: Vic Tokai
Publisher: Sega
Genre: Platformer
Vic Tokai swoops in with this animal platformer, Psycho Fox. I should probably go to bed before writing this, having just finished the game, but I’m going to power through. You are Psycho Fox and it’s up to you to put a stop to the evil priest Madfox, as he looks to take over the world. You’re going to have to go through 7 stages of three rounds apiece of running, jumping, and punching action.
Fox jumps with Button 2 and punches with Button 1. The first thing you’ll notice about this game, and it will likely make you hate it immediately, Psycho Fox moves on momentum. When you first press in a direction, he moves very slowly, picking up speed as you hold the direction down. There are lots of one block wide portions, meaning good luck making your jump! Enemies must be punched away, as they will kill you in one touch.
Death by enemy can be avoided if you have picked up Bird Fly from one of the many eggs scattered around each level. He disappears if on your shoulder when hit, but can also be used as a projectile, killing any enemy he touches. If Bird Fly is on your shoulder, pressing Button 1 throws him instead of punching. This can lead to deaths when you would have liked to punch, but threw your bird instead. Each stage has multiple paths, typically allowing you to take a low, medium, or high route.
Cracking eggs and killing enemies will sometimes drop items. You can get the Psycho Stick, which allows you to transform into one of four different animals. You begin as the Fox, who is average in all attributes. You can switch to the Hippo, who can punch through certain walls. If you need to jump really high, the Monkey is your guy. The Tiger is who you need to switch to if you need to move fast or jump a long distance.
At the end of the third round of each stage, you fight a boss. Three of the bosses recycle in Stages 1 through 6. The Mad Tumbler needs to have his middle sections shot out by the air gun. The Robo Fly needs to be hit with a pesticide spray, despite it being a robot… In order to defeat Doramaru you must jump on his head. The final boss is Madfox himself. You have to launch bombs at him while avoiding his lightning attacks.
In order to build up your lives (which you’ll need), it’s good to collect money bags through the level. Between rounds, you play the Amida mini-game where you choose one of five paths to bet on. Then you watch Psycho Fox walk the path until reaching the end. If you reach the shrine, you stop the multiplier and can rake the free lives in.
Graphics: 2.5
The Master System is good at having colorful graphics, this here is no exception.
Sound: 2.0
The music is very generic and sounds like everything else on the system.
Gameplay: 1.0
The slow momentum when you start moving is really bad design. I was hoping it would be better with the monkey or tiger, but nope.
Difficulty: 2.0
It’s possible to get a stupid amount of free guys if you’re lucky. You’ll need them, because you’re going to die a lot.
Fun Factor: 1.5
It’s functional, but it’s not particularly fun to play.
Overall Grade: 1.8
Psycho Fox earns a C. It’s competent, but I can’t say it’s really that good. You may give up in anger early in the game.