Ultracore is a lost Sega Genesis game (Mega Drive) that was basically completed in 1994. Publisher Psygnosis decided to pull the plug at the finish line since next gen consoles were on the horizon. It was then released on Switch and Analogue’s Mega Sg a couple years ago but is now available digitally on Xbox.
This is a totally a Genesis game. From the action, to the difficulty, to the look and sound, this is a game that you would have rented from Blockbuster in the mid-90s and played it for that entire weekend. Caught somewhere between Contra, Turrican, and E-Swat, Ultracore is still its own thing.
Instead of being straight run-and-gun action, environments are more maze like as there is some verticality and locked doors that require key cards to progress. Along the way are killer Terminator-ish robots trying to stop you at every turn and annoying flying enemies that never quit. In fact, there are so many enemies that approach from all angles that a detailed aiming mechanic has been installed instead of just plainly shooting to the right. Holding the shoot button locks that position in place, making it possible to jump, shoot and strafe when needed. While it takes a little practice, it quickly becomes intuitive and necessary.
There are plenty of secrets too. Instead of finding wall meat trapped within concrete blocks, players can instead blast their way through parts of the environment to reveal hidden passages. Currency can also be collected and spent to add more firepower to your arsenal and the default machine gun works well in most circumstances. Having only five levels might sound limiting on paper, but each area is large, littered with enemies, and several boss battles. In fact, each stage might be a little too long as the original design didn’t include a save function; it is password only.
Like other Ratalaika re-releases, Ultracore reuses the same interface. Meaning, it lacks significant extras, like box art and instruction manual scans, and still doesn’t have an audio volume slider (the default sound level is so loud like so many games these days).
Like Clockwork Aquario, it is super cool that a completed, forgotten game from 30 years ago can resurface and be given new life especially when it is a title composed of quality. While it seems like a missed opportunity that more historical documentation wasn’t included in this special game, Genesis fans will need play this. It is also available on pretty much everything now, making it easy to experience this forgotten gem.
SCORE: 7/10
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Also Play: Cyber Citizen Shockman re-releases
Keep In Mind: Moto Roader MC is also available
By: Zachary Gasiorowski, Editor in Chief myGamer.com
Twitter: @ZackGaz
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