Year Released: 1993

System: Sega Megadrive

Developers: Konami

Bad timing: game releases have them, and it usually costs them big. Releasing a supposedly breakthrough RTS at the same timea bald space marine-mimicking shooter comes out is usually a bad idea. Conversely, releasing an action-filled game that has a main character an anthropomorphic opossum at a time filled with third-rate mascot platformers is also inviting death in sales.

Such is the case of Rocket Knight Adventures, a Sega Megadrive action platformer game that initially seems like a typical mascot platformer. You know, the ones with the fake smirks and “attitude” that marketing and sales people want to push out to the gaming crowd back in the day. Upon further inspection, that was not the case: Rocket Knight Adventures is genuine in its delivery. Alas it was underappreciated because it was shelved as “just another mascot game ala Bubsy”. I don’t blame consumers at the time; games aren’t cheap to begin with. But for those who risked their wallet and their pride were rewarded with some dang fine action that’s like a Contra game.

Perhaps it is due to the fact that Nobuya Nakazato, the man behind said action game I mentioned, is in charge of this game. To say that Rocket Knight Adventures is action-packed is a huge understatement. The game itself is a hectic action platforming game where you have your fire-shooting sword, your rocket pack for charging up high (used via holding down the attack button and releasing), and your reflexes. You’ve got your “walk left to right” stages where you’re waylaid with all manner of pigs in battle gear and steampunk-style robots and death machines. You’ll also fly 2D side-scrolling shooter style in some segments (with nods to Gradius tucked in). You’ll encounter great boss battles ranging from a multi-stage fight with a train with arms to even a Rock Em’ Sock Em’ fight with the game’s sideline villain Axel, another opossum with a rocketpack brandishing purple armor.

It’s also great that all the levels in the game complement the basic controls and actions of Sparkster. He’s only got three moves, and somehow the designers tailor-made the levels and the epic fights so that the player uses his entire arsenal to the fullest. Diamonds, which just adds up to your total score if collected, are laid out as breadcrumbs throughout the game on how the trajectory of your rocket boost would be like. No point giving the player a lot of moves where in the end, only half of them would be of actual use. Speaking of levels, the progression from the woodlands and medieval kingdom, to the industrial factory of the pig army, up to the “hogwashed” version of what seems to be the Death Star is a cool touch that shows the leaps and bounds Sparkster takes to complete his knightly mission. Did I also mention that the music is awesome? From the not-to-saccharine-yet-heroic anthem of the first stage, to the mystique melody of the third stage, the score makes the adventure all the more awesome.

That summary of pure action/graphics/musical bliss, coupled with the fact that our hero Sparkster himself isn’t some pretentious attitude-driven marketing whore, but is in fact an earnest and good-natured knight, is more than enough to make me list out this game as one of my personal favourite games of all time. If by some chance I was held at gunpoint and must list out one of the best games of all time, you can bet that Rocket Knight Adventures will be there.

Sparkster for the SNES: Looks better, but still not the same.

I also took it upon myself to replay the sequel to the game: Sparkster for both the SNES and Sega Megadrive. While the SNES version is a graphically souped-up and faster version of the game (not to mention containing really cheap bosses and level design), Megadrive’s Sparkster is a completely different beast. It’s slower-paced, but the rocketing bits are manageable because (a) it comes with two meters overlapping each other, thus you have two versions of your charge, (b) you can charge in mid-air as many times as you like as long as your meter fills up, and (c) your rocket meter fills up automatically, requiring just a separate input to use. Brilliant innovation, yes, but the change of pace makes Megadrive Sparkster feels odd when compared to the first game. Still, it’s not bad by any means (levels are awesome, Sparkster controls just fine). It’s just something fans of the first game will have to get used to.

And seriously, what the hell is up with the hair sticking out of Sparkster’s visors on his helmet? You’re not impressing anyone like this, Konami.

Bottom line: if you haven’t played Rocket Knight Adventures, you are missing out big time. It’s a action-heavy mascot platformer that’s actually fun to play, without all the bulls*** of attitude and snarky smirks and marketing garbage tacked on. Speaking of which, there’s going to be a new Rocketknight game coming out next year. I must say that it’s all well and noble, but can’t you do something about the graphics? Sparkster looks like a first draft cereal mascot for some third rate product.

What The Critics Said:

“This one gives you the classic gameplay that established Konami in the early days, as well as the 16-bit state-of-the-art technology of today. And hey – you’re a possum!” – Game Players

“Yes, it’s Sparkster, and he is one awesome possum! Konami offers the Genesis another great game with this flyin’ critter! Plenty of levels, technique and great graphics to keep even the most hardened game veteran entertained!” – EGM

“In typical Konami-style, there are several difficulty levels, and on Easy you can slice through half the game in one go. But, if you can restrain your cheating tendencies, Rocket Knight Adventures provides a good blast and a neat twist on the aged platform theme.” – Edge