Every Game Reviewed & Not Reviewed My Mean Machines!

[happyguy1984]

Here is the complete list of every Master System game reviewed in Mean Machines Or Mean Machines Sega.
Mean Machines/Mean Machines Sega, along with Sega Power and Sega Pro, were some of the most popular Sega magazines covering the Master System back in the 90's.

Every game not reviewed is highlighted in red! shockingly 61 games were not reviewed by Mean Machines which is a huge amount! I am very surprised that they did not review some big game's of the time including the likes of The Simpsons Bart Vs. The Space Mutants, Star Wars, Asterix And The Secret Mission etc.

Every game that was rated 90%+ & got a MEGA GAME Award is highlighted in green! Only 30 games were awarded 90% or above!

Ace of Aces 29% Mean Machines Issue 12
Action Fighter 84% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Addams Family
Aerial Assault 82% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
After Burner 51% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Air Rescue
Aladdin 74% Mean Machines Sega Issue 18
Alex Kidd in Miracle World 86% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World 90% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alex Kidd: High-Tech World 76% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alien 3
Alien Storm 38% Mean Machines Issue 17
Alien Syndrome 73% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Altered Beast
American Baseball 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
American Pro Football 95% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Andre Agassi Tennis 46% Mean Machines Sega Issue 10
Arcade Smash Hits 51% Mean Machines Issue 22
Assault City 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Assault City: Light Phaser Version 70% MMS Back Of Mage Review Index Issue 1
Astérix 80% Mean Machines Issue 17
Astérix and the Great Rescue 79% Mean Machines Sega Issue 23
Astérix and the Secret Mission
Astro Warrior / Pit Pot 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II 41% Mean Machines Issue 21
Aztec Adventure 38% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Back to the Future Part II 37% Mean Machines Issue 15
Back to the Future Part III 68% Mean Machines Issue 19
Bank Panic 78% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Basketball Nightmare 56% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Batman Returns 70% Mean Machines Sega Issue 6
Battle OutRun 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Black Belt 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Blade Eagle 3-D 51% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Bomber Raid 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Bonanza Brothers 57% Mean Machines Issue 20
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Bubble Bobble 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Buggy Run 60% Mean Machines Sega Issue 16 & 17
California Games 93% Mean Machines Issue 6
California Games II
Captain Silver 47% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Casino Games 46% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 93% Mean Machines Issue 4
Champions of Europe
Championship Hockey
Chase H.Q. 86% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales
Choplifter 89% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Chuck Rock 90% Mean Machines Issue 21
Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck
Cloud Master 73% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Columns 90% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Cool Spot 82% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Cosmic Spacehead
The Cyber Shinobi 58% Mean Machines Issue 5
Cyborg Hunter 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Daffy Duck in Hollywood
Danan: The Jungle Fighter 72% Mean Machines Issue 3
Dead Angle 83% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck 82% Mean Machines Sega Issue 16
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote
Desert Strike 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Dick Tracy 77% Mean Machines Issue 5
Double Dragon 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Double Hawk
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 87% Mean Machines Sega Issue 19
Dragon Crystal
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 76% Mean Machines Sega Issue 21
Dynamite Duke 79% Mean Machines Issue 6
Dynamite Dux 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
E-SWAT 68% Mean Machines Issue 2
Ecco the Dolphin 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 21
Enduro Racer 32% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
F-16 Fighter 48% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
F1
Fantastic Dizzy
Fantasy Zone 87% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Fantasy Zone II 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Fantasy Zone: The Maze 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Fire & Forget II 82% Mean Machines Issue 2
The Flash 84% Mean Machines Sega Issue 12
The Flintstones
Forgotten Worlds 62% Mean Machines Issue 9
G-LOC: Air Battle 82% Mean Machines Issue 15
Gain Ground 62% Mean Machines Issue 4
Galaxy Force 85% Mean Machines Issue 8
Gangster Town 48% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Gauntlet 92% Mean Machines Issue 1
George Foreman's KO Boxing
Ghost House 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ghostbusters 86% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ghouls'n Ghosts 80% Mean Machines Issue 7
Global Defense 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Global Gladiators 77% Mean Machines Sega Issue 8
Golden Axe 92% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Golden Axe Warrior 40% Mean Machines Issue 7
Golfamania 83% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Golvellius: Valley Of Doom 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
GP Rider 34% Mean Machines Sega Issue 9
Great Baseball 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Basketball 68% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Football 67% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Golf 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Soccer
Great Volleyball 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Hang On
Heavyweight Champ 46% Mean Machines Issue 7
Heroes of the Lance
Home Alone
Impossible Mission 94% Mean Machines Issue 1
The Incredible Crash Dummies
The Incredible Hulk
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 85% Mean Machines Issue 1
James Bond 007: The Duel
James Pond II: Codename RoboCod
Joe Montana Football 65% Mean Machines Issue 8
The Jungle Book 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Jurassic Park
Kenseiden 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Klax 88% Mean Machines Issue 16
Krusty's Fun House 91% Mean Machines Sega Issue 7
Kung Fu Kid 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 91% Mean Machines Sega Issue 6
Laser Ghost 76% Mean Machines Issue 15
Lemmings 95% Mean Machines Sega Issue 3
Line of Fire 46% Mean Machines Issue 15
The Lion King 86% Mean Machines Sega Issue 27
Lord of the Sword 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Lucky Dime Caper Starring Donald Duck 92% Mean Machines Issue 16
Marble Madness 70% Mean Machines Issue 21
Marksman Shooting / Trap Shooting / Safari Hunt
Master Games 1
Master of Darkness 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 3
Masters of Combat 90% Mean Machines Sega Issue 15
Maze Hunter 3-D 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Mercs 81% Mean Machines Issue 16
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker 80% Mean Machines Issue 4
Micro Machines 93% Mean Machines Sega Issue 17
Miracle Warriors: Seal Of The Dark Lord 81% MMS Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Missile Defense 3-D 76% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Monopoly 69% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat II 80% Mean Machines Sega Issue 25
Ms. Pac-Man 31% Mean Machines Issue 15
My Hero 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The NewZealand Story
Ninja Gaiden 83% Mean Machines Issue 24
The Ninja 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Olympic Gold: Barcelona' 92 81% Mean Machines Issue 22
Operation Wolf 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Ottifants
OutRun 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
OutRun 3D 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
OutRun Europa 63% Mean Machines Issue 15
Pac-Mania 90% Mean Machines Issue 6
Paperboy 85% Mean Machines Issue 1
Parlour Games 47% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Penguin Land 68% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
PGA Tour Golf 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 13
Phantasy Star 75% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Pit-Fighter
Populous
Poseidon Wars 3-D 55% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Power Strike 90% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Power Strike II 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 12
Predator 2 74% Mean Machines Sega Issue 4
Prince of Persia 91% Mean Machines Issue 22
Pro Wrestling 46% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Psychic World
Psycho Fox 90% Mean Machines Issue 11
Putt & Putter
Quartet 64% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
R-Type 92% Mean Machines Issue 7
R.C. Grand Prix 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Rainbow Islands 84% Mean Machines Sega Issue 7
Rambo III 89% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Rampage 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Rampart 87% Mean Machines Issue 16
Rastan 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Renegade 51% Mean Machines Sega Issue 7
Rescue Mission 82% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Road Rash 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 17
RoboCop 3
RoboCop Versus The Terminator 89% Mean Machines Sega Issue 15
Rocky 62% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Running Battle 54% Mean Machines Issue 17
Sagaia 67% Mean Machines Issue 24
Scramble Spirits 49% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Secret Command
Sega Chess 77% Mean Machines issue 10
Sega World Tournament Golf
Sensible Soccer
Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi 71% Mean Machines Issue 16
Shadow Of The Beast 80% Mean Machines Issue 14
Shanghai 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Shinobi 87% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Shooting Gallery 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Space Mutants
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The World
Slap Shot 82% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Smurfs 89% Mean Machines Sega Issue 27
The Smurfs 2: Travel The World
Sonic Spinball
Sonic The Hedgehog 90% Mean Machines Issue 15
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 95% Mean Machines Sega Issue 2
Sonic The Hedgehog Chaos 71% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Space Gun 16% Mean Machines Sega Issue 4
Space Harrier 77% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Space Harrier 3-D 78% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Special Criminal Investigation 26% Mean Machines Sega Issue 2
Speedball 79% Mean Machines Issue 5
Speedball 2 88% Mean Machines Issue 19
SpellCaster 84% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Spider-Man 87% Mean Machines Issue 11
Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six
Spy vs Spy 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Star Wars
Streets of Rage 63% Mean Machines Sega Issue 8
Streets of Rage 2 85% Mean Machines Sega issue 17
Strider 67% Mean Machines Issue 6
Strider II
Submarine Attack
Summer Games 41% Mean Machines Issue 1
Super Kick Off 96% Mean Machines Issue 14
Super Monaco GP 92% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Super Off Road 82% Mean Machines Sega Issue 12
Super Smash T.V. 27% Mean Machines Sega Issue 1
Super Space Invaders 82% Mean Machines Issue 15
Super Tennis 69% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Superman: The Man of Steel 75% Mean Machines Sega Issue 9
T2: The Arcade Game
Taz-Mania 71% Mean Machines Sega Issue 2
Tecmo World Cup' 93
Teddy Boy 69% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Tennis Ace 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
The Terminator 82% Mean Machines Issue 21
Thunder Blade 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Time Soldiers 73% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Tom and Jerry: The Movie
TransBot 75% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Trivial Pursuit: Genus Edition
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar 89% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ultimate Soccer 42% Mean Machines Sega Issue 22
Vigilante 72% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wanted 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wimbledon 80% Mean Machines Issue 18
Wimbledon II
Winter Olympics: Lillehammer 94
Wolfchild
Wonder Boy 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap 95% Mean Machines Issue 1
Wonder Boy in Monster Land 87% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wonder Boy in Monster World 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 3
World Class Leader Board 92% Mean Machines Issue 8
World Cup Italia' 90 51% Mean Machines Issue 3
World Cup USA' 94
World Games 50% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
World Grand Prix 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
World Soccer 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge 47% Mean Machines Sega Issue 9
Xenon 2: Megablast 84% Mean Machines Issue 13
Ys: The Vanished Omens 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Zaxxon 3-D 32% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Zillion 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Zillion II: The Tri Formation
Zool


So what do you all think of Mean Machines review scores? do you agree with most of them? completely disagree on many of them?

Why do you the think the mag failed to review so many of the games released including some pretty big name titles for the time?

[Maxim]

Scans and review text:

www.smspower.org/Scans/MeanMachines-Magazine
www.smspower.org/Scans/MeanMachinesSega-Magazine

There's often two ratings, where they updated the game index some time after the initial review, or even re-reviewed a game. It looks like there are some issues missing, I guess I forgot to finish that task...

Some of those missing games came out after the magazine ended. Once you get to 1992-3, most magazines had mostly stopped 8-bit coverage and made no attempt to cover all new games.

[happyguy1984]

Mean Machines Sega was from October 1992 until March 1997 covering the early days of the Saturn so there was no reason why they could not have covered all the Master System titles. They did review Master System games in Mean Machines Sega but seemed to miss a huge amount.

[happyguy1984]

The Simpsons: Bart vs. The Space Mutants was released in 1992 and was a pretty big release back in the day. Nearly every mag reviewed it except for Mean Machines.

I guess mags at the time lost interest in the Master System with the Megadrive being out

[happyguy1984]

I guess 1992-1993 could have been the time when mags stopped caring!not sure how all these slipped through though.

Altered Beast 1988
Double Hawk 1990
Dragon Crystal 1990
The Flintstones 1991
Great Soccer 1986
Hang On 1990
Heroes Of The Lance 1991
Marksman Shooting / Trap Shooting / Safari Hunt 1986
Pit-Fighter 1991
Populous 1991
Psychic World 1991
Secret Command 1986
Submarine Attack 1990
Zillion II: The Tri Formation 1988

[dangreen]

I never read Mean Machines but it sounds like Sega Power and Sega Pro were much better magazines. If memory serves me correct, both of those magazines reviewed EVERY game that came out on the Master System.

Sounds like the Mean Machines writers got lazy lol.

[Centrale]

Just with a quick scan through their scores, I agree with most of them. But I'm kind of surprised that they gave Aztec Adventure a low score. It's a pretty cool game and I thought it was generally well-regarded. And why the disdain for Golden Axe Warrior?

[happyguy1984]

Mean Machines review blurb for Aztec Adventure said: 'Considering the plethora of other RPGs on the Sega, this is a very poor offering indeed and the only recommendation we can offer is take a look at all the others and avoid this like the plague!'38%

Sega Pro and Sega Power were a little more kind to Aztec Adventure. Sega Power gave it 60% and Sega Pro gave it 70%


Mean Machines described Golden Axe Warrior as 'an uninspiring and uninteresting role playing game' 40%

Sega Pro and Sega Power were again a little more kind. Sega Power gave it 68% and Sega Pro gave it 63%

[Centrale]

Well, that kind of explains it - they basically misunderstood what Aztec Adventure is! I'd say it's more of an action game with some strategy and exploration elements, not really an RPG.

[englishinvader]

Oct 8, 2015 17:31:51 GMT happyguy1984 said:

Mean Machines described Golden Axe Warrior as 'an uninspiring and uninteresting role playing game' 40%

I was more surprised by the 92% for Golden Axe.

[rupert]

I have all the mags but it was interesting seeing the list you put together, good work!

[lambrettadave]

Oct 8, 2015 14:09:54 GMT happyguy1984 said:

Here is the complete list of every Master System game reviewed in Mean Machines Or Mean Machines Sega.
Mean Machines/Mean Machines Sega, along with Sega Power and Sega Pro, were some of the most popular Sega magazines covering the Master System back in the 90's.

Every game not reviewed is highlighted in red! shockingly 61 games were not reviewed by Mean Machines which is a huge amount! I am very surprised that they did not review some big game's of the time including the likes of The Simpsons Bart Vs. The Space Mutants, Star Wars, Asterix And The Secret Mission etc.

Every game that was rated 90%+ & got a MEGA GAME Award is highlighted in green! Only 30 games were awarded 90% or above!

Ace of Aces 29% Mean Machines Issue 12
Action Fighter 84% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Addams Family
Aerial Assault 82% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
After Burner 51% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Air Rescue
Aladdin 74% Mean Machines Sega Issue 18
Alex Kidd in Miracle World 86% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World 90% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alex Kidd: High-Tech World 76% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Alien 3
Alien Storm 38% Mean Machines Issue 17
Alien Syndrome 73% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Altered Beast
American Baseball 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
American Pro Football 95% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Andre Agassi Tennis 46% Mean Machines Sega Issue 10
Arcade Smash Hits 51% Mean Machines Issue 22
Assault City 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Assault City: Light Phaser Version 70% MMS Back Of Mage Review Index Issue 1
Astérix 80% Mean Machines Issue 17
Astérix and the Great Rescue 79% Mean Machines Sega Issue 23
Astérix and the Secret Mission
Astro Warrior / Pit Pot 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II 41% Mean Machines Issue 21
Aztec Adventure 38% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Back to the Future Part II 37% Mean Machines Issue 15
Back to the Future Part III 68% Mean Machines Issue 19
Bank Panic 78% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Basketball Nightmare 56% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Batman Returns 70% Mean Machines Sega Issue 6
Battle OutRun 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Black Belt 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Blade Eagle 3-D 51% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Bomber Raid 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Bonanza Brothers 57% Mean Machines Issue 20
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Bubble Bobble 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Buggy Run 60% Mean Machines Sega Issue 16 & 17
California Games 93% Mean Machines Issue 6
California Games II
Captain Silver 47% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Casino Games 46% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 93% Mean Machines Issue 4
Champions of Europe
Championship Hockey
Chase H.Q. 86% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales
Choplifter 89% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Chuck Rock 90% Mean Machines Issue 21
Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck
Cloud Master 73% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Columns 90% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Cool Spot 82% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Cosmic Spacehead
The Cyber Shinobi 58% Mean Machines Issue 5
Cyborg Hunter 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Daffy Duck in Hollywood
Danan: The Jungle Fighter 72% Mean Machines Issue 3
Dead Angle 83% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck 82% Mean Machines Sega Issue 16
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote
Desert Strike 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Dick Tracy 77% Mean Machines Issue 5
Double Dragon 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Double Hawk
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 87% Mean Machines Sega Issue 19
Dragon Crystal
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 76% Mean Machines Sega Issue 21
Dynamite Duke 79% Mean Machines Issue 6
Dynamite Dux 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
E-SWAT 68% Mean Machines Issue 2
Ecco the Dolphin 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 21
Enduro Racer 32% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
F-16 Fighter 48% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
F1
Fantastic Dizzy
Fantasy Zone 87% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Fantasy Zone II 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Fantasy Zone: The Maze 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Fire & Forget II 82% Mean Machines Issue 2
The Flash 84% Mean Machines Sega Issue 12
The Flintstones
Forgotten Worlds 62% Mean Machines Issue 9
G-LOC: Air Battle 82% Mean Machines Issue 15
Gain Ground 62% Mean Machines Issue 4
Galaxy Force 85% Mean Machines Issue 8
Gangster Town 48% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Gauntlet 92% Mean Machines Issue 1
George Foreman's KO Boxing
Ghost House 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ghostbusters 86% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ghouls'n Ghosts 80% Mean Machines Issue 7
Global Defense 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Global Gladiators 77% Mean Machines Sega Issue 8
Golden Axe 92% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Golden Axe Warrior 40% Mean Machines Issue 7
Golfamania 83% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Golvellius: Valley Of Doom 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
GP Rider 34% Mean Machines Sega Issue 9
Great Baseball 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Basketball 68% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Football 67% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Golf 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Great Soccer
Great Volleyball 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Hang On
Heavyweight Champ 46% Mean Machines Issue 7
Heroes of the Lance
Home Alone
Impossible Mission 94% Mean Machines Issue 1
The Incredible Crash Dummies
The Incredible Hulk
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 85% Mean Machines Issue 1
James Bond 007: The Duel
James Pond II: Codename RoboCod
Joe Montana Football 65% Mean Machines Issue 8
The Jungle Book 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Jurassic Park
Kenseiden 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Klax 88% Mean Machines Issue 16
Krusty's Fun House 91% Mean Machines Sega Issue 7
Kung Fu Kid 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 91% Mean Machines Sega Issue 6
Laser Ghost 76% Mean Machines Issue 15
Lemmings 95% Mean Machines Sega Issue 3
Line of Fire 46% Mean Machines Issue 15
The Lion King 86% Mean Machines Sega Issue 27
Lord of the Sword 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Lucky Dime Caper Starring Donald Duck 92% Mean Machines Issue 16
Marble Madness 70% Mean Machines Issue 21
Marksman Shooting / Trap Shooting / Safari Hunt
Master Games 1
Master of Darkness 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 3
Masters of Combat 90% Mean Machines Sega Issue 15
Maze Hunter 3-D 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Mercs 81% Mean Machines Issue 16
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker 80% Mean Machines Issue 4
Micro Machines 93% Mean Machines Sega Issue 17
Miracle Warriors: Seal Of The Dark Lord 81% MMS Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Missile Defense 3-D 76% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Monopoly 69% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Mortal Kombat
Mortal Kombat II 80% Mean Machines Sega Issue 25
Ms. Pac-Man 31% Mean Machines Issue 15
My Hero 74% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The NewZealand Story
Ninja Gaiden 83% Mean Machines Issue 24
The Ninja 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Olympic Gold: Barcelona' 92 81% Mean Machines Issue 22
Operation Wolf 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Ottifants
OutRun 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
OutRun 3D 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
OutRun Europa 63% Mean Machines Issue 15
Pac-Mania 90% Mean Machines Issue 6
Paperboy 85% Mean Machines Issue 1
Parlour Games 47% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Penguin Land 68% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
PGA Tour Golf 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 13
Phantasy Star 75% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Pit-Fighter
Populous
Poseidon Wars 3-D 55% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Power Strike 90% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Power Strike II 92% Mean Machines Sega Issue 12
Predator 2 74% Mean Machines Sega Issue 4
Prince of Persia 91% Mean Machines Issue 22
Pro Wrestling 46% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Psychic World
Psycho Fox 90% Mean Machines Issue 11
Putt & Putter
Quartet 64% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
R-Type 92% Mean Machines Issue 7
R.C. Grand Prix 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Rainbow Islands 84% Mean Machines Sega Issue 7
Rambo III 89% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Rampage 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Rampart 87% Mean Machines Issue 16
Rastan 79% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Renegade 51% Mean Machines Sega Issue 7
Rescue Mission 82% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Road Rash 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 17
RoboCop 3
RoboCop Versus The Terminator 89% Mean Machines Sega Issue 15
Rocky 62% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Running Battle 54% Mean Machines Issue 17
Sagaia 67% Mean Machines Issue 24
Scramble Spirits 49% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Secret Command
Sega Chess 77% Mean Machines issue 10
Sega World Tournament Golf
Sensible Soccer
Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi 71% Mean Machines Issue 16
Shadow Of The Beast 80% Mean Machines Issue 14
Shanghai 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Shinobi 87% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Shooting Gallery 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Space Mutants
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The World
Slap Shot 82% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
The Smurfs 89% Mean Machines Sega Issue 27
The Smurfs 2: Travel The World
Sonic Spinball
Sonic The Hedgehog 90% Mean Machines Issue 15
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 95% Mean Machines Sega Issue 2
Sonic The Hedgehog Chaos 71% Mean Machines Sega Issue 14
Space Gun 16% Mean Machines Sega Issue 4
Space Harrier 77% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Space Harrier 3-D 78% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Special Criminal Investigation 26% Mean Machines Sega Issue 2
Speedball 79% Mean Machines Issue 5
Speedball 2 88% Mean Machines Issue 19
SpellCaster 84% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Spider-Man 87% Mean Machines Issue 11
Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six
Spy vs Spy 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Star Wars
Streets of Rage 63% Mean Machines Sega Issue 8
Streets of Rage 2 85% Mean Machines Sega issue 17
Strider 67% Mean Machines Issue 6
Strider II
Submarine Attack
Summer Games 41% Mean Machines Issue 1
Super Kick Off 96% Mean Machines Issue 14
Super Monaco GP 92% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Super Off Road 82% Mean Machines Sega Issue 12
Super Smash T.V. 27% Mean Machines Sega Issue 1
Super Space Invaders 82% Mean Machines Issue 15
Super Tennis 69% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Superman: The Man of Steel 75% Mean Machines Sega Issue 9
T2: The Arcade Game
Taz-Mania 71% Mean Machines Sega Issue 2
Tecmo World Cup' 93
Teddy Boy 69% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Tennis Ace 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
The Terminator 82% Mean Machines Issue 21
Thunder Blade 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Time Soldiers 73% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Tom and Jerry: The Movie
TransBot 75% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Trivial Pursuit: Genus Edition
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar 89% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Ultimate Soccer 42% Mean Machines Sega Issue 22
Vigilante 72% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wanted 70% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wimbledon 80% Mean Machines Issue 18
Wimbledon II
Winter Olympics: Lillehammer 94
Wolfchild
Wonder Boy 80% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap 95% Mean Machines Issue 1
Wonder Boy in Monster Land 87% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Wonder Boy in Monster World 88% Mean Machines Sega Issue 3
World Class Leader Board 92% Mean Machines Issue 8
World Cup Italia' 90 51% Mean Machines Issue 3
World Cup USA' 94
World Games 50% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
World Grand Prix 81% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
World Soccer 85% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge 47% Mean Machines Sega Issue 9
Xenon 2: Megablast 84% Mean Machines Issue 13
Ys: The Vanished Omens 88% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Zaxxon 3-D 32% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Zillion 71% Mean Machines Sega Back Of Mag Review Index Issue 1
Zillion II: The Tri Formation
Zool


So what do you all think of Mean Machines review scores? do you agree with most of them? completely disagree on many of them?

Why do you the think the mag failed to review so many of the games released including some pretty big name titles for the time?

Some of the early games were reviewed in CV&G in a section called mean machines.

www.smspower.org/Scans/CVG-Magazine-Issue091?gallerypage=86

www.smspower.org/Scans/CVG-Magazine

[ryanretro]

Great list this,  thanks for posting .  It's interesting to view how people rated these games at the time,  same reason I like to watch old episode's of Gamesmaster.
I'm surprised Phantasy  Star wasn't better received,  even games like bomer raid and penguin land.
You can tell the 8 bit interest is gone when even a Sonic game can't get a review.
Also interesting that they view super kick off as the best game they reviewed with 96%.
I'm going to start picking up some of these old magazines in future.




 

[Maxim]

I think some of the review index scores are copied from the C&VG days.

Looking at that and Mean Machines, it's clear they had no hope to cover all new releases because they were covering all formats at once in a magazine with space for about 25 reviews per month.

In the later years, they were doing 16-page reviews of Mortal Kombat for Mega Drive, there wasn't much space left for 8-bit reviews. Then again, they seemed to imply that there weren't many releases to cover, anyway.

[Rastanfarian]

Thanks to happyguy1984 for the great work.

Really interesting stuff for those of us that never had access to any of these magazines.

I took the liberty to "clean up" the info a little bit.

Here's the list in order of rating minus the rating references.

I'll share my thoughts (or disbeliefs) about some the ratings later.

1. Super Kick Off 96%
2. American Pro Football 95%
2. Lemmings 95%
2. Sonic The Hedgehog 2 95%
2. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap 95%
3. Impossible Mission 94%
4. California Games 93%
4. Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 93%
4. Micro Machines 93%
5. Desert Strike 92%
5. Ecco the Dolphin 92%
5. Gauntlet 92%
5. Golden Axe 92%
5. The Lucky Dime Caper - Donald Duck 92%
5. Master of Darkness 92%
5. Power Strike II 92%
5. R-Type 92%
5. Super Monaco GP 92%
5. World Class Leader Board 92%
6. Krusty's Fun House 91%
6. Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse 91%
6. Prince of Persia 91%
7. Alex Kidd in Shinobi World 90%
7. Chuck Rock 90%
7. Columns 90%
7. Masters of Combat 90%
7. Pac-Mania 90%
7. Power Strike 90%
7. Psycho Fox 90%
7. Sonic The Hedgehog 90%
8. Choplifter 89%
8. Rambo III 89%
8. RoboCop Versus The Terminator 89%
8. The Smurfs 89%
8. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar 89%
9. Fantasy Zone II 88%
9. The Jungle Book 88%
9. Klax 88%
9. Operation Wolf 88%
9. PGA Tour Golf 88%
9. Road Rash 88%
9. Shanghai 88%
9. Speedball 2 88%
9. Spy vs Spy 88%
9. Wonder Boy in Monster World 88%
9. Ys: The Vanished Omens 88%
10. Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine 87%
10. Fantasy Zone 87%
10. Rampart 87%
10. Shinobi 87%
10. Spider-Man 87%
10. Wonder Boy in Monster Land 87%
11. Alex Kidd in Miracle World 86%
11. Chase H.Q. 86%
11. Ghostbusters 86%
11. The Lion King 86%
12. Bubble Bobble 85%
12. Galaxy Force 85%
12. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade 85%
12. Kenseiden 85%
12. Paperboy 85%
12. Rampage 85%
12. Streets of Rage 2 85%
12. World Soccer 85%
13. Action Fighter 84%
13. The Flash 84%
13. Rainbow Islands 84%
13. SpellCaster 84%
13. Xenon 2: Megablast 84%
14. Dead Angle 83%
14. Golfamania 83%
14. Ninja Gaiden 83%
15. Aerial Assault 82%
15. Cool Spot 82%
15. Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck 82%
15. Fire & Forget II 82%
15. G-LOC: Air Battle 82%
15. Rescue Mission 82%
15. Slap Shot 82%
15. Super Off Road 82%
15. Super Space Invaders 82%
15. The Terminator 82%
16. Black Belt 81%
16. Fantasy Zone: The Maze 81%
16. Golvellius: Valley Of Doom 81%
16. Mercs 81%
16. Miracle Warriors: Seal Of The Dark Lord 81%
16. Olympic Gold: Barcelona' 92 81%
16. OutRun 3D 81%
16. World Grand Prix 81%
17. Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars 80%
17. Astérix 80%
17. Battle OutRun 80%
17. Ghouls'n Ghosts 80%
17. Global Defense 80%
17. Michael Jackson's Moonwalker 80%
17. Mortal Kombat II 80%
17. The Ninja 80%
17. OutRun 80%
17. Shadow Of The Beast 80%
17. Tennis Ace 80%
17. Thunder Blade 80%
17. Wimbledon 80%
17. Wonder Boy 80%
18. Astérix and the Great Rescue 79%
18. Astro Warrior / Pit Pot 79%
18. Dynamite Duke 79%
18. Dynamite Dux 79%
18. Ghost House 79%
18. Rastan 79%
18. Speedball 79%
19. Bank Panic 78%
19. Space Harrier 3-D 78%
20. Danan: The Jungle Fighter Dick Tracy 77%
20. Global Gladiators 77%
20. Sega Chess 77%
20. Space Harrier 77%
21. Alex Kidd: High-Tech World 76%
21. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 76%
21. Laser Ghost 76%
21. Missile Defense 3-D 76%
22. Phantasy Star 75%
22. Superman: The Man of Steel 75%
22. TransBot 75%
23. Aladdin 74%
23. American Baseball 74%
23. Lord of the Sword 74%
23. Maze Hunter 3-D 74%
23. My Hero 74%
23. Predator 2 74%
24. Alien Syndrome 73%
24. Cloud Master 73%
24. Time Soldiers 73%
25. Vigilante 72%
26. Bomber Raid 71%
26. Cyborg Hunter 71%
26. Great Golf 71%
26. Great Volleyball 71%
26. Shadow Dancer: The Secret Of Shinobi 71%
26. Sonic The Hedgehog Chaos 71%
26. Taz-Mania 71%
26. Zaxxon 3-D 32% Zillion 71%
27. Assault City 70%
27. Assault City: Light Phaser Version 70%
27. Batman Returns 70%
27. Double Dragon 70%
27. Great Baseball 70%
27. Kung Fu Kid 70%
27. Marble Madness 70%
27. R.C. Grand Prix 70%
27. Shooting Gallery 70%
27. Wanted 70%
28. Monopoly 69%
28. Super Tennis 69%
28. Teddy Boy 69%
29. Back to the Future Part III 68%
29. E-SWAT 68%
29. Great Basketball 68%
29. Penguin Land 68%
30. Great Football 67%
30. Sagaia 67%
30. Strider 67%
31. Joe Montana Football 65%
32. Quartet 64%
33. OutRun Europa 63%
33. Streets of Rage 63%
34. Forgotten Worlds 62%
34. Gain Ground 62%
34. Rocky 62%
35. Buggy Run 60%
36. The Cyber Shinobi 58%
37. Bonanza Brothers 57%
38. Basketball Nightmare 56%
39. Poseidon Wars 3-D 55%
40. After Burner 51%
40. Arcade Smash Hits 51%
40. Blade Eagle 3-D 51%
40. Renegade 51%
40. World Cup Italia' 90 51%
40. World Games 50%
41. Scramble Spirits 49%
42. F-16 Fighter 48%
42. Gangster Town 48%
43. Captain Silver 47%
43. Parlour Games 47%
43. WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge 47%
44. Andre Agassi Tennis 46%
44. Casino Games 46%
44. Heavyweight Champ 46%
44. Line of Fire 46%
44. Pro Wrestling 46%
45. Ultimate Soccer 42%
46. Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II 41%
46. Summer Games 41%
47. Golden Axe Warrior 40%
48. Alien Storm 38%
48. Aztec Adventure 38%
49. Back to the Future Part II 37%
50. GP Rider 34%
51. Enduro Racer 32%
52. Ms. Pac-Man 31%
53. Ace of Aces 29%
54. Super Smash T.V. 27%
55. Special Criminal Investigation 26%
56. Space Gun 16%

Games Not Reviewed
The Addams Family
Air Rescue
Alien 3
Altered Beast
Astérix and the Secret Mission
Bram Stoker's Dracula
California Games II
Champions of Europe
Championship Hockey
Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales
Chuck Rock II: Son of Chuck
Cosmic Spacehead
Daffy Duck in Hollywood
Desert Speedtrap Starring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote
Double Hawk
Dragon Crystal
F1
Fantastic Dizzy
The Flintstones
George Foreman's KO Boxing
Great Soccer
Hang On
Heroes of the Lance
Home Alone
The Incredible Crash Dummies
The Incredible Hulk
James Bond 007: The Duel
James Pond II: Codename RoboCod
Jurassic Park
Marksman / Trap Shooting / Safari Hunt
Master Games 1
Mortal Kombat
The NewZealand Story
The Ottifants
Pit-Fighter
Populous
Psychic World
Putt & Putter
RoboCop 3
Secret Command
Sega World Tournament Golf
Sensible Soccer
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The Space Mutants
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. The World
The Smurfs 2: Travel The World
Sonic Spinball
Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister Six
Star Wars
Strider II
Submarine Attack
T2: The Arcade Game
Tecmo World Cup' 93
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Tom and Jerry: The Movie
Trivial Pursuit: Genus Edition
Wimbledon II
Winter Olympics: Lillehammer 94
Wolfchild
World Cup USA' 94
Zillion II: The Tri Formation
Zool