Top Five Master System Budget Games

I've done a lot of Top Fives here over the years. Most are nonsense, of course, some even embarrass me now, but some I was and remain quite pleased with. Examples of the latter were often the most difficult to compile too, insofar as it being difficult to narrow it down to five and/or determine the order, but I'm not sure I had as much trouble with any of them as I have this one.

For those not in the know, if you were lucky enough to own Sega's wonderful Master System, here in the UK at least (but probably elsewhere too), Sega were apparently well aware that mere school kids couldn't often afford £24.99 for new games, so they had a range of cheaper games that cost, as I recall, from £9.99 to £14.99.

Some of these stank of rhino manure but some were great, and were a valuable lifeline for cash-strapped MS owners such as myself. I had several at the time and have acquired others in the intervening years, but when the idea for this Top Five entered my brain, I immediately thought of 8 or 9 candidates and just couldn't decide which ones to leave out.

I've been back and forth on several of my choices already, and will probably do so again after I click 'publish', but it will be too late then. Behold, then, the current version of this list showcasing the best of Sega's helpful budget range:

Special Note: The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed there are six selections for this list rather than the more customary number found in a Top Five here. That's because I can't remember if Fantasy Zone was a budget game or not, and I haven't really been able to find out. Therefore, if it is, knock #6 off; if it isn't, knock #2 off :)

6. Teddy Boy (1985)

I always used to think this one had an appealing look from screenshots even though I didn't have much of an idea of what it involved, but I never got around to playing it until much later for some reason. It was pretty clear it was a platformer but what else? Well, as you might well expect from a budget title, it's a pretty simple game. There are 50 distinct stages (though they repeat forever), each of which features a jumbly arrangement of platforms with dice on them. Scary monsters emerge from the dice which you shoot to shrink down, then collect. Repeat through each looping (and timed) stage until all creatures have been vanquished and collected to progress to the next. That's it. Except there is also a bonus round now and then. It's not a complicated one but the bright, colourful graphics and catchy music help make it a mighty appealing one, and the jumpy-shooty action is addictive and fun. Often overlooked but well worth some time.

5. Pit-Pot (1985)

This is one I never played, or even saw on sale for that matter, in its day, but I do own it now and enjoy playing it way more than I thought I would. It has some 'kidnapped princess' type story but the game is a flick-screen, overhead-viewed maze/puzzle game consisting of over a hundred screens. The idiotic princess lies therein somewhere, as do many items you'll need to reach her, as well as many evil enemies, naturally. It's a pretty basic game in terms of the graphics and sound - not surprisingly since it's both a budget release and an early title - but despite not even playing it until more than 20 years after its release, I still had a lot of fun with it. There are four difficulty levels to choose from and even on the easiest it will take a good while to see everything on offer. Great value in its day, especially when bundled with Astro Warrior (which is how it was most commonly found), and still enjoyable in its own right.

4. Action Fighter (1986)

Bally Midway's overhead racer Spy Hunter was a popular game and ported to many systems, but the MS was not among them. Sega's answer? A not-particularly-subtle rip-off which saw an MS release the same year the arcade original was launched. Much like the game that 'inspired' it, the action sees you racing directly up the screen at the speed of your choosing while you dodge or shoot the many fellow road-users, all of whom are 'the enemy', apparently. You do get specific mission targets though, and there are several vehicles you can use (car, jet-ski, helicopter, in addition to the motorbike you start with) to take them down, as well as various power-ups too. The graphics are colourful and the action is fast and, while it can be tough going, especially to start with, it's hard to imagine any MS owner not having a blast playing this.

3. Enduro Racer (1987)

I don't really know what prompted Sega's decision to change their into-the-screen arcade racer for its MS conversion - technical issues, I suppose - but I think it has turned out to be a great decision. Hardly anyone talks about the arcade version or any of its more accurate ports these days, only this version with its 3D isometric viewpoint. It only offers straight, flat courses with few other racers on them, but it's somehow still great fun and proves to be pretty addictive too. The object is simply to reach the end of each course before the time expires but you get a point for each other racer you pass which can be spent beefing up your bike. The graphics are neat and colourful and the variety between courses is great. If you play via emulation, however, make sure you go for the Japanese version which has double the number of unique courses.

2. Fantasy Zone (1986)

As mentioned earlier, I'm still not totally sure this wonderful game was even part of Sega's MS budget range, but if it was it has to be one of the very best examples. Regular visitors here will know of my long held appreciation of the FZ series in any case, and this original is still great fun, albeit in a 'concentrate or you will die every ten seconds' kind of way. Indeed, the infinite, often tiny enemies can make the going tough for some, but the eight looping stages are highly appealing all the same, and it's among the most colourful games on the MS too, garishly so, some might say. It also features tons of cute, memorable sprites and spiffy choons I still remember well, and I remain a fan of the gameplay style that few have even tried to replicate elsewhere. A unique and addictive shooter then; very nearly the best such game on the MS, and even more very nearly the best budget game too. If it was one, naturally.

1. The Ninja (1986)

There are many MS fans today who still consider The Ninja to be one of the best games on the MS, never mind just best budget game, and it's difficult to argue. The arcade original, known as Sega Princess, featured a brave female ninja as the protagonist but this MS version changes her to a male. Aside from that, they are very similar and take the form of an overhead run 'n' gunner set in feudal Japan in which you're tasked with taking out some terrible warlord or something. All I know is, there are thirteen varied and enjoyable stages, lots of sneaky enemies to shuriken away, some nice crisp graphics and catchy music, and fantastic controls which makes every life lost a result of your own failing. The result would've been a corker if it was a full price game, but for £10? There have been few games that were better value for money on any system.

Honourable Mentions: Astro Warrior (short but enjoyable shooter), Ghost House (tough but fun platformer), Hang-On (addictive racer), Secret Command (decent overhead run 'n' gunner), Spy vs Spy (ace fun for two-players, less so for one), Transbot (fun little score-attack shooter)

Also in budget range: Bank Panic, F16 Fighter, Global Defence, My Hero, Rescue Mission, Super Tennis