I just got done devoting an hour or so of my time to Marsupilami for the Sega Genesis.  Odds are you have no idea what I’m talking about.  Marsupilami is a video game based on Andre Franquin’s comic book of the same name.  The Marsupilami is a some kind of crazy, long-tailed cross between a monkey, a lion and your grandmother’s leopard skin purse. 

I was immediately impressed by the game’s squishy-wishy graphics and animation.  Graphically, it reminds me of Disney’s Classic Aladdin for the Sega Genesis.  However when it comes to game play I had no clue what was going on.  The game’s lack of a button configuration menu didn’t help.  It’s like these guys said “Hey lets make a game about this monkey-lion thing!  And ya know what’ll be really funny?  Lets totally leave out any instruction or sensible explaination as to what the heck’s goin on!”  Sweet Guys!  Great idea!  You successfully left me in the dark and thus…I couldn’t get past the first level.  However, I can tell you that if you hold the C button Marsup-salami will blow up his tale like a balloon or use his tail as a jump rope both of which… do nothing practical to help you figure out what the heck you’re supposed to do!

Graphics: 4 out of 5

Music: 4 out of 5

Controls: 2 out of 5

Fun Factor: As fun as your grandma’s leopard skin purse.

Collectability (1= uncollectable 10= a must have): 3 out of 10 - This game is relatively rare, but it’s lack of fun factor makes it an easy one to skip over.

Likely price: A nickle at your neighbor’s garage sale.  Or about $2 on eBay.

I rate this game 1 out of 5 salami sandwiches. (This number is not an average)

I was 13…I think.  My dad used to come home with huge wads of cash (he was a big boss in the Dairy Queen Mafia).  I was a little punk back then and when I’d see money laying around, I’d claim it for myself.  One day I claimed about $600 for myself.  “What to do with this money?” I thought.  “I know!  I’ll buy a Sega Saturn!”  I called up a friend of mine who rode over on his bike and I told him I’d pay him $50 to ride to toys ‘r’ us, buy me the Sega Saturn and bring it back.  I also ordered Panzer Dragoon, Sega Rally, and a Sega Saturn Steering wheel. 

He returned about 3 hours later with all my booty which we happily unpackaged and hooked-up.  My parents asked how I got all this stuff and I just said I found it.  They didn’t believe me of course and were convinced I was selling drugs or something.  Imagine that?!  A 13 year old selling drugs!  Of course, I was selling drugs too but not making quite enough to buy a Sega Saturn with. 

My favorite games were NiGHTS, Guardian Heroes, Panzer Dragoon, Mr. Bones, and please don’t judge me for it… Space Jam.  Don’t ask me why I liked Space Jam.  *dodges tomatos*

Later on, when I was older, I admitted to my dad that I had taken the money.  He made me pay back 7 times what I stole!  I ended up working it off all summer long.  But for Panzer Dragoon…. back then I felt, it was worth it.

-B