Mercs

Capcom's programming prowess has already resulted in some outstanding 16-bit hits, including Ghouls n' Ghosts, Strider, and Forgotten Worlds. Now there's Mercs. One of last year's hottest arcade quarter-suckers, Mercs is ready to churn up some turf on the Genesis.

Crisis in the White House

The radio report spelled out potential disaster for the free world. An ex-president was abducted during a peace mission in darkest Africa. A massive military strike would back the terrorists into a corner - forcing them to strike out like caged rattlesnakes. The only possible course of action is to send in mercenaries, in this case heroes-for-hire called "Mercs!".

Almost Arcade

Ikari Warrior die-hards will fall turret-over-tank for Mercs -- an overhead-view warfare extravaganza with one teeny problem. Although the coin-op version enabled a duo of death-dealers to have at it, this version is for one player only. Aside from this minor shortcoming, Mercs is a solid shoot-to-thrill title with above average graphics, which should bring back glorious memories for Ikari Warriors, Commando, and Rambo III fanatics alike. The pix and the colors make you feel like you're really running and gunning through a jungle setting.

Although the Arcade mode is a replica of its coin-op cousin, in the Original mode, Sega made full use of its creative license to produce new terrain to explore and explode. Also, in Original you can increase your lives by hooking up with soldiers of fortune. Arcade mode is your basic one-man-versus-the-universe scenario.

Trigger Happy

The multi-scrolling levels (seven in Arcade and 10 in Original) are overrun with more infantry, bunkers, and tanks than you can shake a bazooka at. Although your regular Rifle can easily take care of the lesser opponents, you need mega supplies of bombs to blast the toughest bad guys -- stock up! You can commandeer some vehicles, including jeeps and speedboats, by dispatching their occupants. If your blood starts running thin, pop open one of the many chests you find scattered along the trail and scarf a chicken leg.

A Big Bang for Your Buck

Mercs won't go down as the biggest and baddest blow 'em-up adventure of them all, though it's good to the last annihilation for sure. For many gamers it'll be tough to deal the final satisfying death blow, because you get limited continues in Arcade mode and none at all in Original mode. If that doesn't faze you, however, your orders are to lock-and-load Mercs and save the prez'l

Called Commando 2 in Japan, this new shooter features a perspective that is almost identical to the original Data East-released game.

MERCS is a three-player combo game featuring eye-popping graphics, backgrounds and Bosses. The seven levels of action take you into heavily fortified enemy territory against troops, tanks and weapons -some as big as the whole screen! A very intense and slightly difficuly shooter with power-ups and more!

Based on the great Capcom coin-op, you must battle through long stages with a variety of enemies and huge end bosses. Phenomenal firepower!

One of the most action intensive shooters in the Sega booth. Lots of weapons and power-ups. Extremely huge bosses to blow away, if you survive to the end of the level!

The popular arcade game, Mercs, was translated for the Genesis. Now, there is a version in the works for the Master System. Unfortunately, it is being done in Europe and probably won't make it over here. All the action and intensity has remained true to the arcade original with little compromise in the scaling down to the 8 bitter. Blow away your captors, power-up your weapons to enormous proportions, and defeat the marauding enemy army. Mercs will be available in July for Master System owners.