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Anime/manga based games, like most licensed games, have always been open to scrutiny. Licensed games have always had a bad success rate of actually being good, and games based on Japanese animation and comics are no exception. While there have been a glut of average to bad games based on them, some anime/manga series have inspired quality games (Area 88, Kujaku Ou, Golgo 13, Mamono Hunter Yohko, Magic Knight Rayearth to name a few.) Mazinger Z for the Super Famicom is also among the latter.

Based on the original classic giant robot series from the seventies, Mazinger Z is a fun side-scrolling beat'em up. It never saw the light of day over here in the states or any other English speaking country, to my knowledge. No surprise since Mazinger Z is virtually unknown here(funny since some of the original Mazinger anime was broadcast over here in the US as Tranzor Z.) In fact, another Mazinger Z game was actually released here in the states: Mazin Saga, another 2D beat'em up, this time for the Sega Genesis. Mazin Saga was based on a later incarnation of the Mazinger Z character. Between the two, Mazinger Z is better than Mazin Saga, which is decent but suffers from a high difficulty level. However, Mazinger Z is no push over.

In the game, you pilot the Mazinger Z robot through six levels, with locales such as a devastated city or deep in the ocean, and each filled with enemy giant robots. The object is fight and destroy every enemy until you reach the boss battle at the end of every stage. Each level begins with cut scenes explaining the plot in Japanese and features the main characters from the series. I won't go into too much detail about the story, since I can't read Japanese, but all you need to know is you're fighting against the evil Dr. Hell and his army of giant robots.

Each level is some what short, but can be tough depending upon your ability. All enemies, including the bosses, come from the Mazinger Z series and can be frustrating if you let your guard down. Also, some levels have obstacles to avoid, so don't go rushing through the level. Thankfully, Mazinger Z has special abilities that really come in handy. Besides your basic punch and jump, tapping the control pad left or right twice allows Mazinger to run. While running you can execute jumps with your boosters and do attacks such a powerful drop kick. Also, and very faithful to the original series, you have special weapons. Mazinger Z has multiple weapons that you can switch from and use (in the old style Castlevania-esqe manner by pressing up on the control pad while pressing the attack button), from eye beams to a powerful missile shot from Mazinger's stomach area. Each weapon uses energy from the recharging power meter below your life meter. You can also shoot off either of your arms in a boomerang rocket punch by pressing the L or R button on your controller.

Gameplay is good; you fight assorted enemies which change, like the environments, from level to level. Control can be clunky in parts, but easy to master. The bosses can be tough, but not harder than most games. Graphics wise, Mazinger Z is good; not really spectacular, but clear and colorful nonetheless. Mazinger Z is pretty recognizable, as well as the other robots. The cut scenes are also very good. The music is alright, nothing to write home about, but the sound effects are pretty decent(I like the "clunk" sound made by Mazinger's movements.)

All in all, a pretty good game that's faithful to the original series and still fun to play. If you're a fan of Mazinger Z or just plain like games about giant robots, Mazinger Z is a great buy. If you're just a gamer who would like to try out a good beat'em up diversion, Mazinger Z is also a pretty decent buy. But be warned, being a Super Famicom game, it's pretty rare. I acquired mine quite by accident at an anime convention and paid $35 for it. An occasional copy surfaces on eBay, and those are for usually $50 and up, so shop wisely.

-Patrick

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