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A downloadable version of the 1995 Genesis/MegaDrive game.

Sketch Turner is an artist in New York City. One day while Sketch is drawing, there is a huge thunderstorm and a bolt of lightning hits Sketch’s image, bringing it to life. That image is Mortus, a megalomaniac mutant who wants to become real and rule the earth. Mortus magically transports Sketch into the pages of his comic book so that he can end his creator’s life and become real. Inside the comic book, Sketch meets General Alissa Cyan, who believes he is a superhero that came to save their post-apocalyptic world from the evil brought by Mortus’ hand. Now Sketch must save the comic book world and get back to his own…

Genre: Action

Publisher: SEGA

Developer/Co-Developer: Backbone Entertainment / SEGA

Online Play:

Local Play:

June 10, 2009 –
The SEGA Vintage Collection offers classic games from the storied company’s vast library. Most of these titles were originally available on the SEGA Genesis, but some are based off the arcade version. Each sells for 400 MSP ($5), features “enhanced graphics” and include 200 Achievement Points.

When it was released on the Genesis, Comix Zone was unlike any game I’d seen before. It was a living comic book, with your character moving between panels. The visual impact remains all these years later. And while the gameplay is still enjoyable, it’s the artistic design that merits the attention. And that’s why the port is a bit disappointing. The promised HD visuals are non-existent. The only visual “upgrade” is the option to turn on smoothing, which washes out the edges and destroys the hand-drawn look that makes Comix Zone so cool. Even the wallpaper is a boring blue, which is a shock since the version in Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection has a cool comic-style background.

Check out this hi-res video of Comix Zone in action.Comix Zone is not an easy game and it’s actually harder on Xbox 360 than on the Genesis. That’s because one of the most crucial moves, the roll dodge, is almost impossible to pull off. The move requires you to push down and then left or right. But the control on 360 is so finicky that you can only move the slightest bit left or right or the dodge doesn’t work. In the midst of a fight, this unreliable move becomes a major detriment to your survival.

The one new addition, which I can’t recall ever seeing in any of the collections, is the ability to select a custom move before starting the game. You can choose from a macho yell, shoulder smash, scissor kick and more. It’s a cool extra for those who’ve already played Comix Zone to death.

As a fan, I feel everyone should experience Comix Zone. But as a consumer, I can’t believe SEGA is charging $5 for something that’s been given so little attention.

Closing Comments
Comix Zone is one of my favorite Genesis titles, but SEGA has done a real disservice with this version. The “enhanced” visual setting makes the game look worse than the classic view and the dodge move is almost impossible to pull off. There have been a lot of old games released on XBLA at this point and most of them were given more care and attention than Comix Zone. Love the game, just not this version.

IGN Ratings for Comix Zone (X360)

Rating Description

out of 10
click here for ratings guide

6.0
Presentation
The game’s living comic-book panel presentation is still awesome, but everything “new” about this title stinks. No “history of” piece or level select options.

4.0
Graphics
The art style is still great, but SEGA botched this port. The smooth graphics option is terrible and the wallpaper is boring.

6.0
Sound
You can have a macho taunt for your special move, that’s pretty cool. Otherwise, there’s nothing special about the audio.

7.0
Gameplay
Comix Zone was brilliant for its time, but the combat is kind of boring now. The lack of a reliable dodge move makes this game even harder than before.

3.0
Lasting Appeal
This is a short game with absolutely no frills added.

6.0
Passable
OVERALL
(out of 10 / not an average)

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