Silpheed

The Good
Silpheed for the Sega CD is a fast paced, science fiction, shoot-em-up that tries its hand at some of the 3D polygon-type graphics seen in "Star Fox" for the Super Nintendo.

Yes, the game is technically a sequel to an older PC game, but the game was released around the same time as "Star Fox" was for the Super Nintendo. Given the rivalry between Nintendo and Sega in the 1990s, comparisons were inevitable.

Silpheed's graphics, animation and music are all above average and, especially in the later levels the pre-rendered video (for the backdrops), and the polygon graphics for the player ship and enemies (including some bosses) really shine.

The Bad
Your move your space ship in a 2D plane, with 3D graphics. Sometimes this can get a tad bit annoying, not alike the feeling of your hi-tech, space ship stick in a old-school pinball machine.

The game also has a small margin for error, if you want to get past the first few levels, let alone beat all eleven levels. After a few direct hits its "Game Over" (as a voice-over reminds you).

I do not necessarily mind a tough game. However, the high difficulty level cannot be modified significantly (without some Easter Eggs) and this does mean that you will have to be a pretty good gamer in order to enjoy some of the better graphics.

The Bottom Line
Was Silpheed the Sega CD's answer to "Star Fox"? Well, yes and no.

The hardware limitations of the Sega CD meant that it could match the Super Nintendo in terms of graphics, but the 3D polygons are certainly impressive for the Sega CD and the Silpheed storyline is, overall, much better then the Star Fox storyline.