Fantasy Zone

Game Freaks 365 (9.5 out of 10) (95%)

Fantasy Zone has probably the highest replay value of any game I've ever played and one of the most nearly perfect arrangements ever. It doesn't seem too long and there is plenty to offer. I found the weapon shop to be an excellent idea, so that instead of just collecting different power-ups, you have the opportunity to decide what you want when you want it, although you can only get what you want on a single occasion most of the time. The price increase is a bit annoying too, because eventually it's just too high. Regardless, such flaws in a game like this are almost too minor to note and I highly recommend anyone reading this to finally purchase a Master System. Get this game with it and you're hooked.

Console XS (91 out of 100) (91%)

For such a paltry asking price how can you ignore this ground-breaking shoot-’em-up? No-one has ever used colour to such effect on the MS; this game requires sun-glasses! A piece of history.

Computer and Video Games (CVG) (9 out of 10) (90%)

I remember seeing this game in the Crystal Rooms in Leicester Square a while back and it seemed to die a death. It is strange because it is a real beaut of a game.

Génération 4 (88 out of 100) (88%)

En conclusion FANTASY ZONE est un super jeu d'action qui exploite à merveille un thème connu. C'est un des meilleurs jeux pour la SEGA.

1UP! (86 out of 100) (86%)

Seulement, sur Master System comme dans les autres versions 8-bit, c'est un jeu qui tourne un peu à vide, qui souffre de cet héritage arcade que Sega aura trop souvent jugé, bien à tort, comme imperfectible. Un classique, soit, mais un classique mineur, taille petit pois, comme son héros.

IGN (8.5 out of 10) (85%)

Paying no mind to the unlicensed Tengen port of Fantasy Zone to the NES almost 20 years ago, the arrival of the SEGA Master System version of Fantasy Zone on the Wii's Virtual Console really is Opa-Opa's Big N debut. And it's an occasion to be celebrated. This is a mascot and a series that only a select group of fans got to enjoy in their original days, and they've always deserved more attention and a wider audience. We'd recommend you become a member of that new audience – especially if you've never met Opa-Opa before.

Jeuxvideo.com (17 out of 20) (85%)

Incontestablement, Fantasy Zone a su tirer profit de son originalité pour s'imposer comme un shoot them up de référence. Proposant un univers totalement différent de ceux qui étaient déjà proposés, le jeu aborde un tout nouveau style : le cute them up. Il se veut incontournable du fait de sa marginalité et de son gameplay tout simplement exaltant. A ne pas louper !

Video Chums ( ) (80%)

It may be cute and simple but Fantasy Zone remains one of the most enjoyable shoot 'em ups with its distinctly rewarding gameplay.

Happy Computer (80 out of 100) (80%)

Geschicklichkeitsfreunde, die nichts gegen einen druck auf den Feuerknopf einzuwenden haben, sollten mal einen Blick auf dieses Programm riskieren.

Sega Power ( ) (80%)

This Defender-style horizontal scroller may be showing its age but it's still great fun and good value for money.

Pixel Perfect Gaming ( ) (80%)

With that said, Fantasy Zone is a worthy addition to the Sega Ages collection. It’s a fun, challenging game that looks, sounds, and plays great on the Nintendo Switch. Fans of cute ’em ups (and yes, even shmups) really can’t go wrong with this release; it’s a great way to experience one of the most iconic shooters in video game history.

Nintendo Life ( ) (80%)

Fantasy Zone is a charming game which might not be as flashy as Space Harrier or Out Run, but is right up there where it matters: gameplay. It’s hard to recommend this over Shinobi, which also releases this week, but this is a perfect addition for anybody remotely interested in all things Sega.

Video Game Critic, The (B) (75%)

With its day-glow colors, whimsical graphics, and queer music, you might think this game is just for homos. But in fact it's a thoroughly engaging shooter for players of all sexual orientations. You move your tiny ship left or right, shooting and bombing all enemies in each level before facing the boss. Destroyed enemies yield coins you can collect, and "shop" icons let you purchase new items. Cool weapons like the seven-way shot really add excitement to the game. The controls are kind of tricky because you're always moving forward. Each bizarre level has its own distinctive pastel-colored backgrounds and goofy enemies. It's a pretty good shooter overall.

Video Game Critic, The (B) (75%)

I've never been a huge fan of Fantasy Zone, but this version is the best I've seen. This is not your typical shooter. The stages are awash with pastel colors, looking like something from a fairy tale or a really bad acid trip. You control a small pod-shaped ship as the screen scrolls slowly to the left or right. You can pick up the pace by pressing against the sides of the screen, but that's risky, so it's best to sit back and proceed at a more leisurely pace. Fantasy Zone is ideal for young kids, with its cute enemies and unhurried gameplay.

Retro Gamer (75 out of 100) (75%)

The coin banking is extremely useful, as Fantasy Zone gets hard very quickly. In fact it's a little too hard at times, which a difficulty that belies its cute visuals.

Video Games (71 out of 100) (71%)

Auch wenn Fantasy Zone schon fast sieben Jahre auf dem Buckel hat, es macht doch immer noch Spaß. Besonders der gesalzene Schwierigkeitsgrad hält Ballerprofis immer noch ganz nett auf Trab. Die Steuerung ist für Einsteiger sicher etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig - das automatische “Treiben“ ist nicht jedermanns Sache. Am Anfang werdet Ihr sicher in einige Feinde hineintrudeln. Musikalisch werden witzige Themen in technischer Einfachheit präsentiert. Ich hab‘ mich immer wieder beim mittappen erwischt. Positiv finde ich auch, daß die Feinde nicht nachwachsen. Wer sich Zeit läßt schafft die Säuberung des aktuellen Levels. Master-System-Besitzer sollten Fantasy Zone im Regal haben.

Nintendo Life ( ) (70%)

Although it’s arguably surpassed by both the Master System sequel and the Megadrive/Genesis ‘remake’ Super Fantasy Zone, this game is nevertheless an ideal purchase for shooters addicts that fancy something a little different.

Tilt (14 out of 20) (70%)

Fantasy Zone est un jeu fort réussi et attrayant, irréprochable à tous points de vue. Evidemment, il ne plaira pas à tous...

All Game Guide ( ) (70%)

Despite cutesy pastel graphics, an assortment of silly enemies, and a whimsical musical score, Fantasy Zone is a formidable side-scroller (right and left) that even hardcore shooter fans can enjoy.

Classic-games.net (7 out of 10) (70%)

Fantasy Zone is a pretty good port of a solid game. As much as I like it it has the misfortune of being on a system with a very strong shooter library. As good as Fantasy Zone is I don’t see most picking it up over Blazing Lazers or Super Star Soldier unless they have nostalgia for the arcade game. It’s a bit sad but that is reality.

Quebec Gamers (6.9 out of 10) (69%)

Fantasy Zone est un jeu très court et passablement facile. Une fois que vous le connaissez bien, une vingtaine de minutes sont nécessaires pour le finir. En tout, 8 zones sont disponibles et sont assez faciles. Le boss final est sans contredit l'ennemi le plus difficile et il n'est pas nécessairement le fun, mais une fois qu'on sait comment, il n'est pas si difficile que ça. Je conseille Fantasy Zone à ceux qui veulent un petit jeu facile qu'ils pourront finir rapidement question d'avoir du plaisir sur Turbo Grafx 16 tout en se changeant un peu du format graphiques des autres jeux. Simple, court, et amusant.

Retro Archives (13.5 out of 20) (68%)

Dans l’univers standardisé du Shoot-them-up des années 80, Fantasy Zone ne ressemble vraiment à rien d’autre, et la série initiée par cet épisode demeure encore aujourd’hui un OVNI visuel aux mécaniques de jeu très particulières dans un genre qui ne surprend pourtant pratiquement jamais. Si le titre imaginé par SEGA souffre aujourd’hui d’une certaine redondance qui le fait s’essouffler sur la durée, accompagné d’un système de bonus plus frustrant qu’autre chose, il demeure une aventure dépaysante à laquelle on prendra plaisir à participer de temps à autre, entre deux parties de R-Type ou de Thunder Force IV.

Retro Archives (13 out of 20) (65%)

La console de NEC réserve souvent de bonnes surprises, et ce Fantasy Zone est à n’en pas douter un très bon portage. Toute l’expérience de la version arcade est là, sans aucune coupe ni rafistolage, et seule la musique et le choix de teintes moins acidulées nous rappellent que l’on joue sur une console (partiellement) 8 bits. La PC-Engine est décidément, à bien des niveaux, la console hébergeant les meilleurs Shoot-them-up.

TigerChainsaw (6.3 out of 10) (63%)

Colorful, cute, and quick. You’ll beat it in no time once you discover that buying three engines makes your main weapon infinite. I liked the boss rush at the end, something that was very common in 80s games.

Retro Archives (12.5 out of 20) (62%)

S’il fallait établir un classement des portages réussis sur consoles 8 bits, Fantasy Zone sur Master System occuperait probablement une place quelque part vers le sommet: difficile d’imaginer une adaptation plus satisfaisante sur la machine de SEGA. Pratiquement tout le jeu est toujours à sa place, avec une réalisation de haute volée, et tout ce qui était au-dessus des capacités de la console a été très intelligemment remplacé. Un vrai bonheur pour les possesseurs de la Master System.

Tilt (12 out of 20) (60%)

Cette conversion irréprochable satisfera tous les fans de ce grand classique. Le principe de jeu est intéressant, mais il a quelque peu vieilli. D'autant plus que le concept originel a été repris dans bien d'autres shoot-them-up depuis. Ce n'est pas un programme spectaculaire, mais la jouabilité et l'intérêt de jeu sont au rendez-vous.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (6 out of 10) (60%)

As always, there are better choices available.

Thunderbolt Games (6 out of 10) (60%)

With that in mind, Fantasy Zone is a tough sell. Fantasy Zone fanatics and folks wanting to support the recently launched SMS section of the Virtual Console would do well to drop 500 points, but for everyone else, it's probably worth waiting. Regardless, anyone who decides to shell out for the game will find a wonderfully whimsical shmup unlike anything else seen outside of Japan. Just don't be surprised when it's bested in the upcoming months.

Retro Archives (12 out of 20) (60%)

En dépit d’une version de bonne qualité, Fantasy Zone sur NES doit s’incliner sur à peu près tous les niveaux face à la version Master System. Si le jeu présente toujours un univers charmant aux couleurs vives, la maniabilité est un peu moins agréable, et la réalisation reste inférieure au portage réalisé sur la 8 bits de SEGA. Une bonne alternative malgré tout pour les possesseurs de la NES.

Sega Does (C+) (58%)

So Fantasy Zone: sometimes I’m captivated by your nonsensical stylings, other times I want to Smart Bomb every copy of the game out of existence. The conflict remains.

Ultimate Nintendo: Guide to the NES Library ( ) (50%)

It’s a very solid design for a game with cute little ships and creatures/ enemies. There’s also very catchy music adding to the charm, but this version of the game loses a lot of that good will with a drab palette and very choppy scrolling. This scrolling is one of the main problems in the game, as it makes avoiding enemies trickier than it should be, and waves of baddies will often appear as soon as one changes direction, which results in a lot of unavoidable deaths. The game is just this side of playable, but that isn’t an incredibly positive recommendation.

Questicle.net (C-) (42%)

Fantasy Zone isn’t unplayable, but it’s definitely an inferior port of what is probably an otherwise fantastic shmup.