ComiX Zone

What's the Concept?

Comix Zone was released for the Sega Megadrive/Genesis in 1995. The premise of the game is that Sketch Turner, a prominent cartoonist, is sucked into his own comic while the main enemy from it, Mortus, comes into the real world. With their roles in reverse, Sketch needs to fight his way through the hordes of enemies and defeat the comic version of Mortus so that his real world counterpart will no longer exist. This might seem like an odd idea for a game at first, but it adds so much charm to the title that it brings a smile to my face every time I play it.

Why was it good?

Since Sketch has now become the hero in his own story, he's got himself some combat abilities not really befitting the standard comic nerd; that means ass kicking is abound. The environment is used well here, with enemies being flung into the sides of the panel, and sometimes through them. Pieces of the pages can even be torn out and thrown at Mortus' trash talking minions. However, some of my favourite parts of the game are the comic book style text boxes for dialogue between characters, Sketch's thoughts and feelings and even editors comments. They often provide the comic relief for the game, and alongside the fact that you can see sections of the other panels as you move through each level, it really adds to the feeling of being within the comic.

How can it be revisited?

Comix Zone could have a sequel or a remake, I really don't care. All that needs be done is update the visuals with a 2.5D feel, some extra moves for trouncing your enemies and some cheesy voice acting and you're done! Side scrolling action games are seeing a real revival as people remember what fun was had without that annoying 3rd dimension to think about.

Chances of this happening

Comix Zone is a pretty old game now - over 13 years - and even with the release of the title on the Wii Virtual console in early 2007, the chances are pretty slim. Since it's on the Wii you can play the original game on your huge TV without having to hunt up the cartridge for your Megadrive. It's hardly a revisiting, but I guarantee it looks better on your big plasma than it did on that 12" thing you played it on way back when.