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My Played Video Games Review: Bonanza Bros. for the Sega Genesis

darthnavaPosted for Everyone to comment on, 3 years ago3 min read

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Bonanza Bros., also known as Bonanza Brothers, is a 3D-style, 2D shooting platform arcade game developed and released by Sega in 1990. A Sega Genesis/Mega Drive port was released worldwide a year later.

I first played this by trading one of my Sega Genesis games with a neighbor's kid during the early 1990s. I liked that in it, you have to use some planning and timing rather than just speed of reaction.

The Story

Robo and Mobo, the infamous Bonanza Bros., are the most notoriously clumsy thieves around. They are in deep shit now, and they need your master plan for them to avoid becoming jailbirds!

Sega Genesis box, manual and cartridge of the game (image source)

The Graphics and Sound

The graphics are nothing special. It is simple and fits well with the game. The characters look like shiny Legos without legs with only the feet showing. It goes well with the intended humor of the game.

There is a variety of different stages. They do not look anything special but yet again their simple look also fits the overall look of the game.

The sound quality is okay. Although you get the same batch of music scores repeatedly throughout the game. The music sounds good and fits fine with everything else. The voice sounds are muffled though.

2 player gameplay sample of Bonanza Bros. on the Sega Genesis

The Gameplay

The game layout is a bit unique from other video games. Instead of the whole screen, you will be playing only in half of the screen. The bottom half of the screen belongs to the first player while the top half belongs to the second player, and the middle part features the map and statistics. It is a bit awkward but it works fine and you will get used to it.

The goal of the game is to go through each stage and steal target items that are placed differently in the building (the map shows them) while trying to avoid guards. Once you get all the items then you must try to find the exit to the roof and escape in your airship. Do this all in 3 minutes.

In the beginning, it is a really easy start around the laid back security guards. But as you progress through the game, the security force is tougher with armed guards, dogs, bomb-throwers, and crazy maids! You got only a stun gun so you better get moving cause they only stay knocked down for a few seconds.

It is a short game so its replay value is best being played with 2 players. You will get the most enjoyment from that instead of playing in one player mode.

My Verdict

if you are a real Sega fanboy, you would be nuts not to get and play this classic. While not really that special or significant, Bonanza Bros. is a totally fun and wacky game. It is truly a Sega Classic.

Go play this retro classic on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive or play it on some emulators. Play it with a friend.

Let's keep on gaming in the free world!

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