Action 52 (Genesis)

Not to be confused with the Nintendo Entertainment System version, Action 52 (NES).

Action 52
Action 52 title screen
Release Date	May 1993
Developer	FarSight Technologies Inc.
Publisher	Active Enterprises
Genre	Multi-cart
Platform	Sega Genesis

Action 52 is an unlicensed multicart consisting of 52 original games, developed by FarSight Technologies Inc. and published by Active Enterprises for the Sega Genesis. The game was exclusively released in the United States in May 1993 at a retail price of $199. It is considered of much better quality than the NES version, as more work was put on each of the games, but it still doesn't offer a solid product.

The game list is vastly different from the NES version. While it had mostly platform and shooter games, this version adds puzzles and some driving games. Most of the games are completely new, with some of them returning from the previous version. There are 6 games for 2 Players, as opposed to the original which only had one, Fire Breathers.

Overview

This version features a different lineup of games, some with more work put into design and fewer technical issues than the NES version. Each game is color-coded on the main menu screen; "Beginner" games are displayed in a green font, "intermediate" games are displayed in a purple font, "expert" games are displayed in a yellow font, and multiplayer games are displayed in a blue font. In addition to the 52 games listed above, the Genesis version features a music test mode, and a "randomizer" option. If selected from the main menu, the randomizer will randomly choose and start one game from the 52 available on the cartridge. The fifty-second game, Challenge, is an endurance test to see how long the player lasts in a random series of the highest levels of the other games.

Several new games were introduced in the Sega version. A number of these have the same name as games on the NES cartridge, although they are not the same game; the Sega Haunted Hills, for instance, is entirely different from the NES Haunted Hills. Other games feature other changes, including a version of Cheetahmen in which the titular Cheetahmen rescue captured cheetah cubs from monsters, which is completely different from the original NES game. The bosses from the NES version appear as enemies.

List of Games

1. Go Bonkers!
2. Darksyne
3. Dyno Tennis
4. Ooze
5. Star Ball
6. Sidewinder
7. Daytona
8. 15 Puzzle
9. Sketch
10. Star Duel
11. Haunted Hill
12. Alfredo
13. Cheetahmen
14. Skirmish
15. Depth Charge
16. Mind's Eye
17. Alien Attack
18. Billy Bob
19. Sharks
20. Knockout
21. Intruder
22. Echo
23. Freeway
24. Mousetrap
25. Ninja
26. Slalom
27. Dauntless
28. Force One
29. Spidey
30. Appleseed
31. Skater
32. Sunday Drive
33. Star Evil
34. Air Command
35. Shootout
36. Bombs Away
37. Speed Boat
38. Dead Ant
39. G Fighter
40. Man at Arms
41. Norman
42. Armor Battle
43. Magic Bean
44. Apache
45. Paratrooper
46. Sky Avenger
47. Sharpshooter
48. Meteor
49. Black Hole
50. The Boss
51. 1st Video Game
52. Challenge

Trivia

• The name of Norman (game 41) is a reference to General Norman Schwarzkopf.
• Game 51, which is a clone of Pong, is erroneously called "1st Video Game." The first video game was actually "Turbochamp".
• Game 52, Challenge, is an endurance test to see how long the player lasts in a random series of the highest levels of the other games. However, after completing the first game. It will load the second level, and will then crash after a few seconds.