Metal Masters

This robot fighter coulda' been a contender had the controls been in halfway decent shape.

Metal Masters is really two games in one. First, when evil Lord Harkan threatens world domination, it's up to you to take on his robotic gladiators in the Metal Masters Tournament. Defeat his motley metallic crew in four rounds of tourney action, then hit the mean streets in search of a Super Robot that's been scattered around the city. Here the game now becomes a shooter as you blast tanks, helicopters, and bigger, badder robots!

Rock Em Sock 'Em Robots

Thankfully you have the street fightin' to look forward to, because boxing with the 'bots in the early stages can get tedious. Control is only average - for long range, you fire hard-to-aim shots; for close-up combat, the robots have limited punches and mobility. Worst of all, there are no passwords. If you win every round of the tournament but lose on the streets, you have to start at the very beginning.

The sounds are the best part of the game. The chirps, buzzes, and blasts ring true, and the propulsive music drives the action. Unfortunately, the graphics aren't quite as strong. If the robots are evenly matched in the tournament part of the game, they look the same and it's easy to lose track of which'bot is yours. At least the robots are large and well-detailed, though the toy-sized tanks and choppers in the shooter stages aren't very intimidating.

Metal Kombat

The jump from robot boxing to street shooting gives Metal Masters a vital boost You could do a lot worse than master the heavy metal of this beat-em-up.