Mutation Nation (1991)

Game: Mutation Nation

Time to complete: 60min

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Difficulty:5

Fun:7

Rating on a 1-10 scale

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Welcome to the Mutation Nation review! Made in 1991, what we have here is yet another side scrolling beat'em up from the good folks at SNK. This time around we are in the year "20XX" and the "City" has become a "SLUM" as the title sequence kindly lets you know in giant white letters. This is apparently due to some failed experiment, that besides the aforementioned poverty, has turned the cities fine residents into violent transforming mutants. Think of it as TMNT meets the Transformers. Your job? Stop the bad guy that is trying to take over the city. So safe to say your not playing this one for the storyline. 


Graphically its pretty typical, super saturated, early 90's neo geo fair with the exception of the detailed transformation animations. The music however is quite good and sets the mood nicely. The overall style of the game is similar to the Streets of Rage series. Gameplay is fairly fun, and unlike Burning Fight and Robo Army, you do get the sense that there is more to the game then just hitting the attack button as fast as posible. The power up system is pretty cool too and brings a fair amount of strategy to the game. You collect different types of powers that each come with 3 uses that can be very helpful.


Enemy wise the game is also pretty sweat, but unfortunately it does fall victim to one of my growing pet peeves, the old "fight all of the level bosses over again on the last stage" gag. Oh SNK why must you be so lazy...


In conclusion I like this game and I will happily recommend it. It's a solid early entry in the Neo Geo library.