Go ahead, play with your ballz. (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist)
This pure gem comes from P.F. Magic, a company you'll immediately recognize as the producers of Dogz and Cats and of course Oddballz. Yes, sadly the success that they had with these games didn't carry over into their ingenious fighting game. Ballz: 3D Fighting At Its Ballziest! is one of the most innovative and interesting fighting games available for the genesis. I ran into at my local used game store and purchased it for $2.50. At that price, how could I do wrong?
Well it seems there was no way, because the moment I switched on the console I knew I had a hidden hit. The premise of this game is simple. You have 3D characters to choose from and fight in a single 3D arena. Its one on one fighting as usual, but with an exciting twist: the environment has a well integrated foreground and background. It feels kind of like Double Dragon mixed with Street Fighter.
Now, I say Street Fighter because the special moves are very similar to those of the SF2 games. There are only a small handful of moves per each character, and they are difficult to do at first with the genesis controllers, but once you got it you definitely got it.
The graphics you ask? What the hell. Could you see any better on the Genesis? No. I submit you CANNOT. These graphics approach the Sega Saturn, and truly push the Genesis to the limit in terms of detail. You can't miss this fact when you play the game for the first time.
Also, the soundtrack is nothing short of remarkable. I've never heard anything like it, that is for certain. Love it or hate it, the melodies themselves aren't particularly memorable but you'll surely appreciate the unusual "instruments" used. I love the victory theme.
There is so much more that could be done with this game nowadays. Ultimately the limitations of the Genesis will have proven to doom this game to mediocrity for all time, despite its many innovations and impressive implementations of classical fighting game elements. Its too bad this game was never popular. Its a great buy for anyone looking to break the chains of their cookie-cutter mold fighting games, especially if you still want just a hint of familiarity.
So in short, check the game out. People slam this sucker, but its probably one of the most artistic games out there. Sure, it could've been better, but so could any game. There are always reasons why games don't reach their maximum potential; publicity, budget, etc. but I imagine this game's staff worked extremely efficiently within the confines of its limitations.