You are Michael Jackson......You must save the children.....Dear Lord help us all........
This game utilizes the lost genre of the 2-D sidescrolling beat-em up. You (and a friend if you please) play as the King of Pop using standard fighting techniques to fell your foes (punches, kicks, the usual.....becoming a robot, not so usual). The best of your techniques are of course your dance moves. A lot of the time will dance those enemies right off the screen. His monkey Bubbles (seriously, his monkey), makes a cameo, but interestingly enough, no Macaulay Culkin to be found. The premise of the game is what the shocker was for me. You, as Jackson, are on a mission to save children. Yes, that's correct....save children. If that doesn't hit home, then the fact the locations these children inhabit while waiting to be saved may. In the nightclub/bar stage you have children in what appear to be closets. In another stage, you have a child in a trash can. I do not believe I need to say anymore about this. Playing is believing.
Graphics - 8
Overall, this game has a pretty good graphical presentation for its time. It doesn't stretch the Genesis by any means, however, the characters and environments look very good in their 16-bit glory. There is pretty good detailing to objects, characters, and locations as well.
Sound - 10
How can one not dig the 16-bit sound quality of Michael's finest tunes (Billy Jean was definitely not his lover). Listening to these songs in their midi glory will bring tears to your eyes......reasons will be different for each player.
Value - 9
Put everything together; beat-em up gameplay, the sounds and songs, Bubbles, the premise,.........and the fact that this may be one of the most wrong games ever; puts this game at a high value. No other game puts it all together like this (or allows Michael to become a robot). Tilt - 10
This game is a shocker most definitely. Playing this with a friend will double your gaming fun. You will laugh, you will cry (simultaneously sometimes as well). You will even feel dirty for playing it. If you can live with yourself knowing what's in store for you with this game, then by all means, buy it, play it, and wash your hands when done.