It takes something special to become a video game icon. What does Sonic have that Bubsy doesn't? Would anyone really give a monkey's if Rayman slipped into a canal? There's a thin line between pre-pubescent adoration and ridicule.

Whizz bravely steps into this breach as a rabbit wearing a top hat and tails, who attacks his enemies with a comedy spin and has the worst title screen in living memory. You may think things can only get better. And they do...

Whizz has been in production for years - it was originally called 'Top Hat' and commissioned for Psygnosis.

Make your way to the exit within the time limit, taking the most points-laden route.

Each stage of Whizz is a race against time, dictated by a harsh time counter in the top-right corner. Death can be staved off by choosing a route through the mazes carefully, leading to further hourglass time top-ups.

Doors figure heavily on whether you can progress through the mazes. Without a cube to match the weight of the door, you can't get through. As you pick up a cube type, all the other cubes change up a type. Here's the sequence:

1. Glass
2. Wood
3. Stone
4. Brick

"You can travel by speedboat, take a sled and slide down slope". The words of Oleta Adams are uncannily apt in Whizz where, as the game opens up, other modes of transport appear (including the two mentioned here). These will get you to other areas with beneficial points consequences.

Creatures succumb to Whizz's spin attack, but he uses up some energy performing it. For that reason, collect the mushrooms that pop out of a dying enemy, but only the red ones, mind, or you'll lose even more.

Whizz moves at a frightening pace, and can seem bewildering at first. However, persevere with this and the logical path through these levels will soon reveal itself. If you can distract yourself from the demanding gameplay stop to admire the distinctive graphics - nothing groundbreaking, but cleverly designed and with a character that maximises the cartridge's potential. This cute little rabbit might suffer in comparison to a cute little hedgehog when Sonic 3D appears, but in the meantime this is a breath of fresh air for your Megadrive and a game worth choosing for sheer gameplay quality.

Whizz initially lives up to its name, with some excellent speedy gameplay and a throat-tightening pace, as each hourglass adds only a few seconds to your allowance.

The more I played, the more I was impressed, as although the core gameplay stays much the same, there are loads of cute little diversions, rides to take and extensions of the jumping, mapping and collecting common to all the levels.

The graphics are ace and get better, but what appears to be a hellishly difficult stage is easy to sail through when you know the 'pattern'. Even so, Whizz is one of the best original Megadrive games in ages.

Graphics 89%
P. Bright and relentlessly cheerful, plenty of variety.
N. Rough looking presentation screens.

Animation 77%
P. Everything moves fast and the isometric view is smooth.
N. Not much life to the characters.

Music 74%
P. Boppy music, quite Japanesey.
N. A capacity to irritate on a par with Shane Richie.

Effects 66%
P. Wibbly wobbly which is lubbly jubbly.

Playability 88%
P. Instantly compulsive, and little quirky variations on each level.
N. Once a design is mapped in your head, it's very easy.

Lastability 82%
P. No continues maintains the challenge level.
N. Playing through the game can get laborious.

Overall 87%
Almost worth the wait. Whizz is a midget Megadrive gem.