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Those double-crossing alien slime have gone too far! In a fit of ruthless destruction they've completely taken over six strategically vital, horizontally scrolling sectors of Earth-Space and fortified them to the max. It's down to a real hero to go in and clean up the alien mess.

The whole of civilisation needs one man to pilot a Hellfire class attack craft into the danger zone and meet the whole of the alien fleet in a battle to the last. But these aliens aren't a bunch of thickies. They've drafted in the best battle-cruisers their alien money can buy, and add to that the terrifying legions of swarming alien craft - this isn't going to be easy!

But not everything alien is totally hostile. Certain alien craft are shot to release power-ups that provide Hellfire pilots with the necessary blasting power in order to overcome even the most well-armoured alien battle-craft. But it's not just the enormous enemy fleet that has to be destroyed. Marauding aliens don't hang about, and they've created plenty of nasty installations that are blasted in order to cleanse the sector of all alien occupation - as well as getting a huge amount of points into the bargain.

Even with a huge amount of mega-weaponry at the Hellfire's disposal, the aliens have still got one horrific trump car dup their collective sleeve. They've created huge end-of-level guardians with one aim in life - to kill any plucky hero-types who think they can stand up to the alien empire!

At present this is only available from Megadrive software importers and is not officially available from Sega in this country. This means that the game will work fine on Megadrives that have been imported from Japan, but will not work on official UK megadrives unless you have a Japanese games adaptor (available from mail order import companies) or your machine has been modified (which we do not recommend you do as this invalidates your warranty).

Across the six sectors of occupied space, Hellfire pilots learn the importance of collecting power-ups. There are a few different kinds of upgrade that can be collected and automatically installed on the Hellfire fighter.

1. Speed-Up
   Pretty much standard kit on all types of alien-mashing attack craft. Simply makes your craft fly with extra zip.
2. Weapons Upgrade
   In a universe populated with power-hungry alien slime, weapon upgrades can come in particularly handy. Collecting one of these from a fallen foe will endow your Hellfire's lasers with extra power - essential for the later sectors.
3. Super Cannon Ammo
   Don't leave home without it. Extra ammunition for your super weapon will always be needed for the Hellfire pilot who is into serious alien carnage.
4. Multiple
   Not available to arcade Hellfire pilots, but included in this version. Doesn't fire as such, but homes in on anything alien and gives it a good kicking. A nice optional extra.

Appearing in arcades last year, Toaplan's Hellfire didn't exactly set the world alight when it was released. Perhaps it was the fact that graphically speacking, it wasn't the most exciting coin-op ever by any stretch of the imagination.

But the original gameplay set it apart from the norm, at a time when all that opposing arcade companies could come up with were tepid R-Type/Flying Shark clones.

Needless to say, the arcade machine is virtually identical to the game reviewed here. Well worth the occasional 20p if you can find a machine in an arcade near you.

Toaplan's coin-op was simply superb and I'm glad to say that this Megadrive conversion not only captures the amazing graphics, sound and playability of the coin-op - but even adds to it! The music must get a special mention. The game's full of groovy tunes that suit the frenetic blasting action perfectly.

Everything about the game is just so polished and feels so good - I defy you not to be addicted by this shoot-'em classic! Hellfire is a flamin' good arcade classic. Put it at the top of your shopping list now!

My local arcade has a Hellfire coin-op, and many ten pees have I pumped into it - it's a brilliant blast! And so is this conversion. It's not arcade perfect - in fact, it's arcade better. The graphics and sounds are indistinguishable from the original, but there are more weapons available than in the coin-op and two different difficulty levels!

The gameplay is truly superb, and I love the four different modes of firepower. On later levels the baddies attack from all directions, and you have to use them all to survive! If you've got an imported Megadrive and are after a superlative shoot-'em-up, this is it!

Each and every Hellfire class fighter has four modes of firing and a Super Cannon fitted as standard (along with power-steering, central locking and go-faster stripes). Aspiring pilots and all-round Hellfire heroes must learn the good and bad points of each weapon.

1. Forward Firing
   Distinctive red death-dealing photons issue forth from the Hellfire's forward mounted cannon. Essential for the full-frontal (and most probably completely suicidal) attack.
2. Rear Fire
   Essential kit for the pilot who doesn't particularly enjoy enemy fighters gueuing up to blast his butt away from under him.
3. Vertical Fire
   Firing both above and below the Hellfire, these laser cannons are just the biz for wiping out enemy installations without compromising the ship's safety.
4. Diagonal Fire
   Fires four laser bolts of true death in the four diagonal directions. A good all-round weapon, covering a great deal of space.

5. Super Cannon Not available to arcade Hellfire pilots, but included in this version. When the push comes to the shove, and those aliens seem most likely to blast you into your component atoms, one press of the C button releases a terrifying blaze of real Hellfire. Recommended as a last resort weapon only.

Presentation 90%
Lacking in pretty presentation screens, but Hellfire is supremely polished in the gameplay department.

Graphics 92%
A huge variety of beautiful backdrops and sprites battle for the player's attention.

Sound 95%
Funky tunes suit the atmosphere no end. Brilliant spot effects thrown in for good measure.

Playability 94%
The Hellfire is so good to control, and the blasting action's thick and fast and full of surprises!

Lastability 92%
Six tough levels to conquer, and three difficulty levels to sustain interest.

Overall 93%
Simply the best shoot-'em-up currently available for the Megadrive. Need we say more?