Taking elements from the under-appreciated arcade classic Ladybug
and then mixing in some Smash TV (or Robotron to keep it in the same
era), Mean Arenas has players becoming contestants on a futuristic game show.
Losing is not recommended because, well, you die. Winning means riches beyond your wildest
imaginations but you really have consider the dying part before stepping into the arena.
Really.
Each of the countless levels take place in a lackluster looking overhead maze. You'll collect various power-ups, but the main purpose are the dots...err...gold pieces. Collecting all of them in a given level sends you on your way to the proceeding level. Every stage features countless switches, traps, and other various things to distract enemies. Some switches will warp you, other completely chance the map you're in, blocking enemies from catching you.
You also can collect bombs to destroy the countless enemies who pursue you relentlessly. They aren't the only hazard either. You'll face lava pits, spikes, flame-throwers, conveyor belts, and more. This leads to the games biggest problem: There is simply too much to watch out for and the small undetailed graphics make it hard to tell an enemy/hazard from power-up. You'll constantly meet your maker unintentionally and without any logical reason. Well, there probably was a reason, but you will never actually know what it was.
The
only real sound is the digitized voice from the mildly amusing announcers who occasionally
throw in a witty quip during and before the match. The sound effects are passable for an
8-bit console and no music is present during play. This is certainly not a game that uses
the CD format the way it should.
The final straw is the lack of a decent 2-player mode. Co-op or a versus style race might have added a few points to the score. Regardless, there is some entertainment value to be had here, but you'll need some very keen eyes to make it all the way to the end. Slim the game down a few hazards or improve the graphics and this one would've been a hit.
