There's one level in particular that illustrates how nicely the game balances the different game modes. In the underwater stage, SOPHIA is initially ill-equipped to move through the murky depths—instead she sinks like rock and the bad guys immediately take advantage of her helplessness. If you can manage to land her onto a safe platform, you eject little Jason from the vehicle with the trademark "plop" sound (something I never get tired of), and swim around—trying to stay alive as you search for the room that holds the piece that will enable SOPHIA to negotiate the underwater space. Once SOPHIA is equipped with the part, she turns into a mini-submarine. Moving through the water becomes a breeze—allowing you to get some payback on the little monsters who almost killed you at the beginning. And that's another thing I like so much about Blaster Master—all the hard work pays off in the end. It's an extremely rewarding game.

That scenario also serves as an illustration of the dilemma Jason is always faced with. The game constantly reminds you of the importance of never straying too far from SOPHIA. You never forget that these are hostile environments Jason is exploring. By putting him in an extremely vulnerable state outside of SOPHIA and allowing him to restore his life energy inside it, the game further enhances the tank's role as a safe haven in a world of unusual and fierce creatures. Without SOPHIA to protect him, all Jason has to defend himself with is a little pea-shooter of a gun, and falls from severe heights can prove fatal for him. But there's no relief quite like jumping inside SOPHIA to turn the tables on some robot who was previously kicking your unprotected ass all over the underworld. It's not unlike a beat-up Popeye reaching for that can of spinach. It's great fun.

Perhaps the only fault with Blaster Master is how long and insanely difficult it is. A simple password feature is all this game needs to give some mercy to the meek gamer. Believe me, you have to be hardcore to beat this game, because it has to be done all in one shot. It's one of those games where you wake up one day and say, "Damn it, I'm going to beat Blaster Master today, no matter the cost!" But even discouraged gamers can't deny such innovative gameplay and charm—making it impossible to put the controller down for very long.

In conclusion, you would think a game this good could have become a money-making franchise for Sunsoft. But Blaster Master Boy (1991) for Game Boy and Blaster Master 2 (1993) for Sega Genesis were uninspired sequels that lacked the sensibility that made the original so special. I myself remember first seeing the ad for Blaster Master 2 in an issue of Sega Visions that said, "Jason and SOPHIA are back!" I was so excited I almost wet my pants then. You can imagine my excitement when I found out not too long ago that Sunsoft, who has been all but absent from the gaming scene recently, will be releasing two new games, Blaster Master: Blasting Again for the Sony PlayStation and Blaster Master: Enemy Below for Game Boy Color. Fanatics like me are obviously praying for a U.S. release of both games, which are currently on the verge of shipping. But even more importantly, the new sequels will hopefully live up to the original and spark a new interest in Sunsoft's greatest game.

Special thanks to Dave Winstanley at The Blaster Master Shrine and Chaos Theorem at Blaster Master Underground for helping us obtain images of the game. Be sure to check out their sites for information on all things Blaster Master.