DecapAttack

"The Mummy Returns : Chuck D. Head in action"

This game, known only as DeCapAttack, is really called Majikaru Hashito no Butsutobi Turbo! Daibouken, which translates to Magical Flying Hat Turbo Adventure. This original Japanese version was based on an childish Anime series. (Info taken from the Genesis Collective)
I believe that no one ever played the Japanese version, well you didn't miss anything. The version called DeCapAttack is far better in almost every aspect. (well, the last boss DOES look better in the JPN version, but thats it)
As you guessed, I'm writing about the English version.
note: the name of the hero (?) of this game, Chuck D. Head is probably a name pun: Chuck the Head...

Graphics: 8 out of 10
Nothing revolutionary here. It's just good. Considering that it's one of the earliest games in the Genesis, it deserves an 8.
And it's very funny. The funky movement of your semi-headless mummy, attacking the enemies with your head that jumps out of your stomach, or hitting them with your skull... And it doesn't look scary at all. The enemies look funny too. Especially the bosses... see for yourself.

Sound and Music: 9 out of 10
The music and the sound effects really add to the mood of the game, that mock-horror feeling. The music reminds me of the tracks on the C64 and the Amiga, and the same goes for the Sound effects too. In a positive way! The tunes are wacky, you can hear that it was made for little kids, yet they are not childish. And they all come from the YM2612 sound chip, without using digitalized voices (from the drums for example, like many other games do) or the PSG chip. The same goes for the sound effects.

Gameplay: 7 out of 10
This game is very hard. Very hard indeed. But there are some unique and funny things that will keep you playing. Like when you almost fall from a cliff: Chuck will freak out, and he desperately tries to ''airwalk'' back to the platform, just like in the cartoons. You can get rid of your enemies in several ways, and they will fall apart into bones (two pieces of bones...). There is also an Inventory, where you can use several items and formulas that you found during the game. You can also play Bonus games after each world, and you have a higher chance of winning if you found more coins.
Too bad it's that hard. There are a lot of levels, and playing through all of them is not an easy task, even if you can continue from the last one if you die. But the ending is well worth it... Chuck says: ...Professor, I'm totally dead...

Overall: 8 out of 10
You have to try this game for yourself. It has got something special. But avoid the JPN version, that is basically a Super Mario clone.
Try it. If you like this mock-horror style, or you like platform games, you won't be disappointed.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 08/07/02, Updated 10/13/02