Pirates! Gold

"Plunder the Spanish Main (without Interpol bugging you)"

Set sail for adventure in this somewhat of a sequel to the NES version of Pirates. With improved graphics, sound, fun, and things to do. This will be a title that you'll be playing for a long time. A mixture of an RPG, Simulation, and Strategy. You can choose nationality, time period, and even a skill. You sail around the Spanish Main attacking ships and townships at will. Beware though Angry Pirate Hunters will be on the look-out for you!, but in a twist you can capture them and ransom them back to the families, the amount of things to do in this game is astounding. From capturing cities, ships, or a fair wench! This game leaves little to be desired.

Graphics: 7
Nothing really special here for a 1993 genesis title but it gets the job done for what need's to be done.

Sound: 10!
I love every bit about the sound in the game to the sailing theme song to the recruiting bar theme. A great extra treat is the digitalized voice and cannon fire. It's great even down to patter of your pirate feet in the town.

Gameplay: 10
I'd give more than 10 if possible. It controls great, plus many different modes of gameplay. Swordfighting, Sailing, Ship Combat, and ground assaults keep it interesting for a long time. The map is huge, it takes up to 10 minutes to sail across the main. The amount of cities is great (Plus real historical accuracy) and if you change the time period the nationality of the cities change along with the amount of cities!

Replay Value: 10
Not many games come along this often with such great playabilty. You have so many options, it'll keep you for awhile and the pirate rating system will cause sibling and friends to be in a good deal of rivalry, plus the amount of ships will want you to collect these puppies. The 4 save slots is also a pretty nice touch

Writers final thoughts:
I like games like I'm sure all of you out there are but I don't like plunking down 50 bucks for a new game, but my sister (MY SISTER) plunked down $55 for this on E-Bay(And she dislikes plunking down cash too) That tells you something, so get it you freeloading bastards!!!!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/08/00, Updated 03/08/00