Time Killers (Genesis) Playthrough
4Playthrough of Time Killers, Black Pearl Software's 1996 versus-fighting game for the Sega Genesis.
Time Killers for the Sega Genesis is a 2D fighting game that stands out for its over-the-top violence and unorthodox character designs. Originally released in arcades in 1992 and later ported to the Genesis in 1996, the game features a cast of warriors pulled from various historical and futuristic time periods, each battling to the death for a chance at immortality. Players choose from fighters such as a cybernetic soldier from the future, a barbarian, a medieval knight, or a viking, all with unique weapons and movesets. The game’s most notorious feature is the ability to sever opponents’ limbs mid-fight, dramatically affecting gameplay by reducing the victim's ability to attack or block.
Unlike more polished fighters of the time, Time Killers relies heavily on spectacle and shock value. The controls are unusual, with each button assigned to a specific limb—left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg—and a dedicated head attack. This system allows for brutal dismemberments when the correct conditions are met, including the possibility of instant decapitations if the player charges a "Death Move" and lands it at the right time. However, the control scheme often feels clunky and imprecise, especially on the Genesis controller, making the gameplay feel chaotic and difficult to master.
Graphically, the Genesis version suffers from a notable downgrade from the arcade original. The sprites are large but not very detailed, and the animation is stiff, giving the game a rough and somewhat unfinished appearance. The audio also struggles, with grating sound effects and a soundtrack that lacks distinction. Despite these shortcomings, the game's crude violence gave it a cult following among fans of controversial and extreme content during the era. However, it was generally poorly received by critics, who panned its unresponsive controls, dated visuals, and lack of depth compared to contemporaries like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter II.
Overall, Time Killers is remembered more for its shock factor than for its quality. It occupies a unique place in fighting game history due to its limb-based control scheme and unapologetic gore, but as a Genesis title, it fails to deliver the polish or refinement needed to stand alongside more beloved games in the genre. For many players, it’s more of a curiosity piece than a genuinely enjoyable experience.