Power Factor (USA, Europe)

Power Factor is a 1993 side-scrolling action-platformer for the Atari Lynx. It was developed by Hand Made Software and published by Atari Corporation in North America and Europe. The game plays with a video game within a video game concept, which was a neat idea for the era. It's an exclusive Lynx title, so you won't find it on other systems.

You control a character playing a virtual reality simulator, taking on the role of Redd Ace. Your goal is to recover bomb components needed to defeat the Sinlendo Techmods at the Ceegraian Power Station. The gameplay mixes platforming, exploration, and weapons-based combat across side-scrolling levels. You'll jump between platforms, find items, and shoot enemies.

Power Factor is a solid action-platformer in the Lynx library, though it doesn't reach the heights of the system's best games. Its meta VR hook gives it a unique flavor, and the gameplay is competent for the hardware. If you're into Lynx exclusives or obscure '90s platformers, it's worth a look for its novelty and decent playability. It's not a masterpiece, but it's a fun relic from the handheld's later years.