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Junction (USA, Europe)
Junction
Junction: GG Puzzle
Junction is a puzzle game that landed on the Sega Game Gear in 1990. Developed and published by Micronet under license from Konami, it's a relatively obscure title that never got much attention stateside. If you're hunting for interesting puzzle games on the system, this is one to track down.
Your goal in each of the 50 levels is to roll a ball along a track to a specific exit point. The catch is the track is broken into segments on sliding tiles. You have to shift those tiles around, much like a sliding puzzle, to reassemble a continuous path. Once the track connects the ball's start to the bridged tile at the level's edge, the ball rolls automatically. There's a point system, too - you need to hit a certain cumulative score by level 50 to trigger the ending.
Junction is a solid, if simple, puzzle game. It doesn't do anything flashy, but the sliding mechanic adds a twist to the typical maze or pipe-connecting genre. It's worth a play if you enjoy methodical puzzles and want to see what the Game Gear offered beyond Sonic or platformers. Just don't expect deep story or visuals; it's all about the brain work.
GAME INFO
How to play Junction online
To get started, you'll first see a level select screen showing 50 numbered stages. You can pick any one you've already unlocked; the game lets you jump around freely as long as you've hit the required points to unlock later levels. Once you choose a level, you're presented with a grid of sliding tiles. Use the D-Pad to select a tile, then press the A button (X on keyboard) to swap it with an adjacent tile or shift it into an empty space. Your goal is to piece together a continuous track from the ball's starting point to one of the bridged tiles on the outer edge of the puzzle.
When you think the path is ready, press the B button (S) to release the ball. If the track is complete, the ball will roll along it and you'll clear the level, earning points. If not, the ball stops and you can rearrange tiles. The core loop involves trial and error - try different arrangements, see where the ball stops, then adjust. You need to accumulate enough points by level 50 to actually see the ending, so replaying earlier levels for better scores is sometimes necessary. The game doesn't explain this well, so keep an eye on your score after each level.
CONTROLS
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: Button 1
- S: Button 2
- Enter: Start / Pause
Junction FAQ
Is Junction exclusive to Game Gear or did it appear on other systems?
Junction was released only for the Sega Game Gear. There were no ports to other consoles or computers at the time.
In what year was Junction originally released?
The game came out in 1990. It was an early title in the Game Gear's library.
Who developed Junction?
The game was developed and published by Micronet under a license from Konami. Micronet handled both the programming and the publishing duties.
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