Growl (USA)

Growl is a beat-em-up that was originally an arcade game before being ported to the Sega Genesis. The arcade version allowed up to four players to team up, but the Genesis port scaled that down for home consoles. It came out during the early 90s when the Genesis was getting a lot of arcade conversions, and it stands out because of its unusual setting instead of the usual urban or fantasy backdrops. The game carries an outback Indiana Jones type theme, which means you are not fighting gang members or ninjas but rather poachers and wildlife in jungle-like stages.

What you actually do in Growl is walk from left to right across various outdoor levels, punching and kicking enemies that come at you. You can also pick up weapons like whips and knives to deal more damage. The core loop is straightforward: clear each area of bad guys, collect any power-ups or items they drop, and move on to the next screen. Boss fights appear at the end of certain stages and require you to dodge and land hits until they go down. There is not much depth beyond the basic brawling, but the exotic setting gives it a distinct feel compared to other Genesis beat-em-ups of the time.

For fans of the genre, Growl is worth a look because it offers a unique atmosphere that you do not see in many brawlers. The Genesis port is not as polished as the arcade original, but it still delivers satisfying action and a decent challenge. It is a niche title, so do not expect a huge library of levels or complex combos. If you enjoy simple, no-nonsense beat-em-ups with a pulp adventure vibe, this one is a solid choice for a quick play session.