Review
Sparkster takes what was fun from Rocket Knight Adventures (the high flying jet pack, amazing special effects and large, comical enemies) and refines the control, graphics and gameplay to make an already entertaining game even more so. Sparkster is a leaner, meaner fighting machine who's cut in the mold of Sonic the Hedgehog. For those who never played the original, you're a bespectacled opossum that uses a jet pack and sword to fight minions of evil. Those used to the typical platform formula of jumping from level to level and bopping on enemies won't find much of that in this adventure: it's all about soaring at high speeds and slashing your way past a variety of multi-scrolling environments.
You'll travel through an Egyptian-like desert and enter a pyramid filled with spiked walls; inside a submarine where you must rocket past water threatening to submerge everything in its path; atop a huge mech two screens tall and battling arch-nemesis Axel Gear, plus fight through numerous other action-packed stages from factories to flying fortresses. Of course, each level is filled with traps, members of King Gedol's lizard army, huge mid-level and end-bosses, and tons of secrets. Interestingly enough, the game plays differently depending on the difficulty you select. The harder difficulty levels will offer more challenging levels and areas you won't find on the easier settings. This helps add to the replay value as you want to see everything the game has to offer.
The moves and sense of control are what place this game well above typical action-platform fare. Sparkster can swing a sword with the A button, spin attack (turning him into a revolving saw blade) and fly with his newly remodeled rocket pack with two levels of power. A fuel gauge appears at the top of the screen letting you determine the power of your blast. Just tap the C button and you'll jump in the air, hold it down and you'll blast off in any direction you want (by holding the pad)--even ricocheting off walls and ceilings like a pinball. After your first level of rocket power expires, another level allows you to continue hovering in the air. In fact, if you time it right as the meters replenish, you can keep flying in the sky for as long as you want. Oh yes, you can "normal" jump by pressing the B button.
There is a surprising amount of flexibility with these deceptively simple controls. You can jump in the air and then blast straight down or diagonally toward your enemy (Sparkster automatically flies with his sword outstretched), jump and then spin attack in any direction, propel yourself at the enemy while on the ground, or break through walls or crates with a high powered blast. It is this freedom of movement that is key--the game requires technique that makes it seem different every time you play. And it certainly doesn't hurt knowing that Sparkster is the fastest critter this side of a blue spiked hedgehog. If you're in the mood for some high flying hijinks, and love action-platform games, give this Rocket Knight a whirl. You won't be disappointed.
Graphics 
Graphics are a real treat, as in most Konami games. Everything seems to be pulsating with movement: clouds quickly scroll by deep in the background, Sparkster's jet pack emits a fiery glow, lizard men burst out of rocks, and multi-jointed bosses and mechanical beasts sway and stomp all over the screen. While there is a hint of slowdown when there are a lot of sprites on the screen at once, it never interferes with gameplay.
Sound
The music is very pleasing to the ears, filled with bold, heroic tunes appropriate to the game. The only drawback is they tend to repeat often. Sound effects are a mixed bag: the slashing noise of your spin attack is fine, but the rest of the sounds aren't very memorable.
Enjoyment 
The freedom to perform a variety of moves with your rocket and the variety of settings make this game very fun to play.
Replay Value
The different difficulty levels affect the scenes you'll face during the game. The challenge is perfect and you'll come back after you've beaten it because the character is so enjoyable to control.
Documentation
Everthing is covered by the instructions, including the story behind King Gedol and Axel Gear.
