Cosmic Carnage for the Sega 32X, a fighting game released in 1994 that’s so bad it’s good. It’s cheesy, it’s weird, and it’s fun. You pick alien fighters, strap them into armor, and battle in space instead of on Earth. Each alien has different armor configurations that change speed and power, and the game zooms in after fights for dramatic pixelated close‑ups. It’s not a great game, but it’s entertaining in that “only on the 32X” kind of way.

The six‑button Sega Genesis controller works perfectly for this one, though the controls are a bit sluggish compared to other 32X games. The camera moves around during fights, and when characters swing toward the screen, the visuals jerk and pixelate in a way that’s oddly appealing. It’s like Death Duel meets Street Fighter II, but with aliens. You can change your armor to increase power, though it reduces your jumping ability. It’s a trade‑off between brute strength and agility.

You can mix and match armor, throw punches and kicks, taunt your opponent, and unleash special moves. The cartridge is inexpensive because Sega 32X games aren’t exactly in high demand, and finding a working 32X with all the cables is half the challenge. Big thanks to Frank in California for donating this one to the show. I love playing bad games, and this one is a gem. I’m using a knockoff alien that looks like it escaped from a movie set, it grabs, slashes, and deals massive damage.

Every character has two or three moves, and that’s all you’ll ever use. Cosmic Carnage isn’t deep, but it’s fun. I was doing great until I ran into another character with the same cheap move I use, mine’s slashing, his is choking. I’m pretty sure this guy was in the G.I. Joe movie, the one where they fight Cobra‑La. Cosmic Carnage probably isn’t what I’d call a good game, but it’s a fun game, especially with two players who appreciate its cheesy charm.

If you’re in the market for a Sega 32X, Cosmic Carnage is an exclusive you won’t find on the standard 16‑bit Sega Genesis. You need the extra two numbers and the letter X to play this one.