Bonanza Bros. (1990-)

Bonanza Bros. is a side-scrolling stealth-action game developed and published by Sega. Originally released in arcades in 1990 using Sega’s System 24 hardware, the game was later ported to various home consoles, including the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Master System, and even the TurboGrafx-CD. In Bonanza Bros., players take on the roles of Robo and Mobo (or Mike and Spike in some versions), a pair of comical burglar brothers tasked with infiltrating buildings to steal valuables while avoiding guards and security systems.

The gameplay in Bonanza Bros. blends platforming with stealth mechanics, which was fairly unique at the time. Players must navigate multi-level buildings, collect a set number of items, and then escape via airship—all under a time limit. The game can be played solo or cooperatively, which added a fun and chaotic dynamic to its heist-based missions. The art style features colorful, cartoonish graphics with a lighthearted tone that complements the game's comedic take on crime and espionage. The split-screen display in two-player mode was also a notable feature, giving both players a simultaneous view of the action.

Although Bonanza Bros. was not directly tied to any prequels, it inspired a spin-off title called Puzzle & Action: Tant-R, which featured the same characters in a mini-game-based format. The original game was ported to numerous systems over the years, including the Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2 (as part of the Sega Ages collection), and various digital re-releases on platforms like the Wii Virtual Console and Steam. It was also included in the Sega Genesis Classics compilation for modern systems such as the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

At the time of its release, Bonanza Bros. received mixed to positive reviews. It was praised for its humor, cooperative gameplay, and unique mix of stealth and action elements. However, some critics found it repetitive or too simplistic compared to other arcade titles. While it never achieved major commercial success or iconic status, it gained a cult following over the years and remains a fondly remembered part of Sega's early ‘90s catalog. Its quirky characters and inventive gameplay continue to make it a standout example of Sega’s experimental arcade era.

Images from MobyGames