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Retro Review: Sonic 3-D Blast (Saturn)

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(Re-Edited from Shigs Sonic Stadium Review)

Many of you may only know Sonic 3-D Blast through the Genesis version, which you either played back in the day or on the Mega Collection. If that’s the case, then sadly, you’ve been playing the far inferior version. Yes, the level design is the same, but graphics and sound can make a big difference in your enjoyment of a game. Sonic 3-D Blast was originally intended to be a Genesis only game developed by Traveler’s Tales with some help from Sega of Japan. However, the Saturn was suffering not only in sales, but from a complete lack of any Sonic titles. Sonic Extreme was in development Hell at the time and would not make Christmas release. (Then again, it would not make ANY release, as it was cancelled shortly afterwards). In seven weeks, Sega managed to port the game over to Saturn, polish up the graphics, change the music from Jun Senoue’s tunes to new,  jazzy ones by Richard Jaques, and add what is arguably one of the best bonus stages in Sonic history.  That’s quite a feat for a seven week port!

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SEGA Sequel Saturdays: Golden Axe

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Welcome back to SEGA Sequel Saturdays. For Episode 19 we have our first reader-submitted Sequel Saturdays column, and the honor goes to CosmicCastaway, who’s going to be telling us about Golden Axe, a series I know almost nothing about. There happen to be lots of those, so if any of you out there have an idea for an episode of Sequel Saturdays that hasn’t been done before, and want to write one, hit up my Private Messages and, as long as it’s not for a series that I was already planning on writing about, I’ll see what I can do. Anyway, let’s get right to it. Hit the break to read CosmicCastaway’s feature on Golden Axe.

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Shinobi & Sonic Generations confirmed for Nintendo 3DS

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Following our article earlier in the day, the newest cover of Nintendo Power not only shows Sonic Generations for the Nintendo 3DS (This despite SEGA’s attempt at hiding such information in their recent report) but indeed confirms the revival of the classic SEGA series Shinobi. Nothing else has been released just yet, but in the coming hours or days we are sure to get some scans of both particular games and confirmation if the original protagnist Joe Musashi returns or a new character once against takes on the title of the ninja master.

[Source: NeoGAF]

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Review: Thor: God of Thunder (PS3)

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Thor has always been one of my favorite Marvel superheroes as a kid. So I was thrilled to find out there was going to be a Hollywood movie based on him and that SEGA was going to make a video game. Did the game match a fan’s expectations?

Plot spoiler: No.

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SEGA Sequel Saturdays: HOTD Overkill!!!!!!

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It might seem crazy now, but there was a time when the Wii was genuinely looked at by some publishers as a system where adult-targeted games could flourish. (Welcome to Sequel Saturdays number 18. Remember readers, if you want to write one of these yourselves, drop me a PM and we’ll work something out.) SEGA deserves credit for trying, as they delivered not only one ultraviolent Wii game, (PlatinumGames’ MadWorld) but two, and House of the Dead: Overkill was a bold step not only because it was a violent game on a Nintendo system, but because it was a classic SEGA franchise that had been given a pretty big makeover. The game was not developed by the studio responsible for the other HOTD games, in fact, it wasn’t developed by SEGA at all. The reigns were handed over to UK studio Headstrong Games, who took the opportunity and totally ran with it.

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Review: Thor: God of Thunder (Wii)

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Wii! (huh-yeah) What is it good Thor?

Welcome back for another review of a Thor game, this time on the Wii. I’ll admit, I have yet to sink my hammer into the Thor craze. I haven’t seen the movie, nor have I tasted the 7-11 Slurpee (though my guess is it tastes like the color blue). However, I can claim to have played the Wii version of the game. How does this version fare compared to the DS and HD console versions? Let’s (insert Thor reference here) and find out!

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Review: Thor: God of Thunder (DS)

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Licensed games tend to be cursed. They’re usually made by low-end development teams with little budget and even less time. This is even more true with Sega’s games that are licensed out by Marvel. Iron Man, Incredible Hulk and especially Iron Man 2 have all been stinkers that seemed to have been made for a quick cash-in.

However, when given to the right developer, you can have a winning game on your hands. Such is the case when Sega gave development of the DS version of Thor to Wayforward. The company behind such other 2-D hits as Contra 4, Shante and Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Here’ they bring their expertise to make what could have easily been movie tie-in garbage into a well polished 2-D action game.

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Next Shining game’s marketing assets leaked?

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According to AndriaSang, these images have popped up online and have been touted as being marketing assets for the next Shining game that SEGA has teased. They say it is probably fake, but since we run rumors here, why not see them over.

According to the assets the code name for the game is “Gensou no Lorelei.” The background story revolves around the empire of Dragonia stealing the spirit power and sending the world into chaos. Not very original, but hit the jump to find out more.

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SEGA Sequel Saturdays: Astal

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[Special Note: Today’s screens are from the website MobyGames and VGChartz. Due to Astal’s age and obscurity, MobyGames’ own screen captures are the most extensive collection available. For now.]

This week’s Sequel Saturday is going to be somewhat different from past entries. For one, this article will be asking for a remake, not a sequel. Rather than asking for sweeping changes in game play, I will be addressing things I would like to see improved in an Astal remake, and how I’d like it to be sold. Now let’s get started, shall we?

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Creative Assembly’s secret game revealed to be Alien

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From announcing political policy to now making announcements for video games, the Coalition Government of the UK has revealed that SEGA’s British based developer, the Creative Assembly, is developing a game based on the Alien franchise by 20th Century Fox. Though a genre is yet to be announced, the above image confirms that it will be a console game and will be developed by a new team from the Creative Assembly. At a press conference held today, the developer revealed that it hopes to bloster its team in Horsham, West Sussex from 160 to 200 within the year. It has also been revealed the Alien title will not be present at this year’s E3 either.

[Source: NeoGAF]

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Happy Birthday SEGA Saturn: Announcing Saturn Month!

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16 years ago today, SEGA of America President Tom Kalinske took to the stage at E3 and announced that the SEGA Saturn was now available in select retailers across the United States. Though this would later be seen as one of the greatest marketing blunders in SEGA’s history, it nevertheless marked the debut of one of the greatest consoles ever made. In commemoration of this momentous birthing of this epically underappreciated game console, we at SEGAbits are committing not a day, not a week, but a full month for all things SEGA Saturn! You can expect to see plenty of reviews, articles, and a dedicated episode of the SEGAbits podcast all about the Saturn from here until E3 on June 7th.

Those of you who don’t know much about the Saturn, or think there was a big load of nothing between the Genesis and the Dreamcast, should learn something this month. The SEGA Saturn is a veritable treasure trove of SEGA hits that have yet to see the light of day on other systems due to the Saturn’s difficult to emulate architecture, and the general obscurity of its library. Sure, we’ve all heard of NiGHTS and Panzer Dragoon, and Guardian Heroes has recently risen from obscurity to be remade as an Xbox Live Arcade release. But have you ever heard of Blazing Heroes? Ever heard of Astal? Did you know the SEGA Saturn had two Die Hard games, one which was a piece of crap and one which kicked ass? Have any of you guys even seen Dragon Force?

While Nintendo spent the 32 bit generation giving its 16 bit hits the 64 bit upgrade, and Sony spent it producing games that would go on to define its Playstation brand for more than a decade to come, SEGA went through a creative renaissance, almost completely ditching the franchises that made the Genesis a hit in favor of all new franchises that, regrettably, no one would buy. Even Sonic took a backseat to NiGHTS, which became and still remains one of the best reasons to own a Saturn.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy this month long ride through SEGA’s forgotten generation.

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