The Weekly Five: Genesis/Mega Drive classics that deserve the retro engine treatment

WeeklyFiveRetroEngine
Ever since SEGA announced the Sonic CD re-release running on the Retro Engine, I had a long list of retro titles that I wanted to see use the engine. Then after awhile SEGA stopped announcing titles for it, then out of the blue they announce Sonic 1 & 2 re-releases using the engine. As much as I love Sonic, there are plenty of SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive games that I would love to see running on the Retro Engine. Check out the five games I would want to get the Retro Engine treatment and what type of extras I would love to see for them.

My Life with SEGA enters the Last Battle

The 2-Man Scramble 2-Part Special comes to an end with Last Battle. Yes, I know; how appropriate. My final penance for Wirehead, and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Universal Soldier may have been a 16-bit insult to both gamers and the 1992 film it was supposedly based on, but Last Battle is a laughably bad adventure title that never should have seen the light of day….

What, you don’t believe me? Watch this video and tell me I’m exaggerating.

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SEGA Tunes Kenji Eno Tribute: Snow

Kenji Eno, a composer who created soundtracks for a few SEGA published games, as well as his own original albums, passed away last month. I confess that I’ve never played any of the games he was involved in, so I’m afraid I am rather unfamiliar with his work. If it is anything like the above, then it seems like I’ve been missing out on some of the most beautiful and atmospheric soundtracks in SEGA’s library.

Expect to see more Kenji Eno tracks featured here as I continue to peruse his work. Until then, here’s another song from D2, “Morning Theme”. Be back next week when we finish off the SEGAbits staff spotlight with an entry from Kori Maru!

My Life with SEGA visits Funny World and deflates Balloon Boy

In this “classic” episode of My Life with SEGA, I experience my first ever unlicensed video game for the SEGA Genesis.

No, it’s not a Bible game. Instead, it’s a two-for-one deal aimed at preschoolers, called Funny World & Balloon Boy. Yeah, this is obviously a quality title that can rival Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Phantasy Star IV in sheer brilliance…. right?

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My Life with SEGA suffers head Troma while playing Toxic Crusaders

In this “classic” episode of My Life with SEGA, I revisit the Toxic Crusaders for the SEGA Genesis. Hey, the Toxic Crusaders? Yeah, I’m talking about the video game based on the animated series, which was adapted from Troma’s hyper-violent action/horror film franchise featuring everyone’s favorite environmentally-conscious super hero; the Toxic Avenger!

A video game based on a failed cartoon based on an hyper-violent movie series…. yeah, this has to be awesome!

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My Life with SEGA returns from Yokosuka with a very special Shenmue review

Shenmue. Yu Suzuki’s masterpiece has become something of legend. It completely redifined a genre and showed gamers around the world that Dreamcast was more than just a pretty face….

More than a decade later, the game retains a rabid cult following and fans cry out for a continuation to this incredible series. But is Shenmue truly worthy of all this praise? Should this title be revered? Watch and learn, my dear viewers.

The SEGAbits 3rd anniversary contest ENDS TODAY – win prizes like a SEGA Genesis, Genesis games and brand new My Life With SEGA DVD’s! All the details can be found here.

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SEGA Tunes SEGAbits Staff Spotlight: Ben, aka “nSega54”

segabits shenmue tuesday tunes

And so, on a quiet night, the streetlamps frosty amidst the falling snow, the locals warm and cozy inside their apartments up above the city streets, the town of Dobuita continues to sleep….

Shenmue has been lying dormant for an unspeakably long time, with not even a hint of a resolution in sight. Money, enough to have gone a long way towards funding a 3rd installment, was instead carelessly tossed off to to a Texas-based developer named Gearbox Software rather than into the hands of Yu Suzuki. After all these years, is it finally time to accept that SEGA will never allow their fanbase to continue the series that holds so much of their nostalgic gaming memories?

I’d given up hope long ago that Shenmue III would be released. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still appreciate all the great memories it offered, memories which, even over a decade later, still linger. This week’s Tuesday Tunes will highlight a couple of my favorite songs from the Shenmue games’ legendary soundtracks, so sit back and take a listen.

Review: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (3DS)

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Released to home consoles in November of last year, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed ended up being one of the best games SEGA released in 2012. Marketing for the game was dead-on in proclaiming “It’s Not Just Racing. It’s Racing Transformed!”, as the game was both a huge step up from the previous game and a contender for the best character kart racer around. As the months went on, other versions of the game released with a Vita version in December and a PC version released just last month. The latest, and possibly final version of the game to be released, is for the 3DS. Despite being the most underpowered of the platforms, I was anxious to see how SEGA and Sumo were able to translate the console title to Nintendo’s handheld.

Up from the depths, My Life with SEGA tackles Godzilla Generations

What’s this? My second review of a Dreamcast title? Don’t get your hopes up. It’s not Shenmue. Believe me, I wish it was. Instead, I’m reviewing Godzilla Generations. A Japanese launch title, which just so happens to be a Dreamcast exclusive….

Good. That means it can’t spread. Yeah, I know. “What are you talking about? Godzilla’s awesome!” Oh, Godzilla’s all well and fine, but this game? Just watch it and count yourself among the lucky ones.

The SEGAbits 3rd anniversary contest is going on now – win prizes like a SEGA Genesis, Genesis games and brand new My Life With SEGA DVD’s! All the details can be found here.

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Segabits at Round 1 Arcade

Hey folks, do you remember the newspost we put up about the Hatsune Miku game being tested near L.A. a few days ago? Well, it just happens to be at the closest mall near me. So, I set out and got some video.

It’s not just for Project Diva though, Round 1 is an AWESOME arcade. It’s a Japanese owned arcade franchise and it only has two arcades so far. Both in So Cal. They got Karaoke, Bowling, those Japanese photo booths, sit down fighting cabinets, tons of UFO catchers and most important, the newest video arcade games. This includes pretty much every light gun and racer game Sega’s made in the past ten years. It’s great for import Japanese games as well. From Initial D, Namco’s Mario Kart Arcade, Taiko Drum Master to many rhythm games including of course, Project Diva. Think Dave and Busters with a very Japanese flavor but with just some cafeteria food instead of a full restaurant.