Retro Review: Cannon Spike

The Dreamcast’s greatest strength is easily its selection of arcade perfect ports. Few games exemplify this trait better then Capcom’s Cannon Spike. This game is a pure arcade shooter through and through and a nice little love letter to Capcom fans. It also holds the increasingly rare distinction of being a Dreamcast exclusive. Cannon Spike was a difficult game for me to find. I have only seen it a half dozen times since its release, and its price has been increasing for years. When I finally decided to buy it, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my hopes were high. I’ve picked up a couple fan favorite Capcom games over the last few years, like Project Justice and Power Stone 2, and they had yet to disappoint. I am grateful to report that Cannon Spike doesn’t break that trend, though it’s also not quite what I was hoping it was. Eleven years after its release, is Cannon Spike still worth checking out?

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Happy 13th Birthday, SEGA Dreamcast!

Thirteen years ago today, the SEGA Dreamcast released to the United States. Why is it that the US release is so widely celebrated? Well, the marketing geniuses behind the launch chose an incredibly memorable date: 9/9/99. Of course, that isn’t to say that the European launch date of 10/14/99 or the Japanese launch date of 11/27/98 aren’t just as important, but nothing sticks like a string of nines. Despite being one year older, and well past the point where it is still deemed a current gen console or even a last gen console, the Dreamcast has managed to remain relevant. SEGA has kept the dream alive with rereleases of popular Dreamcast games, including the Dreamcast Collection and the upcoming SEGA Heritage Collection titles. Indie developers have been hard at work on new Dreamcast games including the awesome GunLord, the Dux sequel Redux: Dark Matters and redspotgames Sturmwind. Like a fine wine, the Dreamcast just gets better with age. Even now, fans are still discovering titles on the console. Just check out our forums where fans are sharing their favorite obscure titles.

So whatever you have planned for today, try to squeeze in a play session of your favorite Dreamcast game. Don’t have a Dreamcast or don’t have the time? Check out a retrospective video, read an article, or just think back to that time thirteen years ago when SEGA ruled the console world and wowed us with hardware and games that were as technologically impressive as they were filled with innovation and imagination.

The Weekly Five: 5 games best experienced on Dreamcast

The Dreamcast’s birthday is right around the corner, and you know what that means? That’s right, Dreamcast articles! As a big fan of many of the Dreamcast’s more obscure games I enjoy writing about Dreamcast games that even many Dreamcast owners, over a decade later, haven’t played yet. The five games in this list are games that are still relevant, games that Dreamcast owners should still pick up even years later. These games have aged gracefully and while not necessarily unique to the Dreamcast, are still games that need to be experienced on the Dreamcast.

SEGA re-trademarks Skies of Arcadia


No idea if this will mean that the game is coming to digital services, but seeing how we are getting NiGHTS into Dreams and Jet Set Radio, I wouldn’t be shocked if this is announced soon.

It could also mean that SEGA hates us and loves to tease us.

Senile Team releases a free Dreamcast game called Polyko, play it today!

Senile Team, the folks behind Rush Rush Rally Racing, have ported an indie game by the super long name of “Polyko’s Super Jelly Bean Quest in The Sketchbook of Illusion” to the Dreamcast. How much does it cost? Nothing, it’s free! Where can you get it? Right here! The game is a simple platformer starring an artist named Polyko who has been magically transported into his sketchbook. The goal is to collect 31 jelly beans. There is no way to die, so no fear of falling into an abyss or having your head ripped off by a zombie. You can play the full game online here, or better yet burn it to a disc and play it on your Dreamcast. The cd image even contains printable covers, so it’ll fit in on your indie Dreamcast games shelf. Enjoy!

Insert Coin Clothing making awesome SEGA Mega Drive and Dreamcast bags


Insert Coin Clothing, a UK gaming clothing company recently posted that they are working on SEGA Mega Drive and Dreamcast bags. That’s right, just in time for the school season and I want 3 of each. They look so awesome. The bigger bag is going to be the Mega Drive one coming in at 410 x 310 x 115mm. That is big enough for a laptop. The Dreamcast bag will clock in at 277 x 285 x 115mm. Big enough for a iPad.

Want to yell at them and tell them you want a SEGA Saturn bag? Go here.

The Weekly Five: Why Dreamcast fans should be playing Gunlord

The indie Dreamcast game Gunlord from NG:DEV.TEAM has been out for less than a month, and while I’m sure many fans of indie Dreamcast titles have picked it up and are enjoying it, there are always those who are still on the fence and are either waiting to hear more opinions or for a price drop. I’m sure there are also those who have their Dreamcast stashed away in a closet and need a reason to dig it out. In this week’s Weekly Five I thought I’d share five reasons why Gunlord is worthy of a Dreamcast fan’s collection.

The Dreamcast Junkyard takes a look at the Gunlord Limited Edition

SEGA Network partner The Dreamcast Junkyard has uploaded a great unboxing and gameplay video of the latest indie Dreamcast game, Gunlord. DCJY writer The GagaMan(n) got his hands on the Limited Edition version of the game, which includes a soundtrack CD along with the game. The package art looks beautiful, and the booklet is loaded with great artwork. The game itself looks unlike any other indie Dreamcast game we’ve seen, despite the storyline having ties to NG:Dev.Team’s Last Hope: Pink Bullets. Check out the video here!

Have any readers picked the game up? If so, what do you think of it? I’ve ordered the limited edition earlier this week, and hope to get my hands on it before July 4th. I figure all the shooting can act as our fireworks this year. You can buy yourself a copy at NG:Dev.Team’s shop.

SEGA Memories: Sonic Adventure 2 Commercials

http://youtu.be/btocx2o5gZQ

Of all the things I remember about the Dreamcast days, the Sonic Adventure 2 commercial is about the only ad that actually sticks in my mind. Why? Well, for one, it was the only Dreamcast ad I ever actually saw on television. Thanks to Youtube I know that the Dreamcast had the sort of ads that console makers never even bother with these days. I don’t know what Master Chief and Marcus Fenix are doing in my Xbox, but I know exactly what Sonic and other Dreamcast stars are doing in my little white box: having a never ending dance party!

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SEGA Tunes: Sonic Adventure 2’s “Won’t Stop, Just Go!”

If there’s anything just about every Sonic game has going for it, it’s the soundtrack, and Sonic Adventure 2 was no exception. In fact, this game probably contained some of the most iconic songs in the franchise’s history, featuring songs every Sonic fan knows Live and Learn, City Escape, and I Am the Eggman. Cheesy lyrics and all, Sonic Adventure 2’s soundtrack has had an impact on the Sonic fanbase like no other game in the franchise, at least since the end of the Genesis era. Beyond the well-known stuff, however, is a treasure trove of superb, lesser known tracks.

Like today’s song, “Won’t Stop, Just Go!” which was the theme for Green Forest. Green Forest was one of the fastest, most exhilarating stages in Sonic Adventure 2. Unlike many of the other stages in SA2, this level focused first and foremost on delivering a rush to the player as they raised against the clock to escape Prison Island before it exploded. This track perfectly complimented the quickened pace, standing in stark contrast to some of the slower tracks later on in the game.

Redux: Dark Matter – A new game being developed for Dreamcast

Do you like new games? Do you like your Dreamcast? Then it’s most likely that you want a new game for your old Dreamcast. How about Redux: Dark Matter? It’s a arcade space side scrolling shooter? It’s true that the Dreamcast indie scene has released mostly these types of games, but they are pretty fun.

Sadly if you want Redux: Dark Matters to come to Dreamcast you will have to put in some cash. The developer started a kickstarter page for the project which will allow you to grab a limited edition (limited to 1,000) of Redux: Dark Waters and Dux 1.5. Think of it as a bonus for believing in the project. Above is a video showing the game in alpha stages. Game is being developed by René Hellwig from NG:DEV.TEAM (GunLord, Fast Striker, Last Hope and DUX) and KTX Software (The Haunted: Hells Reach, Gem’X iOS).

The SEGA Five: Jet Set Radio Regional Rumble

Continuing the Jet Set Radio hype, this week’s Weekly Five will be taking a look at three regional versions of Jet Set/Grind Radio. Those unacquainted with the US, European and Japanese versions of Jet Set Radio may be thinking: “whats the big deal? A ton of Dreamcast titles were released in three regions.” Well, unlike most Dreamcast games, Jet Set Radio had rather notable differences between regional releases. Each version features unique graffiti tags, unique songs, different stages, different character names and voices and even different titles. Of the three, which is the best? That’s what we’ll try to decide today, by comparing five aspects of the games and choosing a winner! Let’s begin.

Five Things You May Not Have Known About Jet Set Radio

While I may write about Sonic a lot, my favorite SEGA franchise is actually Jet Set Radio. Ever since playing the original game in 2000, my perception of games has never been the same. Jet Set Radio was more than just a fun game, it was an experience. It introduced me to a world that oozed with color, funky music and over the top characters and settings. Unlike Sonic, however, the Jet Set Radio franchise is insanely small. All fans really have to soak up are two great games, a fun handheld title and the upcoming port. Articles about the series are rare, and the amount of Jet Set Radio merchandise produced could easily fill a small shelf. As a tribute to my favorite SEGA game, I thought I’d increase the web article count by one with five things about Jet Set Radio that the regular SEGA fan may not know about. If, after reading this weekly five, you have learned nothing then consider yourself a Jet Set Radio super fan!

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the …Dreamcast TV!

Just look at this thing of beauty! Looking similar to a MAG from Phantasy Star Online, this 14 inch TV came complete with a built in Dreamcast, controller and keyboard along with some other accesories. The Divers 2000 series CX-1 Dreamcast was only available in Japan back in 2000 and was quite expensive for it’s time. I’d still love to get my hands on one. You can see more of this TV including video of it in action at Kotaku.

Sturmwind Delayed

Those hoping to have the new Dreamcast game in time for Christmas will be disappointed, I’m afraid, as Sturmwind has ran into some production problems. Unlike the previous delay this has nothing to do with the game itself. Sturmwind has gone gold and is ready to go into production. Unfortunately, the CD pressing company that was slated to print copies of the game has gone bankrupt. Sturmwind’s publisher, RedSpotGames, has already found a replacement manufacturer, but for the time being the game’s release date is now “TBA”. We’ll be sure to update you as soon as a new release date is established. An announcement is expected later in the month.

Until then, if you wish to purchase the game, you can pre-order the regular edition, special edition, or the Wind and Water combo pack here.

Full press release is below the fold.