Gunstar Heroes

SEGA Game Gear Micro Hardware Review – Bite-Sized Nostalgia

by

In June 2020, SEGA revealed the Game Gear Micro. Prior to the full announcement, fans speculated on if this would be the successor to the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Mini, how big the actual device was, how many games would be on the handheld and if it would receive a western release. Once the details were confirmed, internet reaction – specifically from westerners – was largely negative. With dimensions of 80×43 mm (about the size of a Dreamcast VMU) and four colors featuring four unique games each, the Micro truly was living up to its name. Micro in size, micro in game lineup, and micro in not living up to expectations set by the Genesis/Mega Drive Mini.

Now, five months later, I have the full lineup in hand (literally, I can hold all four in one hand!) and can make my own determination on the Game Gear Micro. Is it worthy of an import?

Continue Reading ➜

6 Comments

SEGA Talk Podcast #35: Gunstar Heroes (1993)

by

We reopen the Treasure chest and check out another gem from the studio we all love (that being Treasure, if you didn’t get the earlier reference). This time it’s Gunstar Heroes! Learn about how the game’s title came to be, where the franchise went after the initial Mega Drive release, the technical ins and outs of the game, and more!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

1 Comment

Gunstar Heroes joins the SEGA Forever mobile lineup

by

The Treasure classic Gunstar Heroes has been added to the SEGA Forever mobile lineup, available to download now on Google Play and the App Store. If Gunstar Heroes on iOS sounds familiar, it’s because the game released to that platform 7 years ago. Those who have previously downloaded the iOS version of the game will be able to restore their purchase for the premium SEGA Forever version. A new addition to the mobile version is cross-platform local multiplayer over Wi-Fi. You can interact with the SEGA Forever team on Twitter at twitter.com/segaforever and follow them if you’re so inclined, as they post some pretty cool stuff.

We’re a bit late in newsing this, as the game released to around the busy holidays, but better late than never!

1 Comment

Treasure President teases announcement for 2018, vows never to work on social games

by

Ikaruga-01-HD

The last time we heard about Treasure, we ran a rumor that the company was going to stop making new games. Is it true? So far it has stayed true since the companies last ‘new game’ was Gaist Crusher God which was released back back in 2014. Since then Treasure Games hasn’t made a single brand new game. Rumors suggested that the company was going to continue as an IP holding company. Now according to a Japanese twitter user, Treasure President Masato Maegawa stated that he has an announcement coming in 2018 and that Treasure games won’t make a social game (usually mobile games) as long as he lives.

“I’ll never work on social games for as long as I live! I’ll have something to share next year” – Treasure Games President Masato Maegawa

Maegawa also complained that there was a total lack of communication at SEGA during the Mega Drive, especially during the time they developed Yu Yu Hakusho. He also revealed that Gunstar Heroes shipped 70k units in Japan and 200k abroad. Said the initial 10k print run in Japan sold out fast. Treasure Games’ president also wished that SEGA would have their own ‘Mega Drive Mini’ much like what Nintendo offers.

According to twitter user @gosokkyu, this lines up with what he has heard about from Treasure, that most publishers are only wanting them to work on mobile or ‘social’ type games. I’m glad to see a Japanese developer that doesn’t want to succumb to mobile gaming. Some developers just don’t transition over well and since a lot of Treasure Games are about the gameplay, I don’t think it would work out on mobile. But hey what do you think this announcement will be? Are you excited? Sound off in the comments.

[Via: ResetEra]

7 Comments

Data Discs releasing Gunstar Heroes soundtrack on vinyl

by

Gunstar_Heroes_Art_01While not much information has been revealed, Data Discs posted this morning on their social media channels that their next release was going to be the Gunstar Heroes soundtrack. If you didn’t know we are huge fans of the Gunstar Heroes soundtrack (game too) and will be the perfect addition to Data Discs’ outstanding collection of SEGA records.

The Gunstar Heroes soundtrack isn’t the only one being planned. If you go on their site it has two ‘coming soon’ windows for two new releases. That second release could be the Panzer Dragoon soundtrack that was talked about by Data Discs all the way back in April of this year. The weird part is they said it was going to be part of their 2016 line-up, but now they are teasing Gunstar Heroes. No idea what went on there. Data Discs said that you can expect more information very soon, but if its like their other releases I assume it will come in three variant colors; with one being limited edition. That was a given.

What do you think about the Gunstar Heroes soundtrack? Do you think its about time it got a re-release on vinyl? Let us know in the comments below.

No Comments

New SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage trailer shows off introduction, Alien Syndrome, and Columns in action

by

SEGA has released a new trailer for SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage, the third collection in the “3D Archive” series. This trailer demonstrates every game in the collection, including Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Bare Knuckle 2, After Burner II, and more, most notably the first time Alien Syndrome and Columns are shown in action. It also reveals the introduction of the game, highlighting the different games in SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage.

SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage (by extension the special SEGA 3D Archives 1.2.3 Triple Pack) releases on December 22 for ‎¥4990.

3 Comments

Tokyo Game Show 2016: SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage debut trailer

by

SEGA at Tokyo Game Show 2016 unveiled the first trailer for SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage, showing off footage of the currently 6 revealed games. This includes Sonic the Hedgehog 2, After Burner II, Super Hang-On, Bare Knuckle II (Aka Streets of Rage 2 in the NTSC/PAL regions), Gunstar Heroes, and the new exclusive Turbo Outrun. Notably, it specifically mentions that Turbo Outrun will run at 60FPS, so no worries for those frame rate junkies out there. Sadly, the trailer doesn’t reveal any new information, so if you want to know what the mysterious last 3 games are you’ll have to wait longer.

SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage will release on the Nintendo 3DS on December 22nd 2016 in Japan.

No Comments

SEGA News Bits: SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3 Announced Reaction

by

If you missed the news, SEGA has announced SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3, which is best known in the west as SEGA 3D Classics Collection. This is the third volume released in Japan, while we only got one in the West. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss all the confirmed games for the SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3, what hasn’t been announced and what Japanese fans wanted to see. This is a pretty exciting collection of games, so let us know in the comments what you want to see added and how SEGA could bring it west!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments, make sure to subscribe to us on YouTube to get more.

1 Comment

SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE compilation announced for Nintendo 3DS

by

CrGIESkUIAEN-M8

It has just been announced that SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE, a physical collection of SEGA 3D Classics will be coming to Japan. In the West, we only got SEGA 3D Archives 2 as SEGA 3D Classics Collection earlier this year.

Games confirmed in SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE:

  • After Burner II
  • Super Hang-On
  • Streets of Rage 2
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2
  • Gunstar Heroes 
  • More to come

According to SEGA’s questionnaire that Japanese fans filled out lots of people want to see titles like Wing War, Gain Ground, Outrunners, and Virtua Racing to join the SEGA 3D Classics line-up. Famitsu didn’t reveal which was the number one requested game, you will have to wait for September 15 to find out since that’s when their magazine comes out. But let me spoil it for you, I bet you it was Virtua Fighter. SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE could get new timed exclusive titles, just like the last volume had Puyo Puyo 2 and Drift Stage as timed exclusives. SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE is set to hit Japan on December 22, 2016. No idea if SEGA West will plan on bringing it over.

[Source: Famitsu]

3 Comments

Viking: Battle for Asgard, Gunstar Heroes and Renegade Ops are free on Steam

by

phase-3-unlockedSEGA continues their Make War Not Love event by giving another three games away for free. This is their third phase of free games. This time they are giving away the following titles:

  • Viking: Battle for Asgard
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • Renegade Ops (plus DLC)

To get the games, visit this page, click “REDEEM PRIZE” enter your email address under the Previous Content banner. You’ll see the instructions “In order to redeem the prize bundle, please enter your email address below.” You will then receive an email asking to add you to a list for the free content. Please allow up to 24 hours for a unique Steam code containing this content to be sent to you. Gunstar Heroes will appear in your library as ‘Sega Classics Collection’.

8 Comments

SEGA Tunes: Jamming out to the Gunstar Heroes OST

by

SEGATUNESGunstarHeroes
So as most of you guys know we are celebrating ‘The Year of Developers‘, one of the focused developers this month is Treasure and since their cult classic ‘Gunstar Heroes‘ just got a re-release on the Nintendo 3DS we decided to have a look at the games soundtrack. Honestly, most people will be quick to give you hundreds of reasons why you should play the game, but almost none of them will mention the fantastic soundtrack.

Let’s look at some of my favorite tracks and then you can tell me some of your favorite tracks (or tracks you hated) in the comment section.

Continue Reading ➜

4 Comments

Review: 3D Gunstar Heroes (Nintendo 3DS)

by

3DGunstarheroes
Gunstar Heroes is another SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive classic that found massive success and introduced most SEGA fans to Treasure games. The studio was made up of ex-Konami employees and this anime style run and gun shooter really shows that you can make a Japanese looking game work for a Western audience . While the game is fine and dandy on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive, how is the Nintendo 3DS version? Well, let’s find out.

Continue Reading ➜

11 Comments

SEGA 3D Classics upcoming 3D Gunstar Heroes special modes and features detailed

by

SEGA 3D Classics for the Nintendo 3DS took a short break after the release of 3D Thunder Blade, but the series will return next month with 3D Streets of Rage 2, followed by 3D Gunstar Heroes in August and 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in September. While it’s fun playing classic SEGA games on the go, what makes SEGA 3D Classics so exciting (apart from the 3D) are the new modes added by developer M2! It has been revealed that 3D Gunstar Heroes will feature a Full Spec Mode, which allows players to arm themselves with any of the 14 weapons in the game, while Mega Life Mode doubles the amount of lives available for an easier experience.

Also supported are wireless multiplayer, which requires both players to own the game, and the option to play either the Japanese or American version of the game. A tube TV filter, seen in past Genesis/Mega Drive titles in the series, is also an option. We can’t wait for the next round of SEGA 3D Classics, what title are you most anticipating?

2 Comments

Mac Senour talks about how SEGA almost passed on Gunstar Heroes

by

937250_200612011_screen001
Imagine now if SEGA never published Gunstar Heroes, the first game by then brand new studio Treasure Co? That was almost the case according to a brand new interview with Mac Senour over at SEGA-16.

“12 people looked at it and passed before it got to me. If I didn’t pick it up, he was going to be rejected. I played it for five minutes, maybe less, and threw the controller on the floor and said “this is game of the year.” Every one in earshot laughed.” – Mac Senour

According to Marc, the only thing he asked the developers to change was a boss character that was basically Hitler. Those Japanese people, they love putting Hitler in all their media.

“I was the last guy; if I said no then it would have been canceled. They spoke no English, so I had to go through my contact at SOJ, Henry Geison. Henry and I became friends when I was developer tech support.” – Mac Senour

I know the gaming industry was way different back then, but I seriously don’t know how more than twelve people could pass on a classic like Gunstar Heroes?

1 Comment