Mega Drive
Mac Senour talks about how SEGA almost passed on Gunstar Heroes
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?
Plants vs. Zombies running on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive
This weekend at the PAX Australia event, fans of the game ‘Plants vs. Zombies‘ got to see a weird version of their favorite PopCap tower defense game. The game running on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive.
Penny Arcade got a chance to play the game and posted the above video of it in action. Dave Cudrev from Retrospekt said he bought the game from the creator, who is a Russian coder. His hobby was rebuilding games and selling them on Ebay.
He purchased the game for $30 dollars, with no box or manual. Other games the coder has re-worked include Darkwing Duck and Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers for the Genesis/Mega Drive. I have to be honest, this would be a cool conversational piece of software to have.
Shinobi III could be getting a 3D port according to PEGI
According to the rating PEGI, SEGA is planning a 3D port of its famous Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master video game. This game is considered by many to be the best Shinobi game, so 3DS owners should be happy when it finally releases.
SEGA has been releasing a ton of 3D ports lately, including Ecco the Dolphin and Sonic the Hedgehog.
SEGA Memories: EA not supporting the Dreamcast
Recently EA has said that their upcoming video games will not be heading to the Nintendo Wii U. Nintendo hasn’t been the first one to be black balled by the publishing giant, back when SEGA was going to launch the Dreamcast, EA pulled a similar move.
This week on Monday Memories we will look at EA not supporting the much beloved Dreamcast.
SEGA Tunes: Power Drift’s Like the Wind
You know what’s more awesome then classic SEGA arcade music? Obscure SEGA arcade music! I’ve never played Power Drift, but its soundtrack is still pretty damn awesome. This is just the sort of incredibly catchy, upbeat tune that I would expect from a classic SEGA title. Hope you enjoy it!
Power Drift’s soundtrack was composed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi. He is one of the oldest SEGA composers still active and working within the company. You can find his website here.
SEGA Memories: How the SEGA Activator lead the way for other motion controllers
This week on Monday Memories, we are taking you back to the year 1993. This time around we will be seeing SEGA’s marketing for the SEGA Activator, a motion based controller created for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. I know most of you die hard SEGA fans have already heard about the device, but if you haven’t we got you covered!
Castle of Illusion Remake finally confirmed
For the last several weeks we’ve been getting some serious hints that a remake of the classic Genesis Mickey Mouse game Castle of Illusion was incoming, including leaked box art and a teaser trailer. With today’s announcement on Sony’s Playstation blog we can finally confirm it: the remake is real and it will be hitting PSN, Xbox Live and Steam this summer.
The game is being developed by SEGA Studios Australia, which will be shutting down later this year. The team has confirmed that they are working closely with the director of the original game to ensure that they not only remain true to the original, but also include new elements that were intended for the original game but could not be implemented due to the technical limitations of the day. You can find some gorgeous screenshots, as well as comments from the team, below the fold.
SEGA Memories: SEGA debuts Sonic & Knuckles with a MTV special ‘Rock the Rock’
Welcome to a new entry for our Monday Memories weekly (hopefully from now on) articles. This week we’ll be taking you all the way back to the year 1994, at the height of SEGA’s popularity. They had a great mascot that released three main games in his franchise, sold tons of SEGA Genesis/Mega Drives around the world, and had a new upcoming game: Sonic & Knuckles.
What better way to introduce the game to America than an MTV special entitled “Rock the Rock” on Alcatraz Island?
The Weekly Five: Genesis/Mega Drive classics that deserve the retro engine treatment
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.
SEGA’s Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse coming to modern consoles?
Several gaming news sites have picked up on the fact that the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive (or Master System?) classic Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, developed by SEGA AM7, has been rated by the Brazilian ratings board. The platforms listed include Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii U, and Playstation Vita. No other information, such as potential release date or whether this is the Master System version of the Genesis/Mega Drive version, is given. Could it be that Disney and SEGA have a stronger relationship following Wreck-It Ralph, and the two worked out a deal to rerelease the licensed game? Hope so! Ideally they’d release both versions of the game in a Vintage Collection, and other SEGA developed Disney titles such as World of Illusion and QuackShot are to follow. When we learn more, we’ll be sure to share.
Speed Run: Fan beats Golden Axe in 9 minutes and 27 seconds
Do you like speed runs? Do you like SEGA games? You will love this speed run of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version of Golden Axe by Jason ‘honorableJay’ Feeney. I’m a bit confused as to why it is picking up attention now, since he completed the deed last year. Regardless, I haven’t seen it and it brings a nostalgia factor.
What is your favorite speed run of a SEGA game? How fast can you beat Golden Axe?
The conclusion to the James Rolfe SNES vs. Genesis royal rumble
Earlier this week we shared a video from James Rolfe of Cinemassacre in which James, also known as the guy who plays the Angry Video Game Nerd, shared his memories of the days when the SNES took on the SEGA Genesis. At the end of the first part, James promised to return with a deciding battle between the two 16-bit consoles, and that deciding video has arrived. James makes it clear that this is HIS OPINION, and while we won’t spoil the ending James doesn’t exactly declare a winner though anybody with basic math skills can add up each round and find the results. So check it out and once you’re done share your thoughts in the comments below.
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.
My Life with SEGA reviews Virtua Racing
Another week and another episode of My Life with SEGA. This week A.J looks at Virtua Racing, a fan favorite around these parts. If you have never seen the show enjoy. Three versions of the game, one video. Get to it, hit play!
“This week, we’ll be taking a long hard look at Virtua Racing. Not only will I review the Saturn version, but I’m reviewing the 32X and Genesis/Mega Drive version as well. Which is the best of the bunch? Watch and learn, friends.”