Hey kids! So I was flipping through the SEGA Consumer History book and came across this very cool spread. Any Japanese readers know what the spread is saying? Even the gist would be awesome. I'm not too sure what its saying aside from the headers which are in English. However I think it does an excellent job of describing just what makes a SEGA game a SEGA game, as well as what makes SEGA hardware unique:
Here's my take:
Advanced DesignConsidering they show OutRun and PSO, I'd assume it means that gameplay design is intended to push what is currently done. While other games are 2D racers, OutRun was almost in 3D. While other console RPGs were single player, PSO was massive online multiplayer. SEGA games strive to advance the design of what is currently possible.
Technical PowerPretty obvious by the shots of Space Harrier and Virtua Racing. SEGA games push the hardware to the limits, often even inventing hardware in order to achieve what is otherwise impossible on current hardware.
Unique SenseMany SEGA games attempt to be unique and different. JSR and Roommania #203 are examples shown, but I'd also mention Rez, Seaman (third party, but still unique), Samba de Amigo. Unique and original gameplay and graphical styles.
Various GenreI love this one, and it's so true. SEGA games span nearly every genre imaginable. Only with SEGA could you have hardcore communities devoted to platformers (Sonic, NiGHTS), RPGs (Phantasy Star, Shining Force), action/adventure (Yakuza, Shenmue), puzzles (Monkey Ball, ChuChu), fighting (Virtua Fighter, Virtual On), simulation (Football Manager, Total War). So many games over so many genres. It's no wonder so many SEGA fans sometimes don't see eye to eye. Kidding, kidding.
So.... thoughts?