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While Zillion was based on a toy and anime series, it’s often compared to Nintendo’s Metroid. It doesn’t quite reach the levels of greatness of that classic, but it is still a great game with great visuals, interchangeable playable characters, and tons of action. The lack of a password or save feature hurts it, but there’s still lots of fun lurking in the Norsa Empire’s lair.
Sega redefined console RPGs with Phantasy Star Online, a game that remade the series into a multi-player affair more focused on action. It still had that classic feel, and it was one of the seminal titles on the console. With three friends and an Internet connection, this was THE game to play and a must-have release for the console.
Woody Pop came bundled with Sega’s paddle controller, but it’s not necessarily the best game to use with it. Poor presentation and problematic gameplay keep it from reaching the heights of other classic paddle games like Arkanoid or Kaboom!, and it even falls short compared to similar Master System games. Unless you’re looking to complete your Master System collection, this one shouldn’t be a priority.
Not content to bring its arcade classic, Darius, to Sega’s 16-bit mini console release, M2 further refined the game for a full-blown cartridge release called Darius Extra Version. The game improves several areas significantly, making it more robust than arcade original and offering Genesis owners perhaps the seminal version of Darius.
Mike Fischer began his Sega tenure at a young age and spent his first few years in Japan before transferring over to Sega of America. He went on to executive positions at Namco, Square/Enix, and Xbox. One thing that made Fischer’s experiences so unique was that they were at key points in each company’s history. He spent the better part of two hours telling us about his time at Sega and Namco and some of the historic events he witnessed.
Konami brought its western-themed light gun hit to the Sega CD, and while it’s not a huge upgrade over the Genesis version, it’s a worthy purchase for owners of the add-on. The sound quality is as good as expected, and the gameplay has been made a bit more challenging. If you’re looking for another reason to use your Justifier, this may be it.
Climax broke new ground on the Genesis with this isometric action/adventure classic. Landstalker was a game unlike any other on the console, and it still holds a special place in the hearts of gamers worldwide. Join us for our deep dive into how it was made, as we examine everything from its conception to release with newly-translated documents and interview details!
In this translated interview from 1980, then-Sega Executive Vice President Hayao Nakayama discusses the company’s operations, bootleggers, and the recently-acquired Gremlin Industries. He provides some insightful details into Sega’s corporate composition, priorities, and sales, as well as the relationship between its Japanese and U.S. branches.
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