Ken Horowitz – Page 4

Detonator Orgun

March 3, 2026 by Ken Horowitz 0 comments

One genre that seemed tailor made for the Sega CD was the digital novel, but even there, quality varied. Detonator Orgun tried to adapt its namesake’s weird story to game form, but it fell flat due to a lack of any real action and subpar presentation. It’s not a horrible adaptation, but there are better anime-based digital novels out there to play. Fans of the OVA might enjoy this one, but those looking for a great anime-based digital novel will enjoy Urusei Yatsura: My Dear Friends a whole lot more.

Behind the Design: Shining in the Darkness

February 23, 2026 by Ken Horowitz 0 comments

Climax burst onto the 16-bit scene with a wonderful 8Mb RPG that looked like nothing coming out of Japan at the time. Filled with memorable characters, fantastic visual effects, and a challenging quest, Shining in the Darkness was one hell of a debut title. It put Climax on the map and laid the foundation for a series that would run for the next three decades.

Classic Interviews, Features

Classic Interview: Shigeo Kamata and Hideki Sato

February 14, 2026 by Ken Horowitz 0 comments

Early on in the Mega Drive’s life, Sega was ramping up game development and accessory support to make it a real contender against Nintendo’s NES. In this February 1990 interview, Sega’s Deputy General Manager of Consumer Business Dept., Shigeo Kamata, and the Director of R&D, Hideki Sato, talk about that strategy, including console sales, the Mega Modem, the start of the Sega Technical Institute, and more.

Behind the Design, Features

Behind the Design: Sega Rally Championship (Arcade)

January 26, 2026 by Ken Horowitz 0 comments

AM3 unleashed a monster racing title in early 1995 with Sega Rally Championship. Designed to be as far apart from Daytona USA as possible, the game brought off-road racing to arcades like no title before it. Its development is a tale of struggle and innovation, one that launched a franchise and a storied career. Join as we examine this Sega classic!

Arcade Reviews

Zaxxon

January 5, 2026 by Ken Horowitz 0 comments

Sega innovated in several ways with 1982’s Zaxxon and created a solid and challenging shooter that has become a classic. However, some may not enjoy the lack of depth find the gameplay frustrating if they’re not using a control stick. If those are humps you can get over, then Zaxxon offers an enjoyable, albeit short, experience that exemplifies Sega at its creative best.

Author: Ken Horowitz

Detonator Orgun

Behind the Design: Shining in the Darkness

Classic Interview: Shigeo Kamata and Hideki Sato

Behind the Design: Sega Rally Championship (Arcade)

Zaxxon