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[Fatnick]

Here we go - #13 - August 1990.

And last but not least... (drum roll....)

Reportedly, as I mentioned, Strider on Genesis/MD was 6-megabits, at this point. Probably around the beginning of summer (given magazine lead times, Chicago CES being in June, etc), before it was finished,

Oh and there's Sega's then-future mascot (he got shown twice this issue).

Ahh! I ised to play 'Vette on one of my friend's dad's Macs. I take it it fell on the scrapjeap of eternity?

 

[davidwhangchoi]

Here we go - #13 - August 1990.

And last but not least... (drum roll....)

Reportedly, as I mentioned, Strider on Genesis/MD was 6-megabits, at this point. Probably around the beginning of summer (given magazine lead times, Chicago CES being in June, etc), before it was finished,

Oh and there's Sega's then-future mascot (he got shown twice this issue).

you are the best, AmyS =)

 

[AmyS]

Ahh! I ised to play 'Vette on one of my friend's dad's Macs. I take it it fell on the scrapjeap of eternity?

Yeah, 'Vette never made it out on Genesis, though F-15 Strike Eagle II did, but not until 1993, and therefore (an older game) coming out after F-22 Interceptor which I think was closer to end of 1991 (I remember playing F22i on Genesis in early '92).

you are the best, AmyS =)

Ha, the 16-bit era was the best!

 

[davidwhangchoi]

Yeah, 'Vette never made it out on Genesis, though F-15 Strike Eagle II did, but not until 1993, and therefore (an older game) coming out after F-22 Interceptor which I think was closer to end of 1991 (I remember playing F22i on Genesis in early '92).



Ha, the 16-bit era was the best!

finally got that issue you were waiting for. can't believe sonic debut was that late... the checkered patterned tiles and flat tree leaves was what got me hooked to the preview images.
don't know why.. but i thought the graphic style got me really curious. the sharp angles made it looked like a piece of art. and then boom! 9,9,9,9 reviews. pitted against s. mario world =)

 

[AmyS]

reading the strider issue back then, i always compared the genesis photos w/ the super grafx strider ads posts by import game stores. remember foggy details of talk about the limited platette colors avail on the genesis vs. super grafx...
always curious which version was better.

Strider for Super Grafx never came out.
There was a graphically watered down version made with extensive cinema cut scenes for the PC Engine Arcade Card CD that came out years later, but wasn't what the earlier version was supposed to be on the more powerful SGX hardware.

Here are screenshots of what EGM claimed was the Super Grafx version, with finer detail and color (pics are a little dark) than Genesis. However these screens were almost definitely the arcade version for a number of reasons.

Also found a import store ad:

I'm pretty sure there were nicer, color ads like this but haven't found them yet.

 

[davidwhangchoi]

Strider for Super Grafx never came out.
There was a graphically watered down version made with extensive cinema cut scenes for the PC Engine Arcade Card CD that came out years later, but wasn't what the earlier version was supposed to be on the more powerful SGX hardware.

Here are screenshots of what EGM claimed was the Super Grafx version, with finer detail and color (pics are a little dark) than Genesis. However these screens were almost definitely the arcade version for a number of reasons.

Also found a import store ad:

I'm pretty sure there were nicer, color ads like this but haven't found them yet.

YES!!!! that was the article. Kept me so curious about that elusive Super Grafx version.
i was wondering what happened to that all these year later.

damn i can't believe you found that!!!!! made my day =) (also it's sad to hear that it didn't happen)

 

[Morfeo]

Just got the 2-in-1 (I don't plan to get a 32X, so I went for a Mega Drive 2 + Mega-CD model) power supply in the mail, and ran a quick test. Everything's working fine, I'm SO pleased.
Surely not the best looking piece of hardware I've ever seen but nonetheless a true blessing, in terms of convenience and space-saving.

Glad to hear it! I got a three in one since i actually have a 32x in the mail!

 

[AmyS]

YES!!!! that was the article. Kept me so curious about that elusive Super Grafx version.
i was wondering what happened to that all these year later.

damn i can't believe you found that!!!!! made my day =) (also it's sad to hear that it didn't happen)

Yeah. It's actually kinda difficult to figure out what screenshots EGM used to pass off as Super Grafx shots, between the arcade and Sharp X68000 versions.

-Two flyers from arcade
-X68000 box back cover - EGM "SuperGrafx" screenshots

 

[Teknoman]

I cant wrap my mind around Sonic 1 appearing in a coming soon. I really wish there was footage of that beta / alpha version features in the mag.

 

[Fatnick]

Yeah, 'Vette never made it out on Genesis, though F-15 Strike Eagle II did, but not until 1993, and therefore (an older game) coming out after F-22 Interceptor which I think was closer to end of 1991 (I remember playing F22i on Genesis in early '92).

Ha, and you couldn't make Saddam Hussein cry in F-15!

The cancellation of Vette! Creates the same feeling of loss caused by loading up the Elite megadrive alpha. Oh what could have been

 

[MikeMyers]

Ha, the 16-bit era was the best!

100% agreed.

In a way though, the Saturn kind of feels like a final hurrah of the 16-bit generation, if that makes any sense. The emphasis on 2D, on arcade gaming over cinematic gaming, etc.

 

[Galdelico]

Glad to hear it! I got a three in one since i actually have a 32x in the mail!

Ha, that's great.
I'm trying to hold myself to buy one, mainly because the only one game I'd be truly interested in is Tempo.

 

[davidwhangchoi]

Yeah. It's actually kinda difficult to figure out what screenshots EGM used to pass off as Super Grafx shots, between the arcade and Sharp X68000 versions.

-Two flyers from arcade
-X68000 box back cover - EGM "SuperGrafx" screenshots

thanks for these scans, very informative.

 

[gwailo]

Agh, went to a local retro shop and got a 3 button controller, get home, watch the Vikings choke, so I fire up Forgotten Worlds.... And the controller doesn't work. I did get a CIB Space Harrier II in decent shape also, so it wasn't a total loss.

 

[Morfeo]

Ha, that's great.
I'm trying to hold myself to buy one, mainly because the only one game I'd be truly interested in is Tempo.

Yeah, Ive been thinking like that forever, but I just couldnt hold out anymore. Also need to try that Star Wars game and Knuckles Chaotix at least!

 

[Galdelico]

Yeah. It's actually kinda difficult to figure out what screenshots EGM used to pass off as Super Grafx shots, between the arcade and Sharp X68000 versions.

-Two flyers from arcade
-X68000 box back cover - EGM "SuperGrafx" screenshots

The first 'SuperGrafx' screenshot seems to be the very same you can spot in the second arcade fyler (the one pic in the middle, to the left).

Yeah, Ive been thinking like that forever, but I just couldnt hold out anymore. Also need to try that Star Wars game and Knuckles Chaotix at least!

Haha, fair enough.
I'll probably end up making the same choice at some point, but for now there are so many Mega Drive/Mega-CD games I want to pick up before even thinking about it.

 

[ElTopo]

Beat Forgotten Worlds. An early Genesis title (maybe a launch title) and part of the Capcom arcade ports such as Ghosts and Goblins and Strider.

Pretty decent Shmup with a unique gimmick. It's a little easy tho and doesn't have much replay-ability. Has the weirdest thing I've ever seen in a Genesis title; if there's two controllers plugged in, the game assumes there's 2 players and player 2 automatically starts the game. If you (player 1) wants to start, you have to hit start to join. Weird. But an okay game overall.

I want to try to beat two other Shmups with the same exact gimmick (I.E. you are a human being floating through space where you shoot from orbs that rotate 360 degrees) which are Battle Mania AKA Trouble Shooter for the Genesis. And the very poorly titled SCAT for the NES (developed by Natsume, so you know it has be good).

 

[blast processed]

Beat Forgotten Worlds. An early Genesis title (maybe a launch title) and part of the Capcom arcade ports such as Ghosts and Goblins and Strider.

Pretty decent Shmup with a unique gimmick. It's a little easy tho and doesn't have much replay-ability. Has the weirdest thing I've ever seen in a Genesis title; if there's two controllers plugged in, the game assumes there's 2 players and player 2 automatically starts the game. If you (player 1) wants to start, you have to hit start to join. Weird. But an okay game overall.

I want to try to beat two other Shmups with the same exact gimmick (I.E. you are a human being floating through space where you shoot from orbs that rotate 360 degrees) which are Battle Mania AKA Trouble Shooter for the Genesis. And the very poorly titled SCAT for the NES (developed by Natsume, so you know it has be good).

I liked Forgotten Worlds, I thought for an early title it was a decent port of the arcade. I didn't think the difficulty was too bad, but there is some challenge if you go solo. Trouble Shooter is on my radar but the price has to be right.

 

[ElTopo]

It took me two tries to beat Forgotten Worlds solo. So, I'd say it's on the easy side. But I did play on Normal difficulty.

 

[davidwhangchoi]

the challenge: to get enough zenny for the homing laser. heheh

 

[blast processed]

It took me two tries to beat Forgotten Worlds solo. So, I'd say it's on the easy side. But I did play on Normal difficulty.

If you don't purchase the right upgrades or have enough $$$ then your run is short-lived.

the challenge: to get enough zenny for the homing laser. heheh

Pretty much.

 

[gwailo]

You can use the napalm for most of the game and if you take the down paths in the Egyptian levels the big lasers will give 10000 zenny each.

 

[AmyS]

The first 'SuperGrafx' screenshot seems to be the very same you can spot in the second arcade fyler (the one pic in the middle, to the left).

Yes, indeed.

There is also the U.S. arcade flyer, which IIRC, show some early/beta screens of the game prior to its 1989 worldwide release.

Also, a very detailed analysis of Japanese magazine articles / screenshots of the supposed SuperGrafx version, with the conclusion that it didn't really exist, at least not like how publications in the east and west claimed.

http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/sp_unreleased_pce.html

 

[ElTopo]

the challenge: to get enough zenny for the homing laser. heheh

I got it pretty easily on my 2nd try. *shrugs*

 

[superNESjoe]

I picked up Rocket Knight Adventures about a year ago, been sitting on my shelf ever since. I wanted to play it as a kid but never did, and have been wanting to find time to play it since I got a copy.

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

 

[sixteen-bit]

I picked up Rocket Knight Adventures about a year ago, been sitting on my shelf ever since. I wanted to play it as a kid but never did, and have been wanting to find time to play it since I got a copy.

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

It's Konami's best Genesis game and in my top 5 games of all time.

 

[superNESjoe]

It's Konami's best Genesis game and in my top 5 games of all time.

Well, then I'll be excited. I'm working my way through Rise of the Tomb Raider, but maybe I'll have to make Rocket Knight Adventures a priority after that.

 

[sixteen-bit]

Well, then I'll be excited. I'm working my way through Rise of the Tomb Raider, but maybe I'll have to make Rocket Knight Adventures a priority after that.

This review hits the nail on the head why the game clicked so well with me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq0Mqz5VQ3M

 

[davidwhangchoi]

I got it pretty easily on my 2nd try. *shrugs*

damn, you're pretty good. it took me alot of tries to get homing laser. I kept buying up everything in the store first moment i got. =)

Yes, indeed.

There is also the U.S. arcade flyer, which IIRC, show some early/beta screens of the game prior to its 1989 worldwide release.

Also, a very detailed analysis of Japanese magazine articles / screenshots of the supposed SuperGrafx version, with the conclusion that it didn't really exist, at least not like how publications in the east and west claimed.

http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/sp_unreleased_pce.html

Just had a "Santa is not real" moment =(

 

[Teknoman]

If only they gave Sparkster a third game on Saturn instead of making him a cameo character until last gen... Even Goemon had more than a few games then.

 

[Timu]

Best music in Rocket Knight Adventures IMO.

Hearing this with a model 1 HD Genesis is awesome!

 

[Danneee]

I picked up Rocket Knight Adventures about a year ago, been sitting on my shelf ever since. I wanted to play it as a kid but never did, and have been wanting to find time to play it since I got a copy.

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

Just got my copy in the mail today! But It will probably stay unplayed for a while.

 

[Galdelico]

Best music in Rocket Knight Adventures IMO.

Hearing this with a model 1 HD Genesis is awesome!

 

[ElTopo]

I picked up Rocket Knight Adventures about a year ago, been sitting on my shelf ever since. I wanted to play it as a kid but never did, and have been wanting to find time to play it since I got a copy.

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

It's one of the best action/platformers of the 16bit era. It's easily up there with Sonic, Mario, and Ristar.

 

[Mzo]

I picked up Rocket Knight Adventures about a year ago, been sitting on my shelf ever since. I wanted to play it as a kid but never did, and have been wanting to find time to play it since I got a copy.

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

Jesus Christ, Rocket Knight Adventures is amazing. One of Konami's best 16-bit titles and completely underappreciated.

 

[blast processed]

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

The only thing disappointing is that it sat on your shelf for a year unplayed. No! It's, Fabulous! One of the best ost's on the Genny.

 

[Timu]

That gif is perfect, ha, ha.

It's Konami's best Genesis game and in my top 5 games of all time.

It's one of the best action/platformers of the 16bit era. It's easily up there with Sonic, Mario, and Ristar.

Jesus Christ, Rocket Knight Adventures is amazing. One of Konami's best 16-bit titles and completely underappreciated.

The only thing disappointing is that it sat on your shelf for a year unplayed. No! It's, Fabulous! One of the best ost's on the Genny.

All this love for this great game is deserved...I still want to beat it on the hardest setting though.

 

[Gunstarheroes]

Best music in Rocket Knight Adventures IMO.

Hearing this with a model 1 HD Genesis is awesome!

You know, for all the shit Sparkster gets That Stage 1 music was on another level

 

[Teknoman]

You know, for all the shit Sparkster gets That Stage 1 music was on another level

Yes.


Btw planning any more videos?

 

[Morfeo]

This review hits the nail on the head why the game clicked so well with me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq0Mqz5VQ3M

Wow, cant believe its been 8 years since this video. Remember watching this and his other early stuff and really loving it, also discovering some games I didnt know about (like Metal Storm). Fun times!

 

[lazygecko]

It's a good review. I just can't help but feel slightly annoyed over the "it's one of the few games to give the graphically superior Super Nintendo a run for its money". I hear that so damn often for so many games that it becomes a really redundant statement.

 

[Fox Mulder]

I picked up Rocket Knight Adventures about a year ago, been sitting on my shelf ever since. I wanted to play it as a kid but never did, and have been wanting to find time to play it since I got a copy.

Am I in for disappointment? Is it any good?

it's fucking amazing.

Great music, gameplay variety, and does some technically impressive visual things as well.

 

[Gunstarheroes]

Yes.


Btw planning any more videos?

Yeah. Honestly, i've been super busy with the holidays and work. I've been working on a "Top 20 Sega CD games" for at least a month now, but i'm trying to finally learn After Effects and up my game a bit, but i digress.

I do want to mention that, after having played it again last night, i truly think Gain Ground may be the most underrated co-op game on the system. Its a bit slow at points, but the variety and amount of teamwork needed is fantastic.

 

[superNESjoe]

It's one of the best action/platformers of the 16bit era. It's easily up there with Sonic, Mario, and Ristar.

Jesus Christ, Rocket Knight Adventures is amazing. One of Konami's best 16-bit titles and completely underappreciated.

it's fucking amazing.

Great music, gameplay variety, and does some technically impressive visual things as well.

This is excellent to hear. I've decided I'm for sure jumping in after I beat Rise of the Tomb Raider, which I hope to finish this week. I saw Rocket Knight as a kid and never thought about it again. Picked it up on a whim over a year ago for a couple bucks, and it's just been sitting there.

I'm excited! I'll report back after I try it.


EDIT: Finished Tomb Raider and popped this in tonight just to test that the game worked and my Genesis, 32x, and Sega CD were hooked up properly.

Met with a cruel reminder that Genesis is the only system I still have Coaxial for. Awful. I need an AV adapter, any recommendations? I have a model 1 and model 2. Currently using model 2 because I have a model 2 CD.

 

[MikeMyers]

New book on Sega of America being released this year.

 

[superNESjoe]

Gave Rocket Knight Adventures a try tonight. Just powered through with the coaxial cable, and now looking away from the TV hurts my eyes lol.

Played to what I believe is the 2nd stage boss. I was in a castle, and there was a worm thing busting in through different holes like Whack-A-Mole. Died against him once and decided that was enough as I need to go to bed soon and I don't think the game has passwords so I didn't want to get much further.

Really fun so far though. I enjoy the fast and varied movement options using your charged attack. I do think the game is astonishingly difficult, but then again it's been over 20 years since I've had to learn a new Genesis game so it's probably just as hard as the rest that I play, but I'm just really good at those.

I played on Normal to start. 2 lives, you're done. I didn't expect that. Played on easy for a bit, and probably will again tomorrow until I feel better at the game.

 

[Timu]

Gave Rocket Knight Adventures a try tonight. Just powered through with the coaxial cable, and now looking away from the TV hurts my eyes lol.

Played to what I believe is the 2nd stage boss. I was in a castle, and there was a worm thing busting in through different holes like Whack-A-Mole. Died against him once and decided that was enough as I need to go to bed soon and I don't think the game has passwords so I didn't want to get much further.

Really fun so far though. I enjoy the fast and varied movement options using your charged attack. I do think the game is astonishingly difficult, but then again it's been over 20 years since I've had to learn a new Genesis game so it's probably just as hard as the rest that I play, but I'm just really good at those.

I played on Normal to start. 2 lives, you're done. I didn't expect that. Played on easy for a bit, and probably will again tomorrow until I feel better at the game.

Find as many extra lives as you can man!

 

[ElTopo]

Gave Rocket Knight Adventures a try tonight. Just powered through with the coaxial cable, and now looking away from the TV hurts my eyes lol.

Played to what I believe is the 2nd stage boss. I was in a castle, and there was a worm thing busting in through different holes like Whack-A-Mole. Died against him once and decided that was enough as I need to go to bed soon and I don't think the game has passwords so I didn't want to get much further.

Really fun so far though. I enjoy the fast and varied movement options using your charged attack. I do think the game is astonishingly difficult, but then again it's been over 20 years since I've had to learn a new Genesis game so it's probably just as hard as the rest that I play, but I'm just really good at those.

I played on Normal to start. 2 lives, you're done. I didn't expect that. Played on easy for a bit, and probably will again tomorrow until I feel better at the game.

I'll give you one hint about playing the game: you don't have to do the boost unless the game forces you to. In fact, if you use the boost willy-nilly (for lack of a better phrase) then you'll probably die more often than not. That's my only complaint about the game that if you experiment with the boost then you'll probably fall into a pit or run into a hazard.

 

[superNESjoe]

I'll give you one hint about playing the game: you don't have to do the boost unless the game forces you to. In fact, if you use the boost willy-nilly (for lack of a better phrase) then you'll probably die more often than not. That's my only complaint about the game that if you experiment with the boost then you'll probably fall into a pit or run into a hazard.

Yeah I learned that pretty fast. I like that the level design changes things up pretty rapidly.

 

[IrishNinja]

those Strider scans, phew...so sexy

New book on Sega of America being released this year.

wait, Melf is writing a Genesis book?! day 1