Make My Video (Sega CD)

Source: Sega Visions – February/March 1993

The problem with the Sega CD was that some developers just didn’t know what to do with it. They should have made the same types of games already available for the Genesis and Super Nintendo but with improvements based on the enhanced power and much greater (but slow) storage of the Sega CD. Platformers with more levels and improved graphics, much larger RPGs, compilations with multiple good games, etc. And a few developers did just that. However, too many developers felt that full motion video was the future and made things like graphic adventures only with FMV clips and stuff like this.

As an example of what not to do with the Sega CD, here is an ad for two “Make My Video” titles for the Sega CD. One featuring C + C Music Factory and the other featuring Kris Kross (ok, they used to be more famous). The idea is to piece together music and video clips and make your own video. As a tech demo it isn’t bad but for something with actual replayability (if “playability” even applies here) it’s pretty terrible.

The Sega CD didn’t have a huge library and too much of it consisted of crappy FMV games. In my opinion that (plus the large initial cost of the Sega CD) were why it didn’t do better commercially. I know I really looked forward to this CD add-on but was really disappointed with what was available when it finally arrived.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega Genesis)

http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/161524722662/ultimate-mortal-kombat-3-sega-genesis

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was a high point in the Mortal Kombat series, at least as far as the arcade games are concerned. It was an update to Mortal Kombat 3 that had been released earlier the same year (1995). There were a number of home ports for various systems including the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. However, these 16-bit ports had significant changes because of the limitations of those systems as compared to the arcade game.

The Genesis and Super NES versions are good in their own right but are significantly different. They have fewer backgrounds as compared to the arcade and also fewer finishing moves as well as other cuts and less impressive graphics. There are also tradeoffs between the two versions. For example, the Super NES version generally has better graphics and animation but the Sega Genesis version has more stages.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 was also released for the Sega Saturn (the best of the original ports) and much later the Game Boy Advance (probably the worst port), PS2, Nintendo DS, Xbox Live Arcade and iOS. Mortal Kombat Trilogy, an update of sorts, was also released for various consoles the following year.

Above is the character select screen for the Sega Genesis version of Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3.

Sega Visions (June/July 1993)

Source: Sega Visions (June/July 1993)

Sega Visions was more or less Sega’s answer to Nintendo Power. It was the official Sega magazine though I don’t recall seeing it on store shelves. It may have only been widely available as a subscription. Generally, you could get a free trial subscription by sending in a registration for a Sega product. In 1993 the Sega Genesis, Sega CD and Game Gear were being covered. The June/July 1993 issue includes:

Say What?…Overheard at Sega – Time Warner forms agreement with Sega to distribute Genesis games via cable; Genesis is number one selling toy for December 1992; new Sonic pinball game in development; Sega announces upcoming release of Aladdin on the Genesis; Valiant and Image “Deathmate” announced; and more.

Yo Sega! – Questions and comments from readers about “blast processing”, Sonic 2 giveaway with Genesis, details about Conic, Tails and Robotnik, the Game Genie, Sega Genesis power draw, connecting a Game Gear to a TV, and more.

Sega Game Features

Jurassic Park for Genesis – A preview of the upcoming Jurassic Park game for the Genesis that is based on the, at the time, still upcoming movies.

The Making of Jurassic Park – A look at all that went into making the game from learning about dinosaurs to creating animation sequences of animals that no longer exist to creating the backgrounds and more.

Sneak Peeks
- Joe Montana’s NFL Football CD – A football game with a behind the quarterback 3D view for the Sega CD.
- Mad Dog McRee CD – A light gun game for the Sega CD based on the arcade game from American Laser Games.

Sega CD Software
- Terminator – This CD enhanced action game is based on the original Terminator movie.
- Dracula – This game is based on the Bram Stoker’s Dracula movie and includes digitized graphics, 3D effects and CD quality sound and music. Mostly the game plays as a side-scrolling beat-’em-up.
- Ecco the Dolphin – There was also a cartridge version of this game but the CD version adds five new levels and some additions to the other levels as well. It also adds “3-D” stereo sound.
- Final Fight – Another formerly cartridge only game that has some significant enhancements in the CD version, including a two-player simultaneous mode, new areas and stereo sound.

Just Review It Genesis

Shining Force – This is really a must play game for those who are fans of the Genesis and RPGs.

Cool SPOT – While the advertising theme and character (7-Up’s Spot) seems odd, this platform game is one of the relatively few licensed games that are any good.

Jungle Strike – The sequel to Desert Strike. The Strike series in general was an excellent series of overhead shooter games.

Mig 29 Fighter Pilot – Not a bad simulator but I always though these kinds of games played better on the PC for a variety of reasons. More powerful hardware and better controller options come to mind.

F-15 Strike Eagle II – The Genesis really did have some of the best sims of any game console. However, still better on a PC.

Puggsy – A humorous side-scrolling platform game from Psygnosis.

B.O.B. – A sci-fi themed platform game in which you play the role of an android that has crash-landed and must escape the planet he is on.

Rocket Knight Adventures – A platform action/adventure game featuring a space age opossum.

R.B.I. ’93 – The Genesis was known for its excellent sports games. This baseball game is one of those.

Wrath of the Gods – A PC port, this one seems very much like Populous.

Thomas the Tank Engine – An educational game for the kids featuring Thomas and friends.

Just Review It Game Gear

Dracula – The Game Gear version isn’t quite as impressive as the Sega CD version but it is a reasonable approximation.

Tengen World Cup Soccer – A decent portable soccer game.

Hook – The Game Gear does a reasonable job with this movie based platform game that was also released on the Genesis and Sega CD.

Jeopardy – Featuring a digitized Alex Trebec and over 400 categories, this is a pretty good home version of the game. The only downside is having to spell out answers with the D-Pad.

W.W.F. Steel Cage Challenge – I don’t think this kind of game works particularly well on a small screen but it isn’t terrible and you have to give it nostalgia points if you are a WWF fan.

Sega Visions Features

Sonic Comic – A mini comic-book featuring Sonic.

Game on Tap – More on the new Sega Channel. The initial line-up of games is supposed to feature a constantly rotating line-up of games.

Chakan and Green Dog: Behind the Scenes – An interview with the creator of the Chakan comic book and the Chakan game producer. Likewise, there is a brief interview with the Greendog character creator and the Greendog game producer.

Sega Visionaries – Hints, tips, codes, passwords, etc. for various games, including Road Rash 2, Toe Jam & Earl, Chuck Rock, Joe Montana ’93, Sonic 2, Greendog, Ecco the Dolphin, and more.

Totally Sonic – An overview of some of the many Sonic products available from trading cards and board games to kites and underwear and much more.

Fast Takes – Brief game reviews for LaRussa Baseball (Genesis), Hook (Genesis), King of the Monsters (Genesis), Bulls vs Blazers (Genesis), Toys (Genesis), Journey From Darkness: Strider Returns (Genesis), Paperboy (Game Gear), Pacific Theater of Operations (Genesis), Wolfchild (Genesis), Chester Cheetah (Genesis), Championship Bowling (Genesis), Blaster Master 2 (Genesis), Dracula (Genesis), Crash Dummies (Game Gear), and Arch Rivals (Game Gear).

Power Shopper – A list of games, systems, and accessories available directly from Sega.

Incoming! – A list of games being released over the coming months. A few of the titles listed include Chester Cheetah (Genesis), Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister 6 (Game Gear), Batman Returns (Sega CD), B.O.B. (Genesis), Crash Dummies (Game Gear), Spider-Man (Sega CD), Dracula (Genesis), Bart vs. World (Game GEar), and Terminator (Sega CD) but there are many more.