• Tag Archives Sega
  • GamePro (December 1997)

    Source: GamePro – December 1997

    While I always preferred Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro was almost as popular though it seemed to be aimed at a slightly younger audience. At about 250 pages, the December 1997 issue had to be pretty much at its peak. It includes:

    Features

    • Star Wars: The Masters of Teras Kasi – An exclusive, hands-on look at this new Star Wars themed fighting game.
    • GamePro’s Holiday Shopper’s Guide – A list of the best games, peripherals and other gaming items for the holiday season according to GamePro.
    • Metal Gear Solid! – Metal Gear Solid was the first Metal Gear game since the NES days and also transitioned the series to 3D. It came out in 1998 but was set in 2005.

    Spotlight On!

    • Messiah: Rising Shiny – A visit to Shiny Entertainment to look at the upcoming Messiah for the PlayStation and PC.
    • SEAL Squad 2040: A Special Force To Be Reckoned With – A preview of SEAL Squad 2040 for the PlayStation, described here as Wave Race 64 with guns.
    • WCW Nitro: Of Kingpins and Pin Kings – A talk with Diamond Dallas Page, the Giant, Curt Hennig, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall about WCW Nitro and games in general.

    SWATPro Strategy Section

    • Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter – A detailed strategy guide for this classic arcade fighter, featuring basic strategies, special movies, and more.
    • Star Fox 64 – A strategy guide for Star Fox 64 on the Nintendo 64 featuring secret areas, alternate skill routes, how to defeat the bosses and much more.
    • The Fighter’s Edge: Street Fighter EX Plus – Combos and strategies for Street fighter EX Plus for the PlayStation.
    • How to Master Madden – Strategy guide for Madden football for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64.
    • Final Fantasy VII – Part 3 of a massive Final Fantasy VII strategy guide.

    ProReviews

    • PC GamePro – Reviews of Jedi Knight, Hexen II, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Dark Reign, Total Annihilation, Take No Prisoners, Half-Life, and Wing Commander: Prophecy.
    • Nintendo 64 – Reviews of Diddy Kong Racing, WCW vs. NWO World Tour, Duke Nukem 64, San Francisco Rush, Bomberman 64, and Extreme G.
    • PlayStation – Reviews of MDK, Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Resident Evil Director’s Cut, Moto Racer, Test Drive 4, Shipwreckers, Marvel Super Heroes, Dragon Ball GT Final Bout, Jet Moto 2, Pandemonium 2, Red Asphalt, Vs., Frogger, Rampage, Mass Destruction, and Reel Fishing.
    • Saturn – Reviews of Duke Nukem 3D, Resident Evil, Last Bronx, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Mega Man X4, Bust-A-Move 3, and Ten Pin Alley.
    • Sports Pages – Reviews of NBA Live ’98 (PlayStation), Wayne Gretzky’s 3D Hockey ’98 (Nintendo 64), NHL Face Off ’98 (PlayStation), NFL Quarterback Club ’98 (Nintendo 64), Cool Boarders 2 (PlayStation), and Formula 1 Championship Edition (PlayStation). Previews of NCAA Football GameBreaker ’98 (PlayStation), NBA Shoot Out ’98 (PlayStation), Tennis Arena (PlayStation), NHL All-Star Hockey ’98 (Saturn), and Sega Touring Car Championship (Saturn).
    • Role-Player’s Realm – Previews of Tactics Ogre (PlayStation) and Quest 64 (Nintendo 64).

    Departments

    • Head-2-Head – Video games, violence and ESRB ratings.
    • Buyers Beware – OEM vs. 3rd party RF adapters for the Nintendo 64, missing animation in Saturn version of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, and Rumble Pak battery life.
    • ProNews – Microsoft and Sega in 128-bit console discussions (this would become the Dreamcast), Blasto for Nintendo 64 delayed until early ’98, console game sales exceed PC game sales, and much more.
    • NetPro – A look at Saturn’s NetLink and the games that support it.
    • Overseas Prospects – Capcom, Square, Sega, Konami, Namco and others reveal their game lineups for 1998 at the 1997 Tokyo Game Show. Plus, highlights of the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) in London.
    • Sneak Previews – Early looks at Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown (PlayStation), F-Zero 64 (Nintendo 64), Quake (Saturn), Cardinal Syn (PlayStation), Burning Rangers (Saturn), Crime Killers (PlayStation), Yoshi’s Story (Nintendo 64), Command & Conquer: Red Alert (PlayStation), Auto Destruct (PlayStation), Sonic R (Saturn), Enemy Zero (Saturn), Need for Speed V-Rally (PlayStation), Powerboat Racing (PlayStation), Pitfall 3D: Beyond the Jungle (PlayStation), Rascal (PlayStation), Lode Runner (PlayStation), Monster Rancher (PlayStation), Arcade’s Greatest Hits: The Midway Collection 2 (PlayStation), Riven: The Sequel to Myst (PlayStation), and Forsaken (Nintendo 64, PlayStation).
    • Hot at the Arcades – A look at some of the latest arcade games, including Mortal Kombat 4, The Lost World, and Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact.

    …and more!


  • Official Sega Saturn Magazine (October 1998)

    Source: Official Sega Saturn Magazine – Issue Number 36 – October 1998

    This was the official Sega Saturn magazine in the U.K. I believe that the October 1998 issue was nearly the last issue and it was already heavily covering the Dreamcast. The writing was on the wall for the Saturn and had been for a while. This issue includes:

    Features

    • Yuji Naka Reveals All! – An interview with Yuji Naka, who was responsible for the four Sonic games on the Genesis, as well as Burning Rangers and NiGHTS. Here he talks mostly about the Dreamcast.
    • Capcom Speaks! – An interview with Mr. Noritaka Funamizu, General Producer of Capcom’s Development Division. Here he talks mostly about future plans for the Dreamcast.
    • Drones Special Report – An interview with Alex Lemedy, Game Designer, Producer and Project Manager for NIGMA Software. Here he talks mostly about their first game for the Dreamcast called Drones.
    • Astra Superstars – A detailed review of Astra Superstars, Sunsoft’s latest 2D fighting game for the Saturn which utilizes the 4MB expansion.
    • Star Wars Trilogy – A detailed look at the upcoming Star Wars arcade game produced by Sega’s AM8 division and based on Model 3 hardware.

    Previews

    • Guardian Force – A 2-D shooter for the Saturn produced by Success.
    • Konami MSX Pack – A collection of classic games for the Saturn that were originally released on the MSX computer, including Road Fighter, Soccer, Antarctic Adventure, Konami Rally, Hyper Sports 2, Yie-Ar Kung-Fu (one of my favorites on the Commodore 64), Yie-Ar Kung-Fu 2, Gradius, Golf, Tennis, Boxing, Billiards, and more.
    • Sega Ages: Disney – Two classic Disney games that were originally released on the Genesis now collected for the Saturn. Castle of Illusion and Quackshot are both included.
    • Arcade Gears – Arcade conversions of both Image Fight and X-Multiply on one disc for the Saturn.

    Reviews

    • Astra Superstars – A 2D fighter for the Saturn from Sunsoft.
    • Deep Fear – A survival horror game for the Saturn by Sega. Described here as being the last major release by Sega for the Saturn.

    Regulars

    • Editorial – A new era for Sega, pondering possibly the last official Sega Saturn review and the future with the Dreamcast.
    • News – Sonic is back for the Dreamcast; screen shots of Dreamcast technical demos; PC version of Sega Rally 2; Neo Geo Pocket introduced; and more.
    • Virtua Writer – Letters from readers about D2, Tomb Raider 2, Virtua Fighter 3, Sega Rally 2, Daytona 2, Saturn games on the Dreamcast, and more.
    • Q+A – Questions answered about playing audio CDs on the Dreamcast, games coming out on the Dreamcast, the 128-bitness of the Dreamcast, import games on the Dreamcast, network connectivity on the Dreamcast, and more.
    • Coin-Operated – A look at The King of Fighter ’98 and Dynamite Cop (including an interview with the creator).
    • Up the Back End – Japanese advertisement of the month…

    Playing Tips

    • Castlevania X, Part Two – Part two of a detailed strategy guide for Castlevania X.
    • Tips Megathon, Part One – Part one of a guide to every tip for every Saturn game ever printed in the magazine.

    …and more!


  • Electronic Gaming Monthly (March 1996)

    Source: Electronic Gaming Monthly – Issue Number 80 – March 1996

    In early 1996, EGM was covering the PlayStation, Saturn, Super NES, Genesis, 32X, 3DO, Atari Jaguar, CDi, Neo Geo, Game Boy, Game Gear, and the yet to be released Ultra 64. It was definitely a much more varied era of videogaming. The March 1996 issue includes:

    • Insert Coin – An editorial on the high price of games…generally $60-$70 for new releases at the time.
    • Press Start – Konami releases Hyper Blaster light gun for the PlayStation in Japan; SNK releases Neo Geo CDX with double speed CD-ROM drive; Namco releases new controllers, Goldstar to cease producing 3DO consoles; Atari plans 16 new CD-ROM PC titles; Infinity Multimedia working on new 3D display; ZON sensor eliminates need for controllers; and more.
    • Review Crew
      • Real Bout Fatal Fury (Neo Geo) – The latest Fatal Fury fighting game.
      • Pocahontas (Genesis) – Disney action platformer with puzzle elements.
      • Darius Gaiden (Saturn) – Decent side-scrolling shooter.
      • Mortal Kombat II (Saturn) – The best MKII home translation so far.
      • Zero Divide (PlayStation) – A somewhat unique polygon fighter.
      • A-Train (PlayStation) – Another city simulator from Maxis.
      • Descent (PlayStation) – PC port of the classic.
      • Star Fighter (3DO) – A good but difficult shooter reminiscent of Star Fox.

    • Gaming Gossip – Atari to get out of video games but produce PC games; Sony adjust release schedule to better compete with Ultra 64’s pending release; Nintendo predicts selling 3 million Ultra 64s during the first year, rumored prices include $250 for the console and $100 to $150 for the games; disk drive for Ultra 64 to use disks that contain up to 64 MB of data with 20 MB being re-writeable.
    • Tricks of the Trade – Tricks, tips, strategies and codes for Loaded (PlayStation), Earthworm Jim 2 (Super NES), Zero Divide (PlayStation), Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (arcade), Doom Troopers (Genesis), Earthworm Jim 2 (Super NES), The Raiden Project (PlayStation), Sega Rally Championship (Saturn), Toshinden 2 (PlayStation), Destruction Derby (PlayStation) – one of my favorites!, and much more.
    • Special Features
        • First Look at the Games of CES – Previews of some of the games shown at the Winter CES including Pocahontas and Maui Mallard by Disney Interactive for the Genesis, Casper for the PlayStation, VR Golf and VR Soccer for the PlayStation and Saturn, Bubsy 3D from Accolade for the PlayStation, Star Control 3 from Accolade for the PC (DOS), Power Rangers for the PlayStation and Saturn, Independence Day, Planet of the Apes, Hell Raiser, NCAA Basketball, Time Lapse, Alone in the Dark 2, Metalwerks, Orion Burger, and more.
        • The Developers of Resident Evil Spill Their Guts – An interview with Mr. Shinji Mikami, director of Capcom’s Resident Evil for the PlayStation.
        • Cover Story: Tekken 2 – A first look (with screen shots) of the Tekken 2 arcade conversion for the PlayStation.
        • Killer Instict 2 – A look at the Killer Instinct sequel in the arcades, including a list of combos and how to perform them.
    • Next Wave
        • Maui Mallard (Genesis) – A platform game featuring a Donald Duck look alike (85% done).
        • Pocahontas (Genesis) – An action/puzzle game from Disney (100% done).
        • Mortal Kombat II (Saturn) – Closest version to the arcade original (100% done).
        • Darius Gaiden (Saturn) – Destroy the mechanical fish armada (100% done).
        • D (Saturn) – A horror/adventure game (100% done).
        • Battle Arena Toshinden 2 (PlayStation) – Classic 3D fighter (80% done).
        • Descent (PlayStation) – Port of the classic PC sim (100% done).
        • Zero Divide (PlayStation) – A more obscure 3D fighter (100% done).
        • Krazy Ivan (PlayStation) – Sounds like it should be a submarine game but it’s a mech game (100% done).
        • A-Train (PlayStation) – Another city sim from Maxis (100% done).
        • Casper (3DO) – An adventure game featuring the friendly ghost (80% done).
        • Real Bout Fatal Fury (Neo Geo) – The latest Neo Geo fighting game (100% done).

    • Next Wave Protos
      • Magic Carpet – An early look at this PC game.
      • Dungeons and Dragons: Tower of Doom (PlayStation/Saturn) – Action/adventure game that might remind you of something like Golden Axe (10% done).
      • Earthworm Jim 2 (Saturn) – Sequel to the popular 16-bit game (70% done).
      • Dirt Race Extreme (PlayStation) – Off-road racing game.
      • Shining Wisdom (PlayStation) – An RPG from Working Designs.
      • D (PlayStation) – Horror themed puzzle/adventure game.
    • Team EGM – An interview with Magic and Kareem in regards to Slam ‘n Jam ’96. Reviews of various other sports games including VR Soccer ’96 (PlayStation), F-1 World Championship (PlayStation), F-1 Live Information (Saturn), Bottom of the 9th (PlayStation), VR Golf ’96 (PlayStation), and Valora Valley Golf (Saturn). Previews of Hang On GP ’95 (Saturn), Goal Storm (PlayStation), Road Rash (PlayStation), and Atari Karts (Jaguar).
    • Contest – Simply complete the entry form for your chance to win a Run N’ Gun arcade machine, In the Zone video game, or a Konami T-Shirt.
    • Interface: Letters to the Editor – PlayStation vs. Saturn, next-gen RPGs, FMV games, Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 and more.

    …and more!