sega

Exclusive: Hands-on with Ultimate Genesis Collection for iPhone

Regardless of how you feel about playing games on an iPhone--or iPad for that matter--Sega is bringing classic Genesis titles to the platform. We first told you about the Ultimate Genesis Collection app two weeks ago; here's a follow-up with some exclusive hands-on impressions.

Like most games that originated in the world of controllers, the Ultimate Genesis Collection relies on virtual buttons placed on the sides of the screen. You also have the option to play games in their original aspect ratio, which will put a graphic border around the game screen.

Sonic the Hedgehog looked great, though we did notice a slight dip in frame rate. There's a certain magic missing from the iPhone version that the classic was able to generate, most likely because the virtual controls aren't as solid as we would have liked. Precise controls are a must in games like Sonic, so it's going to take a lot of getting used to for those familiar with the speed of the original. A game like Ecco the Dolphin seemed slightly better in terms of control (it's a slower game), though a learning curve is still present here. … Read more

Ultimate Genesis: Sega's official console emulator for iPhone

Apple's finicky about emulators in the App Store, but most of the candidates have been unofficial, and dubiously legal. Sega's Ultimate Genesis, though, is official, and looks like a full virtual console for your iPhone.

Sega's released a pile of classic games in the App Store, all of which were technically emulated; the apps were emulators and ROMs, all packaged into one. (This made the adaptions faithful, if a little slow on non-3GS hardware.) Now, with the App Store's in-app purchasing system, they can do it right: the free app, which should show up sometime today … Read more

Bad hair day: Bayonetta hands-on

Bayonetta is an over-the-top action game and the latest from developer Platinum Games. Publisher Sega has tread carefully with Bayonetta by moving it out of the way of the holiday 2009 steamroller (Modern Warfare 2, Uncharted 2, etc.). Now, as part of the first wave of 2010 games, it has a chance to pick up new fans and maybe even soak up some of those electronics retailer gift cards that have become a popular generic gift item.

We've been seeing the game pretty regularly and have had the retail version for some time now. Here are our final thoughts: … Read more

Flashback 1989--Gaming 20 years ago

I found an old issue of Video Games & Computer Entertainment magazine in an ancient cardboard box filled with stuff I somehow saved from my years at summer camp. Dated July 1989, it's more than 20 years old--and it's an incredible reminder of how quickly things can change.

Besides the god-awful layout by modern standards, I found a few notable shocks when thumbing through the issue:

Game ads have addresses to write to and phone numbers to call, since there were no Web links yet. The TurboGrafx-16 preview, featured on the front cover, boasts how the $199 console … Read more

Sega Zippo lighters spark nostalgia

Looking at the Sega Mega Drive-modeled Zippo lighter reminds me of the actual console that I still have on top of my wardrobe. I remember spending a good deal of time on it playing Mortal Kombat and Sunset Riders with my friends. Those were the days when 16-bit graphics were more than enough, and 3D games were almost unheard of.

There's also a Sega Saturn version available, and both lighters retail for $114 each. Give the PlayStation 3 10 years, and I'm sure it'll be inducted into the Zippo game console hall of fame.

(Source: Crave Asia … Read more

Sega classic Earthworm Jim wriggles onto iPhones

Everything old is new again. Earthworm Jim, a run-and-gun platform game that debuted on the Sega Genesis in 1994, just hit the App Store.

Earthworm Jim, brought to you by Gameloft (do these guys ever stop working?), offers the same terrific tongue-in-cheek sci-fi action as its predecessor.

As the titular mutated character, you'll run, swing, blast, and bungee-jump your way through 16 levels as you attempt to rescue Princess What's-Her-Name from the evil Psy-Crow and Queen Slug-for-a-Butt. (I didn't say it was a particularly sophisticated game.)

The onscreen d-pad control makes movement a little challenging until you … Read more

Dreamcast (and PS2 games) on the PS3?

A whopper of a leak shot across the Internet Tuesday, reporting of a Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) meeting that discussed the possibilities of rereleasing classic Sega games as compilation Blu-ray Discs and downloads of PS2 games on the PS3. While we discussed this trend--and even suggested a few great franchises to pursue--when the God of War Collection was announced, an even more surprising and exciting bomb was dropped in these purported meeting minutes:

Dreamcast on the PS3.

From the wording of supposedly leaked August 6 SCEA meeting notes found on several forums including NeoGAF, it sounds like both PS2 and Dreamcast games will soon be available over PSN, much like PS1 games are already. That is big news. With PS2, PS1, and Dreamcast titles under their belts, it could be argued that the PS3 would have a Virtual Console that, while not as retro as Nintendo's, would be nearly unbeatable in offering the best of the late '90s and early '00s. After all, back then, the Dreamcast and PS2 were the biggest, bitterest rivals in town. It hasn't been confirmed that these notes are real, but they certainly seem too detailed and logical to not be.… Read more

10 years of Dreamcast, 10 games we love

To commemorate the Sega Dreamcast's 10th anniversary, I thought I needed to do something a little special.

Listed below, you will find 10 of the best Dreamcast games ever released. Some are certainly better than others (I'll let you decide on that), but they all hold a special place in my gaming heart. And I'm willing to bet they might hold a special place in yours.

Let's take a look.

Jet Grind Radio Jet Grind Radio seems one of the most unique games released for the Dreamcast.

Using a cell-shaded design that fits perfectly with the game's story, you're a rollerblading graffiti gang member who wants to tell everyone in the city who is in charge. To do so, you need to cruise around town and "tag" the streets.

Why I love it: Jet Grind Radio, like many of the games I loved from the Dreamcast days, offered a unique idea that gamers responded well to. It was fun and willing to "push the envelope" a little. That should be commended.

NFL 2K1 NFL 2K1 was one of the best football games ever released. It featured outstanding visuals for its time, the controls were great, and the gameplay was even better. It provided me with the most exciting football experience of its time.

Why I love it: When the NFL 2K series was in its prime, I forgot about the Madden series. Yes, it was that good. Today, we're stuck with Madden. And each time I hike the ball in Madden NFL 10, I'm left wondering what the NFL 2K series would look like today. Hmm.

Phantasy Star Online If you never played Phantasy Star Online, you missed out on one of the most compelling games ever released for the Dreamcast.

Phantasy Star Online was the first online home console game ever released. The title allowed gamers to hack and slash their way through the story, while partnering up with gamers across the Web.

Overall, the game's online experience wasn't great compared to what we have today, but it started the online-gaming era. It should be commended for that.

Why I love it: The game's story was good, but just being able to hook up to the Web and play with others online was an incredible feat at the time. It was my entree into the online-gaming world.… Read more

Sega goes back to roots with new 2D Sonic game

With today marking the 10-year anniversary of the Sega Dreamcast, news from the company reveals that a brand-new 2D Sonic game is in development and slated for a 2010 release.

While details are slim, the teaser trailer (see below) indicates that the new game will be an HD title built entirely from the ground up. It's also unclear whether Sonic will be the main star of the game, as Gamespot is reporting that the project's codename is "Needlemouse."

Fans of the Sonic the Hedgehog series have been clamoring for a traditional 2D Sonic game in the … Read more

Happy 10th anniversary, Sega Dreamcast!

There's a lot to keep track of on September 9, with an Apple press conference and the release of The Beatles: Rock Band game. But we'd be remiss if we didn't call attention to the upcoming 10th anniversary of one of the best-loved game consoles of all time. It was 10 years ago tomorrow (September 9, 1999) that Sega released the Dreamcast in North America. Remembered primarily by video game history buffs now, this unassuming white box helped introduce some mainstays of the modern game console--even though the Dreamcast itself had a very short lifespan.

This was … Read more