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Everything you need to know
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ISBN 978-1909758056
24
14
The
Mega Drive
Contents 72
84
26 44
25
8 RETROINSPECTION: MEGA DRIVE 28 SONIC BOOM: THE SUCCESS STORY OF
Discover how Sega’s 16-bit console – known as the Genesis in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
the US – helped change the fortunes of the company and made Discover how a blue hedgehog changed the fortunes of both the
a huge impact on the game industry Mega Drive and Sega itself
14 PERFECT TEN: MEGA DRIVE 38 THE MAKING OF GUNSTAR HEROES
YEARS OF
There are so many amazing games available on Sega’s fantastic Find out how a group of talented Japanese developers left
CLASSIC
console, but these are the ones you shouldn’t be without Konami and made one of the Mega Drive’s greatest games
16 AND THE REST: MEGA DRIVE
GAMING
44 CLASSIC GAME:
Take a seat, prepare your nostalgia glands and get set for some STREETS OF RAGE 2
of the best and worse games for Sega’s console
Scintillating music, fantastic visuals and bone-crunching
18 RETROINSPECTION: MEGA CD gameplay. It’s little wonder Sega’s sequel rules the
Sega’s Mega-CD was nowhere near as bad as many thought. beat-’em-up roost
Find out why you shouldn’t be without this exciting add-on 46 THE MAKING OF
24 PERFECT TEN: MEGA CD FIFA INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
Thought Sega’s Mega Drive add-on was full of rubbish FMV We reveal the interesting origins behind the most successful
games? Let us change your opinion with these ten gems football franchises of all time
52
18 76 64 60
46
82
38 16
N
with the Mega Drive system. It has long had
a history of benefiting from Sega in one form
or another, often due to the direct competitive
challenge it posed. The SNES would have
been nothing without the MD; the reverse is
also true. It was the Mega Drive that pushed
Nintendo’s into updating its aged NES
hardware, and it was also the Mega Drive that changed the market
forever, cutting a trail towards the situation today. It is undeniably
one of the most important pieces of hardware in gaming history. So
it should have come as no surprise to find that MD games would
support Nintendo’s soon-to-be-released Wii system. In a moment of
irony, it must be noted that Sega had already dabbled in downloadable
MD games with The Sega Channel, making its announcement quite
Modem Wars apt. The decision was obvious. Later Sega systems would prove
Sega dabbled in modem usage difficult, technically, and also the MD was far more successful than the
for the Mega Drive. Nagumo-san
explained, “It was called Mega-
Master System. As will be shown, the MD can be credited for many
Modem, whose sales date was things – it was a magical high Sega never again reached.
November 3, 1990. It is a modem The Japanese debut was October 29, 1988. The widespread
unit for Mega Drive that enabled
online game communication. American release was less than a year later in 1989, while the
It used analogue lines and its United Kingdom had to wait roughly another year before it arrived in
connection speed was 1,200bps.
The service named ‘Game
November 1990. To fully understand the importance of the Mega
Toshokan’ enabled downloading Drive’s launch, you need to know what the international climate was
of games, delivery of Sega-related like during the decadent Eighties.
news and online matches.”
Records vary wildly on how many Sega had already entered the console fray previously, with the
games utilised online play (one successive releases of its SG-1000 Mark I, II and III systems in Japan
source stating six).
We only found solid confirmation
(1981-1985), the 3rd model of which was redesigned as the Master
regarding TEL TEL Mah-Jong and System for Western countries. To be bluntly honest, despite it being
Stadium titles. More interestingly technically superior to the Famicom/NES, it was a commercial failure
was the ‘Game Toshokan’, which
allowed downloading of games that never gained more than a 5% market share. Only in Brazil was it
like Phantasy Star text adventures, able to officially eclipse Nintendo’s 8-bit hardware. Throughout the mid-
Pyramid Magic and Flicky to a
to-late Eighties Japan’s console market was controlled almost entirely
special cartridge. Closing in 1993,
fans worried the online-only games by the Famicom, which was popular beyond description. America was
would be forever lost. Luckily in gripped by the NES, again with near total market dominance. The NES
1994 there were two Mega-CD
compilations, Sega Games Can was also available in Europe and the UK, though Britannia was more
Vol 1 and 2, which included nearly enamoured with 8-bit micros than high-priced consoles.
all-available titles. Prized among In 1987 Hudson Soft and NEC jointly released the PC-Engine
Phantasy Star collectors, these are
incredibly rare. against the Famicom, two years later redesigning and releasing it in
America as the TurboGrafx 16. When Sega decided to position its
MD as a third competitor, the odds must have seemed impossibly
high. According to David Sheff, Hiroshi Yamauchi dismissed Sega as
not being a threat. Yamauchi was more concerned with NEC, which
was investing roughly $3.7 billion into R&D, an amount greater than
Nintendo’s then annual sales. Sega meanwhile was only a $700 million
company, and one founded by an American. As an underdog scrapping
against NEC for second place, Sega and its MD was underestimated,
8 | MEGA DRIVE
Year Released: Japan: 1988 USA: 1989 UK: 1990
Original Price: Japan: 21,000 Yen USA: $189.99 UK: £189.99
Buy it now for: £15+ ($30+)
Associated Magazines: Beep! Megadrive, Mega Drive Fan, GameFan,
Mean Machines, Sega Visions Magazine
Why the Mega Drive was great… The Mega Drive ushered in the 16-bit era; some
say the last golden era of gaming. It was a special kind of scene to be a part of. No
explanation, no mix of words or screenshots or memories can ever touch that sense
of knowing, that you were there, playing those great games during that point in time.
Though this age has sadly passed, newcomers still need to understand.
MEGA DRIVE | 9
sega s’
16-BIT HIT
» Above and right: [Mega Drive] Ecco The Dolphin, like many Mega Drive classics, has been re-released on various compilations.
» Most Mega Jets being sold come from an initial shipment hijacked by Indonesian sea-pirates. Their distribution was organised by » A young Hideki Sato working on a prototype Mega Drive; he
underground collectors. was the main designer behind it.
10 | MEGA DRIVE
RETROINSPECTION: MEGA DRIVE
» [Mega Drive] There are countless unlicensed Chinese (and Korean) games, like Barver Battle Saga – The Space Fighter. It was renamed Final Fantasy when translated into Russian.
like Famitsu and Beep! gave it positive coverage, and so a small but interested in the Atari ST computer project.” The system filtering into
loyal following began. Reportedly 400,000 units were shipped in the America and Europe raises an important question for importers. Why
first year. the deplorable need for regional lockout? Katz admitted he had no
Despite the low uptake in Japan, Sega went on to pursue highly control over it in America, “Lockout decisions were made in Japan.
risky and quite odd endeavours – bad for profits, great for collectors. The Sega Japan International VP handled international sales and
Along with a gaming modem (see box-out), Sega created an marketing.” Never knowing when to quit, Retro Gamer pushed Japan’s
online banking system for Nagoya Bank. The result was the Mega PR man into a corner until he commented. As Nagumo puts it, “We
Anser (sic), complete with modem, numerical keypad, and grossly implemented the security regionally to prevent game software being
» The rarest most expensive version of
overpriced ‘Mega Printer’. Sega also adapted the MD for arcade use, imported due to gaps of sales time between regions.” As he wipes
Tetris. Ever. You need underground
despite it already being based on the System-16 architecture. The the sweat from his brow, we jovially comment that thankfully it wasn’t contacts and plenty of money to join this
results were the System C-2 board, and also the timed MegaTech and successful. Enterprising young hackers soon bypassed the security elite ‘owners club’.
then MegaPlay systems; roughly, these three had a combined total of with special contraptions, and later, easy methods for modifying the
80 games developed. Japan also received the rarest version of Tetris hardware were devised.
ever, and some sublime exclusive RPGs like Rent-A-Hero and King
Colossus (both fan-translated).
But Japan was never what the Mega Drive was about. Success IF FORCED TO SUMMARISE WHY THE MD IS SUCH
lay in the USA and Europe. Sega had the fight of its life ahead, and
it would take not only gutsy determination to succeed, but also a A BLOODY FANTASTIC SLAB OF BLACK PLASTIC,
damned excellent roster of games, and luck. Sega clearly had just
enough of these, since it nearly conquered the industry.
IT’S BECAUSE IT’S ALL THINGS TO ALL GAMERS
Globally Gamed
To bolster the inside information available to Retro Gamer, Ken
Horowitz of Sega-16.com kindly donated interviews he conducted
with industry figures. One such individual was Michael Katz, former
head of Sega’s American branch, who presided over the Genesis’
initial sales year. Katz explained the early days. “I arrived one month
after Genesis launched. The company was small (under 50 people).
They had gone through 2-3 Presidents (Gene Lipkin, Bruce Lowery)
in the “Master System” days. Dave Rosen – Vice Chairman of Sega
(and original founder), was overseeing the running of the company.
I reported to him and Nakayama in Japan. Sega was basically a
distribution company in the US. Hardware and software development
came from Japan. I initially had to deal with keeping employees happy,
determining the quality of the staff and getting into the job of building
the Sega vs Nintendo juggernaut.” Arriving after the American launch,
Katz wasn’t aware of the details surrounding the name change from
Mega Drive to Genesis. Consensus states it was due to a trademark
dispute. The facts are blurred, but point possibly to a US manufacturer
of storage devices called Mega Drive Systems Inc.
We also questioned Katz ourselves, and he revealed a fascinating
anecdote from before the Genesis launch. “I will tell you that Atari was
offered the Genesis (when I was President of Atari Games Division)
and Jack Tramiel turned it down. It would have gotten Atari back in
the game with a 16-Bit system. I attended the meeting at Atari, when
Dave Rosen (Sega Chairman) visited us (Jack and I) and made the
offer. Jack thought the deal was too expensive, and he was more
RETRO GAMER | 43
sega s’
16-BIT HIT
IT WAS A SYSTEM WHERE THE ALLURE WAS BORN NOT
ONLY OF THE HARDWARE AND GAMES, BUT THE MAGAZINES,
PLAYGROUND ARGUMENTS, CLIMATE, AND POLITICS OF
THE TIME
Underground importing certainly didn’t harm international sales. The royalty free deal on Genesis software. The first Montana game being a
MD is officially Sega’s highest selling system. International figures are ‘Madden back up’ from EA is a little known fact.”
estimated to be between 30 and 35 million units, of which only 10% The MD’s huge success, of course, came with the arrival of Sonic
Channel Control is attributed to Japan. Sega was determined to achieve those higher The Hedgehog, a phenomenal mascot that endures to this day. But the
The Mega Drive has so many unusual sales abroad; it demanded the American branch chant the Japanese question that has to be pondered is what if Sonic had not been a hit
anecdotes you need a hundred box-
outs like this. With the announcement word “HYAKUMANDAI” (that’s “one-million” in English), in order to and never had the success that it did? When asked, Nagumo playfully
of downloadable MD games for Wii, encourage sales. Katz elaborated, “The ‘one million units’ chant was hinted at the possibility that Sega had other titles, besides Sonic,
we’re highlighting the revolutionary representative of a goal set by Sega Japan. Did they just pluck the with which to take on Nintendo and Mario. “We had the marketing
Sega Channel.
number out of thin air? I don’t know. I think they thought that if we and promotion strategies using various titles at that time. Sonic was
Speaking with Nagumo-san again,
we hoped for a pride filled statement sold a million units in the first year that would make a big statement. one of them that led to a big hit.” Katz saw things differently. When
that championed this pioneering They disregarded Nintendo’s position and the fact that all key retailers asked about SOA’s initial dislike of the Sonic character, “I certainly
achievement. His answer was
somewhat subdued, “It was a cable
would have to come on board immediately to hit the number, and also underestimated the potential of Sonic. Thank God there was good
television service in the US from which the need for a substantial software library from the get-go.” Despite and sustained gameplay (critical in any game success). I know that I
videogames could be downloaded. the daily chanting, sales only reached halfway. Katz went on, “We thought it was nuts, when we were going for targeted and widespread
We started the service in cooperation
with Telecommunications, Inc. One sold about 500K units — which I considered damn good — because awareness in everything we did, for the Japanese to develop a game
could play his favourite games as much Genesis was new, didn’t have a large software library initially, and the based on a type of character — a hedgehog — that no kid in the
as he liked at a fixed amount every
month. We also had the same services
Nintendo franchise was hard to crack.” American 6-16 year-old demographic would have any familiarity with.
in cooperation with regional cable In America it seemed Nintendo was unstoppable, and that was We knew we needed a great “character action” game to put in the line
televisions in Japan.” indeed its intention. It used some very unorthodox methods to up. We were hoping for a Donkey Kong type hit. When Sonic was so
From 1993 games were made maintain superiority. Stores were bullied into not carrying Sega hot, it was decided to bundle it with Genesis (just as ColecoVision was
available for download (divided by
genre), at a cost of $12.95 per month. products, and developers were forced to sign strict licensing bundled with Donkey Kong in 1981). If Sega didn’t have Sonic, Genesis
Games were rotated every few weeks, agreements stating they’d only develop for Nintendo. But everyone sales would probably have been less, but it’s hard to say. I don’t know
encompassing nearly the entire
library, plus a few unreleased titles
loves seeing a tyrant deposed and a colossus fall, and so various if Sega Japan had a back up – I think not. Sega Japan was responsible
and imports! They could be played developers began thinking of the Mega Drive as a serious, more for developing the character action genre. We were responsible in the
indefinitely, but lasted only while the profitable alternative. Popular companies like Namco changed US for developing sports games.”
system was turned on.
allegiance, while EA reverse-engineered the system before developing Despite his great effort and the success he achieved in those
high quality exclusives. This all helped make Sega a tempting early years, Katz was replaced by Tom Kalinske in 1990. Most agree
alternative for consumers. that any successes were a result of combined team efforts, but that
But as Katz explained, Sega wasn’t too pleased with EA. “Sega Katz is often unfairly overlooked in favour of his successor. In past
was unhappy about EA reverse-engineering Genesis. We were in interviews, Kalinske explained how Sonic became the pack-in title.
the process of giving EA/Trip a ‘sweetheart’ deal, then we needed a “After my first month as CEO, I told Mr. Nakayama, ‘You have to get
Joe Montana game in a hurry (the game being developed for us by rid of Altered Beast, the title that’s bundled with Genesis. It sounds
Media Genic was way behind schedule), so I asked Trip for a back up like devil worship. We have to get the price down to $149, and we
Madden football game. He gave us one and that assured him a low/ have to develop more American software.’ The board spoke for two
» [Mega Drive] With an unprecedented
comic book styling, Comix Zone was one of
many exclusive titles that made the Mega
Drive worth owning.
» Above and below: [Mega Drive] Smooth like liquid napalm, Ranger X by Gau Entertainment is a
frenetic blaster, with audio and visuals that’d melt the brain of those unaccustomed to it.
» Top and bottom: [Mega Drive] The anime influenced Phantasy Star
» Japan’s “Hyper Exciting Visual Game Magazine – Mega Drive Fan” was series reached its peak with number 4. Few RPGs even come close
one of several dedicated publications to such magnificence.
12 | MEGA DRIVE
hours in Japanese and I was just sitting there, not
understanding a word. Finally Mr. Nakayama said,
‘No one here agrees with anything you’ve said.’ I
thought mine was going to be the shortest career in
the business. But as I was walking out, he said, ‘But
I hired you to make the decisions for Europe and the
Americas, so go ahead and do it.’”
Sega eventually annihilated the TurboGrafx 16, and
it was doing well against the NES, but the sleeping
giant had awakened, and in 1990 Nintendo launched
the SNES. The ultimate grudge match began, which
even today, remains fresh in peoples’ hearts and
minds. Nintendo had on its side Japanese stalwarts
Square and Enix, which made Sega’s conquest of
Japan nigh-on impossible, but it had already proven
itself to be hip and cool in the West, and this is
where it succeeded. Sega was out earlier, priced
cheaply, and provided both what people wanted, and
what its rivals weren’t supplying.
Everyone deep down knew the MD couldn’t
outperform the SNES; it was the underdog in
» Top and bottom: [Mega Drive] El Viento and Alisia Dragoon are two very similar, very » Top and bottom: [Mega Drive] Konami knew how to love Mega Drive owners: Insane
terms of graphical and audio power (it had a faster fun, and very Japanesey action-platformers. hyper-exaggerated action in Contra, and classic vampire hunting in Castlevania.
processor though). Developers had to work harder
to get great results. This extra effort, and dare it be
said, love, that went into the games, was very apparent – when they to-play arcade thrills provided. Children
came up wth a graphical trick, or something unique, it showed. The were also catered for, with both licensed
Genesis had more mature software and was also advertised on adult and new IPs (Quackshot and Toejam &
TV like Saturday Night Live, further cementing its reputation as “doing Earl). When the kids were tranquilised
what Nintendon’t.” But the big tipping of scales was Mortal Kombat. and asleep in bed, parents could indulge
Sega’s version had blood and included all arcade fatalities; Nintendo’s in a plethora of sports titles (Madden
version didn’t. The atmosphere at the time was electric, and Mortal etc), violent brawlers (Cyborg Justice), or
Kombat was a deciding factor for many people’s purchases. cerebral games like Ecco.
By 1992 Sega had 55% control of the market (up from around It was a system where much of the
8%), and by 1993 it had more than quadrupled its net worth (up to atmosphere and allure was born not
$3.6 billion). Sega had reached its peak. But over the coming years it only of the hardware and games, but
became like a leper, withering as its valuable bits fell off. The golden the magazines, playground arguments,
era ended, but if you look with the right kind of eyes, you can almost climate, and politics of the time. One of
see the high water mark, where that glorious wave broke, and finally the most notable American magazines
rolled back. covering the system was GameFan, » [Mega Drive] Every kid wants to rip his
best friend’s spine out. The uncensored
If forced to summarise why the MD is such a bloody fantastic slab which, despite being multiformat, loved the Genesis. Its founder, Dave Sega version shifted the tides between
of black plastic, it’s because it’s all things to all gamers. It appealed Halverson, understood, appreciated, and helped generate a lot buzz MD and SNES popularity.
to hardcore elitist collectors, since it was great to import for. Plenty for Treasure too. GameFan praised their games, rightfully hyped up
of action games (like Alien Soldier, and the explosively magnificent Gunstar Heroes to encourage sales, and were one of the very first
Ranger X), with sturdy boxes protecting beautiful Japanese cover-art. English language magazines to conduct an interview with Treasure.
When SNES-owning friends had updates of Konami classics like Of course, not every multiformat magazine had quite the same views,
Contra and Castlevania, MD owners were blessed with their own which is why Edge infamously only gave Gunstar Heroes a half-page
exclusive updates. They were no mere ports, but were designed from 6 out of 10 review. If you were an MD fan back in the early 1990s, SPECIAL THANKS TO
Many special thanks to www.
scratch, taking into account the hardware’s limitations. And they were Halverson’s GameFan was the magazine you wanted to be reading! sega-16.com, the best unofficial
all the better because of this. There was no relying on vast colours or a We’ve not even yet mentioned subjects like the VR headset, Mega Drive site online, for donating
interview segments and images. Visit
custom Sony music chip; the gameplay had to be strong. Menacer Gun, Activator peripheral, Virtua Racing’s 3D graphics, pirate them for the full interviews! Thanks
Importantly, it tapped in the mass market and appealed to families flash carts, Brazilian rock band Megadriver, Boris Vallejo, or the million- also to www.segagagadomain.
com for images, Michael Katz for
with low incomes. In impoverished areas in the USA it was popular and-one related subjects. But it doesn’t matter. Experiencing the answering additional questions, and
among Black and Hispanic youths, who enjoyed the affordable easy- system will tell you more than these words ever could. Sega’s PR departments!
1 2 3
» [Mega Drive] There was certainly no shortage of exclusive, epic, and utterly essential action-RPGs: Beyond Oasis (1), Soleil (2), and Landstalker (3) are all must-haves!
MEGA DRIVE | 13
MEGA DRIVE
PERFECT TEN GAMES
It’s practically impossible to sum up the Mega Drive’s best games as there were so many classics to choose from. If you are
new to the machine, then these are some of the most important titles that you should consider adding to your collection
03 04 05
14 | MEGA DRIVE
PERFECT 10
06 07 08
DESERT STRIKE: SHINOBI III: RETURN ECCO THE DOLPHIN
RETURN TO OF THE NINJA RELEASED: 1993
08
BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: Delightful underwater
JUNGLE STRIKE THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI adventure that sees you
10
ALIEN CRUSH
While it essentially features the same combat
10
16 | MEGA DRIVE
05 06 07 08 09
11 12 13 14 15
20 21 22 23 24
29
10 30 31 32 33
38 39 40 41 42
47 48 49 50 51
56 57 58 59 60
65 66 67 68 69
74 75 76 77 78
83 84 85 86 87
RETROINSPECTION
MANY GAMERS ASSOCIATE THE NAME ‘MEGA CD’ WITH ‘ABJECT FAILURE’, BUT OTHERS
INSTANT EXPERT BELIEVE THE PLATFORM’S ONLY FAILING WAS TO BRING CD ROM TECHNOLOGY TO THE
■ Some later Mega CD games PARTY A GENERATION TOO SOON. DAMIEN MCFERRAN CELEBRATES A TIME WHEN SEGA
were coded to make use of
the additional power of the
WASN’T AFRAID TO TAKE MASSIVE RISKS IN THE HARDWARE ARENA
ill-fated 32X add-on – when fully
assembled, this hardware setup
was quite a beast and required
three different power supplies. hey say that pride comes to provide Sega of America with vital
■ The Mega-CD was also able before a fall but as the Year released: Japan: 1991 USA: 1992 technical information relating to the
to play the CD-G+, a format used first broadsides of the 16- UK: 1993 project. This clandestine attitude meant
mainly to display karaoke lyrics
on screen – a karaoke add-on was bit war were unleashed at Original price: Japan: 49,800 Yen that Bayless and his team had to work
also produced for the system. the dawn of the Nineties, USA: $300 UK: £270 overtime to get things ready for the
■ Digital Picture’s Sewer Shark Sega certainly had plenty US launch, which was scheduled
and Night Trap were going to be Buy it now for: £30+ ($50+)
released on the Super Nintendo to feel proud about. The launch of the for 1992. “At that point there
CD-ROM system – when this was Mega Drive (rebranded ‘Genesis’ in Associated magazines: Megatech, were virtually no software tools
cancelled, a deal was signed to
the US) had transformed the company Mean Machines Sega, Sega Power, – only barely functional dev kits
bring them to Mega-CD.
from plucky also-ran to industry Sega Pro, Mega and incomplete documents
■ All Mega-CD games carry a
region lockout system. This can leader virtually overnight; the hitherto Why the Mega-CD was great… that were being translated
be circumvented by chipping For many gamers it was their first
unchallenged dominance of Nintendo’s more slowly than they
the machine or purchasing a
converter cartridge (such as 8-bit NES was broken and by the time glimpse of the raw potential offered were being revised,”
Datel’s CDX) that slots into the 1992 arrived Sega was able to call 50 by the CD-ROM format, and while it he remembers. “There
Mega Drive’s cartridge port.
per cent of the American home console wasn’t the success that Sega might was one stretch where
■ The Ricoh RF5C164 sound
chip is one of the machine’s market its own. have hoped for, you can’t deny that I spent four continuous
greatest assets and grants an It was during this exciting period in the Mega-CD was privy to some days in the building – as
additional eight channels of
sound, all of which can be used Sega’s history that Scot Bayless joined wonderful games. Plus the ‘Mark 1’ in didn’t actually leave
to play samples. the company. He vividly remembers Mega Drive and Mega-CD combi is the premises. I lived off
■ Game saves were recorded what it was like to work for Sega at one of the sexiest hardware setups in vending machines and
to the Mega CD’s internal RAM;
it was also possible to purchase
its peak: “It was exhilarating; we were the history of consoles – fact. coffee while I slogged through
a RAM cartridge that would running about 50 per cent on sheer a bunch of systems code,
offer even more space. Some bravado. One of the great things about trying to get the demos to
games – such as Shining Force
CD – required so much memory Sega in those days was the company’s possibilities of the shiny plastic disc function reliably.”
to save a game that these carts willingness to just try stuff. We had – rival NEC had produced its own CD- Because the hardware
were almost essential.
a T-shirt made with the slogan ‘This ROM add-on for the 8-bit PC Engine in development was being
■ The Mega Drive and Mega-
CD both feature the same 16-bit may not work, but what the hell’ – that 1988 – but with the Sega brand in the done exclusively by Sega’s
Motorola 68000 CPU, but the one was pretty much our attitude.” Such ascendancy and the war between the Japanese team, Bayless
present in the Mega-CD has a
clock speed almost twice as fast.
joyous ebullience imbued Sega with Mega Drive and Nintendo’s SNES about decided early on that it was
■ Notable ‘pack-in’ games the confidence to experiment with new to go global, all eyes were on this latest vital that he familiarise himself
included Road Avenger, Sol- technology – and in this case, it was the system and the new era of technological with the new machine. “One
Feace, Cobra Command and
Sega Arcade Classics, which
medium of CD-ROM that intrigued the brilliance it was about to usher in. “Sega of the first things I did was to
featured several popular Mega Japanese firm. of Japan was already well along the road go to Tokyo and get up to speed
Drive games such as Golden Axe Coming straight from Spectrum and the first development kits showed on the hardware,” he recalls. With
and Revenge Of Shinobi.
■ Titles such as Ernest Evans
Holobyte (where he worked on the epic up not long after I did,” reveals Bayless. the relevant tools in place, Bayless and
and Sol-Feace were later released air combat flight simulator Falcon 3.0) “My first responsibility was to help his US team were able to start tinkering
on the Mega Drive, with only the Bayless took the position of Technical get the first demos ready for the big around with the console, and it didn’t
CD audio and cut-scenes missing.
Director at Sega of America and was announcement event in New York.” take long for potential problems to arise.
■ Rapper-turned-thespian
Mark Wahlberg can count himself ultimately put in charge of overseeing The machine had been conceived by “The big headline was that there was a
as a Mega-CD star – he appeared the US debut of Sega’s latest piece Sega’s top hardware team in Japan, but second CPU with its own memory – that
in Marky Mark: Make My Video,
which allowed players to edit of hardware – the Mega-CD. It wasn’t so fearful was the company of internal was the good news,” he says. “The bad
three of the Funky Bunch’s songs. the first company to embrace the leaks that it had been intentionally slow news was that the data path between
18 | MEGA DRIVE
RETROINSPECTION: MEGA-CD
MEGA DRIVE | 19
RETROINSPECTION
the Mega Drive and the Mega-CD was to take responsibility for that ghastly as fate would have it, they were able
very limited. What really stood out was phrase,” admits Bayless with a grimace. to pitch in with critical assistance from
the machine’s ability to store (for that “One of our programmers called Marty time to time. “There was one technical
time) ridiculous amounts of data; the real Franz discovered that you could do issue that we did a pretty good job
challenge was figuring out what to do this nifty trick by hooking the scan line of coping with before it got onto
with all that storage. Given the tools of interrupt and firing off a Direct Memory consumers’ radar,” remembers Bayless.
the time, the human cost of building that Access at just the right time. The result “The CD drive Sega of Japan chose
much content was prohibitive, so people was that you could effectively jam data was, predictably, an inexpensive single
started looking at other possibilities. onto the graphics chip while the scan speed consumer CD drive. What nobody
Probably the most promising element of line was being drawn – which meant stopped to think about was how that
the hardware was the sound system; it you could drive the Digital-to-Analogue drive would get used by those early FMV
hugely enhanced the sound capabilities Converters with 8 bits per pixel. games. I got this frantic call one day from
of the system of the Mega Drive. But, Assuming you could get the timing just the Quality Assurance guys; they were
short of just playing back Red Book right, you could effectively draw 256 using retail Mega-CDs – the same ones
audio, nothing really interesting got done colour static images. There were all kinds queuing up to be sold to consumers
with that lovely hardware.” of subtleties to the timing and the trick – for final QA, and they were suddenly
Of course, Bayless couldn’t didn’t work reliably on all iterations of the experiencing an insane hardware failure
go public with his concerns; hardware, but you could do it and it was rate. Units were burning up in droves; in
Nintendo was gearing cool as heck. So during the run-up to fact, a few of them had literally caught
up for the launch of the the Western launch of Mega-CD the PR fire as they died. We were in the big
Super Nintendo and guys interviewed me about what made push toward launch and the whole place
as a result Sega was the platform interesting from a technical was in a panic because QA was out of
putting a lot of effort standpoint and somewhere in there I hardware on which to test games. It was
into making the Mega-CD mentioned the fact that you could just like an episode of House; the patient
a success. However, ‘blast data into the DACs’. They loved the was doomed but nobody could figure
even when he tried to word ‘blast’ and the next thing I knew out why. About all we knew was that
talk up the power of the ‘Blast Processing’ was born.” the systems started flaming out when
console, it didn’t always Tinkering around with new technology the FMV-based titles were being tested
work out as expected. was undeniably fun but not having any by QA. All of those games used some
Take the infamous ‘Blast input into the actual development of the form of multi-stream video technique,
Processing’ boast, for machine was frustrating for Bayless and which meant they were constantly
example. “Sadly I have his team at Sega of America. However, seeking the read head in the drive. What
20 | MEGA DRIVE
RETROINSPECTION: MEGA-CD
of the time would the drive be seeking jazzed about the potential of Mega-CD price of ¥49,800, but the relatively small
from one track to another. It was built as a window for music into games.” installed base of the Mega Drive in that
for people who wanted to play music The artist formerly known as The Thin region meant that sales soon dipped.
CDs and, of course, you rarely seek White Duke wasn’t the only musician to Sega knew that the US launch was far
between tracks more than once every take interest in the aural capabilities of more important, given the strength
few minutes, so five per cent was way the Sega’s new baby. “I had the bizarre of the Genesis. It took place almost
more than they’d ever expected people meeting with Michael Jackson around a year later (with the machine being
to need. What nobody anticipated was a the same time,” Bayless remembers. re-christened ‘Sega-CD’) and although
multi-stream FMV videogame seeking 75 “He’d already signed the Moonwalker the public was ravenous for this new
per cent of the time – or more. We were deal with Sega and they were touring add-on, production issues meant that a
literally cooking the motors that moved him around the Redwood City studio. I paltry 50,000 units were made available
» SIMSÕ Vay was picked up for Western
the heads.” Bayless had identified spent about half an hour showing him to American retailers. Like Japan, the release by Working Designs but failed to
the problem in the nick of time and all kinds of techie stuff we were doing price was bordering on the prohibitive make the same impact as Lunar. It was
given a new lease of life on AppleÕs iPhone.
ultimately saved Sega from suffering a and not once did he ever comment or but Sega’s lofty standing Stateside
potentially catastrophic PR blunder. even make eye contact; he just kind of helped the company quickly sell through
Despite these setbacks, the allure of stood there with about 15 of his minions what limited stock it had; by the time
CD-ROM technology – coupled with hovering around him. When we finished 1992 drew to a close, 200,000 units had
Sega’s recently elevated status within the there we walked him over to the sound found their way into US gamers’ homes.
videogame industry – meant that hype studio, which was just down the hall. Likewise, 60,000 of the 70,000 machines
for the Mega-CD grew exponentially Suddenly there was this new person in made available for the UK release the
as the launch drew ever closer. As a the room; it was uncanny. Jackson came following spring were snapped up before
result, Bayless found himself receiving to life like someone had flipped a switch. August. It was a positive start, but it
phone calls from somewhat unexpected It was obvious that the only thing he was wasn’t to last.
quarters. “I remember I was sitting in excited about was the music.” With the Super NES and Genesis/
my office one day tinkering with some The Japanese launch of the Mega-CD Mega Drive locked in deadly combat,
low level code when the phone rang,” he took place in December 1991. Units flew Sega of America decided to brandish
recalls. “This sexy female voice said, ‘Is off the shelves despite the high retail the Mega-CD as a unique weapon in the
MEGA DRIVE | 21
RETROINSPECTION
Wondermega
JVC decided it wanted a bite
of the Mega-CD cherry and
produced this sleek, all-in-
one unit. MIDI and karaoke
options were included and
the hybrid console was
even released Stateside as
the X’Eye, although sales
were disappointing.
Multi-Mega
The Multi-Mega was little
bigger than a portable CD » Renamed the CDX in the US, the Multi-Mega fused
player (it could even be used the Mega Drive and Mega-CD into one package Ð but
as such and was powered by at £500 in the UK, the pricing was way off.
two AA batteries for audio
playback) but the price was
bordering on the insane –
UK gamers were expected
to shell out £500 for it.
Aiwa CSD-GM1
Perhaps the rarest of all the
Mega-CD systems, this Mega
Drive/Mega-CD combo looks
very much like a traditional
boom box. It was produced in
limited numbers and only saw
distribution in Asia, and as a » Sega focused on promoting the machineÕs unique FMV-
result it is almost impossible based games, but people soon realised that this gaming
to track down these days. revolution was a false dawn of epic proportions.
fight against rival Nintendo. A dedicated campaign,” recalls Bayless. ”Every meeting with the Sega of Japan execs,”
multimedia studio was established resource you can imagine was made explains Bayless. “He said, ‘I just showed
within the company’s Californian available. Kathy Kennedy, producer on Hayao Nakayama [Sega’s CEO at the
headquarters at great expense in order the film and one of Steven’s longest time] a build of Jurassic Park. As of right
to produce top-quality content with standing collaborators, went way out now, you’re in charge of the project. Do
which to fill the Mega-CD’s shiny discs. of her way to help Sega. She opened whatever you have to do to get it back on
“It was a pretty cool place and Sega was doors to everything from Phil Tippet’s the rails.’ So I rolled up my sleeves, fired
willing to invest a lot of money in making early stop-motion dinosaur studies to some people and eventually shipped a
» [Mega CD] Jurassic Park CD was a it a showpiece,” explains Bayless. concept art from Stan Winston’s team pretty decent game.”
massive undertaking for SegaÕs newly- “The art team was buying SGI Indigo to the CG models used for the film. I As Jurassic Park proves, the advent
founded multimedia studio, but with Scot
BaylessÕs guidance, it was pretty decent.
work stations for about $50K per seat, remember one day this package arrived of CD-ROM technology brought with
including a copy of it amazing potential,
SoftImage, and the
sound studio was a Could Guitar Hero have gone on but there were less
welcome side-effects,
showcase of sparkly
new technology. It
was impressive.”
Mega-CD? Hell yes SCOT BAYLESS
too. “Jurassic Park
represented the
transition from the
The first project assigned to this new from Amblin with a cassette tape inside; small budgets and tiny teams of the
studio couldn’t have been any more high the only thing on the tape was take after old days to something much more
profile; Sega had secured the Jurassic take of Wayne Knight gurgling out his expensive and demanding of real
Park licence and was keen to produce a death rattles from the scene with the production discipline,” says Bayless.
game that demonstrated the Hollywood Dilophosaurs – they really did give us “When you’re building a game that has
aspirations of the Mega-CD technology. everything.” Despite this intense focus, to fit into a few megabytes of ROM, it’s
“The Jurassic Park project was a huge the project endured a torrid development not inconceivable that you can keep the
priority for Sega, mainly because the period. “Fast forward about six months whole project in your head. But when
association with Steven Spielberg and I get this phone call at about 2am you’re making something that requires
was seen as so important to the PR from our studio head in Tokyo, who was a dozen CG animators, casting calls,
22 | MEGA DRIVE
RETROINSPECTION: MEGA-CD
MEGA DRIVE | 23
PERFECT TEN GAMES
ItÕs easy to laugh at SegaÕs Mega-CD, but to do so would be rather foolish. Despite itÕs poor sales and the numerous
problems Sega faced while making it, plenty of great games were available for the system. The following examples
are the very best, representing a wide range of different genres that still hold up today
04
game to make its way onto and produced some of the Mega-
Game Art’s epic RPG was
the Mega-CD is a combined CD’s finest moments. While
the closest the Mega-CD
remake of the Game Gear games such as Battlecorps and
ever got to having its own
releases Shining Force Gaiden BC Racers pushed the hardware
Final Fantasy, and following its
and Shining Force Gaiden 2: but fell a little short on enjoyment,
Japanese release, the console’s
Sword Of Hajya. Visually it’s not Thunderhawk was a complete
sales in that region were given
what you could call a massive success in both regards. Smooth
a boost. Although the in-game
improvement when compared to Mode 7 rotation and scaling was
graphics were hardly ground-
the Mega Drive instalments, but coupled effectively with some
breaking, they were accompanied
the sheer scope of the challenge of the most frantic action ever
by some lush anime sequences
is almost overwhelming. So epic witnessed on the format, and
and an astounding soundtrack
was the quest that the Mega-CD the game was rightly praised
by Noriyuki Iwadare. US firm
internal save game RAM wasn’t by the press upon release. A
Working Designs picked Lunar up
enough to contain all the data; the
02 purchase of a separate RAM cart
for Western localisation and did a
fantastic job – the company later
32-bit sequel followed that added
full 3D visuals, but the original
was essential if you wanted to see remains the one we’re most
returned to the game when it was
everything the game had to offer. fond of.
remade for the PSone in 1996.
03 04 05
24 | MEGA DRIVE
PERFECT TEN
06 07 08
LUNAR: ETERNAL POPFUL MAIL ROBO ALESTE
BLUE RELEASED: 1994 RELEASED: 1992
RELEASED: 1994 JAPAN PUBLISHER: WORKING DESIGNS US PUBLISHER: TENGEN
PUBLISHER: WORKING DESIGNS US CREATED BY: FALCOM CREATED BY: COMPILE
CREATED BY: GAME ARTS/STUDIO BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: YS BY THE SAME DEVELOPER:
SHADOWRUN
07
ALEX Originally produced for
BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: TENKA
FUBU
the NEC PC-8801 in 1991,
this 2D action RPG title shares 08 A spiritual sequel to the
shockingly brilliant Mega
06 Although it doesn’t attract many similarities with the Drive shooter MUSHA Aleste,
as much praise as its Wonderboy: Monster World Robo Aleste featured the same
predecessor, Lunar: Eternal series. The player takes on the fixation with large mecha
Blue is just as enjoyable an RPG role of a bounty hunter named as its predecessor, but was
experience as The Silver Star. Mail, but it’s possible to switch unique because it placed these
Also, despite featuring a new cast to other characters. With the mechanical killing machines
of protagonists, the gameplay excellent English translation and in feudal Japan. Although the
remains largely unchanged. voice work, the Western version gameplay doesn’t really present
Again, Working Designs took the of Popful Mail is arguably the any ideas that couldn’t have been
plunge and brought this Stateside best of all the conversions and achieved on the good old Mega
with a great translation. In both carries a justifiably inflated price Drive, the music and cut-scenes
Japan and the US, this was one tag when it appears on auction genuinely elevate the game to
of the final high-profile pieces of
software for the ailing platform; by
sites today. While we’re not fans a new level of greatness. The
game saw release in all three key
09
of unscrupulous game resellers,
the time of the American launch Popful Mail is unquestionably territories and is in high demand
the system was all but dead. worth paying through the nose for. thanks to its overall quality.
08 09 10
15 16 17
01 SAMURAI SHODOWN
02 ECCO THE DOLPHIN: THE TIDES OF TIME
03 BRUTAL: PAWS OF FURY
04 HEART OF THE ALIEN
05 MORTAL KOMBAT
06 SPACE ACE
07 AFTER BURNER III
08 EARTHWORM JIM: SPECIAL EDITION
09 FLASHBACK: THE QUEST FOR IDENTITY
10 PRINCE OF PERSIA
11 SEWER SHARK
22 23 24
12 EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
13 THE ADVENTURES OF WILLY BEAMISH
14 LETHAL ENFORCERS
15 ROAD AVENGER
16 JAGUAR XJ220
17 BATMAN RETURNS
18 COBRA COMMAND
19 HEIMDALL
20 PITFALL: THE MAYAN ADVENTURE
21 SHADOW OF THE BEAST II
22 IRON HELIX
23 CHUCK ROCK
24 THE NINJA WARRIORS 29 30 31
25 WILD WOODY
26 BLACK HOLE ASSAULT
27 DOUBLE SWITCH
28 FATAL FURY SPECIAL
29 FIFA INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
30 MICROCOSM
31 SILPHEED
32 HOOK
33 GROUND ZERO TEXAS
34 TOMCAT ALLEY
35 NIGHT TRAP
36 BC RACERS
37 CRIME PATROL
38 JURASSIC PARK
36 37 38
39 NBA JAM
40 BATTLECORPS
41 RACING ACES
42 SENSIBLE SOCCER
43 WINDS OF THUNDER
44 ETERNAL CHAMPIONS
45 CITIZEN X
46 WHO SHOT JOHNNY ROCK?
47 STAR WARS: REBEL ASSAULT
48 DUNGEON MASTER II: SKULLKEEP
49 MAD DOG MCCREE
50 THE SECRET OF MONKEY ISLAND
51 DARK WIZARD
52 SOL FEACE
43 44 45
53 THE LAWNMOWER MAN
54 WOLFCHILD
50 51 52
55 BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA
56 SOULSTAR
26 | MEGA DRIVE
04 05 06 07
11 12 13 14
18 19 20 21
25 26 27 28
32 33 34 35
39 40 41 42
46 47 48 49
53 54 55 56
His Mega Drive outing stunned gamers and challenged Mario. Here we chart the Blue Blur’s
story so far and talk to many of the designers charged with keeping the hedgehog spinning
28 | RETRO GAMER
SONIC BOOM: THE SUCCESS STORY OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
I
s it possible to write a history of Sonic games in the shape of Psycho Fox and Alex Kidd, In what is now a part of the company’s legend,
without mentioning Mario? In theory, but but these did little to slow Mario’s astronomical Sega set several of its best designers to work,
you’d be foolish to try. Though created a rise in popularity. By 1990 there had been four challenging them to create a new character that
decade later, Sonic’s existence hinges on incredible Mario platform games, each one could become a new type of hero for Sega and
that of Mario, and the two have been rivals ever somehow more ingenious than the last, to the a true rival to Mario. Several characters
since. Sonic’s history is therefore also Mario’s, point where for many people Mario were created as a result of this
and even platform games as a whole. and videogames were one and the exercise, many of which were
The sheer brilliance of Super Mario Bros put a same thing. Sega still needed
per Quotes used in later games, but the
Nintendo Entertainment System into more than
60 million homes worldwide, while Sega’s 8-bit
its Mario.
Perhaps it’s a sign of lo winner was a little blue
hedgehog, drawn by
ve
equivalent, the Master System, had to make do how things had changed “I have great Naoto Oshima, one of
memories of Sonic. In fact,
De
with just 13 million. There are several reasons for by the Nineties, or the designers on the
it provided a ton of inspiration for
of Team 17
this disparity, of course, but Mario was one of the maybe it shows just first two Phantasy
a game Team17 developed in the early
biggest reasons and Sega knew it. Launching its how different Sega Star games.
Nineties (Superfrog) and I guess a host
16-bit system, the Mega Drive, in 1988, Sega had and Nintendo really of others too. The speed of the game, along Originally named
a two-year head start on the Super Famicom/ were, but Sonic’s with great vibrant art was a real head-turner Mr Needlemouse,
SNES, but even with such an advantage it origins were actually at the time. It’s a powerful series that’s Oshima’s
struggled to keep up with the ageing NES. very different to those had a rollercoaster ride the last few years hedgehog was
der
Sega’s expertise, right through the Eighties of Mario. The latter was but I would like to hope it’s getting back coloured the same
and beyond, focused on its coin-op games. This famously created out of to where it was. I much prefer the blue as the Sega
un
was where Sega ruled videogames, its comfort necessity. The limitations 2D playfields.” logo, which only
fo
zone, and the company certainly managed to of 1981’s visual technology seemed appropriate
attract a sizeable fan base just by being able meant that it was difficult co- since the character
,
to convert its greatest hits to the home. But to even create a character Martyn Brown was designed to be the
the tastes of console gamers gradually shifted that could be recognised as a company’s new mascot.
throughout the mid to late Eighties. NES games person, so Mario became a short, fat Designed primarily to appeal to an
like Super Mario Bros, The Legend Of Zelda, plumber with a moustache not because American audience, he also featured the
Mega Man, Castlevania and Final Fantasy Shigeru Miyamoto had any urge to tell a story colours white and red, though Oshima puts this
represented a shift away from the instant about a man in dungarees but because that down to coincidence, citing Santa Claus’s colour
scheme and the belt across Michael Jackson’s
“Everything about Sonic The Hedgehog was jacket on the cover to Bad as the inspiration for
Sonic’s shoes. Finally, Oshima wanted to imbue
designed to make the game play quickly, keep his character with a ‘can do’ attitude, inspired by
momentum up, keep moving at top speed” television footage of the then Arkansas governor
Bill Clinton. In the original design, Sonic also
gratification of the arcades and towards a more was all the technology would allow. By 1991, had fangs and played in a rock band, but these
protracted experience that gamers could spend however, technology had progressed to the elements were removed under the advice of
hours, days and weeks absorbed in. point where just about any character could be Sega America’s Madeline Schroeder.
Sega remained extremely successful in the represented on screen, so instead of creating Sonic’s friendly but cool character design was
arcades, of course, so its home conversions also a character out of blocks on graph paper with certainly effective, but nobody ever played Super
remained a core part of its business, especially a particular type of game in mind, Sega simply Mario Bros because they liked the character. At
since they were relatively cheap to produce and started with paper and the desire to make a least we hope they didn’t. Sonic needed the best
sold in large enough numbers. But the Master character of any kind. kind of platform game, and he got one from Yuji
System and Mega Drive needed original games,
unconnected to the coin-ops. These came slowly
but surely. Games like Phantasy Star and Streets
Of Rage were great console exclusives that
represented a step in the right direction, and
Sega even published some wonderful platform
per Quotes
lo “I remember seeing
ve
fantastically!”
de
un
o-fo
Philip &c
Oliver, CEO
RETRO GAMER | 29
There’s been an unquantifiable amount of 3. SONIC
Sonic merchandise produced in the past RACING SYSTEM
20 years. Here’s our pick of some of the Being focused on
most interesting examples speed, Sonic has
appeared in a bunch of
1. BOARD GAME racing games, both video
MB Games licensed tons of videogame properties and physical. This one is a lot
for its board game business in the Eighties and like Scalextric, only
Nineties. The Sonic one is typical of the line, vaguely with a hedgehog
in. Everything about it was designed to make
translating the videogame experience into a fun but and a fox instead
of cars. the game play quickly – quite ironic given the
uncomplicated board game.
slow speed of hedgehogs. There are the loop-
4. PAPERCRAFT the-loops and the springs, all good for keeping
Created by Sega to momentum up, and the gameplay flowing from
celebrate Sonic’s 15th left to right, while Sonic’s ability to curl into a
anniversary in 2006, this
spiky ball mid-jump allowed him to hit an enemy,
model re-creates Green
Hill Zone in colourful, papery eliminate it, and then keep moving at top speed.
style. Get it from: sonic.sega.jp/ The resulting game was pure Sega. Almost
SonicChannel/enjoy/papercra / blinding in its use of colour, thrilling to play and
index.html totally unwilling to take itself too seriously, it
2. STYLUS was a true pleasure that effortlessly appealed
Released as a pre-order incentive 5. CONFUSING BACKPACK
to anyone who tried it and had a very likeable
for DS RPG Sonic Chronicles: The You might have a hard time
finding this bootleg backpack character as its star. Tyler Sigman, lead designer
Dark Brotherhood, this collection
of three styluses allows you to out in the wild but it’s sure worth on 2006’s Sonic Rivals, recalls: “I played the
decorate your DS with Sonic, the effort. Just look at how many original Sonic on Genesis when I was a teenager,
Knuckles and… uh… someone confusing, incongruous elements and like most people, I loved it! The speed,
we don’t recognise. it packs into a single item. graphics and character were great. Like Mario
and Mega Man, Sonic was really memorable
platforming. It seems such a small thing now,
but Sonic’s attitude really did stand out from
a lot of other characters at the time,” he says,
Naka and Hirokazu Yasuhara, Sega programmer citing the way Sonic would impatiently tap
and game designer respectively, who joined with his feet when left alone as an example of the
Oshima to form Sonic Team and develop Sonic hedgehog’s cool factor.
The Hedgehog. Christian Senn, director of the cancelled Sonic
Yuji Naka was practically legendary at Sega X-Treme, is also a fan of Sonic’s famous attitude
for his incredible programming ability, and his but takes the time to praise the exciting, kinetic
influence over Sonic The Hedgehog cannot be gameplay of the original game. “I liked Sonic’s
overstated. Naka was a great fan of Super Mario look, his attitude, and the way it felt to zoom
Bros but wanted to play something much faster, around the playfields,” he says. “I liked the
so that was the direction that the project went look and functionality of the enemies, the fact
30 | MEGA DRIVE
SONIC BOOM: THE SUCCESS STORY OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
“Following directly behind Sonic at all times, Tails’ the company’s artists probably had their hands
busy designing the multitude of new characters
ginger blur added a nice visual flourish to the game’s that the publisher somehow seemed to think
colourful rollercoaster ride” were so necessary.
Tails wasn’t so bad, admittedly. In fact, his
that they provided some challenge and offered NES. Sonic The Hedgehog was so popular that inclusion in Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is one of the
a break from the rush of speed. I think what I it inevitably became a huge brand for Sega, single most underrated features of the series.
enjoyed most of all about the game was the starting, of course, with sequels. Four such Following directly behind Sonic at all times, his
balance between puzzles, speed, combat and sequels followed on the Mega Drive and ginger blur added a nice visual flourish to the
collection. The physics and feeling of interaction Mega-CD alone, not to mention all the spin-off game’s colourful rollercoaster ride. And then
really felt great.” games and Master System and Game Gear there’s the fact that a second player could plug
The game and its star became synonymous exclusives that also appeared in the same period. in their own pad and take control of Tails, happily
with Sega and helped propel the Mega Drive to Aside from some tiny proportional changes, jumping around behind Sonic and helping out
sales of around 40 million, only 9 million short Sonic’s appearance remained the same in the with enemies, but without the risk of failure.
of the SNES – a minuscule gap compared to the sequels. And why wouldn’t it? Sega pretty much It’s the sort of feature that games all too rarely
47 million that separated the Master System and got the design spot-on from the beginning. Plus, employ, allowing a younger or less skilled player
to join in and have fun without any frustration,
and it’s something that the Mario series has
only recently begun to experiment with in Super
Mario Galaxy’s co-star mode.
Sadly the same can’t be said for
the other characters introduced
nd Defender
new characters that
on steroids, Sonic was a would only get worse
wonderwall of hyperkinetic as the years went by.
Though the early to
play for the ADHD
084 a
mid Nineties certainly
generation. The feeling has its fair share of
was supersonic… sans terrible sidekicks. Anyone
n: 2
remember Mighty the
gin and tonic!”
tro
bo Armadillo, Espio the
o Chameleon or – ahem – Nack
fR
toro the Weasel? No, thought not.
Eugen ea Despite the invasion of the
e Jarvis, cr
world’s most annoying characters,
Sonic 2 and 3, Sonic & Knuckles and
Sonic CD all proved to be brilliant platform
games and all played their part in catapulting
Sega’s little blue hedgehog into popular culture
» [Mega Drive] Sonic The Hedgehog 2 introduced Tails, who was fine on his own but started a worrying trend. as a whole. Countless merchandise tie-ins
MEGA DRIVE | 31
followed, including a total of four different Christian Senn recalls the process of trying
animated TV series, a movie and enough comic to rework the character of Sonic into three
books to destroy an entire rainforest. And dimensions. “I wanted to maintain the look
there were more games too, Sonic proving so and feel of the 2D Sonic from Sonic 3 for Sonic
popular that Sega felt it could drop him into X-Treme,” he says. “In addition to the game
any old game to boost sales. Which, graphics, the original sketches of
to be honest, it was right about. Sonic by Naoto Oshima were
Throughout the early Nineties,
per Quotes wonderful and I was drawn
Sonic characters starred
in a Puyo Puyo clone, a lo to them as inspiration for
X-Treme. I discussed a
ve
and 3DO
isometric platformers 2D art style with lead
too, all of them very character of their own that artist Ross Harris, » [Mega Drive] Sonic 3 was so big and ambitious that it was split in half,
successful. Sega had could match up with Mario, who subsequently with the rest of it going into Sonic & Knuckles.
clearly got the Mario but that is easier said than did a brilliant job of
Arts
equivalent it was done. They set an ambitious bringing Sonic to
looking for. life in 3D. We had
goal and managed to pull it
nic
As Sega not yet seen any
off in a compelling and
tro
transitioned from representations of
the Mega Drive to the unique way.” Sonic in 3D, so it was
ec
El
32 | MEGA DRIVE
SONIC BOOM: THE SUCCESS STORY OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
Robby London was head of creative affairs at DIC, the animation studio behind scores of popular children’s cartoons between 1980
and 2008, including three different Sonic The Hedgehog series. Here he tells us what it was like to work with Sega’s most famous face
Retro Gamer: What was your first RG: What instructions did Sega give notes and requested revisions from cartoon and can be significantly
experience of Sonic The Hedgehog and you in terms of what you could or time to time, I can’t remember any enhanced in that medium. Those of
what did you think? couldn’t do with the character? specific theme to their comments nor us who were writers created a lore
Robby London: We knew just from RL: I don’t remember any specific any generic instructions. They had a and a context and situations for Sonic
its trending popularity at the time that upfront instructions per se, other representative named Jane Thompson to demonstrate this persona with a
we wanted to pitch Sega of America than emphasising to us how crucially who spent a lot of time with us in LA. richness that was not possible in the
on the idea of developing Sonic into an important and valuable Sonic was Because she was professional and game. We came up with the phrase
animated series for television, and so to them. Which, of course, we knowledgeable about production, that ‘fastest thing alive’, the signature
we needed to bone up on the property. knew! Sega did retain a contractual turned out to be exceedingly helpful. arms-crossed, impatient foot-tapping
Since I am not a gamer, we got one approval right for everything we did. pose, along with the catchphrase:
of the DIC artists who was a Sonic So when we’d submit something like RG: What do you think are the ‘I’m waiiiiting.’ We also gave the
aficionado to play it for a video capture. a character design, they would o en important characteristics of Sonic and character an actual voice, in this case
So I was introduced to it by watching have comments or requests for how are these captured in a cartoon Jaleel White, a huge TV star in America
a video of the game being played. I revisions, mostly on specific details rather than a game? at the time for his role as Steve Urkel
recall thinking it had a very charismatic of the designs, and mostly to ensure RL: Mostly, I think it’s attitude. Even [in sitcom Family Matters]. Writers
lead character and an interesting look. there was conformity across all the Sega’s original design of the character created the lines and the personality
Of course, I couldn’t make too much Sonic products they were licensing. conveyed a lot of ’tude; cockiness, and Jaleel helped bring it to life. And
sense of the story elements, but then They also had approval rights on all perseverance and a sort of a devil- in those days, even the animation
in those days it was quite typical for the the voices, music, individual scripts be-damned outlook. Traits such as itself that was possible in television
lore behind most games to be elusive for the episodes and various other these lend themselves really well to far surpassed the limitations of
and impenetrable. creative elements. While they gave an animated character for a television videogames of the time.
per Quotes
real challenge. We had an upper limit on how fast The Saturn had some incredible games,
ve lo “Growing up, I
we could physically scroll the screen, so Sonic of course, but if ever a console needed its was a hardcore Nintendo
De
could never move as fast as we wanted him to. star attraction it was this one. Up against the fanboy. The Genesis changed all
z Jackrabbit
Having the boost pads and bumpers helped, but spectacularly popular PlayStation, the Saturn that and made me an overall videogame
he definitely moved slower in Sonic 3D than any really needed every advantage it could get, and fan instead of a one-console fanboy, which
other Sonic game. In Sonic R, the whole point particularly after the world-changing brilliance is a really silly way to be, but that’s another
of the game was racing, so the feeling of speed of Super Mario 64, everyone expected Sonic to article. I loved character platformers, so
could really be focused on. In that game, the make the transition from pixels to polygons in when Sonic came around with that crazy
blast processing and insane speeds I was
rings were very important as they would open style. It never really happened on the Saturn,
hooked. Loved the look, style and play,
Jaz
up boost gates and secret short cuts, so the rings but Sonic did eventually go 3D in the following
and it had a huge influence over my
were used like a currency to ‘buy’ short cuts for generation, and Sega wasted virtually no time first commercial success –
of
better lap times.” getting the game out there, launching Sonic Jazz Jackrabbit!”
or
at
cre
,
Cliff Bleszinski
MEGA DRIVE | 33
One of the most memorable parts of the early Sonic games are the hidden
stages that featured completely different gameplay to the main adventures
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 SONIC CD SONIC 3D
The original special stage isn’t Definitely the most popular Continuing the trend of 3D bonus Making great use of the Mega-CD’s The Saturn version of Sonic 3D
exactly the best, but it is still special stage of them all, this stages, Sonic 3’s effort asked you sprite-scaling abilities, Sonic CD’s featured a special stage that was
fun. In it you control a curled-up one saw Sonic and Tails running to run around a globe and walk special stage was basically a 3D very similar to Sonic 2’s, but the
Sonic as he bounces around a straight down the screen along over the top of coloured balls in open world in which Sonic could Mega Drive edition was more
rotating maze, trying to get to a half-pipe, collecting rings order to change them from blue run in any direction, in order to original, using sprite rotation to
the Chaos Emerald in the centre and avoiding bombs. It was a to red. Hit a red ball, however, hunt down and destroy robots. create platforms for Sonic to use to
while avoiding the exits. The same technical marvel at the time, and Sonic would bounce off, oen Another technical marvel, this reach the end. Though they looked
special stage also appeared in creating a sense of 3D depth that straight into trouble. This stage was just one of many things that great, these stages suffered from
Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode I. was rare on the Mega Drive. was also in Sonic & Knuckles. made Sonic CD special. some unfortunate pop-up.
Adventure alongside the Dreamcast in America allowing control of six different characters, all
it when shown to me by it was an interesting update after so many didn’t exactly make Sonic Adventure popular
De
weekend, which really was a life-changing “The rise of the Mega Drive days, the big comeback
event. I remember being impressed by the bright
colours and the speed. It seemed ridiculously fast, on the Dreamcast followed by a low point and
especially compared to Mario. It was obviously
Sega’s reply to Mario, attempting to establish a ultimately the modern era’s focus on classic values”
similarly iconic main character with an excellent
Tem
platform game. I liked that they didn’t try simply years of anticipation. Sonic Team could have with those who didn’t like the series’ ever-
to ape Mario, but distinguished Sonic with
detailed environments, big areas and easily settled on a simple 3D interpretation expanding cast.
of
the speed. Sonic 2 remains my of the classic Sonic games but went so much Sonic Adventure also divided fans by lending a
favourite, though!” further, incorporating many contemporary voice to its characters, almost turning the game
er
p
elo
ideas such as vast explorable areas in addition into an interactive cartoon. American voice actor
ev to its linear, rollercoaster-like levels. The focus Ryan Drummond portrayed Sonic and recalls the
Jeff Minter, d was also broadened far beyond Sonic himself, loose approach that Sega took towards defining
34 | MEGA DRIVE
SONIC BOOM: THE SUCCESS STORY OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
such an important part of the character. “At the the Sonic that has remained ever since, though colourful new Sonic Heroes. But Sega also made
audition, there was a picture of Sonic hanging the games have been wildly different. some rather unfortunate assumptions about its
up in the voiceover booth,” he remembers. “The Part of the reason for this was Sega’s switch new audiences. The huge Western focus of the
direction I got from the studio engineer was more to multiformat development. After abandoning Xbox and PlayStation 2, for example, led Sonic
of a question: ‘If you heard a voice coming out of the Dreamcast, the company had to take Sonic Team to believe that the consoles’ owners would
that blue hedgehog, what would it sound like?’ to new frontiers, creating games for prefer a moodier, more violent Sonic game,
I knew Sonic was all about energy and speed Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo and so the developer created the terribly
er Quotes
and youth, so I just thought it over, opened my formats for the first time. Our misguided Shadow The Hedgehog,
mouth, and that’s what came out. I remember hero probably felt most
p in which Sonic’s nemesis
that I didn’t have time to rehearse it. I didn’t even
know what the voice was going to sound like until
at home on Nintendo
formats, which lo “I bought a
embarrassingly wields two
handguns and drives a truck.
ve
I was actually doing it into the microphone for the had a similar user Genesis during my early days “As he became more
De
at LucasArts, and I still keep it hooked
Sega folks. It just happened.” base to that of ‘hip with attitude’, Sonic
up. I have only a dozen games for it now,
ale Games
Sonic himself also got a complete overhaul the Dreamcast, and two are Sonic The Hedgehog. The first became faster and faster,”
with Sonic Adventure. Redesigned by Yuji so both Sonic one came with the machine. I’m not sure if I, an notes Christian Senn
Uekawa, a Sonic Team veteran with experience Adventure allegedly cool and sophisticated 20-something, of this later period of
dating back to Ristar, the new Sonic was a much games were would have purchased a platformer about a cute Sonic history. “I think
animal, but there it was, so I gave it a whirl. It was
edgier creation. Taller, slimmer and somehow quickly ported to highly addictive, and I played it relentlessly. I liked
it was good to push
spikier, he’d lost a little of his friendliness but the GameCube, zooming around, flinging myself into the air – in boundaries, explore
made up for it with an anime-style cool. This is in addition to fact, my enjoyment of Sonic was not unlike new avenues, and learn
ellt
the friendly and my enjoyment of pinball. If I close my what worked and what
eyes I can still hear the jingling didn’t so that successive
,T
sound of rings.”
an
games could improve. One
» [Dreamcast]Some series
fans still can’t utter the name
‘Shadow’ without shuddering. Dave Grossm element I think had a difficult
time translating into 3D was the
precision control offered in the 2D
games. Pushing more towards blinding
speed and combat seemed to be a trend,
as well as introducing many new characters.
Some amazing environments, visuals,
gameplay mechanics and special effects have
MEGA DRIVE | 35
been created throughout the years that really did » [Mega Drive] Sonic 3D, while flawed and not truly 3D, was a
appeal to me.” reasonable attempt at bringing Sonic into the third dimension.
It’s quite fashionable to write off all modern
Sonic games as rubbish, but the truth is that
they’ve been of varying quality, ranging
from abysmal to brilliant. The 2006 version
of Sonic The Hedgehog was a total disaster,
featuring some really dodgy gameplay and a
worrying relationship between hedgehog and
human girl. And then there’s Sonic Unleashed,
an initially promising platform game that
absolutely ruined itself with a series of awful
beat-’em-up levels in which Sonic transforms
into a sort of werewolf thing with big stretchy
arms. But then there’s Sonic Rush, a fun little
2D platformer with the added bonus of
skating-style grinds and tricks that
actually fit very comfortably
into the regular gameplay.
per Quotes
Or even the recently
released Sonic The lo “Up until the point
ve
always worked to have this amazing, impossibly fast blue to be expected. In Shadow the Hedgehog, Silver the Hedgehog,
best in 2D, in my creature running amok. Sonic was the Sonic’s case, I’d say Big the Cat, Cream the Rabbit, Blaze the Cat and
En
opinion,” says Jon character who turned me into a it’s a bit of a victim of Rouge the Bat… All were unnecessary and all
Burton of Traveller’s Sega fanatic.” its own success. What I annoying. Thankfully, Sega seems to have finally
Q
36 | MEGA DRIVE
SONIC BOOM: THE SUCCESS STORY OF SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
ve
heard about Sonic was when
fantastic job of capturing the spirit the wilderness years of the Saturn, the big
De
someone commented that it was
of his earlier games. Next up comeback on the Dreamcast followed by a low overrated and that the music was pretty bad.
Two Tribes
is Sonic: Lost World, which point of mediocrity and over-saturation and It motivated me to rent a Mega Drive and check
it out for myself. Having a new console for a day
again attempts to take Sonic in ultimately into the modern era and its focus on was quite a special experience and I played the
fresh and exciting directions, quality, experimentation and classic values. It’s game until it had to be returned.
this time on Wii U and 3DS. definitely, appropriately, been a series of ups “I don’t think I finished it, but I remember being
This last point is interesting and downs, even loops. But it’s testament to impressed by the special stages and the loops. I did
not fall in love with the game that day, although
der
as it marks yet another Sonic’s enduring popularity that he’s managed
I feel a connection with the character since
Nintendo exclusive for Sega's to bounce back from any low point in this time. then and I’ve wanted it to be awesome
un
popular mascot. If you were Sega wanted its own Mario; a character to help for the last 20 years. Perhaps Sonic
-fo
to summarise the career of Sonic shift consoles. But what it got is something Generations will be?”
o
l, c
over these past 22 years, you could slightly different; a character that has helped
e
Gink
definitely say that he’s lived an interesting Sega through good times and bad and has gone
life. The meteoric rise of the Mega Drive on to become a hero to all gamers, no matter
Collin van
days, the explosion into popular culture, which console they happen to own.
MEGA DRIVE | 37
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
T
reasure was born in early is an affable chap, completely modest attacks; a mishmash of auto-scrolling
1992, when a group of (but realistic) about the strength of his and player-led passages of action;
Konami employees with team’s productions. We ask him about weapons that could be mixed to form
a shared vision left their the context of Gunstar Heroes – what new attacking powers; and some of the
parent company. Their motivation led to its production? “We’d only just most imaginatively constructed bosses
for quitting such a successful established our new company, Treasure, to grace a videogame, regardless of
developer/publisher was simple: so we were just really keen above all vintage or genre, peaking in the inspired
they wanted to fully realise their else to do something that we liked and melding of a board game with a string of
own ideas, free from the restraints something that was our forte,” says boss battles. To say that Gunstar Heroes
typically felt by individuals in large Maegawa. “Gunstar Heroes was that was created with a notion of ‘anything
corporations. Setting a dangerously game. We approached the project with goes’ is an understated simplification on
high benchmark for the then-nascent the concept of ‘anything goes’, and we Maegawa’s part.
developer, Treasure’s landmark first incorporated many types of separate Gunstar Heroes begins with a suitably
release was the result of a kitchen- ambitious ideas in that concept.” explosive cut-scene sequence, which
sink approach to the run-‘n’-gun Among those fresh ideas for the details the plight of Gunstar 9, the planet
sub-genre, bringing new ideas to a genre were numerical energy counters on which most of the game is played
game style that was in danger of in place of the more common one-hit- out. Ambiguous scripting initially leaves
becoming stale. you’re-dead routine; symbolic colour the player with only a vague idea of
Masato Maegawa, Treasure’s labelling in lieu of character names; a what might be afoot. “WHERE IS HE?
president and Gunstar Heroes’ producer, heady blend of long and close-range THAT LIGHT! IT’S TOO LATE!”… “NO!…
38 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: GUNSTAR HEROES
È [Mega Drive] There are some memorable characters in Gunstar, including Dr Black, who refuses to give up his gem to Red. È [Mega Drive] Some ambiguous writing leaves much of Gunstar Heroes’ world open to interpretation.
REGULARLY GETTING TOGETHER TO PLOT full creative control – and that was key
to Gunstar Heroes’ success. Indeed, the
PUBLISHER: SEGA
A REVOLUTION”
DEVELOPER: TREASURE, INC
only issue that resulted in a difference
RELEASED: 1993
of opinion between Sega and Treasure
evil dictator who looks a bit like Street dropping their surnames and referring to was the relatively trivial matter of the GENRE: SHOOT ’EM UP
Fighter’s M Bison, from using those them by the nicknames they use within game’s name. Treasure had considered
gems to re-power a robot called Golden Treasure to this day. calling its debut project ‘Blade Gunner’,
Silver, which had previously caused “There were only seven of us who in honour of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner,
havoc by draining planets of their natural worked on Gunstar Heroes: myself, as but eventually settled on ‘Lunatic
resources. Daisaku has even kidnapped producer; Yaiman, who was the director Gunstar’. Maegawa looks back on this
Green, the elder brother of Red and Blue, and main programmer; Nami, who matter with good humour.
who has been tricked into working for programmed the enemy AI and other “It’s true that within Treasure we
the enemy. Once the four crucial gems routines; Han, who did the character referred to the game as ‘Lunatic Gunstar’,
are retrieved, the heroic journey of Red graphics; Iuchi, who was responsible for right from the start,” he says with
and Blue eventually leads to the moon the graphics; Non, who did all the music; a wry smile. “We felt that the word
of Gunstar 9, where Red and Blue have and our sound effects man, Murata. It ‘Lunatic’ was a perfect fit to convey the
to defeat the immense (3D-effect) Core took us about ten months to develop
Guard System, before a final multi-stage Gunstar Heroes once we’d established È [Mega Drive] Like Super Mario Bros 3, Gunstar Heroes has a big airship and is proud of it.
battle against the game’s assembled Treasure, but even before that we’d meet
cast of baddies brings Golden Silver in coffee shops and other places for
out of its sleep. planning sessions.”
In Red and Blue, two iconic It’s fascinating to visualise such
videogame characters were born. coffee house meetings. Even while they
With nomenclature bordering on the remained at Konami, the core members
nondescript, they were never likely to of Treasure were regularly getting
capture the imagination of the population together to plot a revolution. And by
at large; but Red and Blue retain a certain finding Sega as a publisher, Treasure’s
mystique that still lights fires in the eyes coup d’état would soon be complete:
of gamers. How did Gunstar Heroes’ Gunstar Heroes blew open the state of
characters come to be named in such a 2D platform-shooters, with Treasure
way? Maegawa confesses that it wasn’t rewriting the constitution.
his idea, but the work of Gunstar team’s Treasure’s deal with Sega was the
character graphics specialist, Han. result of a carefully planned proposal,
“Maybe for Han there was some deep which suggests that the results of the
meaning,” Maegawa says about his ‘anything goes’ approach were largely
input, “but I think it’s just a really good determined before development began.
idea because it made it so easy for users Maegawa is understandably satisfied
to understand what was happening in with the outcome of events, and stresses
the game.” that none of the ideas plotted in Tokyo
MEGA DRIVE | 39
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
GUNSTAR exhilaration of our game, what with
VERSIONS all the explosions and detonations;
but that didn’t go down too well with
There have been five Gunstar
Heroes releases. The original Sega of America, who thought that the
Mega Drive game appeared in word ‘Lunatic’ conveyed a really bad
September 1993. An inferior image. Anyway, the ‘Heroes’ part of the
Game Gear version followed, title came from Sega of America – they
featuring odd modifications
such as a switch from mine seemed to think that ‘Heroes’ was a cool
carts to helicopter jetpacks in term because it carried a notion of there
the Underground Mine stage; being some great sense of justice in the
it lacked some of the original’s game – so in the end we were requested
content (most conspicuously,
to adopt the Gunstar Heroes title.”
the Dice Palace level was
dropped completely) and ran at Irrespective of concerns over its title,
a much lower frame rate than Sega must have been happy to see
the Mega Drive version. An the results of Treasure’s early Mega
enjoyable sequel, Gunstar Super Drive work, especially considering the
Heroes, was released on the
Game Boy Advance in 2005, but limitations of the hardware. Maegawa
this too falls a little way short of recalls that Treasure had to work
the standard set by the Mega around the Mega Drive’s limited palette
Drive original. to achieve the desired visual style
It wasn’t until late 2006 that
in Gunstar Heroes. “Because of the
the original game resurfaced
on the Wii’s Virtual Console, relatively low number of colours the
preserved in perfect form via Mega Drive can display, we had various » [Mega Drive] The appropriately named ‘happy item room’ offers sustenance and weapons in the middle of The Dice Palace.
the wonders of emulation. difficulties in doing what we wanted
More impressive still, in to do,” Maegawa explains. “At first we Another vital ingredient of Gunstar games that defy convention (see
February 2006 Sega of Japan
had published the Gunstar
were drawing the backgrounds with Heroes’ unrelenting punch, often 2001’s Freak Out on the PS2 for a prime
Heroes: Treasure Box as part a single palette of 16 colours, but we overlooked, is its clever use of sound example of bizarre game design being
of its PS2-based Sega Ages thought the results looked too sad and effects. From the creaking of robotic smuggled past publishers and out into
series. The disc contained both desolate, so I requested that we draw bosses’ limbs to the easily identifiable retail), but this is principally because of
the American Genesis version scenery with two palettes, giving us 32 and distinguishable weapons effects, Treasure’s reputation – the basis of which
of Gunstar Heroes and the
Japanese Mega Drive code, colours to work with, which is what we Murata’s work almost sounds like was laid in Gunstar Heroes.
along with a subtly different ended up doing.” percussion to Non’s music. We ask There are initially four stages to play
prototype build and the Game Aside from the richness of Gunstar whether Murata worked on Gunstar through, but these can be approached
Gear version (useful purely Heroes’ extended palette use, effects Heroes in the same manner as Non. in any order. Only after these levels have
for reference).
such as the rotation and scaling of “Yes,” says Maegawa. “In a similar style been completed and the four gems have
sprites were used expertly to create a to Non, our sound effects specialist been collected does Gunstar Heroes shift
sense of depth. Most impressively, there Murata waits for everything else to be into a linear gear.
can be a dozen or more characters on in place and functional before he begins, One of Gunstar Heroes’ most
screen and yet the frame rate holds very slowly and carefully, to apply his inventive stages is the Dice Maze level,
up almost flawlessly throughout, sound effects.” where Black beckons the player to
regardless of how explosive the action Playing Gunstar Heroes today, it’s his ‘strange fortress’, inside which is
is becoming. The transformations of difficult to imagine how contemporary found The Dice Palace. A board game
the Green-controlled Seven Force boss publishers would react to its hotchpotch of sorts ensues, with Red and/or Blue
show Treasure in a cocky frame of mind, design. Of course, Treasure has virtual throwing a die to move around a board
juggling and spinning sprites as though immunity in this regard, and can containing spaces that lead to mini-boss
they were going out of fashion (funny apparently still get away with releasing fights, free weapons (received in the
thing: they were). The faux 3D of the » [Mega Drive] Smash Daisaku attempts to cause Red to crash by throwing live soldiers at him. That’s not nice.
Core Guard System, too, was a spectacle
of some note in 1993, its impact
DEVELOPER almost measuring up to the feats of
HIGHLIGHTS contemporary FX chip-powered games
over on the SNES.
ALIEN SOLDIER Gunstar Heroes’ soundtrack is also
SYSTEM: MEGA DRIVE, Wii hugely impressive. The score shifts
VIRTUAL CONSOLE
YEAR: 1994 in pitch and tone quite dramatically,
waltzing with the on-screen action
RADIANT SILVERGUN
without ever stepping on its toes. We
SYSTEMS: SATURN, ARCADE
YEAR: 1998 ask Maegawa how such well-judged
GRADIUS V PICTURED
tunes were achieved in light of the ever-
SYSTEMS: PS2 changing nature of the gameplay and
YEAR: 2004 its themes. “Well, the music producer
was Non,” Maegawa reiterates, “who is
still here at Treasure. He always, without
fail, waits for all levels of a game to be
designed so that he can experience
the movement of the whole game, and
then he begins his composition. And
that’s how he was when we worked on
Gunstar Heroes.”
40 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: GUNSTAR HEROES
TREASURE
BEFORE
TREASURE
We ask Maegawa to set the
record straight: which games
did he and his Treasure team
actually work on while they
were at Konami? Politely, he
refuses, stating that he’d “rather
not name specific titles, so as
to avoid any potential trouble
with Konami.” Fair enough.
“But I can tell you,” he adds,
“that I worked on Game Boy,
Famicom and Super Famicom
games for Konami while I
ws there.” This didn’t quite
sate our curiosity, so we did
some research, completely
» [Mega Drive] Being able to shoot in eight directions, even when piloting the EmpireÕs Space Craft, is something of a boon. unaided by Maegawa by the
way, and discovered some
MEGA DRIVE | 41
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
TOUGH
BOSSES
Bravoo Man is built like a brick
shithouse – or at least, he’s
been constructed from brick
– but his moves are limited to a
flying spin and clumsy kick.
Pink and a couple of sidekicks
called Kain and Kotaro attempt
to stop Red and Blue by blocking
their path with the interestingly
named Pinky Loader contraption.
Seven Force is piloted by Green, » [Mega Drive] Care for a piece of Gunstar Gum? Never mind in-game advertising – Gunstar Heroes did in-game self-promotion.
who guides it through seven
transformations. Iterations include
a golden gun, a blue phoenix, of creative thinking, and not the result “We developed the weapon
an iron man and a tiger. of any focus testing or considerations combination system like that,” says
This early mid-level boss is of marketability. Maegawa confirms Maegawa, “because we wanted players
easily beaten, and can be Treasure’s slightly random and carefree to discover their own ways of getting
attacked from positions on
methodology. “We didn’t really bother through stages, and for them to have
the robot’s feet and under its
body, as well as from above. about the details of how each stage was lots of different experiences according
being developed,” he says, “but we to which weapons they were using on
produced each scene with a different which levels. The weapons become
attitude, which led to there being plenty different when you go from Easy mode
of variety in the game. I feel that as to Expert mode, as well.”
Smash Daisaku challenges Red to a result of this approach the overall As with many subsequent Treasure
a fight on the wings of a helicopter
(yes, a helicopter with wings) before
balance came out really well.” titles, Gunstar Heroes is not a huge
making way for his bulkier comrade, Variety was also seen in the game’s game when measured in terms of how
Orange, to have a go. weapon system, which starts from long it takes to get to the credits – it can
Doctor Black appears as the a base of four weapon types (Force, be played through in an hour, if you’re
final boss of his rather strange Lightning, Chaser and Fire) but expands good – but it presents such a wealth of
fortress, having already led to 14 variations via the mixing of diverse ideas during play that it manages
Red/Blue through a board different weapon types. Red/Blue can to project an unfeasibly large personality.
game full of challenges.
choose one weapon initially, but have This is a game, which, once played,
space in their primitive ‘inventory’ cannot be forgotten.
(displayed at the top of the screen) to The most memorable scenes in
hold two weapons simultaneously. Gunstar Heroes are probably its boss
Smash Daisaku returns, this time Each of these weapons can be used in encounters (it soon became apparent
with a jetpack and flame-thrower. isolation, if so desired, or the two can be that boss design was one of Treasure’s
He’s easy to dodge, but he has used in combination; the three choices strengths, as evidenced by such
more stamina. He’s all that stands
between Red/Blue and the moon. on offer from each brace of weapons incredible sights as that of the Creator in
can be cycled through mid-game by Radiant Silvergun and the interplanetary
Seven Force doesn’t look quite
so threatening when seen in holding A and B. It’s an effective system, conclusion to Sin & Punishment), which
space, but it really zips about encouraging tactical use of weapons. span the gamut from a brick man in the
the screen and is certainly not Rather than simply give the player a form of Bravoo Man to a midget called
an easy enemy to defeat. procession of increasingly powerful Minion Soldier. Maegawa recognises
weapons, Treasure decided to spread the importance of these characters to
Gunstar’s range of attacking options in a the game’s enduring appeal, citing the
more imaginative way. impact of Gunstar Heroes’ bosses on
The Core Guard System is one
of Gunstars’ few self-explanatory
features. It launches a series of
attacks, such as chains of orbs
and miniature spacecraft.
The final boss series leads up
to a fight against the revived
Golden Silver robot. Before that,
all of the game’s main enemies
reappear in sequence.
42 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: GUNSTAR HEROES
» [Mega Drive] Red’s rather confused; he was sure that there was some way of getting to the exit… » [Mega Drive] Mini-bosses are peppered throughout every level of Gunstar Heroes.
» [Mega Drive] Under siege from all directions and yet still in with a fighting chance. » [Mega Drive] Green realises how stupid he’s been and decides to make amends with a kamikaze attack on Golden Silver.
MEGA DRIVE | 43
T
he peace is broken
once more. Mr X is
back and this time
he’s hit Axel were it
hurts: in the Adam. Yes, the
once peaceful, apparently
crime-free city of New York
is again thrown into upset
after one third of a friendship
is mercilessly locked in a
room. Don’t panic though Axel Blaze Skate Max
as the remaining two thirds Axel is the easiest character Dance Teacher and ex-plod Adam’s kid brother Eddie Max’s biggest downfall is
– accompanied by a token to get to grips with and to Blaze Fielding is the fastest ‘Skate’ Hunter is the most that he’s too slow. Ninjas,
wrestler-type character and a finish the game within an of the four characters. As agile of the four characters kickboxers, bikers and anything
rollerblading ten year old – set hour of purchase. This is well as being agile and quick, on offer, but he’s also the that owns an animation
out to save their captured basically down to his potent Blaze also boasts fast weapon weakest. He’s the only will cause him all kind of
comrade and bring some order special attacks – particularly attacks – particularly with the character in the game that problems. This is counteracted
back to all the chaos. his Ground Upper (see Best knife, where she stabs and can perform a dash, but he somewhat by Sega blessing
It might sound like the most Special boxout) – which swipes with one tap of the fire seriously struggles when him with the strongest moves
clichéd of action-film plots, but make easy work of most button – so is one of the best wielding the larger weapons in the game – particularly his
Streets Of Rage 2 is a game that to all enemies. all-rounders in the game. in the game. devastating Atomic Drop.
lets two people throw a punk
rocker into an arcade machine of
itself and eat apples off the floor.
Such a blatant display of ill-hygiene
and acts of ironic vandalism are just
two elements what make walking
the streets of rage so awesome.
Still not convinced? Read on…
44 | MEGA DRIVE
SPEEDBALL 2: BRUTAL
DELUXE
WHY IS IT A CLASSIC?
BEST CHARACTER
Where’s part 4 Sega? Not Max
There are many reasons – the thumping score by Yuzo Koshiro and the Looking like he hailed from a circus of strong men and with a pointlessly
awesome visuals, the pace of the game, the cool-looking bosses and slow and laborious quick attack, we’re all in agreement that Max is by far
brilliantly themed stages – why Streets Of Rage can be seen as a classic. the worst character. The mantle for the best character though is a close
The SNES bagged itself a home port of Final Fight, but it was a load of lazy toss up between Axel – for his balance, but losing points (not of his own
crap. Despite not looking as refined as its Capcom rival, Streets Of Rage doing) for looking like every other videogame character to ever throw a
let two players work together to smash up a load of gangly goons. It’s punch – and Skate for his speed and being able to beat up people seven
also shockingly violent (for its day), with stabbings, women in leather and times his Body Mass Index, but losing style kudos for dressing like Pac-
fishnets attacking you with electric-charged bullwhips and some brutal Man. These pros and cons are just too equal to try to split hairs over, so
moves that included administering several quick knees to the face. we’re going to bottle out and give the award to Blaze Fielding instead. What the
mags said…
ages ago
Mean Machines
BEST MOVE
BEST BOSS
it’s impossible.
BEST STAGE
Stage 2: Construction Bridge Co-op – two pads are better than none
Starting on a street, then moving into a bar, to a baseball stadium and To say that the true brilliance of Streets Of Rage 2 becomes apparent
then to a theme park, on to a jungle section, a factory and a well-guarded
HQ – to say Streets Of Rage 2 is a boisterous beast is no understatement.
exactly two minutes into plugging the stringy end of a second control
pad into your Mega Drive and plonking what looks like a plastic kidney
IN THE KNOW
DEVELOPER: SEGA
But it’s the bridge section that is the best stage. Crossing said bridge into the hands of a friend is no lie. Streets Of Rage 2 contains one of the
PUBLISHER: IN HOUSE
though is tough – it’s full of guys on scrambler bikes trying to smite you most comprehensive move lists of any side-scrolling beat-’em-up, leaving RELEASED: 1992
with pipes – but by heck it’s a lot of fun. And when you cross the bridge plenty of room for you and a pal to experiment with the action. Fighting GENRE: BEAT ’EM UP
you end the stage in a construction site where you fight a guy with a for health-apples, flipping over adversaries like a pair of gymnasts and ALSO AVAILABLE ON: GAME GEAR, SMS
jetpack called Jet. You’re then forced to fight him using pretty much just launching a Big Ben into a group of Talks, was truly one of the best
flying kicks. Yes, it makes the fight look cheap, but it’s the best way. multiplayer times to be had on the Mega Drive.
MEGA DRIVE | 45
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
F
or many, the run up to FIFA’s the Genesis in the US, most notably Matt, who is credited as associate
annual release is seen as with the popular John Madden producer on the game, was
the biggest event in the Football and NHL Hockey franchises. working at the company’s newly
videogame calendar; one Often regarded as a key title for established UK studio and began
that generates a global pre-season Sega, the Madden games put an this most important of assignments
warm-up comprising excitement, early chink in Nintendo’s seemingly by putting together a fresh new
fanaticism, competition against impenetrable armour and ultimately design idea for the game. And
its long-standing rival in the Pro helped Sega to win majority share fresh it most certainly was. While
Evolution Soccer series and, of the North American games most football videogames at the
hopefully, cause for celebration. market. Unsurprisingly, then, it was time adopted either side-on or
A unique sports series, then, as it the success of these two sports top-down viewpoints, as utilised
46 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: FIFA INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
…AND OFF
THE PITCH
LIKE EA’S ESTABLISHED early
Mega Drive sports franchises,
the presentation throughout FIFA
International Soccer was exemplary.
It allowed players to tweak the rules
of play, let you and three friends play
up in Widnes. They had a cobbled together using EA’s ‘four-way play’
together Mega Drive development adaptor, and featured an innovative
set built off a Commodore Amiga. action-replay mode that allowed you
We’d asked them to look at the to stop the action and replay the last
pseudo-3D like Madden, the side- few moments of gameplay, among
other things. The thought and extra
scroller that was most popular at
» [Mega Drive] FIFA featured a welcome dollop of customisation. You could adjust your team’s formation, their tactics effort made by the EA team to ensure
the time, and an isometric view. and even the amount of space they covered on the pitch. that FIFA gave footy fans the complete
When we looked at the prototypes sports package was undoubtedly a big
running, the isometric was just the factor in its success.
clear winner. When you looked at
them together it was a no-brainer.”
In truth, the isometric Curious as to whether there was
anything the team had to drop from the
original game, we put the question to
Once the isometric viewpoint was
settled on, work began on putting viewpoint was selected partly Matt. “We ended up cutting out large
amounts of variety in the crowd chants,”
together a prototype, and it was
shortly after this that EA would because it was so different he replied. “The things I remember
feeling sorry about was the player-
controlled celebration stuff. I really
decide to move production to EA
Canada (EAC) in Vancouver. “EAC was fairly new to EA, Studio. The remote development wanted to be able to ram it home when I
scored against a friend, but it was great
Located in Burnaby, British created when EA acquired was challenging, but nightly calls
when that went in the following year!”
Columbia, and currently employing [Distinctive Software] in Vancouver,” and weekly deliverables meant
around 2,000 staff, EA Canada remembers Matt. “There was an that we could stay on top of the
is EA’s oldest and largest studio, experienced console team there development. The fact is that the
and the place where every main ready to go, and we figured that team at EAC were very strong,
FIFA game has been developed. we could get development running experienced already with EA’s
The massive campus, which quicker if we moved it there. So amazing development tools that
houses three production studios, we took the difficult decision to existed on the Sega console, so
is equipped with the latest motion cease the development with the progress was fast.”
and facial capture technology to guys in Widnes and moved it to Despite the obvious stresses that
ensure that player animations look Vancouver. These decisions aren’t come with long-distance working
as believable as possible and nary easy, but both of these guys ended relationships, with a fresh and
a single hair on Rooney’s newly up accepting internal positions innovative new plan of attack and
fertilised head looks out of place. with the newly expanding UK a passionate captain leading the
MEGA DRIVE | 47
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
experienced team of developers,
development of EA’s isometric
football game began to take shape
as the EAC team “immersed
themselves in the sport” and set
about creating an authentic football
experience for gamers.
“We started with how the players
looked as you controlled them,”
said Matt. “The isometric view
meant that we could get a ton more
detail than ever before. I was also
able to tune the formation and AI
editor, which was linked to where
the ball was on the pitch. If the team
responded in the right way to where
the ball was, then everything flowed
together to give a more realistic feel
» [Mega Drive] Though born and still living in Canada, FIFA was conceived in Britain. Doesn’t it make you proud?
than had gone before. Audio then
really came to the fore as we put the
crowd chants into a footy game for of moves into the game. This was they were extremely well animated,
the first time. The atmosphere really something that was especially able to perform impressive flying
came through.” important to Matt. headers, back heels, bicycle kicks
As well as trying to capture the “As I said, I wanted to be able to and theatrical dives. And while the
look and atmosphere of football, do more than just kick the ball. To quasi-3D perspective can make it
the team at EAC also gave careful create moves you need to build difficult to judge the position of
consideration to how the game up to a shot. I wanted that depth. the ball at times, the viewpoint did
would be played. Football games Being able to see the team offer a good playing field for those
of the time typically assigned one responding to the ball and player players who liked to pass the ball
button for passing, lobbing and position, and seeing the action and think about their approach.
shooting, but there was often a differently to that which had gone Indeed, rather than use whichever
sense that this was more out of before, really showed that we player had possession to dash
necessity than choice, be it technical had something more than our towards the opposition’s goal and
limitations on the number of player competitors. Gave us an edge.” shoot, FIFA’s design and gameplay
animations or controller design What struck critics and fans most encouraged players to take a more
restricting the number of buttons about FIFA International Soccer considered route towards goal. This
afforded to players. For FIFA the was the high level of presentation was something Matt really wanted
team utilised the power of Sega’s in the game, and this has remained to instil into the gameplay.
16-bit console and its three-button a hallmark of the series. Though “I felt that you could see more
control pad to incorporate an array the player sprites were identical, and get a deeper sense of building
up a move with the isometric view,“
We put the crowd chants in for he explains. “The competition at
the time was very much about
the first time and the atmosphere twitch control of the way the player
interacted with the ball. For me, at
EVOLUTION
OF FIFA
LOOKING BACK AT highlights from
the past 20 years of videogaming’s
most successful football franchise…
1. FIFA International Soccer 2. FIFA Soccer 95 3. FIFA Soccer 96 4. FIFA 97
10. FIFA Football 2003 11. FIFA Football 2004 12. FIFA Football 2005 13. FIFA 06 14. FIFA 07
48 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: FIFA INTERNATIONAL SOCCER
DEVELOPER
years of the franchise and why he
thinks it remains so popular today.
“It’s retained its easy-to-pick-up HIGHLIGHTS
roots, something that a number of JOHN MADDEN FOOTBALL
years ago it was derided for, but PICTURED
it’s important that anyone can feel SYSTEM: AMIGA, MEGA DRIVE, SNES
YEAR: 1990
like they can get a game and score
a goal. It’s authentic, looks amazing
ROAD RASH
SYSTEM: AMIGA, ATARI ST, GAME BOY,
» [Mega Drive] US sports pundit Ron Barr was FIFA’s original face. He was a man of very few words and liked to repeat himself. and plays beautifully. You can’t help GAME GEAR, MEGA DRIVE, MEGA CD
Probably why he was dropped in FIFA 95. but be entertained when you play YEAR: 1991
a game. When you watch someone THE NEED FOR SPEED
the ball laterally ahead of a player to FIFA to let EA use the licence for its play, it looks like you’re watching a SYSTEM: 3DO, DOS,
run on to.” game at the time? real match. The commentary system PLAYSTATION, SATURN
YEAR: 1994
For most of its development the “It wasn’t hard at all,” admits is a total revelation. I’m in awe of
game was known as EA Soccer Matt. “I did a bit of research and what the team at EAC has achieved
within the walls of EAC. The FIFA found a name at FIFA of somebody over the last [20] years or so with
licence actually came as a late but connected with external relations, the game. It’s remarkable.”
vital goal, and is now a badge of made the call and then passed it
honour that the series has proudly on to our marketing department to
worn for 18 years. For many, that close out. At the time, FIFA wasn’t
close affiliation with football’s a commercial heavyweight as
governing body is what makes FIFA it’s become now. It was a natural
the only football game to play. addition to the EA Sports line-up so,
While the late FIFA affiliation in a way, having NHL and the NFL
meant that the series didn’t really relationships helped us.”
make best use of the licence until To date there have been 19
the release of FIFA Soccer 95, which releases in the main FIFA series
introduced club teams, authentic and around 30 spin-off games, with
kit colours and player names to the some of the latter falling inside the
mix, securing FIFA’s blessing was successful FIFA Street and FIFA
certainly an important moment for Manager franchises. Selling more
the franchise. It gave EA exclusive than 100 million copies worldwide,
use of licensed clubs, kits and FIFA is now one of the bestselling
player likenesses, and, of course, videogame franchises ever, and in
the leagues – most importantly the all that time has remained in the
English Premiership, which was care of EA Canada.
established around the time that the Now a senior producer at
» [Mega Drive] The FIFA series kept the isometric engine for its entire tenure on the Mega Drive. Amazingly, the final
original FIFA was in production. So Criterion Games, a subsidiary release for the system was FIFA 2000.
just how difficult was it to convince of EA, Matt no longer has
5. FIFA 98: Road To World Cup 6. FIFA 99 7. FIFA 2000 8. FIFA 2001 9. FIFA Football 2002
15. FIFA 08 16. FIFA 09 17. FIFA 10 18. FIFA 11 19. FIFA 14
MEGA DRIVE | 49
GREAT GAMES THAT NEVER REACHED UK SOIL
GAME ORIGIN
COUNTRY: JAPAN
POPULATION: 127,433,494
COORDINATES: 35˚41’ N 139˚46’ E CAPITAL: TOKYO
NATIONAL LANGUAGE:
JAPANESE
CURRENCY: YEN
TIME ZONE: GMT +9
PUBLISHER: SEGA
DEVELOPER: MEGASOFT
FEATURED HARDWARE:
MEGA DRIVE
AAH! HARIMANADA
ALSO ON: GAME BOY, GAME GEAR If football’s a funny old game
GENRE: BEAT‘EMUP
RELEASED: 1993
then, by comparison, sumo must
EXPECT TO PAY: £25 $55 be a hilariously ancient one. Stuart
EVOLUTION OF
Hunt doesn’t have the build or
THE GENRE the hair for sumo, but does have
▲ Retro pretty good dexterity and patience,
SYUSSEI
OOZUMOU
two things you’ll need to play this
RELEASED: obscure Mega Drive fighter
T
1984
This is
earliest he sport of sumo wrestling is grossly
sumo game under-represented in videogames. In fact,
we could find is this arcade game by this month’s title is the first we’ve come by –
Double Dragon makers Technos. With though we’re sure there are more out there.
nice detailed visuals and an intuitive » [Mega Drive] The human hammer throw competition was in full swing,
by frantic button mashing grappling Actually, let us don our research hats and go first prize: a loincloth change.
system, it’s a fairly solid recreation of investigating... In the meantime, here are some sumo-
the sport. related facts to keep you entertained, some of which appeared on the Mega Drive in Japan and was based on
may or may not be true. a popular manga and anime. It was also developed by
▼ Modern 1. Sumo is the national sport of Japan. 2. It dates back Megasoft, developer of one of the Mega Drive’s greatest
WWE ‘13 to the Edo period of Japan and was played to entertain action games – Shinobi III: Return Of The Ninja Master.
RELEASED: the Gods. 3. The game is traditionally played by large There are three versions of Aah! Harimanada, one
2012
men in loincloths, each of which is worth thousands for the Game Boy and another for the Game Gear. The
Coming up
empty when of pounds. 4. There is an alternative version of the Mega Drive version is often criticised by westerners for
trying to find sport called Suitmo which is played by tall skinny men being ferociously tough. As such, there are many who
a modern wearing sharp black tailored suits. will warn you off it. And initially we were in agreement.
sumo videogame, we copped out and Right, sorry about that, we’re back. Well, would you However, after discovering who was behind the game
went with a western wrestling game believe it, it turns out that there are actually a lot more we decided to stick with it, and were glad we did. Simply
instead. WWE ’13 is the latest entry in
the popular Smackdown versus Raw sumo videogames than we thought, around 20 in fact, spamming the fire buttons won’t get you off the second
series, we’ve not played it so can’t tell and most have appeared on Nintendo consoles and bout, but with only three buttons to worry about, Aah!
you if it’s any good. didn’t see release outside of Japan. The one we want Harimanada’s combat system is simple to figure out,
to draw your attention to is Aah! Harimanada, which and when you do it gets a helluva lot more entertaining.
50 | MEGA DRIVE
IMPORT ONLY: AAH! HARIMANADA
A Sumo
Lesson
ENERGY BAR
» Unlike most sumo wrestling games,
Aah! Harimanada has energy bars. Knock
out your opponent by depleting it.
WRESTLER
» This is your wrestler. You have no choice
in him, but as most fighters perform the
same moves it’s no big hardship.
VISUALS
» Aah! Harimanada is based on a
» [Mega Drive] The wrestlers can perform special moves, like this one here. Clearly the popular anime and manga, which
developers weren’t aiming to create a factually accurate sumo sim. probably explain why the graphics
look so good.
RING
» The traditional way to win a fight
is to get your opponent to step or fall
outside the ring.
MEGA DRIVE | 51
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
The Revenge Of Shinobi
T
The game’s revered soundtrack Shinobi is still and also for some cheeky unlawful first – and arguably best – examples
was written by Yuzo Koshiro. considered by many impersonating and sometimes blatant of Sega daring to do something a little
Working freelance for Sega at the
time, he went on to compose for
to be one of the best use of a few well-established pop different with one of its established
a clutch of Sega classics, most action games to ever culture icons for its enemies and arcade brands. The game was directed
notably the Streets Of Rage series. find release on the Mega Drive is bosses, which forced the developer to and overseen by Shinobi creator
There have been 13 Shinobi a true testament to its brilliance. make a series of revisions to the game Noriyoshi Ohba, who, with the help
games in total, but Joe has only Released over 20 years ago, some to ensure they avoided litigation (turn of his small team, set about pushing
appeared in six of them. This tally six months or so after the Mega the page to find out more). the franchise in a subtle new direction.
includes the Western version Drive’s official launch in Japan, It may surprise some of you to That’s not to say The Revenge Of
of MD Shadow Dancer, which Joe Musashi’s second adventure learn that the most recent revision Shinobi eschews its arcade heritage,
substituted out Joe’s son for Joe.
(entitled Super Shinobi in Japan) of the game occurred as late as rather it cleverly carries over the iconic
The series has seen Joe’s son, has gone on to become one of the last year when the game was parts from the original coin-op (the
Hayate, and Joe’s grandson (who
machine’s most enduring titles, unshackled from copyright handcuffs, use of magic, the many Western pop
is also named Joe) appear as
central characters. and serves as conclusive proof that which was due to its inclusion of culture influences and memorable
the best games don’t necessarily Spider-Man (which Sega no longer bosses) but omits those elements that
In 2002, THQ and Sega released
a Game Boy Advance game titled come to us towards the end of a holds the videogame rights to – it’s feel inherent to arcade gaming (having
The Revenge Of Shinobi. Despite console generation. now Activision), and saw its first no health bar, simplistic level structure
what its title insinuates, it is neither Released in the wake of Space downloadable release through and gameplay). In doing this Sega
a port nor a follow up to the Mega Harrier and Super Thunderblade – two Nintendo’s Virtual Console service, created a game that felt bigger, better
Drive game. pretty lacklustre Sega Mega Drive marking the fifth and very likely last and more suited to console gaming,
The Revenge Of Shinobi did arcade sequels – The Revenge Of incarnation of the game to find release. while at the same time it offered a true
find its way to arcades courtesy Shinobi came to effortlessly leave its showcase of the impressive technical
of Sega’s Mega-Tech arcade
board, which was based on Mega
mark on Mega Drive owners. This was Out with the old, capabilities of its new 16-bit machine.
Drive hardware.
largely thanks to its canny blend of in with the new For the benefit of those not familiar
arcade action, its jaw-dropping visuals, With its history rooted in the short-frills with the series, The Revenge
having one of the most memorable nature of arcade gaming, The Revenge Of Shinobi’s story followed on
52 | MEGA DRIVE
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI
Pixel Perfect Your guide to the characters of The Revenge Of Shinobi. How many have you seen?
» Joe Musashi » Blue Lobster » Infantry Grunt » Zeed Ninja - Wings » Purple Phoenix » Zeed Ninja - Green
» Kasumi » Doppelgänger - Batman » Doppelgänger - Devilman » The Terminator » The Terminator - Cyborg » Infantry Grunt -
Grenadier
» Shadow Dancer » Pink Dragon » Red Dragon » Flamethrower Grunt » Attack Dog » Rambo » Shogun - Red
» Doppelgänger
- Spider-Man
MEGA DRIVE | 53
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
The Revenge Of Shinobi
directly from the original. It saw the were more varied too,
Critical return of the series’ recurring antagonist,
a shady criminal organisation known
Change is defnitely
a good thing
with Joe’s mission
taking him from
Reception as Zeed, that decides to exact revenge
on Joe after he foils their plans at the
The sequel made a
number of changes to the
idyllic locales in
Japan, a dazzling
end of the first game. Newly reformed, existing Shinobi template. nightclub, the top
What the gaming now under the slightly flashier-sounding Perhaps the most noteworthy of a speeding
press thought… name Neo Zeed, they attack alteration was the dropping commuter
Joe’s Oboro ninja clansman, of the previous ‘free all the train, and ending in a
kill his master and kidnap his hostages to progress’ gameplay. well-fortified marine
girlfriend and bride-to-be, Instead, it was made base. This sense of
Naoko. Understandably, simpler with Joe having variety bled into other
Joe is left a little to find and reach areas of the game too,
annoyed by all of this, the exit to finish the with Joe given a much
so he sets out on a stage. This was made deeper combat system to
mission to seek some counter- challenging, though, through play with.
vengeance by travelling to more intricate level design While he kept his shurikens and
the Zeed’s eight hideouts to that included environ-based katana (which he uses for close-
defeat its new leaders, put puzzles and the odd tricky quarters combat) from the first game,
a stop to their new reign platform section to test his ninjitsu spells were now split
of terror and save his girl. players. The game’s levels between offensive and defensive
attacks. Players were also forced
to conserve shurikens (Joe had an
“One of unlimited reserve in the first game),
the most which also helped to imbue a subtle
sense of strategy.
outstanding As well these various gameplay
tweaks, the sequel also boasted
games on the better visuals through its great use of
Twin Galaxies
High Scores Joe’s Ninja Arsenal As well as his katana sword, Joe’s not short of some fancy ninja
armaments and spells to aid him on his revenge mission
NTSC
■ NAME: ANTONIO R. FILHO
■ POINTS: 1,070,600
PAL
■ NAME: ANDREW PETE MEE
■ POINTS: 37,600
54 | MEGA DRIVE
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI
MEGA DRIVE | 55
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
The Revenge Of Shinobi
The Revenge Trail
The Bride’s tale of vengeance in Kill 03 Military Base
Enemies on this level include armed
Bill may have had some epic moments guards, more attack mutts and flamethrower-
of comic book violence and its fair wielding Rambo lookalikes – although these
are substituted for bald guys in later versions.
share of memorable fights, but it This section is notable for being the first of two
pales in comparison to Joe’s mission stages in the game that pay homage to the
dual-plane mechanic from the first Shinobi,
of reckoning. We plot his bloody trail with Joe jumping between the foreground
for revenge after his Oboro clansmen and background to take out his enemies. The
second section is set aboard an airship, and Joe
are attacked, his master killed and his must be mindful of the ship’s airlocks, which
girlfriend kidnapped. pull him out the stage at the cost of a life.
Boss:
Supercomputer
One of the more
unusual bosses in
the game is this large
laser-guarded supercomputer, which is running
from a human brain. The brain serves as the
rather obvious weak spot of this boss, and must
have been extracted from a nosey idiot ninja
as it keeps popping in and out of its protective
metal casing to take a look at the action, which
is Joe’s time to strike.
04 Detroit
This stage takes place in the
rundown-looking Detroit, and has obviously
been inspired by Paul Verhoeven’s bleak
01 Ibaraki Province, Japan
vision of the city in Robocop. The second
stage, which takes place inside some kind of
The first stage plonks Joe in automobile manufacturing factory, also riffs
familiar ninja surroundings. Featuring bamboo off The Terminator, with Joe avoiding crushing
thickets and shoin-zukuri architecture, Joe machinery as he works through the level’s
must battle ninjas and attack dogs to reach maze-like design using his ninja agility and the
The House Of Confusion – which, oddly, isn’t environment to find the exit.
all that confusing when you arrive there.
With switches and a hidden underground
Boss: Te Terminator
Signalling the first of
passageway, it demonstrates straight away
the subtle gameplay changes Sega made to
TROS’s many litigation-
baiting bosses, this
the gameplay.
familiar-looking muscle
Boss: Blue Lobster man draws things to
This boss may only have a memorable close
one tedious attack but his on the fourth stage. With giant chest and
tough samurai armour sunglasses, this car-tossing boss is clearly
makes him no pushover. based on Arnold Schwarzenegger. However,
His weak spot is his head, when he gets hit he slowly turns green with
which he leaves open rage like The Incredible Hulk… that is until
every time he makes his his skin breaks away to reveal a T-800-style
attack. Make easy work
02
endoskeleton, which then explodes.
of him by repeatedly dodging his sword attack
with a timely double-jump shuriken spray
Tokyo
The first section is probably one of the trickiest in the game.
attack – just ensure you’ve been conserving
Set against a canyon, Joe must rely on his ninja agility to get around by
those shurikens.
jumping between logs as they travel down a waterfall. The second is simple
straightforward side-scrolling beat-’em-up action, taking place on the dark
streets and roo ops of Tokyo where martial artists and female assassins
dressed as nuns try to take him down.
Boss: Shadow Dancer
This stage ends in an impressive-looking nightclub where Joe
must face off against the Shadow Dancer, a yellow ninja who
can create a trail of doppelgangers of himself like some kind
of human ninja centipede. Each doppelganger takes one hit to
kill, and when he’s down to his true form he blends into his dark
surroundings like a chameleon.
56 | MEGA DRIVE
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI
08
second stage of the Tokyo slinger makes a cameo message on the start screen.
level, this level sees Joe at the end of the scene, in Boss: Batman/Devilman Neo Zeed Marine
beating down martial what is possibly the Mega To at least keep things fair, Sega Stronghold
art gangs and more fake nuns Drive’s first ever WTF moment. decided not to discriminate This is it – the final stage of the game. Yet for all
through the dimly lit streets of Spidey sticks himself to the ceiling between the two big comic book its promise and cinematic buildup it ends on a
Chinatown. The second section and fires down webs to trap Joe, publishers, so aer Spidey has bit of a frustrating note. The first section is very
sees Joe fighting ninjas on top of a occasionally dropping down to hit been beaten in comes Bats to finish similar to the New York docklands stage, and
speeding train while avoiding steel him. Sega actually held the licence the fight. The Caped Crusader only sees Joe battling to reach Neo Zeed’s heavily
obstructions – get hit once and it to Spider-Man when it produced appears in version 1.0. From 1.01 guarded stronghold. Then, once inside, he is
wipes out a life. The Amazing Spider-Man onwards Sega replaced greeted by a perplexing maze of entrances and
It’s certainly a tense and tricky Vs. The Kingpin, so Spidey him with Devilman, a exits, and must find the correct doorway that
level to beat, but the setting, appears in every version character based on a will lead him to his betrothed.
coupled with the two-part boss of the game bar the most Japanese manga who
fight that ends this stage, makes recent VC release. His actually went on to
Boss: Neo Zeed
it one of the standout levels in proper Marvel signed-off appear in two of his Leader
the game. appearances, though, are own videogames. The Neo Zeed leader is
basically just an evil troll
doll, attacking Joe with his
weird sentient wig, which
he either slaps forward like a wet towel or
tosses like a hirsute boomerang. Defeating him
is pretty easy, though. Simply get in close, duck
when he makes his wet towel attack and give
him a good kicking. Defeating him before the
stone ceiling crushes Naoko to reward you with
the good ending is a little trickier, however.
07 New York
05
No videogame featuring ninjas
Area Code 818 would be complete without a stage set in
According this stage’s title, this New York, and that’s exactly where the
level takes place in California. The first penultimate level is set. Weirdly enough,
section sees Joe fighting to reach the top of a perceptive Shinobi fans may notice that this
skyscraper fortified with armed guards and stage looks very similar to the second stage
gun emplacements, while the second section of Shinobi. It takes place around the city’s
(which feels very reminiscent of the first level docklands, with Joe avoiding a drenching
of Dragon Ninja) is set on a freeway. Here, Joe by jumping onto dinghies and bollards. The
fights nun-dressed assassins and soldiers second part sees Joe inside a container ship
while avoiding speeding traffic. full of armed guards. Wonder what they could
Boss: Ballistic be hiding in there that’s so important?
Missile Boss: Godzilla
This end boss is It’s Godzilla, of course.
a typical Shinobi Use his sluggish speed
guardian: a giant mode of transportation. This to your advantage by
speeding ballistic missile carrier pegs down the drawing him to one end
freeway and Joe must stop it before it reaches of the screen, attacking
its destination. To do this Joe must destroy the his head while avoiding his fire-breath attack,
three bulbous weak spots found on its roof. This and then double-jumping over his tiny cranium
won’t be easy, however, as they’re protected by to repeat the process at the other end. In
cannons and an electric pulse that travels down version 1.03, Sega replaced Godzilla with a giant
the entire length of the carrier. dinosaur skeleton.
MEGA DRIVE | 57
RETROREVIVAL
CASTLE OF ILLUSION
SCREW FANTASIA, HERE’S THE REAL DEAL
PUBLISHER: SEGA
RELEASED: 1990
GENRE: PLATFORMER
FEATURED HARDWARE: MEGA DRIVE
HISTORY
After ripping into
the vomit-inducing
Fantasia last month,
we felt it was only
fair to restore peace
to the affronted
Mickey Mouse
videogame community.
Despite arriving early on in the
console’s life, it’s quite astonishing to
realise that Mickey’s very first Mega
Drive outing remains one of the
greatest platformers ever to appear
on the 16-bit console.
Just look at this screenshot.
Back in 1990 this was cutting edge
stuff, and even today it manages to
hold its own against more recent
platformers. Mickey is a masterpiece
in sprite design, and while his
animation routines now look a little
ropey, he’s still filled with more charm
and character than a dozen Ratchet
and Clanks. Indeed, when Castle
Of Illusion first appeared it was so
impressive that you could have sworn
you were taking part in an interactive
cartoon, such was its beauty.
Outstanding graphics told only
half the story, as, with saccharine
soundtrack in tow, Castle Of Illusion
presented you with some of the
finest level design around. Granted
it wasn’t a tough game to complete,
but the beautifully crafted stages
ensured that you wanted to return to
them again and again and again. But
then, Sega had crammed so much
variety into each and every stage that
you just had to revisit them – if only
so you could take everything in.
For example, one minute you’re
being chased down a hill by a huge
apple, the next you’re leaping into
a giant’s cup of tea and swimming
around in the hot brew, while later
stages saw you swinging from light
switches, taking massive leaps
of faith over immense holes and
daintily stepping past cute spiders
whilst making your way through the
cobweb-infested level that we’ve
shown here.
Crikey, we’ve run out of space and
haven’t even had a chance to cover
Castle Of Illusion’s many bosses.
Just take our word for it that they are
as challenging as they are inventive.
Enough already, just play the damn
thing and wash away those Fantasia
memories forever.
58 | MEGA DRIVE
RETRO GAMER | 59
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
e a r e a li e n s a n d t h e n t h e r e
Th er o e ja m an d E arl, th e hippest
are T ers o f th e g a laxy w h o lik e
cruisg b etter th an to rap w hil e
n othintin g with E arth lin g s . J oin Kim
c a v o r G r e g J o h n s o n d e m o n s t r at e s
W il d aosw to strut so m e funky mo v es
h
60 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: TOEJAM AND EARL
MEAG DRIVE | 61
TH E
MAK I N G
O F ” The
only thing I didn't
like about the Genesis
was that it would break
» One of the pencil sketches that Greg
easily when you threw it
made of one of the game’s backdrops.
“I came up with about 250 ideas for ‘fix’ his code every time he went to the
presents, but I could only fit about 30 bathroom. I got pretty good at ducking
of them into the game. So I wrote all of out of the way when I’d see the Genesis
my ideas on Post-its and put them on flying at me. We went through probably
the floor sticky-side up. Then I put my eight or nine machines.”
cat down in the room, and slammed While the random map generator
the door. I took the first 25 Post-its that received a lot of praise for keeping the
stuck to her feet. I use that method quite game fresh, this was a freak occurrence.
a lot, actually. It works pretty good, but “We had spent a lot of time making the
sometimes it’s hard to get her back maps perfect, and then, when I was
because she goes under the sofa.” demonstrating a Big Earl dance move
Of course, there are plenty of enemies for Mark, I spilled some soda on his
» Painted artwork of the three
out to stop you, like crazed shoppers, keyboard,” confesses Greg. “I don’t know
main characters in ToeJam & Cupid, the insane dentist, a phantom ice exactly how it happened, but it caused a
Earl III: ToeJam, Earl and female cream truck and our particular favourite, bug that made the maps random. It was
protagonist Latisha.
the Wahini, otherwise known as the really cool. The only bad thing was that
hula girls who would force any nearby sometimes the random generator made
characters to dance. Leave ToeJam or the maps into weird shapes. For some
Earl to their own devices and they will reason, when we ran the map generator
jam out. All music featured in the game on Fridays, the maps would come up in
was penned by John Baker, who would the shape of Moses. It was freaky.”
listen to recordings of Greg Johnson Development went from its scheduled
singing into a tape recorder and then year into its second, for which Greg
re-create the songs in the computer. has an interesting explanation: “That’s
With two characters at your disposal, because at one point in the project I
you don’t have to embark on the quest thought I’d try not sleeping for about a
alone, which is where the technical week. It turns out that that’s not such a
marvel of the split-screen two-player good idea. I can’t remember it so well
To mato es!
Not content with strutting their stuff on
technical hiccups. “The Genesis was a
great little machine. Everyone at the time
said that you couldn’t do the split-screen
trick, but Mark pulled it off – even though
it was his first time programming for
communicating with the aliens of
Funkotron. Fortunately I was still able to
work from the mental ward.”
Despite its delay, when ToeJam &
Earl was released in 1991 it became
the Genesis. The only thing I didn’t like something of a sleeper hit, growing in
Planet Earth, ToeJam and Earl took time so much about the Genesis was that popularity as time progressed. As the
out to feature in a lightgun mini-game it would break easily when you threw
it. Mark got annoyed when I would
game was entirely unique in comparison
to the rest of Sega’s output, the company
created for Sega’s new invention: the
Menacer. “When Sega released their » Another sketch of the game’s background
visual style featuring the lead characters.
Waiting for a
star to fall
Before ToeJam & Earl came to be, Greg
Johnson’s first project was working on a
game called Starflight for EA on the PC,
later ported across to the Mega Drive. As
space simulations go, it was an epic quest
with a huge world crammed with solar
systems comprised of multiple planets
that each had a detailed history, and it was unsure how to market it, which interesting subtitle of ‘All Funked Up’
meant that initial sales were quite slow. for marketing reasons – the game went
was all contained on just two floppy disks. However, rave reviews raised its profile on to receive a mixed reception among
and word of mouth began to spread, the press and its fans, many liking the
Initially starting off as an explorer with eventually translating into around characters’ trademark style and humour
limited resources, finding artefacts and 250,000 units worldwide – not too
shabby for an unknown franchise, and
but not really gelling with the gameplay.
Its conflicting choice of style was once
ruins makes it possible to travel further its popularity didn’t stop there. “TJ&E
was on the top ten for rentals for about
again down to publisher pressure.
“Well that’s pretty much Sega’s fault,
afield, encountering other species that ten years after its release, and a lot of
people played it that way,” explains Greg.
or more to the point, Visual Concepts.
They’re the guys who were paying us
have the potential to help or harm. ‘What’s “We never get any money for rentals, millions of dollars for the salaries of the
though. Sega was never that into the people making the game. They said that
this got to do with ToeJam & Earl?’ we game for some reason. I think it was a we needed to change the game to be
little too weird for them.” more like Donkey Kong, and they kept
hear you cry. It seems that Greg desired to With such success under their belt, the wanting us to make it harder. We wanted
two began work on a sequel in the same to make a straight-up remake of TJ&E,
meet some real aliens yet felt it would be style as the original, with new surfaces which is what our fans really wanted. Oh
quicker to build some of his own. With the like ice and snow, buildings to enter and
more presents to collect. Until, that is,
well, you’ve gotta do what the people
with the chequebook say or it’s game
birth of Starflight, “ToeJam and Earl were Sega intervened. “Sega never really got
the first game so much,” recalls Greg
over,” laments Greg. “We did our best to
still make it like game one, but it ended
the aliens that followed.” sadly. “Their marketing department up with a lot of extra junk in the game
was like, ‘Hmmm, this ToeJam game is and it was easier to get stuck.”
too weird. Let’s just focus on this fast Mission To Earth also introduced
side-scrolling game with the angry blue Latisha, created so that female gamers
hedgehog from Japan.’ We saw that and would have a character that they could
said, ‘Okay, we’re going to do plan B play with rather than being stuck with
and give you guys a side-scrolling game two guys. “I added her because TJ&E
to sell,‘ so we bailed on the regular is a co-operative game for everybody,”
sequel and started Panic On Funkotron. says Greg. “I wanted to give the female
Looking back, I think we confused the players a girl character that they could
fans. I know I was confused.” play. I suppose for purists it doesn’t
For quite a while all was quiet from seem right – after all, it is ToeJam & Earl
our intrepid aliens as they plotted their – but hey, I don’t get why people whine
next conquest. Plans for an N64 release about that.”
were shelved after a publishing deal fell Before Greg embarked on his flight
through, and the Sega Saturn wasn’t back to Planet Funkotron, we had to ask
viewed as popular enough for the third if there was anything new he had to
game. So development began on a share with Retro Gamer readers. “Yes!
version for the Sega Dreamcast, which If you like the music in ToeJam & Earl,
sadly got canned once the console hit go to YouTube and check out Choo-
financial disaster. ToeJam & Earl’s new Choo Soul – I wrote the music for that
home would become Microsoft’s too. Also, there is a new movie studio
new flagship console, the Xbox, interested in maybe making a feature
which had the financial backing to film based on the characters. If that
fund the new adventure. Named happens then it’s game on, baby. I’d
ToeJam & Earl III: Mission To love to make more ToeJam & Earl
Earth – changed from the more games.” Jammin’!
MEGA DRIVE | 63
Hydra
This planet acts as an introduction to the game,
with fairly weak enemies. It’s designed around an
ancient forest with heavy gun emplacements, and
is guarded by the fire-breathing Gargoyle.
Ellis
The ice world of Ellis scrolls both horizontally and
vertically, making it an exceptionally challenging
stage. Enemies come thick and fast, and often from
behind. It’s guarded by the gigantic Mobile Fort.
Orn
The final planet isn’t accessible until
Gorgon
This small planet might look innocent, but it
you’ve completed the others. It’s houses a deceptively tough level. Filled with
a real ball-ache as well, consisting lava and featuring lots of fire-based enemies,
of three separate areas including a it requires a fair amount of skill to negotiate.
massive mothership called Cerebus Mechanical Twin Vulcans guard the exit.
and a final boss called ChaOs, found
at the planet’s core.
ith its
W stunning
visuals, a
rocking
soundtrack and some
gigantic bosses, it’s
little wonder that
Technosoft’s Thunder
Force III is deemed to be
one of the best games
in the franchise. Usually
cowering in the shadow
of the equally magnificent
Thunder Force IV, we’ve
decided to once again
penetrate the planet
Orn and reveal why this
excellent threequel is just
as worthy of your time.
Haides
One of the toughest levels in the game.
Seiren
The world of Seiren is largely aquatic,
Darran Jones is in the
This is due to ever-changing rock so you spend all your time underwater.
pilot seat and prepares to
formations that can often lead to dead Fortunately, this has no impact on your
take his Fire LEO-03 Styx
ends. Its guardian is the massive G Lobster, craft, letting you concentrate on the
fighter to hell and back.
who is much weaker than he actually looks. aquatic enemies and its King Fish boss.
64 | MEGA DRIVE
WHY IT’S A CLASSIC
BEST BOSS
Perfectly formed Déjà vu time
Thunder Force III constantly gets ignored in favour of its epic sequel, The only downside to boss encounters in Thunder Force III is that
but it remains an excellent game in its own right, and an important they’re a little too easy, even if they retain some excellent designs.
part of the franchise. It’s beautifully paced, for starters, and has While we’ve a soft spot for the huge G Lobster found on Haides
IN THE KNOW
a number of interesting gameplay mechanics, challenging enemy and Gorgon’s Twin Vulcan, our favourite boss is actually Cerebus, a
waves and some genuinely entertaining bosses. It’s also aesthetically massive mothership discovered after defeating the first five planets.
amazing, for what is a relatively early Mega Drive release. Meticulous In addition to being packed with lasers and cannons, it launches PLATFORM: MEGA DRIVE
sprite design, a stunning soundtrack and some gorgeously designed waves of enemy ships at you. You finally defeat it by flying inside it and PUBLISHER: TECHNOSOFT
DEVELOPER: IN HOUSE
levels all combine to create an excellent shooter that really needs to taking out its core. Yes, it’s just a rip-off of R-Type’s third stage, but RELEASED: 1990
be experienced by anyone with even a casual interest in the genre. rarely has it been aped as well as it has been here. GENRE: SHOOT ’EM UP
What the
BEST WEAPON
press said…
BEST MUSIC
ages ago
Mean Machines
“There’s no denying that
the [graphics] remain superb,
and the sound is pretty
good, but it’s playability that
counts, and though Thunder
Force is good, it could have
been better.”
Laser-spewing hell Stay for the credits
Thunder Force III is packed with plenty of meaty weapons, from the Technosoft is well-regarded for its superb chiptune scores, and
homing power of the Hunter to the useful utility that is the rear shot. it really pushed the boat out with Thunder Force III. Many of the
By far the most impressive, both in terms of use and aesthetic value, compositions are suitably manic and fast-paced, easily re-creating
is the Sever laser. Once picked up and selected, it enables your ship the frenetic action seen on-screen, but the best tune is saved for
to spew out huge bolts of energy that effortlessly slice through most the ending. After your flight from planet Orn and a truly bonkers plot
enemies. Many feel that the laser is a little too powerful due to the summary, the triumphant tune shifts to become a melancholic little
ease with which you can use it to take down bosses, but due to the ditty that’s perfectly themed to the scenes of your fighter docking
relentless assault you’re faced with, keeping it until the end of a level his ship and celebrating with his friends as the credits run. It’s a truly
is often an achievement in itself. fitting, moving ending to an excellent shoot-’em-up.
OTHER VERSIONS
BEST STAGE
Allgame.com
“Shooter fans will love
the inventive weaponry,
variety of creatures, cleverly
designed levels and intensity.
Thunder Force III outdoes
Thunder Force II and is far
superior to [Thunder Spirits].”
MEGA DRIVE | 65
u must
why yo
PL AY
HERZOG ZWEI
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Techno Soft
Released: 1989
Featured Format:
Mega Drive
f you asked the average gamer most people will instantly associate with
DUKE IT OUT
In the late Eighties, ‘strategy’ games were predominantly turn-based
affairs with grid-like maps. The concept of having two entire armies
facing off and carrying out commands in real time was deemed too
I which company they think should
be credited with creating the Real
Time Strategy (RTS) genre as we
know it today, they would most likely
respond with ‘Westwood Studios’,
the sublime Thunder Force franchise. When
Thunder Force II, one of its earliest Mega
Drive releases, was published in Japan
in 1989 alongside an obscure title called
Herzog Zwei (German for “Duke 2”), it was
demanding for gaming machines of the era (and possibly players). thanks to the tremendous worldwide unsurprising that it received the lion’s share
Herzog, released on the MSX home computer in 1988, changed that success of its Dune and Command & of the attention (not to mention sales) and
perception. Heralded as a ‘real time combat simulation’ by Techno Soft, Conquer franchises. However, it would went on to spawn two successful sequels
Herzog was graphically crude and rather basic in execution but it would be the wrong answer. The company on Sega’s 16-bit console. However, it could
lay the groundwork for the Mega Drive sequel. responsible for laying down the blueprint be argued that Herzog Zwei left a more
of the modern RTS is not American, but indelible impression – it gave birth to a
Japanese – and rather ironically it’s better whole new genre.
known for its mindless (yet enjoyable) The basic premise will be familiar to every
shoot-’em-up releases than its methodical RTS fan – two armies clash with the mutual
strategy games. Tecno Soft (or Techno Soft aim of wiping each other off the face of one
as it was known in the West) is a moniker of the eight different world maps. Unlike
66 | MEGA DRIVE
» [Mega Drive] Don » [Mega Drive] Hov
’t be fooled by the bar ering over a base rep
ren landscape - Her lenishes your armour, fuel and
zog Zwei does not feat ammo.
ure Derby as a map.
most strategy titles, Herzog Zwei limits you base and pick it up. Then the piece can be
to exclusive control of just one unit – an airlifted to any point on the map (so long as REMEMBER WHEN?
incredibly cool mech that can morph into a you don’t run out of fuel – an event which Nothing beats the feeling of victory and in Herzog Zwei winning against a
jet fighter at the touch of a button. There are results in you being returned to HQ – you human opponent is very sweet indeed. You never forget your first triumph over
additional units to construct and these range never actually ‘die’ in the game) and dropped a fellow carbon-based life form…
from foot soldiers to massive tanks and into position. Even in the heat of battle,
gun emplacements. These units have to be you have the ability to pick up your forces
manufactured (which costs both money and and relocate them. So although ‘complete’
time) and issued with instruction programs control of each unit is never granted (as was
that determine how they will behave when the case in Westwood’s games), you’re
sent into the field of battle. Assigning still able to redistribute your forces and plan
3 4
Japanese version in your Christmas stocking, plane. Serving as both mouse pointer and an
this came as a godsend. Although initially it offensive weapon in its own right, the use
all appears complex (a fact that has no doubt of the mech is one of the main factors that
dissuaded many players from persevering sets Herzog Zwei apart from subsequent
with it over the years), it soon becomes RTS titles. It allows the player to participate
second nature. Once you’re familiar with
the units available and understand which
command does what, there really is nothing
else to it – however (as is the case with
many things in life) Herzog Zwei takes a MAGICAL MOMENT
moment to learn but a lifetime to master. If you’re a child of the Eighties then
The single-player campaign provides a you’ll probably have an affinity to
decent level of challenge and offers ample Hasbro’s Transformers franchise.
opportunities to brush up your basic skills Therefore, the appeal of controlling a
and develop tactics, but once a few hours giant robot will need no explanation.
have been invested it becomes too easy to The first time you play Herzog Zwei,
exploit obvious flaws in the CPU intelligence. you will spend the first ten minutes
As with so many games of this type, Herzog pressing ‘A’ in order to witness the
Zwei only really springs to life in two-player transformation sequence and hear the
mode – nothing compares to the excitement sound effect that accompanies it.
of competing against a human opponent of
equivalent skill. Battles can last for hours as
each player assembles their forces, captures
bases, loses bases, regroups and starts their
offensive anew. To put it bluntly, Herzog
Zwei is one of the most breathtakingly
brilliant multi-player experiences you’re ever
likely to witness on Sega’s 16-bit console
and certainly one of the most innovative
strategy titles in recent memory.
Unit deployment is simplicity itself – once
the unit is constructed and ready, all you
have to do is hover your plane over a friendly
MEGA DRIVE | 67
you must
why
PL AY
» [Mega Drive] Tha » [Mega Drive] The
t yellow marker shows an inco ‘SOS’ sign indicates your HQ
ming missle - lummie is under enemy fire -
! cripes!
in the melee rather than just sit passively as your war chest every few seconds – the
friendly units find themselves on the wrong more bases you own, the amount of cash
end of a beating. If the tide of battle turns you receive in each ‘top-up’ increases), it
against your forces, there’s the option to fly also means that the base can serve as an
into the thick of things and vaporize a few of outpost where you can collect newly built
those hostiles personally. units, restock your fuel and ammo and use
Although ultimate victory is gained via as a rally point to launch attacks on the
the destruction of your rival’s headquarters, opposing HQ. Because all units in the game
success in Herzog Zwei depends largely only have a finite amount of fuel and ammo
on controlling the various neutral bases that (including your mech), control of these
are scattered across the map. Foot soldiers, bases is vital. In order to stage an effective
when given a specific ‘occupy’ order, will offensive it is important that a foothold
proceed to the nearest neutral or enemy is established close enough to permit a
base and enter it. Once four units have been sustained assault. Even when a base is
sent in, it falls under your control. Not only occupied, it doesn’t mean it will remain that
does this grant additional funds with which way – your rival can send in their units to
to construct forces (money is drip-fed into reduce the tally and eventually occupy it.
68 | MEGA DRIVE
WHY YOU MUST PLAY! HERZOG ZWEI
AF-001A (PATROL)
Unit will move in
a patrol circle and
attack any enemy
forces that it
encounters.
AT-101H (OCCUPY)
This means a
unit will enter the
nearest neutral/
enemy base.
(Infantry only).
DF-F02A (PURSUE
AND ENGAGE)
Unit will remain
Because the game is unashamedly as the general public (although it must be best chance of being localized due to the stationary until
unconventional and difficult to pigeon-hole mentioned that EGM recently reassessed limited amount of software available. an enemy unit
(being neither a shooter or an out-and-out their stance and named it as one of their Commercial failure aside itÕs startling that approaches, it will
turn based strategy title), it sold poorly when all-time favourite games). Tecno SoftÕs no developer, not even Tecno Soft itself then pursue until
it was released and was quickly forgotten pedigree worked against it too Ð as Herzog (now sadly departed), has ever tried to it either destroys
it or the enemy escapes.
in favour of games which offered more Zwei featured shooter-elements, people improve on what is a near-flawless gaming
immediate gratification (ironically, games judged it as such and they obviously came concept. ItÕs possible to pick up a second-
like the aforementioned Tecno Soft stable away sorely disappointed. It could be argued hand Mega Drive and a copy of the game
mate Thunder Force II). American magazine that the game only saw the light of day in for a reasonable amount, so there really is no BA-001C
Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it one of the West because it was completely free of excuse not to experience this fantastic piece (ATTACK HQ)
the lowest ratings for a Mega Drive/Genesis Japanese text and was released early in the of software. Herzog Zwei is one of the most
Unit will set off
title (at the time) Ð a clear indication that the Mega DriveÕs life Ð traditionally this is when essential multi-player titles ever released, and to attack the
contemporary press were just as baffled most unusual Japanese games have the quite simply deserves to be played. enemy HQ Ð this
is probably the
most important
command in the
game Ð without it, you canÕt win.
PW-SS10 (SUPPLY)
This command is
only available to
the supply truck.
The truck will
provide aid to any
units that need
fuel or ammo.
h over and check ts you with
two commanders clas can construct units sing the game presen
» [Mega Drive] The t. Ouch! » [Mega Drive] You » [Mega Drive] Pau
r will really feel the hea us screen. useful information.
some hot lava, the lose the map using the stat a map and plenty of
MEGA DRIVE | 69
GREAT GAMES THAT NEVER REACHED UK SOIL
GAME ORIGIN
COUNTRY: JAPAN
POPULATION: 127,433,494
COORDINATES: 35˚41’ N 139˚46’ E CAPITAL: TOKYO
NATIONAL LANGUAGE:
JAPANESE
CURRENCY: YEN
TIME ZONE: GMT +9
PUBLISHER: SEGA
PULSEMAN
DEVELOPER: GAME FREAK
FEATURED HARDWARE: MEGA DRIVE
ALSO ON: VIRTUAL CONSOLE
GENRE: PLATFORM
RELEASED: 1994
EXPECT TO PAY: £20+ $40+ From the fertile minds that brought us Pokémon came Pulseman: not
only one of the best Mega Drive titles to never leave Japan, but also
EVOLUTION OF one of the most electrifying platform heroes to appear on the console.
THE GENRE
That’s the only electricity pun in this entire feature, honest
▲ Retro
I
SONIC 2
RELEASED: t’s likely that you’ve never heard of Pulseman. The » [Mega Drive] This level shows off some
1992 of the subtle techniques that Game Freak
game was released relatively late in the Mega Drive’s uses to make levels feel more impressive.
The best
platformer life, and was only released officially in Japan despite the
on the Mega 16-bit era marking a bit of a renaissance period for the
Drive and you platform genre. It’s a shame, too, as this lavish-looking
can pick it up offering by Game Freak – the team that would go on to
for pennies. Sonic’s second 16-bit outing create Pokémon – and, most notably, Pokémon designer
was a defining moment for the Blue Blur,
adding a popular sidekick, a neat dash Ken Sugimori, was one of the better platform games
move and Super Sonic to the canon. to come out of that epoch, in our opinion, and is widely
regarded as a masterpiece in game design.
▼ Modern A mixture of Sonic and Mega Man, but with a strong
RAYMAN pang of Rocket Knight Adventures, Pulseman was a
LEGENDS glorious-looking platform game that may have felt like a
RELEASED: mixture of other platform games you’ve played before,
2013 but it brought these pilfered ingredients to the boil with
We were
an impressive amount of care and attention, making it a – and travel freely between the electronic and real world.
expecting
Mario to bit of an undiscovered classic for the Mega Drive. However, when prolonged exposure to the digital world
reinvent the platformer after all this In the game you play as a Pulseman: a half-robot changes Pulesman’s dad into a crazed scientist, and
time, but the task has fallen to Michel half-human boy who is the result of his scientist dad he embarks on a bit of global cyber-terrorism, it falls to
Ancel and his talented team at Ubisoft creating artificial life and then copping off with one of Pulseman to put an end to the evildoer’s… uh… evildoing.
Montpellier. Rayman Legends builds upon his creations. It’s a weird back story, and one that, for Split across six sizeable stages, glued together by a
the fun of 2011’s Rayman Origins and
legal reasons, we have to leave right there, but from variety of bonus levels, plus a final one to draw things to
adds all sorts of inventive new tricks. The
end result is a stunning platformer that all this odd union of man and machine, Earth gets itself a a nice close, Pulseman certainly holds a lot of longevity.
fans of the genre will adore. new platform game hero who can harness electricity And the fact that you’re given a bit of freedom in what
– a power that Game Freak would later give to Pikachu way you can attack the game means that even if you’re
70 | MEGA DRIVE
IMPORT ONLY: PULSEMAN
CODEX
» This big circle TERMINALS
here acts as » Look out for electricity terminals.
your health By pressing the A button, Pulseman
bar. Take three can use them to ferry himself
» [Mega Drive] As well as being wonderfully animated, Pulseman has a dizzying array of moves. hits and it’s around the levels quicker.
curtains. It will
handily flash
danger red to
warn Pulseman
that he’s on his
last legs.
CHARGE
» For Pulseman to perform his special
attack, he needs to be charged until
he’s sparking with electricity. You
achieve this by dashing.
» [Mega Drive] Pulseman clearly borrows elements from other games, most notably Mega Man.
rubbish at it, you can still get to see a lot of Pulseman cite it as one of the best-looking Mega Drive
the good stuff that Pulseman has to offer – another games to find a release, and while we agree that the
Mega Man parallel. game certainly is a looker, if we had one criticism, it’s
The levels in Pulseman are large and well-detailed, but that many of the enemy designs do feel a little bland
oddly sparse and usually only containing a handful of and uninspired: a metal mouse, something that looks
enemies to circumvent. The challenge tends to like a piece of moving metal grass, and a giant
come from helping Pulseman negotiate his metal balloon of a cat’s face firing
way around the game’s brilliantly designed oranges are just a few examples of the
worlds using his various powers. And this throwaway adversaries that Pulseman
is another great element of the game. has to face in the game. But as we’ve
Pulseman boasts an impressive arsenal said, the levels are the true stars of the
of moves, which includes a neat jump kick show, as all have some quirky element that
that destroys those annoying enemies makes them both a joy to discover and a
lurking on overhead ledges – why can’t pleasure to negotiate.
all platform game heroes have a handy Sadly Pulseman never found an
move like this? There’s also a close- official release outside Japan – it
range electric slash attack, and a dash was available for a period on Sega’s
move that generates enough friction to on-demand Genesis games service ROCKET KNIGHT
allow him to morph into a concentrated Sega Channel in the US, however ADVENTURES
ball of electricity and pinball around the – and, owing to its scarcity, copies Developed by Nobuya Nakazato
screen a bit like Sparkster. usually fetch in the region of £20-40 of Konami, the man behind some of
the best games in the Contra series,
Also featuring sublime music ($30-$60) on eBay. If you own a
Rocket Knight Adventures was a neat
courtesy of Pokémon composer Junichi Wii, though, you can now pick up a mix of cutesy platformer and run-and-
Masuda, it’s clear that a great deal of effort went regionalised version of the game on Virtual gunner interspersed with neat side-
into the game. In fact, many who have played Console for 900 Points (around £6/$10). scrolling shooter sections.
MEGA DRIVE | 71
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
THE
IMMORTAL
ver done something on the hand skywards despite the exact tell you.” chuckles Harvey today, older
72 | MEGA DRIVE
» [Mega Drive] One wrong step and you’re worm food. Oof!
MEGA DRIVE | 73
TH E
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O F
then you will miss the opportunity
to make allies of them later in the
quest” explains Harvey. “You can still
finish the game but you get a different
ending at best.” Few games of this
type ever attempted to portray tangible
consequences to the player’s actions in
the same way The Immortal did.
Possibly the most memorable aspect
of The Immortal was the innovative
combat engine. At certain points the
» Will Harvey player was able to engage enemies
in one-on-one combat. In the console
» [Mega Drive] The barrel was great. Just avoid whirlpools.
and PC versions the viewpoint would
Harvey didn’t want his new game quickly switch to a close up of the two
to blend into the crowd and nurtured combatants, and by combining button
definite ideas regarding the kind presses with the direction pad the
of experience he wanted to create. player was able to swing a particularly
Rather than follow the clichéd route of sharp sword at their quarry. Evasive
pitting good against evil in a fantasy manoeuvres were also possible,
environment, the team decided to force allowing for an effortless shift between
players to think carefully about what offensive and defensive postures. This
course of action they took. “We had a called for a refined sense of timing, as it
» The Mega Drive version featured some lush artwork, theme to the storyline,” explains Harvey. was imperative that the sword swipes
which no doubt helped shift a few copies.
“That is to say, the story had a point, or a and dodges were executed correctly. It
moral. The moral was: ‘Think before you hardly ranks as the most awe-inspiring
online aspirations. “Over time the focus act; be aware of the consequences of fighting engine ever crafted but remains
became the storyline instead of the your actions’. This moral is supported by a definite improvement on the usual
online plan,” he comments. Eventually the plot.” As the player descended ever turn-based variety seen in fantasy
the team realised that if they were to further into the labyrinth this became adventures of the era.
incorporate an arresting plot, the online more and more apparent and several The incredible enemy death
multiplayer would have to be sacrificed moral judgements had to be made in animations were the icing on the cake
74 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: THE IMMORTAL
» [Mega Drive] Our wizard chum appears to be offering this dragon a sore throat lozenge – what a thoughtful chap. » [Mega Drive] Mystical-malarkey abounds as the wizard takes flight on his lucky, lucky carpet.
MEGA DRIVE | 75
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
Flashback
Instant Expert
Flashback was first released
on the Amiga in 1992. It was
spread across four disks.
Flashback is the brainchild of
Paul Cuisset. In addition to coming
up with the game’s concept, he
Utilising the same motion-capture techniques
also wrote, directed, designed and
helped program the game.
that made Jordan Mechner’s Prince Of Persia
Flashback currently holds
the Guinness World Record for
such a success, Flashback introduced the world
being the bestselling French
game of all time.
to Conrad B Heart and another delicious slice of that aliens are living in his world and
disguising themselves as government
Due to its popularity, Flashback French gaming. Darran Jones takes the Mega officials, plotting to destroy Earth. After
received a sequel that was being captured in Flashback’s epic
released in 1996. Fade To Black
was only available on the PC and
Drive outing for a spin… opening and subsequently escaping,
Conrad must recover his precious
PSone, and was vastly different to
M
its predecessor. any people think that the next you’re negotiating the new- memories – don’t worry; he kept them
Flashback is the sequel to age subways of Titan, taking part in a conveniently safe – and save the world.
Flashback was also due for
release on Nintendo’s Game Boy Another World. It isn’t, but game show akin to The Running Man
Advance. Developed by Adeline we can certainly see why and exploring an alien planet. It’s a It’s showtime!
Soware, the port featured a these comparisons are huge, impressive monster of a game Yes, it takes elements from numerous
brand new plot and many new made. Both games use cut-scenes that was so grand in scope that at one movies of the time – most notably
locations. A leaked beta ROM is to advance their stories, both take stage it was pitched as a “CD-ROM the aforementioned The Running
available online.
place on strange alien worlds, they game on a cartridge”. Man and the excellent They Live – but
The PC DOS version has were both published by Delphine, First released on the Amiga in 1992, Conrad’s tale still feels refreshingly
an extended cut-scene sequence
and both benefit from truly it immediately won rave reviews due to different, effortlessly building on the
that wasn’t in other versions
of the game. glorious rotoscoped animation. its cinematic cut-scenes, breathtaking story structure that Jordan Mechner
The similarities end there, though, animation and varied gameplay. It carefully created for his Prince Of Persia.
US Gold released Flashback
in Europe and North America. and while Flashback certainly feels was quickly ported to all manner It also feels suitably epic, with most
In Japan, publishing duties familiar if you’ve ever played Eric of computers and home consoles, levels beginning with larger-than-life
fell to Sunso. Chahi’s game, it’s a totally different ranging from Sega’s Mega Drive to cut-scenes that forward Conrad’s
US versions of the Mega Drive, and far more ambitious beast. the FM Towns and Atari’s Jaguar, and plight and keep the player absolutely
Mega-CD and Super Nintendo Indeed, what impresses you about it remains highly regarded by anyone enthralled with what’s happening on
games came with a Marvel Flashback is the sheer amount of who’s been fortunate enough to play it. screen. Again, it’s not a new mechanic
comic that explained much of variety and scale that it offers you. Flashback tells the story of Conrad for videogames and had been utilised
Conrad’s back story. One minute you’re platforming B Heart, an agent who has to recover to similar great effect in 1991’s
through a gorgeous-looking jungle, his lost memory when he discovers Another World, and yet somehow
76 | MEGA DRIVE
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: FLASHBACK
» Master Brain
» Conrad run and jump
» Conrad dropping down
» Jet pack
policeman
» Drone
» Morph
» Mine
» Policeman » Ian
» Droid
» Old man
» Shi ing
Exterminator
» Scientist
» Exterminator
» Conrad jump
» Conrad roll
» Taxi
» Conrad dead
MEGA DRIVE | 77
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
Flashback
Flashback just felt more filmic, possibly techniques that worked so well in the gameplay becomes
Critical due to it riffing so heavily on those
previously mentioned movies.
Prince Of Persia – clearly a major
inspiration given the number of
a little more sedate, with
Conrad travelling to New
Reception Even with its cinematic cut-scenes,
it’s Flashback’s riveting gameplay and
similarities – and Another World,
Conrad B Heart is an absolute joy to
Washington and having to
earn a work permit – six
sheer variety that last longest in the watch in motion, effortlessly climbing years before Ryo started
What the gaming memory and will keep you playing and leaping around the large game working on the docks in
press thought… through to its impressive end. Waking world. There are certainly moments Shenmue – in order to earn entry to
up in one of Titan’s jungles, the first that feel occasionally clunky – drawing the charmingly named Death Tower, a
stage of Flashback is little more than your gun, for example, or making certain Running Man-styled show – there’s
an excuse to test your abilities and jumps – but even their limitations rarely that comparison again – that allows
get used to Conrad’s amazing ruin Conrad’s breathtaking animation. the survivor to win a free pass to Earth.
athleticism. Utilising After negotiating the tricky Here the gameplay becomes more
the same rotoscoping platform-heavy jungle action-oriented, with Conrad having to
climb several levels that are swarming
with enemies. Upon reaching Earth
the exploration opens up yet again,
until Conrad eventually finds himself
transported to the alien planet of the
Morphs. Several moments of extreme
heroism later and the game ends with
78 | MEGA DRIVE
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: FLASHBACK
Flashback Legends
Conrad was also set to appear in
an adventure for the GBA, due in
2004. Unlike Fade To Black, the
action once again reverted to the
side-on gameplay of old and shared
Story time Breaking glass Job centre
many elements with the original
This is clever. Upon reaching Ian, you’re given It seems incredibly minor here, but there was While plenty of early videogames focused on a
game. Locations were very similar
your memories back in a Total Recall-style chair. a moment on Level 4 where we just couldn’t profession as their gameplay’s main focus, not
and included New Delphi City, the
You’re then treated to an elaborate sequence that progress any further. Frustrated, we took out many of them saw you doing jobs within the
Morph planet and a jungle, while
sets up the cinematic chase that you witnessed Conrad’s gun and shot a wall, only for it to framework of the actual game. Are there any
familiar enemies were also present.
at Flashback’s beginning. Very new wave. disintegrate in a shattering of glass. Genius. earlier than Flashback? Let us know.
The original cut-scenes had been
replaced with a new comic strip
look, and Flashback Legends
introduced new characters as well.
Sadly, as Delphine So ware
ran into financial difficulties, the
game was eventually cancelled,
seemingly doomed to disappear
forever… until a leaked beta ROM
appeared on the internet in 2008.
Despite lots of bugs and technical
issues, the ROM gave a good
indication of how the final game
Meet the Morphs Alien HQ Brain freeze may have turned out, and it looks
If you thought Conrad’s animation was A er traversing some dour locations, the aliens’ This is an exhilarating battle that has Conrad truly gorgeous on its later stages.
impressive, wait until you see the Morphs. home planet is a thing of beauty, capturing the desperately trying to shut down the evil What a shame, then, that Conrad’s
Devoid of their human skins, these rubbery stylish visuals of the opening jungle. It’s all rather cerebrum, while fending off an infinite supply of adventures had to end in such a
aliens slide around the screen with a sickening pink, but the strange plants and creatures that Morphs. It’s rather frustrating, but it still lodges downbeat way.
realism that still looks absolutely fantastic. live in it make it feel like a real ecosystem. itself within your memory.
MEGA DRIVE | 79
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
Flashback
Flashback
– The Movie Our introduction to Conrad is watching
his thudding feet as he desperately tries to
One of the best escape two trenchcoat-wearing enemies.
Despite quickly hopping on a nearby
things about jetbike, his antagonists follow him in a
Flashback is its large spacecra. Several salvos later and
Conrad’s bike is hit and he crash lands in
gripping and the jungles of Titan. Aer several moments
enjoyable storyline. of searching, he’s eventually le for dead.
Despite the
limitations of the
Upon waking up, Conrad’s first task is
home systems to retrieve the holocube that holds his
that it appeared on, memories. The jungle is filled with danger,
but he discovers a wounded stranger
Paul Cuisset uses who begs for help. Aer Conrad finds the
a number of clever stranger’s teleporter, the grateful person
teleports away but leaves behind an ID
cinematic techniques card. Conrad discovers the entrance to New
Washington and, aer paying for an anti-G
– including, belt, reaches his destination.
appropriately, a
flashback scene – in
order to immerse the In New Washington, Conrad seeks out
his friend Ian, who restores his memory.
player in Conrad’s The player soon discovers that Conrad
dangerous world. has created a device that enables him to
view the molecular structure of humans.
While it borrows He soon discovers that aliens are among
heavily from many the population and, fearing for his life,
transfers his thoughts to the holocube
classic sci-fi films, before his memory is wiped.
Flashback’s tale is a
surprisingly adult one
Conrad quickly learns that he’ll never
and is an interesting earn the money to buy a ticket to Earth, so
cautionary tale. his best bet is taking part in the popular
game show, Death Tower. Aer doing
Knowing that not some jobs, Conrad earns enough money
everyone is going to pay a forger for papers so that he can
enter Death Tower. He eventually wins the
to have the time contest and immediately heads to Earth
to experience its and seeks out the aliens’ hideout.
80 | MEGA DRIVE
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: FLASHBACK
MEGA DRIVE | 81
RETROREVIVAL
PUBLISHER: SEGA
RELEASED: 1990
GENRE: PLATFORMER
FEATURED HARDWARE: MEGA DRIVE
HISTORY
Michael Jackson’s
Moonwalker was
not a good film. In
fact, it’s probably
one of the worst
movies we’ve ever
seen, and we’d
rather melt our eyeballs with hot
pokers then have to ever sit through
it again. Yes, it had great music (if you
like listening to the king of pop that
is) but the movie itself was nothing
more than a glorified vanity project for
someone, who at that point in time
was arguably the world’s biggest
star. So it comes as somewhat of a
surprise to find that even though the
film itself is a complete and utter turd,
the actual Mega Drive outing turned
out to be pretty good fun.
Each level required Jackson to
hunt around the multi-tiered stages
in search of missing children who
had been kidnapped by the notorious
Mr Big. Upon finding the necessary
number of missing children, Bubbles
the chimp would appear – no really
– leap onto Jackson’s shoulder and
point him in the direction of the
level’s exit.
Before he could leave however,
Mr Big appeared, and after mocking
the moonwalker’s futile efforts to
capture him, would then send a
load of bad guys for Jackson to deal
with. What followed was easily the
highlight of the game, and even now,
some 16 years on, it never gets old.
Obviously not wanting his adoring
public seeing him resort to fisticuffs,
Michael Jackson used the power of
magic to defeat his many enemies.
Holding down the relevant button
for a few seconds would release his
hat, which would fly out boomerang
fashion, destroying anyone it
comes into contact with. Resist
the urge to let fly with your trilby of
doom however and Michael (and
everyone else on-screen) launched
into a stunning dance routine that
culminated with the destruction
of the rest of Jackson’s temporary
dance troupe. And if you thought
seeing a group of humans go through
the motions of Smooth Criminal was
funny, wait until you see what the
zombies and dogs on later levels get
up to. Aaooow!
82 | MEGA DRIVE
|
TH E
MAK
Conceived as a stop
gap and developed
in a hurry, Sonic
Spinball still stands
as the greatest
thing that could
have come out of
another game’s
production delays.
We talk with Peter
Morawiec about
how this classic
came to be
DEVELOPER
HIGHLIGHTS
KID CHAMELEON
SYSTEM: MEGA DRIVE
YEAR: 1992
THE OOZE
SYSTEM: MEGA DRIVE
YEAR: 1995
COMIX ZONE PICTURED
SYSTEM: MEGA DRIVE
YEAR: 1995
84 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: SONIC SPINBALL
W
ith a title such as Sonic
Spinball, as entertaining
and well-designed as the
game itself might be, it’s
hard to really understand the story
of its creation without first putting
» Some of the earliest original storyboards from Sonic
a little perspective on some of the Spinball’s production.
circumstances that surround it. In
fact, it’s sometimes hard to imagine place in history as a gaming icon. It
certain games ever having seen the would be no exaggeration to say that
light of day without a very special
set of circumstances. In the case of
Sonic The Hedgehog 2 had ensured
that Sonic would become Sega’s
would later go on to found Luxoflux
and Isopod Labs. “Once Sonic Team SONIC
Sonic Spinball, it’s all about timing. most important and lucrative piece of communicated that they would SPINBALL:
For those who may have spent intellectual property. miss that window, somebody at HQ
THE ROLLER
COASTER
the early Nineties living in a cave, Considering the incredible success must have asked whether a smaller,
the 1992 holiday season had been a of Sonic 2’s holiday release, it’s only simpler Sonic-related title could be
very important one for Sega. It saw natural that Sega of America would developed. The marketing/research
the release of what would become want to follow up the timely release folks indicated that Sonic’s casino
the bestselling game ever released with another title in the same vein. levels were among the favourites,
for the Mega Drive: Sonic The The only problem was that it had birthing the idea for the overall
Hedgehog 2. A title credited not become quite clear that the direct direction. I honestly don’t know who
only with giving Sega a much- sequel and only other Sonic title came up with that, but it sounded fun
needed sales push in its battle for then in development, Sonic The and doable, so STI [Sega Technical
console superiority with the SNES, Hedgehog 3, would not be ready Institute] jumped on it.”
but also with giving the title character for release until well after the Now, given nothing more than a UNVEILED IN FEBRUARY 2010,
a final and hardy thrust into the upcoming holiday season. If there relatively loose idea of what direction Sonic Spinball is a moderately sized
rollercoaster located in the Adventure
spotlight, with making secure his was to be another Sonic game the game may take and a previously
Land area of the Alton Towers theme
ready for every good boy and girl’s established deadline, the team at park. Although the ride was not
stocking, something would need to STI were left to come up with some originally designed with a Sonic theme
be done – and fast. way of expanding on the concept of in mind, having previously existed as
“Following the success of Sonic 1 Sonic 2’s Casino Night Zone; a way Spinball Whizzer, the ride became part
and 2, SOA management desired of extracting the enjoyable aspects of a sponsorship deal between Sega
another Sonic game for the 1993 of this single level and expanding and Alton Towers that included both
the rollercoaster and a Sonic-themed
holiday season,” says Peter on them broadly enough to form a hotel room. As such, the ride was
Morawiec, the designer at Sega who concept around which an entire game shut down and reworked to a suitable
could be based. To somehow capture theme. The new vision for the ride was
the magic of the level and take it in a brought about through predominantly
new and interesting direction. cosmetic changes, such as a new red
“We were given a pretty free rein and blue paint scheme, a number of new
IN THE KNOW
signs, new props, and even a certain
to brainstorm,” says Peter. “Everyone
amount of voice work by Sonic’s current
understood that we couldn’t and voice actor. The rebranding of the ride
shouldn’t try to compete with the was not taken lightly by Alton Towers,
mainline Sonic franchise, so some which hosted a grand opening event
departure was expected. I enjoyed and ribbon-cutting attended by both
the casino levels, but I was also really representatives of Sega and the blue
blur himself.
inspired by an Amiga game of the
day called Pinball Dreams, which was
about the nicest pinball game I’ve
PUBLISHER: SEGA seen. I envisioned more of the real
pinball mechanics brought
DEVELOPER: STI
into Sonic’s world and felt
RELEASED: 1993
it presented a truly unique
GENRE: ACTION proposition. Collaborating
with team members Kurt
MEGA DRIVE | 85
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IT’S LIKE GILLIGAN’S ISLAND
TO SAY THAT initial reactions to Sonic the Dreamcast; Sonic Mega Collection
Spinball were a little mixed might be for the Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube
a bit of an understatement. Over the and PC; and the Sega Mega Drive
years, however, it seems clear that the Ultimate Collection for the Xbox 360
game’s legacy and place in the canon and PlayStation 3. It’s also currently
of Sonic games is a secure one. Since available for download on the Nintendo
its original release, ignoring even the Wii’s Virtual Console. Had the game
Game Gear and Master System ports been included in Sonic Jam for the
and their re-releases, Spinball has been Sega Saturn, it would hold the
released in one form or another no distinction of having been available
less than six times. The game has been for a major system in every generation
included in the Sega Smash Pack for since the Mega Drive.
86 | MEGA DRIVE
THE MAKING OF: SONIC SPINBALL
» Tricks based on combining aspects of both pinball and traditional Sonic gameplay were created early on. » [Mega Drive] Much like a real pinball table, Spinball is » [Mega Drive] Collecting the level’s Chaos Emeralds grants
filled with loops and ball catches. access to the boss.
» [Mega Drive] The game’s representation of a real table’s LED display adds a little extra flair.
title granted, the message in 1991, the wait for the The game has
that Sega itself did not, in response from fans and been re-released
fact, own the rights to Sonic’s media was not without numerous times
theme failed to be passed along its own stresses. and is available
– an oversight that would go “I knew the game for play on no less
unnoticed until the final minute would face serious than 11 different
of the eleventh hour. acceptance challenges platforms. Last
“It was quite a fiasco,“ recalls from Sonic fans and the February it was
Peter. “We were virtually code- gaming media,“ admits Peter. even bestowed with
released, having a little party in the “It was just a different animal, but the very distinct honour of having
conference room, when Hirokazu I think the team did a great job, all a rollercoaster named after it (see
Yasuhara, the lead designer on Sonic things considered. I went to Europe ‘Sonic Spinball: The Rollercoaster’
Team, casually asked whether we for the holidays just prior to the boxout), earning Sega’s mascot a
acquired rights to use the title song. game’s release, full of apprehension. clear victory over a certain rotund
Everyone assumed Sega owned the This was before the internet, and plumber in terms of who has the
Sonic 2 theme, which we’d adapted I did not make any phone calls to best theme park ride.
for Spinball, where in fact it was a the States while away, so it was an In the end, if there is one lesson
one-shot licence from a Japanese amazing feeling to return and learn that can be learnt from the story of
band, Dreams Come True. So, we’ve sold a ton of units. Clearly, Sonic Spinball’s creation, it must be
Howard Drossin, our composer, was Spinball benefited hugely from this: the next time you feel inclined
tasked to create a brand new theme Sonic’s popularity, and I’ve always to get upset about a production
in something like two hours!” wished we had the time to polish it delay, next time you feel yourself
Deadlines met, production properly. It’s ultimately one of those getting a little impatient over the wait
work done and a new theme song polarising games, loved by some and for a long-anticipated game, take a
composed, there was now nothing disliked by others, but I’m happy with moment to remember that if Sonic 3
more to do than to sit back and wait its overall success and fan base.” had progressed just a little
to see how the release would fare on Though the game may still quicker, if its release had
the market. To see how the gaming not have won over some who been moved up just a few
public would react to Sonic’s first have trouble accepting the Sonic short months, the world
step away from the constraints of the franchise’s expansion into the may have never got to see
platforming genre. Unsurprisingly, realm of spin-off gaming, it’s hard the unique and interesting
considering the level of attention to imagine anyone who worked blend of pinball and
and focus that Sega’s spiky blue on the title being truly displeased platforming that Sonic
mascot had acquired since his debut with the game’s overall reception. Spinball had to offer.
MEGA DRIVE | 87
25
TOP
MEGA DRIVE
GAMES
As the Mega Drive is now 25 years old, we felt it was
the perfect opportunity for Retro Gamer readers to pick
their favourite games. Were yours included? Read on…
Jungle Strike
DEVELOPER: ELECTRONIC ARTS
YEAR RELEASED: 1993 GENRE: SHOOT-’EM-UP
24
A chopper title that was so good it kept a popular
series going for three more games, Jungle Strike’s
strategical elements and full-on airborne blasting ensures
its worthy place in our readers’ top 25. The wealth of missions meant
that gamers played for lengthy periods of time and, while let down
by the sound every now and then, there remained a feeling of being
Disney’s Aladdin immersed in a strong battle against an intelligent enemy. Well-ported,
DEVELOPER: VIRGIN INTERACTIVE its natural home was within this original Mega Drive version where, Rocket Knight
YEAR RELEASED: 1993 GENRE: PLATFORMER aggressive war-mongering aside, design and control reigned supreme.
Adventures
25 Of all of the versions, the
Mega Drive’s Aladdin was
best. Surprisingly put together
DEVELOPER: KONAMI
YEAR RELEASED: 1993 GENRE: PLATFORMER
88 | MEGA DRIVE
TOP 25 MEGA DRIVE GAMES
19 Perhaps readers
Shining Force
DEVELOPER: CLIMAX ENTERTAINMENT
came into its own, in particular, when the two-
player mode kicked in to allow gamers to share
the experience with a buddy. While it wasn’t
18 The game may
have lacked NFL
and NFLPA licences, but EA’s
YEAR RELEASED: 1992 GENRE: RPG a hard game to beat, the tone of the game second title to feature the
drove players forward (albeit sometimes at a
22
legendary American football
A shining example of a fine fantasy RPG, this turn- sedentary pace) and there was a sense of never commentator started the
based tactical exploration of the Kingdom of Guardiana quite knowing what was to come. annual tweak-the-gameplay trend that
had the ability to see enemies in advance, giving players kicked off a long-running franchise. And boy,
ample time to work out the correct and most intriguing strategy to it was a joy to watch that crowd celebrate.
employ in order to bloodthirstily slay them in combat. With elements of
steampunk and a well-devised plot that employed humour and involved
a great range of characters, Shining Force’s grid-based action and slick
Thunder Force III
DEVELOPER: TECHNOSOFT
presentation made it an instant classic and it was recognised as such by
YEAR: 1990 GENRE: SHOOT-’EM-UP
17
many who played it back in 1992. Sure, there are some bizarre moments
Like R-Type, this
in the English translation – Lug, Luke, gah, it’s so confusing – but that
horizontally scrolling
didn’t stop it from getting into Mega’s Top 33 of all time and neither, it
shoot-’em-up excelled
seems, did it bar it from entering our Top 25. Play it again today on iOS
throughout, searing eyeballs
(like many other Sega classics) for pure retro gaming on the go.
with sharp sprites, polished
parallax scrolling and bad-ass
backgrounds that made the rat-a-tat waves
of battling baddies and their barrage of
bullets a pleasure. Great bosses too.
Golden Axe
DEVELOPER: SEGA AM7
YEAR: 1989 GENRE: SCROLLING FIGHTER
20
shine, as players head butted, kicked and
The subject matter of Desert Strike is as relevant
sliced their way to victory with more than a
today as it was back then, with the affairs of the
nod or two to the Conan films.
Middle East still firmly on the agenda. As befitting
such a scenario, it was rather political, referencing the inability of the
UN to take direct action against a war-mongering dictator and his Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
army. However, it was also a sophisticated shoot-’em-up that was DEVELOPER: CAPCOM/SEGA
a world away from the more conventional examples of the genre, YEAR: 1989 GENRE: RUN-AND-GUN
proving so popular, it was made for a host of other machines. Gulf
War inspiration aside, Desert Strike had a rather fresh approach to
war, although lead designer Mike Posehn had never made a game
15 Straight from the
arcades to home
machines, this run-and-gun
before he tackled this project. He ensured the game had everything classic (converted by Sega) is
you needed for a rich experience, be it maps, cut-scenes to explain just as frustrating as the arcade
the action or mission details to work out what to do next. The five original. It remains a fantastic
main missions were supplemented with ten sub-assignments, port however and had owners grinning at
lending depth and variety, as well as ensuring that gamers would be their SNES-owning friends. Until Super
able to feast their eyes on the wonderful graphics and let their ears Ghouls ‘n Ghosts came along…
take in the Ron Hubbard sounds of war for a number of hours.
MEGA DRIVE | 89
of Mario (which, admittedly is a great
Dynamite Headdy route for games to take). After all, Headdy
DEVELOPER: TREASURE discovers that his girl and his friends have
YEAR RELEASED: 1994 GENRE: PLATFORMER been kidnapped. What to do? Go and
rescue them.
Flashback
DEVELOPER: DELPHINE SOFTWARE INTERNATIONAL
YEAR RELEASED: 1992 GENRE: PLATFORMER
Streets Of Rage
DEVELOPER: SEGA AM7
YEAR RELEASED: 1991 GENRE: SCROLLING FIGHTER Strider
DEVELOPER: CAPCOM/SEGA
90 | MEGA DRIVE
TOP 25 MEGA DRIVE GAMES
bit of gameplay tinkering here, a little slow-down was an issue at times but
Thunder Force IV polish of the graphics there, and yet not enough to make you wince.
DEVELOPER: TECHNOSOFT the result is considered by many to be However, if something was
YEAR: 1992 GENRE: SHOOT-’EM-UP the best of the series. It may still be a achieved, then it was a sheer show of
Castle Of Illusion
Road Rash II
Starring Mickey Mouse DEVELOPER: ELECTRONIC ARTS
DEVELOPER: SEGA AM7 YEAR RELEASED: 1993 GENRE: RACING
YEAR RELEASED: 1990 GENRE: PLATFORMER
MEGA DRIVE | 91
Sonic The
Hedgehog 3
DEVELOPER: SONIC TEAM
YEAR RELEASED: 1994 GENRE: PLATFORMER
5
Sonic’s first entry in our list and it’s
predictably high. Sonic’s last main
Mega Drive game was an impressive
refinement of the series, featuring everything that
had made the hedgehog so popular but on a far
larger scale. Notable for introducing Knuckles to
the series, Sonic 3 also used the lock-in technology that had been created by Sonic Team and Sega
Technical Institute for Sonic & Knuckles. It’s a fantastic platformer with excellent visuals, super slick
animation and a superb soundtrack – but according to you, it’s not Sonic’s best Mega Drive outing.
92 | MEGA DRIVE
TOP 25 MEGA DRIVE GAMES
Five reasons
why it’s great
Streets Of Rage 2
DEVELOPER: SEGA AM7 YEAR RELEASED: 1992 GENRE: SCROLLING FIGHTER
Each character has
We were surprised that Streets Of Rage 2 took New characters were also introduced, namely Max
their own unique
the top spot as we genuinely thought that it Thunder, a huge lumbering tank, and Eddie ‘Skate’
MEGA DRIVE | 93
The Collector ’s Guide
SEGA ME
94 | MEGA DRIVE
THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE: SEGA MEGA DRIVE
GA DRIVE
» Manufacturer: Sega » Models: Mega Drive, Mega Drive 2, Mega Drive 3 » Launched: 1988 (Japan), 1989 (US), 1990 (Europe) » Country of origin: Japan
MEGA DRIVE | 95
The Collector ’s Guide
Why it’s collectable brought its console over to European shores to build become the start of a long series, Sonic also became
upon the strong foundations that the Master System an internationally recognisable character. The shelves
While Sega is no longer a major player in the had already cemented. With arcade ports of Altered of Woolworths and the back pages of the Argos
videogame hardware world today, the legacy of Beast, Golden Axe and Ghouls ‘n Ghosts available catalogue were flooded with Sonic The Hedgehog
its 1988 release – the Sega Mega Drive – still lives from day one, the Mega Drive had finally found pencil cases, jigsaws, comics, clothing and sweets.
on. Despite being discontinued in the late Nineties success – or at least the start of it. Whilst this is only a snippet of the 16-bit system’s
and moved aside to make way for its younger Aggressive advertising campaigns, Electronic Art’s story, retro gamers often find themselves returning to
32-bit sibling, countless gamers are still lining up unauthorised reverse engineering of the hardware, the Mega Drive to indulge in its plethora of software
today to secure a library of Mega Drive classics. and a thriving import market would begin to push that’s stood the test of time. Sonic 2, Streets Of
The Mega Drive was not only set to be the Sega closer to success, but this didn’t truly begin Rage II and Gunstar Heroes are just a small selection
successor to the Master System, but it was also a to accelerate until 23 June, 1990. On this day an from the colossal count of 531 known unique
direct result of Hayao Nakayama’s desire to bring the instant hit was born – bearing stunning visuals, fast European releases. While the number of available titles
coin-op experience home. By modifying its System-16 gameplay and an iconic soundtrack, all of which were towered over the Japanese catalogue of just over 400
arcade hardware, Sega intended to create a console accompanied by an attitude-filled mascot – Sonic The releases, it was dwarfed by the run in North America,
every bit as powerful, and one that made it easy to Hedgehog. The speedy blue mammal’s emergence where the platform welcomed over 700 titles. This
port arcade releases to. While this creation held a lot of marked what may be the most important event in difference produced a selection of region exclusive
promise and potential, its eventual October release in Sega’s history, and the Mega Drive’s lifetime. The UK releases that failed to make the cut worldwide. Europe
Japan was overshadowed by Super Mario Bros 3 on based publication Mean Machines Magazine singled it in particular missed out on ground-breaking titles such
the Nintendo Famicom, released a week earlier. out as ‘the best platform game on the Mega Drive’ to as Pulseman, Twinkle Tale, Musha Aleste and Golden
However, its importance was soon recognised once date and their assessment was spot on – not only did Axe III, leaving fans wondering why, as they headed
it arrived in the West. On 30 November, 1990, Sega the title go on to sell 15 million copies worldwide and down to the local import shop prepared to pay double.
96 | MEGA DRIVE
THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE: SEGA MEGA DRIVE
This broad selection, however, did suffer from a secondhand shops usually signals that you were just there was still a market for new software on the
highly contagious infection of sports software – with pipped to the post of a more appealing selection. Mega Drive. Super Fighter Team released a couple
nearly one quarter of the PAL selection on offer being Although the Mega Drive was officially laid to rest more titles after that, but the playing field was then
digital renditions of the playing field, something which in the late Nineties, the last two decades have seen forever changed upon WaterMelon’s late arrival. Their
could be attributed to Electronic Arts’ influence on the the system still populate the production line. South heavily delayed atmospheric RPG, Pier Solar, took six
16-bit era. Initially, Mediagenic took control of Sega’s America has continued to sell the 16-bit hardware, years to develop and became the largest title in Mega
request to develop a licenced Joe Montana Football with distributor Tec Toy targeting those unable to Drive history at 64Mbit. The limited 2010 print run
game – however, the team was soon behind schedule. afford modern consoles. During an observant stroll was met with much controversy over a delayed pre-
With Sega of America panicking, EA was soon called through a South American high street, it’s no surprise ordering process, leaving many to demand a refund.
upon during extra time to pass them a lifeline. Once to see Mega Drive compatible Guitar Hero controllers, As the homemade hit now fetches nearly ten times
EA’s last minute replacement game touched down, it exclusive ports of more recent games such as Duke its original cost when placed up for auction, those
was an instant hit. Sega of Japan’s previous concerns Nukem 3D, and even brand new releases such as who abandoned ship early had to hold out for the (also
regarding sports games being a poor investment was Férias Frustradas Do Pica-Pau. limited) reprint edition.
soon slam dunked. Countless developers caught on Elsewhere around the world, a handful of The Mega Drive has become a popular starting
to this growing trend, and alongside EA, just about developers still consider the Mega Drive a viable ground for nostalgic gamers, while bringing more than
every sport under its glowing stadium lights had its platform for new releases. Super Fighter Team, to enough challenge to the hardcore collectors. The array
own Mega Drive triumph. The technically impressive name just one, recently acquired the rights to translate of reasonably priced definitive titles and several rarities
FIFA International Soccer was undoubtedly the most and re-release a selection of obscure foreign releases. bordering on the quadruple figure mark at auction,
popular digital football offering; however, these days The first of these was a 1996 Chinese exclusive further prove that there’s something for everyone with
it has quickly become the least favourite. Its never RPG known as Beggar Prince, which saw a physical Sega’s 16-bit system – as long as you can withstand
ending unwanted presence at car boot sales and cartridge release in 2006, and further proved that all the American footballers and soccer superstars.
MEGA DRIVE | 97
The Collector ’s Guide
THE PERIPHERALS
Master System Converter (or Mega Adapter as it was known in Japan) was
released. This unusually shaped device sat snugly on
(the SN76489) on the Mega Drive’s motherboard,
there was little for the Power Base Converter to
While Hayao Nakayama and Hideki Sato were the top of an original Mega Drive console, covering a actually do. Without a single component from the
collaborating to create the Sega Mega Drive, the good portion of its exterior. At the top of the Power original 8-bit hardware present in the adapter, the
latter of these two masterminds decided to add Base Convertor was a small flap that, when exposed, Power Base Converter was nothing more than a
a little more sparkle. Sato’s forward thinking provided access to a Master System cartridge glorified pass-through-port for Master System games.
introduced built-in compatibility for keyboards, connector, ready for the game of your choice. Below At ¥4,500 (or £39.95 on its UK release), you might
mice, floppy disk drives, modems, graphics this connector was a small credit card sized slot. While be wondering why such an adapter was necessary.
tablets and even a printer, regardless of whether Sega did release their own 16-bit banking software, Unfortunately for gamers worldwide, no matter how
this additional functionality would ever be used this card slot wasn’t for your life’s savings – instead, hard you pushed, the Master System’s cartridge pin
by consumers. But this was just the start of a you could insert Sega’s tried and tested media format arrangement was just too dissimilar to that of the
console desperate to be something more. containing games and software on a flat piece of Mega Drive’s, making the Power Base Converter a
Not only did this pre-emptive planning pave the plastic, the Sega Card (or My Card in Japan). The only mandatory purchase for nostalgic gamers.
way for the future release of the Sega Mega CD other area of interest on the Power Base Converter When Sega redesigned the Mega Drive in 1993,
add-on, but it also offered Sega’s back catalogue a was the Pause button, a duplicate of the same button the perfectly formed Power Base Converter was due
lifeline. Backwards compatibility with the Sega Master found on the 8-bit hardware, and one Sega foolishly a makeover, having become incompatible with the
System (or Sega Mark III in Japan) was one of Sato’s didn’t wire up to the more accessible start button on revised hardware. Thus, the Master System Converter
final additions. However, like the others, it would the Mega Drive control pad. II was born. This all new European exclusive adapter –
require additional hardware to work. How this adapter actually worked, though, is rather formed for both the Mega Drive I and II – removed the
Three months after the initial launch of the Sega interesting. As Sato had already embedded the Master Sega Card slot found on the original device and was
Mega Drive in Japan, the Power Base Converter System’s central processor (the z80) and sound chip more in keeping with the new look.
98 | MEGA DRIVE
THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE: SEGA MEGA DRIVE
02
assembled with its detachable double
barrelled scope and shoulder rest, the
16-bit light-gun was far from a worthy
investment for reasons other than its
sheer ridiculousness.
07. Justifier
■ While there was already a light-gun
06 available for the Sega Mega Drive,
Konami released its own bright digital
weapon to accompany their 1993 port of
the arcade shooter, Lethal Enforcers.
MEGA DRIVE | 99
The Collector ’s Guide
TOP GAMES TO PLAY
Comix Zone Dynamite Headdy Dragon’s Fury ToeJam & Earl Road Rash II
■ Comix Zone is a direct result ■ Our protagonist Headdy arrives in (aka Devil Crash) ■ Any attempt to summarise the ■ Not only did the sequel race in with
of Sega’s boundary-pushing North Town amidst the evil puppet King ■ Dragon’s Fury was an incredible funkatron duo’s attempt to escape Earth more violence, more crashes and more
experimentation – a platformer that Dark Demon’s plans to convert the interpretation of pinball, offering is destined to crash land. This insane frustration, but it also introduced nitrous
dared to think outside the box. Jumping peaceful town’s residents into devilish gamers something physical tables multiplayer funk-‘em-up, spanning oxide boosts and new weaponry.
from panel to panel of a once static minions. Dynamite Headdy ’s adventure could not. The gothic multi-table affair multiple floors connected by disco Whether you preferred to cleanly make
comic book, Sketch Turner must take isn’t easy, but it is laced with cute visuals, featured demonic armies of skeletons to li©s, is one of those games you need to your way to the finish line or instead,
on one of the biggest Mega Drive a catchy musical background and target whilst being led through winding experience at least once. You’ll either take out every rival with a chain to the
challenges around to the sound of gameplay to marvel at – something passages and warp portals. Real tables love ToeJam & Earl or despise their face, Road Rash II is one of the finest
Howard Drossin’s timeless soundtrack. developer Treasure is known for. were given a run for their money. many attempts to make you laugh. Mega Drive titles ever released.
The Death And Return Of Superman The Punisher Thunder Force III
■ Before the days of World Of Warcraft, Blizzard ■ Capcom arrived all too late to add ■ Believe it or not, Thunder Force III
Entertainment tried its hand at a Superman another side scrolling beat-‘em-up to was actually distributed in Europe. The
themed Streets Of Rage clone – an awful one their catalogue, leaving The Punisher to US version was sold with an additional
that would become a desirable rarity for all the sell in small quantities, despite being an German text manual, immortalising this
wrong reasons. enjoyable brawler. shoot-‘em-up as quite the rarity.
Aero The Acrobat 2 Venom/Spider-Man: Addams Family Values Ecco Jr. The Pirates Of Dark Water
■ Stepping aside from his familiar
Separation Anxiety ■ Addams Family Values was the 1995 ■ In an attempt to captivate a younger ■ This short lived animated series
circus theme, the sequel to Aero The ■ Venom/Spider-Man: Separation tie-in to the feature film of the same audience, Sega not only released produced by Hanna-Barbera was lucky
Acrobat was nothing more than a Anxiety from Acclaim was yet another name. Although Ocean had all the right the Pico hardware, but also a small enough to join the plethora of cartoons
new level pack for the disappointing side-scrolling brawler, but it had ideas with its Zelda-inspired Addams selection of child-friendly titles. The that spawned their own videogame.
platformer. Having failed to engage nothing to offer over its nearest rivals. Family RPG, their execution was a little Australian exclusive, Ecco Jr., removed Oddly enough its Super Nintendo
gamers previously, the updated Considered by fans to have damaged too late. By the time it arrived, gamers the difficulty of its predecessors by release was a far superior side scrolling
release of Aero The Acrobat 2 also the Marvel name and strayed much too had already moved on to the more granting infinite air and energy, leaving brawler that le© its lacklustre Mega
sold in small quantities, making it a far from the original source material, compelling adventures offered by kids the menial task of locating hidden Drive platformer counterpart to sink
future rarity for Mega Drive collectors. this title is nothing more than a rarity. newer consoles. fish among other chores. beneath a sea of poor reviews.
* Rarity guide courtesy of More information at www.retrocollect.com. Sega Genesis courtesy of Gaz Backhouse RETRO GAMER | 105
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SuperNES
The
Super NES
The
Nintendo had its work cut out with the release of its Super NES. While it had dominated
the 8-bit generation with its NES, Sega already had a 14-month head start with its
own 16-bit console, and a host of arcade exclusives from Sega and many third-party
publishers. Nintendo fought back in fine style and while the fight was far closer than the
previous generation, the Super NES eventually pulled ahead as both consoles reached
the end of their commercial lives. Assisted by its fabled use of Mode 7 and hits such as
Super Mario World, Secret Of Mana, Street Fighter 2 and Axelay, Nintendo’s machine won
over the public and it remains an essential console for any collector, delivering a diverse
range of games that few other systems of the time could hope to match. With that in
mind we’ve taken this opportunity to celebrate some of the console’s finest games. So
take a comfy seat, cast your mind back and bask in the brilliance of the Super NES.
Head of Publishing
Aaron Asadi
Head of Design
Ross Andrews
Editor
Darran Jones
Design
Perry Wardell-Wicks
Photographer
James Sheppard
Printed by
William Gibbons, 26 Planetary Road, Willenhall, West Midlands, WV13 3XT
Distributed in Australia by
Gordon & Gotch, Equinox Centre, 18 Rodborough Road, Frenchs Forest,
NSW 2086. Tel + 61 2 9972 8800
Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the
post. All text and layout is the copyright of Imagine Publishing Ltd. Nothing in this bookazine may
be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are
recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has
endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.
This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
ISBN 978-1909758056
170
140
The
Super NES
Contents 142
188
132 122
20
The Super NES was Nintendo’s answer to its world-conquering THE ALIEN WARS
NES. Discover how it created a 16-bit masterpiece We explain why Konami’s hectic run-‘n’-gun remains one of the
best examples of the genre some 21 years later
118 PERFECT TEN: SUPER NINTENDO
There’s a fantastic array of games on Nintendo’s 16-bit machine, 142 MODE 7 HEAVEN
YEARS OF
but you won’t go far wrong if you pick these beauties We reveal the greatest games that benefitted from the Super
CLASSIC
Nintendo’s groundbreaking graphics mode. How many of these
120 AND THE REST: SUPER NINTENDO classic have you been impressed by?
GAMING
Brush off those rose-tinted spectacles as we look at some of the
best and worst found on Nintendo’s classy console 148 IMPORT ONLY: RENDERING RANGER
Discover the excellent things about this extremely rare Turrican
122 MR VIDEOGAME: THE STORY OF MARIO clone that has made it a must own for serious collectors. Just
Discover how Mario, the star of the Super Nintendo’s best make sure you have a deep wallet…
platformer, has constantly pushed the genre’s boundaries
150 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE: AXELAY
132 RETRO REVIVAL: SUPER STREET Everything you need to know about Konami’s exhilarating shoot-
FIGHTER II TURBO ’em-up and why it remains in a league of its own
Flex your fingers and get ready to play one of the best one-on-
one fighters for Nintendo’s console 156 RPG HEAVEN: THE BEST SUPER
NINTENDO RPGS
134 THE MAKING OF SUPER METROID Nintendo’s console was famed for its fantastic RPGs, and many
Yoshio Sakamoto explains how he turned Samus Arun’s 16-bit of them are still revered as timeless classics. Join us as we unveil
adventure into the best Metroid game of all time the essential adventures you don’t want to miss
112 | SNES
200 194 180
156
148
186
134 176
162 CLASSIC GAME: THE LEGEND OF THE 176 THE MAKING OF HARVEST MOON
MYSTICAL NINJA Discover how Yasuhiro Wada created his intriguing farming
Find out the weird and wacky reasons that helped make simulator for Nintendo’s 16-bit console
Konami’s Goemon game so unmissable 180 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE: U.N. SQUADRON
164 THE MAKING OF: SUPER MARIO RPG: The classic Capcom arcade shooter that was turned into one of
the Super Nintendo’s greatest shoot-’em-ups
LEGEND OF THE SEVEN STARS
We reveal the story behind Mario’s last ever SNES game and 186 RETRO REVIVAL: SUPER MARIO KART
Squaresoft’s last release for the 16-bit system How Mario gave up the day job of plumbing and rescuing
princesses to kick-start a brand-new genre
168 RETRO REVIVAL: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA:
A LINK TO THE PAST 188 THE MAKING OF: SUPER STAR WARS
Why you need to return to the realm of Hyrule and replay Link’s TRILOGY
greatest 2D adventure How LucasArts’ seminal sci-fi space opera was turned into a
series of must-own SNES games
170 WHY YOU MUST PLAY: ACTRAISER
Part hack-and-slash, part life sim, all brilliant. Quintet’s SNES 194 TOP 25 SUPER NINTENDO GAMES
game remains an incredible gaming experience that you won’t Retro Gamer readers reveal their favourite games for
want to miss Nintendo’s 16-bit console. How many have you played?
174 IMPORT ONLY: UMIHARA KAWASE 200 COLLECTOR’S GUIDE: SUPER NINTENDO
Girls, frogs and fish sounds like an odd combination, but this Want to collect for the SNES? Then this fantastic guide will
endearing physics-based platformer remains amazing fun reveal the best games and peripherals to keep an eye out for
Year Released: Japan: 1990 USA: 1991 UK: 1992
Original Price: Japan: 25,000 Yen USA: $199 UK: £149.99 (INCLUDING SUPER MARIO WORLD)
Buy it now for: £25+ ($40+)
Associated Magazines: Nintendo Magazine System, Superplay, Total, N-Force, SNES Force
Why the SNES was great… Nintendo’s 16 bit powerhouse represents the true “Golden Age” of videogaming
as the likes of Konami, Squaresoft and even Nintendo itself have arguably never been on better form than when
designing games for this machine. The best SNES releases featured both flawless gameplay and graphics and set
a high benchmark for quality entertainment software that, in many cases, endures to this day.
114 | SNES
RETROINSPECTION: SNES
SNES
BY RELEASING THE SUPER NES A YEAR LATER THAN ITS NEAREST
RIVALS, NINTENDO FACED THE DAUNTING TASK OF CONVERTING
A GENERATION OF GAMERS TO ITS NEW CONSOLE. IT COULD HAVE
GONE HORRIBLY WRONG BUT, AS RETRO GAMER REVEALS,
ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU HAVE THE BEST GAMES
W
To CD or not CD.
American homes and the word Wishing to exploit the advantages
of the growing CD-ROM medium,
‘Famicom’ synonymous with Nintendo had planned a SNES
videogames in Japan, Nintendo CD-ROM drive from as early as
1988 and had courted both Sony
was understandably reluctant and Phillips with the proposal. The
to release a successor to its fruits of those early endeavours
best selling console and chose were a series of Nintendo licensed
games for the Phillips CDI and a
to support the ageing 8-bit prototype add-on from Sony that
console for as long as it could. It was, however, only a matter was eventually developed into
the PlayStation we know today.
of time before the advance of technology allowed Nintendo’s If Nintendo had not backed out of
competition to take the lead and by 1988 both NEC’s PC the SNES/PlayStation partnership
Engine and Sega’s Mega Drive offered a far more powerful then the videogame landscape
would be unrecognisable and this
entertainment experience. Nintendo could no longer rest on its RetroInspection might tell the tale
laurels and secretly began work on its next ‘Family Computer’: of a very different console. It is
unclear how many games were
the Super Famicom. in development for the SNES-CD
The 16-bit-system had been developed and designed by Masayuki but we do know that Secret Of
Uemura, who had spent months attempting to make the Super Mana was originally CD-based with
a planned branching story. The
Famicom backwards compatible with Famicom cartridges but game had to be dramatically cut
had found that the massive leap in technology had set Nintendo’s back to fit on cartridge: a process
machine so far in advance of its predecessor that building in that was instrumental in convincing
Squaresoft to move Final Fantasy VII
Famicom compatibility would have been far too costly. Without from N64 to PlayStation.
backwards compatibility to bridge the transition between consoles,
Nintendo would need an irresistible launch line-up to tempt existing
Famicom owners to upgrade. Knowing this, Nintendo’s president,
Hiroshi Yamauchi needed his best man on the job and, as soon
as development of Super Mario Bros 3 was complete, he charged
Shigeru Miyamoto and his thirty-man team with the task of exploring
the new hardware’s game-playing capabilities.
One of the biggest tricks that the hardware had up its sleeve was
the now infamous Mode 7: a graphical hardware mode that allowed
sprites to zoom in and out and rotate in a way that simulated a 3D
» [SNES] Secret Of Mana started off as a CD
depth-of-field effect. Neither the Mega Dive nor PC Engine was title, complete with branching storylines.
SNES | 115
capable of sprite scaling on such a level so Nintendo decided that game of all time, success was a certainty. Despite being the least
the first three Super Famicom games would take advantage of the technically demanding of the Super Famicom’s launch titles it was
innovative feature. After 15 solid months of R&D, Miyamoto and Co Super Mario Bros 4: Super Mario World that shifted the machine.
would begin work on F-Zero, Pilotwings and Super Mario Bros 4, which Super Mario World expanded on its predecessors by offering finely
would all use Mode 7 to varying degrees. However, with only ten tuned platforming gameplay, beautiful pastel graphics and a staggering
months until launch day, the team was only able to complete two of 79 levels. The game is still remembered, 16 years on, as the best 2D
the games on time and Pilotwings (the most technically demanding of platform game of all time so it is no surprise that Nintendo relied on it
the three) slipped by a month. to push sales of their console.
By 20 November 1990, Japanese demand for Nintendo’s new When it came time to introduce the renamed Super Nintendo
console had reached fever-pitch and any worries that the machine Entertainment System to the UK (a typical 17 months after the
would fail to entice existing Famicom owners were washed away. Japanese release) Nintendo made the bold decision to bundle Super
» The Japanese packaging evoked a playful
image that was missing from the mature Demand for the console was so high that, for example, the Hankyu Mario World with every SNES console. Making for one of the best
design of the console. department store in Osaka had to stop taking preorders only a week freebies of all time, Mario helped to move many a SNES into British
after they started. In retrospect the release of the Super Famicom living rooms that summer, but arriving two years after the Mega
heralded the age of hysteria that has defined every hardware launch Drive proved very costly. Sega’s black beauty was phenomenally
to this day. By 20 November, total pre-orders numbered in excess of popular in Europe (thanks to its exclusive sports simulations and
1.5 million yet only 300,000 machines shipped. Fearing that several arcade conversions) and left little room for competition. It wasn’t until
Yakuza groups planned to hijack the Super Famicom shipment, to Christmas of 1992 that the tide truly began to turn, thanks to Capcom’s
sell on at artificially inflated prices, Nintendo commenced ‘Operation Street Fighter II. The original arcade game had spawned a worldwide
Midnight Shipping’ in which the entire batch of 300,000 machines craze, the likes of which had not been seen since the days of Pac-Man
were hauled across Japan in the very early hours of the 20th. Thanks and Space Invaders, and whichever home console netted a conversion
to these dramatic efforts, the launch was a rousing success: the first would benefit from a serious rise in sales. Sure enough, Nintendo
» The SNES Jr made it to the USA but its
rarity makes it much easier to find the Super Famicom sold out in seconds, even with only two launch managed to snag Capcom’s seminal brawler a full year before Sega
Japanese version. titles. Yet when one of those titles was the sequel to the best selling and stole a significant slice of the UK market in the process. A pattern
» [SNES] Super Castlevania was yet another fantastic release from Konami e
of the last games to be released for the Super Famicom in 1999.
» [SNES]Donkey Kong Country used Rare’s “Advanced Computer Modelling” » An enigmatic 2-page advert for Secret Of Mana that bravely chose not to
to create previously inconceivable visuals on the ageing SNES. use screenshots.
116| SNES
A Room with a Satellaview
The Satellaview has such an
unusual history that we could fill a
RetroInspection on this intriguing
add-on alone. The device allowed the
» Top Left and right: By tying the release of Super Mario World to the Super Famicom to acquire games from
SNES Nintendo ensure great success for their new console. The “Mode St Giga: a popular Japanese satellite
7” effects in F-Zero really showed off the power of the Super Nintendo. service. At prescheduled times the
Bottom left and right: Star Fox (renamed Star Wing in the UK) used extra service would broadcast a chosen game
hardware to push the SNES beyond its limitations. By arriving so late in which could then be downloaded onto
the console’s life, Yoshi’s Island went tragically unnoticed a flash cart and played “offline”. The
service was discontinued in 2000 but
it is still possible to find flash carts with
games saved to them. These extreme
rarities should be of particular interest to
was starting to form: although Sega’s success was assured by its last hurrah and got it in the form of Super Mario World 2: YoshiÕs Island. Nintendo fans as the service featured
in-house conversions and its relationship with EA, it was Nintendo’s The gorgeous platform game used a combination of Mode 7 and the exclusive versions of classic Nintendo
SNES that turned the most heads by continually providing the classiest Super FX2 chip to pump out some of the best effects the SNES had games including Zelda, Famicom Wars,
Fire Emblem and Excitebike. There was
most desirable games. It started with Mario and Street Fighter and ever seen and with the classic Nintendo gameplay it became one even a text based sequel to Chrono
continued through Zelda, Secret Of Mana, Axelay, Super Mario Kart of the console’s most loved titles. The gloriously beautiful platform Trigger (known as Radical Dreamers)
and some games, like the satellite
and hundreds of other top-drawer games that would go on to steal game proved that the Super Nintendo was far from dead but was version of A Link To The Past, could
the hearts of hardcore and casual gamers alike. sadly lost in the excitement of the new era of 3D games and the hype only be played at certain times of day
As the years went by and more powerful competitors (like the 3DO surrounding Super Mario 64. Though it attained outstanding critical because the Satellaview broadcast live
voice-acting into the game.
and Jaguar) fell by the wayside the SNES’ excellent range of software acclaim, YoshiÕs Island was a commercial flop in the UK and was one
continued to impress with the aid of Nintendo’s quality control and, of the last significant SNES titles to see a European release alongside
when it became apparent that the console was beginning to show Donkey Kong Country 3 and Street Fighter Alpha 2 in December 1996.
its age, Nintendo built partnerships with third-party developers to As is typical of Japanese consoles, the native Super Famicom lived
find new ways of making their games look next generation even if on much longer than the Western SNES thanks to continued hardware
the original hardware wasn’t. The first of these partnerships came support and a greater demand for software. The Satellaview (see
about when the UK’s Argonaut Software impressed Nintendo by boxout) broadcasted new Super Famicom games directly into players’
programming the monochrome Game Boy to display full 3D graphics. homes from 1995 to 2000 and, in doing so, kept the large user base
On the strength of the Game Boy title, two of Argonaut’s employees, active. A new hardware model was introduced in 1998: the Super
Giles Goddard and Dylan Cuthbert, achieved what few British coders Famicom Jr was a smaller, sleeker unit that was affordably priced as an
have and secured positions at Nintendo’s Kyoto headquarters. alternative to the N64 and allegedly small enough to be sold in street
There they developed the “Mario Chip” (later renamed Super FX) vending machines. Top quality games continued to be released until
a cartridge embedded co-processor that would allow the SNES to 2000 with Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 and a series of Picross titles being
display true 3D polygonal visuals for the first time. The first Super the most noteworthy.
FX game they created, with the legendary design talents of Shigeru Production of the Super Famicom finally ceased in late 2003, which
Miyamoto, was Star Fox: an astounding 3D space combat game that may seem like a good innings until you consider that production of » Hiroshi Yamauchi was the head
of Nintendo for 53 years and was
wowed SNES owners of 1993, who couldn’t believe the console the original Famicom was discontinued in the same year. Regardless, instrumental to its early success.
was capable of such graphics. The following year another incredibly throughout its thirteen-year lifespan, the SNES/Super
talented UK software house found a way to push the SNES beyond Famicom achieved widespread success and
its preconceived limits. Rare, who had previously pushed the ZX adoration thanks to Nintendo’s willingness to keep
Spectrum much further than anyone thought possible, had been using the machine alive through groundbreaking hardware
Silicon Graphics workstations to test concepts for Nintendo’s next expansions and a virtually limitless string of
console: the Ultra 64. In doing so they discovered a way of using high superb releases.
quality pre-rendered graphics on the humble SNES, which they used
to create the beautiful Donkey Kong Country and an arcade conversion
of the previously Ultra 64 bound Killer Instinct. With the PlayStation
and the Saturn on the horizon the startling looks of Rare and
Argonaut’s games must have made the SNES a very tempting
reason to not upgrade.
Nintendo’s luck couldn’t last forever though and,
despite pushing the hardware to its limits, sales of the
SNES slowed to a trickle in the UK – due in no small
part to the globe-consuming success of the PlayStation.
Nevertheless, like all good consoles, the SNES was due a
SNES | 117
There is a fantastic, diverse range of great games available on the Super Nintendo, which makes putting any
selection of games together a near thankless task. We’ll happily do it though, as we love Nintendo’s 16-bit
console. So without further ado, here’s our essential choices that deserve to be in every Super Nintendo
owner’s collection. If you don’t own them, you clearly don’t love Nintendo’s console as much as we do 01
02 03 04
THE LEGEND OF
SUPER MARIO KART ZELDA: A LINK TO
RELEASED: 1993 THE PAST
PUBLISHED BY: NINTENDO SUPER METROID RELEASED: 1992 CONTRA III: THE
CREATED BY: NINTENDO RELEASED: 1994
PUBLISHED BY: NINTENDO
PUBLISHED BY: NINTENDO
CREATED BY: NINTENDO
ALIEN WARS AXELAY
BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: RELEASED: 1992
CREATED BY: INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS RELEASED: 1993
SUPER MARIO BROS BY THE SAME DEVELOPER:
PUBLISHED BY: KONAMI PUBLISHED BY: KONAMI
01 We’ve been playing the BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA:
BADVANCE WARS DS THE OCARINA OF TIME CREATED BY: KONAMI CREATED BY: KONAMI
original Super Mario Kart
118| SNES
PERFECT 10
05 06 07
08 09 10
SUPER MARIO
ALL STARS STREET FIGHTER
RELEASED: 1993 CHRONO TRIGGER
RELEASED: 1995 ALPHA II
PUBLISHED BY: NINTENDO
RELEASED: 1996 PILOTWINGS
CREATED BY: NINTENDO
BY THE SAME DEVELOPER:
PUBLISHED BY: SQUARESOFT
CREATED BY: SQUARESOFT PUBLISHED BY: CAPCOM RELEASED: 1993 UMIHARA KAWASE
SUPER MARIO SUNSHINE CREATED BY: CAPCOM PUBLISHED BY: NINTENDO RELEASED: 1994
BY THE SAME DEVELOPER:
PUBLISHED BY: NHK
06 What’s better than FINAL FANTASY X BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: CREATED BY: NINTENDO
07
three classic Mario NES SUPER GHOULS ‘N GHOSTS BY THE SAME DEVELOPER: CREATED BY: TNN
It would have been all
08
outings on one cartridge? Why, too easy to go with Capcom’s second Alpha DONKEY KONG BY THE SAME DEVELOPER:
09
three Mario NES games with Squaresoft’s Secret Of Mana, so title was released late The Mode 7 chip was used SHIJOU SAIKYOU LEAGUE SERIE A: ACE
improved aesthetics and a we’ve decided to focus on this in the SNES’s life, and as a in countless numbers of STRIKER
fourth exclusive title that had
only originally appeared in Japan
of course!
little beauty instead.
While Squaresoft’s epic RPG
borrows plenty of ideas from the
result, was sadly overlooked
by a great many gamers who
had moved on to the newer,
SNES games, but never was
its appearance more noticeable
than in the wondrous Pilotwings.
10 It seems only fair to put
at least one quirky
Japanese title in the top ten, so
All-Stars’ triple whammy of Final Fantasy series, you just can’t flashier consoles. Taking control of a budding pilot, our vote goes to the delightful
Super Mario Bros 1, 2 and 3 made help but be impressed by the Their loss was our gain however, all the game required you to do was Umihara Kawase.
it incredible value for money and sheer amount of love that has gone as it’s easily one the best brawlers master licences for four different Taking control of an adorably
were great examples of taking old into crafting this astonishing RPG. on Nintendo’s 16-bit wonder. Great events: Skydiving, Rocketbelt, Light cute little girl, the aim of each stage
games and updating them for a Although the central storyline is looking sprites, a solid roster of Plane and Hang Glider. While some is simple – avoid the bizarre fishy
newer platform. Add in Super Mario fairly predictable, it soon begins to characters, new moves, plenty of of Pilotwings’ events could be tricky enemies and reach the door on
Bros: The Lost Levels, which was twist and turn all over the place and additional animation and thumping to get to grips with, the elation each exit. Of course, said exit is
effectively a tougher version of the introduces plenty of memorable good gameplay made Alpha II you felt when they were finally often out of reach, and with your
original game and allowed you to characters and sub plots. The a winner. We’ve no idea why the mastered more than made up for little tyke not being that great a
choose from either brother and you combat system is a joy to use first game didn’t appear on the it. Thanks to the excellent Mode jumper she has to rely on a handy
had an amazingly comprehensive and the use of sound throughout SNES, but Capcom more than 7 effects the sense of scale you elastic rope to get her around. Think
package. Finally, if you bought the is outstanding. It all combines to made up for it with this excellent encountered as you flew through Bionic Commando but with some
version that came boxed with a create one of the most engrossing sequel. An outstanding fighter that the air was breath-taking, and wait decent rope physics thrown into the
SNES you received Super Mario RPGs we’ve ever played. deserves to be in everyone’s until you finally get to use the hang mix and you have a good idea of
World on the cartridge. Bargain! Utterly essential. SNES collection. glider… Marvellous. what to expect.
SNES | 119
01 02 03 04
SNES
10
Nintendo’s 16-bit console was an absolute
01 ACTRAISER powerhouse of a machine and supported an
02 SUPER GHOULS ‘N’ GHOSTS
03 THE FIREMEN
amazing array of different genres. From hit
04 KILLER INSTINCT
05 DONALD DUCK
06 SUPER BOMBERMAN
07 THE ADVENTURES OF BATMAN & ROBIN
and the rest... arcade conversions to the incredibly obscure,
the SNES had something for everyone
08 MAGIC SWORD
09 CONTRA III: THE ALIEN WAR
16 17 18 19
10 GANBARE GOEMON 2
11 SHADOWRUN
12 TERRANIGMA
13 MEGA MAN X
14 CANNON FODDER
15 SUPER METROID
16 POCKY & ROCKY
17 DONKEY KONG COUNTRY
18 JOE & MAC
19 PILOTWINGS
25 26 27 28
20 TETRIS BATTLE GAIDEN
21 SUPER MARIO ALL STARS
22 ALADDIN
23 BREATH OF FIRE
24 GOKUJOU PARODIUS
25 STUNT RACE FX
26 EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
27 SIM CITY
28 STARWING
29 FIRST SAMURAI
30 ARKANOID: DOH IT AGAIN 34 35 36 37
31 BLACK THORNE
32 PRINCE OF PERSIA
33 CACOMA KNIGHT
34 SUPER STREET FIGHTER 2: TURBO ’HYPER
FIGHTING
35 THE ADDAMS FAMILY
36 FINAL FIGHT GUY
37 MICKY MANIA
38 SUPER MARIO WORLD
39 CYBERNATOR
40 LEMMINGS 43 44 45 46
41 ACTRAISER
42 BATTLETOADS & DOUBLE DRAGON: THE
ULTIMATE TEAM
43 THE CHAOS ENGINE
44 MR DO!
45 SECRET OF MANA
46 SUPER SMASH TV
47 DARIUS TWIN
48 SUPER TENNIS
49 UNIRALLY
50 ASTERIX & OBELIX 52 53 54 55
51 SUPER CASTLEVANIA IV
52 BURAI
53 PLOK!
54 R TYPE III: THE THIRD LIGHTNING
55 THUNDER SPIRITS
56 UMIHARA KAWASE
57 EARTHBOUND
58 INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR SOCCER
59 RENDERING RANGER
60 SUPER MARIO RPG: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN
STARS 61 62 63 64
61 U.N. SQUADRON
62 THE LORD OF THE RINGS
63 TOP GEAR
64 AXELAY
65 DEMON’S CREST
66 NINJA GAIDEN TRILOGY
67 SUPER PUNCH OUT!!
68 F ZERO
69 SUPER STAR WARS
70 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES IV:
TURTLES IN TIME
70 71 72 73
71 ART OF FIGHTING 2
72 CAPTAIN COMMANDO
73 SUPER MARIO KART
74 GRADIUS III
75 BATTLE CARS
76 SUPER MARIO WORLD 2: YOSHI’S ISLAND
77 THE SIMPSONS: BART’S NIGHTMARE
78 BIO METAL
79 THE LEGEND OF THE MYSTICAL NINJA
80 EARTHWORM JIM
81 CLAY FIGHTER 2 79 80 81 82
82 THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK TO THE PAST
83 SUPER STREET FIGHTER 2: THE NEW
CHALLENGERS
84 THE KING OF DRAGONS
85 MICRO MACHINES
86 DAZE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
87 WILD GUNS
05 06 07 08 09
11 12 13 14 15
20 21 22 23 24
29 30 31 32 33
38 39 40 41 42
47 48 49 50 51
56 57 58 59 60
65 66 67 68 69
74 75 76 77 78
83 84 85 86 87
The Complete History of Mario
Mario has become one of the most
recognisable videogame mascots of
all time and has starred in two of the
Super Nintendo’s best platformers.
With that in mind we felt it was only
fair that we looked back at his many
gaming achievements
122 | SNES
MR VIDEOGAME: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MARIO
T
Super Mario Moments
1985
SUPER
o fully appreciate why Mario is still MARIO
the videogame industry’s most BROS
recognised, popular and enduring
character, you have to look back to the early
days of videogames. Mario remains the poster 1986
SUPER
child for a time where everything about them MARIO
felt fresh, innovative and new, and these BROS
THE LOST
newfangled virtual worlds sought only to LEVELS
be linked to ours through the computers
and consoles that projected them and 1988
(USA)
the talented visionaries who imagined SUPER
them. With realism and trends now MARIO
BROS 2
sitting where fun and creativity once
ruled, today’s industry is looking
a much different place to one that
1988
SUPER
Nintendo was helping rebuild back MARIO
BROS 3
in the Eighties.
With every familiar-looking sandbox
RPG-lite shooter that finds release, 1989
it becomes ever apparent that SUPER
this industry has, in many ways, MARIO
LAND
started to fold in on itself. The
insane budgets required to build
the games of today mean that now 1990
only a small handful of developers SUPER
MARIO
and publishers have the financial WORLD
means to call the shots, game
genres seem to be melding together,
and despite now being able to utilise 1995
SUPER MARIO
gazillions of colours, games are looking a WORLD 2:
little less colourful. Why the Wii currently YOSHIS
ISLAND
stands as the triumphant console of this
generation, and Super Mario Galaxy 2 has
scooped universal acclaim, should be obvious to 1996
anyone who enjoyed playing videogames throughout SUPER
MARIO 64
the Eighties and Nineties. Nintendo has proven, once
again, that fun and creativity are king.
It’s for this reason why most gamers can instantly
recall the first time they ever saw Mario in action. 2002
SUPER
He takes them back to an evergreen era for MARIO
videogames, a time with which he has now become SUNSHINE
synonymous. For many of you reading this, we
suspect that your first experience came from playing
Donkey Kong in arcades, or on home computers 2006
NEW
and consoles. At this inaugural point in his career, SUPER
MARIO
Mario was known by the more literal-sounding BROS
name of Jumpman, played a bit of an antihero, and
worked as a carpenter instead of the heroic plumber
2007
we all know him as today. However, while Mario’s SUPER
personality, name and occupation would come to MARIO
GALAXY
change quite quickly following his gaming debut in
1981, the distinct look of the character was settled
on almost immediately by his creator, Shigeru 2009
Miyamoto, and has only really ever been refined, NEW
SUPER
never changed, over the years. MARIO
As was the practice in the early days of game BROS WII
design, Mario was borne out from the technical
limitations of his time. The character was given his 2011
signature flat cap owing to the fact that it would save SUPER
MARIO
Miyamoto the headache of animating hair, a large 3D LAND
nose to make him look instantly more human, bright
red coveralls to help him stand out against Donkey
Kong’s dark backgrounds, and a moustache 2013
SUPER
instead of a mouth for similar reasons. But MARIO
Mario’s creation also came about through an 3D WORLD
SNES | 123
MARIO MEMORIES
Professions
Jim Bagley
Classic Spectrum coder
I first saw Mario in the
local arcade halls in New
Brighton roughly around
Kevin Toms
Umpire Creator of
Tennis 1984 Football Manager
■ Mario earned extra cash at I remember my first
weekends working as a tennis recollection of Mario being
umpire. Later in life he decided on the original Nintendo
to take up the sport himself cartridge machine. Squat, » [PC-88] Hudson Soft released two peculiar variants
when he realised that more of Mario Bros for Japanese home computers.
cute character, red hat
money was to be had playing comes to mind. Probably I would go for Mario
than interfering. Kart on the Nintendo 64 as my Mario game. His
lasting appeal is down to the personality he puts
across: an upbeat, likable, jolly man. Most people
would get on with someone like that. So
Referee he annoys no one!
Punch-Out!! 1987
■ Following a successful
spell as a tennis umpire, Mario
caught the eye of the Nintendo
Boxing Commission and was
approached to work as a
referee in the Famicom/NES
version of Punch-Out!!.
Doctor
Dr Mario 1990
■ Making a mint working as a
boxing ref, Mario left labouring
to go to medical school. It
took him just two years to
complete his doctorate –
earning him a place in
Guinness World Records.
» [NES] The original SMB still
plays great today . We should
know – we played it yesterday.
Golfer
NES Open
Tournament Golf 1991
■ Like most doctors, Mario
found that the best way to
relax after a busy day in
surgery was to smash a ball
into a tiny hole.
18 | SNES
MR VIDEOGAME: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MARIO
» [Arcade] Mario made his debut in Donkey Kong, where » [NES] Who can forget this trick in World 1-2? Who was it that said cheating
Nintendo pushed Donkey Kong out onto the
it was DK hogging the limelight for Nintendo. doesn’t pay? Someone who’d never played Super Mario Bros, clearly.
US market, where it became a huge success.
And with the millions of dollars it earned, the
company was able to fund development of its
first true videogame console, the Famicom.
But it was Donkey Kong, not Mario, who
was gaining the most celebrity for Nintendo.
Despite the fact that the big dumb ape was
assigned the role of big dumb antagonist in
Donkey Kong, his domineering presence and
cartoon qualities made him a clear standout
character in the game. And it is perhaps for this reason
why Mario was then made to play villain in the game’s
1982 sequel, Donkey Kong Jr.
That said, Nintendo, obviously not wanting to turn
its character into an out-and-out baddie, did give Mario
his very own game in the same year, plonking him back
in the saddle of hero and gifting him a green coverall-
wearing brother called Luigi into the bargain. The game
in question, Mario Bros, was a single-screen action punting, all of which would become staples of the
platformer that looked and played similar to the earlier Mario series.
Williams arcade game Joust. It saw Mario and his Mario Bros received a lukewarm arcade reception,
brother battle through ‘phases’ of enemy attacks inside certainly nothing in the same league as Donkey Kong,
a New York sewer, and was the first game to ever but later proved to be a popular release for the NES
element of luck and good fortune – although depict the brothers as plumbers – it’s believed that this in North America. Two variants of the game were
it probably didn’t seem that way to Nintendo was done simply to explain the game’s culvert setting. also developed by Hudson Soft, under licence from
at the time. However, with its premise finding the pair trying to Nintendo. Released exclusively on Japanese home
prevent an infestation of insect and reptilian pests computers, the games featured all-new original stages
‘I’ll save yer, lady!’ escaping into the city, the brothers are clearly acting and gameplay mechanics. The first, Mario Bros Special,
Before Donkey Kong was even considered, Shigeru more like exterminators in the game. Nevertheless, as was an interesting update of the original game that
Miyamoto had aims to create a new arcade game well as portraying the brothers saw players having to
starring the characters from the popular King Features as plumbers, Mario Bros also fight their way to exit
Syndicate cartoon, Popeye. But when Nintendo introduced a few common MARIO MEMORIES points at the top of each
failed to obtain the licence, Miyamoto was forced to enemy types too, such as Eugene Jarvis stage, while the second
come up with three central characters of his own. Shellcreepers – a precursor Arcade legend title, Punch Ball Mario
And, after taking pretty obvious inspiration from the to Koopa Troopas – and the My first recollection of Mario Bros, was a quirky
1933 stop-motion monster classic, King Kong, he annoying spike-shelled foes, was in Donkey Kong. The dodgeball-inspired
came up with the characters Jumpman, Lady and the Spinies. It also established character was ridiculous. iteration that saw the
Donkey Kong to substitute the roles of Popeye, Olive the idea of having the Why am I a carpenter trying to brothers punching balls
Oyl and Bluto, respectively. brothers collect coins through rescue a princess from King at their subterranean
Kong? Super Mario Bros is the greatest videogame of
When the time came for Donkey Kong to ship to bonus rounds, as well as the foes and hitting
all time. It is etched in my brain like a phosphorescent
North America, however, it was decided that Jumpman concept of brick-punching cattle brand. Mario is the video star. He has been switches. Hudson Soft
should be renamed during the localisation process. and unconscious-enemy toe- flogged and baked into the collective memory of also later released its
Even then, Nintendo’s intention was to turn Mario into humanity for 30 years. When the last cockroach is own version of Super
a mascot-type character by having him appear in many dead he will dance on Mario Bros. Titled Super
of Miyamoto’s subsequent videogames. With this the grave. Mario Bros Special,
idea in mind, the first new name that Nintendo would Jamie Woodhouse this unfairly punishing
settle on for Jumpman was ‘Mr Video’. It was a name Creator of Qwak! home computer version
clearly derived from Nintendo’s first ever gaming I’m fairly sure my first featured all-new levels, hair-pulling level design and
mascot, Mr Game & Watch. experience of Mario was Mario maddening flick-screen scrolling. In fact, the dodgy
Bros on the NES; I remember
However, in what became one of the videogame scrolling mars the experience so much that it shows
it not scrolling, just a static
industry’s most bizarre anecdotes, Jumpman’s name screen, with lots of turtles that
just how important a factor scrolling actually played in
would change once again. The tale goes that, at the go into pipes in the bottom Super Mario Bros’ ultimate success.
time when Nintendo of America (NOA) was trying corners of the screen, then coming out of pipes in But we’re jumping ahead of ourselves a bit here,
to gain a foothold in North America, it was renting the top corners. Characters were all simple, yet as Mario hadn’t quite gone ‘super’ just yet. In fact,
a warehouse from an Italian construction tycoon fun-looking, with a cutesy round feel to them. I think while it’s debatable that Miyamoto dabbled with the
named Mario Segale. Segale was said to have looked my all-time favourite Mario game is probably Super idea of giving Mario enhanced powers in Mario Bros
Mario Land on the Game Boy: simple, fun gameplay,
remarkably similar to Jumpman, and when NOA’s not too complicated graphically, and of course, it
by finally giving him the ability to survive a fall – he
president at the time, Minoru Arakawa, realised the was portable! I think maybe Mario’s appeal is down wasn’t capable of bending his knees in Donkey Kong
coincidence, Jumpman was nicknamed Mario and the to the personality of the character; I mean, he’s not – it wasn’t really until the release of Super Mario
name stuck. What makes the story all the more ironic is really a violent kind of dude, is he? And he’s only Bros in 1985 that the legendary game designer gave
the fact that Mario Segale’s business was construction, there in the first place because he’s trying to sort his creation real super powers. Before reaching this
an industry that played a prominent role in the look of out the big bad boss or rescue his girlfriend – or was watershed moment, though, the character could be
that the other game, the one with the big monkey?
Donkey Kong’s stages. We can neither confirm nor seen busily living up to his ‘Mr Video’ duties. The
So I guess, maybe because he’s not too violent,
deny whether Segale once owned a giant gorilla that and he’s there for a good reason, people maybe multipurpose butterball could be seen popping up in a
he would occasionally mistreat, though we’re guessing relate to that. Also, it can’t hurt having the Nintendo bonus stage in the NES game Pinball that same year,
that it was highly unlikely. marketing department on your side! guest appearing as an unshaven umpire in
With the character renamed, Lady rechristened Tennis (1984), and influencing the look of Golf’s
Pauline, and the localisation process complete, (1984) moustachioed golfer Ossan, a character
SNES | 125
MARIO MEMORIES
Scott Miller
MARIO Founder of Apogee Software
MEMORIES I first remember Mario playing
Donkey Kong, of course! When I first
discovered this game in an arcade I
Jon Hare knew it had something special about
Co-Founder
Sensible it, interesting characters, unique
gameplay, variety, and it was a deeply
Software polished game. From the get-go I knew it was the start of a
First time I
new era, but no one could have guessed the staying power
saw Mario
of this squatty plumber!
was Donkey
Kong in the » [FDS] If you think this game
arcades in about 1980. I didn’t looks a lot like SMB2, that’s
focus on the character much, to because 95 per cent of it is.
be honest – nothing that special. I
thought the monkey was the best
thing in the game. My all-time
favourite Mario game has to be
Mario Golf on the N64. It just has
the most perfectly tuned learning
curve ever. I spent a whole year
trying to win every trophy and
kept missing the final one by just
one shot. Next best titles would
be Mario 64 and Mario Kart. I think
Mario endures because he is a
really good everyman character,
funny but not too irritating, and
he has an army of fellow
characters that add a lot to him.
Miyamoto is the only game
designer that I look up to.
Alex Trowers felt a little repetitive. I loved Donkey Kong in N64. Some guys from Imagineer brought a throw shells up in the air. This meant that
Designer of classic the arcades, though, and the ColecoVision Super Famicom over around the time of the to complete the final boss, I had to get the
Bullfrog games version, which was the scene of some epic Japanese launch and lent it to us. It had two cape on an earlier level and make it through
I suppose the first time high-score battles between my brother, my games: F-Zero and Super Mario World. We the last castle without getting hit. Once
I saw Mario in action mum and I. I can also remember a version of played them both pretty religiously, to the [there], I had to wait on one side of the screen
was in Super Mario Super Mario 3 on an old Nintendo Play Choice extent that we managed to overheat and blow for him to drop a Koopa before running along,
Bros, but that’s only 10 machine in a local kebab shop. That was up the console. jumping, hitting the thing and grabbing the
because the Mario in entertaining. Suddenly Mario could do all Super Mario World was one of the first shell, before using the momentum to fly up to
Donkey Kong was called Jumpman. I found manner of interesting things and that was games I completed in Japanese despite there the top of the screen and dropping the shell
SMB a bit meh – despite the knocking-things- quite appealing. My favourite Mario game is being a whole ton of stuff that Mario could on him from above. I remember thinking it
over-from-underneath mechanic and a toss-up between Super Mario World on the do. Of course, I couldn’t read any of the hints, was tricky at the time [and] put it down to it
a two-player option, the whole thing Super Famicom and Super Mario 64 on the meaning I missed the one about being able to being the end of the game.
John Romero
Co-Founder of id Software often mistaken for Mario, owing to his stark first, we planned to make the game so that the player
The first time I saw Mario in resemblance to Nintendo’s mascot. was always ‘big’ Mario, but eventually, we came up
action, I was at an arcade in with the idea for the power-up mushroom to make
Roseville, California, called Super Mario… Finally Mario Super.”
Supercade. It was a weekend Super Mario Bros was, in many respects, the natural Super Mario Bros was praised for its innovative
in 1981 and my friend Robert
next step for the main series to take. It took the gameplay, great visuals, catchy music, super-smooth
was with me. At this time in
1981, new games were showing up every week. popular ‘rescue the girl’ premise of Donkey Kong, scrolling, and wealth of secrets to discover – the most
The arcades were the most exciting places in the applied it to the theme and two-player mode – albeit notable of which saw Mario actually breaking out of
world. And in this particular arcade, this particular not simultaneous this time – introduced in Mario Bros, his own videogame in World 1-2; a truly mind-bending
weekend, was a new game called Donkey Kong. and then stretched the gameplay into a revolutionary concept at the time, made even more impressive by
We went up to the game, dropped in our quarters, side-scrolling platform game. Set in the fantasy fungal the fact that doing so rewarded the player with the
and lost ourselves for several hours. When the
world of the Mushroom Kingdom, the ‘Super’ prefix opportunity to warp to later levels in the game.
smoke cleared, we had found a new favourite game
and a favourite carpenter named Jumpman, who came from the brothers’ peculiar reaction to ingesting Selling over 40 million copies, Super Mario Bros’
would be renamed in four years to the familiar magic mushrooms, which took the form of power-ups popularity can be largely attributed to the success of
name: Mario. We loved Mario’s pixelated figure, his in the game. Eating a mushroom would cause Mario the Famicom/NES, and thus for also playing a key role
cute animations and cuter sound effects. His job and Luigi to grow in size, this growth spurt essentially in helping to resurrect the console industry in North
was to rescue the princess and put out fire with acting like a shield but at the cost of making them America following its crash in 1983. In fact, Super
a mallet. We loved the ridiculousness of it, and it easier for enemies to hit. And while in this state the Mario Bros currently stands as the second bestselling
fit in perfectly with the extreme abstractness of
games of that time. For me, Super Mario 3 was the
eating of a Fire Flower power-up would make the videogame of all time, only topped by Wii Sports
pinnacle. It was just so epic. That game pushed the plumbers truly super-powered, dressing them in Resort last year, demonstrating the sheer impact that
original NES to the extreme. The cartridge was lustrous white overalls and giving them the ability to this single game had on the games industry.
packed to the limit with data – the game was huge lob fireballs. But Super Mario Bros wasn’t the only Mario
at the time. And it took a while to play through. I was Speaking in 1991’s Mario Mania Player’s Guide, title released in 1985. The little-known NES game
playing it in my Gamer’s Edge office next to Miyamoto revealed how the brothers’ iconic growth Wrecking Crew saw Mario continue in the tradition
John Carmack as he coded.
spurt ability in the game came about: “We developed of his earlier arcade-style games. Rearmed with his
programming techniques that allowed us to create a trusty carpenter’s hammer, and accompanied by Luigi,
larger character than we originally thought possible. At the game was a fun mix of smash-’em-up and puzzle
126 | SNES
MR VIDEOGAME: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MARIO
game. Capping the brothers’ ability to jump, Wrecking proportion of the planet would be none the wiser of
Crew saw Mario and Luigi race around, smashing this cheeky game swap. Of course, we later got the
bricks and pillars in an advantageous order so as to chance to test our skills on the Japanese sequel when
clear each stage of everything destructible. It even it was remade as Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels for
came with a level designer. But while a neat concept, it the 1993 Super Mario All-Stars compilation pack on the
fell into obscurity in the shadow of Super Mario Bros. Super Nintendo.
To tie everything together, Doki’s story was altered
Sequel Sequel Panic to explain away all the crazy Arabian leftovers –
Now if there’s one thing that Nintendo was seen to something about Mario entering a dream world called
struggle with during the 8-bit era, it was sequels. Subcon to defeat an evil frog overlord to free some
While Donkey Kong Jr enslaved fairy kids – and the
was an enjoyable enough game switch also explains
successor, it really wasn’t
a patch on the tight,
“Mario played why many of the enemies in
the game never reappeared
engaging and insanely
addictive gameplay of a key role in in subsequent Mario games,
and Mario and pals’ peculiar
Donkey Kong. And while new attack method, which
Zelda II: The Adventure
Of Link had its good
resurrecting the ditches head-stomping to
see them instead pick up
moments, to this day it’s
still deemed by many fans
to be one of the weakest
American industry” objects and enemies and
toss them at other enemies.
Released in the US in
entries in the series. The Super Mario Bros series is no 1988, the re-skinned Doki Doki version of Super Mario
different and follows this peculiar pattern. Bros 2 became a hot seller for the NES, becoming the
Owing to Super Mario Bros’ success, Nintendo third-bestselling game on the console, trading more
was understandably keen to capitalise on the game’s copies than The Legend Of Zelda. And owing to its
popularity and so quickly pushed out an expert version success, this version was later released in Japan in
exclusively for the Famicom Disk System to satiate 1992 under the name Super Mario USA.
demand. Released in 1986 as Super Mario Bros 2 in
Japan, it was a single-player game only, with players Hollywood comes-a knockin’
given the choice of picking between a ‘Mario game’ Towards the end of the Eighties, Mario-mania was
or ‘Luigi game’, and the brothers were given different starting to take effect, and its momentum was to be
attributes: Mario had better traction; Luigi a higher fuelled even further with the release of a game that
jump. On top of this, the difficulty level was also many fans still consider to be the best game in the
increased, and the game made more challenging series. Taking two years to create, Super Mario Bros 3
through the inclusion of poisonous mushrooms and introduced more staples to the Mario series than any
more aggressive enemies. But when the game came sequel before or since. It introduced elements such as
» [NES] If we had to pick the best game
to ship to North America, NOA stressed its concerns an overworld map, complete with patrolling enemies in the series, we’d have to hand it to
that the game wasn’t different enough to be deemed a that whisked the player to battle screens; enjoyable Super Mario Bros 3. Way ahead of its
true sequel, and would be too challenging for Western diversions by way of photo-fit mini-games; multiple time, it’s Mario gaming at its very best.
Released for the Famicom Disk System in Japan, secrets than you could shake a Warp Whistle at.
Doki Doki garnered modest sales, likely owing to its To help create awareness and excitement for
Disk System exclusivity, and so Nintendo had the the release of the game in the US, Super Mario
SUPER MARIO 64 1996
FROM CARPENTER
TO SPACEMAN
SUPER MARIO BROS 2 1988
CULTURAL ICON
MARIO BROS 1983
JUMPMAN 1981
SNES | 127
MARIO MEMORIES Gary Bracey Software Manager Ocean Software
I spent quite some platform game, which was an okay sales of the hardware. As for the
time in the early game. However, when I discovered character itself, he is as synonymous
Eighties playing in Super Mario Bros on the NES I was with Nintendo as Mickey Mouse is to
the arcades, and completely blown away and spent Disney, yet a lot more contemporary.
so my first actual many, many weeks playing it to Over the years they have managed to
introduction to completion… and then playing it again! develop his personality to keep pace
Mario was Donkey It’s one of the few franchises that has with the advances in console
Kong. I recall he never suffered from compromise. technology, so from the original few
was the first ‘human’ character I had Nintendo recognises this and Zelda to pixels there is now a ‘fleshed out’
seen in games, as all others were be its bar-setting titles, and also its character with personality and
cartoon or abstract like Space Invaders console-shifting games. If they released charisma. From my own perspective,
and Pac-Man. My next major encounter a sub-par version then not only would Mario is a reason alone to purchase any
was when Ocean obtained the rights the whole perception of the franchise new Nintendo console, and I can think
to convert the first Mario Bros suffer, but it would probably impact of no greater compliment to pay.
128 | SNES
MR VIDEOGAME: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MARIO
MARIO MEMORIES
“SMB3 was unveiled Philip and
Andrew Oliver
like the most brilliant Co-Founders Blitz
Software
PO: We first saw Mario
objet d’art in history. appear in the Donkey Kong
arcade game in 1981. A
few years later, in 1988,
It’s actually close” we went to the Consumer
Electronics Show (CES)
in Las Vegas and were
stunned by the magnitude
of the games industry
and the size of Nintendo’s
Steve Lycett presence. And at the heart
Sumo Digital of it all was Mario. At that
Boringly, I’ll have to plump time, Super Mario Bros was at its height on
for Super Mario World as my the NES – I think they’d sold in the region of 20
favourite Mario game. I got a million copies, which was incredible.
SNES for my 18th birthday, AO: I remember seeing Mario Bros on
and lost weeks of my life a Japanese imported NES in about 1986. I
hunting down all the hidden remember it looking clean, slick and very
exits, completing Star Road and then rinsing it playable. And best of all, it was instantly easily
twice for the second credits sequence. An amazing accessible. The first time I saw Mario as a
game that’s clearly ageing better than I am! I think character was in the arcade game Donkey
his appeal simply boils down to quality. Bar the Kong. Back then he didn’t strike me as a
odd exception, if it’s got ‘Mario’ in the title you know brilliant character, but he always starred in
you’ll be getting something that’s been built with brilliant games.
love, care and attention to detail, and will provide PO: All the Mario games are great. I guess
you with hours of fun. I’ll happily buy a Mario title we played the original a fair bit, but it was Super
without reading a single review. Nintendo will Mario 64 that proved to the world that character
always deliver the goods! games work better in 3D. Andrew will definitely
go for Mario Kart, as it’s his all-time favourite
game! It’s up there near the top with me too.
AO: Mario represents games of brilliant
È [SNES] Yoshi took Ralph Baer Creator of videogames gameplay. He’s also had a lot of work done on
centre stage in the To me, Mario is a living presence. I still have the original his ‘personality’, as the graphical powers of
sequel to Mario World, NES and the Duck Hunt/Mario cart that goes with it. Over the machines have been updated. Each revision has
Yoshi’s Island. decades I have demonstrated interacting physically with the been very skilfully managed and has served to
Duck Hunt game in the manner of today’s Wii games. As has embellish and deepen Mario’s qualities – they’ve
been so often the case, I was 20 years too early with those been careful never to change his persona
concepts. Meanwhile, who can resist playing the original Mario fundamentally, so the Mario today is essentially
game when that old TV set is turned on in my demo area and the same guy as the Mario of the Eighties.
I’m not bringing down those ducks by lobbing something physical at them?
Honourable Mentions
Here are some of the more unusual Mario games, which aren’t part of the Super Mario canon
SNES | 129
A Friendly Rivalry… Eventually
■ No feature on Mario would called Sonic. These two company releasing Sonic games on Nintendo
be complete without at least mascots could scarcely be more consoles, starting with Sonic
mentioning the epic 16-bit different, but together their rivalry Adventure 2 Battle on Nintendo’s
videogame war that Mario played spearheaded one of the most GameCube. And then two
a major part in. During the height exciting periods in gaming ever. videogame mascots got to finally
of the 16-bit generation, school With each console generation that settle their differences publicly
playgrounds around the globe were passed their competition softened, when they appeared together in
divided. One side bound together until Sega eventually bailed out of the game Mario & Sonic At The
by a love for a dinosaur-riding the hardware market altogether Olympic Games in 2007, followed
Italian plumber named Mario; in 2001. What happened next, by the long-awaited chance to beat
the other in support for a skittish, no school kid back in 1993 could the crap out of each other in 2008’s
edgy and nippy blue hedgehog ever have predicted: Sega started Super Smash Bros Brawl.
MARIO MEMORIES
Martyn Brown Team 17 Founder
Obviously, like many people, I first saw Mario in Donkey Kong, as for its time it was a great trailblazer.
but he really played second fiddle to DK. It’s amazing to think
David Braben
Co-Creator of Elite Interestingly, in the days of Donkey Kong and
that Nintendo took the Mario character and threw him into Super Mario Bros the character image was
the Super Mario world, as it was an anonymous character I think my first
experience of Mario pretty indistinct and heavily pixelated. Later
before then. I wasn’t super sure what to make of the first true games featured him as an image, and I think
Mario game in terms of character, other than it being brilliantly was in a pub, in the
original Donkey Kong. that is when he started to be identified, but
playable – I was too busy with the Amiga around that time Mario 64 was the first game, I think, that
anyway. I think my favourite Mario game has been Super Mario 64, the first 3D To be honest I didn’t
particularly register really made a character out of him, for
offering, because it was so incredibly well-considered for its time. I’ve enjoyed the example when he spoke on the title screen
past games, but they get a bit too hardcore for me. Mario’s remained so enduring the character, more the way the game was
played, which seemed a little bizarre at the of the game. If anything, especially in the
because he’s so charming and a lot of fun. The games are generally so well- USA, I think he has become the icon of
balanced to play that it’s difficult to get too frustrated and therefore swear at him, time! Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64 was the
first Mario game I really enjoyed playing, as it Nintendo. Other factors – like the fact that
although I’m sure it’s been done a few times – even by me. he seems to run like a toddler does – makes
was, for me at least, less annoying than the
previous outings. Later games are great too, him pretty endearing. He is a pretty non-
but Mario 64 sticks in my mind the strongest, threatening character.
of Super Mario 64 for the N64. Always innovating, albeit for the 64DD. In 1997 Miyamoto revealed to
Nintendo once again sought to revolutionise the E3 attendees that work had started on the game.
platform genre, and in doing so proved undoubtedly However, following the disastrous launch of the add-
that the creative, fun, engaging and abundant on in Japan, and its subsequent poor domestic sales,
gameplay of previous Mario adventures could Nintendo promptly stopped support for the hardware
adapt to a true 3D polygon world unscathed. and the game was scrapped.
The N64’s analogue controls also worked During Nintendo’s Space World event in 2000,
overtime to further enhance the experience. the company showcased the power of its brand new
With a wealth of new acrobatic moves at console, the GameCube, with a Mario tech demo
Mario’s disposal, Mario 64 turned him from portly dubbed Super Mario 128. The short demonstration
jumpy plumber into a gaming Baryshnikov. Finally, showed a large 2D Mario splintering into 128 smaller
through a series of open-ended levels – all connected versions that ran across the surface of a globe. It
» [Wii] Mario’s back on top form following two superb Wii titles that are literally by a castle-shaped hub – that unfurled with each showcased, for the first time, the ‘sphere-walking’ tech
out of this world. revisit, it offered players the chance to really immerse that was to be later utilised for Super Mario Galaxy.
themselves in the colourful and enchanting world The following year, however, and at the same show,
mushroom land through a giant pipe and must of the Mushroom Kingdom. It was truly the gaming Super Mario Sunshine was unveiled to the crowds,
then rescue their princess from a giant turtle equivalent of chasing the rabbit down to Wonderland, and while it shared little likeness to Super Mario 128,
king, we guess such changes can be forgiven. and with the inclusion of Mips the rabbit in the game, it was formally announced as the official sequel to
Released in 1996, Mario’s final Super Nintendo who spouted dialogue very similar to Lewis Carroll’s Mario 64. Apart from a story that saw Mario partaking
outing saw him throw his cap into another new genre, tardy White Rabbit, this notion was clearly not lost on in a spot of community service after the squeaky
this time the RPG with the Square-developed Super Miyamoto and his EAD team. plumber is forced to clean up the mess left by a
Mario RPG: Legend Of The Seven Stars. The game Following the release of Mario 64, Mario himself muck-spraying imposter, Sunshine stuck very close
was a mixture of isometric platform RPG and turn- then broke into even more game genres with the first to Mario 64’s template.
based battles, and the game’s visuals utilised the entry in the Hudson-developed Mario Party series. And Set in the sun-drenched Isle Delfino, Sunshine kept
snazzy ACM graphics techniques seen in Donkey Kong the N64 era also saw Mario return to his NES sporting the popular hub structure of Mario 64, and progression
Country. But coming late in the Super Nintendo’s life, roots in Mario Golf and Mario Tennis, before appearing still relied on the collection of Stars – now named Shine
and only released in the US and Japan, it was largely in the first Super Smash Bros and making his final ‘so Sprites. As well as the 3D return of Yoshi, the most
missed by many on its release. long’ for the console with Paper Mario. novel feature in Sunshine came in the form of an odd
Owing to the early release of Mario 64 on the rucksack armament called FLUDD (Flash Liquidizing
Mario reaches 64 N64, it comes as a surprise to many that a sequel Ultra Dousing Device) that Mario could use not only as
Another new console saw another groundbreaking was never released on the system. Well, in actual a cleaning weapon but also as a way to help get around
entry in the Mario series come, this time in the form fact, for a time a Mario 64 sequel was in development, the stages. Clever aiming of the FLUDD’s spray nozzles
1 3 0 | SNES
MARIO MEMORIES MR VIDEOGAME: THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF MARIO
Ste Pickford
Legendary 8-bit coder
Definitely Donkey Kong in
Stockport Arcade, or maybe
on holiday in Blackpool or
Southport. Of course I never MARIO MEMORIES
knew that was Mario at the really low lap time.
time. I could never get past the
Greg Omi
Atari Lynx Right place right time and branding.
second screen, but must have spent dozens of Mario came to represent Nintendo as
10ps trying. The first real introduction to Mario progammer
I first saw Mario a mascot because of the success of
was at Rare. We had a meeting there in about Super Mario Bros. This led Nintendo
1988, and they showed us Super Mario Bros on in Donkey Kong,
but the first time I to market based on Mario, which
a NES. We must have just screwed our faces up increased his popularity. Popularity is
because of how ugly it looked. We were heavily into really recognised
Mario was in a power function, so once you have
developing Amiga and Atari ST games at the time, brand recognition, you have inertia to
and had sort of graduated from blocky four-colour Super Mario Bros for the Nintendo. I
was working at Epyx at the time and give you a leg up on the competition.
graphics to higher-res 16-colour graphics with That’s why everyone makes sequels,
large, non-repeating bitmaps. The Stampers told the testers were playing it. That year
I bought NES consoles for all of my why movie companies try to make
us to ignore the fact that it didn’t look that good, blockbuster movies, and why indies
and insisted that we play it because it was better nieces and nephews.
Mario Kart 64 is probably my and original material have a hard
than any Amiga game. We laughed, but I think they time breaking through. Just look at
lent us a NES with a couple of games, and sure favourite Mario game because it led
us to make Crash Team Racing, which social gaming: FarmVille, which I now
enough, Super Mario Bros was brilliant. The irony work on, is twice as popular as the
is that the simple, functional graphics of SMB have I consider to be the most fun game
I’ve ever worked on. I loved the slide next most popular game; there are
dated much better than the over-worked Amiga a bunch of games around second
graphics of the same period. Without a doubt my mechanics and the random power-ups
to rubber band the gameplay, helping place, followed by the ‘long tail’ of
favourite Mario game is Super Mario Bros 3. We games after that. There can only be
were developing NES games ourselves when it out the players in the back. Really good
level design also. I love Wario Stadium one super popular game at a time, and
was released, and we were just blown away by at some point FarmVille’s popularity
how much better this game was than anything we with the unintentional short cut at the
beginning of the track where you could will fade and another game will rise to
were working on. It was at that point that I first fill its spot. World Of Warcraft is another
appreciated what a great designer Mr Miyamoto jump over the wall twice to get a
example of this.
was, and what a great developer Nintendo is. They
were streets ahead of everyone else in the world
at that time. That game introduced so many new
ideas, and had so much imagination – every new
level was surprising and delightful. I don’t think
that level of consistent invention in one game has
been matched by any game since, until Super Mario » [N64] A landmark game for Mario,
Galaxy, but Super Mario Bros 3 wins for me because which set an unreachable benchmark
of the big impression it made on me when I was for future 3D games to try to meet.
younger.
could launch Mario up into the air and even afford sequels – Mario Power costume that gave Mario the
him a handy spray-powered speed boost. However,
the device quickly became a bone of contention
Tennis, Mario Superstar
Baseball and Mario Golf
“This industry power of temporary flight
and the first 3D iteration of
with many fans when they soon discovered that it
hindered the responsive control of Mario, and made
retrieving stars almost feel like Mario-endorsed GCSE
Toadstool Tour – following a
good but equally uninspired
Mario Kart sequel with Mario
would be a far the Fire Flower.
Complementing these
two interstellar Mario
physics exercises.
With Mario Sunshine failing to capture or stir up
Kart: Double Dash!!. But just
as it seemed Nintendo was
glummer place adventures was another
Paper Mario game, one of
the same level of popularity as previous big-budget becoming crestfallen by its the best Mario Kart sequels
Mario titles, and it becoming increasing likely that
the GameCube would become Nintendo’s most
fall from greatness, the Wii
happened and changed its
without Mario” to date in Mario Kart Wii, and
a real return to the
unsuccessful console to date, outwardly it seemed fortunes in a way that nobody could have predicted. character’s Famicom roots in the four-player platformer
that the once-infallible videogame giant was finally New Super Mario Bros, a game that brought
losing its grip on the market it formerly dominated, Space: the finest frontier simultaneous multiplayer back to the series for the first
and Mario seemed to echo this sense of dispassion, Both Mario Galaxy and Mario Galaxy 2 stand as nigh-on time since the original Mario Bros. And Nintendo’s love
appearing in a series of decent but uninspired sports flawless examples of expert game design, and rank for the past looks set to continue. To celebrate Mario’s
among the best games in the Mario series. By making ‘super’ 25th anniversary, Nintendo released its Super
inspired and sensible use of the Wii’s motion-sensor Mario Special Collection for the Wii, a special edition
controls, Nintendo was able to recapture the keen version of Super Mario All-Stars.
sense of fun, exploration and enjoyment that dazzled Since then we’ve had the utterly sublime Super
gamers in Mario 64. Making use of the sphere-walking Mario 3D Land on Nintendo 3DS, the less impressive,
technology first demoed in Super Mario 128, Miyamoto but still enjoyable, New Super Mario Bros 2 and an
and his team shot for the stars by opting to set the enjoyable Wii U entry in the shape of New Super
games in outer space, with levels taking the form of Mario Bros U. Interestingly Mario’s side-on antics
galaxies, all filled with individual planets and worlds to aren’t feeling as fresh as they once did and its clear
explore. Like Mario 64 before it, the controls were also that most of the imagination is now being placed
wonderfully implemented. Players could steer Mario in his 3D adventures. This is most obvious with the
in comfortable Mario 64 fashion, but also aid him using incoming release of Super Mario 3D World, which
the Wii Remote, which, through an on-screen reticule, features an emphasis on multiplayer play, crazy looking
could be used to suck up ‘Star Bits’ and launch Mario environments and cute looking cat suits.
» [Wii U] Super Mario 3D World is the next adventure for the popular plumber and between planets. The Galaxy games also saw a return Here’s hoping it manages to capture the glory
is due later this year. Here’s hoping it’s as fun as Super Mario World. of the costume-style power-ups of old, including a bee days of his early NES and SNES adventures.
SNES | 13 1
RETROREVIVAL
PUBLISHER: CAPCOM
RELEASED: 1993
GENRE: BEAT ’EM UP
FEATURED HARDWARE: SNES
HISTORY
Regular forum
visitors will no doubt
be aware that I don’t
exactly have a lot of
love for Capcom’s
seminal brawler.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m fully aware of
its historical importance and realise that
plenty of people still play it on a regular
basis (last year’s visit to the Retro Ball
was all the proof you needed) but after
witnessing the glorious choreography
of Street Fighter 3: Third Strike, its older
peer appeared to have nothing new to
offer. How wrong I was…
Thanks to Capcom, and more
importantly, Xbox Live arcade, I’ve
been able to re-discover the joy of
Street Fighter II, or more specifically,
Street Fighter II’ Hyper Fighting (or
Turbo as it’s known to us Brits). While
the original Street Fighter II remains a
slow, turgid experience (sorry guys, but
it’s true) Turbo gives the game a much-
needed boost of speed and ensures
that bouts are always satisfying to play.
New costumes, extra moves and re-
designed backdrops were just a few of
the additions that Capcom included and
I still have the cool metal tin that it was
lovingly packaged in.
While later titles have presented
us with more character choices than
ever, ridiculous specials and the beauty
that is parrying, there’s still something
immensely satisfying about a no-
nonsense round of Turbo. There’s no
need to worry about pulling off double
fireball motions, you won’t moan over
the cheapness of Third Strike’s Chun-Li
and Ken, you can just concentrate on
mastering the good old fashioned art of
beating the hell out of each other. Sure
the character models look a little old-
fashioned now and the animation has
lost a lot of its slickness over the years,
but even with these niggles (and that’s
all they really are) Turbo’s gameplay
remains resoundingly solid.
While it’s no longer my 2D fighter
of choice (that honour goes to the
excellent digital port of Street Fighter
III: Third Strike, I still enjoy the odd bout
of fisticuffs on Capcom’s excellent
brawler whenever I have my SNES
out (which is often). It remains one of
the slickest 16-bit arcade conversions
around, and time has done nothing to
diminish that fact.
132 | SNES
|
TH E
M K
134 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: SUPER METROID
SNES | 13 5
Series highlights
Metroid
(FDS/NES/GBA – 1986)
The Metroid series was born on disk, not cartridge.
It began life as this 1986-vintage Famicom Disk
System title before migrating to the silicon of NES
carts for consumption in the West. Videogames’
first internationally famous heroine was born
here. (An emulated version can be found in the
GameCube release of Metroid Prime.)
Super Metroid » [SNES] Super Metroid brought with it Metroid II’s battery
(SNES – 1994) saves, a godsend after the first game’s password system.
Arguably the finest game in the Metroid series, this
16-bit creation brought 2D adventure gaming to a
new level of sophistication. Super Metroid’s pacing the code on that million-selling disk to play, what new ideas we could
and world design are by all measures perfect, and also plotted the aesthetic direction of incorporate, and so on… Then we
there are so many aspects to explore here that the the series. I suggest to Sakamoto-san drafted in lots of other NCL and IntSys
game retains its unique allure 15 years on.
that Super Metroid and the Metroid developers once we got beyond that
Metroid Fusion games in general don’t look like stage and into the proper work.”
(GBA – 2002) ‘typical’ NCL games and I ask him why There has always been a complex
Taking the Super Metroid template into the 21st that might be. He sips his tea and then yet mutually beneficial relationship
Century, and again with Yoshio Sakamoto at the
creative helm, Metroid Fusion found Samus once replies: “I think the film Alien had a between Nintendo, then based in
more facing the destruction of a game world. Only huge influence on the production of Higashiyama (to the northeast of
this time Samus was the knowing perpetrator. the first Metroid game. All of the team the current Minami location), and
Metroid Prime members were affected by HR Giger’s Intelligent Systems, constantly
(GameCube – 2002) design work, and I think they were situated in the eastern Kyoto ward
Retro Studios’ first-person adventure spin on the aware that such designs would be a of Higashiyama. Sakamoto refers to
Metroid template sold 1.5 million copies in the
United States alone, yet it simultaneously pushed
good match for the Metroid world we the team as “IntSys” and says that it
Samus Aran away from Japanese sensibilities, had already put in place. To be honest, had been helping Nintendo with the
guaranteeing a future of Western success at the I’ve never really been clear on what is Metroid series since the initial FDS
cost of Metroid’s Japanese heritage. Prime’s or isn’t the ‘Nintendo look’, but as far game, “as a second-party developer”.
unusual perspective and restrained style of first-
person play carved out a niche for Samus in the as we were concerned, we were just While it’s fair to say that the game
next generation, cleverly sidestepping the FPS projecting another image from within design and play-testing abilities of
genre to find new ground. Nintendo – another face of Nintendo, NCL’s in-house staff have always been
Metroid: Zero Mission if you like. But yes, it’s a science- some of the world’s best, Intelligent
(GBA – 2004) fiction game, so…” Systems’ developers were on hand
Zero Mission’s retelling of the first Metroid game Other than the artistic influence to provide indispensable technical
brought with it a Fusion-standard graphical
upgrade. By this stage Samus’s popularity in
of Necronom, Sakamoto reckons know-how, particularly focused on the
her homeland was at an all-time low, and sales that numerous games affected the hardware side of things.
didn’t reach six figures in Japan; a shame, as Zero style of Super Metroid – “I can’t list “IntSys has always been very
Mission was even better than the FDS original. them… There are just too many of capable with hardware,” Sakamoto
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes them” – although he counters this by adds, “so during the experimental
(GameCube – 2004) highlighting the experimental side stage we told the IntSys programmers
The first Metroid game to feature a multiplayer of his team’s early work: “For the what kinds of things we wanted to
mode, although its inclusion was perhaps ill-
advised, as it failed to really add anything of worth prototype stage of Super Metroid’s do and verified what in reality could
to the traditional single-player adventure. Echoes’ development we just had a few be done. We’d been well prepared
greatest successes were in translating more of Intelligent Systems programming for the move to the Super Famicom
Samus’s abilities to a 3D context.
staff, myself, and another [in-house] hardware, so we had some idea of
Metroid Prime: Hunters Nintendo designer. We examined what to expect before we went into
(DS – 2006) what was possible in the game, and it; which features we should use, and
Developed by NST, the outfit behind titles as the core Metroid system was how. I think it was good that we went
such as Ridge Racer 64 and Wave Race: Blue
Storm, Hunters was one of the better first-person already in place we considered how through the prototype stage because
DS games, with a multiplayer mode that felt we could make the game easier it gave us a base onto which the post-
more natural than that of Echoes. However,
compared with joypad-controlled Metroid
predecessors, Hunters’ touch-screen controls
resulted in a slightly lower-than-average level
of overall satisfaction.
The nap room wasn’t being
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
(Wii – 2007)
cleaned at all. One morning
The final release in the Prime trilogy effectively
brought the modern Metroid experience closer
in line with the FPS genre, combining Remote-
staff woke us up and told us that
directed shooting and relentless action.
the room smelled like a zoo
136| SNES
THE MAKING OF: SUPER METROID
|
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
DEVELOPER that the player had to ‘feel’ his/her then doing that resulted in a complete Our talk soon takes a turn from
SNES | 139
I
t’s without doubt one
of the greatest Super
Nintendo games of all
time, one of the best
games in the Contra
series, and also one of THE ARMOURY
the finest run-and-gun
games ever. Oh, and did
we mention that it’s one
of the best games ever
too? That it’s taken us
89 issues to finally give
Contra III a classic game
analysis is somewhat
strange, but the reason
lies in the fact that the
game is so exceptional Machine gun Laser Spread gun
that we just assumed we The default weapon in the As laser-based weapons Though the weakest
already had. A masterclass game. It’s pretty powerful do, this fires a concentrated weapon in the game, the
and really quite effective at line of powerful radiation. spread gun makes short
in game pacing, set pieces
taking out much that the It’s highly powerful, but work of enemies attacking
and basically just great game throws at you. using it requires a good aim. from different heights.
level design, from the very
minute you start Contra III
to the sweaty, jubilation-
filled second you finally
beat it on the hardest
setting and see the
game’s ending, the action
is relentless, the challenge
high and the gameplay
intense. The year is 2636, Crush missiles Flamethrower Homing missiles
and Stuart Hunt is helping Blue in colour, these are the The flamethrower is an Moderately powerful
two commandos, Sully most powerful weapons effective close-quarters homing missiles will hunt
and Jimbo, win an epic in the game. They explode combat tool that is great enemies down. It’s a really
alien war. on contact, and are really for taking down bosses and effective weapon against
effective against bosses. cindering weak spots. the airborne aliens.
140 | SNES
WHY IT’S A CLASSIC
BEST LEVEL
Contra just got better Start as you mean to end
The original Contra reinvented the run-and-gun genre, introducing With so many memorable moments in Contra III, picking just one was
many elements that countless games adopted. The follow-ups impossible. As the opening stage is a great example of how to grab
prior to Contra III offered a decent helping of action, but they didn’t a teenager’s attention and make them part with birthday money, we
measure up to the original. Contra III, however, marked a giant leap had to mention it. Within the first few minutes you’re gunning down
forward. It was everything you would expect from a Contra game, aliens and mutant dogs, hopping into a tank to flatten foes, sampling
but with bigger weapons, bigger explosions, bigger bosses, a new nearly all of the weapons in the game, dodging a plane as it bombs
post-apocalyptic setting and a motorcycle level. Set piece after set the city, jumping through the flaming ruins while taking out a wave
piece, the game was a tour de force of imagination, deft level design of winged aliens and finally facing off against a giant, bullet-spewing
and special effects that hasn’t aged a single day. alien tortoise. It’s one of the best opening levels of any videogame.
BEST WEAPON
IN THE KNOW
BEST BOSS
What the
press said…
Smart bomb The massive Terminator ages ago
Many fans will have their favourite weapon. Some love the laser. There really was only one boss we could highlight here. And typical of
Others will like the weaker but lovely spread gun, as it makes memorable 16-bit bosses, it is something that didn’t exactly err on the
killing foes an absolute breeze. There are others who will like the side of caution as far as copyright was concerned. The giant T-800-
flamethrower, as it’s great for when you get up close. Therefore, alike that rips through the level’s wall at the end of the third stage is a
picking a best weapon is a bit of a thankless endeavour, and one we tricky one. First, you see his claws pierce the wall, pulling it apart as
chickened out of by virtue of us going with the smart bomb. It might if it was made of tinfoil, before seeing his beaming red eyes glowing
look like a metal turnip, but release it into the game’s atmosphere in the darkness. The beast then emerges, firing lasers from its eyes,
and see the screen turn hazy, killing grunts with ease and knocking a lobbing bombs into the playing field and breathing fire too. The only
large chunk off the energy of the game’s bosses. thing it doesn’t do is ride a motorcycle and shoot up a police station.
BEST USE OF MODE 7
ANOTHER BEST LEVEL
SNES | 141
MODE 7 HEAVEN
We look back at some of the best and lesser-known examples of
Mode 7, the famous graphics mode that became a hallmark for
many early Super Nintendo releases and helped elevate Nintendo
gaming during the Nineties
14 2 | SNES
MODE 7 HEAVEN
Demon’s Crest
Best Mode 7 moment: Getting around
Year: 1994
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: In-house
Demon’s Crest is a superb action/platformer that is every bit as atmospheric
and challenging as its famous cousin Ghosts ‘n Goblins. The third part of the
excellent Gargoyle’s Quest series, Demon’s Crest made this list purely for its
neat world map, which, thanks to some Mode 7 magic, allowed you to navigate
and land on it Pilotwings fashion to replay stages.
SNES | 14 3
We expose Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles IV:
blatant Super Turtles in Time
Mario Kart Best Mode 7 moment: Foot Soldier fling
copycarts
Year: 1992
Publisher: Konami
Developer: In-house
Kat’s Run The most vivid Mode 7 scenes are often those
This obscure racer plays that took us by surprise. Those moments we’d
like a Gran Turismo take be sat playing game X and then all of a sudden
on Super Mario Kart. a cool Mode 7 trick would materialize from out
After picking your driver of nowhere. Though this SNES port features a
from the ten spiky-haired racers on great Mode 7 recreation of the arcade game’s
offer, you select your vehicle and then thrilling hoverboard stage, it’s the Foot Soldier-
compete in street races. Because Kat’s towards-camera fling that stuck in our minds
Run is grounded in reality both visually most. Capturing the slapstick nature of the
and track-wise it suffers. With dull cartoon perfectly, seeing it never gets boring.
circuits and visuals, it is unfortunately In fact, we’d even go so far as to say it’s a
one of the least impressive Mode 7 frontrunner for the best Mode 7 moment ever.
racers on Super Nintendo.
ActRaiser
Best Mode 7 moment: World map
Year: 1990
Publisher: Enix Corporation
Developer: Quintet
Anyone who has played this unusual city building hack-and-slash marriage will
attest that its title screen really utilises Mode 7. Yes, it’s just a spinning word,
but it grabs your attention. For us though, the best Mode 7 moment has to be
when you enter a new stage. Starting from high up in your heavenly hub palace,
you see the camera spiral towards the overworld map and home in on the level.
14 4 | SNES
MODE 7 HEAVEN
HyperZone
Best Mode 7 moment: First stage
Year: 1991
Publisher: HAL Laboratory
Developer: In-house
HyperZone was an early release for the console and
arrived the very same month as the console’s US release.
Playing like a lovely sounding cross between F-Zero and
Space Harrier, you steer a tubby spaceship through a
series of eight colourful Mode 7-created courses, shooting
unimaginative enemies until you come up against a slightly
less unimaginative looking boss. The stages tracks also have
strict lanes to follow, and straying from them causes your
ship take damage F-Zero-style. While this does help to add
a subtle racing feel to the shooting, there’s not much fun
or variety in HyperZone. It’s a clear case of Mode 7 over
substance – thankfully, and surprisingly, a road the majority
of Mode 7 games chose not to follow.
SNES | 145
Super Turrican 2
Best Mode 7 moment:
Worm boss
Year: 1995
Publisher: Ocean
Developer: Factor 5
Super Turrican 2 really puts the
Super Nintendo through its paces.
Though it doesn’t have the Metroid
feel of the 8-bit original, it’s a real
showcase of fancy Super Nintendo
visual effects, and provides
no shortage of great Mode 7
moments. Our choice picks include
the giant Mode 7 Sarlacc-style
worm boss that you have to fight from inside its gaping mouth, the
superb robotic spider boss, and the neat into-the-screen racing/
shooter sections. Developed by Factor 5, who is probably most
well-known for the Star Wars Rogue Squadron series of Nintendo
games, it’s a truly fantastic shooter with visuals, imagination and
set-piece moments that easily meet those high points of Contra
3, and Chris Hueslbeck’s soundtrack is brilliant too. A polished and
sensational shooter, it’s just a shame that copies go for so much
money these days.
1 |
MODE 7 HEAVEN
Pilotwings
Best Mode 7 moment: Free falling
Year: 1990
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: In-house
Whichever way you cut it, Pilotwings just wouldn’t have been
possible without Mode 7, and that’s because here it isn’t used
to create a fancy background effect, boss or map, but – in a rare
instance – an open-feeling world. By Nintendo choosing to base
its game in a Flight School rather than the usual po-faced military
scenario, it showed that flight sims could be universally fun and
accessible. An early release for the Super Nintendo (it was a launch
title for the console in the US and Europe), Pilotwings was unique.
There was nothing really like it on the console market at the time,
and it showed perhaps better than any other SNES game the
immersive and engaging properties that Mode 7 brought to the table.
If you removed Mode 7 from Pilotwings then the screen would be as
empty and as black as space… or a better metaphor: nothingness. In
Pilotwings, Mode 7 hardly ever sleeps. It’s always in the background
working away and showing off the impressive rotation and scaling
effects it could generate. For all intents and purposes, Pilotwings is
Mode 7: The Videogame.
SNES | 147
GREAT GAMES THAT NEVER REACHED UK SOIL
IMP RT
ONLY GAME ORIGIN
INFO
COUNTRY: JAPAN
POPULATION: 127,433,494
CO ORDINATES: 35˚41’ N 139˚46’ E CAPITAL: TOKYO
NATIONAL LANGUAGE:
JAPANESE
CURRENCY: YEN
RENDERING
TIME ZONE: GMT +9
RANGER: R2
DEVELOPER: RAINBOW ARTS
FEATURED HARDWARE:
SUPER NINTENDO
ALSO ON: N/A
M
▲ Retro
CONTRA ost import titles will set you back a pretty » [SNES] The game’s opening stage includes an impressive use of Mode 7 scrolling, as this
ship smashes through the stage.
RELEASED: penny, but it’s the rare titles that will almost
1987 always command the tall asking prices.
Konami’s classic Usually when a game is rare, it’s because it
run-and-gun
series began with
was produced in the same numbers as Fabergé Eggs,
this brilliantly brash coin-op shooter. and this is because either it wasn’t actually all that good,
Yes it riffed heavily off alien and wasn’t or was actually quite brilliant but its publisher saw it a
the most original of games, but by risk and did a lacklustre job in seeing its full domestic
goodness it was a lot of fun. While it appeal so only a few copies exist in the world. Rendering
hit its peak with Contra III: The Alien
Ranger: R2 (which we’ll just dub R2 from this point on) is
Wars, the original remains a fun blast.
an example of the former – it’s a glorious-looking SNES
▼ Modern shooter that was only snapped up by Virgin Interactive’s
HARD CORPS: Japanese arm and, as a result, tragically only saw limited
UPRISING release in Japan, with as few as several thousand copies
RELEASED: manufactured according to some sources – which is
2011
why complete copies of the game can command asking the backdrop of a bleak futuristic world under attack from
This crazy, over-
the-top shooter prices as high as £200 ($350). a phalanx of mechanised menaces, R2 is notable for
marries the awesome sprite design of Designed by Manfred Trenz, R2 is one of the Super mixing side-scrolling run-and-gun game sections with
Arc System Works to the hard-core Nintendo’s most obscure titles, but is also one of the multiple scrolling space shooter bits, which both work to
stylings of Konami’s Contra series. The machine’s little-known import gems, showcasing some of make it an epic, unique and varied shooter.
end result is a highly challenging run- the best 2D visuals you’ll see from a Super Nintendo. The first section – the run-and-gun component – plays
and-gun that’s as fiendishly hard as it
As such, anyone who argues that the Super Nintendo and looks very similar to Konami’s Super Nintendo
is beautiful to look at. It ties in with the
Contra series too, being a prequel to is not capable of doing frenetic shooters, and feels that classic, Contra III. Assuming the role of a lone soldier
the Mega Drive’s Contra: Hard Corps. they need more evidence than our Axelay feature in issue who resembles one of the helmeted cops from NARC,
80, should take the time to discover the game. Set against you battle through a war-ravaged alien/robot world that
148 | SNES
IMPORT ONLY: RENDERING RANGER: R2
ENEMIES
» There’s an impressive range of enemies to
battle in Rendering Ranger: R2 and attacks
GRAPHICS come quickly and often. Keeps your nerves
» The visuals and presentation are what really
about you and study their attack patterns.
impress us most. Visually, R2 easily holds it own
against the cream of good-looking shooters of the
16-bit era, with each stage upping the visual stakes.
» [SNES] The game was only picked up by Virgin in Japan, hence its scarcity and asking price. PLAYER GUN
» Similar to Axelay, the game frequently switches » Your gun has multiple fire options that are
perspective between a run-and-gun on-foot game there to help you match and walk away from
(as seen here) to a glorious Thunderforce-style any occasion. Each fire method also comes
shooter. It’s like getting two great games in one. with a special smart-bomb-style attack too.
SNES | 149
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
Axelay
K
21 October 1992
landmark shooter in were still leveraging their graphical droppingly gorgeous game and arguably
The Axelay fighter was featured
in the 2004 PS2 release Airforce many ways, but the most superiority over Mega Drive software, one of the best-looking 16-bit shooters
Delta Strike, which was retitled striking is the fact that it Axelay’s primary draw was its incredible ever created. Not only is the screen
Deadly Skies III in Europe manages to bring intense visuals. Few who were around at awash with highly detailed enemy ships,
Axelay features references alien-blasting action to a format the time to witness it in motion can but the bosses are some of the most
to other Konami titles, the most that supposedly struggles with the forget the powerful spectacle of the memorable ever committed to silicon.
obvious being the flame dragons genre. Much has been made over the unique rolling perspective, which used Refreshingly, Axelay has top-notch
on Level 5 – a cheeky nod to years of Nintendo’s decision to grant the SNES’s custom graphics chips to gameplay to back up the appealing
similar enemies in Gradius II the SNES a CPU operating at a mere create the impression of flying towards aesthetics. Unlike the vast majority of
A beta version of the game was 3.58MHz – its rival, the Sega Mega a distant horizon. In truth, it wasn’t other genre classics, Axelay features no
made available, which allowed Drive, contained a Motorola 68000 totally convincing, but it was certainly weapon or item pick-ups whatsoever.
players to quickly select which
level they wished to tackle as well
processor, which tore along at striking and remains so even today. As you advance through the game
as gain invincibility. This version a comparatively blistering 7.67MHz you gain access to more armaments,
was used to bug test portions of – and many critics still maintain that Imitation is the sincerest form which can be loaded onto your craft
the game prior to release this is the reason for the puzzling lack of fattery between missions, but essentially
Axelay’s main programmer of decent shmups on the system: Like Thunder Force II and Konami you’re given all of the tools you need
Hideo Ueda has also worked on the sluggish central processor simply stablemate Salamander, Axelay from the outset of the game. Every
the Castlevania, Silent Hill and cannot cope with multiple enemies alternates between horizontal and situation you encounter during the
Metal Gear Solid franchises and projectiles on the screen all at side-scrolling levels. This essentially adventure can be dealt with by
To get the ‘true’ ending you need the same time, they suggest. There’s gives shooter addicts the best of both switching to one of your three available
to complete the game on the hard probably a grain of truth in this worlds, and both variations offer the weapon pods – although naturally some
difficulty setting. Completing it on
assumption, but the theory does come same degree of amazing and addictive are better at the job than others.
normal results in the mocking
message ‘Challenge Hard Mode’ somewhat unstuck when you take a gameplay. Another constant is the Another unique feature is the
look at Axelay in glorious motion. flawless standard of presentation; way in which your Axelay craft
150 | SNES
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: AXELAY
Pixel Perfect Your guide to the characters of Axelay. How many have you seen?
» A-12 Interceptor » Aquatic Attacker » Armada Battleship » Baby Robo Spider » BombShip » Colony Defense Droid
» Drone » DropShip » Evil Seahorse » F19 Fighter Escort » Fake Axelay » Fire Floater
» Fire Walker » Fire Worm » Supreme Gunship » S-67 Glider » G70 Firesailer » GT56 Attack Craft
» Guard Walker » Gun Turret » Jellyfish » Laser Gunship » Mine » Mini Fighter
» Tube Spider » Underwater Turret » Water Grub » Sucker Pod » X-77 Jumper » X-155 StormBringer
SNES | 151
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
Axelay
takes damage. Sustaining quarters, with the gaming press you again at Axelay 2.’ Sadly, despite
Critical a direct hit from a
projectile doesn’t
understandably bowled
over by the unique
the rumours and anticipation of fans,
Konami never fulfilled that particular
Reception kill you but instead
knocks out whatever
faux-3D scrolling
and high standard of
pledge. Main programmer Hideo
Ueda – who also worked on TwinBee,
weapon you have presentation. Taro Kudou’s Quarth and Parodius – remained with
What the gaming equipped at the perfectly suited soundtrack the company but Kazuhiko Ishida – who
press thought… time. This means you was also held in high regard and is is credited as ‘support programmer’ on
can take three hits before you lose a outstanding, even by today’s standards. the title – went on to establish Treasure
life. However, this is balanced by the Given the popularity of the game and with Masato Maegawa in the same
fact that a direct collision with another its near-dominance of the year that Axelay was released.
craft or part of the environment results SNES shooter library, a sequel It has been a common rumour
in your fighter instantly being ripped was almost a given – in fact, over the years that other key
asunder in a shower of metal. the game’s ending sequence staffers involved with the
When it was launched in 1992, practically promises a follow- game also left Konami with
Axelay gained incredible praise from all up with the words: ‘See Maegawa and Ishida at
the same time, which possibly
explains why a planned sequel
never materialised.
your friends
will be so Axelay’s Arsenal Here’s a rundown of the weapon systems available
on your top-of-the-line D117B Axelay fighter
gobsmacked
they’ll rush
out and buy
SNESs of »Straight Laser »Needle Cracker »Wind Laser »Round Vulcan
A powerful burst A swi-firing homing The final laser upgrade 360 degrees of
their own” of plasma energy, weapon, which seeks has a wide range of fire high-velocity death:
SUPER PLAY 1992 which is one of your out enemy units a vital weapon
first weapons
Twin Galaxies
High Score
»Morning Star »Explosion Bomb »Cluster Bomb
SNES NTSC Another weapon handy »Macro Missile Air-to-ground missiles Quite similar to the
■ NAME: for taking out several A powerful rocket with useful for taking out Explosion Bomb, but
PATRICK J DiCESARE enemies at once a large blast radius gun turrets fires backwards
■ POINTS: 1,974,980
152 | SNES
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: AXELAY
SNES | 153
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
Axelay
Boss Rush
Many shmup aficionados would Arachnatron
argue that a blaster lives and dies by
the quality of its boss encounters, and Stage One - Cumuluses
Throughout the history of shooters there has been
Axelay certainly doesn’t disappoint a custom of memorable opening bosses, and the
in this department. As well as a truly mechanical spider that waits at the conclusion
of Axelay’s first level certainly conforms to that
fearsome number of mid-level bosses, tradition. Boasting spookily authentic animation
the game boasts some of the most thanks to its multi-jointed nature – each limb is a
separate sprite – and a fearsome phalanx of baby
unforgettable level guardians to grace spider robots supporting from the rear, it’s no
the 16-bit era. These epic enemies are wonder that Arachnatron has remained indelibly
notable not only for their variety and inked in the memory of many a SNES gamer.
Naturally, its status as the game’s debut boss
cunning tactics, but for allowing the encounter results in a relatively low degree of
SNES to showcase some of its most difficulty: the tractor-beam web that Archanatron
occasionally spits out slows your ship down,
impressive visual tricks, with sprite making it harder to dodge incoming projectiles, but
rotation, Mode 7 scaling and smooth on the whole you’ll find this chap looks a lot more
scary than he actually is. Focus all of your firepower
animation. Here’s a rundown of the on the mouth section initially because, once you
supreme beings waiting for you at the destroy it, the web can no longer be fired. Aer this
conclusions of Axelay’s levels. you should throw all of your available weaponry at
the eye, which is the spider’s weak spot.
Regenertoid
Stage Tree - Urbanite
This end-of-level boss starts off in a rather
underwhelming fashion, teleporting onto the
screen as a tiny ship before changing into the
shape of a spinning top. What it lacks in visual
impact it makes up for in raw aggression, though
– you’ll need to take out the various gun ports on
the rim of Regenertoid to put a stop to the hail of
bullets that it spews out. Doing this also triggers
the second stage of the attack: the rather pathetic
cone-like shape is augmented by fearsome red
battle armour, complete with devastating laser
cannons that fill up large portions of the screen
when fired – just make sure you’re not anywhere
near them at the time. Focus your attack on the
centre of Regenertoid’s shell and you’ll send it
packing in next to no time, but make sure you
keep moving because this monster’s massive size
means that on-screen real estate is kept to a bare
minimum, making it hard to manoeuvre.
1 54 | SNES
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: AXELAY
Wayler
Stage Five - Lava Planet
Transported from the soggy depths of the Cavern
to the fiery wastes of the imaginatively named
Lava Planet, your waterlogged space suit is likely
to dry out quickly, but unfortunately you’ll also
have to face off against one of the game’s most
famous faces and the cover star of the Western
version: Wayler. A massive cyborg capable of
withstanding extreme temperatures and clad in
molten lava, this brute is yet another example
of the SNES’s graphical muscle, showcasing
smooth, multi-segmented animation and filling
almost the entire screen. Like any other self-
respecting fire robot, Wayler is fond of spewing
flames from his mouth and flailing his enormous
arms around like a child at a school disco, causing
untold amounts of damage to any spaceship
foolish enough to be in close proximity. Be sure
to keep well away from those massive mitts of
his and channel all of your energy into blasting
away at his chest. Doing so reveals his weak spot
– a green ‘heart’ – that, once destroyed, forces
Wayler’s lifeless body to sink beneath the red-hot
planet surface, never to return.
SNES | 155
RPG HEAVEN: THE GREATEST SNES RPGS OF ALL TIME
RPG Heaven:
Terranigma
PUBLISHER: ENIX (JP) NINTENDO (PAL) DEVELOPER: QUINTET YEAR 1995
SNES | 157
Breath of Fire II
PUBLISHER: CAPCOM (NA/JP) LAGUNA (EU) DEVELOPER: IN-HOUSE YEAR: 1994
Superior in almost every way to its predecessor, Capcom’s Breath of Fire II is
another high-quality RPG for the Super Nintendo. The majority of the game is
viewed from a traditional top-down perspective, but battles are viewed from a
visually superb isometric viewpoint that features fantastic sprites and glorious
special effects. Combat is turn-based and does feature random battles, but the
pace of battles remains fast enough to avoid frustration. Centring around now
series-staple characters Ryu and Nina, Ryu has the ability to transform into a
dragon, which is one of the most interesting parts of the game. The recurring
characters, much like The Legend of Zelda’s, are descendants of previous
characters and not the same ones. Despite a sluggish start and occasionally iffy
translation, Breath of Fire II picks up pace to evolve into a truly great RPG.
Front Mission
PUBLISHER: SQUARE DEVELOPER: G-CRAFT YEAR: 1995
Released only in Japan in 1995, Front Mission still managed to gain a cult following
in the West and was finally released in an officially translated form in North America
during 2007 on Nintendo’s DS. The game is an RPG of a tactical nature with linear
game progression and a deep, entertaining plot. Set in 2090 and revolving around
the colonisation of a fictitious island in the Pacific Ocean, Front Mission tells a tale
that’s as intriguing as it is fresh. The battle system is mostly in the usual tactical
mould, however when attacks are performed, the game cuts to a close-up of
the target in question for some spectacular visual effects. Depth comes from the
customisation on offer. The majority of units are Wanzers, giant walking tanks that
have four unique health bars: one each for the legs, left arm, right arm and body.
Each is upgradable as the game progresses. It’s different, but highly recommended.
Illusion of Time
PUBLISHER: ENIX (JP) NINTENDO (WORLD) DEVELOPER: QUINTET YEAR 1993
Despite being another action RPG, Illusion of Time is quite a different beast to
many similar games. Eschewing many staples of the genre, such as experience
points, currency or equipment, Illusion of Time centres around Will and his alter
egos in a plot to uncover the secrets of the Tower of Babel. Like Terranigma,
the world is based loosely on Earth and features many locations such as The
Great Wall of China and the Egyptian Pyramids. After adventuring to the Tower
of Babel with his father, disaster strikes and Will returns to the village alone with
no recollections of what happened. The game begins in earnest when Will gains
the ability to make his first of two transformations. Will does have the ability
to increase his power by collecting jewels dropped when clearing a room of
enemies, but this unique skill can only be done once per room. It all makes for a
highly novel adventure.
158 | SNES
RPG HEAVEN: THE GREATEST SNES RPGS OF ALL TIME
Ogre Battle
PUBLISHER: ENIX DEVELOPER: QUEST YEAR: 1995
One of the most important things about Ogre Battle is that it launched one of the
most successful careers in Japan, namely Yasumi Matsuno, who went on to create
several mega hits, two of which scored 40/40 in Famitsu. The other most important
thing is that it’s also an excellent strategy RPG, although it plays out more like an
RTS title, such as Command & Conquer, upon entering battle. Ogre Battle has plenty
of depth when preparing for combat. It features a tarot card system that can be
used to add certain effects at certain times. There’s an alignment system that’s a
play on the good/evil theme, a day/night cycle that affects how certain classes or
cards react in fights and more than 70 different classes of units to control. Set to
a gripping, politically motivated plot and boasting some lovely visuals, Ogre Battle
comes highly recommended to those that like a good challenge.
Secret of Evermore
PUBLISHER: SQUARE DEVELOPER: IN-HOUSE YEAR: 1995
In 1995, Super Nintendo fans were hugely anticipating Secret of Mana 2. Chrono Trigger
Instead they got Secret of Evermore, a game developed by a team in America
that Square had set up solely for creating it. PUBLISHER: SQUARESOFT DEVELOPER: IN-HOUSE YEAR: 1995
After the initial disappointment that Mana 2 was not coming, Secret of This epic RPG was developed by battle map. This helps to not only avoid
Evermore turned out to be an excellent take on the Mana gameplay system, Squaresoft and featured a creative team the frustration of random encounters,
but with a contemporary setting in America. The plot is based around time that had fans of the genre salivating. but also allows the level of immersion
travel and involves an unnamed boy and his dog while featuring plenty of Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final into the world to remain high without the
clever B-movie references. What we love about Secret of Evermore is that it Fantasy; Yuji Horii, creator of long-term jarring change of scenery.
is packed with interesting ideas. Each region has a different currency, which rival Enix’s Dragon Quest; and Akira The next major innovation is its many
can be converted at certain vendors and as you travel to each time zone, your Toriyama, artist of Dragon Ball Z and multiple endings. Chrono Trigger features
dog takes on a different form relevant to that zone. Magic is based around Dragon Quest, were all lead designers no fewer than 14 different endings
alchemy, so you have to create your spells before you can cast them. The dog on the project. This led to Chrono to discover, many of them accessible
can also be used to sniff out ingredients for you, delivering another nice touch Trigger being massively anticipated by through the excellent new Game Plus
in a game that’s littered with them. Japanese and Western RPG fans alike. feature that’s now standard on many of
We’re pleased to say this masterpiece today’s games.
delivered on all counts. Throughout the game, lead character
The first thing you notice about the Crono travels across various time zones
game is the very Dragon Ball Z-style art. ranging from 65000000BC to 2300AD.
It’s striking compared to the sombre This gave the developers a real freedom
styling of Final Fantasy VI. Characters to create very diverse and interesting
have wild spiky hair, colours are vivid locations, ranging from the dinosaur-
but retain a realistic style that sits infested forests of the past to the
somewhere between other popular malfunctioning domes of the future. The
Squaresoft games. story itself is excellent with intriguing
On the surface, Chrono Trigger seems enemies, genuine heart-felt moments
like any other Japanese RPG, however and a great translation that still stands
it contains several important innovations up today.
that set it apart from them. The first Chrono Trigger is a masterpiece of
of these is the complete elimination of game design and it hasn’t aged at all
random battles and the separate battle since it was first released in 1995.
plain. Enemies are visible at all times, so Anyone with even a passing interest
once you come into contact with one in the genre should check it out
the battle begins and plays out on the immediately. Just be aware that it’s a
same screen, rather than cutting to a little on the pricey side.
SNES | 159
RPG HEAVEN: THE GREATEST SNES RPGS OF ALL TIME
Secret of Mana
PUBLISHER: SQUARESOFT DEVELOPER: IN-HOUSE YEAR: 1993
Secret of Mana is a hugely popular the game doesn’t disappoint either. The
action RPG and for good reason. music in the opening sequence is still
Squaresoft’s game features sumptuous one of the most stunning in gaming,
graphics, incredible music and a even today. Using sampled pipes, bass
stunning three-player mode that and various synthesised sounds among
instantly made it stand apart from other others, Secret of Mana’s soundtrack is
RPGs of the time. diverse, often beautiful, yet dark and
First released in 1993 and a follow up dramatic when it needs to be.
to the Game Boy classic Mystic Quest, At its core, it’s an action RPG
Secret of Mana captivated audiences featuring character levels, weapon levels
from the get go. It tells a simple and magic levels. Eight weapons are
story of a young boy who discovers a available to the player, which can be
mysterious sword that he pulls, Arthur- upgraded throughout the adventure.
like, from solid stone. It turns out that Magic too comes in eight forms and
Mana, the lifeblood of the land, is being covers a variety of traditional elements.
drained by the enemy in order to control The biggest aspect of the game,
Super Mario RPG the world; leaving the hero to energise however, is that it can be played by
the failing Mana Sword and hopefully up to three players using a multi-tap.
PUBLISHER: NINTENDO DEVELOPER: SQUARESOFT YEAR: 1996 (NTSC) restore balance to the land. This is something that has rarely been
Visually, Secret of Mana is stunning, done since, which is disappointing, as
Super Mario RPG is a landmark title in many different ways. On the one hand it was
with some of the best visuals to be it completely takes a usually solitary
a stunning collaboration between Nintendo and Square, but on the other it was one
seen on a 16-bit system at the time. experience and livens it up immensely.
of the last Square-developed titles on a Nintendo platform for some time.
Locations are diverse, ranging from On the downside, when in single player
The first thing new players should do when starting the game is to watch the
desert plateaus, bustling villages and the AI can cause a few minor issues,
brilliant Attract mode. This gives players a great idea of the sheer amount of superb
evergreen forests, with Upperland although its behaviour can be adjusted.
ideas that have been crammed into it. Featuring a mix of action platforming and
being a standout location, as you literally Ultimately though, Secret of Mana is
turn-based combat, Super Mario RPG is a fast-paced, absorbing adventure, which is
walk through the forest as the seasons another classic RPG for Nintendo’s 16-
incredibly accessible to even the most novice of RPG fans. Visually the game looks
change from one to the next. Sonically bit console.
32-bit, as it features similar rendering techniques to Donkey Kong Country and a
distinctive 3D isometric viewpoint. The music is suitably twee but never annoying as
expected from now industry legend, Yoko Shimomura.
If there is one thing that Super Mario RPG does so well, it’s that it highlights
Squaresoft in its prime and how big a deal it was when Nintendo finally lost the
talented developer to Sony.
Shadowrun
PUBLISHER: DATA EAST/LASER BEAM DEVELOPER: BEAM SOFTWARE YEAR: 1993
One of the most unique titles on the SNES, Shadowrun combines action
RPG-style gameplay with elements of the point-and-click genre that was
popular on computers at the time. Set in the not-too-distant future, your
task as Jake Armitage is to track down your missing identity and to find the
person that wants you dead. The cyberpunk setting feels very fresh on the
console, the isometric visual style is nicely detailed, while the music is suitably
matched and well composed. Piecing together the plot is a hugely compelling
experience, while talking to NPCs opens up new conversational opportunities
to help you through this more adult of Super Nintendo RPGs.
160 | SNES
RPG HEAVEN: THE GREATEST SNES RPGS OF ALL TIME
Final Fantasy VI
PUBLISHER: SQUARESOFT DEVELOPER: IN-HOUSE RELEASE: 1994
Seiken Densetsu 3
PUBLISHER: SQUARESOFT DEVELOPER: IN-HOUSE YEAR: 1995
Despite never being released outside of Japan, Seiken Densetsu 3 has built up
a huge following over the years, with many fans that are still desperate for an
official translation. There are many reasons for this, but the most
obvious are its graphics, which are achingly beautiful and easily sit
alongside some of the best 32-bit 2D RPGs.
Like its predecessor, Secret of Mana, Seiken Densetsu 3 is
an action RPG with deep combat and a multiplayer option,
although it only supports two players. It’s packed with many
unique features, however, including a branching story
arc, absolutely huge bosses and a day-and-night cycle
with each day based on an element that affects magic
as a result. Seiken Densetsu 3 never made it to the
West because of a few technical problems in the
game’s code, but it has been translated by fans and is
fully playable in English, although sourcing a Japanese
copy is still worth doing.
SNES | 161
W
ith its lush visuals,
buckets of charm,
humour, wonderful
music, and world
that meshed elements from
platform, puzzle, shmup and
RPG games, the West’s first
entry in the Mystical Ninja (aka
Ganbare Goemon) series of
games is one of the craziest
platform games to appear on
the Super Nintendo. Stuart Hunt
puffs on his smoking pipe and
inhales the madness of The
Legend Of The Mystical Ninja.
1 62 | SNES
WHY IS IT A CLASSIC?
BEST BOSS
What the
press said…
ages ago
Mean Machines
Kid Ying and Dr Yang Memories from a geisha “The Japanese excel at
producing cutesy-style games,
First introduced in Ganbare Goemon 2 on the Famicom, one of the There are plenty of memorable end-level bosses in the game, so
and Goemon must rank as
best elements of Mystical Ninja was the fact that two players could picking one wasn’t easy. In the end, we went with this thing: a chubby
one of the finest examples
play through the game together as Goemon and his odd sidekick samurai tag team that changes into a giant floating head that looks like
yet, with brilliant sprites and
Ebisumaru, named Kid Ying and Dr Yang respectively in the West. Save Gordon Brown made up to look like a geisha girl. Admittedly, we picked
varied backdrops.”
for signature weapons, the differences between the characters are this boss entirely for that reason. If you’re looking for a more sensible
nominal, but the co-op mode does have its benefits. The characters can motive from us then we also like the way that whenever you hit this
ride on each other’s backs, allowing one to focus on attacking while the thing it grows until it envelops the entire screen, like something from a What we think
other moves. While this may sound a little awkward, it actually makes Roald Dahl story. It makes your job hitting it easier, but avoiding getting Mystical Ninja hasn’t lost any
negotiating the trickier platform sections in the game a little bit easier. smothered by its chilling smile is much harder. of its charm. Actually, we
found returning to the game
as enjoyable an experience
as when we first discovered
STANDOUT MOMENT
SNES | 163
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
SNES | 1 65
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
166 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: SUPER MARIO RPG: LEGEND OF THE SEVEN STARS
Year: 2000 System: N64 Year: 2004 System: GameCube Year: 2007 System: Wii
WITH SQUARE out of the INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS’ second THE SERIES’ third instalment
picture, a change of title was game was also critically praised. continued to surprise gamers by
called for, so Super Mario RPG 2 became It had a greater emphasis on gameplay toying with notions of 2D and 3D. Super
Paper Mario. Just like its forebear, this based around the paper theme, with Paper Mario returns the plumber to his
game was released late in the system’s Mario using curses to fold himself into platforming roots, but with a twist – the
life, and showed off some striking aeroplanes, boats and tubes. Side- ability to switch between 2D and 3D
visuals, albeit in a different way – Mario scrolling sections featuring Bowser paved perspectives at will. A sequel is due for
was now flat as a pancake! the way for the Wii sequel. the 3DS this year.
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga Mario & Luigi: Mario & Luigi:
Partners In Time Bowser’s Inside Story
DEVELOPER
HIGHLIGHTS
SECRET OF MANA
Year: 2003 System: Game Boy Advance Year: 2005 System: Nintendo DS Year: 2009 System: Nintendo DS PICTURED
SYSTEMS: SNES
CREATED BY AlphaDream with the AS YOU might expect, Mario & The latest game in the series took YEAR: 1993
involvement of Fujioka, this is oen Luigi: Partners In Time used the on an Innerspace-style dynamic,
regarded as the true successor to Super dual screens to expand on Mario and with the Italian duo being miniaturised and
FINAL FANTASY
Mario RPG. Why? “Maybe because it has SYSTEM: NES
Luigi’s interaction from the first game. inhaled by Bowser. Will we see a fourth
the same battle system, musician (Yoko YEAR: 1987
The appearance of Baby Mario and Baby title in the series, possibly on the 3DS?
Shimomura) and comical story style. It’s Luigi allowed for puzzles requiring the Fujioka says: “This is still undecided. I’d be XENOGEARS
for handhelds and features Luigi, so I think co-ordination of all four characters to happy if we received a lot of requests to SYSTEM: PLAYSTATION
it can coexist with Paper Mario.” solve this time-travelling adventure. continue. Please root for us!” YEAR: 1998
any rules; he pretty much gave us a free interested in him because he’s a doll
hand, although he did let us know which that’s come to life – he seems to have
series characters he wanted to appear,” something of the profound about him.”
remembers Fujioka. “There were a lot of Super Mario RPG was released just
staff members who were fans of comedy months before the Nintendo 64 went
and stand-up, so it was only natural that it on sale and was an immediate success:
would end up that way. Bowser’s various “It was the point at which the highest
lines and facial expressions were created number of gamers owned a Super
freely by the people in charge of each Famicom and, thanks to this, we sold
area and event. It was all fine because a lot of copies. On the other hand, with
Mr Miyamoto didn’t get angry!” the N64 out and Square defecting to
One of the most enduring original the PlayStation, we never got to make
characters to spring from the game was a true sequel.”
Geno. Although legal issues between On top of this, working on Mario’s
Square and Nintendo have prevented last game on the SNES must have been
a full-blown comeback for the wooden a bittersweet experience. “We had no
boy, he has maintained a cult following. idea!” admits Fujioka. Indeed, when
“I only found out about Geno’s popularity Miyamoto announced at the V-Jump
later, so I got him to make a reappearance Festival that the game would be Mario’s
in Superstar Saga [laughs]. I wish I knew final 16-bit outing, Fujioka’s reaction was
why he’s so popular! I think people are short and comical: “What!?”
SNES | 167
RETROREVIVAL
PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
RELEASED: 1991
GENRE: ACTION/ADVENTURE
FEATURED HARDWARE: SNES
HISTORY
It was certainly a
case of third time
lucky for Nintendo’s
classic adventure
series. After Zelda
II: The Adventure
Of Link failed to capture the hearts of
gamers like Link’s original outing had,
Shigeru Miyamoto went back to the
drawing board. The end result was a
truly spectacular adventure game that
had everything you’d want from the
genre. The story itself was excellent,
involving Ganon and the kidnapping
of seven descendants, one of which
is Princess Zelda. Young Link must do
his best to defeat the evil Ganon and
restore peace to Hyrule.
He does this by traversing the huge
overhead map, defeating monsters,
collecting a variety of useful weapons
— from slingshots to Pegasus boots
— and solving a huge number of
deviously designed dungeons. It’s
effectively following the template
that worked so well for The Legend
Of Zelda on the NES, but the 16-bit
power of the SNES ensured that every
aspect was far more majestic, from
the gigantic bosses that Link often
had to fight, to the gorgeous looking
environments he explored.
By far the best part of A Link To The
Past happens late in the game, when
Link discovers the Dark World, a bleak
alternate to Hyrule that is effectively a
new world in itself to explore. Initially
Link must traverse this dangerous
environment as a rabbit, but he soon
finds a way to return himself to normal
and then has to zip back and fourth
between the two worlds in order to
properly complete his quest.
The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The
Past is a masterpiece in game design,
featuring well-paced encounters, a
large number of clever puzzles to
solve and some of the best designed
dungeons to be found in the series.
It received an update for the Game
Boy Advance in 2002 that included an
additional multiplayer game called Four
Swords, but we vastly prefer the SNES
original. It’s going to be interesting to
see if its 3DS sequel A Link Between
Worlds continues the same high
standards of the SNES original.
168 | SNES
u must
why yo
PL AY
ACTRAISER
QUINTET’S 16 BIT CLASSIC REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST
INNOVATIVE GAMES ON THE SNES, DELIVERING A MIX OF
ACTION AND SIMULATION THAT NO OTHER GAME HAS EVER
BEEN ABLE TO MATCH. FAMED FOR ITS FANTASTIC AUDIO
SCORE AND SUPERB LOOKING VISUALS, THERE’S NEVER BEEN
PUBLISHER: ENIX CORPORATION A BETTER TIME TO REVISIT THIS EVERGREEN FAVOURITE. JUST
DON’T TALK TOO MUCH ABOUT THE SEQUEL…
DEVELOPER: QUINTET
RELEASED: 1990
FEATURED FORMAT: SNES
170 | SNES
WHY YOU MUST PLAY: ACTRAISER
È [SNES] The Sky Palace is the home of your god and allows you to travel across the Mode 7 world.
BAT DRAGON
foe once and for all, but before that happens, comparable to the flume’s final dizzying drop. Carries off followers whenever it gets the Uses lightning to destroy houses. Can be
you’ve got plenty of work to occupy your And like all good rides, as soon as you’ve chance. Can be killed with a single shot killed with two hits from your angel’s bow.
divine hands. finished it, you’ll be instantly returning for from your angel’s bow.
Fortunately, you’re aided throughout your another go.
adventure by an affable angel, who not only Ah yes, the action sections. Granted,
fills in the role as personal advisor, but also the animation might not impress like it
acts as a controllable avatar for when you’re once did, and practically every boss you
let loose in ActRaiser’s sim sections. Full of face is deceptively easy to defeat, but
useful information, he’ll constantly give you goddamn, they’re still enjoyable to play
subtle hints to ease your progress through through. Crammed with amazing attention
the game and acts as a go-between for to detail, the countryside you hack and slash
you and your followers. He’s a charming your way through would be the perfect
creation and by the end of the game you’ll place to stop for a picnic if it wasn’t for the
have built up quite a rapport with the little many monsters you continually face. From
fella. It’s this interaction between yourself the lush verdant forests of Fillmore, to
and the game that proves to be one of the icy wastes of Northwall, ActRaiser’s IMP SKULLS
ActRaiser’s in strengths. One section sees environments are breathtaking in scope Destroys crops. Can be killed with three Creates devastating earthquakes that
you rescuing a young boy called Teddy, and many of them (Aitos and Northwall hits from your angel’s bow. cripple villages. Can be killed with seven
only to be told by your angel companion at in particular) can still draw the odd gasp of shots from your angel’s bow.
ActRaiser’s poignant finale that the young wonderment. It wasn’t just the locations
g
followers are sufferin
È [SNES] Your poor
ely one of the
from the plague. Sur
es has a cure?
neighbouring countri
SNES | 171
you must
why
PL AY
» [SNES] ActRaiserÕs menu » [SNES] ActRaiserÕs many
is simple in looks but scrolling levels still stand
wonderfully intuitive to oper up today and look absolutely
ate. beautiful.
1 2
delight and its selection of beautifully are extremely simplistic in their execution
varied tunes never fails to impress. From and require you to do little more than level
the 20th Century Fox-styled opening that the surrounding countryside with a selection
accompanies the swirling title screen, to of different powers (lightning, rain, or later
the heartrending ending (all flutes and earthquakes) while laying the ground work
pipes), ActRaiser’s music is as integral to for your followers to build on and shoot
the game as its actual gameplay and it’s any nearby monsters. While your subjects
impossible to think of having one without continually pester you with requests, most
3 4
172| SNES
WHY YOU MUST PLAY: ACTRAISER
WIZARD
Stay at a distance to avoid his fire.
When he lands on the bottom right,
run over to score four hits on him.
AITOS MARAHNA NORTHWALL He’ll turn into a werewolf, but just
The region of Aitos is similar to Kasandora A humid jungle that requires plenty of The biggest problem you’ll have at constantly hit him and he’ll keel over.
in that it requires a lot of effort to enable lightning blasts to destroy the island’s Northwall is that it’s too cold for many of
your followers to live there. Use gusts of many trees. You’ll also be required to your villagers to work in. Surely one of
wind to keep their windmills turning and create an earthquake later in the game, your other countries has a way of keeping
they will reward you with the wool they so make sure you don’t build too many them warm… It also features one of the
gather from the region’s sheep. homes near the targeted area… hardest stages in the game.
ICE WYVERN
Wait for him to fire ice at you then
run away from him. Eventually he’ll
come to a stop, so manoeuvre
behind him to get in a few solid
strikes. Rinse, lather, and repeat…
SNES | 173
GREAT GAMES THAT NEVER REACHED UK SOIL
GAME ORIGIN
COUNTRY: JAPAN
POPULATION: 127,433,494
COORDINATES: 35˚41’ N 139˚46’ E CAPITAL: TOKYO
NATIONAL LANGUAGE:
JAPANESE
CURRENCY: YEN
TIME ZONE: GMT +9
UMIHARA KAWASE
PUBLISHER: TNN
DEVELOPER: ATELIER DOUBLE
FEATURED HARDWARE:
SUPER FAMICOM
ALSO ON: DS
GENRE: PUZZLE/PLATFORMER
We cast our line into the deep
RELEASED: 1994 sea of import titles and pluck out
EXPECT TO PAY: £60+ $90+
Umihara Kawase, a Super Famicom
EVOLUTION OF
platformer that tastes like Bionic
THE GENRE Commando cooked in delicious
D
▲ Retro Spirited Away batter
BIONIC eveloped by a little-known studio and
COMMANDO released sole-ly (that’s it for the fish puns,
RELEASED:
promise) in Japan, Umihara Kawase has
1987
The become something of a cult Super Famicom
granddaddy title, thanks to the internet. Indeed, you
of the might have seen its name crop up on a few retro
grappling platformer, Bionic gaming sites about obscure SNES gems, or even the
Commando is more action-orientated odd best import games list. It’s the Super Famicom
than Umihara Kawase, and features » [SNES] The world of Umihara Kawase is a bit bonkers, and is made up of sea creatures,
soldiers in place of fish and a bionic platformer with the fishing rod-brandishing schoolgirl black and white photographs, and even giant school stationary.
telescopic arm instead of a lively and giant fish patrolling its stages.
fishing rod. The premise of Umihara Kawase isn’t all that clear. line or lower yourself by letting it out. It’s a mechanic
In fact if we had to come up with one to best give that works well and is where pretty much all the appeal
▼ Modern explanation to its zany gameplay, we’d say it’s probably of Umihara Kawase comes from, but it does take a
BIONIC about a teenage girl with the world’s most elasticised bit of practice to get the hang of, so prepare for a bit
COMMANDO fishing rod, experiencing a rather nasty night terror of wrestling with the controls initially as you battle
RELEASED:
after stuffing a pongy prawn sandwich down her throat. to get yourself in the precise position needed to help
2009
This superb The consequent dream/nightmare/bizarre hallucination you continue with your journey. And to make matter
3D reboot of episode that she experiences finds her having to work worse, the levels are occupied by large fish, eels and
the Bionic through a series of whimsical stages to reach exit doors crustaceans that just seem to appear and disappear at
Commando franchise nails the thrill of positioned in annoying-to-reach areas. random. You can hit these enemies with your fishing
swinging and blasting through the air With levels featuring plenty of long gaps and death hook to temporarily stun them, and in this stasis they
brilliantly. Enjoyable and challenging,
it also has a rocking soundtrack, too. pits between platforms, you use the fishing rod as a become safe to reel in and stick in your pink rucksack.
Track this awesome version down and grappling hook to get around. By aiming the rod with the Despite its steep learning curve, those moments
play it until you love it like we do. D-pad, you can swing and manoeuvre yourself around when you do perform an impressive feat of fishing
the level. You can also pull yourself up by reeling in the line swinging to make it to the section of the stage you
174 | SNES
IMPORT ONLY: UMIHARA KAWASE
A Fishing
Lesson
FISHING ROD
» This is integral to getting around the
world and surviving. It can fasten itself to
most surfaces, and also stun enemies.
BLOCKS
» The levels are made up of blocks,
you’ll need to rely on your rod and
knowledge of physics to get around.
UMIHARA KAWASE
» [SNES] The puzzle stages are interrupted by occasional boss encounters. Sadly this fish is too » You play a teenage girl. She
can stuff dazed fish into her pink
large to stun so you’ll need to come up with another way to reach the exit. rucksack to earn points.
ENEMIES
» The levels are littered with
re-spawning fish and birds. They
appear frequently, and make getting
around even more challenging.
SNES | 175
TH E
MAK I N G
O F
T
here are many videogame
franchises that have existed
over more than a handful
of games, but the vast
majority revolve around a main
character such as Sonic, Mario,
Mega Man and even Solid Snake.
Few series survive around a basic
idea or concept without having a
mascot at the helm, yet this is the
case for Harvest Moon, which has an
ever-changing world of characters in
each iteration. It’s a peaceful, gentle
look at the world of farming that
encourages playfulness as much as
it does creativity, where danger is
an unknown concept and violence is
forbidden. If joy and happiness could
be bottled, then Harvest Moon could
become an even greater money-
making commodity.
Yasuhiro Wada, creator of Harvest
Moon and director of the series, first
became involved with the videogame
industry in Tokyo: “At the time, I
thought games would be the cutting
edge in entertainment, so I applied to
a job ad, and got hired!”
A keen games player in his youth,
in particular The Legend Of Zelda,
Wada takes considerable inspiration
from Nintendo’s output: “I wouldn’t
say there is always someone who
inspires me for each game, but as
a creator I have great respect for
176 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: HARVEST MOON
Will Wright and Shigeru Miyamoto. home, there’s always something to fairytale style it has to its appearance.
However, when I get set to come involve you, including the prospect of “I created this style while debating
up with game ideas, I make sure to love. “The original concept included with the designer,” explains Wada.
always take concepts from things that not just the farming element, but “I decided that I wanted to create a
aren’t related to games.” also the element of life simulation, world that was a mix of European
After spending years working on so romance and marriage was not alpine dairy land and a bizarre world
PC Engine games as a production something we could really leave like that of Akira Toriyama’s Dr
assistant, Wada would begin a out,” explains Wada. “In the concept Slump.” While huge elements of the
draft for Bokujo Monogatari (Ranch you could choose from several game’s style do get written down, the
Story) that originated from living
IN THE KNOW
partners, and if you fulfilled certain overall design comes about through
in the countryside. “I wanted to conditions you could get married an interchange of ideas: “We do
PUBLISHER: NATSUME make something that hadn’t existed and have a child. This was included indeed map out our ideas, but we
DEVELOPER: PACK IN VIDEO
before,” he says. “That was the in the concept from a very early have more documents than anything
source of my inspiration. At the time, stage in the development of the first like a blueprint. The designers and
PLATFORM: SNES
it seemed like games were all about Harvest Moon.” programmers
RELEASED: 1996
fighting or competition. So, I decided
to make a game without fighting and
While a
certain amount I decided to work from those
documents and
without competition.”
Farming, however, is just a small
part of Harvest Moon’s charm. You
of research went
into the factual
side of farming,
make a game exchange ideas.
Finally, we create
the final look of the
» [SNES] Fishing is a useful way to earn extra money while waiting for crops to grow.
SNES | 177
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» [Wii] Rune Factory Frontier on the Wii is a new change in direction for the
» [SNES] When you first get the farm, there is a lot of debris to sort through. series and is a fantastic addition to the franchise. » [SNES] Sound advice for courting the ladies. Regular gifts also help.
Give Us A Job
PAPERBOY TAPPER POSTMAN PAT TRASHMAN CRAZY TAXI
Have you ever fancied a paper Tom Cruise may have made Yes, the graphics haven’t aged well It’s a rubbish job, but someone’s Although there have been many
round but didn’t like the idea of bartending glamorous in Cocktail, and the handling isn’t as smooth got to do it! At least with this games available focused on the
the exercise or being exposed to but it sure isn’t easy. Serve the as we remember it, but there is Spectrum classic, an otherwise world of taxiing, it’s this Dreamcast
rainy weather? Then this is the beers to the punters before they something that’s still endearing smelly occupation can be enjoyed classic that keeps us coming
game for you. With hazards to get angry in this arcade classic, and about this game and the world of from your own home. Collect each back for more. Chaotic driving,
avoid, subscribers to deliver to, don’t forget to clear up the empties Postman Pat, and we have spent dustbin, then empty and replace taking short cuts and delivering
new customers to attract and when they have finished. If you’re many a happy hour delivering mail before time runs out, making sure customers to their destination
an obstacle course, can you last lucky, you may even earn yourself to the villagers. At least this mail to avoid dogs and kids, who are out is the most fun you can have in
all week? a nice tip. man won’t go on strike. to slow you down. charge of a speeding vehicle. Taxi!
178 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: HARVEST MOON
» [SNES] All crops need to be watered daily if they are to grow into vegetables.
finding old relics. The series’ change think it would last this long. My more original concepts due to
in direction is part of Wada’s plan to hunch is that there aren’t many other financial constraints.
prevent the quality of the gameplay games like it.” But with so many games
dipping. “Harvest Moon is the main
pillar of our business,” he affirms,
The videogame industry has
changed considerably since the early
currently available and even more
in the pipeline, where does Wada
Girl Power
“but if we relied too much on it there days of the Super Nintendo and feel the future lies? “The future WHEN HARVEST MOON became
more successful and it appealed
would be a chance that the quality is something that Wada has come lies in creating the ultimate social
to a wider audience, it became
would decline. These two titles to notice with regret: “Speaking simulation, something in which apparent that there was one area
came about from an idea to let some about the industry as a whole, just both beginners and veteran players that was lacking: the ability to be
important game creators make use too much has changed to list it can discover their own pleasure. In a female farmer. Natsume picked
of the Harvest Moon system, and all. Currently, the industry is split order to provide the most enjoyable up on this desire and started to
thereby achieve a balance between between a small number of very experience to as many players as release editions catering to this new
demographic. The most obvious
the creative and business aspects hardcore games, and an ocean of possible, there are many problems
ones include More Friends Of Mineral
while maintaining the quality of the too casual games. Anything in to overcome. From there, I would Town on the Game Boy Advance
series and spreading out releases.” between those extremes is going like to evolve the series little by little and Another Wonderful Life for the
Of all the Harvest Moon games to face difficulties in becoming over time.” And for the next project? GameCube, which were the originals
that exist, though, surely Wada has a successful. It’s the old problem of “I wish I could fill you in on all the remoulded so you could play as a
favourite? “I don’t have my heart set the chicken and the egg. I don’t know ideas I’m working on right now, but girl and have potential husbands.
Sadly, none of these titles were
on any one platform, but personally what caused this, but as time goes I really can’t tell you just yet,” he
released in Europe, and when the
I am most fond of Harvest Moon 64. on, I’ve seen many publishers merge answers cryptically. GameCube classic Magical Melody
I really love A Wonderful Life, and and small studios have become We are confident that regardless received a Wii conversion – the
more recently, Animal Parade, obsolete. As a result, it has become of what those ideas prove to be, original featured both sexes as
coming to Europe soon.” more difficult to get novel titles Harvest Moon will forever remain well as all possible partner choices
What is the secret to the series’ made, and the selection available proof of the fact that innocent, non- – the option to play as a female
success? “I don’t know,” admits the to players has shrunk. It’s a very violent and charming games have a farmer and all that entailed was
mysteriously removed. Both gender
creator. “Of course, I made it with the difficult situation.” It’s a sad fact place within an industry that seems choices have been re-introduced
hope that it would bring happiness that has greatly affected developer intent on filling itself with guns and in Tree Of Tranquility and the more
to many people, but I honestly didn’t Natsume, which has had to abandon destruction at every turn. recent DS titles.
SNES | 179
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
U.N. Squadron
Instant Expert Stuart Hunt invites you to buckle up, take aim, and
The game is known as Area 88
in Japan, and is based on a
manga series of the same name. take off into the danger zone with Capcom’s blistering
U.N. Squadron was directed by
Kihaji Okamoto, who designed
Forgotten Worlds, Three Wonders
war-based shooter U.N. Squadron. But before all that,
and Side Arms - Hyper Dyne.
Capcom released a sequel,
let’s begin with a lengthy mission briefing…
Carrier Air Wing, in 1990. Outside of
Japan it is known as US Navy. It’s n the Eighties, shoot- planes, it understandably looked a little of the first Japanese comic books to
famous for featuring a character ‘em-ups had dominated bit dull by comparison. receive a Western translation.
that resembles Sean Connery.
U.N. Squadron was ported to
the Spectrum, C64, Amstrad and
Amiga. These conversions were
I amusement arcades, and
a large proportion had a
science fiction theme. A
In 1989 though, Capcom released
a war shooter that oozed quality, epic
bosses and such high levels of graphic
The series’ faintly comic story told
the tale of a promising pilot named Shin
Kazama whose life takes an unfortunate
developed and published by U.S relationship that can be traced finesse that it was impossible not to turn. Enjoying his place as the top
Gold, except for the Amiga version, to Taito’s seminal 1978 smash take notice. Of course, Capcom already student in a prestigious flight school,
which was developed by Tiertex Space Invaders, subsequent iconic had one successful fleet of plane-based and dating the pretty daughter of a
Design Studios. arcade releases such as R-Type and shooters already on its books with its wealthy airline president, Shin’s world is
The Area 88 Manga series ran Gradius further helped enrich 19XX series. Debuting in 1984 with turned upside down after he is fooled
between 1979 and 1986 and was sci-fi’s prominence within the the game 1942, the vertical shooter by a jealous friend into signing up for
one of the first to receive English genre, and the two have remained became one of the developer’s most three years’ service at a mercenary air
translation. It was later adapted
close bedfellows ever since. popular arcade genres in the Eighties. force base known as Area 88. Deciding
into a video and anime series.
With hindsight, it comes as no It is understandable that Capcom felt it to work his socks off so that he can
There are a number of
surprise that many game designers could capture lightning twice. buy his way out of the contract, Shin
differences between the arcade
and SNES conversion – different saw sci-fi as such an attractive theme soon discovers that he is a natural
weapons and aircra and the to base their games around; it gave Capcom adds a little bit of fighter pilot. With his talents not going
removal of a two-player mode. their creativity carte blanche to go manga magic unnoticed by his bosses, Shin climbs
On the SNES the character wild. Want your bulbous spaceship Unquestionably helping U.N. the ranks inside the base, while a battle
Mickey Simon is renamed/ to do battle against something with Squadron’s popularity soar even of moral principles is sparked inside
misspelled ‘Mickey Scymon’. a robotic exoskeleton head and the further was the fact that it was based the pilot as he grows to despise all the
Ought to have really been body of an armadillo? In the realm of on a rather splendid manga series killing he’s forced to do, but understands
‘Skyman’, we think . sci-fi, anything is possible. Therefore, titled Area 88 (which is also U.N. that it might be his only ticket home.
The excellent sequel, Carrier Air when a more po-faced war-based Squadron’s Japanese title). Created The game adaptation takes the form
Wing, was never converted to any shooter came along that supplanted by the esteemed Kaoru Shintani, it is of a side-scrolling shoot-‘em-up that is
console or computer.
the spaceships for fighter planes and the Japanese mangaka’s most famous split into ten devilishly tricky stages. The
Bydo Empires with simply more fighter work, and is notable for being one underlining mission sees you trying to
180 | SNES
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: U.N. SQUADRON
Pixel Perfect The war machines of U.N. Squadron get shoved up your arsenal…
SNES | 181
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
U.N. Squadron
prevent a tyrannous organisation known
Critical as Project 4 from seizing control of
Area 88 – the last bastion for the good
Reception guys – and ultimately taking over the
world, or something along those lines.
You are giving the option to control one
What the gaming of three characters: Shin, Shin’s friend
press thought… US pilot Mickey Simon, and Greg Gates,
a Danish freelance pilot/Mario lookalike
who provides comic relief in the manga
series. Each pilot has a signature plane
with unique fire type. Shin’s F-20
Tigershark can only fire forward, as can
Mickey’s F-14 – though it fires bullets
at a slower rate that are larger in size –
while Greg’s A-10 Thunderbolt has the
slowest and weakest main fire of the
three planes but can simultaneously fire
at the ground at 45 degrees – extremely » [Arcade] U.N. Squadron was ace in two-player, making it all the more odd that the mode was omitted from the SNES version..
handy for wiping out ground targets.
money so you could splash out on the became a household name when it
Power-Up! more expensive armaments later. was converted to the Super Nintendo.
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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: U.N. SQUADRON
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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO…
U.N. Squadron
Enemy
Briefing
Stage 1 Stage 2
The Multi- Stealth bomber
rocket Launcher
Three pretty good words to The ‘invisible stealth bomber’, as you
best describe U.N. Squadron’s The first boss in the game is this can clearly see from this screenshot,
gargantuan missile launcher. It might isn’t actually invisible. In fact, given its
bosses are: monolithic huge size we’d argue that it’s bloody
look to be an imposing opening boss
mechanical monstrosities. but it’s actually quite easy to defeat. Not uber-visible. Anyway, this second stage
Dwarfing our heroes’ planes only does it hold its position at the far boss doesn’t pose too many headaches
by a considerable margin, if right of the screen but its only means – if you’re quick at taking it down, that
of attack are standard and homing is. You see all those things in the sky
Project 4’s armada of ships, rockets. Therefore this big blighter can that look like Chinese Lanterns? They’re
planes and fortresses isn’t filling be eradicated with some simple up-and- floating mines dropped into the sky by
up screen space – and basically down flying while holding down the the bomber, and collision with them
fire button. Hint: fly up when he’s firing is deadly. Therefore a good tactic is to
giving your plane very little initially concentrate on avoiding the
rockets, fly back down when he’s not.
room to manoeuvre – they’re mines rather than precision firing on
formidable forms stretching Difficulty rating: the target, but then immediately switch
tactic the second it starts to fire off
across several screens, requiring
indestructible missiles: basically at this
a combination of grit, patience point you want to take it out as quickly
and dextrous flying to defeat. as you can.
Here’s our guide to the ten
Difficulty rating:
enemy targets in the game.
Stage 3
Forest Fortress
Stage 5
This is the point at which the difficulty
of U.N. Squadron steps up a gear. The Bayson
boss of this stage takes the form of a The giant bomber Bayson is one of
huge enemy base armed to the teeth with trickiest bosses in U.N. Squadron. While
turrets that are in turn armed to the teeth its giant stature suggests it should be a
with rockets. The most annoying sections comfortable target, it proves anything
of the base are the two large laser-firing but a fly in the park, as its tail gun fires
turrets that bookend the weak spot of the an insane amount of bullets that prove
facility. To destroy the base you actually difficult to evade. Meanwhile, at the
flybys should provide you with enough
only need to take out the core. As soon same time it’s doing this, it occasionally
time to seal the deal.
as it appears on screen, hammer it with drops enemy fighters into the mix to
everything you’ve got. Two low-pass distract your attention. A good tactic is
Difficulty rating:
therefore to keep your distance from
Bayson so that you can give yourself
as much time as possible to react to its
exhausting attacks.
Difficulty rating:
Stage 4
Carrier
This target is basically just an aircraft
carrier, but with one interesting
difference: it travels on land rather than
sea. Yep, those crazy chaps at Project 4
have successful mated a tank with an
aircraft carrier, and the zany result is this.
It’s another one of U.N. Squadron’s long
bosses, and it attacks by letting off fighter
planes and missiles straight up in the air,
everything you’ve got at this and this
which are a bugger to dodge. In any case,
land-based supership will promptly sink
you must either dodge or shoot down
into a sandy grave.
its attacks until you reach the thing that
looks like a muscle car engine. Unleash
Difficulty rating:
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THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO: U.N. SQUADRON
Stage 6 Stage 7
Missile Launcher Bullhead
A very similar boss to the carrier that Oddly, despite its late appearance this
closes Stage 4, this missile carrier is actually one of the easiest bosses.
attacks in a similar manner, launching Bullhead is a freight plane escorted by
a combination of fighters and missiles two large fighters. Neither guard plane
in the air, but with the added danger is capable of taking a lot of damage,
that this time fighters will occasionally so a good trick is to keep pummelling
show up on the scene and drop napalm Bullhead with gunfire and missiles until
everywhere. As before, work your way his bodyguards arrive on the scene, and
towards the core found at the end of then turn your attention to them. Once
the launcher and keep firing at it until it the two fighters are destroyed, Bullhead
eventually gives up the ghost. is pretty easy to pick off.
Stage 8
Minks
An odd name for a battleship – it sounds
like a name you’d give a cat – but
nevertheless Minks is one of the best
Stage 9 boss fights in the game. To sink this
Arsenal huge and ridiculously named battleship
you have to take out all of the giant gun
As this screenshot shows quite ably, this turrets that are positioned on its deck.
boss pretty much chucks a barrage of This is no easy job, as Minks has plenty
enemy and gunfire your way. This tricky of turrets, plenty of secondary guns, and
target takes the form of a bunker that by for a second attempt. If you’re skilled
basically enjoys throwing an awful lot at
is protected by a giant telescopic tower enough you should be able to finish the
you at once, including kamikaze pilots. As
made up of eight mini-laser and rocket fight in two attempts.
with Stage 3, failure to destroy the targets
turrets. In addition to these, enemy in one fly pass will see your plane swing
fighters also enter the fray. As you don’t Difficulty rating:
need to destroy the individual cannons
to destroy the tower, our advice is to
simply fly as low to the bunker as you
possibly can (exactly as we’ve done in
the shot below), and concentrate on Stage 10
the bottom turrets. Most of the enemy Project 4 Fortress
fire directed at you will simply pass In what could be a possible homage to
overhead, with the exception of a few the third stage in R-Type, the final mission
kamikaze planes and bullets that can of U.N. Squadron is one big boss battle
easily be taken care of. against Project 4’s giant air frigate. The
fortress is absolutely massive in size.
Difficulty rating: As such, the majority of this battle is
taken up with avoiding gunfire, rockets
and lasers long enough to eventually
reach its only weak spot. When you’ve
reached this point, you must blast a way regenerating gun turrets that protect the
to the ship’s core, being careful to avoid core. Dextrous flying and steady nerves
the damaged debris that breaks free. are your only hope, though if you’ve
This is incredibly tricky, as you are given managed to get this far you’ve already
little room to manoeuvre when you’re proven you have what it takes.
inside the air vessel, and you have to
dodge a constant barrage of lasers and Difficulty rating:
SNES | 185
RETROREVIVAL
PUBLISHER: NINTENDO
RELEASED: 1992
GENRE: KART RACER
FEATURED HARDWARE: SNES
HISTORY
Do you remember
Mode 7 from back
in the day? Anyone
who owned a SNES
should, since it was
one of the hotter
gaming buzz-phrases
along with “16 mega-baps”, “parallax
groping” and “defibrillated joysticks.”
Well, depending on where you lived
that is. The above examples I’m
told were popular in Swedish SNES
magazines of the time.
Mode 7 wowed us with pseudo-
3D japery, but in reality it was little
more than a massive flat image being
rotated, panned and zoomed; close
up the imagery became a deranged
mass of blocky pixels – we can’t even
bring our eyes to look upon the original
Pilotwings anymore, for fear of sullying
our memories. But hark, oh fellow pad
junkies, for there are some Mode 7
games which can still captivate despite
their now archaic means of display.
The racing genre was well served
by Mode 7, with two excellent
examples. The first was F-Zero, a
futuristic racer which focused on driving
skill and straight-line racing, which is
regarded as a classic. It was minimalist
in design, uncluttered and refined,
but it lacked a two-player mode. Two
years later Nintendo released Super
Mario Kart, the complete (though
complimentary) antithesis to F-Zero; it
was the other side to the racing coin
and balanced things out nicely.
SMK featured more intense and
frenetic racing; it had short-cuts,
sudden speed-depleting crashes,
wild wacky weapons, and a roster of
Nintendo characters. It also kick-started
the hyper-cute, super-deformed,
karting-racer sub-genre, bringing it right
into the masses’ faces and making
them love it. The one-player mode
was excellent and provided a great
challenge, either through the standard
Grand Prix or Time Trial modes. But
the real draw for the game was its
two-player modes: Grand Prix co-
op, standard racing, or the ultimate
destroyer of friendships, BATTLE
MODE! How can anyone claim to
have been a SNES gamer if they’d
never experienced this magical rite of
passage? There’s nothing quite like
shooting a red shell into your best friend
in Battle Course 2, and then grabbing a
feather to jump into the nearby barriers
thereby protecting yourself from their
vengeful wrath.
186 | SNES
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t ri l o gy
Even now, the Super Star Wars games remain the Last Crusade into various European
languages on a variety of platforms.”
only movie trilogy to make it onto a single console. After building up and managing
LucasArts’ localisation department,
Mike Bevan speaks to director Kalani Streicher to and a brief programming stint on
Brian Moriarty’s Loom, Kalani finally
asked the question many working
discover the secrets of the epic platform saga at the company had been itching to
for years. Lucasfilm had previously
C
shied away from entering Star Wars
ast your mind back to a Sega, and a future benchmark for territory for its gaming releases,
time not so long ago when action games on the SNES. the nearest it had come being an
the Super Nintendo and “I started working at Lucasfilm abandoned attempt at a point-and-
Sega Mega Drive were the Games in 1988 as a designer/ click adventure from Hal Barwood,
game console kings, and a certain programmer,” recalls Kalani designer of Indiana Jones And The
Mr. Lucas had given us a mere Streicher, producer and lead Fate of Atlantis.
three instalments of his interstellar designer of the Super Star Wars “Lucasfilm was very focused
movie juggernaut; the bonafide sci-fi trilogy. “At the time they were trying on the PC platforms, such as the
classics Star Wars and The Empire to expand into the European markets IBM, Mac, Amiga and Atari ST,”
188 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: SUPER STAR WARS TRILOGY
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first-person perspective, and reference pictures of the actual
experience the different aspects movie models from the Lucas
they’d seen in the movies,” says Archives. Everybody on the team
Kalani. “You might say we were was a hardcore Star Wars fan. I was
the first to combine genres of side- also producing the X-Wing game at
scroller and third/first-person vehicle the same time, which added even
combat for the SNES. I didn’t want to more extensive research of every
utilise the vehicles in a side-scrolling spacecraft and ship in the game. I
or top-down fashion. I wanted the was heavily entrenched in getting
»[SNES] Moseying around Mos Eisley offered a whole lot of » [SNES] This ED-209-looking lumbering monstrosity guards » [SNES] Han attempts to escape the Carbonite freezing »[SNES] For Star Wars nerds, Boba Fett’s Slave 1 is pretty
shades of beige to enjoy. the Death Star hanger bay. chamber. Hasn’t he watched Empire’s ending? much the coolest boss in the game.
19 0 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: SUPER STAR WARS TRILOGY
level. We then did storyboards for progression, moving across a with the help of increased cartridge
the plot progression, cinematics and desert towards the mountains in the capacities. The series finale, Super
story panels. My concept and art distance. It was a fine balance of Return of the Jedi, was the largest;
lead Harrison Fong storyboarded a sprite usage for the terrain, enemy with its 16-Megabit cart it was
lot of them, which we then passed characters and distant parallaxing twice the size of the original Super
on to the team and converted it into of the mountain range. We had Star Wars. The desire to innovate
digital artwork.” to take that one step further with and improve was not without its
In the original Super Star Wars, the X-Wing level, flying across the share of technical stumbling blocks.
one of the early stand-out platform surface and then down the trench “We were constantly pushing the
DEVELOPER
HIGHLIGHTS
stages involves Luke making his way allowing the player to be able to SNES and adding as much content
to the top of a massive Sandcrawler move anywhere in space. And lastly as possible from the Star Wars
brimming with hostile turrets and yet integrating the Millenium Falcon universe from one game to another, MANIAC MANSION PICTURED
more pesky Jawas. “We did several took several iterations. It is such a challenging and trying to outdo SYSTEM: VARIOUS CONSOLES
iterations on the Sandcrawler and unique ship that we fairly quickly ran ourselves each time. In Super Empire AND COMPUTERS
wanted to make the player feel like out of sprites/tiles. We had to pull the most challenging parts were YEAR: 1987
they were climbing up a huge vehicle off every trick we had in the book of course the AT-AT /snowspeeder THE SECRET OF
and that the level was moving as for those sections.” One interesting levels and the Millennium Falcon. MONKEY ISLAND
SYSTEM: VARIOUS CONSOLES
you are jumping from platform to side note Kalani offers is that the These are iconic vehicles that AND COMPUTERS
platform, ”says Kalani. Later stages atmospheric platform section set needed to behave and feel like they YEAR: 1990
give players an opportunity to inside the Death Star nearly didn’t did in the movie. INDIANA JONES AND THE
control alternate heroes, such as make it into the finished game. “For the AT-AT sequence, using FATE OF ATLANTIS
Chewbacca in the Cantina stage, or “That level was difficult to pull off Mode 7 for such a big vehicle SYSTEM: PC DOS, MAC, AMIGA
YEAR: 1992
Han Solo taking on hordes of slightly and barely avoided the chopping was difficult. We were definitely
inept stormtroopers en route to the block,” he remembers. “I remember pushing the capabilities of the SNES XWING
SYSTEM: PC DOS, MAC
Falcon in Mos Eisley. A ride in Han’s contemplating many times cutting hardware. The cable release and YEAR: 1993
iconic galactic rustbucket, a daring it, but I am glad that we found a circling of the snowspeeder was
rescue, and a brush with a trash way to make it work and keep it in incredibly hard. We spent many
compacter later the famous Death the game.” long hours refining the gameplay to
Star run awaits you. “We knew from For the sequels, Lucasflim and make it work. And in Super Jedi the
the start that we had to have this Sculptured continued to refine their speeder bike scene and final flight
level, and this was the climax of the game engine, packing in ever more through the inside of the Death Star
game,” says Kalani of the famous content and visual advancements wasn’t easy. For the speeder bike
X-Wing sequence. “It had to live up
to the then-in-the-arcades Star Wars
game trench run. The SNES and its
Mode 7 feature were perfect for this
and allowed us to give the player an
incredible climactic moment.”
HEART-SToPPiNG MoMEN TS
Working with Mode 7 graphics SUPER STAR WARS SUPER EMPIRE SUPER RETURN
proved very much a mixture of STRIKES BACK OF THE JEDI
trial and error on Super Star Wars.
“It was our first attempt
to utilise Mode 7 in a
different way than other
games,” Kalani explains.
“The landspeeder stage
had to show
R2-D2 has been captured by Jawas, As the Empire attacks the Rebel base Mean, bad-tempered and certainly no
and Luke must battle to the top of an on Hoth, Luke grabs a snowspeeder oil-painting, the Rancor will leave you
enormous Sandcrawler, then through its and attempts to take down an incoming wondering if breaking into Jabba’s palace
dingy, hazardous innards to rescue him. battalion of giant AT-AT walkers. was such a good idea a er all.
From farm boy to starship pilot, young The climactic showdown high on the In the Millennium Falcon, Lando
Skywalker’s final challenge is the gantries of Bespin sees Luke having to Calrissian redeems himself with a daring
terrifying Death Star trench, and a face-off draw upon all his newly-acquired Jedi raid on the unfinished Death Star II in the
with Vader’s TIE Advanced. skills in order to defeat his old man. memorable finale of the saga.
SNES | 1 91
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chase the most difficult part was throughout these levels.” However,
creating believable trees moving these stages, along with some of the
past at high speeds. Because of more sprawling, hazard-filled levels
the difficulty I considered many and increasingly fearsome bosses
other design perspectives such as of both sequels, still attract criticism
isometric or top-down views, but over their degree of difficulty, despite
they never felt as dramatic as the the addition of level passcodes.
Mode 7 version.” “I get that a lot,” chuckles Kalani.
One gameplay aspect that was “These were difficult games.
greatly improved for both sequels We were aiming at the hardcore.
was the addition of RPG-style Everybody was a hardcore player
character development, with Luke back then! I definitely could not
gradually gaining a number of useful deliver such difficult games today. In
Force Powers including the ability hindsight, I would reduce the enemy
to heal, levitate, deflect attacks or damage by 10-20 per cent, make
even mind control enemies. The the player character able to absorb
downside is that powers can be only more damage, add more power-ups
be collected from certain locations and improve level design. Though I
in each game, meaning they can be wouldn’t want to make it too easy – it
easily missed by the not-so prudent has to be challenging. The player
Jedi. “Balancing the Force Powers needs to feel like they are earning the
wasn’t easy,” admits Kalani. “We Force. My excuse for the difficulty
had to anticipate players getting of those games in Yoda’s words is:
through a level with or without ‘You are not a Jedi yet. Much training » [SNES] A mysterious masked bounty hunter causes havoc in the halls of Jabba’s Palace…
them. For me it was an integral you will need!’”
part of character evolution and Overall, Kalani tells us that there
player progression (levelling up of a really isn’t that much he would
character) in adding Force Powers in change about his SNES gaming These were difficult games. We
Super Empire and Super Jedi.” trilogy in hindsight. “I’m very happy
For Super Empire Strikes back,
the initial platform stages on Hoth
how the games turned out,” he
admits. “We did an incredible job
were aiming at the hardcore. Everybody
added an extra dimension of
difficulty due to the slippy-slidey
getting this trilogy out back-to-back
each Christmas. There are a couple
was a hardcore player back then!
nature of the planet’s icy terrain. of elements I wish we could have the Super Star Wars trilogy and very
“This was our first attempt to add incorporated if we would have had pleased with its popularity. They
a ‘slippery’ factor to gameplay,” more time, such as all the levels, were my very first games and
Kalani comments. “It was difficult characters and bosses we had to cut we had such fun designing
to test because of the many ways to from the game – with each game we and developing them.”
slide into objects and assure proper built more levels than we actually RG thought it might be
collision. We also had to work hard shipped. I’d also make the games a fun to ask Kalani if, like us,
on making the tiling of ice pieces bit easier to play. I’m very fond of he had any favourites out
look organic and not too repetitive. of the many memorable
I enjoyed all the levels and am glad Star Wars moments found
we added Han Solo and Chewie across the trilogy. “There
are so many favourite
moments,” he replies. “A
WHAT THE
lot of them had to do with
gameplay as well as the
PRE SS SAiD
technical challenges they
presented. In Super Star
Wars my favourites are the
landspeeder and trench run
“THERE’S A MINI Star Wars revival on right levels. In Super Empire it’s
now, bringing with it lots of good things –
definitely the snowspeeder/
books, a fab comic, one brilliant PC game
(X-Wing ) and this, not only the best film game
AT-AT level. Who doesn’t
on the SNES, but a real contender for best of its
type on any system.”
SUPER STAR WARS IMPORT REVIEW,
SUPER PLAY, FEBRUARY 1993
19 2 | SNES
THE MAKING OF: SUPER STAR WARS TRILOGY
» [SNES] Super Empire Strikes Back puts you behind the want to take down and AT-AT? exciting. For the first time we could “Definitely, I’d be all over that
controls of the iconic Millennium Falcon for the first time.
That was incredibly difficult, but create and show what the sail-barge project,” Kalani enthuses. “It‘s the
we managed to pull it off. One looked like on the outside and game that catapulted LucasArts
of my favourite levels is also the inside. In addition, we were able into the console space and it can do
Carbonite Freezing Chamber playing to go up against a slew of bounty it again on the new platforms. I’ve
as Chewbacca. You had to keep hunters and strange creatures. And been trying to convince LucasArts
moving and were fighting jet you got to play Princess Leia with to recreate the Super Star Wars
troopers, stormtroopers with shields her chain weapon in a bikini! Then trilogy for tablets, handhelds or
and bombs, various bounty hunters of course there are the final levels Xbox Live Arcade/PSN. If given that
and the little pesky Ugnaughts. The flying the Falcon inside the Death opportunity I’d keep the essence of
Darth Vader levels were also a treat. Star. The climax of the entire trilogy the original, though reinvent and
It’s so emotional going up against racing to the core and back out in innovate the game with today’s
Vader no matter how pixelated he the nick of time blasting the Death gameplay mechanics, give it a
looked. By this time the player Star into a million pieces. Finally, visual facelift and, of course, pack it
had all of the different Forces the showdown with the Emperor with even more Star Wars goodies
accessible and Luke was at his was a fun level to design. The including additional environments,
most powerful. Jon Knowles, difficulty was in creating the scene characters, bosses and vehicles
my animation supervisor, did with the round window. It took a lot from the movie. I’d also add a
an awesome job animating of tiles to look right. And then giving mode where players can create
Darth with the limited the Emperor all of his lightning additional content to the game,
sprites we had available.” effect powers…” like LittleBigPlanet. Maybe readers
“In Super Jedi it’s Before his departure from could start petitioning LucasArts
definitely the Rancor. LucasArts earlier this year, Force for a new Super Star Wars series
It’s the biggest beast Unleashed producer Haden on the new platforms. I’m totally up
in the Star Wars Blackman stated that he would have for it, and it will be even better than
universe, and so loved to see a modern revival of the the original…”
satisfying when Super Star Wars series. We wonder
you take it down. if Kalani would
The sail-barge be game.
level was also SETTLE
A SCoRE
THE SUPERB RENDITION of the Star
Wars theme music featured on the
title screen of all three games in the
trilogy was a feature that surprised
Kalani as much as the rest of us. “We
had an incredible audio technician
on the team,” he says. “I remember
when I heard the Star Wars theme in
the game for the first time. I literally
said, ‘Oh myGod, how did he do this
and fit it on the SNES cartridge? It
sounds identical to the movie!’ It was
incredible to hear it in the game and
I was literally blown away. Hats off
to Paul Webb at Sculptured for his
dedication and passion in creating the
best movie music score on the SNES.
I still get comments today that the
Super Nintendo score is the best on
any console!”
SNES | 19 3
25
TOP
SimCity
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD
■ YEAR: 1991 ■ GENRE: STRATEGY
25
It may be primarily remembered as a PC franchise
but, with numerous changes and additions to this
console port, it’s little wonder so many of you cited it
as a SNES favourite. Developed by Nintendo EAD rather than
Maxis, this version has a distinct Japanese flavour and several beautiful
Nintendo twists – seeing Bowser stomp through the city is up there with
SNES
the greatest gaming moments. The team did a great job of making it
work with a controller rather than a mouse, too.
ActRaiser
■ DEVELOPER: QUINTET
■ YEAR: 1990 ■ GENRE: STRATEGY/ACTION
24
The beauty of ActRaiser is that it is effectively two
games in one. Half god game – albeit without any
direct religious references, thanks to Nintendo’s hard-
GAMES
line self-censorship of the time – half action game, all awesome.
While it’s true that neither part is a dedicated example of the
genres in question, it’s the unique fusion that makes this so
memorable. Putting town creation and management on hold to
go kick some ass is something that no other game can offer.
23
A surprisingly strong showing in support of this shooter sees
it make the list ahead of bona fide classics like Super Punch-
Out!, but you’ve gotta love the underdog. It’s an inventive mech
shooter that really makes you
feel like you’re in control of a
huge, complex piece of kit and
it still holds up brilliantly today.
The same can’t be said of the
budget PlayStation 2 remake,
sadly – our advice would be to
just stick with the original…
194 | SNES
TOP 25 SUPER NINTENDO GAMES
Zombies Ate My
Neighbours
■ DEVELOPER: LUCASARTS
■ YEAR: 1993 ■ GENRE: RUN-AND-GUN
22
There’s a lot to be said for this
B-movie shooter, so we’re not
overly surprised to see you come
out in numbers to support it. The recent
sad loss of LucasArts might have done
something to bolster its following, but it’s
certainly not ill-deserved – the humour,
style and tight gameplay are such that many Super Aleste
modern developers would kill to put their ■ DEVELOPER: COMPILE
name to something as polished and refined ■ YEAR: 1992 ■ GENRE: SHOOT-’EM-UP
as this.
20
Perhaps the original great co-op An excellent shooter, as evidenced
game, Zombies Ate My Neighbours lets by the fact that it managed to beat
protagonists Zeke and Julie use anything the likes of Super R-Type, Gradius III
they can find to hold off the zombie and UN Squadron. A rich and varied arsenal
apocalypse and secure the safety of the is what really makes Super Aleste stand
guys and gals that live down the street. out, each of the eight weapons offering six
But it’s not just zombies – variety here is different levels of power. Furthermore, each
exceptional and, over the course of the can be modified at the touch of a button,
game, you’ll find yourself gunning down adding reverse fire (or similar area coverage)
pretty much every B-movie cliché – from or changing properties to give options that can
giant ants to vampires and aliens. But it more or less cover every situation the game
doesn’t stop there, as the level with the throws at you. Like pretty much every shooter,
gigantic rampaging baby perfectly displays. there’s a problem in that death causes you
It keeps you guessing by constantly to respawn with virtually no firepower – but
changing things up – even though gameplay there’s a simple solution to that problem: just
changes little, that each stage can feel be better at the game. Solved.
entirely unique is amazing.
Said variety extends beyond simply
switching enemy sprites out for new ones,
too. It’s the weapons, an improvised arsenal EarthBound
comprising of everything from water pistols ■ DEVELOPER: APE/HAL LABORATORY
to rocket launchers. It’s the settings, myriad ■ YEAR: 1994 ■ GENRE: RPG
slices of suburbia pulled straight out of every
19
low-budget horror movie ever made. And it’s It may not have had a UK release, but
the characters – even the titular neighbours that seems to have had little impact
come in all shapes and forms, with each of on the popularity of this glorious RPG.
them worth a different amount of points if Perhaps offered a little more exposure thanks to
you can save them in time. Thankfully, you Ness’s appearance in Super Smash Bros, this
don’t need to rescue them all but, the more quirky little title can take pride of place in any
you manage to free, the better your score will collection – mint originals now change hands for
be. And just like most games in this genre, upwards of 500 quid. Why? It’s one of the few
that’s all that really matters. retro classics not to have seen a re-release in
any form, despite constant calls for it to come
to Virtual Console. Still, all that is set to change
Donkey Kong Country 2: now, as the cult RPG has finally been released
on Nintendo’s digital service. Let’s see if that
Diddy’s Kong Quest does anything to the insane price that original
copies currently go for…
■ DEVELOPER: RARE
■ YEAR: 1995 ■ GENRE: PLATFORMER
21
If you could all have just pulled together and decided amongst
yourselves which Donkey Kong Country game was best, it could
quite easily have made the top five. Instead, divided opinion
gives us two Kong games in this list, Rare’s platform sequel just missing
out on the top 20. Quite how DK came to be kidnapped in the first place
is a conversation for another time, though it’s clear that Diddy and Dixie
can handle themselves well enough without him. It was around this point
that Rare’s love affair with collectibles began, so those that have enjoyed
cleaning up and finding everything in the likes of Banjo-Kazooie and Star
Fox Adventures would do well to recognise where it all started.
SNES | 195
Super Tennis Donkey Kong Country
■ DEVELOPER: TOKYO SHOSEKI
■ DEVELOPER: RARE
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1991 ■ GENRE: SPORTS
■ YEAR: 1994 ■ GENRE: PLATFORMER
15
17
Poor old Retro. As
Early titles are always going to live much as it tried its best
large in the hearts of fans – they’re the to recapture the magic of the
ones that get the most play while you’re originals, in essence it’s just
waiting for the next big game, after all. We can not the same – the music, the
all but assume that’s why this 1991 title earned a design and the well judged
spot on this list, although we’d struggle to point level of difficulty were all
to an earlier multiplayer sports game that we nailed the first time around. A
got so much enjoyment out of. Making tennis stunning effort by Rare.
quick and fun was a masterstroke, though even
the points that dragged on proved to be hugely
enjoyable – that’s why we saw the same arcade Chrono Trigger
template applied to Smash Court Tennis and, ■ DEVELOPER: SQUARE
later, Virtua Tennis. We’re all for simulation but, ■ YEAR: 1995 ■ GENRE: RPG
14
when it comes to a quick sporting thrill, we’d As if this time-hopping
Super Mario All-Stars struggle to name many better games than this
beauty. It sure as hell beats leaping around the
RPG classic wasn’t
going to make this list. As if.
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD lounge with a remote in your hand, that’s for sure. Any game that stars a noble
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1993 ■ GENRE: PLATFORMER frog warrior is one that we
fully support, so we’ll take
18
A compilation and console bundle title it may be, but far any excuse we can get to
be it from that to exclude this collection of timeless games celebrate this wonderful action-RPG from
from your list. Sporting enhanced versions of the three NES Square’s archives.
Mario titles as well as super-tough variant The Lost Levels – famously
Super Mario Bros 2 in Japan, while we received a massively modified
version of Doki Doki Panic – this is pretty much platforming heaven.
Star Fox
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD/ARGONAUT
Any one of the collected games would be worthy of a spot on this
SOFTWARE ■ YEAR: 1993
list alone, so the combination of all four is pretty much a shoo-in. You
■ GENRE: SHOOT-’EM-UP
could buy a console and get by for months just on the single bundled
game, which is not something that can be said of any console since.
Later versions also included Super Mario World, which you can safely
13 This is more than
deserving of recognition
for its introduction of useless
expect to read more about in the coming pages. Just a guess.
gaming baggage Slippy Toad
alone. It’s just a shame that
its pioneering 3D visuals will
Super Bomberman forever take a back seat due
to the ‘do a barrel roll’ meme it spawned.
■ DEVELOPER: HUDSON SOFT
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1993 ■ GENRE: ACTION
Final Fantasy VI
16
Again, Bomberman would be
■ DEVELOPER: SQUARE
higher on this list if it weren’t for the
■ YEAR: 1994 ■ GENRE: RPG
12
fact that gamers had no less than
Picking just one of
five different kinds of Super to consider in
Square’s 16-bit Final
this case. Ignoring the fact that the console
Fantasy games is a near-
had just two controller ports, Konami
impossible choice, so well
elected to use an adorable multi-tap to allow
done for settling on this one.
for showdowns on a scale never before
Echoes of FFVI can be felt in
seen on console. Later games introduced
every canon game since, and
more elements tailored to accommodate
its Uematsu soundtrack is enough to secure
multiplayer massacres and, to be frank, we’d
it a place on this rundown alone.
probably rather have seen one of these make
the list than the simple original. However,
there’s a lot to be said for getting there first, F-Zero
and for all of you who voted for any of the ■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD
superb sequels you can at least find solace ■ YEAR: 1990 ■ GENRE: RACING
in the fact that the little bobble-headed
murderer managed to get onto the list at all. 11 Racing games are
boring? Yeah, nice try.
A futuristic setting and
And we’re glad he did – there are few better
tests of pure gaming skill than a Bomberman amazing 3D visuals made
face-off. Quite how this franchise wound up this an unforgettable
entertaining kart racers and sports games experience for everyone
we’ll never know – it remains one of the best who played it, though it’s
and purest multiplayer experiences in the saddening that we haven’t
entirety of gaming. seen a new version since the exceptional
GX on GameCube.
196 | SNES
Secret Of Mana
■ DEVELOPER: SQUARE
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1993 ■ GENRE: ACTION-RPG
Super Castlevania IV
9
The music, the bosses, the sheer variety… There had to be at least one Square RPG in the top ten and, with
this is the stuff of legend and its reverence so many failing to get European releases, it stands to reason that
■ DEVELOPER: KONAMI is far from ill-deserved. Action-platforming this should be the one to make the cut. Three-player co-op was a
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1991 ■ GENRE: PLATFORMER with a gothic slant, you could walk for miles unique selling point but, even without that, Secret Of Mana would still
and not find anyone who has gotten past hold up brilliantly. This action-RPG managed to tick every box, from
10
Ask most people which is their the second level – Dark Souls and its ilk a unique leveling system to a great cast of characters that could be
favourite Castlevania and, more may claim to have created the hardcore tailored to your own whim. Despite several sequels, this remains the
often than not, you’ll hear Symphony sector, but we know better. Castlevania was best game in the series – the PlayStation sequel has its fans, but their
Of The Night. While the PlayStation game there first. And if you can claim to have numbers are feeble compared to those who would back the original.
is a spectacular display of genre-straddling finished this, that’s something that counts To this day, we’ve yet to see a truly great Mana follow-up and, while
RPG action, there’s a hardcore arcade purity for a lot on your gaming CV – arcade coin- it’s unlikely that we’ll see one in this play-safe environment, it’d be a
to Super Castlevania IV that gives it the edge. munchers have nothing on this beast. retro insta-win if Square announced a new Mana game tomorrow.
7
Anyone that throws their hardcore weight around based on recent
accomplishments like finishing Dark Souls or Super Meat Boy would do well to pop
back in time and give this monster a go. Whatever you choose to call it, this is pretty
much the epitome of hardcore – dudes be coming from everywhere, and all
of them will kill you in a single hit. Contra had lost its way recently until
Hard Corps brought it back – it’s rare that a sequel nails exactly
what was so good about the original but that’s what Arc
managed to do. The original still presents an awesome
challenge and one that anyone can be proud to have
conquered. Pretty much the ultimate run-and-gun game,
Pilotwings Contra III exists to kick the ass of anyone who tries to
play it. As you probably know. If not, give it a shot today
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD and don’t even vaguely expect to win.
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1990 ■ GENRE: FLIGHT SIMULATION
8
Tech demos seem to be the order of the day lately, with
the likes of Wii Sports and Kinect Adventures capturing
the imaginations of millions. But this beat all of them to the
punch, a showcase for the unknown power of the SNES and an
early glimpse at the magic of 3D. Few could have imagined that
a flight game would be the one to show off what the SNES was
truly capable of, but that’s precisely what Pilotwings did. Three-
dimensional gaming wouldn’t become the norm until years later,
but we can’t forget who planted that seed – few did it better either,
to be fair. In terms of offering a unique experience, few titles can
rub shoulders with Pilotwings. Even the N64 and 3DS updates
never really managed to recapture the magic of the original, fun as
they may be.
SNES | 197
Super Metroid
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO R&D1/INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1994 ■ GENRE: ACTION/
ADVENTURE
5
Few games have laid out their stalls quite so
well as this. Super Metroid basically doesn’t
say a word, but it doesn’t need to. If anything,
that’s the joy of it – the mystery is what keeps you
playing and, even when you know what you’re
doing, this is not an easy world to explore. Setting
the template for an entire sub-genre, this can
happily claim to be one of the most influential games ever made. The recent Virtual Console Wii U
re-release has given us such greats as ‘Y can’t Metroid crawl’, cementing it as one of the great work-
Super Mario World 2: it-out-as-you-go-along games out there…
Yoshi’s Island
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD
■ YEAR RELEASED: 1995 ■ GENRE: PLATFORMER Super Mario Kart
■ DEVELOPER: NINTENDO EAD
6
We have to be honest – we thought this classic platformer ■ YEAR RELEASED: 1992 ■ GENRE: RACER
would come in a little higher. But with Super Mario World
4
stealing the majority of the vote, we guess it Another obvious choice, although it’d take
was a ‘one or the other’ mindset in most cases. a real Blue Shell enthusiast (there’s no such
Either way, this dino-themed sequel performed thing) to claim that Mario Kart was a fair way
admirably and, while we wouldn’t want to have to to settle disputes. Still, few would argue that this
make a pitch as to which was the better game, the wasn’t one of the great multiplayer games of our
egg-tossing love this game has received pretty time, especially in the age before the game-breaking
much does that for us. Platform games don’t Blue Shell came into play. Multiplayer rivalries can
come much better than this, especially when they still be settled with this tried and tested method, although many cite more recent games – Double
don’t involve the bugs or bandicoots that have come to Dash, MK7 and even the Wii version – as the best. There’s no right answer... well, okay, there is. And
define the genre. it’s not Mario Kart 64.
3
If you owned a SNES and had a second
2
controller, chances are you doubled up for Arguments will rage until the end of time as to which of Link’s adventures is the best
the opportunity to show your mates what a (ironically, it’s definitely not Link’s Adventure) but it’s this seminal title and Ocarina Of Time that
Dragon Punch or a Flash Kick was. Street Fighter most often find themselves tussling for the top spot. While the 3D debut was unquestionably a
was the go-to competitive game at the time and, masterpiece, it likely wouldn’t have existed at all had it not been for this beautiful and surprisingly open
while we’ve since learned to play on stick, that RPG – it might have offered slightly more direction than the NES original but it still managed to feel like
wasn’t really an option back then. Capcom did an you were lost in a strange world with only your wits (well, those and whatever tools you could loot from
incredible job of bringing the arcade experience dungeons) to rely on. The reveal of the Dark World ranks up there with the best gaming surprises of all time.
home – there are few better coin-op conversions Eat your heart out, Kojima…
than this one and it was this kind of perfect
port that made your friends with a Mega Drive
incredibly jealous.
198 | SNES
TOP 25 SUPER NINTENDO GAMES
1
Nintendo’s mascot was always going to be a from having one big map that really makes this feel like
clear favourite to claim the top spot on this list, an epic journey, and one where the route – and even
but the landslide took even those of us expecting the destination – aren’t always clear. Find a hidden exit
a moustachioed number one by surprise. Mario to a stage and you can find yourself branching out into
didn’t just walk this list – he grabbed a Cape areas far more difficult than you’re used to. But, with so
Feather and flew over the top of the whole damn thing. many routes on offer, there’s no shame in returning to
With Super Mario World appearing as a pack-in with the beaten path in order to hurry along your journey to
many console bundles, this would have been the first Bowser’s castle.
experience of 16-bit gaming for many people. And what Then, there’s the way that each of the power-ups
a way to start – it’d be like your first taste of meat being changes how you approach and traverse each stage.
What Makes It a huge T-bone steak, or your first car after passing your A cape will let you soar up to hidden cloud platforms
So Super test being a Ferrari. This is seen by many as being as if you can get the speed up to get lift in the first place,
close as we’ve come to platforming perfection and, while a fire flower lets you muscle your way past many
truth be told, we’re in no position to argue. We still play obstacles. There are even a few situational pickups
Hidden Exits Super Mario World regularly to this day and we’re still (such as the one that turns Mario into a balloon) to use
discovering new tricks and secrets hidden away in the and abuse, though it’s definitely the trusty mushroom
If you’ve got the right power-
many, many stages. that will see the most use. You can even keep one of
up and an explorer’s spirit,
There’s so much to talk about in celebration of Super these back in reserve – useful if you know you’ll need
there are loads of secret ways
Mario World that it’s difficult to know where to begin. it later in a tricky level and don’t want to risk losing it
to end levels prematurely.
But, we’ll start as is logical – with pretty much the first along the way.
Doing so can open up new
thing you see when starting up the game. The map Whether or not there’s such a thing as a perfect
paths that let you speed
structure isn’t entirely new, with Super Mario Bros 3 game is an argument that will never be won. Whether
across the world map, as Star
pulling much the same stunt albeit broken down by or not Super Mario World is the closest thing we’ve
Road fans will know
level. But, it’s the improved sense of scale that comes seen to one, though? That’s not even up for debate.
Perfect Design
Dino Might Variety counts for a lot,
though it’s the fact that
Yoshi eggs are hidden away in
there’s no weak link that
many of the blocks scattered
proves the most amazing.
around Mario World, and
Whether swimming,
unleashing the beast is always
soaring, riding or climbing,
a joy. Not only does he offer
Super Mario World never so
you an extra hit, there are also
much as misses a beat
certain areas that you simply
can’t reach without him
Star Power
Soaring above the
world is Star Road, a set
of super-tough stages with
secret exits on every one. If
you know where to find the
lot, you can finish the entire
game in less than
ten minutes Endless
Replayability
So many exits, so many
routes, so many tiny little
secrets to find… there’s just
so much to this game that,
as we said, we’re still finding
new power-ups and hidden
areas to this day. As close to
the perfect platformer as you
can get, basically
SNES | 199
The Collector ’s Guide
200 | SNES
SUPER
THE COLLECTOR'S GUIDE: SUPER NINTENDO
» Manufacturer: Nintendo » Models: Super Nintendo/Super Famicom » Launched: 1990 » Country of Origin: Japan
WHY IT’S COLLECTABLE just experienced a very hard-edged and ugly selection sporadic release schedule shortly followed and reared
of consoles (such as the NES and Master System), its ugly head. A large chunk of the rarest PAL releases
Growing up in the Nineties wasn’t easy. From an the arrival of an alluring curved console bundled with a originated from a single country, leaving frustrated
early age, many gamers found themselves thrown comfortable control pad was too good to dismiss. gamers and collectors today trawling countless top-
into the epicentre of a digital war between two Where collecting is concerned, a large majority level domain variations of eBay. Of these rarities, X
Japanese forces to be reckoned with. of the SNES catalogue has seen a considerable rise Zone (Scandinavia), Whirlo (Spain), Cool World (Spain),
Sega and Nintendo’s conflict controlled the in value over the last few years from an influx of Sonic Blast Man (Spain) Space Invaders (Australia)
playgrounds and workplace, Sonic against Mario. The nostalgia-hungry gamers. But, surely these financial and Super Chase HQ (Australia) tend to be the most
battle continues today, as the mention of the Super skirmishes taking place on auction sites are just sought after by 16-bit collectors around the world.
Nintendo versus the Sega Mega Drive has collectors as prominent for the Super Nintendo’s 16-bit rival? Although Nintendo had a wide range of
raising their control pads with pride. Luckily, the Sega Mega Drive fans are much safer multinational gamers, their hard work and dedication
Despite hosting fewer games than Sega’s 16-bit from this barrage of collectors due to one conclusive continued to ensure each Super Nintendo owner
offering, the SNES hosts a wealth of blockbuster hits reason. Up until the Nintendo Gamecube, every game within Europe was catered for. Many releases were
amongst its huge library of over 500 known European branded with the Official Nintendo Seal was released adjusted to better suit their target audiences – changes
releases. With the likes of Super Mario World, within a flimsy cardboard box. With so few mint which often included alternate artwork, varying
F-Zero and Pilotwings available from day one, shortly condition boxed games available (in comparison to the language options and occasionally ‘classic’ re-releases.
followed by Super Mario Kart, Mega Man X and The near indestructible hard-cased Mega Drive games), Although this level of consideration sounds fantastic,
Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past, it is no wonder they are highly sought after, as collectors challenge those aiming to collect SNES variants face countless
that it has continued to captivate gamers to present each other to replicate that brand new feeling again. headaches due to the sheer volume of releases out
day. However, it wasn’t just about the high quality As time passed by and Mario’s newest home began there. Super Mario World is an extreme example of
software available. Given that the gaming world had to build up an incredible momentum within Europe, a this, given its seventeen variants.
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Complications aside, the Japanese and American of covering games and Japanese culture. As it bootlegs found their way underneath the counter of
release lists offered a much larger library of games, focused mainly on imported titles months before their less honest shops, the pirates had another device at
yet there was still a selection of prominent European European release, a new wave of gamers were born the ready to potentially make the expensive cartridge
releases which have gamers from across the pond unhappy with what their home country could offer. medium a thing of the past. Given that a large majority
intrigued. The most notable is the timeless Japanese These disgruntled fans were often found excusing of early cartridges could fit onto a single floppy disk,
RPG Terranigma, which for some untold reason themselves as they happily paid premium prices to get a disk drive was placed inside a Super Nintendo
saw a European localisation, yet nothing for gamers their latest gaming hit way ahead of schedule. Whilst compatible device known as the Super Wild Card.
stateside. Auction snipers worldwide sit in wait for these purchases could often be expensive gambles, Capable of backing up and loading cartridges from
each and every time it surfaces, sadly driving the price many of these investments have paid off, as gamers disk, this revolutionary and attractive piece of kit made
up. Whirlo, The Firemen and Super Bomberman 3 obtained classics such as Earthbound, Final Fantasy III stealing games all too easy. While there are more
are other good examples of this, as European gamers (VI ) and Chrono Trigger which never arrived in Europe. modern alternatives to this hardware, the Super Wild
often struggle to hold onto their hidden treasures. However, what they were unable to see at the time is Card range and various other similar devices still get
One of the more interesting aspects to note during how many of these exclusive imports would eventually snapped up rather quickly due to their elusive nature.
the 16-bit era, was how easy import games were fetch three figure sums, as they do today. Offering countless games spanning multiple
to acquire. While the price tags within magazine With such an enticement from abroad, often limited regions and an array of diverse accessories, the Super
adverts suggested that early arrivals of Japanese and by how far our distressed wallets could be stretched, Nintendo is by far one of the most desirable consoles
American software were probably worth being patient Super Nintendo fans were left questioning how they to collect. Although the deep end of collecting is
for, there was one publication which almost justified could enjoy the wealth of cartridges without skipping quickly requiring a well padded wallet to bask in,
these financial kidnappings. Simply known as Super meals. Quite naturally, the black market was well both gamers and collectors can take pleasure in the
Play, it is often referred to as the greatest gaming aware of this fact and began to envision various ways knowledge that the majority of the Super Nintendo’s
magazine of all time, due to its perfect combination to profiteer from the 16-bit juggernaut. While very few classic titles can still be had at a reasonable price.
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The Collector ’s Guide
THE PERIPHERALS
» The Super Wild Card’s floppy disc
port made backing-up games a doddle.
But most people weren’t just ‘backing-
up’ their games…
SUPER WILD CARD simplistic menu appeared on screen with the option to
either back-up or load a game from the disk currently
onto another blank disk for the next well-equipped
pirate gamer.
With cartridges breaking the upper limits of inserted. Titles exceeding the capacity of a single disk, With newer games starting to exceed the capacity
£59.99 in the Nineties, SNES owners often found such as the massive 48 Mbit Tales Of Phantasia, were of a single disk, loading often became cumbersome.
themselves limited to how many games they can broken down into multiple files often spanning a range On the rear side of the Super Wild Card was a
afford. While this did make game rental services of disks. Once the entire contents of these backups solution – a parallel port. With the right software
a profitable business, the more savvy gamers had been loaded into memory, the chosen backup available, gamers could send ROM files via a PC
amongst us looked for other solutions. would load instantly, replicating the true cartridge through a parallel port cable, in which the cartridge
Piracy and cartridge copiers were no stranger to experience flawlessly. copier would begin to write to memory and execute
the games industry. Nintendo had already embraced Unfortunately for Nintendo, the entire process of the game upon completion. This quicker method
the illegitimate series of ‘Game Doctors’ for the backing up a Super Nintendo cartridge onto a disk was was then bettered once more with the arrival of the
Famicom, which ironically used the Famicom Disk all too easy. Given that all you needed to duplicate a newer and more expensive Super Wild Card DX2, a
System’s proprietary medium of unique disks to create game was a minimum of one disk and the cartridge unit which allowed its disk drive to be swapped for a
counterfeit software. The SNES equivalent, however, to copy from, swashbuckling gamers made the most CD-ROM drive.
used a more accessible method, which effectively of Blockbuster’s game rental service by spending No matter which way you looked at it, the countless
made those expensive cartridges a non-issue. evenings ‘renting’ the selection of new releases. features made the Super Wild Card a rather inviting,
The Super Wild Card released by Front Far East To make matters worse for the Nintendo, the disks although dishonest device. That said, these devices
was amongst the many different flavours of backup written by the Super Wild Card were readable by any deserve our thanks as they are the main reason why
devices which began to surface. Within each unit lay home computer with a disk drive installed. On each the entire Super Nintendo library has been archived
a floppy disk drive capable of reading and writing to a disk was a single ROM file (or single file broken up for future generations to come, in what we more
range of 3½-inch disk formats. Once powered up, a over multiple disks), which could be quickly copied commonly know as ROMs.
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06. Super
Nintendo Mouse
06 ■ Arriving bundled with the novelty
graphic soware package, Mario Paint,
the compatibility of the SNES Mouse was
07
oen overlooked. Capable of working with
over 50 games, the SNES Mouse offered
gamers much more precision for the likes
of Sim City and Lemmings 2: The Tribes.
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The Collector ’s Guide
TOP GAMES TO PLAY
Super Mario Kart Starwing/Star Fox
■ Was there ever any doubt that this manic ■ Utilising the powerful Super FX chip
multiplayer racer would make the list? The Star Fox was arguably one of the most
near-perfect kart racer still remains the groundbreaking releases during the Super
pinnacle of the series to this day, and has Nintendo’s lifespan, proving 3D was easily
spawned an abundance of clones. done in 16-bit.
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Chrono Trigger Magical Pop’n The King of DoReMi Fantasy: Ogre Battle:
■ Squareso unquestionably defined ■ In what appears to be a light-hearted Demons (Majyuuou) Milon’s DokiDoki Adventure March of the Black Queen
the JRPG genre in the Nineties with side-scrolling adventure, Magical ■ Oen referred to as ‘Castlevania with ■ The top contender for the most ■ Although many will argue Final
their vast selection of epic adventures. Pop’n lures gamers in with its cute a gun’, The King of Demons (Majyuuou) sickeningly cute visuals is surely Fantasy Tactics defined the turn-
Chrono Trigger was no different, visuals shortly before unleashing an is yet another addition to the list of this, Hudson So’s platformer is the based tactical RPG, Ogre Battle
presenting itself as one of the best unforgettable challenge. Aer rising to hidden gems on the SNES. Featuring perfect remedy for those gloomy has many gameplay hooks which
releases of the decade. If the storyline cult hidden-gem status, this Japanese detailed landscapes and character days. Having never le Japan, the Squareso’s later release owes
wasn’t enough to convince you, the exclusive release developed by sprites, the 1995 action game by KSS highly desirable and enjoyable DoReMi inspiration to. While commanding
visuals of Dragon Quest and Dragon Polestar has seen endless competition leaves many gamers wondering why it Fantasy has seen an incredible rise in high price-tags today, Atlus recently
Ball Z artist Akira Toriyama would. for ownership on eBay. missed out on an a PAL release. value over the last few years. re-released the game on the PSP.
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The Collector ’s Guide
TOP RAREST PAL GAMES
X Zone Cool World
■ Hailing from Scandinavia, this incredibly ■ Arriving on the Super Nintendo as a
rare Nordic exclusive was one of the few tie-in for the (highly forgettable) movie of
releases to make use of the under-loved the same name, the Spanish exclusive of
and under-used Super Scope light gun (or Cool World flopped even harder than the
should that be light bazooka?) disappointing feature film.
Daze Before Christmas Operation Logic Bomb Space Invaders Super Chase HQ Hungry Dinosaurs
■ Rumoured to have only been ■ Arriving as a sequel to the Game ■ Despite being a runaway hit in ■ Adding the prefix of ‘Super’ to the ■ There’s always a handful of games
sold during Christmas of 1994, this Boy top-down shooter Fortified Zone, countless 1978 arcades, the PAL name of an older game wasn’t always on any console that just don’t click with
seasonal platformer unsurprisingly the German release of Operation Logic Super Nintendo-port of Space a promise of enhanced gameplay and gamers, Hungry Dinosaurs being one
remains to be one of the tougher Bomb was a shallow game offering Invaders was only released in limited visuals. Taito took their much-loved of them. Arriving as a two-player hybrid
Super Nintendo titles to locate. Given nothing but pretty visuals. Like many quantities throughout Australia. While arcade hit Chase HQ and sculpted an of Othello and Snake, this incredibly dull
its limited holiday shelf-life and lack of Jaleco releases for the SNES, Operation the game remains a timeless classic, unplayable mess featuring a new in-car stone age-themed release sold poorly
re-playability, this festive release sold Logic Bomb comes with a rather Taito did very little with the arcade port view. With such poor review scores, following a very negative reception from
in very low numbers similar to the impressive rarity as collectors attempt to make it stand out against the wide Super Chase HQ remained on the both gaming publications and gamers
Mega Drive game of the same name. to locate the failed shooter. range of engaging SNES games. shelves, becoming a future rarity. themselves.
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The Collector ’s Guide
THE SUPER NINTENDO GAMES YOU NEED TO OWN
Kirby’s Fun Pack
ACME Animation Factory
Kirby’s Ghost Trap
ActRaiser
Knights Of The Round
ActRaiser 2
Legend
Addams Family Values
The Legend Of The Mystical Ninja
The Addams Family
The Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past
The Addams Family: Pugsley’s Scavenger Hunt
Lemmings
The Adventures Of Batman & Robin
Lemmings 2: The Tribes
The Adventures Of Mighty Max
Lethal Enforcers
Aero The Acro-Bat
Mega Man X Loony Toons Basketball
Aero The Acro-Bat 2
The Lost Vikings
Aguri Suzuki F-1 Super Driving
Desert Strike: Return To The Gulf The Lost Vikings II: Norse By Norsewest
Aladdin (Disney’s)
Dino City Lufia
Alien Vs. Predator
Donald In Maui Mallard Magic Sword
Alien 3
Donkey Kong Country The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse
All-American Championship Football
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest Mario Paint
Animaniacs
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong’s Double Trouble! Marko’s Magic Football
Another World
Double Dragon V: The Shadow Falls Marvel Super Heroes In War Of The Games
Ardy Lightfoot
Dragon Ball Z Mega Man 7
Arkanoid
Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension
Astérix
Dragon Ball Z: La Légende SAIEN
Astérix & Obélix
Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Menace
Axelay
Earth Defence Force
Batman Returns
Earthworm Jim
BattleClash
Earthworm Jim 2
Battletoads In Battlemaniacs
Equinox
Beauty & The Beast (Disney’s)
F-Zero
Beethoven: The Ultimate Canine Caper
Family Dog
BioMetal
Fatal Fury 2
BlackHawk
Final Fight Pilotwings
The Blues Brothers
Final Fight 2
Boxing Legends Of The Ring
Final Fight 3 Mega Man X
Brawl Brothers: Rival Turf! 2
The Firemen Mega Man X2
Breath Of Fire II
Flashback Mega Man X3
Bubsy II
Foreman For Real Metal Combat: Falcon’s Revenge
Cannon Fodder
Ghoul Patrol Mickey Mania
Captain Commando
Gods Micro Machines 2: Turbo Tournament
Casper
Goof Troop (Disney’s) Mohawk & Headphone Jack
Castlevania: Vampire’s Kiss
GP-1 Mortal Kombat II
Chuck Rock
Hagane: The Final Conflict Mr Do!
Congo’s Caper
Harvest Moon Ms Pac-Man
Cool Spot
The Humans NBA Jam: Tournament Edition
Cool World
Hungry Dinosaurs Ninjawarriors: The New Generation
Cybernator
Hyper V-Ball On The Ball
Darius Twin
HyperZone Operation: Logic Bomb
Daze Before Christmas
Illusion Of Time Oscar
The Death And Return Of Superman
Incantation Out To Lunch (Pierre Le Chef Is)
Demon’s Crest
Indiana Jones’ Greatest Adventures Pac-Attack
International Sensible Soccer: World Champions: Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures
Limited Edition Featuring World Cup Teams Parodius
International Superstar Soccer Deluxe Phalanx
International Tennis Tour Pilotwings
Jack Nicklaus Golf Pink Goes To Hollywood
Jimmy Connors Pro Tennis Tour Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja Plok
Joe & Mac Pocky & Rocky
Kid Klown In Crazy Chase Pocky & Rocky 2
Killer Instinct Pop’n Twin Bee
King Of Dragons Pop’n Twin Bee: Rainbow Bell Adventures
Cannon Fodder Kirby’s Dream Course Power Drive
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* Rarity guide courtesy of Head to www.retrocollect.com for more information SNES | 211
Everything you need to know
about Sega’s 16-bit masterpiece
& Nintendo’s game changer
SuperNES
The
From the
makers of " historZ oG Mario • Mode classics • 6nmissaCle RP(s
MegaDrive
The