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PEGI: Moonwalker throwing a magical hat into Virtual Console

by JC Fletcher { Nov 9th 2009 at 12:45PM }

Somehow, Sega has done the impossible: reacquired Michael Jackson's likeness rights for a digital re-release of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. At least, that appears to be the case, because the game has been re-rated by PEGI for release on Virtual Console. To give you an idea of the ridiculousness of that feat, Q? Entertainment has yet to release its PSP game Lumines for download on the same system because it has yet to acquire a license for digital release of its music.

We don't know if this will be the Genesis version or the very different arcade game -- or even, we suppose, the Master System port of the Genesis game. We're contacting Sega for those and other details. Right after we catch a shooting star and turn into robotic, missile-firing versions of ourselves. Ow!

[Via Nintendo Life, image by Orioto]

Sega lighters set on fire what Nintendon't

by JC Fletcher { Oct 23rd 2009 at 9:42AM }

Now that there's a lighter in the shape of a Sega Saturn, we think Segata Sanshiro would insist that people start smoking. Through November 6, retailer Net-You is accepting pre-orders on these beautiful Sega Hard Memorial Zippo Lighters made by Banpresto, which feature the likenesses of the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Saturn, for ¥10,500 (roughly $115) each.

That's quite a bit more than you'd pay for the real systems in Akihabara, but, then, the real systems can't get your "just light the bag" charcoal started. Now is time to the 68000 cigarette on fire!

[Via Andriasang]

PlaySega without having to PaySega

by JC Fletcher { Oct 12th 2009 at 10:00PM }

Sega's casual games portal PlaySega has just added Genesis classics to its lineup. If, like us, your attention has yet to turn to the browser-based service since its December launch, now would be a good time to check it out.

N-Europe reports that you can access a free 10-day trial of the paid "VIP" service now, which allows you to play, in addition to the collection of free games, those that are normally behind a pay wall -- like all the Genesis games, including Sonic the Hedgehog, which also includes (get ready to freak out) a level editor.

If you like the service and then sign up for a three-month ($14.95) subscription, Sega will send you one of the Saturn-style USB controllers seen here. Just don't sign up for the controller and forget you've subscribed, or you'll end up paying a lot more than you wanted to.

FireCore console pre-loaded with Genesis games, plays carts

by Justin McElroy { Sep 22nd 2009 at 4:29PM }

We don't do usually cover plug-and-play consoles, but this one was too cool to pass up. While Innex and AtGames' Firecore Classic Console is pre-loaded with 30 Genesis games like Sonic and Knuckles and Ecco the Dolphin, it can also play all your old Genesis carts. We're not sure where all it's available, though you can find it on Buy.com right now for $50. The console also supports wireless Firecore gamepads, though you'll have to buy them separately, and newly developed "Truecolor" games.

Innex is also releasing a very cool portable system with 20 Genesis games playable on a 2.4-inch LCD screen. You can get a look at it right after the break.

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Welcome back to the next level: how to play Genesis games today

by JC Fletcher { Aug 14th 2009 at 6:30PM }

The best way to observe today's Genniversary, of course, is to play some Genesis games. Sega has done a quite thorough job of making sure even the Genesis-deprived among you can do so without having to resort to eBay or a used game shop. In fact, in addition to several excellently well-stocked disc compilations, there are even multiple digital options -- so you could start playing right now without leaving the house at all.

After the break, we've rounded up options for buying and playing Genesis games on modern systems. You'll be playing Sonic sooner than -- what's something really fast?

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Sega wants your vote for the next Genesis XBLA game

by Richard Mitchell { Aug 14th 2009 at 6:00PM }

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Genesis, Sega is asking you, The Internet, to pick the next Genesis game to arrive on Xbox Live Arcade. It doesn't look like an easy choice either, as the list of candidates has some of the console's best games. All told, you can cast your vote for:

Earthworm Jim
Streets of Rage
Golden Axe II
Toejam & Earl
Shining Force
Revenge of Shinobi
Wonderboy in Monster World

Sega is accepting votes until August 21, so head over to genesispoll.com and vote. We'd be remiss not to mention that all of these games are available on Virtual Console already, but XBLA is guaranteed to add a few extra features, like game saving, Achievements and online multiplayer. Keep that in mind when casting your vote.

Joystiq remembers the Sega Genesis

by JC Fletcher { Aug 14th 2009 at 12:30PM }

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the North American release of the Sega Genesis. To welcome the Genesis to the next level ... of its life, several Joystiq writers have revisited the Enchanted Castles of our memories to share a favorite anecdote about the beloved console -- which altered our lives as drastically as it altered beasts.

Truxt - on past the break for a blast (processing) to the past, and then let us know what set your 68000 heart on fire in the comments. And if you don't have any Genesis stories in your life, go make some! You'd be surprised at just how good the old Sonic games are. Like, so good they aren't terrible.

[Image credit]

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Trophies: Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 23rd 2008 at 7:42PM }

You'll be going through a lot of classic 16-bit games to get the Trophies for this compilation title.

View Trophy List | Visit Trophy Portal

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Virtually Overlooked: Strider

by JC Fletcher { Dec 11th 2008 at 8:20PM }

I never questioned what was going on in Strider. I just took it at face value. A ninja hang-glides into some kind of futuristic Moscow, fighting guards, soldiers, and robots. Later he travels to Siberia and fights a giant robot gorilla. Of course, back in those days, not only did games not have to make sense, they usually didn't. I was so used to stuff like Kabuki Quantum Fighter (about a kabuki actor who lives inside a computer and attacks with his hair) that Strider didn't even register with me as weird. But hey, it's pretty weird!

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Koei strategy pair rated by ESRB

by Chris Greenhough { Nov 27th 2008 at 6:00PM }

The ESRB has rated a pair of Koei games that aren't Dynasty Warriors for release on the Virtual Console. Both are historical strategic RPGs, though with very different settings. The first, Nobunaga's Ambition (top screens above), tasks players with conquering feudal Japan, while Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is based more on life at sea, and lets you indulge in sailing, trading, and even piracy.

We assume these are the NES versions, though could be wrong -- there were versions of each on the Genesis and SNES. Considering a boxed of copy of either goes for about $20 or $25 on eBay, we could be in for a bargain when these appear.

Sega announces 'Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection,' includes 40 titles

by Alexander Sliwinski { Nov 6th 2008 at 2:00PM }

Don't let the name fool you, Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection is actually a compilation disc of 40 varied titles from the glory days of Sega. The $30 bundle for Xbox 360 and PS3 releases in "spring 2009" and outputs in 720p.

As long as developer Backbone Entertainment keeps the quality high, this is looking like a must-have compilation for fans. [Until Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection PLUS. - Ed.]

Update: Added full list of revealed games after the break. Apparently more will be announced at a later date.

Source - Sega's press release
Source - Sega's game details page

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Virtually Overlooked: Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis)

by JC Fletcher { Oct 9th 2008 at 8:00PM }

The latest character to be added to the roster of Konami's questionable Castlevania: Judgment is Eric Lecarde, who appears in IGA's 3D fighter/brawler/potential abomination in the form of a little girl -- at least, that's what seems to be the intention with Takeshi Obata's character design. Eric has made few appearances in Castlevania, especially compared to his Judgment cohorts Simon, Alucard, and, of course, Dracula. He appeared in Portrait of Ruin as a gruff ghost who helped the vampire hunters by standing in one room and doling out quests.

To Judgment players, he may just be some guy with a spear, but his history of being just some guy with a spear dates back to 1994, when he appeared as the spear guy in the Genesis exclusive Castlevania: Bloodlines.

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Mario Golf, Shining Force II swing their armaments on Virtual Console

by Ross Miller { Oct 6th 2008 at 2:30PM }

What's better than playing golf with your favorite Nintendo characters in the comfort of your own imagination? Wielding a sword and playing a character named "Bowie," of course!

Mario Golf (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points): Arguably the best in the Mario Golf series and certainly one of the cheapest. It just makes us wonder why Nintendo hasn't slapped together its cast of characters into a Wii golf game yet.
Shining Force II (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): You've got a sword in a fantasy medieval setting that rewards you for swinging said blade at others. Also, did we mention your main character is named Bowie?

To jog your memory, we've embedded videos of each title after the break.

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VC Friday: Thursday edition [Update 1]

by Chris Greenhough { Oct 2nd 2008 at 6:38PM }

And the Nintendo of Europe site leaks another morsel of info! Not long ago, news of Nintendo selling music appeared in our RSS feed weeks early, only to lead to a dead link after it was hastily pulled by Nintendo. And now another slippage has occurred, with Nintendo accidentally revealing (what we suspect are the contents of) tomorrow's PAL Virtual Console update: Earthworm Jim and Shining Force II.

Once again, the news appears in our RSS feed (as seen here) while the story itself has been yanked from Ninty's site. All being well then, tomorrow's VC update for Europe and Australia should read something like this:

Earthworm Jim -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points
Shining Force II: The Ancient Seal -- Mega Drive -- 800 Wii Points

These aren't set in stone yet, so we'll label this as a rumor, but it looks likely. Also: "Hurray!" for both of these.

Update: And it's confirmed: those are your titles for this week, PAL people! [Thanks, Lanceh!]

Vectorman dodges balls on Virtual Console today

by Ross Miller { Sep 22nd 2008 at 12:10PM }

A pseudo-classic Genesis sidescroller debuts on Virtual Console today, as well as an NES sports favorite ... but really, you're playing Mega Man 9 right now. We know. You're not even reading this, are you?

Super Dodge Ball (NES, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points): Without adding too much innuendo, the gameplay is pretty self-explanatory. You dodge balls.
Vectorman (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): While he never became as popular as Mega Man, this robot fought without a torso, and best of all, could shoot upwards.