Archonedd's Zone

Title: F-Zero GX / エフゼロジーエックス

Developer/Publisher: Nintendo / Sega / Amusement Vision / Digital Media Lab Inc.

Release date: 25 July 2003

Catalogue Code: DOL-GFZJ-JPN

Genre: Futuristic 3D Arcade Racing

No, your eyes are not deceiving you. It may say Nintendo on the case, but did you know the game was actually programmed by Sega? Some of the team behind Shenmue and Daytona USA 2001 would also make this, alongside some other Game Cube classics like Super Monkey Ball 1 & 2 and Virtua Striker 3 ver.2002.

Sega really took what was already a perfect racing game (F-Zero X on the N64, including the N64DD Expansion Kit) and flipped it on its head.

Before there was GX, the best racing game in my life was the Wipeout series (and yes, I did play Wipeout and Wipeout XL on the Saturn). And then GX exploded into my life, and I felt the definition of fast was changed. It really feels as if they assigned Sonic the Hedgehog, Miles "Tails" Prower and Knuckles the Echidna to the director's chair and have them rework F-Zero X into what we have here while addicted to "fast" and "like a whirlwind".

The first thing that you notice, before the racing even starts, is the wacky costumes of the racers and the individual backstory and personality that they are given. Then, you will notice the plethora of colors that they can each use, and the funny and amusing animations that they do while you choose those colors.

And lastly, you'll notice the speed. This game is fast. I mean the Sonic definition of "fast". There's a lack of words for how fast this game is. It is the type of racing game to get your blood pumping, your adrenaline running, and force you to have a cigarette after it's all done and said.

That's before you even get into the wonderful customizable aspects of the game, where you can build your own F-Zero machine (up to four in one memory card). The graphics during the race are spectacular, although you will need to be a spectator to really appreciate it. As a racer, you'll be too busy keeping track of the other racers, the turns of the track, and where the super-boosts are coming from.

This game is a game for speed junkies and those who have amazing reflexes. For the rest of us, find a friend who is good at it, and just sit back and enjoy the ride. Even as a bystander, this game is wonderful. In other words, Sega/Amusement Vision has created what may well be the perfect Game Cube title. With its amazingly complex racing model, even experienced gamers are in for a substantial learning curve, and newcomers to the series will be in for quite a shock. Visually stunning and a total blast to play, F-Zero GX is a racing game that no Game Cube owner should be without. It's almost hard to believe that this carries the Nintendo label. While the F-Zero series is all but dead and gone (with the exception of F-Zero 99 on the Nintendo Switch), I argue that this was the working bones to what we know as the Sonic Riders series.

Title: Sonic World Adventure / ソニック ワールドアドベンチャー

Developer/Publisher: Sega (Sonic Team) / Dimps Corporation / Xeed Inc.

Release date: 18 December 2008

Catalogue Code: RVL-RSVJ-JPN

Genre: 3D Action Adventure

I know Sonic Unleashed was also released on the Playstation 2 in certain territories, but Japan did not receive it. That being said, it is actually going to surprise your mind to know that the first version of Sonic Unleashed that Japan got was actually the Wii version. The Wii version cuts out the Savannah Citadel and Skyscraper Scamper levels as well as the Tornado Defense minigame. There are no open-world hubs to explore either, and this Wii version does not use the Hedgehog Engine. Sure it may say Sonic Unleashed (or Sonic World Adventure) and may feature a majority of the content from the PS3 and XBOX 360 versions, but with this many cuts.... I'm not sure. In its favour, unlike both Secret Rings and Black Knight, Unleashed for Wii not only supports the Wiimote and Nunchuk, but also supports the Wii Classic Controller as well as the Game Cube Controller for those seeking the classic gaming experience.

Title: World Cup 98 France / ワールドカップ ’９８フランス ～Ｒｏａｄ ｔｏ Ｗｉｎ～

Developer/Publisher: Sega

Release date: 11 June 1998

Catalogue No.: GS-9196

Genre: Soccer (Football)

Well, well, what do we have here? Is it Victory Goal ’98, or maybe Victory Goal International Edition, or wait, could it be Victory Goal Worldwide Edition? Oh no, sorry, my mistake, it’s World Cup France ’98. It seems that Sega tried to pull an Electronic Arts in Japan by releasing the same game with only minor changes. Yes, World Cup France ’98 is just the same as the aforementioned games except for the fact that it contains a France ’98 theme. Even has the same guy from Victory Goal International doing the front-end speech.

On a side-note, the Worldwide Soccer games for the Sega Dreamcast were only released in Europe.

Title: Sega Worldwide Soccer 98 / セガ ワールドワイドサッカー’９８

Developer/Publisher: Sega CS1 / SIMS Co. Ltd.

Release date: 5 March 1998

Catalogue No.: GS-9187

Genre: Soccer (Football) / Online Multiplayer (XBAND)

Yet another football game for the Saturn that looks quite like the Victory Goal series. This is, in fact, a lot better than the Victory Goal series, though I'm pretty sure that the same team is responsible for this game. SWWS also features some of the best commentary on a football game of its time by well-known British commentators. So how does SWWS play? Hmm, well I'm no football expert, but I can tell you that this is a fun game. The AI seems to be where you want it most of the time, and the goalkeepers are pretty good too, making it quite a challenge to score, unlike some other football games out there.

There are many different modes of play on offer to keep the single player happy for months. These include Friendly Match, World Wide Cup, Cup Tournament, Penalty Shoot-Out, Club Exhibition, Club League, and Player Edit.

If you must have a football game on your Saturn, then this is the one. Forget that utter shite known as FIFA Soccer, and while you're at it, you may as well forget every other E.A. Sports game, too.

Title: Danshaku / 弾爵 -ダンシャク-

Developer: Shin'en Multimedia GmbH.

Publisher: Majesco Entertainment Company / Taito

Release date: 26 January 2006

Catalogue Code: NTR-ANSJ-JPN

Genre: Vertical Shooter

Shin'en is a German video game studio who made it big during their debut with Iridion 3D back when it was a launch title for the Game Boy Advance in western markets. To put it nicely, Danshaku for the DS or Nanostray as it's called in the west is a vertical shooter in the Raiden mold. Okay..... part Raiden, part Ray Storm. Even with the touch screen, there's not a lot new here, but it's definitely an engaging addition to the DS family.

Clearing stages in the story mode unlocks stages in the challenge mode, extending Nanostray's replay value. Even the music has a catchy, electronic flavor reminiscent of an old 16-bit title. If there's one thing to critique, it may be the touch screen functionality, which seems a bit contrived. It's used to switch between your four weapon types, but this functionality would have been better served with the shoulder buttons (to cycle through them). For a game like this, you have to judge it for what it is. And if you enjoy shooting games with an old-school flair, Nanostray delivers the goods.

Title: Media ROMancer Daisuke Asakura / ｍｅｄｉａＲＯＭａｎｃｅｒ [メディアロマンサー] 浅倉大介

Developer/Publisher: BMG Funhouse Co. Ltd.

Release date: 1 March 1996

Catalogue No.: T-25001G

Genre: Music Entertainment

This is an extremely piss poor disc. It's a media disc of the Japanese Synth star from the late 80's and early 90's, Daisuke Asakura. The disc isn't poor because of who's on it, although that's down to personal taste. The disc is poor because it is just so badly made. The video quality is last and in tinny boxes. Audio is sampled at a low rate. The video clips on the discography have no audio on them and only last for a few seconds. The mini games are shite, the pictures in the gallery section are really crappy low resolution shots and everything takes ages to load. This is the worst media disc I've seen on the Saturn so far. It does come with a pull out book though. Oh yippy doo.

Title: Sonic Adventure Deluxe / ソニックアドベンチャー DX [デラックス]

Developer/Publisher: Sega (Sonic Team)

Release date: 19 June 2003

Catalogue Code: DOL-GASJ-JPN

Genre: 3D Action

The Game Cube edition of Sonic Adventure, aka Sonic Adventure DX Director's Cut in western territories is rather special. The game has seen a graphical overhaul across every texture, and comes with some new features.

Mission Mode: The Mission mode is a new mode that presents various challenges to the player. When a character's story has been cleared, that character than then be used in this mode. To start a mission, the player must find mission cards located all around the Adventure Fields and interact with one, displaying a hint. It is up to the player to figure out the mission's location based on its hint, which can be inside an Adventure Field or an Action Stage, then complete the mission's objective, such as collecting certain items or by bringing the Burger Shop statue to a specific location. Multiple missions can be active at any given point. There are a total of 60 missions in the game, and all of them are character-specific, encouraging the player to clear every character's story and explore the Adventure Fields with different characters. At any time, the player can track their mission progress via the pause menu. When all of the missions have been cleared, they can all be replayed at the player's leisure.

Game Gear Games: The Mini Game Collection, accessible from the main menu, houses all 12 Game Gear Sonic games as unlockables awarded after collecting 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 110, 120 and 130 Emblems and completing 20, 40 and 60 missions. This also marks the first time Sonic Drift and Tails' Skypatrol were officially released in North America and Europe.

Metal Sonic: When all 130 Emblems have been collected, Metal Sonic will be unlocked as a playable character for use in Trial mode. Here, Metal Sonic simply serves as a skin swap for Sonic, as he can access every Action Stage normally visited by Sonic and has all of the same abilities. No Emblems are awarded for clearing Action Stages as Metal Sonic, but progress is still tracked.

Title: Dairantou Smash Brothers DX / 大乱闘スマッシュブラザーズDX

Developer/Publisher: Nintendo / HAL Laboratory Inc.

Release date: 21 November 2001

Catalogue Code: DOL-GALJ-JPN

Genre: 2D Competitive Fighting

Before the Smash Bros series went absolutely crazy with crossovers featuring third-party characters like Sora, Mega Man, Sonic etc., back when 3D was the norm, Masahiro Sakurai was given the task to create a flagship ensemble fighting game to showcase Nintendo's A-game in the video game industry, hence Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo 64. Smash became a worldwide phenomenon, and so a sequel was to be expected, and it is the Game Cube that would do the honors.

Highly detailed graphics and beautiful use of texture will surely make your jaw drop! The opening movie alone will leave you gasping for air. This game is so much more graphically advanced than its predecessor. Every bit of possible detail is here, from the rivets on Zelda's dress to the drawing on Link's Hyrulian Shield.

The levels are also lush in detail and colours. The backgrounds are very real and look 3D. On most levels, the background comes to life and interacts with your battle. Remember how in the Star Fox level in the original SSB, Slippy and Falco would sometimes come by and shoot at you? Well, there is plenty of stuff like that in most of the levels.

Now this is where the game truly shines. 1-Player is the same except for a new Adventure mode, which is very fun. But Multiplayer is where this game's gameplay comes from. All the old characters are more advanced and updated with cool new moves! There are so many new characters, also, much better and cooler than the secret characters for SSB.

The customization in this game is unbelievable! Lots of new items, levels, and characters make this game an endless bliss of replay value! Duking it out with your friends or the computer(which you can set its difficulty), is the greatest part. The multiplayer in this game is one of the best in any other game that I have seen.

One of my personal favourites is the Home Run option. You gotta hit this Sandbag as far as possible in a very limited time. It gets very fun as you try to get it farther and farther!

Collecting coins is also a big part of this game. After every battle and victory, you collect a certain amount of coins once you are done. With the Lottery option, you get trophies depending on how many coins you wager. There are over 300 trophies, and they can be bought through the Lottery, found in the 1-Player, or unlocked. They don't really do anything. The mini-games will keep you playing if you are tired of multiplayer(which I can't see being possible).