Introducing the Sega Network

By now you may have noticed a little logo on the sidebar of most of the Junkyard blogs as well as at Sega Memories and SEGAbits. That little logo is for the Sega Network, a new convenient way for visitors of any of our fine blogs to click from one blog to another. It's like the "web ring" of old, but better because it's a "network". As a bonus, postings found at the Junkyards and at Memories will occasionally be seen at SEGAbits, a larger Sega community site that caters to all things new and current.

As mentioned, some Junkyards are not listed in the network yet but I'm working on contacting the others to hopefully get them on board. I'm talking about you Sega Master System Junkyard and Sega CD Junkyard!

In handheld Sega news, check out a write up from Gagaman about the Sega games found on Tiger's abysmal R-Zone. Read the article here, or better yet click the link to Sega Memories in the sidebar!

Revenge of VGNY

THE NOMAD ON-THE-GO

Last year I chronicled a trip to New York, specifically the video game motherload that is Video Games New York. Well warm weather has returned and so another trip to New York seemed in order! While the trip consisted of a number of non-gaming related activities (I'll save you from stories of glowing lobster heads), I'll just detail the the video game moments. Unless you'd like to see a glowing lobster head.

Last time I visited the shop, I was overwhelmed by the amount of games. Literally shelves and shelves devoted to each console! Opened games were out in the open, while hundreds of sealed games sat behind glass. The last time I had seen that many sealed Dreamcast and Saturn games in one place was GameStop in 2001. Still, I had a sneaking suspicion that the reason why so many games go unsold is because of another factor. I ruled out ghosts and assumed the games were marked up to insane prices. After checking the tags, I was mostly correct.

VGNY is great, don't get me wrong, but the prices were and still are selectively insane. I can understand why a sealed 'Capcom vs. SNK" is priced at $60, but do they really have to charge $10 for used copies of NFL2k when they clearly have over two dozen of them? For the most part, $10 is the lowest used price, even for the crappiest of crappy games. A disc-only copy of the first 'Tony Hawk' might be $7, but that's as low as they'll get. So forget about picking up 'Razor Freestyle Scooter' for a few bucks as a laugh.

Having this knowledge of inflated prices, I came prepared with a list of games that I had my eyes on as well as the average ebay prices for said games. That way, if I were to spot 'Stupid Invaders' for $25, I'd know that on ebay it can be found for $30 and I'd be making a wise choice to pick it up at VGNY. Unfortunately, I didn't encounter anything from my list at VGNY that I couldn't get for a half to three quarters of the price on ebay.

Fortunately, and this is the HUGE positive I have about VGNY, there is always a treasure to be found. Something that slipped through the cracks and avoided a crazy price. Last year I snagged 'Illbleed' and 'Floigan Bros', this year I found a PAL copy of 'Headhunter' for $25 and the XBOX version of 'Sonic Riders' for $9.

While I didn't leave VGNY with the pirate's bounty I was hoping for, I did leave knowing I was a smart shopper. Not as cool as a pirate though...

'Sonic the Hedgehog 2' Plops Onto the iPod

Not to be confused with 'Sonic Advance 2'

Like 'Sonic 1', 'Sonic 2' is now available on the iPod for download. Unfortunately, early impressions sound as though it is the same emulation that was found on all other Genesis ports. That isn't to say the release is awful, it's just "alright". Minor to substantial framerate drops have been said to occur, and the controls can be tricky in later levels. The price, $5.99, is too steep when you consider an excellent full featured port on the XBOX costs a dollar less at $5.

Check out the gameplay video courtesy of TouchArcade:



Must I end every Genesis port article with "of course, you could always play a Nomad"?

New Sega iPod Releases - Sonic 2 and Soc- er, Football!

Just when things looked bad for Sega retro releases on the iPod, a glimmer of hope appeared in the announcement of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for the iPod, iPad and iPod Touch (for the sake of this posting and the future I'll just say "iPod"). The game isn't out until later this week or next, yet Appolicious has already scored the game a 5/5. Perhaps Sega has fixed their so-so emulation methods? Images and video have yet to be released, but I'm certain they will look the same as the Sonic 1 screens.


With Sonic 1 and 2 hitting the iPod, could it only be a matter of time before we see Sonic 3 & Knuckles? The rumor of Sonic 4 coming to the iPod just got more valid.

In other Sega mobile news, Sega's popular Football Manager 2010 has quietly debuted on the iPod and user reviews are largely positive. I myself am no sports game fan, especially when it's a sports management sim, but I am very happy to see Sega releasing another quality iPod title. Could this be a part of their new mobile strategy?*

*To not release crap?

Here are a few screens:



It's no SimAnt, but I'm sure it has its fans.

The iPad Debuts with Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition

Yeah, yeah. So the iPad can do a lot of things. Mapping, web browsing, etc. All those features are great, but they pale in comparison to Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition! The game is essentially the already released Super Monkey Ball 2 for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but in a higher resolution and with a few new exclusive features. PCWorld breaks down what iPad owners can expect in this upgraded version:

Now Sakura Edition comes to the iPad with even better graphics, four new mini-games (one of which is an iPad exclusive), and ten exclusive new levels. The four new mini-games include old favorites like Monkey Bowling, Monkey Target, Monkey Golf, and the iPad exclusive multiplayer mini-game Monkey Base. Monkey Base allows four players on the same iPad to launch orbs at each other as each player tries to be the last one standing. The ten iPad exclusive levels are from the Far East World and Other Ocean Interactive boasts that they are some of the most visually stunning to date.

Want to see it in action? Check out this video review:

Nomad LCD Mod in Action!

Back in December I wrote about an awesome Nomad mod which upgraded both the screen and battery to modern day quality. Now it looks as though that same genius had posted a YouTube video of his mods in action. Watch and weep:



To double the awesome, he offers to do the mod for others (at a price of course). While $70 is a bit much for an upgraded screen, I'm sure there are Nomad fans out there would would love crystal clear gameplay.

Again, great job jonjandran!

Sega Genesis Ultimate Collection Canned

And Sega is reevaluating their iPhone strategy. Pocketgamer.co.uk has the full story:

Announced as a free app from which you could download classic games like Sonic The Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, and Golden Axe, Sega Genesis Ultimate Collection has been slated for release before the end of February. Well, February came and went without the game appearing on the store, let alone any word from Sega. Despite enthusiasm for the concept, Sega has decided to pull the plug on the in-app purchase anthology. The decision had less to do with the actual game and more with general struggles the company wants to remedy in its general iPhone and iPod touch gaming strategy. In short, Sega is completely re-evaluating its approach to iPhone games, and this just wasn't a part of that picture. Before the tears start to roll, this is actually great news. Kudos to Sega for making quality a priority and working to deliver better games to the iPhone community. I know I speak for a lot of us in saying that I'd love to see well-made Sega games hit the device.

In my opinion this is good news. Sega has, for the most part, done very well with their iPhone releases such as the solid Super Monkey Ball 2 and the feature-packed Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games. However, the Genesis ports were dodgy and did need a reworking. Perhaps the rumored Sonic 4 iPhone release led Sega to rethink placing a killer app beside dodgy ports of Sonic 1-3.

Of course, Genesis gaming on-the-go is not dead due to this announcement, remember we'll always have the Nomad!

Get it? 'Cuz the Nomad is like the God of mobile gaming?

Super 32X 15th Anniversary Album

As no other Junkyard blog covers the 32X, I thought I'd take it under my wing and occasionaly post about it here. When you think about it, the Nomad Junkyard is the perfect fit for the 32X; both the Nomad and the 32X were made primarily for the North American market and both sold poorly.

It looks as though Sega has not completely forgotten about the little mushroom (or Genesis tumor as some see it as), as Sega and Wave Master will be releasing an album to celebrate the 32X's 15th birthday. The 3 disc set will include tunes from Space Harrier, Virtua Fighter, Virtua Racing Deluxe, code Pallas and Metal Head. You can view the full track listing and more details here. Like the 32X, the album will cost a pretty penny: $40 retail in Japan and probably much much more as an import.

Now where is the Nomad's birthday album?

Goodbye to Virtual iPod Touch Pads?

While not really Sega related, the proposed GameBone from 22Moo could help in ridding Sega fans of those pesky touch screen controls.

While I'm all for the iPod touch screen, I have to admit that I really dislike how classic games are hurt thanks to so-so touch d-pads and buttons. While games like Golden Axe play well, faster more sensitive games like Sonic the Hedgehog suffer from virtualpaditus.

22Moo is currently working with Apple to get their device approved, and if all goes well we may very well see developers like Sega implementing an option to play games the old fashioned way.

Check out the GameBone's specs:
• Styling to compliment iPod/iPhone with optimized design for ergonomics and comfort
• 2000mAh Lithium-ion Battery for additional power for your iPod touch / iPhone*
• LED showing charging state and capacity
• 8-way D-Pad with 6 buttons
• Built-in Stereo speakers
• Highly sensitive omni directional Mic
• 3.5mm audio headphone jack
• Apple authentication IC + "Made for iPod" and "Works for iPhone" certification**

I could definitely see Sonic 4 playing very well with the help of GameBone.

Sonic Classic Collection Gets a Trailer

You'd think with the VAST library of Sonic tunes they could have picked a song that wasn't stock game trailer rock music.

Classic Sonic Hits the DS, iPhone Genesis Emulator is MIA

It has been a big two weeks for Sonic fans! Not only has the excellent Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing hit nearly every platform, but Sonic Classic Collection has hit the Ninetendo DS in America. The collection arrives in Europe and Australia on the 12th of this month. Check out some footage below, it looks quite solid!



In other portable Genesis release news, February and passed and the promised Sega's Ultimate Genesis emulator for the iPhone is nowhere to be seen. Sega promised that the app would be free to download and would include Space Harrier II. Additional games would be available to purchase within the app, allowing for a one stop app for all Genesis games. Hopefully March will be kinder to iPhone owners.

Sega of America Says "Great job!" to the Nomad Junkyard

Is it possible to get YouTube comments framed?

And if that wasn't enough, they even made an official blog posting about it! The video also hit SoA's Twitter and Facebook and several other gaming blogs. Whee! :D

A Game Boy Advance SP Enters the 'Yard

While out shopping today, I stopped into the local game store to see what dented up, sticker covered used games I could find. While I usually stick to the PS2 and Xbox sections, I was drawn to the Game Boy Advance shelf. I've always considered buying a Game Boy Advance, especially when Sega went third party and released a slew of Sonic games for the system. But due to college and my already rather large Sega console collection, the Game Boy Advance took a back seat.

Well lucky me! Today Segata was looking kindly upon me, for behind the glass of the Game Boy Advance case was a copy of Jet Grind Radio for the low low price of $2.99. Just above JGR was Chu Chu Rocket for $3.99 and just above that was a sign advertising used GBA SP systems for $20. Well, I'd have to be a cold hearted Sega fan to not rescue the GG's and the Chu Chu's! So $30 later I left with a Nintendo system in hand and two Dreamcast classics in portable form.

Now that I have a GBA, this opens up a whole new world of portable Sega goodness! I already have Sonic Advance, Sonic Advance 2, Sonic Advance 3, Sonic Pinball Party, Pinball of the Dead, Sonic Battle and Space Channel 5: Ulala's Cosmic Attack on my "to get" list. Of course, I guess I have to get at least one Mario game. I hear he's alright.


Any GBA recommendations? Let me know in the comments!

SASAR Mobile Phone Preview Is Silent, But Deadly

I have to say, Gameloft's mobile phone version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing has completely flown under the radar. Hardly anything has been said or seen of the game until now. Despite lacking audio, the preview footage looks to be rather fun, albeit simple. If the Nintendo DS version can be likened to an early N64 or Playstation game, Gameloft's effort looks to be the Sega Genesis version.

Ten racers are offered up including, thankfully, Ryo Hazuki.

Here's the bullet point break down:

• 10 famous SEGA characters including Sonic, Knuckles, Dr. Eggman, Tails, Alex Kidd and more, each with their own unique vehicle & abilities
• 8 memorable tracks set in SEGA’s various game worlds like Sonic the Hedgehog™, Super Monkey Ball™, House of the Dead™, Jet Set Radio Future™, and many more!
• Collect rings to trigger the Mini-Boost for extra speed.
• Master drifts, slipstreams and stunts to be the fastest racer.
• Grab 6 varied weapons and power ups: K.O. Glove, Rocket, Ghost, Confusing Star, and Dash.
• 4 games modes: Race, Tournament, Time Trial, and Mission

Not too shabby! Too bad the iPhone won't be getting any SASAR love, but hopefully Sonic 4 will fill that void. Check out some gameplay footage, unfortunately without audio:

First Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing DS Footage!

While I generally don't cover DS releases (as I don't own one), I thought this warranted a post. I was on board for the XBOX 360 version of Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, and wrote off the DS version as a cheap alternative. But the footage above shows that Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing will look awfully pretty on the DS. As a bonus, all the Sega tunes will be given a synthesized midi makeover! I cannot wait to hear "Can You Feel The Sunshine" in a retro blippy-bloopy format.