#mega drive

[segacity]

'Alisia Dragoon' was released on the SEGA Mega Drive 32 years ago today in Japan.

[sonichedgeblog]

Sketches of Sonic’s death animations, part of @NaotoOhshima’s sketchbook, shown as part of the GDC Sonic post mortem.

[xwagnerplaguesx]

"Zombies Ate My Neighbors"

Konami/1993

[moonlightfaust]

ベア・ナックルII 死闘への鎮魂歌 Bare Knuckle II / Streets of Rage 2 (MD/SG, 1992)

[constructbreakdown]

Made this PNG for emulator splashscreens. Use it however you like.

[acquired-stardust]

Sonic the Hedgehog Sega Genesis 1991

[grisbol]

He's about to do something extremely funny

[never-obsolete]

Sonic & Knuckles (1994)

[hardcore-gaming-101]

The Video Game History Foundation recently put together an absolutely fascinating video on the lost stages of the Sega classic Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It includes partial recreations of some of those cut levels, which have never been seen before. Definitely worth a look!

[brothertedd]

[the2dvgstages]

"Castle Proserpina" (Death) - Castlevania: Bloodlines

[sonichedgeblog]

Concept artwork of a zone called Ocean Wind, from 'Sonic 2'.

[videogamesskies]

Vectorman (1995) (Genesis/Mega Drive)

[gojira-ekkusu]

A Different Beast

Beast Wrestler (ビースト・ウォリアーズ "Beast Warriors") was one of the first monster fighting games. Released in 1991 for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, it is notable for its unique style and concept.

Yasushi Nirasawa was the man responsible designing the game's monsters, dubbed Dragon Warriors. Nirawasa's designs have appeared in various Tokusatsu productions such as Kamen Rider, but perhaps his most famous would be the 2004 redesign of Gigan for Godzilla Final Wars (He was also responsible for the Xilien designs in the film as well).

Back in 1991, Nirasawa was primarily known for his sculptures and models featured in, and on the covers of Hobby Japan. The box art for Beast Wrestler showcases his work. The image was prominently used in the print advertising.

The Dragon Warriors all quite varied, ranging from humanoid animals to an ooze. Some with various levels of cybernetics and some had truly chimeric designs.

Instead of randomized fights each match of the Tournament is fixed. The player is the "ruler" of a ENTSLL 2019 Dragon Warrior and starts at the bottom of the Domestic Rank to work up to the top of the World Rank.

Yasushi Nirasawa did a six-page comic that was in the instruction manual for the Japanese version of the game. It gives a look at the world where genetically engineered 10 meter tall monsters battle in the arena.

Aside from the designs and the setting, the other defining feature of the game is the concept of combining your Dragon Warrior with a vanquished opponent.

The first time, the player gets two options for combining. This sets up two different paths for completing the World Rank. Based on this decision, a different Dragon Warrior is used in each path to combine for a second form.

While there is much to appreciate about the concept and designs, the gameplay is a shortcoming. The hit boxes don't correspond well and fights are slow. There are some loops and exploits that help with the difficulty, but that doesn't lead to a satisfying victory.

The game also has a Match mode for a fight against the computer or another player, using some of the Domestic and World Rank fighters. Unfortunately, this mode is also is subject to the same issues and the Dragon Warriors are very unbalanced.

It would be fun to see this game made today with modern game technology and design. Yasushi Nirasawa's detailed creations could really come to life. Also, it would be great to see more and varied combinations of beasts.

With a little more time and polish, Beast Wrestler could have been a cult game. Instead, it's an interesting obscurity.

[lunaticobscurity]

you ever just think about the wondermega, the coolest-looking console of all time?