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Joystiq Streams: Play like it's '93 with Ecco the Dolphin on Sega CD [UPDATE: Relive the stream!]
Let it not be said that Joystiq Streams doesn't know how to get crazy. Underground indie games? ROM hacks? Pfft. Joystiq Streams knows that if you really want to get nuts, the only way to do it is on archaic consoles that were janky to begin with. That's why today's stream will be devoted to Ecco the Dolphin. We're not just playing Ed Annunziata's original story about a perky dolphin messing up sinister alien plots. We're playing the Sega CD version. Richard Mitchell will be picking up the old Sega controller and swimming through the oceans blue while Anthony John Agnello will be hanging out in the chat relaying your questions to him on the fly. Join us at 4p.m. EST on the Joystiq Twitch channel for sea-based mammal entertainment of the highest order.
Flick up that 3D slider for Sega's 3DS classics
It's been a long-time coming, but Sega's 3DS classics are coming to North America and Europe across the next two months. Eight Sega remasters, each priced $6 (€5 or £4.50 in Europe), are set to remind us of the handheld's 3D slider, starting with Space Harrier and Super Hang-On on November 28. That pair are the first of four spruced-up couples, all coming on Thursday eShop updates. The following week's duo of 3D-enhanced oldies is Sonic the Hedgehog and Altered Beast, due on December 5, followed by Ecco the Dolphin and Galaxy Force 2 on December 12. Shinobi 3 and Streets of Rage round things off on December 19. The Western remasters should be the same as the ones that came to Japan, so expect additions like the optional spin dashes and button remapping of 3D Sonic. And when we say 3D Sonic, we don't mean like the more recent 3D perspective Sonic games, so don't expect Sega to patch in any talking or, Chaos Emeralds forbid, hedgehog-human romances.
Sega 3D Classics coming to 3DS eShop in North America, Europe
Along with today's reveal that Earthbound is now available on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo announced that a slate of Sega 3D Classics are coming to the European 3DS eShop. Sega confirmed that a North American launch is also in the works. No specific dates or prices were given for the games, which include Altered Beast, Ecco the Dolphin, Galaxy Force, Shinobi, Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Harrier, Streets of Rage and Super Hang-On. Of those games, Ecco the Dolphin, Super Hang-On, Space Harrier, Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog already launched on Japan's 3DS eShop.
Ecco the Dolphin swimming his way to 3DS
The growing Sega Genesis collection on the 3DS is expanding once again, with Sega announcing a 3D edition of the original Ecco the Dolphin. During the 16-bit generation, Ecco was known for its unique gameplay, high difficulty and unbridled terror. Like other announced 3DS Genesis games, Ecco will feature save states, graphics filters and, of course, 3D. It will also allow players to try out different international versions of the game. Ecco is expected on the Japanese eShop on June 26 for ¥600 ($6.30). Sega's website also revealed that Galaxy Force 2 is planned for the 3DS. There are also two empty slots, suggesting that we can expect at least two more re-released Genesis games before Sega finishes its 3DS promotion. Thus far, we've seen Super Hang-On, Space Harrier, Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog released on 3DS in Japan. Space Harrier, Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog have all been rated by the Australian Classification Board, suggesting the 3DS lineup will head west before too long.
'Big Blue' from Ecco the Dolphin team makes a splash on Kickstarter
Some of the original Ecco the Dolphin team are reuniting in the hopes they can create a new adventure game through Kickstarter funding. Big Blue is an oceanic adventure game set one million years in the future, in which players can control every creature in the game world – even many creatures at once. There will also be a breeding mechanic, necessary to complete certain quests. The Kickstarter campaign for Big Blue also promises a dynamic music engine that will run continuously in the background as you play. "Parameters and player's interactions will drive music and keep it fluid and in emotional context with the visuals and events that occur in the game," creator Ed Annunziata says in the Kickstarter post. Spencer Nilsen and Bear McCreary will team up to handle the score.April 22, 2014 is the planned launch date for Big Blue on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. "If we exceed our goal by 50% the game will get multiplayer, cooperative game play. Players will be able to share environments, creatures, and complete quests as teams," Annunziata says. "If we reach 2X our goal we will be able make the Big Blue an MMO." Annunziata added that once "the first version" of the game is complete, he will approach Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo for possible console ports.
Ecco the Dolphin creator to meet with Sega
There may be more terrifying dolphin time travel adventures in our future. Ecco the Dolphin creator Ed Annunziata announced on Twitter that he's meeting with Sega to talk about plans for the series. Annunziata has even convinced composer Spencer Nilsen to join up with the unspecified effort.Annunziata is enthusiastic about the prospects – "now chances of a new Ecco the Dolphin x100," he said. Whatever happens with the Ecco games in the future, we're certain it will be digital.
Ecco the Dolphin: unexpected terror in the deep blue sea
It's Halloween, the day we all turn our attention to all things spoooooooky. In honor of this occasion, Heidi Kemps makes a convincing case for the secret scariness of the seemingly non-horror-oriented Ecco the Dolphin. Later, the Joystiq staff will share their own picks for unintentionally frightening games. We'll just leave you in suspense for now (boo!) Dolphins! Every adolescent girl on the planet loves dolphins, but being a fan of marine life in general, I really liked dolphins. I was certainly among the many, many girls with Lisa Frank school supplies emblazoned with imagery of brightly airbrushed, neon-colored dolphins, but I was far more into porpoises than even that, with plenty of other themed baubles in my possession. So, of course, when Ecco the Dolphin came out for the Genesis, I was excited to check the game out, especially with the rave reviews it had received in magazines at the time. Little did I suspect the horrors Sega and Novotrade had in store for me.
Sega puts titles on sale for back-to-school, releases Phantasy Star II on iOS
Just in time for the days of, well, skipping out on video games and getting back to the books, Sega has decided to try and tempt you away from that schoolwork by dropping prices across the board on its iOS games. Golden Axe, Shining Force, Streets of Rage and Ecco the Dolphin are all on sale for just US$0.99, and the Super Monkey Ball and Sonic the Hedgehog games are on sale for just a few bucks as well. Phantasy Star II is worth mentioning on its own. Sega just released the game on iOS today, and for my money (only $2.99 during this sale!), there's no better Genesis-era RPG. Seriously, if you are a fan of the console RPG genre at all, this one's a must buy. The story's fun, the gameplay is excellent, and having the title on the App Store is a real treat. Shining Force is a great game, and Streets of Rage is a fun title to have around for just a buck, but if you buy one game during this sale (which lasts through September 1st -- thanks, Sega!), I'd recommend Phantasy Star II.
Phantasy Star 2 released for iPhone; other Sega games on sale
Sega is temporarily dropping prices of its iPhone games in honor of kids going back to school. You know, it's been a long time since our GameBoy Advance was confiscated for illicit Pokémon Fire Red playing, but we're pretty sure you're still not allowed to play games during class. Oh well -- it's the thought that counts, Sega! Additionally, Phantasy Star 2 launched today on the App Store with a sale price of $2.99 (normally $4.99). See the complete Sega sale details after the break.
Sega Genesis Classics rising from their graves, hitting Steam and other PC platforms [update]
POWER UP in our gallerySega is bringing a Virtual Console-like experience to PC digital distribution platforms. Sega Genesis Classics is a series of individual Genesis games available for download via Steam and additional, unspecified download services. On June 1, PC users will be able to download Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin, Comix Zone, and Vectorman, "from $2.99." We don't yet know how the prices will vary per game, but even if just one is that cheap, it's quite a savings over the $8 Virtual Console price. The screenshots sent out by Sega also include images of Gain Ground, Altered Beast, Space Harrier, Crack Down, Sonic 3D Blast, and Shadow Dancer, so we can expect to see those games from the distant past on PC in the near future. Update: Sega's blog post about the collection clears up the launch lineup: all of these games will actually be available June 1. %Gallery-93483%
Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection bringing official Genesis emulation to iPhone, pain to your wallet
After packaging and re-marketing to us our childhood over Nintendo's Wii Virtual Console and in a multitude of other forms, Sega is putting another platform to good use in its eternal quest to make us poor: the iPhone. Due for the App Store next month, the upcoming Sega Ultimate Genesis Collection will bring together some of Sega's existing, disparate releases for the iPhone under one roof and add a bunch more, allowing users to buy Sega Genesis games directly from the app. The first one's free, of course (Space Harrier II), but after that you'll be paying a decent amount for your emulation fix: Sonic is $6, Golden Axe is $5, and Ecco the Dolphin and Shining Force go for $3. The variety will undoubtedly grow over time, but we would hope that at some point Sega will offer some sort of discounted megabundle, since you can currently get 49 notable Sega titles for around $20 in the form of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Basically: we're not sure if this is all supposed to make us worse or better about jailbreaking.
Ecco and Sonic receive ESRB ratings for XBLA
Further validating the screenshots of SEGA's Vintage Collection discovered earlier this month, ESRB ratings have been discovered for two of SEGA's classic titles. One of them, Sonic the Hedgehog, we've known about for some time. The other, however, is something of a surprise. Ecco the Dolphin is also listed for the Xbox 360. While we love the original Sonic as much as any self-respecting gamer, we have a special soft spot for Ecco. Given an HD makeover and the spiffy new age soundtrack from the SEGA CD version and we'd really have a special title on Xbox Live Arcade.What other titles would you like to see in the SEGA Vintage Collection? Kid Chameleon, Altered Beast, Phantasy Star?[Via Joystiq]Read
Sequels Sega needs to make
With Nintendo dropping four new Virtual Console titles every Monday, Sega Nerds has posted a list of ten sequels they'd like to see on a console near you. Heck, we just got Ecco the Dolphin this past Monday, so is this list timely or what?For us, the ones we'd really like to see are either an update of Skies of Arcadia, or some new hotness from Streets of Rage. We'd forgotten that game even existed until the picture slapped us across the face. Punching and kicking at its best.What Sega classics (and we're using that term lightly) would you like to see? While you're busy wishing, Joystiq wants a solid gold PlayStation 3. Just a little holiday FYI.
Two new VC titles
Fans of Sega, this is your week. Golden Axe and Ecco the Dolphin are available for play on the Virtual Console and we couldn't be happier. Well, we smile mostly for Golden Axe. You can't beat getting potions and spells by kicking a gnome. If you are looking to hack 'n' slash your way to victory while riding strange dinosaur creatures, look no further. Or, if one day you get the urge to be a cute little dolphin that swims around and does cute things, Nintendo can help for 800 points each. Hopefully we will see more and more Sega games get carried over to the VC. C'mon Eternal Champions! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Kid Chameleon Sega Genesis Collection video
With every new video release for a Sega Genesis Collection game, I continue to get filled with more and more nostalgic memories. We've already seen videos of Columns, Ecco and Alex Kidd. Well, there's a new kid on the block with a Kid Chameleon video that has just been released. Released in May 1992, you may remember Kid Chameleon as that silly platformer with the kid who wore a variety of masks, each transforming his features and giving him special powers. There was even a goalie mask, a la Jason Vorhees, that enabled Kid Chameleon to throw axes.You'll be able to enjoy Kid Chameleon and more than 30 other old-school Genesis titles Nov. 7.[Via IGN]
ESRB rates seven Genesis games for Wii
A recent search of the ESRB website turned up some scintillating results. Though not confirmed for launch or any specific timeframe, the names of seven Sega greats are listed on ESRB as coming to the Wii virtual console...and holy hell, can they pick 'em. Check it out: Altered Beast Columns Ecco the Dolphin Golden Axe Ristar Sonic the Hedgehog Toe Jam & Earl You might recognize these games as being utter classics, some of the very best the Genesis had to offer. Most have at least a cult following, and they're sure to add a huge boost to the VC's popularity. Oh, how we long to echo-locate once more... [via Joystiq]
