EccoTheDolphin
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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.
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.
Bury the Shovelware: Tenchu Dark Secret
The fall from grace. Unless your heart is nothing more than a cold, shriveled lump, you probably don't like to witness a once-respectable series slowly degrade. It's happened to many franchises. Often the decay is gradual, with gamers slowly noticing a decline in quality and is correlated with slumping sales. Other times a single misstep can throw an entire series against the ropes and nearly into submission. Either way, it's never pleasant to witness failure. Well, almost never. What was once a prominent pillar in the stealth world has been slowly regressing into mediocrity. The Tenchu series was one of the first and most successful entries in the emerging stealth-based genre of the late 1990's. Though games involving evasive maneuvering over combat had been around for awhile, they truly flourished in 3D. From the onset, Tenchu was there. Peered with and rivaled against other top-notch franchises such as Metal Gear Solid and Splinter Cell, the word "Tenchu" was synonymous with heart-thumping, adrenaline-pumping sneaky gameplay. But everything eventually dies. And the Tenchu series received a terminal illness in the form of Tenchu: Dark Secret. Unless somebody steps in and performs some sort of miracle, we might have to talk to Tenchu fans about video game heaven. It's where all game franchises go when they pass away. All of Tenchu's friends are there, like Golden Axe, ToeJam & Earl, and Ecco the Dolphin (Sega, please prove me wrong on these).
Ecco the Dolphin achievements: kill the shark!
Right, so, Ecco the Dolphin came out yesterday for Xbox Live Arcade. It is, according to some, a classic of the 16-bit era. For us (and by us I mean me), there was something truly compelling about swimming freely in the ocean and traveling through time (if you can get that far). Now, despite all this, there was something that turned Ecco into one of the most terrifying experiences of our (i.e. my) youth: the effing sharks. Brought up by movies like JAWS, seeing sharks in Ecco was more frightening than any zombie could ever be. That is why we (I) urge all of you to earn the "Shark Killer" achievement. Sure, it's only worth 10 points, but at least you'll be conquering your (my) childhood fear. Head over to GamingTalkHQ for the full achievement rundown.
Hexic 2 and Ecco available on XBLA
It's Wednesday, which could only mean that this week's XBLA twofer is here, offering up both Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin for purchase. Hexic 2 is available for 800 Microsoft points and builds upon our favorite free puzzle game Hexic, adding multiplayer gameplay, new pieces and a new mechanic look. SEGA's Ecco the Dolphin can be purchased for 400 Microsoft points and is a classic port in the truest sense with a single player campaign that spans twenty-five levels of watery fun. Both games are waiting for your download, so don't let them down and begin the XBLA downloading ritual right quick.
This Wednesday: Hexic 2 and Ecco the Dolphin on XBLA
As much as we'd love to skip to commenters complaining about how this week's Xbox Live Arcade releases weren't the ones they were hoping for, we figured we should at least tell you what they are first: Hexic 2 (800 points, $10) and Ecco the Dolphin (400 points, $5) are both due tomorrow. Ecco the Dolphin is, of course, a graphic and audio-enhanced version of Sega's classic tale of love and betrayal under the sea that manages to perfectly capture an experience that practically no one was ever curious about. Hexic 2 is a sequel to the original puzzler. Though there are new features, it sadly lacks its predecessor's most important feature: Not costing money. The complaining may now commence. %Gallery-5837% %Gallery-5838%
Hexic 2 and Ecco twofer on XBLA Wednesday [update 1]
We just got word from Microsoft that this Wednesday we'll be treated to an XBLA twofer, Hexic 2, and Ecco the Dolphin. Hexic 2 will feature new formations, such as "lines" as the Achievements would suggest, new pieces, and a head to head multiplayer mode. Fortunately Alexey Pajitnov, who made the original Hexic, as well as Tetris, had his hand in this sequel, so fans should feel right at home. Ecco will also be available as part of the SEGA Vintage Collection, and will have Leaderboards for "Best Times" for the levels and enhanced sound and graphics. No official announcement on the pricing, but if you wanted our "professional" opinion, Hexic 2 will go for 800 Microsoft Points, and Ecco at half that price. Update: Prices confirmed on Gamerscoreblog.
Sega announces Vintage Game Collection for Xbox Live Arcade
More classic titles are set to join Sega's initial foray into Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade, with Wednesday's Golden Axe and Sonic the Hedgehog joined by three more Genesis titles under the "Vintage Game Collection" banner. Sega of America and Sega Europe have revealed that the rest of the retro lineup will be joined by: Streets of Rage 2 -- Wander the angry streets and defend yourself from generic thugs using whatever means necessary. Pleasingly, the means usually comes in the form of a large pipe. Ecco the Dolphin -- Explore the oceans and rescue your fishy friends in this completely enchanting and non-sinister game. Oh, and remember to go up for air occasionally... or you'll die an agonizing death. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 -- The world's fastest and most relevant hedgehog heads off on one of his best adventures with Tails "Miles" Prower in tow. We still giggle about the "miles per hour" bit. All Sega Vintage Collection titles are priced at 400 MS Points ($5), with the above three games slated to hit Xbox Live Arcade "shortly."
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
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]
