Thursday, September 29, 2011

En Su Forma Super Con La

en su forma super con la
en su forma super con la

Early '80's SEGA Ads Are... Interesting.

Thanks to the awesome free to use television archive site fuzzymemories.tv, operated by The Museum of Classic Chicago Television, I came across three very old SEGA ads for games released to arcades, Atari and ColecoVision consoles. That's right, these are pre-Master System ads! Funny how SEGA was a publisher then, and they're a publisher now. When you think about it, SEGA really wasn't in the console business for long when you look at their entire history as a company.

After the break, check out three old ads!

This ad is for the SEGA arcade game Carnival for home consoles. Even back in the early '80's, SEGA was producing odd and kooky ads. The only thing missing is one of the old men yelling "SEGA!".

Up next, a very strange Congo Bongo ad featuring the voice of English-born American comedian Henny Youngman, creator of the line "Take my wife—please". Wow. I especially like the audience reaction, as though his comments are hilarious. Ok, I did sort of chuckle at "Hey lady! This is a one way street!"

FROM THE MASTER DESIGN ENGINEERS OF SEGA. I love how the narrator first says "Zaxxon". I might just answer my phone that way from here on out.

Flagship Character Mario.

flagship character Mario.
flagship character Mario.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Mario And Sonic At The Olympic

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic

Even More Jazwares Sonic 20th Anniversary Figures!

I've held off on sharing a lot of these as I was awaiting to have every figure that I wanted in my hands. Now that that time has come, I can finally show off everything in one go, so prepare yourself for an epically sized Sonic action figure post. Hey, at least it's better than me spamming SEGA Memories with a new figure every day. Who wants an article dedicated to a Silver figure? I know I don't. After the break: a lot of stuff!

First up is the awesome Super Sonic 2-pack, containing 5" figures of both classic and modern Sonic in their super forms. This pack came as a huge surprise to fans, as it was never mentioned at any trade show or in any form of social networking from Jazwares. It just sort of appeared in Toys R Us stores as an exclusive and fans were quick to flock to stores to grab one (or two or three). In fact, during the first week of the figure's release, nitwits tried flogging these on ebay for insane amounts of money. The 2-pack retails for $20, but auction prices went as high as $50 to $60! Thankfully, the figures soon became quite easy to find in stores and is now readily available at Toys R Us's website (and that goes for all the other figures mentioned here).Both figures are awesome, featuring hollow heads that make for easy standing and a large amount of articulation. If you had to buy ONE Jazwares item, I'd say go for this two pack.

Up next are the 5" counterparts to the Super Sonic pack, individually sold classic and modern Sonic figures. Oddly enough, while Toys R Us carries these, both of which are new sculpts and are in their correct shades of blue, Target stores are carrying a different pair of figures. Target's pair seem to be earlier versions of the two, as Target's classic Sonic is in the darker modern Sonic shade of blue and modern Sonic appears as the old Unleashed 5" figure complete with heavy head and goofy hands. If you intend to pick these up, go to Toys R Us (either in store or online), at least until Target catches up and offers the revised figures. Both are just as great as the super versions and are two of the best figures Jazwares has to offer in the 5" line. Definitely pick these up.

Returning to the 3" figure line that I covered in previous articles (the first wave of figures and classic Tails), we have Knuckles and Egg Pawn representing 2003's Sonic Heroes. While Knuckles is a repackage, the figure is relatively new so most fans might not have picked one up yet. The figure is awesome, far better than 3" Sonic and on the same level as 3" Tails. The Egg Pawn is one of the best enemy accessories of the set, as it is basically a second figure complete with movable arms. Of all the modern figures, I'd say 2003 Knuckles is the best!

On the other end of the spectrum is the Silver figure. There are so many things wrong with this one: it represents an awful game, features an awful character, the figure has color flaws that have yet to be corrected despite being a rerelease (his gloves should be white), Silver is much smaller than any other character (next to Espio he is itty bitty), the enemy is cheaply made and is not to scale PLUS the name "Iblis" is misspelled as "Lblis" on the package. The only real positive I can say about this pack is that Silver can do some cool poses with his psychokinetic hands. Unless you are going for a full set, or love Silver, skip this.

Here comes 3" classic Super Sonic to wash the bad taste of Silver out of my mouth! I was apprehensive at first to pay an inflated price for a figure because of a tin case being included, but having opened it up: I like the tin. It makes for a great centerpiece to the collection. If one opens all their figures like I do, it's nice to have something with the 20th logo to place amongst the collection. Super Sonic has the same body as regular Sonic, and a brand new super angry head. There is another tin pack for sale, but it features the same tin with the regular classic Sonic which can also be found in the 1991 moto bug pack. Best thing to do is to grab the 1991 pack and this one.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Perhaps the best figure of the collection is classic Dr. Eggman. While Sonic merch of the 90's featured a number of characters, Eggman very rarely, if ever, received a figurine or doll. When he did, western fans would receive the english Robotnik design. As such, it's great to finally have a figure in the Japanese design. Both arms are very articulated, the legs only move at the hip but hold Eggman's bulky body well. Neither the waist nor head pivot, which is the same as the modern Eggman figure. I'll admit, the Egg Robos aren't as great as they could have been, but it's nice to have a representation of them. I think what they need are a bit of white paint on their gloves and the ability to be in a hovering pose, rather than uncharacteristically standing. Still, for $15 the Eggman alone is worth it.

Keeping the spotlight on Eggman, we jump from 1994 to 2008. This time modern Eggman is packaged with two Egg Fighters, the main badnik of Sonic Unleashed. Modern Eggman has been released before, with Metal Sonic, so the two Egg Fighters are the main draw here for those who already own an Eggman. They're well detailed, and look great flanking Eggman.

Or... making pyramids.

Thus concludes my write up on the Sonic 20th Anniversary Jazwares figures, at least until they release more. Classic Knuckles, classic Metal Sonic and classic Amy are rumored. A 10 inch classic Sonic is confirmed, but has yet to release. So until next time, Sonic figure fans!

Silver XD: Andalucia, Spain

Silver XD: andalucia, Spain
Silver XD: andalucia, Spain

Olympic Games [EUR]

Olympic Games [EUR]
Olympic Games [EUR]

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Sonic

Sonic
Sonic

Sonic:que Pasa Shadow Eso Es

Sonic:que pasa Shadow eso es
Sonic:que pasa Shadow eso es

Dreamroom UK 2011 is Today!

Watch live streaming video from gagaman at livestream.com

Today is the day before the 12th anniversary of 9/9/99 and because I won't have time to livestream tomorrow just before barry's one I've decided to dedicate today for my show!

I will be starting at 1pm UK time (7:00am Eastern Standard Time) will take a couple hour break somewhere between 3 and 5pm, then return continue on into the night! That's a lot of Dreamcast gameplay!

So make sure to come and visit at the video link above sometime today for the celebrations! Then tomorrow it will be Barry's turn for him to treat you to some Dreamcast gaming goodness!

EDIT: It's over! Thanks to everyone who popped in! If you missed out you can watch it in the 'Dreamroom UK 2011' folder here. It was running for roughly a total of 8 and a half hours! Here is a list of the games that were played throughout the day:

  • Mars Matrix
  • Segagaga
  • Gundam E.F.F vs Zeon DX
  • Marvel Vs Capcom 2
  • Rush 2049
  • Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
  • Alien Front Online
  • Daytona USA 2001
  • Power Stone
  • Pro Yakyu Team de Asobonet!
  • Zombie Revenge (complete play-through of arcade mode)
  • Densha Deo Go! 2
  • Sengoku Turb - Fanfan I Love me Dunce doublentendre
  • Fast Striker
  • Heavy Metal Geomatrix
  • 18 Wheeler

Pics

Pics
Pics

Fresquinhas Do Sonic

fresquinhas do Sonic
fresquinhas do Sonic

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Sonic Generations Europe Collector's Edition: OH MY GOD.

Sonic Generations Collector's Edition - UK PS3
...

So yeah, would you look at that. Sega have just revealed the European collector's edition of Sonic generations and boy is it something special. Here is Sega's announcement copy-pasted:

Celebrations continue in Europe for Sonic the Hedgehog’s 20th anniversary with an impressive collector’s edition for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 versions of the upcoming Sonic Generations game.

The Sonic Generations Collectors Edition combines limited edition collectables based on the upcoming game, as well as assets handpicked by Sonic Team to celebrate Sonic’s 20th Anniversary, which provide the ultimate celebration of Sonic for fans new and old.

Sonic Generations Collector's Edition - UK X360

Included in the collector’s edition is a collectable figurine featuring both Classic Sonic and Modern Sonic, an exclusive, individually numbered commemorative “Gold Ring”, and a “20 Years of Sonic Art” book, containing never before seen sketches and images from the past 20 years. Also contained in the Collector’s Edition are the ‘20th Anniversary Sonic Soundtrack’ featuring a selection of tracks handpicked by Sonic Team, and the ‘History of Sonic: Birth of an Icon’ documentary, an exclusive collection of interviews and footage charting Sonic’s life from inception through to becoming one of the most iconic characters in videogame history. Limited edition lenticular packaging and bonus additional downloadable content for the game are the final components that make up this unique collector’s edition for Sonic Generations.
So there it is. A statue, a gold ring, a soundtrack, a documentary DVD, downloadable content and an art book! It looks as though this is going to be Europe only for some reason, at least for the moment anyway, sorry Americans.

Take my money Sega, all of it.

EDIT: It has appeared on Amazon UK now for the price of £85. The retail price is apparently £99.