Japan prides on mascots for things and otherwise while Alex Kidd is fine it's not the most amazing thing out there of distinct enough so I'm not surprised they changed for Sonic over the years even if Alex Kidd is still around from time to time and has a place.
Sonic hits the right balance that I don't even have to question it. Sure the dialogue and somethings can be what it is over the years in the games but still I can see the appeal of cool for a kid audience regardless of how very particular Sonic looks with spiky hair as a hedgehog and how the games play and the animations showing some attitude.
Kirby having angry eyebrows is determined I can see that and is just a pink sphere but also while being pretty cute looks like he is ready to take on what awaits him while also being happy in other regions box arts.
To me though how is a cool looking character design like Sonic not going to fly? He looks cool, acts cool in game due to the smartly designed animations, it has the attitude and just enough there to a character to be suitable to kids while having some edge to it it isn't American over the top which I bet would be ridiculously stupid and not really work.
Many US/EU characters of the 90s I think did well but I think if Sega of America came up with something themselves it wouldn't fly as well even besides their experience.
Some of their decisions not getting past I do think were unfortunate but ones like this I think they weren't right about and it shows as Sonic is recognisable and appealing in just the right ways.
Sega of Japan may be particular about things back in the 90s but I don't think the US branch judging Sonic really didn't think very far ahead either.
Think how to market him in the right ways and they did, it's not some typical animal it's a hedgehog with interesting spike designs, what moves he could pull off that's interesting for level design and marketing, it's not a bear or a scorpion, chameleon (either of these two would be cool) or a spider or some other kind of creepy or too cute kind of creatures or further in a certain direction type character it's a good blend of edge and cute that works well.
As far as Hyperkin's NES/SNES handhelds (never used but seen in videos) they seem ok for what they are.
A Dreamcast 2 would be awesome. The thing is though appeal and hardware jump since the original. For a niche audience for sure like the Playdate or Evercade a different type of experience not going for big graphics leaps. If it were to (and like Slightly Mad claims of a console that means nothing at all) I don't know if one makes sense. Other than niche devices like the two mentioned above I don't know what to think as graphics and ideas need to be really convincing for people to care and it's a lot of work. Then again sixth gen had experimental titles and these days we get pretty standard experiences that follow a formula so times have changed and games may be bland and boring if they were to make it line up with today's standards of games.
Games of sixth were awesome but I even question if graphics of that sort whether by Indies or a console is enough for people. I don't mind 480i/p graphics but many Indies stick to Saturn/N64/PS1 at least either because of their capabilities/skills compared to a sixth gen graphics reach, the market/audience appeal hasn't reached even if many are buying up their sixth gen console favourites or ones they never played before or just if it's even worth it.
Otherwise I question if dual screen phones have enough appeal for games or stay as productivity devices or dead because no one cares about the gimmick. I'm all for the flexible screens and multiple screens but most people don't care. Give them a camera or whatever else not actual interesting tech directions with screens and other features. It's why I don't see the Switch 2 being a dual screen either. Or being much of anything. I don't know for AR or a mic or whatever other crazy ideas but if the president/research and development have ideas willing to go through by all means it's just I don't know where they go from here or if they want to continue the idea/go back to older ones now with more power and marketing/execution behind it when some in the audience get how it works most people don't.
The Dreamcast while a great console (never used but the library, the VMU being one of the first dual screen console ideas besides just a memory card/minigame device) is still unique for it's time and I care about the VMU more than I do the modem and early online compared to the SNES/Genesis online with phone lines that isn't dial up/broadband and even then more so a Japan thing for the SNES with the online methods for people to play BSZelda and so on. But like the Wii U or DS/3DS no one cares for dual screens enough for it to be worth it other than a niche audience and otherwise the Dreamcast is cool but doesn't have much behind it in brand name other than with a niche audience of Sega fans and the odd people like me that have never used a Sega console but see the appeal in the system and other older consoles. I may have had a PS2 but it doesn't mean I don't want to look for a Dreamcast or GameCube as never used them or played them. Sure got a GameCube controller for my Wii and a single GameCube game but it isn't the same thing of course.
The Wii U/DS/3DS made it clear no one cares for dual screens enough and otherwise what differences will the console have about it to stand out? I mean the Switch is good but to me the only interesting parts are the Joycons detach, and split-screen on a handheld. Pocket PCs/Tablets with a dock/PDAs and even the Nomad, PSP/PSP Go showcased docks or cables to a monitor or TV so who really cares it. It continues that idea and I'm all for it for a games console but otherwise the Gameboy on the SNES, GB to GBA on the GameCube prior and no DS output like the PSP had sure Nintendo did get it much but still handheld on t5he TV was still a thing for many people in some form.
Same with Wii U/Vita/PSP the remote play or Off TV play features. I don't know if many use their phones more for PS/Xbox remote play but to me I use my Vita because why not. Besides Cloud and if people care for that are buying the Android Cloud handhelds that I expect to appear and die fairly after because people use touch or the controller grips than a full handheld because they can switch from phone to gaming phone whenever they want and take the grips off.
How many would care for a memory card on the go? I mean the 360 had memory cards most people didn't use them with the hard drive installed and optional installs compared to required for all games these days. I prefer Nintendo not having forced installs while with PS3/360 I am happy I can choose to for some games and hate the data installs for some games.
RIP. Well it works good for what it is, it may be the games, it may be I don't know how to use the settings well enough besides my phone spec but it's a great emulator and many people are just idiots. By all means they can do whatever they want, they are giving up their time at the end of the day to make the emulator and if it's too much due to nonsensical people that's fair they have more time for more important things now in their schedule.
NGage and the Xperia Play both interesting hybrid devices. Honestly having a controller with Bluetooth or attachments sucks, both were great ideas but either too early or not appealing enough to people or 'too weird looking' for people (it looks like any other 2000s smartphone/fold out keyboard phone but people are weird regardless of crazy ideas or being too behind or too copy cat or whatever at least it's more interesting than most smartphones or TVs being bland and honestly so confusing that beside the company name/logo I'd never be able to tell who made it).
Can understand why they didn't support it as much, though they could have ported GT PSP or others over but yeah emulators makes sense why people wouldn't bother. I would assume PS1 was cool but if people outside of gaming saw it they'd be like 'what is this it doesn't look capable for the phone' as well. I do still question why some people even would care for gaming on a phone unless it's simple and touch then physical controls though, sure we gamers do get it but the average person wanting 5 minutes or using their thumb for something to do (or listen to music) why bother I guess in their minds even if the more involving games exist on mobile or Remote Play which I swear how many people even use that on a phone compared to companies offering it because they want to push the technology? I care about it but barley use it unless I really feel like it. Otherwise I do think the lack of PS logos on the device is interesting. Sega thought so with the Dreamcast (but did include it of course but they did think about not) but surprised by some companies that don't or have another instead. I can see why with the Sony Ericsson name as something but it's just interesting to think if the name besides support mattered.
With dual screen phones I hope Wii U/DS/3DS style gaming can continue then just 'we only see productivity as the use for this device' which sure the Kinetic benefited for in the medical space and that's understandable given the technology/use cases but I think dual screens have a lot going on and people with their heads not thinking outside the box are also the problem in some cases why we can't have nice things. You can run a Word doc on anything so who really cares.
I mean the PSP like controls, the emulators/earlier Android support is likely pretty good, sure the ribbon cable for the slide out controls is a bit awkward over time but still. I mean I am surprised by the competition part of the article. I guess it would have besides the Vita having PS Mobile for a bit, we never got the Panasonic Jungle as the MMO handheld or could have been Logitech G Cloud of the 2010s I think. So anything could have happened for mobile, online portable and the other two many handhelds competing just 2 from Sony that is. I don't see it being that much a competition like the Wii U/3DS sharing games so why buy a Wii U (I like the Wii U but still won't deny price point of games to choose from).
No matter what the case of price, lack of games/support on the phone or gaming side, advertising lacking (even though the videos show how spot on to market this thing, I like it and I see it being straight forward. I don't care for lifestyle advertising at all but it's still really good just maybe not frequent or too strange for people) or unknown (I don't know enough about the history of the Xperia Play but do enough the NGage) at least they existed then not to show 'what could be done' than still speculating the possibilities of what it would be like to have a gaming phone hybrid.
Then again Sony's phone marketshare is so small of a market but they make the cameras so the phones live on for a niche audience but not the PS side wanting success of a big scale not a small scale like the Vita being niche or this phone going whatever way.
With all the rumours and it finally happening glad they add it and those features. It's no Ridge Racer 7 a HD Ridge Racer but still the second PSP entry is great as a remix of content and well handled even if no bundle of the games ever came it's good enough even for a PSP title (physical on UMD). It's the first entry I got into the series with besides Type 4 via the PS Classic.
We have some of the Indies similar to Outrun and a few Outrun entries that appear here and there I assume, you get your Cruis'n Blast as a return for the Cruis'n series but otherwise yeah I'm all for a fictional cars arcade racer or even building your own cars like Sega GT or Supercar Street Challenge or just being like a manufacturer or something in Apex (not played to know for sure beside descriptions) but I mean I don't need reality or licenses to care about a racing game.
So many old racing games with great ideas (like trying out Tokyo Extreme Racer Drift 2 and the amount of cool ideas on offer there or little details in it). While GT3 had flags/heat and these days the backgrounds are lifeless or boring realistic unappealing tracks that don't even feel like the name or feel it represents anymore. Besides if needing a non-licensed cars racer there was always options and they were still good regardless of that not being the focus.
If Redout, Fast Racing series and more by third parties and Indies or other companies can fill in futuristc arcade racers where WipEout Rush is the state of WipEout, F Zero is elements put into Mario Kart and killed off among whatever others over the years at least we have old entries or some alternative options.
Making claims even when it's clear by the cutscenes or themes (when possibly didn't even play it really) and ignoring the rating's board because of course got to have that messaging or wasn't aware enough that it exists doesn't work well without enough research which they clearly didn't do review or otherwise. Sigh. For a general magazine than gaming focused regardless of region it's a bit much.
I get Sony USA not wanting to have such image/PR it's understandable for the type of game it is. Whatever the case for Sony Europe or individual regions.
It gave me Ultra Despair Girls vibes just not in the same direction (kids seeing adults a certain way and other themes, I haven't seen enough footage of the game and others always heard about it because it was a collector's item). The ideas are creepy but interesting for a horror game.
Interesting stuff. But still it's the game series with so much charm but the worst marketing, even for being Skip's biggest series and something they still can't sell and people still don't know exists. Almost like Earthbound of worst times to release too (besides Mother 2) but still.
Nintendo may have seen the appeal in the character and games but the marketing sucked and that's why only people that really care stand to help Chibi Robo while Nintendo and Skip kept failing to help them sell even if it's Toy Story or Bugs Life or otherwise like and Grounded or others never had issues being heard about.
Too late in the GameCube's life in 2006, either of the DS ones were fairly alright I guess, 1 DS one in the US at Walmart while not sure about other regions how they made it available or marketed it. Wii port of the GameCube game could have had better controls or a point n click mode for the New Play Control version but it never released outside Japan so that kind of was a good and bad thing because of how awkwardly they handled it control wise. Makes me wonder if Luigi's Mansion did appear on Wii if it would have been awkward for vacuum control but for 3D as GameCube was going to have 3D even if late at least it released. Photo Finder is fine but not really that appealing to many people and Zip Lash is a fair platformer but too bland in level design (even though I got stuck on the early parts of the second world because of it's awkward 1 to 5 platforms but eventually skipped it and moved on in the game besides it's awkward design in other areas) and artstyle. A fine game but yeah like many played an hour gave up and continued to give up on it or kept going to get it over with (I pressed on and was happy to get through it but not for collectables, and the mech fight was cool).
The series is great but they just didn't put effort into making it sell.
Comments 157
Re: Sega Of America Thought Sonic Was "Unsalvageable" As A Character
Always got to laugh at things like this.
Japan prides on mascots for things and otherwise while Alex Kidd is fine it's not the most amazing thing out there of distinct enough so I'm not surprised they changed for Sonic over the years even if Alex Kidd is still around from time to time and has a place.
Sonic hits the right balance that I don't even have to question it. Sure the dialogue and somethings can be what it is over the years in the games but still I can see the appeal of cool for a kid audience regardless of how very particular Sonic looks with spiky hair as a hedgehog and how the games play and the animations showing some attitude.
Kirby having angry eyebrows is determined I can see that and is just a pink sphere but also while being pretty cute looks like he is ready to take on what awaits him while also being happy in other regions box arts.
To me though how is a cool looking character design like Sonic not going to fly? He looks cool, acts cool in game due to the smartly designed animations, it has the attitude and just enough there to a character to be suitable to kids while having some edge to it it isn't American over the top which I bet would be ridiculously stupid and not really work.
Many US/EU characters of the 90s I think did well but I think if Sega of America came up with something themselves it wouldn't fly as well even besides their experience.
Some of their decisions not getting past I do think were unfortunate but ones like this I think they weren't right about and it shows as Sonic is recognisable and appealing in just the right ways.
Sega of Japan may be particular about things back in the 90s but I don't think the US branch judging Sonic really didn't think very far ahead either.
Think how to market him in the right ways and they did, it's not some typical animal it's a hedgehog with interesting spike designs, what moves he could pull off that's interesting for level design and marketing, it's not a bear or a scorpion, chameleon (either of these two would be cool) or a spider or some other kind of creepy or too cute kind of creatures or further in a certain direction type character it's a good blend of edge and cute that works well.
Re: Random: Hyperkin Wants To Make The Sega Dreamcast 2
As far as Hyperkin's NES/SNES handhelds (never used but seen in videos) they seem ok for what they are.
A Dreamcast 2 would be awesome. The thing is though appeal and hardware jump since the original. For a niche audience for sure like the Playdate or Evercade a different type of experience not going for big graphics leaps. If it were to (and like Slightly Mad claims of a console that means nothing at all) I don't know if one makes sense. Other than niche devices like the two mentioned above I don't know what to think as graphics and ideas need to be really convincing for people to care and it's a lot of work. Then again sixth gen had experimental titles and these days we get pretty standard experiences that follow a formula so times have changed and games may be bland and boring if they were to make it line up with today's standards of games.
Games of sixth were awesome but I even question if graphics of that sort whether by Indies or a console is enough for people. I don't mind 480i/p graphics but many Indies stick to Saturn/N64/PS1 at least either because of their capabilities/skills compared to a sixth gen graphics reach, the market/audience appeal hasn't reached even if many are buying up their sixth gen console favourites or ones they never played before or just if it's even worth it.
Otherwise I question if dual screen phones have enough appeal for games or stay as productivity devices or dead because no one cares about the gimmick. I'm all for the flexible screens and multiple screens but most people don't care. Give them a camera or whatever else not actual interesting tech directions with screens and other features. It's why I don't see the Switch 2 being a dual screen either. Or being much of anything. I don't know for AR or a mic or whatever other crazy ideas but if the president/research and development have ideas willing to go through by all means it's just I don't know where they go from here or if they want to continue the idea/go back to older ones now with more power and marketing/execution behind it when some in the audience get how it works most people don't.
The Dreamcast while a great console (never used but the library, the VMU being one of the first dual screen console ideas besides just a memory card/minigame device) is still unique for it's time and I care about the VMU more than I do the modem and early online compared to the SNES/Genesis online with phone lines that isn't dial up/broadband and even then more so a Japan thing for the SNES with the online methods for people to play BSZelda and so on. But like the Wii U or DS/3DS no one cares for dual screens enough for it to be worth it other than a niche audience and otherwise the Dreamcast is cool but doesn't have much behind it in brand name other than with a niche audience of Sega fans and the odd people like me that have never used a Sega console but see the appeal in the system and other older consoles. I may have had a PS2 but it doesn't mean I don't want to look for a Dreamcast or GameCube as never used them or played them. Sure got a GameCube controller for my Wii and a single GameCube game but it isn't the same thing of course.
The Wii U/DS/3DS made it clear no one cares for dual screens enough and otherwise what differences will the console have about it to stand out? I mean the Switch is good but to me the only interesting parts are the Joycons detach, and split-screen on a handheld. Pocket PCs/Tablets with a dock/PDAs and even the Nomad, PSP/PSP Go showcased docks or cables to a monitor or TV so who really cares it. It continues that idea and I'm all for it for a games console but otherwise the Gameboy on the SNES, GB to GBA on the GameCube prior and no DS output like the PSP had sure Nintendo did get it much but still handheld on t5he TV was still a thing for many people in some form.
Same with Wii U/Vita/PSP the remote play or Off TV play features. I don't know if many use their phones more for PS/Xbox remote play but to me I use my Vita because why not. Besides Cloud and if people care for that are buying the Android Cloud handhelds that I expect to appear and die fairly after because people use touch or the controller grips than a full handheld because they can switch from phone to gaming phone whenever they want and take the grips off.
How many would care for a memory card on the go? I mean the 360 had memory cards most people didn't use them with the hard drive installed and optional installs compared to required for all games these days. I prefer Nintendo not having forced installs while with PS3/360 I am happy I can choose to for some games and hate the data installs for some games.
Re: 'Death Threats' Force Development On Android PlayStation 2 Emulator To End
RIP. Well it works good for what it is, it may be the games, it may be I don't know how to use the settings well enough besides my phone spec but it's a great emulator and many people are just idiots. By all means they can do whatever they want, they are giving up their time at the end of the day to make the emulator and if it's too much due to nonsensical people that's fair they have more time for more important things now in their schedule.
Re: The Tragic Tale Of The 'PlayStation Phone' That Should Have Changed Everything
NGage and the Xperia Play both interesting hybrid devices. Honestly having a controller with Bluetooth or attachments sucks, both were great ideas but either too early or not appealing enough to people or 'too weird looking' for people (it looks like any other 2000s smartphone/fold out keyboard phone but people are weird regardless of crazy ideas or being too behind or too copy cat or whatever at least it's more interesting than most smartphones or TVs being bland and honestly so confusing that beside the company name/logo I'd never be able to tell who made it).
Can understand why they didn't support it as much, though they could have ported GT PSP or others over but yeah emulators makes sense why people wouldn't bother. I would assume PS1 was cool but if people outside of gaming saw it they'd be like 'what is this it doesn't look capable for the phone' as well. I do still question why some people even would care for gaming on a phone unless it's simple and touch then physical controls though, sure we gamers do get it but the average person wanting 5 minutes or using their thumb for something to do (or listen to music) why bother I guess in their minds even if the more involving games exist on mobile or Remote Play which I swear how many people even use that on a phone compared to companies offering it because they want to push the technology? I care about it but barley use it unless I really feel like it. Otherwise I do think the lack of PS logos on the device is interesting. Sega thought so with the Dreamcast (but did include it of course but they did think about not) but surprised by some companies that don't or have another instead. I can see why with the Sony Ericsson name as something but it's just interesting to think if the name besides support mattered.
With dual screen phones I hope Wii U/DS/3DS style gaming can continue then just 'we only see productivity as the use for this device' which sure the Kinetic benefited for in the medical space and that's understandable given the technology/use cases but I think dual screens have a lot going on and people with their heads not thinking outside the box are also the problem in some cases why we can't have nice things. You can run a Word doc on anything so who really cares.
I mean the PSP like controls, the emulators/earlier Android support is likely pretty good, sure the ribbon cable for the slide out controls is a bit awkward over time but still. I mean I am surprised by the competition part of the article. I guess it would have besides the Vita having PS Mobile for a bit, we never got the Panasonic Jungle as the MMO handheld or could have been Logitech G Cloud of the 2010s I think. So anything could have happened for mobile, online portable and the other two many handhelds competing just 2 from Sony that is. I don't see it being that much a competition like the Wii U/3DS sharing games so why buy a Wii U (I like the Wii U but still won't deny price point of games to choose from).
No matter what the case of price, lack of games/support on the phone or gaming side, advertising lacking (even though the videos show how spot on to market this thing, I like it and I see it being straight forward. I don't care for lifestyle advertising at all but it's still really good just maybe not frequent or too strange for people) or unknown (I don't know enough about the history of the Xperia Play but do enough the NGage) at least they existed then not to show 'what could be done' than still speculating the possibilities of what it would be like to have a gaming phone hybrid.
Then again Sony's phone marketshare is so small of a market but they make the cameras so the phones live on for a niche audience but not the PS side wanting success of a big scale not a small scale like the Vita being niche or this phone going whatever way.
Re: Ridge Racer HD? PlayStation Plus Premium Has The Next Best Thing
With all the rumours and it finally happening glad they add it and those features. It's no Ridge Racer 7 a HD Ridge Racer but still the second PSP entry is great as a remix of content and well handled even if no bundle of the games ever came it's good enough even for a PSP title (physical on UMD). It's the first entry I got into the series with besides Type 4 via the PS Classic.
We have some of the Indies similar to Outrun and a few Outrun entries that appear here and there I assume, you get your Cruis'n Blast as a return for the Cruis'n series but otherwise yeah I'm all for a fictional cars arcade racer or even building your own cars like Sega GT or Supercar Street Challenge or just being like a manufacturer or something in Apex (not played to know for sure beside descriptions) but I mean I don't need reality or licenses to care about a racing game.
So many old racing games with great ideas (like trying out Tokyo Extreme Racer Drift 2 and the amount of cool ideas on offer there or little details in it). While GT3 had flags/heat and these days the backgrounds are lifeless or boring realistic unappealing tracks that don't even feel like the name or feel it represents anymore. Besides if needing a non-licensed cars racer there was always options and they were still good regardless of that not being the focus.
If Redout, Fast Racing series and more by third parties and Indies or other companies can fill in futuristc arcade racers where WipEout Rush is the state of WipEout, F Zero is elements put into Mario Kart and killed off among whatever others over the years at least we have old entries or some alternative options.
Re: How A Plagiarised Review Turned 'Rule Of Rose' Into A PS2 "Video Game Nasty"
Making claims even when it's clear by the cutscenes or themes (when possibly didn't even play it really) and ignoring the rating's board because of course got to have that messaging or wasn't aware enough that it exists doesn't work well without enough research which they clearly didn't do review or otherwise. Sigh. For a general magazine than gaming focused regardless of region it's a bit much.
I get Sony USA not wanting to have such image/PR it's understandable for the type of game it is. Whatever the case for Sony Europe or individual regions.
It gave me Ultra Despair Girls vibes just not in the same direction (kids seeing adults a certain way and other themes, I haven't seen enough footage of the game and others always heard about it because it was a collector's item). The ideas are creepy but interesting for a horror game.
Re: The Making Of: Chibi-Robo - How Miyamoto Saved A Cult Hit From The Scrapheap
Interesting stuff. But still it's the game series with so much charm but the worst marketing, even for being Skip's biggest series and something they still can't sell and people still don't know exists. Almost like Earthbound of worst times to release too (besides Mother 2) but still.
Nintendo may have seen the appeal in the character and games but the marketing sucked and that's why only people that really care stand to help Chibi Robo while Nintendo and Skip kept failing to help them sell even if it's Toy Story or Bugs Life or otherwise like and Grounded or others never had issues being heard about.
Too late in the GameCube's life in 2006, either of the DS ones were fairly alright I guess, 1 DS one in the US at Walmart while not sure about other regions how they made it available or marketed it. Wii port of the GameCube game could have had better controls or a point n click mode for the New Play Control version but it never released outside Japan so that kind of was a good and bad thing because of how awkwardly they handled it control wise. Makes me wonder if Luigi's Mansion did appear on Wii if it would have been awkward for vacuum control but for 3D as GameCube was going to have 3D even if late at least it released. Photo Finder is fine but not really that appealing to many people and Zip Lash is a fair platformer but too bland in level design (even though I got stuck on the early parts of the second world because of it's awkward 1 to 5 platforms but eventually skipped it and moved on in the game besides it's awkward design in other areas) and artstyle. A fine game but yeah like many played an hour gave up and continued to give up on it or kept going to get it over with (I pressed on and was happy to get through it but not for collectables, and the mech fight was cool).
The series is great but they just didn't put effort into making it sell.