Comments 294

Re: BAFTA Crowns Shenmue "The Most Influential Video Game Of All Time" In Surprise Result

no_donatello

Shenmue! It's of course a surprise given the relative popularity of some of the other games (my guess is there was a big voting campaign by Shenmue fan sites), but shenmue was influential in a number of ways. It was essentially the first game with a triple-A budget. Calling it the first open world game is probably incorrect, but it used its open world in ways no other game had to that point. Definitely the most detailed and fleshed out open world to that point. Plus QTEs, and everyone loves QTEs... right?

Re: Here's Why The TurboGrafx-16 Is So Much Bigger Than The PC Engine

no_donatello

@amishpyrate Indeed. Except for the disc that came with the Gameboy Player (at least in the US), which inexplicably came in the Japanese style case. The US case is better though, in my opinion, since the Japanese cases have cardboard sleeves around them that are more likely to be damaged/lost than the cover artwork being protected behind plastic like the DVD-style case.

Re: Here's Why The TurboGrafx-16 Is So Much Bigger Than The PC Engine

no_donatello

The redesign is funny because it was purely based on perception and not need. I think the idea that a small console, particularly as small as the PC-Engine, could be considered lesser might actually have some merit. I don't understand the design they ended up with though, with that weird protrusion sticking out the back covered by a pointless plastic shroud. I guess this meant they didn't have to redesign the CD add-on?? If that back part were chopped off, it would have been an okay design. The name change was very on-brand for the late 80s and early 90s. The kids (myself included) were all about using an X in the place of other less eXtreme letter options.

It's a great console though with a surprisingly strong library of games. It's too bad so many of its great game stayed in Japan. Rondo of Blood probably being the biggest example, though there are many more. The mini was a great way to get into the console, though I don't know what those are running price-wise nowadays.

Re: Random: A "Fictional" Band From A Sega Dreamcast Game Has Just Won A Music Award In 2025

no_donatello

@Sketcz I absolutely love Tokyo Bus Guide! It is simultaneously the most chill and infuriating game. I bought a Dreamcast racing wheel for that game, and it's great. I find that generally racing wheels just make me suck at racing game, but Tokyo Bus Guide's pace is so leisurely that it actually works very well.

As for Roommania, I would love to play this game, but even with guides, the gameplay is pretty obscure. Hopefully a translation comes along because it really seems like a game that I'd love if it were accessible.

Re: Is This Really Japan's Worst Video Game?

no_donatello

I don't have enough knowledge about Japanese exclusive titles to know, but I highly doubt it's the worst. It is functional, and there have probably been titles that literally don't work. But it's definitely a pretty wild release. Saturn is just capable of a lot more. The Dreamcast sequels, on the other hand, are perfectly fine.

Re: Anniversary: Panzer Dragoon Turns 30 Today

no_donatello

An all time classic game. Such incredible style, beautiful music and fluid gameplay. It's funny reading reviews talking about how short the game is. From a strict start to end credits perspective, sure, but I've been returning to this game for decades. It's just a fun thing to pick up and play on a weekend without having to make a 10+ hour commitment of your time. And, man, that Japanese box art. I want that art on my wall!

Re: Best PS2 Games Of All Time - PlayStation 2 Titles You Need To Play

no_donatello

I don't know. There's a lot of multiplatform stuff on this list (Tony Hawk, Burnout, RE4, which in particular was definitely superior on GameCube). Sure, they're good — the sixth generation is pretty easily the best ever, in my opinion — but you could easily create just as compelling of a list of PS2-exclusive games (and I'm not counting later HD rereleases — just saying avoid games that were multiplatform at the time).

Re: English Translation Of Cult Dreamcast RPG SEGAGAGA Is Making Steady Progress

no_donatello

For all the years and years of hype that have built around this game (and I definitely have hype), if a translation does materialize, I hope I actually like the game! I am loving how many Dreamcast games have been getting localized recently. I still need to dive into Rent-A-Hero. I got a little ways into it with guides in the past. I would also love to see Roommania get a translation. Always curious about that one. It seems exceedingly "Dreamcast-era Sega."

Re: Please, Please, Please Treasure Your Offline Multiplayer Buddy

no_donatello

I have tons of memories playing multiplayer back in my elementary through high school days, either with friends or siblings. Hours playing WWF wrestling games on Genesis and Dinosaurs for Hire and lots of others. It is funny to me that nowadays, split screen is kind of a retro feature when games include it, and people are like, hey, that's neat. It was just standard from the 16 bit era probably all the way up until PS3. Now I see my nephews playing the same game together, but they're on two different Switches, connected online. I'm sure that's fun enough, but it's not the same.

Of course, I haven't played couch multiplayer in quite a number of years. You grow up, get married, and then it becomes a solo thing. My wife plays games, but her tastes are very specific and single player (Pokemon, Harvest Moon, Animal Crossing, Two Point Hospital, etc.). BUT I have a two-year-old son now, and my wife is due with another boy in June, so I suspect split screen gaming will return to my gaming life in the next few years. Looking forward to it!

Re: "This Cartridge Is A Tiny Time Bomb" - Limited Run Accused Of Selling Carts Which Can Damage Your NES

no_donatello

Gotta say I'm souring on these limited run companies. Definitely pulling back from them in a BIG way going forward. I currently have two games just sitting in limbo. One I'll likely never get at this point, and the other... who knows. Maybe some day! Orders have taken so long in the past that I literally forgot about them. I had moved, and it got sent to a house I no longer even owned! Just not worth it anymore.

Re: The PS3 Version Of 'Like A Dragon: Ishin!' Is Now Playable In English

no_donatello

Ishin and Kenzan both have excellent detailed translation/walkthroughs on GameFAQs, and that's how I made it through both games. Even the side quests are well translated. It's nice to be able to play the OG version of Ishin in a less tedious way, but I'd honestly say I prefer Kenzan, which is still lacking any English version.

Edit: Just noticed the mention of a Kenzan patch coming. Hope so! More people need to play that game.

Re: 'Bubble Ghost Remake' Floats Onto Nintendo Switch & Steam This March

no_donatello

I played Bubble Ghost on Game Boy on a 100-in-1 type cart I bought off eBay. At the time, I didn't really understand that I was buying an unlicensed multicart. I just thought it was magic. How do all those games fit on one cart?? Of course, there were duplicates, but it still had a lot. Bubble Ghost was one of my most played games on that cart. The graphics are very pleasing on the GameBoy version, and it plays well.

Re: 14 Percent Of North Americans Still Play Gaming Systems Released Before 2000

no_donatello

I would personally cut it off at 2002, since that would cover all of the sixth generation game consoles and not just the Dreamcast. I'm sure most people consider PS2 and GameCube retro nowadays. I'd assume everyone here is included in that 14 percent. I know I am. I spent the money for a PS5 (mostly for 4K Blu-Ray/media capabilities), and the only game I've felt compelled to complete on it is Astrobot.

Re: Shuhei Yoshida Explains Why The PS Vita Flopped

no_donatello

The memory cards weren't great, but the problem was lack of games. Despite what people say, PSP has a tremendous library, TWO GTA games, several mascot platformers, PS1 backwards compatibility (which having them portably was still a pretty novel thing at the time), etc. Sony put in the work. I reject the argument that Sony can't support two platforms when Nintendo did for years. They gave up on it when it wasn't an instant hit. They did the same but even faster with the PSVR2. Fortunately for the Vita, it was a modest success in Japan, which saved it from being completely irrelevant. Third parties brought a lot of interesting titles to the Vita. Yomawari stands out as one of my favorite series. Cutevival Horror.

Re: Sega Appears To Be Reviving Ecco The Dolphin After 25 Years

no_donatello

@Leahi84 I was a supporter of the failed Kickstarter, and honestly, it had issues. I believe there was a stretch goal where in the game would become some sort of multiplayer online-type game. People, including myself, were actually hoping it did NOT hit that goal because we wanted a thoughtfully produced single player experience like Ecco.

Anyway, I agree that this could be simply trademark maintenance, but I would love if it were more. I think the 3D remake does not get enough credit for being a really good 3D adaptation of the 2D games. However, I suspect a new game would lean more into 2D, which is cool. Love this series. My dog is even named Ecco.

Re: You Can Play The Dreamcast GTA III Port Right Now

no_donatello

@Serpenterror I don't agree it would have failed. It probably would have been a best selling Dreamcast game. However, it almost certainly would have gotten the RE4 treatment and almost immediately gotten ported to PS2 where it would have sold far more.

Re: Sega Has Been "Losing Confidence" But Its New Boss Wants To "Make It Really Shiny Again"

no_donatello

I definitely do think that Sega has focused on the Japanese market since leaving the console space. They HAD to have a more diverse library when they were a console manufacturer, although, back then, the entire gaming industry was more Japan-centric (and better for it, in my opinion, but that's just me). I really don't care if they "reinvent" themselves. I enjoy the Yakuza games. I enjoy their Sonic games, some more than others (Frontiers was actually really great). But I'm honestly fine with playing retro games with the occasional modern game thrown in. Really hoping the new Jet Set Radio is good because that is a game I want more of.

Re: Sega's Western CEO Isn't Interested In Saturn And Dreamcast Mini Consoles

no_donatello

@KitsuneNight Oh, no. I don't find variant hunting fun. I have one copy, and that's fine. I was fortunate to start collecting for Saturn in the mid 2000s, when prices were much more reasonable. Got a lot (though not all) of the whale titles back then simply because I wanted to play them. Getting Magic Knight for $80 still makes me laugh when I look at prices now.

Re: Sega's Western CEO Isn't Interested In Saturn And Dreamcast Mini Consoles

no_donatello

@Wartogh They have stated in the past that a Saturn or Dreamcast Mini would cost more component-wise, and that was one reason they would wait on those until components got cheaper. However, I would argue that the PlayStation Classic failed because the game lineup was poor. They initially announced only part of the lineup and included all the big names. People were excited. Then the rest of the lineup turned out to be meh. No Crash, no Silent Hill, etc. The unique thing about the Saturn is that so few of its big titles actually ever got ported to other consoles. Not saying it would sell like the Genesis Mini, but I do think it would sell.

Re: Sega's Western CEO Isn't Interested In Saturn And Dreamcast Mini Consoles

no_donatello

@KitsuneNight Indeed. Forever was kind of a failure from the start. We promise we're going to support the consoles you WANT, but for now, just these same Genesis games running worse than a free emulator. Ages, indeed, was quality work, but it was Switch only, which is the kiss of death for long term support. We know how abysmal Nintendo's track record is on supporting digital stores. Still waiting for them to do it right.