Update People have been asking me about this. So the Address for the Game Works In Seattle, WA is
Gameworks Meridian
1511 7th Avenue
Seattle,WA 98101-1703
Last year, Sega, Dreamworks SKG, and Universal Studios got together to produce big virtual amusement parks. After numerous delays and planning problems, their first GameWorks center is opening in Seattle, Washington on March 15.
MTV, or Music Entertainment Television, will be doing one of their patented four-hour info-specials on March 15. So if you can't make it, watch it!
GameWorks Seattle is 30,000 square feet of pure trendiness, with a brewpub, cafe, and Internet lounge. And, of course, classic and advanced "signature" games (Virtua Fighter 3, Scud Racer).
For the first time in many months, Game Arts has released a collection of new Grandia shots showcasing the main character Justin's town, Palm, and itıs surroundings. These new shots come with some bad news: The game's release date has been pushed back from Spring '97 to "totally unknown."
Elevator Action Returns is an exact conversion of the Elevator Action sequel released by Taito in the arcades over a year ago. It's a scrolling 2D action/platform game that can best be described as a cross between Rolling Thunder and Impossible Mission. You (and friend in two player mode) must battle your way through six large levels of 'elevator action', blasting enemies, entering red doors to retrieve data tapes and using elevators to travel up and down between different platforms. The action is fast and furious, with non-stop shooting and an never ending supply of baddies to find homes for your bullets. It's surprisingly intense, and remarkably good fun.
The game features small but exceptionally detailed (and well animated) sprites accompanied by cool sound effects and "elevator" music. EAR is a 2D extravaganza, and a great title to showcase the 2D power of the Saturn.
Elevator Action Returns is currently only available in Japan, and there are no plans to bring it out in the US
After nearly a year in production, Interplay has finally released the first actual game screenshots of Wild 9's. And
although Shiny's latest creation is far from being finished, it's already looking very promising. Look for much more
before the game's release, now officially scheduled for this December.
Wild 9 Pic
According to Ed Boon (the main man behind MK), the latest Mortal Kombat will have quite a few changes from the previous installments. Of course the graphics have been updated a bit, with the game now running on Midway's new and very powerful arcade hardware (said to use 2 voodoo chips enabling it to display 1.5 million polygons at 60fps), and the unsurprising move to total 3D gameplay. What is surprising, however, is Ed Boon's statement that Mortal Kombat 4 won't feature any of the series' trademark "cartoony" finishing moves, apparently in the attempt to make the game a bit darker and more serious. 12 new characters, and when you should expect to see MK4 at home will be posted here when I learn more.
2/21/97
This game has been in development for a long, long time and is finally finished. We're not sure what the developer, Scavenger, has been doing with all their free time since releasing a playable demo over a year ago. Luckily, Sega seems to have either put Scavenger to work or finished the development themselves.
Scorcher is a racing game of the future in which you drive an energy sphere encased vehicle. The levels are a combination of typical racing and action platform games with holes and other obstacles to be averted by jumping and swerving out of the way. Scavenger (Or someone) is finaly releasing all these games. We'll should look forward to more of them. Late...but welcome.
Scorcher should be available for purchase in about a week.
Square Soft will release their newest fighting game, Bushido Blade, in Japan on March 14. Bushido Blade promises to take weapon-to-weapon combat to all new levels with huge arenas and selectable weapons.
Sony Computer Entertainment America holds the North American publishing rights to this innovative title. I'll have more as soon as I learn more.
The Saturn NetLink will finally provide gamers with internet gaming galore. Months ago, Sega announced that Sega Rally would be the first Net game, and it would be up and running a few weeks after the NetLink launched. We all know that so far the NetLink's only purpose is for web surfing.
Sega stated that Sega Rally is still slated be the first link game, and that Duke Nukem 3D will have two-player NetLink compatibility when it hits the Saturn this summer. The pre-alpha version runs really smooth, has great sound, and the graphics are almost identical to the PC version. Sega is also planning to incorporate some Sega exclusive levels to Duke, but once again, it's too early to tell. Sega also commented that they are considering Net Link options for Quake, Doom and Hexen.
2/20/97
EA Sports announced its first Nintendo 64 development project, FIFA Soccer 64. EA Canada has just completed the game's development and this week they will turn the code over to Nintendo for approval.
Many of the game's features such as camera views and playing modes are similar to those found in the previously released PlayStation and Saturn games, but it also has "Nintendo exclusive" elements. FIFA 64 supports the analog joystick which will allow users to better control the speed of the players. Just like Mario, the player's speed is determined by the pitch of the analog joystick. (FIFA 64 also supports the standard digital directional pad.)
Another interesting feature is the Picture In Picture (PIP) camera. This feature allows users to call up a small viewing window that can be toggled to any of the pre-set camera views. This feature comes in very handy when using the Ball-Cam or Shoulder Cam and assists in seeing more of the field.
FIFA Soccer 64 is scheduled to appear at stores in late March.
Donkey Kong Country will debut in an animated series late in 1997. The game will feature 3D rendered characters like those found in the game - but they will not be animated by Rare. Instead, the cartoon will be jointly produced Nelvana and Medialab, in association with Westcom Entertainment Group. Not much else is known about the series at this time - but video game fans should also take note that Nelvana will be handling TV cartoon versions of Sam and Max (featured in a LucasArts game) and Blazing Dragons (A Psygnosis title).
Hope the new series can capture the technical excellence of ReBoot - the other computer animated cartoon show. And not fall through the cracks like a lot of other Video Game to Cartoon conversions.
2/19/97
Capcom of Japan is preparing a 7,800 Yen special edition CyberBots package for Japanese release, of which there will be only 55,555 copies ever made. The special edition comes with the CyberBots Secret File DX, a 50-page hardcover art, CG, and comic book based on Capcom's popular freebie "Secret Files," the Cyberbots Panorama Illustration, a folding pop-up-book, and a specially packaged game case, CD and manual. The home version of CyberBots (as well as allowing you to use the arcade version's boss robots and characters) features an all-new, CG rendered character... Zero Gouki (Click for Picture). Zero Gouki is, obviously, a giant robot version of everyone's favorite Shotokan master; ZG comes with all his human counterpart's moves, including the Go Hadoken (fireball), Go Shoryuken (uppercut), and Tatsumaki Zankuukyaku (hurricane kick).
CyberBots is compatible with SNK's 8-Meg RAM cartridge (although not necessary to play the game, it adds more frames of animation) and will be released in Japan in March.
Capcom of Japan has just revealed BioHazard 2 (Resident Evil 2) is currently facing an almost total re-design, and will now arrive in late 1997 on 2 CDs! Why the changes? Apparently Capcom felt BioHazard 2 was too similar to the original, and wanted to give players a more unique experience. They also mentioned a new aspect of the game called "Zapping", rumored to utilize the memory cards in some fashion.
In related news, Capcom has confirmed the Saturn BioHazard will be based on the once PlayStation-bound "Dash" version. (Mentioned in the News here) So don't worry, it's not the same game all over again...
2/19/97
EA Sports version of NBA Live 97 for the Sega Saturn is currently in development and is approximately 90% complete. Due to hit the store shelves some time in March.
The basic features and options of the game have been changed very little from the previously released version for the Sony PlayStation. A few minor changes in the look of the menu options and the overall appearance of the players.
Saturn players have been waiting for a good Basket Ball game simulation, so NBA Live 97 is a needed boost to that area. If your cravin' for some new NBA action on the Saturn, this is about your only ticket to a court side seat.
2/18/97
Zero Divide has been announced for a sequel to be released in Japan later this year. Whether or not we'll see this title in the States is very uncertain, mainly because Time Warner originally released the first version and they are now owned by Midway Home Entertainment. So basically, it's up to Midway to initiate the entire porting process to the States, and since the first version wasn't a blockbuster title, Midway might pass it up.
It features a complete overhaul in the gameplay design combat mechanics. The biggest change in the game occurs in the arena designs. Not every arena is open to ring out victories. There are now caged matches that feature solid walls, which will more than likely incorporate bounce attacks, and energy fields, which will probably hurt opponents that are flung into them. Another interesting change occurring in this sequel is the loss of the Armor Meter. If you can recall, the Armor Meter was a major factor in the strategy of combat, because a player could keep racking up hits on a certain part of the opposition's body until the armor in that section would break off, exposing circuits which could then be attacked for more energy from the opponent's life bar.
With the new version, the combat appears to be more straightforward and combo and special move based. For fans of the first, we can assure you that several of the original characters have returned, and the graphics and lighting effects have been enhanced as well.
2/18/97
Samurai Showdon RPG has been in the works for a while. Now its about ready for Japan. Take the special moves from any Samurai Shodown title and incorporate them into turn-based combat. If you miss a combo attack, you either miss or take very little damage from the opponent, but if you land one, you could be greeted with the greatest graphic assault ever seen in a console title. Plus, you'll notice that the graphics on the town and map screens are very impressive. This SNK title will surely be released in the US sometime this year! Remember, Sony published both Samurai Shodown III and King of Fighter's '95 for the Sony PlayStation. Let's hope that they pick it up! Samurai Shodown RPG should be released in Japan around April.
It's known that Sega has acquired the rights from GT to release both Duke Nukem 3D and Quake on Saturn later this year, but word has it that both conversions are to be handled by the same company: Lobotomy. It's said that Sega first commissioned another third party developer (who shall remain nameless) to convert Quake, but brought in Lobotomy after the other developer failed to deliver the goods. Both titles are said to be in development 'simultaneously', and after the technical wizardry of PowerSlave, expectations are running understandably high.
Capcom has announced that Darkstalkers 3: Vampire Savior will be released for the Saturn late this year. Expect Marvel Super Heroes and Dungeons & Dragons Collection to also be released in the fourth quarter of this year. Cyberbots being worked on by Capcom is making progress. It is said that a Cart/CD combo is being used for this game. Check out the screen shot. There is also talk of AM1 making a Titan Board based Golden Axe Game in the future, and if developed, it will also appear on the Saturn. Shining the Holy Ark is also coming to Saturn. Fox Interactive will publish Alien Vs Preditor for Saturn
Arcade conversions have been anounced with firm commitments on Sky Target (Later this year), VF3 (anouncment March), Last Bronx (TBA), and Fighters Megamix in May. AM1's Waverunner, there is still "no comment."
Sega is making some new modifications to Quake for the Saturn, it will contain interactive lightsourcing, enhanced audio, and more. Since Sega picked it up from GTI the Netlink will be supported as well.
Quarterback Club series will be making its way to the Nintendo 64. It has also stated that a Major League Baseball title is also in development for Nintendo 64. Konami also has intentions to produce a basketball title for Nintendo 64 and speculation is growing that it will be a part of the In The Zone series
Basketball fans will also be happy to hear that Nintendo itself is working on an as yet unnamed basketball game for their system.
Release dates are all unknown at this time.
Meat Puppet is a shooter and is currently looking for a release on June 17, 1997 for PC.
MDK is the groundbreaking first person-perspective shooter from Shiny Entertainment. While it has drawn much attention to itself, it has recently come to light that a nearly simultaneous release for both PC and PlayStation is scheduled for May 20, 1997. Said a spokesperson for Playmates: "The release for both platforms should be within a couple weeks of one another."
Powerslave is the Egyptian-themed first person shooter developed by Lobotomy software. Currently the PC and Saturn versions of the game are shipping and a PlayStation version is scheduled for a March 25th release.
Battle Arena Toshinden 3 is the latest installment in one of the best selling PlayStation fighting series. While the Japanese market has enjoyed this title for a couple months, the US market will receive this title on May 12.
VMX Racing is a high speed moto-cross racing game from Studio E. It is currently expected to be released on Saturn, PlayStation and PC on March 29.
Playmates will be publishing Into the Void from Adrenaline Entertainment. The intergalactic turn-based strategy title will be released on March 25, 1997 for PC.
In a move that will relieve many die-hard Final Fantasy fans, Sony quietly announced today that the American version of Final Fantasy VII will have no blatant storyline alterations, even if the game must carry an "M" rating. Final Fantasy VII may indeed be the first FF game American fans will get to play without any major plot changes, thanks to Sony's mature attitude toward releasing Japanese RPGs as their creators intended.
