Genesis is a new bullet-hell shmup for Game Boy

Genesis, a new shoot’em up for the original Nintendo Game Boy, is now available for preorder from retro publisher Incube 8 Games and indie studio 7FH. In Genesis, you must battle your way through hordes of enemies to reach the boss of each action-packed stage, which you must beat to advance and get closer to … Read more

Indie dev hopes to crowdfund Sega Genesis action-platformer Phantom Gear

Indie developer Mega Cat Studio is creating an action-platformer for the Sega Genesis that they hope to get funded through a campaign on crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Phantom Gear, as it’s called, takes inspiration from 8 and 16-bit classics like Mega Man X, Gunstar Heroes, and Castlevania. The game features skill progression, multiple weapons, “massive” boss … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Final Zone

Final Zone is a bit of a misnomer. It is not so much a full fledged zone with three separate acts as it is the final boss fight. Sonic faces off gainst Dr. Robotnik for one last time before the credits roll. It’s a surprisingly easy finale, especially when you consider that Sonic has zero … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Scrap Brain Zone

Scrap Brain Zone is brutal, unforgiving and at some points even a little cheap. This is the last full zone before the final boss fight — and it shows through its steep difficulty. In short, don’t expect an easy ride. Whereas the similarly difficult Labyrinth Zone derived much of its challenge from the underwater feature … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Star Light Zone

It’s one the quickest levels in Sonic the Hedgehog. You can easily beat it in under two minutes without breaking a sweat. Just don’t mistake Star Light Zone as a pushover. The fifth zone in the original Sonic the Hedgehog for Sega Genesis — which looks like it takes place in outer space — is … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Labyrinth Zone

The fourth zone in Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis is also the most treacherous. Labyrinth Zone takes place through a vast underground network of ancient, deteriorating ruins that are submerged underwater. The enemies and hazards are not the biggest challenge of Labyrinth Zone. The water is your biggest enemy in these stages. Sonic … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Spring Yard Zone

The third zone in Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis is a light-hearted, zany environment that at some points resembles a pinball machine with springs, bumpers and secret areas. The inspiration for future casino levels found in most Sonic games came from Spring Yard Zone’s showy style. Spring Yard Zone, which was the first … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Marble Zone

The second zone in Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis is far more unforgiving than the first. The grey and dreary Marble Zone contrasts drastically with the bright, colorful and vibrant Green Hill Zone. Blue skies have given way to dark clouds in this more ominous-looking zone. The pace is also much slower. Green … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog: Revisiting Green Hill Zone

It’s perhaps the most iconic level of its generation. Lush grassy hills, checkered soil, and abundant life: Green Hill Zone — the first area that players visit in the original Sonic the Hedgehog for the Sega Genesis — is easily the most inviting level in the entire game. Players become accustomed to the game mechanics … Read more

Let’s Play Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Genesis)

The year was 1991. A speedy new mascot was drawing attention to an insurgent challenger to Nintendo’s video game console dominance. Sega was a hip company (at least at the time) making impressive inroads in the United States with their 16-bit Genesis console. I was barely out of my diapers — just three years old … Read more