Sega Visions (June/July 1993)

Sega Visions was more or less Sega's answer to Nintendo Power. It was the official Sega magazine though I don't recall seeing it on store shelves. It may have only been widely available as a subscription. Generally, you could get a free trial subscription by sending in a registration for a Sega product. In 1993 the Sega Genesis, Sega CD and Game Gear were being covered. The June/July 1993 issue includes:

• Say What?...Overheard at Sega - Time Warner forms agreement with Sega to distribute Genesis games via cable; Genesis is number one selling toy for December 1992; new Sonic pinball game in development; Sega announces upcoming release of Aladdin on the Genesis; Valiant and Image "Deathmate" announced; and more.

• Yo Sega! - Questions and comments from readers about "blast processing", Sonic 2 giveaway with Genesis, details about Conic, Tails and Robotnik, the Game Genie, Sega Genesis power draw, connecting a Game Gear to a TV, and more.

Sega Game Features

• Jurassic Park for Genesis - A preview of the upcoming Jurassic Park game for the Genesis that is based on the, at the time, still upcoming movies.

• The Making of Jurassic Park - A look at all that went into making the game from learning about dinosaurs to creating animation sequences of animals that no longer exist to creating the backgrounds and more.

• Sneak Peeks
  • Joe Montana's NFL Football CD - A football game with a behind the quarterback 3D view for the Sega CD.
  • Mad Dog McRee CD - A light gun game for the Sega CD based on the arcade game from American Laser Games.

• Sega CD Software
  • Terminator - This CD enhanced action game is based on the original Terminator movie.
  • Dracula - This game is based on the Bram Stoker's Dracula movie and includes digitized graphics, 3D effects and CD quality sound and music. Mostly the game plays as a side-scrolling beat-'em-up.
  • Ecco the Dolphin - There was also a cartridge version of this game but the CD version adds five new levels and some additions to the other levels as well. It also adds "3-D" stereo sound.
  • Final Fight - Another formerly cartridge only game that has some significant enhancements in the CD version, including a two-player simultaneous mode, new areas and stereo sound.

Just Review It Genesis

• Shining Force - This is really a must play game for those who are fans of the Genesis and RPGs.

• Cool SPOT - While the advertising theme and character (7-Up's Spot) seems odd, this platform game is one of the relatively few licensed games that are any good.

• Jungle Strike - The sequel to Desert Strike. The Strike series in general was an excellent series of overhead shooter games.

• Mig 29 Fighter Pilot - Not a bad simulator but I always though these kinds of games played better on the PC for a variety of reasons. More powerful hardware and better controller options come to mind.

• F-15 Strike Eagle II - The Genesis really did have some of the best sims of any game console. However, still better on a PC.

• Puggsy - A humorous side-scrolling platform game from Psygnosis.

• B.O.B. - A sci-fi themed platform game in which you play the role of an android that has crash-landed and must escape the planet he is on.

• Rocket Knight Adventures - A platform action/adventure game featuring a space age opossum.

• R.B.I. '93 - The Genesis was known for its excellent sports games. This baseball game is one of those.

• Wrath of the Gods - A PC port, this one seems very much like Populous.

• Thomas the Tank Engine - An educational game for the kids featuring Thomas and friends.

Just Review It Game Gear

• Dracula - The Game Gear version isn't quite as impressive as the Sega CD version but it is a reasonable approximation.

• Tengen World Cup Soccer - A decent portable soccer game.

• Hook - The Game Gear does a reasonable job with this movie based platform game that was also released on the Genesis and Sega CD.

• Jeopardy - Featuring a digitized Alex Trebec and over 400 categories, this is a pretty good home version of the game. The only downside is having to spell out answers with the D-Pad.

• W.W.F. Steel Cage Challenge - I don't think this kind of game works particularly well on a small screen but it isn't terrible and you have to give it nostalgia points if you are a WWF fan.

Sega Visions Features

• Sonic Comic - A mini comic-book featuring Sonic.

• Game on Tap - More on the new Sega Channel. The initial line-up of games is supposed to feature a constantly rotating line-up of games.

• Chakan and Green Dog: Behind the Scenes - An interview with the creator of the Chakan comic book and the Chakan game producer. Likewise, there is a brief interview with the Greendog character creator and the Greendog game producer.

• Sega Visionaries - Hints, tips, codes, passwords, etc. for various games, including Road Rash 2, Toe Jam & Earl, Chuck Rock, Joe Montana '93, Sonic 2, Greendog, Ecco the Dolphin, and more.

• Totally Sonic - An overview of some of the many Sonic products available from trading cards and board games to kites and underwear and much more.

• Fast Takes - Brief game reviews for LaRussa Baseball (Genesis), Hook (Genesis), King of the Monsters (Genesis), Bulls vs Blazers (Genesis), Toys (Genesis), Journey From Darkness: Strider Returns (Genesis), Paperboy (Game Gear), Pacific Theater of Operations (Genesis), Wolfchild (Genesis), Chester Cheetah (Genesis), Championship Bowling (Genesis), Blaster Master 2 (Genesis), Dracula (Genesis), Crash Dummies (Game Gear), and Arch Rivals (Game Gear).

• Power Shopper - A list of games, systems, and accessories available directly from Sega.

• Incoming! - A list of games being released over the coming months. A few of the titles listed include Chester Cheetah (Genesis), Spider-Man: Return of the Sinister 6 (Game Gear), Batman Returns (Sega CD), B.O.B. (Genesis), Crash Dummies (Game Gear), Spider-Man (Sega CD), Dracula (Genesis), Bart vs. World (Game GEar), and Terminator (Sega CD) but there are many more.

...and more!