Sega Ages

Developer: Working Designs
Genre: Arcade/Action
Originally on: Saturn (1996)
Works on: PC, Windows
User Rating: 8.0/10 - 2 votes
Rate this game:

Game Overview

People say:

7.5
It's about darn time a compilation disc hit the Saturn, and you couldn't ask for a better starter set than this trio of Space Harrier, Out Run and After Burner II. These classics-created by Sega's Yu Suzuki-led AM2 development team-were revolutionary in their time, not to mention expensive (the sit-down version of ABM was one of the first games to cost a buck). So it's extra cool to finally play arcade-perfect versions without going bankrupt. Each game is true to the original in every way, right down to the Demo Screens. Even the music is authentic (a good thing, since ABM has some of the most kick-butt tunes ever, something I missed in the Genesis version). Of course, the games don't look so hot when you compare them to today's flying, driving and shooting games. Looking back, I find it hard to believe I was so impressed by their simple scaling effects. Still, the graphics do pack a certain personality that you don't find in the polygonal visuals of most modern arcade titles (the Space Harrier dragon remains a classic video game bad guy). I am disappointed in only getting three games. The oldies in this small collection put me in such a nostalgic mood that I wanted to play other Sega classics, such as Thunder Blade and Hang On. Too bad they weren't included, too.

6.0
C'mon. I know there were more than three old Sega games. The three that are included are cool and all but that's all? I never really liked Space Harrier that much anyway. Working Designs did a kick-ass job with what was on the disc though-even though it's straightforward. Some background info (a la Namco Classics) would've been nice.

6.5
Ahhh, the memories. Everything seems the way it should be, from the great smoke effects of After Burner to the little horse ornament flipping around on the car in Out Run. These games were all revolutionary in their time, so it's nice to have them in their untouched, original form. A couple more games would've helped greatly, but these three arc golden.

6.0
It's clear to see how revolutionary Sega s arcade games were (and why I dumped tons of quarters into their games) from these three great titles. Alas, I can't help but wonder why only three games are featured, and why no excellent "inside info" is shared with us. as is the norm with the other classic compilations. Loyal Sega fans will feel cheated by this.