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![hardcore gaming 101 phantasu star hardcore gaming 101 phantasu star](http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Phantasy-Star-14.png)
The Master System is not having a very good track record when it comes to sequels (see also: Alex Kidd, Zaxxon 3D, and next episode's Opa Opa game) Thus Zillion II is closer in style to the Transformers games than it is to Metroid. Presumably Sega took a look at the Famicom catalog and note that games based on cartoons were supposed to be slapdash, generic affairs. I believe that much of the team that had worked on that game was responsible for Phantasy Star, meaning that the sequel was in the hands of less creative designers. While I didn't care too much for the first Zillion, I saw that a lot of effort was put into it. Oh sure, the game is simple and repetitive but I find it oddly appealing. The Famicom had plenty of games like this, but Sega didn't seem real keen on puzzle games.Ī Europe only release, Bank Panic is a port of Sanritsu's arcade game. It's a decent looking puzzle/platformer game in which you roll around an egg. There's nothing too exciting about about Penguin Land. Hardcore Gaming 101 also has a fine article on Haja no Fuuin. And compared to Phantasy Star, there's really nothing in the way of characterization or plot. Still, the SMS Miracle Warriors is quite a slog: tons of grinding and wandering around with not much payoff. The Famicom and Master System versions are completely different, and some of the kinks have been ironed out in Sega's release. Title sound familiar? That's because we saw a Japan-only Famicom release a few episodes ago. The other RPG this episode, and the far inferior one. Strangely, FZ II did things backwards by starting off as a console game, then receiving an arcade port. How can Opa Opa even cry? He's a space ship! Sega choose not to alter a winning formula: FZ II is simply a bigger, wackier, more colorful take on the first Fantasy Zone. If there was an award for most incongruous game title this episode, Fantasy Zone II would take the prize. Sega must have been quite pleased with the results since it became Sega's first console only franchise, with a sequel released a little over a year later. PS is considered (at least in the West*) to be among the best 8-bit games. Sega finally catapulted itself into the big leagues of console gaming with this one. OK, so let's take a look at this episode's games. Starting in 1988, we see Sega shift its focus from Japan to the US and Europe.
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(And if you're wondering about 1988: six! The SMS was clearly on its way out in Japan by then.) Sadly, during its Japanese lifespan, the single month with the most games released was October 1987, with six games. September through December of 1986 gave us nine Master System releases in Japan the same period in 1987 sees 14 games. During the last half of 1987 Sega slightly picks up the pace of their releases. October also saw the redesigned Mark III released in Japan under the Sega Master System name. As for me, playing the games virtually back to back will undoubtedly provide a new perspective.
![hardcore gaming 101 phantasu star hardcore gaming 101 phantasu star](https://i.pinimg.com/474x/2d/3b/35/2d3b3525dd886b48940d9db07550008f.jpg)
Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but I'd be curious to know what the viewers of Chrontendo think. Which is better? That's a matter of personal opinion. Since those games are the two 8-bit RPGs that still hold the most fascination for gamers nowadays - at least in the US - I figured I better make a big deal about their release. I was somewhat surprised to learn that Phantasy Star and Final Fantasy were released only a few days apart. In fact, Chronsega 4 acts as part one of a special RPG showdown, with part two being Chrontendo 26. This episode not only wraps up 1987 (almost) but also features the most well loved Master System game ever, Phantasy Star. As always, it may be downloaded or streamed at. Well, it's late, but Chronsega Episode 4 is finally here.