#rutubo game works

[fganniversaries]

13 years ago today, EN-Eins Perfektewelt was originally released at arcades only in JP. It was developed by Subtle Style/Rutubo Game Works and published by Subtle Style.

[archoneddzs15]

Sega Saturn - SEGA AGES Volume 4 After Burner II

Title: SEGA AGES Volume 4 After Burner II / SEGA AGES アフターバーナーII

Developer/Publisher: Sega AM2 / Rutubo Games / Sega CS1

Release date: 27 September 1996

Catalogue No.: GS-9109

Genre: Dog Fight Sim / Shooting

If you've never played Afterburner II, then you have never lived the life of a real gamer (^v^) Afterburner II was the first ever flight shooting game to get the adrenalin pumping. I remember playing the full-sized hydraulic arcade five years ago and still finding it a rush over so many years after its original release. The Sega Saturn version offers all that the arcade does minus the hydraulics. Don't worry though, it's still an awesome game. In fact, I'd say that the Saturn version is better than the Dreamcast version that can be found on Shenmue 1 and 2 and also on Yuu Suzuki's Game Works. I don't know why but the game just feels better on the Saturn. Both versions are very close to being arcade-perfect, but the Saturn version wins in my book. Maybe it's because it suits the Saturn more? The only downside to the Saturn Afterburner II I can find is that it's not possible to continue. Lose all your lives, and it's game over. I'm sure there's a cheat to allow continuing though.

[archoneddzs15]

Sega Saturn - SEGA AGES Volume 2 Space Harrier

Title: SEGA AGES Volume 2 Space Harrier / SEGA AGES VOL.2 スペースハリアー

Developer/Publisher: Sega AM2 / Rutubo Games / Sega CS1

Release date: 17 July 1996

Catalogue No.: GS-9108

Genre: Shooting

Many of the older British gamers who may be perusing my site may remember one of the first places that had the full-sized hydraulic Space Harrier cabinet, Alton Towers (the place which at one point in time was famous for their Sonic partnerships, to the point they had a Sonic Spinball and hotel room). Whenever I ask British game players about Space Harrier in the arcades, they always mention the one in Alton Towers Amusement Park. It's a legend to the older gamer (^v^).

Anyway, Space Harrier just like many of the Sega Ages games is a pretty close conversion of the arcade original. This was the game that really got my parents into games way back in 1985. Later in 1987 my mother bought the Sega Master System version and would play it for hours. I remember being amazed at the Master System version actually having speech and a secret character. The 1988 PC Engine version developed by Dempa for NEC Avenue also kept that magic alive too. That magic happened again when my colleague first bought this Saturn version in 1996.

Space Harrier is best described as an After Burner in a fantasy land. Same style of play really. Just blow away everything in sight while avoiding the enemy's attacks. Sounds dull, doesn't it? Well, I guess it would be if it was any other game but Space Harrier's whole atmosphere has that magical charm about it. It could be because of the strange fantasy worlds, or it could be that soothing Space Harrier main theme that keeps you playing. Whatever it is, it sure works.