OverClocked ReMix presents NiGHTS: Lucid Dreaming

The latest OverClocked ReMix album celebrates NiGHTS 15th anniversary with twenty-seven remixes of classic NiGHTS music. It really it a great listen, I especially enjoy the moody guitar riffs of the NiGHTS theme as well as the remixed boss tunes. The album is free to download at the official OverClocked ReMix site and comes in two flavors: an audiophile package containing lossless tracks and a more casual mp3 package. Give it a listen and share your thoughts!

NiGHTS Turns 15!

Fifteen years ago, our favorite purple flying dream jester hit the SEGA Saturn. I could go on and on about how great a game NiGHTS was and is, but chances are that if you follow The Saturn Junkyard you already know this. It was the defining game of the console and perhaps is the first game that comes to mind when somebody says "SEGA Saturn". I still associate the 3D Controller with NiGHTS. I still wonder what the Saturn sequel Air NiGHTS would have been like. And I still am dissapointed that Journey into Dreams did not live up to the original.

Love NiGHTS? Why not boot up the ol' Saturn and give it a playthrough today. Want SEGA to rerelease NiGHTS? Visit NiD15 and show your support!

Again, happy anniversary NiGHTS!

Happy 16th Birthday SEGA Saturn!

16 years ago today the beloved SEGA Saturn hit US stores following the announcement by SEGA of America President Tom Kalinske at E3 that the Saturn was now available in select retailers. While this move was one of SEGA's biggest mistakes ever, we'll not get into that. Instead, we'll celebrate the day as being the day the Saturn entered American homes!

To celebrate this event, SEGA Network partner SEGAbits is spending the entire month (and the week of June leading up to E3) to talk about all things Saturn! Expect to see Saturn-centric weekly features, reviews, videos, podcasts and more. I even plan on featuring some classic Saturn Junkyard articles. Sounds like fun, eh? Check out the Saturn theme I helped apply to SEGAbits:

Expect to see some exciting articles here at the Saturn Junkyard as well! It's a month you won't want to miss.

Hiroshi Fujioka - The Official Blog!

Since a couple of days actor and singer Hiroshi Fujioka has his very own blog. You may want to check it out right here and you better bookmark it right now! Unfortunately there is no RSS feed.

Then, after you have bookmarked it, the next thing you have to do is send him a personal letter with your congratulations on his 45th anniversary of his career! Congratulations, Segata-San!

There is no Segata Sanshiro related Post yet, but I bet there will be. At the latest when Sega is releasing the Saturn 2 in 2011.

Tomb Raider 1 vs Tomb Raider Anniversary

As promised, here I am to talk about the differences between Tomb Raider 1, particularly the Saturn version, and the newest Tomb Raider Anniversary (PS2 version in this case). Before you ask, let me say that I haven’t played Tomb Raider 1 to the very end, but I went pretty far with just 4 levels remaining to beat the game (more on that in the end of this post) and from what I played and seen of TR: Anniversary I feel pretty confident to talk about the differences and similarities between the original and the remake.

The greatest difference is, obviously, the presentation, but there’s more to it than you might think at first. That’s because those guys over at Crystal Dinamics didn’t just upgrade the models and textures, they’ve rebuilt and redesigned all of the levels accordingly to what the PS2 hardware is capable of. But fear not, old fans, for the most unique aspects of each level remain here, and for that TRA is indeed a remake and not just a game “inspired by” the original.

The other differences are the sounds (I kinda miss the original ones) and the general gameplay, which is basically the same present in TR Legend, with the new addiction of Lara being able to jump into the top of vertical poles.

But more demonstrative than mere words is the following video, so if you want to see for yourself check out the footage below.

My conclusion is, this is one hell of a remake! Capable of appealing to both fans of the original game and gamers that are new to the series, I think everyone, with no exception, should try this awesome game.

Now, as a bonus for reading this post, here is the update of my progress in Tomb Raider for the Saturn. As I said in the beginning of this post, I’m currently in the level “Sanctuary of the Scion”, level 12 out of 15, so, with just 4 levels remaining (counting the one I’m at), one would think that if I got this far it’s just a matter of time before I beat the game. Well, I’m not proud to say that I decided to quit. Yes, dear readers, in a shameful twist of events, this humble gamer didn’t beat the game, he was beaten by it. The truth is, the game was so fucking hard by then that I just wasn’t having fun anymore, so I think it’s best if I just dedicate my time to other games.

Nonetheless, I played enough to write a review, or at least post some commentaries about my experience while playing it, so my posts about Tomb Raider don’t end here…

Goodbye and good games ;)