Sophomore slump: Space Harrier 3-D & Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars | Segaiden 059

Описание: Warning to sensitive viewers: This episode contains rapidly strobing 3D footage. I normally drop alternating frames on 3D games to minimize the effect, but in this case, the 3D imaging is central to the game's technical issues (which I did my best to explain despite being a layman).

By mid-1988, the Master System had just about reached its second birthday... and, well, you know what they say about the "terrible twos." Here we have a string of second games in existing Master System franchises to prove the point. I wouldn't call either Space Harrier 3-D or Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars bad, but neither quite capture the excellence of Space Harrier or Alex Kidd: In Miracle World.

In both cases, I feel that these failings result from the desire to chase an arcade-style experience, though each game falls short for entirely different reasons. Space Harrier 3-D makes questionable use of the Sega 3-D Glasses, while Alex Kidd abandons the rich design of its console-based predecessor in pursuit of converting a vapid coin-op release.

Sorry, kids, the birthday party is canceled.

Production notes:

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Master System footage captured from U.S. carts running through a cart adapter on Japanese Master System hardware and MiSTer (thanks to MiSTerAddOns). Video upscaled to 4K with RetroTink 4K. RGB cables courtesy of StoneAgeGamer.com and Allie Bellrose.