Segaiden #17: Othello / Space Invaders / Card Catcher / Dragon Wang

Segaiden #17: Othello / Space Invaders / Card Catcher / Dragon Wang

Author: Jeremy Parish September 27, 2021 Duration: 16:48

Sega's 8-bit family goes on a diet this episode, with the SG-1000 media format suddenly slimming down from chunky cartridges to the svelte MyCard format, a credit card-sized chip that was so well-received that Hudson ripped it off wholesale for their PC Engine/TurboGrafx HuCards. Of course, this is really just a cosmetic change; the SG-1000 wouldn't enjoy proper technical enhancements until later in 1985 with the arrival of the Mark III. (Well, that was probably later in 1985; as this episode once again explains, Sega did a godawful job of tracking SG-1000 software launch dates.) As for the games, well... we're right on the cusp of the MyCard renaissance, but this is a pretty unimpressive lot. Another version of Othello for those who didn't buy a Multivision (so, basically, everyone); possibly the first-ever Japanese console adaptation of Taito's Space Invaders (possibly in that Nintendo's might have come first, maybe? Again, awful launch date tracking); and a well-meaning but unwieldy clone of Irem's Kung-Fu.

Video Works is funded via Patreon (http://www.patreon.com/gamespite) — support the show and get access to every episode up to two weeks in advance of its YouTube debut! Plus, exclusive podcasts, eBooks, and more!

Production note: SG-1000 footage in this episode was captured from a combination of Sega SG-1000 II (RGB amp mod by  @iFixRetro ) and  @Analogue  Mega Sg with card adapter module and DAC. Video upscaled to 720 with xRGB Mini Framemeister and  @Retro Tink  5X.


Jeremy Parish's Video Works by Jeremy Parish is a curated collection of his long-running projects diving deep into the history and design of classic video games. Rather than a single focused series, this podcast serves as an archive and hub for several distinct endeavors. You'll find episodes from Game Boy World, which meticulously documents every pre-Game Boy Advance handheld title in chronological order, offering a unique historical perspective. Another strand explores the interconnected world of "Metroidvania" games, analyzing the design principles that define this beloved subgenre. The Anatomy of Games segments provide thorough, thoughtful critiques of classic game design, breaking down what makes these titles endure. Each episode, whether originally audio or adapted from video content, carries Parish's knowledgeable and considered commentary. This podcast is for anyone with an appreciation for gaming's foundations, presented not as dry history but as an engaging exploration of the artistry and innovation that shaped the medium. Tune in for a consistently insightful look at the pixels and philosophies behind the games you might have played-or always meant to.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Video Works by Jeremy Parish
Podcast Episodes
NES Works #087: Hudson's Adventure Island & Milon's Secret Castle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:04
Famicom mainstay Hudson finally makes its American debut this week with two sizable hits from Japan. First, Adventure Island brings a little taste of Sega to NES by converting Wonder Boy with a thinly veiled graphical ov…
Segaiden #27: Graphic Tablet / Wonder Boy / Champion Billiards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:55
The penultimate set of SG-1000 games arrives as the system does its best to remain current and competitive in the medium's changing landscape with technology built around the expectations of an earlier generation of game…
Segaiden #26: Ninja Princess / Super Tank / Champion Kendou [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:05
A brief break in the SG-1000's strong run of final releases with a set of titles that will remind you of the not-so-good ol' days when the console's library was generally pretty rough. This trio earns most of its points…
Segaiden #25: C-So! / The Castle / Gulkave [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:14
The SG-1000 didn't have much going on during 1986, with Sega's attention focused primarily on the shiny new Mark III console, but what little did make its way to the older console was pretty strong. After an indifferent…
NES Works Gaiden #31: Chack'n Pop / Dig Dug / Flappy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:43
A real sense of deja vu this week as we look at three games that have all appeared on this channel in other versions. I would like to say that these iterations are all the superior works, but Mom taught me not to be a li…
Segaiden #024: Mark III / Hang On / Teddy Boy Blues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:56
Continuing on from last week, we go from Hang On II to just plain ol' Hang On. But this in no way feels like a downgrade; quite the contrary. With Hang On (and Teddy Boy Blues), Sega brings its home hardware into line wi…
Segaiden #023: Hang On II / Bomb Jack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:26
This week bring us the first of a two-part episode—or should that be "the second"? Sega's imprecise SG-1000 launch date documentation makes it difficult to know if Hang On II did in fact debut before or after Hang On (no…
NES Works #086: Legendary Wings / Xevious / Galaga [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:10
This week is a bit of an ouroboros: While the primary feature here is Capcom's Legendary Wings, this episode also touches on the NES release of Xevious, the game that very clearly inspired Legendary Wings (not to mention…