Best Sega franchise/series

[16bitter]

I tried to go with the cream of the crop here, but seeing as how it's subjective I'm sure there will be massive disagreement as to the poll options.

Good.

It pained me to leave off stuff like Ristar, OutRun, Space Harrier, After Burner, ToeJam & Earl, Sega Rally, etc. -- but there simply wasn't room for all of them.

[Obviously]

Although I love many Sega products dearly, there would be no Sega as we know it today without the Hedgehog.

[Kikoskia]

Sonic gets my vote just for making Knuckles. :)

[Demonic Weasel]

Sonic probably was the most successful franchise, with good reason, but there are so many that deserved more attention and so many that were just plain good. Anyway I am outraged. Shining Force must be the correct answer. It might not have done the best, but it was a great moneymaker, and it was one of the absolute best damn game series's.

[landstalkerx]

I'd have to say that Sonic has been their most successful franchise, however I believe the shining force series should be an option.

[lordofduct]

I can't even vote...

I can't choose...

Sonic is the most succesful, but where is Shining Force? and damn Phantasy Star and Panzer is a hard choice as well... to many good ones on there...


this just shows all the reasons I LOVE Sega... except the lack of Shining Force... (yeah it is Camelot, but it is owned by Sega)

[16bitter]

What's the consensus on the game that should be taken off for Shining Force?

[Obviously]

Probably Daytona. I mean, nothing's wrong with Daytona but it's not in the same league here.

[lordofduct]

Probably Daytona. I mean, nothing's wrong with Daytona but it's not in the same leauge here.
agreed

[Dartagnan1083]

I can't choose between those.
You're also missing the one franchise MOST worthy of a followup;

DRAGON FORCE

sure, another proper Shinning game would be welcome, but I simply loved every minute of Dragon Force.


In any case, SEGA still needs to shuffle around their development staff so they can ease off the 'Half-Finished' feel that many of their recent console titles maintain.

[David J.]

Shenmue should be taken off, it's not really a game.

That and I hate it with a passion.

[Demonic Weasel]

*Feels happy that more Shining Fans have jumped in for a consensus*
Overall Sega did everything right with their big franchises. Unfortunately most of those franchises were run by different companies.

[Elusive]

Shenmue should be taken off, it's not really a game.

That and I hate it with a passion.

whaaaAAAaat? o_O

To answer the question, they're all fantastic. An update to all of these titles would be nice. However, I think they've beat you to it with the Sonic option - apparently a next-gen 'retelling' of Sonic 1 is in development for the X360 & Revolution. I'm not really liking that idea, but I guess it's too early to call just yet.

[Demonic Weasel]

It is not too early to tell actually. If Sega does a remake there's a 99.9 percent chance that it will not be any good.

[j_factor]

NiGHTS or Jet Set Radio.

[Elusive]

It is not too early to tell actually. If Sega does a remake there's a 99.9 percent chance that it will not be any good.

Well, given that Sega's remakes are up to spec generally - take Daytona USA 2001, Christmas NiGHTS, Guardian Heroes Advance etc - I normally wouldnt have a problem. I just see it as being in the middle of creating a great universe with loads of fun characters, then chucking it all away and saying 'no, it's really Sonic all along no humans Super Sonic in regular levels lol'. Unless it's set in the past on South Island, of course, in which case this post is moot.

[Demonic Weasel]

I don't trust Sega one bit after the remake of Shining Force. But there it is again. I'm biased.

[lordofduct]

It is not too early to tell actually. If Sega does a remake there's a 99.9 percent chance that it will not be any good.

Well, given that Sega's remakes are up to spec generally - take Daytona USA 2001, Christmas NiGHTS, Guardian Heroes Advance etc.

But Guardian Heroes Advance wasn't even touched by SEGA... it's by Treasure - complete video game geniuses!

[Dartagnan1083]

I don't trust Sega one bit after the remake of Shining Force. But there it is again. I'm biased.

What exactly was it that made you hate it?
I don't see any problem with what they added, but then again. . .I never played the original.

But the original didn't stop this fan from enjoying the remake so much
http://www.insidepulse.com/articles/6411

[Demonic Weasel]

The way that the storyline was fucked, Mawlock and his stupid cards, Zuika on his own was pretty iritating, and of course I was more used to the old graphics. Also I didn't like Max talking. I probably wouldn't have minded it quite so much if he didn't mostly repeat everything Nova said making himself sound like an retard. And who can take the "losing his voice" part seriously?

[StRiDA CoL]

IM THE ONLY ONE WHO VOTED FOR SHINOBI!!! :evil:

WTF!!!!!

Man Shinobi is great

[Demonic Weasel]

It's not that we think Shinobi is bad, we just think it's woefully inadequate compared to other options.

[Dartagnan1083]

I never used the cards,
I barely used Zukia,
Graphics shouldn't make a difference,
Talking protagonists shouldn't be treated as master wordsmiths.


I didn't pay much attention to the plot aside from the premise. But from what little that I did notice, such as the 'chicken' sequence and overtly predictable runefaust dialouges, your complaints about the plot could be valid.

[Revenge of Joe Musashi]

Where's SHINING FORCE in this list? The list needs to be changed. Some of the games chosen has only had one or two entries and doesn't consitute a franchise or series at all. NIGHTS only had one proper game accompined with bonus games while proper series like HOUSE OF THE DEAD and GOLDEN AXE are proven franchises and had more than two games in the whole series are completely left out.

[Demonic Weasel]

I never used the cards,
I barely used Zukia,
Graphics shouldn't make a difference,
Talking protagonists shouldn't be treated as master wordsmiths.


I didn't pay much attention to the plot aside from the premise. But from what little that I did notice, such as the 'chicken' sequence and overtly predictable runefaust dialouges, your complaints about the plot could be valid.

The thing is as the difficulty in the game progresses you're practically forced to use the cards and overpowered people like Zuika it kind of ruins the aspect of picking your force. Graphics shouldn't make a difference, but I'm just noting that I prefer the Genesis ones, and talking protagonists should sound like they have some intelligence. And the plot was wrecked beyond words.

[shinobimusashi]

shinobi, not only for sega but for all video games thats my favorite video game franchise, i guess you can call me a shinobi "fanboy", but i dont really like legions or the ps2 game so maby not.

[Guntz]

This poll has some serious problems. Daytona does not constitute as a series. Neither do NiGHTS or Jet Set Radio. They basically had one or two installment and a maybe a variation. It's like if Virtua Racing was on the list.

Also, the poll severely lacks Shining Force as other people have mentioned.

[Baloo]

This poll has some serious problems. Daytona does not constitute as a series. Neither do NiGHTS or Jet Set Radio. They basically had one or two installment and a maybe a variation. It's like if Virtua Racing was on the list.

Also, the poll severely lacks Shining Force as other people have mentioned.

Virtua Racing is one thing, but how do NiGHTS and Daytona not count as a series of games?

NiGHTS had NiGHTS and NiGHTS Journey of Dreams. Only two games, but the first game had such a recognizable character that appeared in a lot of other SEGA games that it really can be considered a series of games.

Daytona on the other hand had Daytona, Daytona 2 (arcades only), Daytona CCE, Daytona 2001, and that might've been it, unless you count that new arcade game without the Daytona license. Really, that definitely is a series of games.

[M4R14NO94]

Oh man, I'm the only one who voted for Daytona!

[QuickSciFi]

That was a tough one.

1. Sonic
2. Shenmue/ Phantasy Star/ Panzer Dragoon

[PimpUigi]

For my easily Shenmue and Panzer Dragoon (Saga)

Despite how much I hate RPG's, Sega proves that RPG can be enjoyable for me.

[AD2101]

I have to go with Sonic as the best franchise, but would choose Out Run second if it were an option.

[ThugsRook]

Phantasy Star

Monster World as 2nd.

[StarMist]

It's Sonic because 1 and &K are very good whilst 2 and Generations are sweet.
Phantasy Star is next for II. If III gets some magical remake with everything everyone has always known it needed on a current console PhS will be 1st, but as essentially a 1 game phenomenon it doesn't merit my vote for best series. If so Nights would be in the running too.
Panzer Dragoon is a very worthy # 3.

But here's a question: where the hell is Ecco?

[sheath]

I've got to go with Shinobi. Across the Arcades, Master System, Game Gear and Genesis this series has more solid titles than any other Sega series.

[Baloo]

I voted for NiGHTS back when this thread was new (LOL), though out of these options I'd probably go with Panzer Dragoon overall. Panzer Dragoon Saga was such a great game that it's seriously just hard to top in my book. Playing through Orta right now and that's pretty damn fun as well, though quite hard. The original I have a hard time swallowing due to difficulty and repetitiveness, but it's fun. though it pains me to see all of these extremely good franchises being wasted by SEGA.

NiGHTS is tied up there with Panzer Dragoon Saga, and I'm not sure I'll ever find another game like NiGHTS again, just seriously amazingly unique and fun stuff. The two are quite different games. On a game basis, NiGHTS wins, but on a series basis PD beats it.

Streets of Rage 2 is another high-ranking one in my book, as well as the Sonic series, especially Knuckles Chaotix. Really there are so many fantastic golden-age SEGA games, that it's really hard to see what they've become these days after creating so many excellent games back in the day.

That being said, there are a couple other franchises on here that definitely deserve recognition, like Outrun (Which I'd probably put over all) the Shining Series, Sega Rally, Space Harrier, and After Burner, amongst others.

[profholt82]

Now I prefer the Shinobi series, SoR series and Phantasy Star series, but when it comes down to the "best" Sega franchise, I don't see how anyone can vote against Sonic. Sonic was Sega. That being said, I haven't played a Sonic game in years, nor do I have a desire to, I just recognize that without Sonic, the Genesis would probably have ended up an interesting footnote in gaming history instead of the juggernaut of the early 90s.

[shinobimusashi]

Jo Musashi should have taken over as Sega's new mascot for the Saturn.

Steps to stay alive in the console industry for Sega in hindsight.

1. Cancel all launch game plans for the Saturn
2. Divert all resources, and money to reunite all developers from Shinobi III
3. Hire Yuzo Koshiro to do music
4. Release the Sega Saturn with Shinobi IV as a pack in
5. Dominate the Video game console market

Its that cut, and dry really.

[Zoltor]

Another necroed thread(all ironically started by banned people), well anyway.

Shenmue hands down, omg It's so awesome(sigh why aren't more Adventure games like this made).

[cowboyscowboys]

Another necroed thread(all ironically started by banned people), well anyway.

Shenmue hands down, omg It's so awesome(sigh why aren't more Adventure games like this made).

Because they are commercial flops?

[Zoltor]

Because they are commercial flops?

If it was(and yes, it probally was), it was only because Sega was being run by a bunch of morons.

[Black_Tiger]

The real Shining Force games (except the GBA port) are as good as it gets.

I'd except any poll to be missing entries that should be included and including some that aren't as worthy, but this list of franchises/series includes several that are comprised of only two (modern) games, while missing franchises like Wonderboy/Monster World, Fantasy Zone and Shining Force have many quality games that have stood the test of time. :p




Now I prefer the Shinobi series, SoR series and Phantasy Star series, but when it comes down to the "best" Sega franchise, I don't see how anyone can vote against Sonic. Sonic was Sega. That being said, I haven't played a Sonic game in years, nor do I have a desire to, I just recognize that without Sonic, the Genesis would probably have ended up an interesting footnote in gaming history instead of the juggernaut of the early 90s.

Sega was epic for many years before they had a mainstream console or Sonic even existed. It's been their desire to cater to the mainstream instead of focusing on quality games that has weakened the brand.

[TheSonicRetard]

I'm really the first person to vote for Virtua Fighter? Look, I love sonic - it's my favorite game series of all time, and I have every single release in the series (including SegaSonic Arcade). But the release of Virtua Fighter was hailed company-wide for sega as a defining moment. It's digital art - literally. It's in the smithsonian. It is the premiere product by Sega's premiere game developer.

Sonic is one of the greatest gaming series of all time, but I suspect that, in 50 or 75 years, Sega will be more remembed for pinoeering an entire genre.

[TheSonicRetard]

Now I prefer the Shinobi series, SoR series and Phantasy Star series, but when it comes down to the "best" Sega franchise, I don't see how anyone can vote against Sonic. Sonic was Sega. That being said, I haven't played a Sonic game in years, nor do I have a desire to, I just recognize that without Sonic, the Genesis would probably have ended up an interesting footnote in gaming history instead of the juggernaut of the early 90s.

Go play Sonic Generations right now. Fantastic game. If you ever had even an ounce of love for the blue blur, it'll make you grin from ear to ear.

[Cornholio857]

Go play Sonic Generations right now. Fantastic game. If you ever had even an ounce of love for the blue blur, it'll make you grin from ear to ear.

I can second this. Sonic Generations was a love letter from Sega for Sonic fans new and old.

[Zoltor]

The real Shining Force games (except the GBA port) are as good as it gets.

I'd except any poll to be missing entries that should be included and including some that aren't as worthy, but this list of franchises/series includes several that are comprised of only two (modern) games, while missing franchises like Wonderboy/Monster World, Fantasy Zone and Shining Force have many quality games that have stood the test of time. :p





Sega was epic for many years before they had a mainstream console or Sonic even existed. It's been their desire to cater to the mainstream instead of focusing on quality games that has weakened the brand.

I think it was left out, because Camelot actually developed it(I'm not 100% sure, but I think Sega might've contracted them to make such a game, like how Nintendo contracted Rare/treasure to make some games or is it a separate company created by Sega), but yea not made by Sega.

However yea, I love the real Shining Force games.

[Daria]

Another vote for Shining Force... which is sadly not listed as an option.

[TheSonicRetard]

I think it was left out, because Camelot actually developed it(I'm not 100% sure, but I think Sega might've contracted them to make such a game, like how Nintendo contracted Rare/treasure to make some games or is it a separate company created by Sega), but yea not made by Sega.

However yea, I love the real Shining Force games.

Considering the OP wanted to include Toejam & Earl - which wasn't made by Sega, but rather TJ&E Productions, Inc. - I don't think this was the case.

[Zoltor]

Considering the OP wanted to include Toejam & Earl - which wasn't made by Sega, but rather TJ&E Productions, Inc. - I don't think this was the case.

Oh ok, then the OP should be slapped, for leaving a much more iconic non Sega game out.

[Daria]

I think it was left out, because Camelot actually developed it(I'm not 100% sure, but I think Sega might've contracted them to make such a game, like how Nintendo contracted Rare/treasure to make some games or is it a separate company created by Sega), but yea not made by Sega.

However yea, I love the real Shining Force games.

Shining Force (and Shining in the Darkness) was created by a then in-house Sega development team known as Sonic! Software Planning, they later changed their name to Camelot Software Planning and separated from Sega to become a third party developer. They continued to develop the Shining series for Sega until the Saturn's abrupt demise. Shining is a Sega License. Regardless, you'll be hard pressed to find any series on that poll that doesn't contain games that were outsourced to private developers.

Personally I find it ironic that Sonic! Software Planning now creates Mario games. :P

[TheSonicRetard]

Shining Force (and Shining in the Darkness) was created by a then in-house Sega development team known as Sonic! Software Planning, they later changed their name to Camelot Software Planning and separated from Sega to become a third party developer. They continued to develop the Shining series for Sega until the Saturn's abrupt demise. Shining is a Sega License. Regardless, you'll be hard pressed to find any series on that poll that doesn't contain games that were outsourced to private developers.

Especially the series which continue today. It's very trendy for big publishers like Sega to outsource their projects to smaller teams outside of the studio - case in point, Dimps has made more Sonic games in the last 10 years than Sonic Team, and the most recent Shinobi game (which is killer btw, don't judge the game off it's graphics) was made by Griptonite Games.

[Zoltor]

Shining Force (and Shining in the Darkness) was created by a then in-house Sega development team known as Sonic! Software Planning, they later changed their name to Camelot Software Planning and separated from Sega to become a third party developer. They continued to develop the Shining series for Sega until the Saturn's abrupt demise. Shining is a Sega License. Regardless, you'll be hard pressed to find any series on that poll that doesn't contain games that were outsourced to private developers.

Personally I find it ironic that Sonic! Software Planning now creates Mario games. :P

I had a feeling it was something like that(I mean come on, I found it rather odd Camelot was the only company aside from Sega, who knew WTF they were doing, when it came to the color pallet capeabilities of the Genesis, not to mention the quality of their games in general were very high).

Well yea, Sega is infamous for whoring out their brands.

Lol you're joking right, I didn't know that.

[Daria]

Lol you're joking right, I didn't know that.

Besides Golden Sun which is their baby, Camelot is known for doing the Mario Tennis and Golf games.

[TheSonicRetard]

Besides Golden Sun which is their baby, Camelot is known for doing the Mario Tennis and Golf games.

The best golf and tennis games ever, btw. They're rpg-likes.

[Zoltor]

Besides Golden Sun which is their baby, Camelot is known for doing the Mario Tennis and Golf games.

Yea I knew they did Golden Sun(the new one sucks though), I love the original Golden sun, two part game.

Oh ok, yea didn't know that.

[TheSonicRetard]

To everyone mourning the loss of Shining Force... have you seen the trailer for Shining Blade? Holy shit, it looks to be easily the best shining game since Shining Force 3. It's using the next evolution of the Blitz engine (valkyria chronicles) and, apart from it's generic anime characters, it's battles look great.

Unforuntately, it's for the PSP, meaning we'll never, ever get it in the US.

EDIT: Aparently, this evolution of the Blitz engine is being dubbed "concerto" and its being billed as the successor to the Valkyria games.

Hot damn!

[sheath]

Seriously, do people even buy games for the PSP? I thought all they did with that unit is pirate. Why won't Sega make stuff like this multiplatform?

[Orchid87]

Sonic was the best when it was on Genesis. The best 16-bit platformer series period.

[Bastardcat]

I dunno about that. Only three of his games from his 16-bit run were actually good.
Sonic, Sonic 2, and Sonic CD.

[Orchid87]

I dunno about that. Only three of his games from his 16-bit run were actually good.
Sonic, Sonic 2, and Sonic CD.

All of them were good, either Sonic & Knuckles standalone or with Sonic 3 locked-on is the best. And no, Mario and DKC games are not that good.

[Baloo]

If it was(and yes, it probally was), it was only because Sega was being run by a bunch of morons.

Shenmue was a flop. The game cost so much to produce that every Dreamcast owner at the time would have had to buy two copies of the game for them to break even. The problem with Shenmue was not sales, but the fact that the game was just way too expensive to produce, like most hollywood movies.

[Crackdown]

Has to be the SOR games for me!!!

[sheath]

Shenmue was a flop. The game cost so much to produce that every Dreamcast owner at the time would have had to buy two copies of the game for them to break even. The problem with Shenmue was not sales, but the fact that the game was just way too expensive to produce, like most hollywood movies.

That is why it needed to be syndicated almost annually, but people needed to keep buying the annual updates like they do, oh, EA, Activision, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo franchises.

[Bastardcat]

Shemue is probably the most Homer-goggled game next to FFVII.
It hasn't aged well, and it brought back a plague that should have died with laserdisc FMV arcade games.

[Zoltor]

Shenmue was a flop. The game cost so much to produce that every Dreamcast owner at the time would have had to buy two copies of the game for them to break even. The problem with Shenmue was not sales, but the fact that the game was just way too expensive to produce, like most hollywood movies.

Yea sure, it probally did cost a lot(that game was so beyond It's time, It's hard to believe the DC could do such, not to mention actually fit on a few CDs), that's why It's important to build a fanbase(so you can sell other Shenmue merchandise to make up the money, like wall scrolls, skill scroll props, exc).

If I recall, surprisingly enough, there was an advertisement on TV for it(not enough though, and it could've been better. It should've been plastered on the TV, and the commercial needed a narrator that could go into detail on the game's features/high points, that were being showed in the commercial).

[Bastardcat]

I hear people clamoring for a Part 3, but we all know what is going to happen if it ever gets made. It will fall short of people's impossibly high expectations(DNF anyone?), and get labeled as the disappointment of the decade.

[Zoltor]

I hear people clamoring for a Part 3, but we all know what is going to happen if it ever gets made. It will fall short of people's impossibly high expectations(DNF anyone?), and get labeled as the disappointment of the decade.

No doubt, because very few company care about quality anymore, and they only care about getting stuff out on the shelves, so it would be almost surely rushed.

[Bastardcat]

Not just that, but even if they did everything right, the fans would still tear it apart. Inflated expectations are a game developer's worst enemy. Its why so many games that are good get absolutely ripped to shreds, because thanks to review sites, the most vocal of the gaming public considers anything below a 9.5 out of 10 to be utter shit.
In short:
http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/demotivational-posters-a-meme-within-a-meme-in-a-meme.jpg

[Zoltor]

Not just that, but even if they did everything right, the fans would still tear it apart. Inflated expectations are a game developer's worst enemy. Its why so many games that are good get absolutely ripped to shreds, because thanks to review sites, the most vocal of the gaming public considers anything below a 9.5 out of 10 to be utter shit.
In short:
http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/demotivational-posters-a-meme-within-a-meme-in-a-meme.jpg

Oh that's new, haven't noticed that(but from the Sega fan community, I wouldn't be surprised). 8-8.9 is very good, anything higher is a greatness rating, anything legitimately(be on the look out for unjustly rated game, do your research) lower then 8.0 is probally not worth playing in this day, and age(there's way too many awesome games in existance to just settle for good or in other words meh games).

Needless to say, 8.0 is far way from a 9.0 quality game, nevermind a 9.5 yikes.

[Bastardcat]

The percentage system is used incorrectly, because they equate it to the way they did grades in school. Anything below a C is considered awful. A 5.0 should be considered an average game's score, not a 7.0

[NeoZeedeater]

Shemue is probably the most Homer-goggled game next to FFVII.
It hasn't aged well, and it brought back a plague that should have died with laserdisc FMV arcade games.
It did popularize QTEs unfortunately but I think the game has aged fine. It has a ton of flaws so I understand it's not for everyone but they're the same flaws it always had. If someone loved the game then but hates it now, I think it's more that their taste has changed.

As for best franchise, that's a tough one and I'll think on it a bit. I like Sonic 1 and CD more than any other Sega game but if we're going by an entire franchise, I might pick Shinobi for variety and quality across multiple systems and generations. I still don't think the PS2 games are that great, though.

[Zoltor]

The percentage system is used incorrectly, because they equate it to the way they did grades in school. Anything below a C is considered awful. A 5.0 should be considered an average game's score, not a 7.0

It's not just mentality, It's fact if a gave "averages" anything under 7, It's a really bad game.

The rating system works fine, only people hung up on number games, claim It's flawed, this Isn't math class, quality doesn't need to be spread out through the numbers.

One thing is for sure, it works a hell of a lot better the the 5 number rating system, becauase the 1-10 system lets you tell "how" good or bad a game is, where the 5 number rating system is super vague(so much so, that a crappy game could easily get a decent score, just because there are much worse games out there.

[Bastardcat]

I like how reviewers like CGR do things. No numbers, or letter grades anywhere. You got a good in depth review, and they aren't afraid to buck against popular opinion.

[Zoltor]

I like how reviewers like CGR do things. No numbers, or letter grades anywhere. You got a good in depth review, and they aren't afraid to buck against popular opinion.

Yes most gamers do that as well(aka non professional review, while 1 or 2 reviews are usually unjust, the average is "usually" close to spot on), but it doesn't hurt to put a number next to it, to point out the overall quality of the game/what the reviewer thinks it is after all things are considered.

[Bastardcat]

On the contrary, I think a number does hurt, because in most cases that is all people pay attention to. They don't care to know why the presentation got an 8.5, while graphics got a 7.0.

[Zoltor]

On the contrary, I think a number does hurt, because in most cases that is all people pay attention to. They don't care to know why the presentation got an 8.5, while graphics got a 7.0.

Oh now you're getting into the new school mentality issue, well them being morons is on them.

However you missunderstood me, what I meant was a number for the overall game, not a number next to each aspect(grading each aspect messes up the overall rating of the game, since not all aspects are equally as important).

[Breetai]

I can't choose between those.
You're also missing the one franchise MOST worthy of a followup;

DRAGON FORCE

sure, another proper Shinning game would be welcome, but I simply loved every minute of Dragon Force.


In any case, SEGA still needs to shuffle around their development staff so they can ease off the 'Half-Finished' feel that many of their recent console titles maintain.

Well, Mr. Dartagnan, if you ever come back to read this response after years of absence, you will be shamed to know that for a game you loved so much, you didn't even bother to do the tiny amount of research to realize that there was a sequel on the Saturn.

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/4718/186277-dragon_force_2_large.jpg
Not localized, but it still exists.

I voted Sonic. Even if I do like Shining Force (where the hell is this in the pole?!?) or Phantasy Star games more, Sonic was the best overall. Longest running with a lot of quality in there (despite there being some very questionable games released).

[TrekkiesUnite118]

Yea sure, it probally did cost a lot(that game was so beyond It's time, It's hard to believe the DC could do such, not to mention actually fit on a few CDs), that's why It's important to build a fanbase(so you can sell other Shenmue merchandise to make up the money, like wall scrolls, skill scroll props, exc).

If I recall, surprisingly enough, there was an advertisement on TV for it(not enough though, and it could've been better. It should've been plastered on the TV, and the commercial needed a narrator that could go into detail on the game's features/high points, that were being showed in the commercial).

No amount of fanbase or marketing could have saved Shenmue. About 10 Million Dreamcasts were sold. If every Dreamcast Owner bought a copy of Shenmue, it still would have lost Money. The game cost $70 million to make, mostly due to it being stuck in development hell for years. Remember it originally began as a Virtua Fighter RPG for the Sega CD, then moved to the Saturn, and then to the Dreamcast.

[Cornholio857]

^ Also, I remember quite a few print ads and internet trailers showing off the "F.R.E.E." system used in Shenmue. Also, even though it was the Official Dreamcast Magazine, they also included that trailer on quite a few demo disks. But in reality it all comes down to what Trekkies said. No $$$=No Shenmue.

[TheSonicRetard]

Really, the best Sega franchise has to be Fantasy Zone. No other Sega franchise has been treated as well so consistently, it's the one series Sega seems will never let fully die, and every entry into the series is treated with incredible respect, especially the most recent entry: Fantasy Zone II DX.

It also helps that there hasn't been a single bad game in the series, and how it ties into another extremely revered Sega series - Space Harrier.