When you think of the Genesis, one of the games that instantly comes to mind is Altered Beast, even though few people generally have anything positive to say about it today. Why is it then, that this particular title is etched in our minds whenever the topic comes up? Is it that it was included with the console for free and was thus the first Genesis experience for most people who bought the console at launch? Probably, and what’s really interesting is that most people don’t tend to associate the simple and repetitive gameplay with a deep marketing strategy. Believe it or not, Altered Beast was probably the perfect game to include as a pack-in, from a marketing standpoint at least.
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Davis Cup World Tour
Tennis is one of the most competitive sports there is, and very few events are more challenging than the Davis Cup. Be it in singles or doubles competition, the stakes are too high to allow even the most minor error, and those who stumble have only next year to look forward to. Tengen made a stellar effort to bring the action home on the Genesis, and Davis Cup World Tour remains one of the best tennis titles on the console.
Lost in the Arcade: Namco Games
Over the years, we’ve taken a look at some of the great arcade games that never made it to a home console. Many of these games – by companies such as Sega, Taito, Capcom, and Konami – could have had a great home on the Genesis and its add-ons. Sadly though, they were left behind, and it seems that we can keep adding to hat list. Arcade great Namco had a slew of console hits, but a good chunk of its catalog was left in the arcades for the duration of the 16-bit era.
Bill Walsh College Football
Bill Walsh passed away last year at age at seventy-five, leaving behind three Super Bowl victories and two college bowl championships at Standford University. Quite the Hall of Fame career, one would think, but as impressive as coaching Joe Montana to three rings may be, it pales in comparison to having your own Genesis game! Electronic Arts immortalized Walsh in gaming with the stellar and imaginatively named Bill Walsh College Football for multiple consoles.
Pac-Attack
I can imagine the executives at Namco back in ’93, as they brainstormed about how else to use their yellow mascot Pac-Man. As they ran through the gamut of genres, one young suit shot his arm into the air. ” I’ve got it!” He exclaimed, “what about a puzzle game?” All the other executives nodded in agreement, their faces slowly growing wide with a grin of satisfaction. It was time to collect another cash crop, and as he had always done before, Pac-Man was about to ensure a bountiful harvest. Thus, Pac-Attack was born, and the Genesis received another quality puzzler.
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