Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago
Date: Thursday, 3 Sep 1992 01:24:10 CDT
From: <U20565@uicvm.uic.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Followup to bad OMEN for SEGA: Read it!!!

I posted the original message about the lack of quality games for the GENESIS.
And thus far it has been aggravating to see the followups. The mainframe always
harps about it being bad etiquette to do a post if you haven't read the
rest of the messages in the thread.

Well it certainly applies here. Especially if you had read the original post.
Some people say "Awe! You SNES fans...." another individual thinks I'm a
SEGS devotee.

No. I own both systems and but the posting when I read that sales of the MEGA
DRIVE have dropped, no, plummetted in Japan. I then posed the question, why?
I said that having both systems I felt unbiased, I had the GENESIS first as
well. Based on the number of games I have purchased per unit time on the SNES,
when compared to the GENESIS, I surmised that it was the dearth of "quality
games".

I pointed out that "quality" was not necessarily inherent, but the game as
far as graphics, playibility, premise, challenge and other attributes is
what mattered. I cited two games I saw at CES in the SEGA booth as having
all these good attributes. "Sonic The Hedgehog 2" and "Batman Returns" for
the SEGA-CD. But that's it.

One fellow said "when it is the Japanese economy, SNES systems (Super Famicom)
have suffered as well." I then surmised that he had a GENESIS, "No, but my
son does." Sort of like telling the judge, "Yes you're honor I can make a
totally unbiased verdict on the accused criminal..... even though my husband
and sons are all police officers."

That's not the point. The latter examples despite whatever neutrality they
presume are not.

However the clincher is someone who did a followup and was in Japan and made
the following observations, that SEGA merchandise is heavily discounted.
Compared to previous levels and/or retail prices. He cited "Kid Chameleon"
selling for $15 when it started out at $45, the Telegenesis modem going for
$30 when it started out at $100.

Why? SEGA hasn't released a new system. There doesn't exist a MEGA-MEGADRIVE,
mythical game system, to push the value of SEGA's current game system and
accessories, carts, etc. Outside of a scenario where you have a "new and
improved" system coming in and pushing down the value of current merchandise,
the only other reason is when the market starts to look bad and maybe the
bottom falls under. From the reports in EGM about MEGADRIVE sales and this
persons observations of MEGADRIVE carts/accessories when compared to the
Super Famicom, i.e. a BIG DROP occurring. What would you guess?

The problem for SEGA is that the "new and improved" system was not released
by itself, it was released by Nintendo. But as I pointed out, that doesn't
have to be the case. Like in the old days of personal computers, it is the
software that makes a difference. It doesn't matter if it the hardware CAN
potentially make your breakfast. The question is, where's the software that
WILL make your breakfast?

I liked Revenge of Shinobi, Shadown Dancer, Sonic, Batman, Streets of Rage.
However the last title was it. I have not seen a single title worthy of
purchase except maybe for "Road Rash" from EA.

I would like to purchase Sonic 2, and MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, the SEGA-CD along with
Batman Returns. Except based on observation I wonder whether it would be worth
it, i.e. the lack of any games worth buying. Buying the SEGA-CD for ONE game
seems ridiculous. I think a precursor to even poor selection on the SEGA-CD
is when it was reported that some "Sherlock Holmes" games based on still
pictures might be released with the SEGA-CD...... no, what SEGA needs to do
is bundle "Batman Returns."

All I can say is, the news from Japan.... all bad....

To borrow a line from Super Smash TV, SEGA, "Good Luck! You'll need it!"
No not actually, a game worth buying would do....

Mario Pacheco
Newsgroups: rec.games.video,misc.forsale,misc.forsale.computers,comp.sys.atari.8bit