Yes, it's another magazine cover featuring a character from Tecmo's Dead or Alive series. This time it's Kasumi in her Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball (DOAX) bikini costume in Dead or Alive Ultimate(DOAU). Confused? Dead or Alive Ultimate is basically an updated Dead or Alive 2 (DOA2) for the Xbox. Even though the events of DOA2 occured before the events of DOAX, Tecmo threw in some costumes from DOAX just for the fun of it. DOAU also includes an Xbox version of the Sega Saturn version of Dead or Alive 1, although I tend to forget that since I never play it. I've also wondered why they just didn't port the arcade version for the Xbox. Sure, Saturn conversion is great, but the arcade looks so much better. Perhaps they didn't want to have to recreate all the extra goodies that were present in the Saturn version for a new arcade port, and simply chose the easier path. I think I would have played it though, had they gone through all that trouble. Plus, I never saw the arcade version all too much, so it would have been nice to have a totally accurate home version of it.

Anyway, back to the issue at hand. This issue of Famitsu Xbox not only has a great cover, but also includes a great bonus item: a mini-standee of Ayane! It measures approximately 50cm tall and is made of cardboard. It is the second in a series with Kasumi being the first I believe. However, aside from the cover and the standee there is ironically no coverage of Dead or Alive Ultimate in this issue! Instead, the issue covers Metal Wold Chaos, Unreal Championship 2, Mechassualt 2, Conker Live and Reloaded, Sudeki, Grand Theft Auto Double Pack, and True Fantasy Online among other things. There is one page devoted to Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball, and of course, Team Ninja Freaks, but that's all there is for Dead or Alive fans.

Posted by Gyoshi at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Now that Working Designs is gone, what better way to honor the company's memory than by taking a look back at their old newsletter, Direct Line. I think part of what made WD a fan-favorite was their willingness to connect with their fans. Direct Line was a great way to let people know that they were listening and that they relied on the feedback of us, the game players. While other companies' newsletters had a more 'corporate' feel to them, Direct Line felt more personal and down to earth. Unfortuately, I was a little late realizing what a great company WD was, and missed issue 1 of Direct Line (if anyone has it, please let me know!).

Issue 2 is simply one sheet of glossy paper, printed front and back. The main page has a short welcome message, descriptions of their currently available games (Parasol Stars: Bubble Bobble III and Cadash), Turbo Tips for Parasol Stars and Cadash, and the announcement of a contest to see who can score the most points on the first level of Parasol Stars.

The back page is filled with letters to WD. In one of the responces, they allude to the fact that they are working on Cosmic Fantasy 2, but they don't mention it by name. Some of the letters are humorous in an innocent sort of way. For instance, the brother and sister who think Working Designs created the Bubble Bobble series and question why WD can't make Bubble Bobble III for the Super Nintendo. Classic.

One thing I was trying to nail down is the date at which this newsletter was mailed. It had to be after November 1991 since they refer to a review of Parasol Stars in the November 22, 1991 issue of Entertainment Weekly. We also know that it had to be before March of 1992 since they refer to the release of Cosmic Fantasy 2 coming at that time. Also, the contest on page 1 refers to a drawing to win a Cadash TurboChip Card starting in January 1992. Thus, this issue was mailed out (or meant to be mailed out) sometime in December of 1991.

Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy this issue of Direct Line. I dedicate this post to the memory of Working Designs. Keep on truckin', Vik.

Issue 3 will be posted soon.

Posted by Gyoshi at 02:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I'll admit it. I'm a Dead or Alive fan. Maybe even a bit fanatical. In fact, my fanatisicm has led to me buying any magazine that features Dead or Alive characters on the cover, this being the first of many covers that I will be posting here on this website o' mine.

This cover of Famitsu features the runaway shinobi, Kasumi, along with the American wrestler/model/rockstar Tina Armstrong both cuddling up to the Famitsu mascot on a large Xbox 360. I've always liked the art that often adorns the covers of Famitsu Weekly and this issue is no exception.

The issue itself covers plenty of Xbox 360 stuff, along with games like Kingdom Hearts II, Tales of the Abyss, Mario Kart DS, Biohazard 4, and Metal Gear Acid 2 among others. This issue also comes with a Rogue Galaxy booklet that contains walkthroughs, character data, and more.

Posted by Gyoshi at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Gyoshi at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The third and final issue of TurboEdge is here! Released in the spring of 1992, this issue continues the look and layout of Issue Two, and likewise has some great information. There's an article to answer all the frequently asked questions about the CD-ROM format, a list of new games coming out (Valis III being the best one), and an all new contest to win a TurboGrafx CD system! This issue also includes the announcement of the formation of Turbo Technologies, Inc. (or TTI for short). Turbo Technologies, Inc. officially began operating on April 1st, shortly after this final issue of TurboEdge, and was made up of employees from NEC and HudsonSoft. Naoyuki Tsuji, former president of HudsonSoft USA and president of TTI, has a welcome letter on page eight.

Once TTI was operating, I didn't receive new issues of TurboEdge. It is safe to say that TTI decided not to publish and create new issues, and instead focused on other ways to promote the TurboGrafx, such as the Club Turbo catalogs and other mailings which will be explored on this site in the future.

At any rate, summaries for each page is listed below, or just click on the thumbnails to start reading!

Page 1 - Software Calendar: March 1992 to June 1992. New Adventure Titles: Valis III and Night Creatures. New Simulation Title: Gunboat. New Strategy Titles: Lords of the Rising Sun and Ballistix. Turbo Top Ten: Top Ten Titles Christmas 1991. Ad: Buy a TurboExpress and get 4 games free!

 

Page 2 - Article: "CD Technology in the Video Game World". Article: "What's in Store for CD-ROM?" Turbo Editorial by Ken Wirt.

Page 3 - Profile: Turbo Team members Kevin Dalporto, Mike Witkus, John Podlasek, Jim Anderson, Jay Balla, and John Monforti. Ad: Valis III. Ad: Babbage's. TurboExpress Promotion details.

 

 

Page 4 - Your Page: Q&A. Fall 1991 Crossword Contest Winner and answers.

 

 

Page 5 - TurboTeam TurboTips: Bomberman, Bonk's Revenge, Cadash, Impossamole, The Legendary Axe, Parasol Stars, Yo'Bro, and Raiden.

 

 

Page 6 - New Software continued from Page 1: Darkwing Duck and TV Sports Baseball. Win a TurboGrafx CD Player contest details.

 

 

Page 7 - Win a TurboGrafx-CD Player contest page: word search puzzle.

 

 

 

Page 8 - "Welcome From Turbo Technologies, Inc." letter from Naoyuki Tsuji. List of TurbGrafx-16 Dealers. Credits. Mailing label area.

 

Thus concludes the three issue collection of the TurboEdge newsletter. If you missed the first two issues, just follow these link below:

Volume 1, Issue 1 (Spring 1991): http://carrotnetwork.com/ryuker/2006/02/turboedge_volume_1_issue_1.html

Volume 1, Issue 2 (Fall 1991): http://carrotnetwork.com/ryuker/2006/02/turboedge_volume_1_issue_2_fal.html

Posted by Gyoshi at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Simply click on the thumbnails below to start reading!

Here's a breakdown of each page's content:

• Page 1 - New Software: Yo'Bro!, Impossimole, Silent Debuggers, Addams Family, and Ys III. Software Calendar: September 1991 to First Quarter 1992. The Turbo Top Ten: the top ten TurboGrafx-16 games of all-time (a bit premature if you ask me). CD+G teaser.
• Page 2 - Turbo Editorial by John Podlasek. TurboGrafx-16 Breaks 4Mb TurboChip Barrier - Raiden announcement. A Fantasy Job: Third Party - Working Designs and Victor Ireland.
• Page 3 - Profile: Chris Nicolella, a TurboGrafx-16 Game Counselor. New Software (continued from page 1): It Came From the Desert, TV Sports Hockey, Champions Forever Boxing, Davis Cup Tennis, and Andre Panza Kick Boxing. Free CD+G disc in specially-marked TurboGrafx CD boxes.
• Pages 4 and 5 - Your Page: the question and answer section. Turbo Team Turbo Tips: tips for TV Sports Football, Dragon Spirit, Victory Run, World Class Baseball, Bonk's Adventure, China Warrior, Impossimole, and Yo'Bro!.
• Page 6 - Q&A continued. Babbage's ad. Crossword puzzle clues.
• Page 7 - Win a TurboExpress: crossword puzzle.
• Page 8 - Bonk Bonks Drugs in Canada. List of where to buy TurboGrafx hardware and games. Credits. Mailing label area.

That's it for issue 2. I hope you enjoyed reading it, and stay tuned for issue 3!

Posted by Gyoshi at 03:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Capcom fans may want to check out Volume 2 of Famitsu Capcom, a special all-Capcom issue of Japanese game magazine, Famitsu. Volume 1 of Famitsu Capcom was published back in 2004 and was focused around the release of Biohazard 4 (Resident Evil 4 in the US). That issue came with two discs: a playable demo of Biohazard 4 for the Nintendo Gamecube and a DVD with footage from upcoming games. Volume 2 also has 2 DVD's which include playable demos of not one, but two games: Okami and Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams for the Sony Playstation 2. Videos of upcoming games are also included.

The magazine itself has coverage of upcoming Capcom titles such as Biohazard 5 and Devil May Cry 3 for the Sony Playstation 3, and Dead Rising and Lost Planet for Microsoft's Xbox 360. For Sony's Playstation 2, you can find features on the aforementioned Shin Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams and Okami, Monster Hunter 2, Devil May Cry 2 Special Edition, Black Cat, and the Capcom Classics Collection. On the Sony PSP front, there's the new Gokumakaimura (Ghouls n' Ghosts in the US), Monster Hunter Portable, and Street Fighter Alpha 3 Double Upper. For the Nintendo DS, notables include Biohazard: Deadly Silence and Rockman ZX.

It's a great little book for Capcom fans and if you have the ablility to play Japanese games, then you'll no doubt enjoy the included demos. The price for this special issue is a bit hefty at 1490yen, but you may consider it worth it as a collectible, and besides, Famitsu and Capcom don't come out with these special issues on a regular basis. If you don't have a Japanese bookstore in your area you can buy it from Play-Asia.com for $19.90.

Additional link: Capcom's official website

Posted by Gyoshi at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Part of the purpose of this site is to archive things such as newsletters, ads, and offers such as this one. The "Graduate to Genesis" offer was valid on the purchase of a new Sega Genesis system between May 25 through July 15, 1990. By sending in your proof of purchase and sales receipt, you'd get a Power Base Converter and your choice of one Genesis game or two Master System games. That's a pretty sweet deal! Another thing that was awesome about this deal is that you could still get some free games even if you didn't buy your system within the defined time frame. The choice of games were limited, but the selection was decent. I unfortunately, did not take advantage of this offer...at least I don't recall partaking in it. This particular version of the offer appeared in the first issue of Sega Visions, the free magazine published by Sega for those who registered their systems. This version of the offer actually extended the time frame for the offer another 14 days. Anyhoo, click the image to the left to check out the offer.

Posted by Gyoshi at 01:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For the first "real" entry on the website, I'm proud to present something special--scans of the first issue of TurboEdge! Before the Internet, game companies had only a few options to inform the public about new products. They had television commercials, print ads, in-store displays, and newsletters that were mailed out to people who registered their games or systems, or had sent in business reply cards from game magazines stating that they'd like more information about a certain company. Nearly every major game company had their own newsletter, and TurboEdge was the official newsletter for NEC Technologies Inc.'s TurboGrafx-16. Published in 1991-1992, it was supposed to be a quarterly newsletter but ended up being published biannually. There are only three issues of TurboEdge: Spring 1991, Fall 1991, and Spring 1992.

I've had all the issues of TurboEdge in my possession for almost 15 years now, safely tucked away in my file cabinet, waiting for the day they can be fully appreciated by fans. Well, that day is today! So go ahead and click the thumbnails below to start reading and reliving old memories!

The layout of Issue 1 is a bit simplistic and slightly amateurish, but it is still easy to read and is actually a great effort for a first issue--they could have done worse. This issue is made up of four main pages with an insert that has ads on one side and an order form on the other. It was then folded into thirds and taped, hence the horizontal creases seen going through some of the pages. It was printed on glossy white paper of decent quality. Not bad for a first issue!

I remember reading it over and over, not only excited about the news within its pages but also because as a child, it was just cool to get mail with my name on it. Ahh the memories!

Issues 2 and 3 will be posted soon so keep checking back for updates!

Posted by Gyoshi at 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)