Hang On II / Bomb Jack retrospective: Can Yu believe it? | Segaiden #023
803This 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 Roman numeral) for Mark III in October 1985*. But the number II there is just for show anyway, as Hang On II is literally just a downscaled version of Hang On—but a very impressive downscaled version! By far the best and most convincing racer on the console, Hang On II was so impressive Sega made a controller specifically to support it. But it does pale in comparison to what waits in the wings for next time...
[NOTE: A few days ago, we managed to determine that Hang On II actually shipped two months after the Mark III game, which answers the question of which came first! A little too late for this video, but I'll get it right in the Segaiden book.]
Also up is Bomb Jack, seemingly the final home release from Tehkan before they metamorphosed into the butterfly we know as Tecmo and Bomb Jack became Mighty. AN ambitious and accurate arcade port, Bomb Jack runs afoul of his greatest foe on SG-1000: A limited, visually confusing color palette. Alas.
*Note: After I uploaded this episode, information came to light that confirmed Hang On II shipped in December 1985, meaning Sega did indeed position it as a sequel.
Production notes:
SG-1000 footage in this episode was captured from a combination of Sega SG-1000 II with (with Card Catcher; RGB amp mod by @iFixRetro) and @analogueinc Mega Sg with card adapter module and DAC.
NES/Famicom footage captured from @analogueinc Nt Mini Noir.
Video upscaled to 720 with @retrotink339 5X.
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