David Rosen. Ever heard of him? Well, you should have. Because he's one of the most important people in the history of this industry. Without him, we never would have had one of the most influential and ground-breaking companies in gaming, ever. Way back in 1955 he set up Rosen Enterprises Ltd. in Japan, which imported art and instant photo booths. Humble beginnings, eh?

After a few years the company took its first steps towards gaming; bringing coin-ups to Japan. The company became very famous and successful, eventually buying a jukebox company named Service Games. They merged and became Sega Enterprises, Se-Ga, Service Games, geddit? Be sure to impress your mates with this titbit of gaming knowledge. Rosen started using their manufactoring plants to make electro-mechanical games that were exported all over Japan and to America. In 1970 Sega Enterprises was bought by Gulf & Western and began making games for both the arcade and home consoles. They had a few hits, but nothing spectacular. Eventually they received much success with their games and so opened an American division named Sega Enterprises, while changing their japaneses divisions name to Sega of Japan.

Over the next few years Sega made games for the atari 2600 and their first console, the SG 1000 (which never made it to America, being such a failure in Japan). In 1983, after a few consoles, Sega Enterprises was sold to Bally, a large pinball/arcade company. Sega of Japan was also sold in Japan. Then came the infamous videogames crash of 1984. Gamers left home consoles for computers, the big console makes all went bankrupt or just about hung on. This is when Nintendo and Sega emerged as the videogame powerhouses. Sega released the Mark III in Japan in 1985, which competed with Nintendos Famicom. The console was renamed the Sega Master System for a 1986 release in the States. Sega had quickly made a name for themselves, but poor marketing, bad timing and lack of third-party software developers led to the consoles demise.

Three years later Sega took another shot at home consoles with the Sega Genesis (Sega Mega Drive in Europe and Japan). At the time Nintendo had a strong hold on the market (around 90%) but although initial Super Mega Drive sales were low it gradually improved with good marketing and third-party support and some top games like Golden Axe and Outrun. The release of EAs Madden Football skyrocketed sales in 1990, Nintendo were beginning to feel the pressure. So they released the Super famicom (SNES outside Japan). Sega responds with the classic Sonic the Hedgehog and the release of the portable Game Gear in 1990 (which crashed and burned). In 1992 the Sega CD was released to combat growing success of the SNES but failed due to a lack of great games. Also in this year, Yu Suzukis AM2 began its Virtua series with Virtua Racing games. Two years later Virtua Fighter was released on the Gensis and was a storming success as the first ever 3D fighting game. A copy of it still sits in the Smithsonian museum in Washington D.C.

By the time 1993 came around the 32-bit systems looked to be coming so Sega released the 32X which upgraded the Genesis to 32-bits. But limited games meant it died an early death. By now it was clear that Sega was losing the videogame race, their next console, the Sega Saturn would make or break the company. November 22, 1994 saw the release of the Saturn in Japan. Despite having only one game; Virtua Fighter (which came with the system) half a million consoles were sold by Christmas. But this enhausism was not shared in America, at all. A heftly price upon its May launch meant it was considered far too expensive by the general public and gamers alike. And on top of that there was a dark cloud looming, by the name of Playstation. Heavy marketing and loads of 3rd-parties on board saw Sonys machine wipe the floor with the Saturn. In fact, it may be hard to believe but a company as grand and high-profile almost went bankrupt at one point.

But hope remained, by the name of Dreamcast. DC was the first 128-bit console, and had online capabiltities as well as plenty of brilliant games. But once again, Sony stood in their way. The upcoming Playstation 2 was an unstoppable force blitzed with industry buzz and that "cool" facator. After a steady stream of losses the bombshell dropped. Sega were giving up console-making to concentrate on what they do best: games. This left Nintendo as the only console veteran in the console war up against both Sony and Microsoft. How people could shun Sega for Sony is beyond me. I guess in this modern age with mainstream gamers, games just aren't enough. Now Sega are spreading their games over the three consoles (and the GBA). Who knows if they'll attempt another console someday. Don't hold your breath anyway.

Track Record
In terms of games, Sega is up there with Nintendo, if not just as high. Along with Nintendo, they are the great innovators of the industry. They pioneered 3D fighting games with Virtua Fighter, without it there'd be no Tekkens or Soul Caliburs. Classic games like Virtua Racing Deluxe (Mega 32X, 1994) and NiGHTS (Saturn, 1996) dared to be different, and left a permanent mark on the industry. Sega were the first developer to use cel-shading, in the Dreamcasts Jet Set Radio, a technique which is being used in games like XIII, Auto Modellista and even Nintendos Zelda.

Games like Phantasy Star Online were some of the first online console titles, and although it had faults Seganet broke new ground. Shenmue too created a whole new gaming experience, of actually living in a fully interactive city. It was inspiring. Sega always offer something different than everyone else, especially with games like Sega Bass Fishing and Samba Di Amiga on the Dreamcast, the latter of which came with a fair of macaranas for you to shake in the game (Parappa the Rapper style).

Sonic has been Marios toughest rival, especially in the 2D era. His speedy games are lightyears ahead of the Crashs, Spyros and countless other average platformers. They say anybody can make a platformer but only a few can make great ones. Sega are certainly included. They have remained a predomiant force in the arcades too with games like House of the dead and its sequel, Sega Bass Fishing, Virtua Fighter 4, Crazy Taxi and a plenthora of top sports games. It's no surprise that they are one of the three companies behind Nintendos TRIFORCE arcade board. Whatever your interest, and whatever your want from your games, you can be sure Sega will provide. Second only to Nintendo.

GameCube Releases
To be honest I haven't been too impressed with Segas releases apart from Super Monkey Ball and Sega Soccer Slam too I guess. But the console is still young, and we've a lot to look forward to.

Super Monkey Ball
Hailed as the Japanese launchs best game, and certainly one of the best at the European launch, SMB captured the hearts of many a gamer. As well as the brilliantly hilarious multiplayer there was a rock-hard singleplayer masked by the simple design and cute visuals. Guiding monkeys through a course may sound easy but by the time you've clocked the game (if you ever do that is) you'll probably have all your hair ripped out and a big hole in your telly where you stuck your boot through it after "that damn monkey just wouldn't stay on! Damn you! Damn you! Why won't you stay on the f***ing course!". Sorry. SMB does this to you.

Sonic Adventure 2
A port of the Dreamcasts last Sonic game, SA2 was, although good, a far cry from Sonics glory days in 2D. The graphics were pretty enough, and the game probably could satisfy a Sonic diehard but there were definitely some major problems. Most notably the fact that the GameCube, which can do so much better than the Dreamcast wasn't taken advantage of. Yes, they added many multiplayer modes but they didn't address the awful, awful camera and the dissaponitingly shallow gameplay. Heck, the multiplayer was a bit crap too. Oh, and so was the music. And the horrible voices they gave to Sonic and chums. Definitely style over content.

Style over substance? Oh yes.

This has "arcade" written all over it. Although it appeared on the console before the arcade you may as well be playing the arcades previous VS games. There are no problems in the graphics department anyway, this game is the best looking footie game on GameCube and one of the best on any console. But unfortunately for Sega, a game is judged on more than its look. The game is just so slow, the players are awkward and clumsy, there is no commentary, the camera angles are bad, there is next to no skill involved, everything is just so boring. After 5 minutes of play, you'll be itching for some ISS. We're not impressed Sega, not at all.

Crazy Taxi
Acclaim Cheltenham was given the task of porting over one of Segas most loved games; Crazy Taxi. Taxiing people around a city mightn't seem like too much fun but with Sega behind it, you should know better. To get your customer to their destination you can do anything. Race a train along a tunnel, fly off a ramp and over a building, storm through a packed motorway and even travel underwater (where snokel-wearing customers are looking a lift). A fan favourite upon its release, but left the exact same for the superior GameCube. If you own another version then definitely give it a miss. But if you haven't experienced it before, give it a go.

Craaaaaaaaaaaazy Taxi. Sorry.

Like Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheeler started life in the arcade. And like Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheeler is being ported over from another console by Acclaim Cheltenham. But unlike Crazy Taxi, 18 Wheeler isn't any good. You play as a variety of truckers travelling across the country, delivering your precious cargo to its destination. The trucks are slow, the gameplay is shallow and boring and you'll see it all in a day. The arcade versions redeeming feature was the big truck steering wheel with honking horn but when playing with a GameCube controller you realise how bad the game is.

Sega Soccer Slam
Developed by Visual Games and Black Box Games (the guys behind NHL Hitz) this was always going to be a bit "different". It turned out to be more than a bit, I'll tell you that. It had a net, a stadium and a ball but that's where the similarities ended. Picking a themed (typically stereotyped) team of 3 you compete in a violent, wacky, power-upped team of footie. There's nothing we like more from Sega than originality and character, and this just screams them. The singleplayer tended to get a bit shallow, but te multiplayer was a laugh riot. Lives up to Sega "original, fun, simple" reputation, a breath of fresh air with such a stagnant genre.

FIFA this ain't.

Another one of their arcade conversions, Sega are bringing their beach volleyball-based sports game to GameCube very soon indeed. As you'd expect it's quite simple to play and easy to get into, and definitely good fun. It's probably not on many of your "must-buy" lists and I'm not going to argue against it. It'll be more suited to a rent over the weekend with some mates and beer at hand. There's more to it than pretty girls in bikinis. No, seriously.

In The Pipeline
Now this is where Sega are shining on the GameCube. I'm not going to go on about our games compared to the other consoles, because it's just pointless. Super Monkey Ball 2 is definitely one to keep an eye on, and Sonic fans will be pleased with the lineup. Oh, and as for F-Zero, I don't think I need to say anything.

Phantasy Star Online Episodes I & II
Nope, we've no idea about the name change either, but anyway. PSO is set in a huge virtual online world where players team up to defeat monsters and progress in that world. The DC version has been spruced up and many new levels and characters added. A normally complex genre has been simplified somewhat so anyone can have a go, while retaining the whole character-stats upgrading part of any RPG is intact. The most promising Sega game coming out for GameCube may lack the vital online option when it arrives here though. Fingers crossed that you'll have more than a 4-player mode to keep your multiplayer RPG craving satisfied.

Online RPG-ing? Here's hoping.

Sometimes even us web journos are wrong. I'll admit when I first heard about Skies of Arcadia being ported over to GameCube I wasn't too excited. Yes, the original game was brilliant; an epic, imaginative RPG full of flying ships and great graphics. But the guys behind the awful Smashing Drive port were porting it over, unchanged. But things are looking up, the PS2 version has been canceled so everything can be concentrated on the GC version, while the graphics are getting upgraded and new charcacters and enemies are being added, as well as an expanded plot. It's big, it's beautiful and it's totally engaging. Look forward to this beauty next year.

Super Monkey Ball 2
How do you go about making a sequel to a game as acclaimed as Super Monkey Ball? Well, in Segas case you take the basic formula that impressed so many gamers but add 150 more levels, make them more interesting and diverse than the originals, supercharge the graphics, add loads of new multiplayer modes while improving existing ones, and just for the heel of it, throw in a Story Mode. Phew. Now if every sequel was like that we wouldn't be complaining about so many "cash-in" sequels. Demanding money off anyone who likes to enjoy games while still being offered a challenge. Oh, and there's the case of those mini-games.

Multiplayer SMB. You gotta love it.

Strangely, Sega are porting over the prequel to a game brought over to the GameCube that was already out for around two years. The only purpose this really serves is to have all of the Sonic games on GameCube. That's not to say Sonic Adventure isn't good, in fact it's better than its sequel. Rather than the more structered and linear singleplayer of the sequel, it's more open and there's more freedom given. There are also some superb set-pieces. We don't yet know whether or not it's simply being ported over exactly or not. I for one hope they add to it, the game would look a bit dated on GameCube. We'll keep you informed.

Sonic Mega Collection
Sonic Team once said that GameCube was the console for Sonic fans. I'd have to agree with them there, saying as every Sonic game is on its way to GameCube. As well as Adventuer 1 & 2, Mega Collection contains Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2 & 3, Sonic CD, Sonic & Knuckles, Sonic 3D Blast, Sonic R, Sonic Shuffle and Sonic Drift looks to be there too. Any Sonic diehard will tell you that his glory days were in the 2D era, his 3D games were good but not quite as good. To have Sonics games from 5 different consoles on one disc will delight any Sega fan, and perfect for those who missed the hedgehogs origins. Expect the games to be left untouched.

F-Zero GC *Tentative title
The guys behind Daytona working on a brand new F-Zero game? Oh boy. Nothing besides a handful of screens have been released of the game but they had us all dribbling over our keyboards in anticipation. Even from early shots, it's clear that F-Zero has grown up, dark, neon-lit backdrops, beautifully crafted and detailed ships, the whole set-up just screams a dark, mature, gum-flappingly fast racing. F-Zero X was a brilliant, brilliant game that had to sacrifice graphics for speed, but there's no such problems here. 30 ships blasting through a visual feast of a course, violently tearing through eachother and blinding speeds is the stuff of dreams.

Like anyone could not want this game

Sega have a number of American sports games lined up too; NBA 2K3, NCAA College Football NK3 and NFL 2K3. Sega have not been hyping these games much, but they really should. NFL 2K3 looks to beat even Madden for the title of Best American Football Game on GameCube and NBA 2K3 is undoubtedly going to wipe the floor with the dissapointing NBA Courtside. NCAA CF 2K3 is a strange one. We know it'll be good, but the main appeal of licensed games has always been the opportunity to play as your favourite team or player, I'm no expert but I don't think this'll appeal too much in this respect. If you're into American sports than Sega is definitely company that can provide.

Virtua Fighter RPG *Tentative title
Yu Suzuki confirmed a while ago that his AM2 team was working at an RPG based on and featuring the Virtua Fighter characters. Next to nothing is known about it, but many are touting it as the GameCubes Shenmue. No bad thing.

Verdict
Sega dropping out of the console race is nothing but good news for us Nintendo fans. Sega is a company that nees both no introduction and justification, it has always remained at the forefront of game design. Although we don't have Shenmue, Panzar Dragon or Jet Set Radio what we do have isn't anything to complain about. Super Monkey Ball surprised us all, and its sequel will no doubt enjoy success. F-Zero will be breathtaking, we just know it, as well Phantasy Star Online if online connectivity gets sorted out over here. And as for that Virtua Fighter RPG, well, it has got us very excited. Rivals turned comrades, Sega are promising a LOT. But hey, you wouldn't expect any less off these videogame veterans, now would you?