*Rainbow Islands Extra* Mini Review- Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) Japanese Import

[4567jackthkiller]

love this game soo addictive awesome q:D

[LarryBundyJr]

Ian, do you know if the sequel, Parasol Stars came out on the Mega Drive? According to Wikipedia Culture Brain released it, but I've never heard of it.

[ianwilson1978]

@LarryBundyJr No, not to my knowledge Larry. Wish it had though!

[LarryBundyJr]

@ianwilson1978 Indeed, Same here. It would have been really good on the machine too!

[Bloodreign1]

I have this version, if played on Extra Mode, and you collect all 7 big jewels, you do get the three extra levels on this conversion. But only in Extra Mode, Original Mode only has the 7 levels.

[ianwilson1978]

@picapauengracado Never played the SMS version but I dont believe it had the "extra" version with the Darius enemies etc...

[photographicleigh]

Deff only release in Japan!

[DraZtiCGaming]

I got an english version of this game.. Is it still worth something to sell or does it have to be the jap version?

[ianwilson1978]

@DraZtiCGaming The game only got a Japanese release for the Mega Drive- is it a pirate copy?

[DraZtiCGaming]

@ianwilson1978 Are u sure? I don't think its a pirate cuz i bought it from a store when i was younger.. But it doesnt have the "extra wide" things on the side of it that the japanese games ive got "wich i need a converter to play".

[ianwilson1978]

@DraZtiCGaming Yeah almost certain it only got a Japanese release. I'd be interested to see some photos of your copy... :)

[futurematt5]

"I'm gonna try and do one a week" ... have plenty of roughage and I'm positive you could get one out a day !!! LAME GAG SORRY...!

Pretty neat game, actually prefer watching you play it than playing it myself! It would be more than enteraining to sit with a beer watching you sweat away on these ever more difficult levels, offering the odd useless comment !! He he, nice review Ian, always enjoyable.

I hope you get your next one out successfully in the next week LOL!!

[ianwilson1978]

@futurematt5 One a day not one a week mate- lol :-p

I zoomed through the game here, normally try to take my time. Gets tough later on though like you say! :)

[scorpionatthepc]

My most expensive mega drive purchase to date but well worth it. Glad you told me about the cover issue ian as I thought id just clear it up with you just to confirm yours was the same (even though I thought it would be). You were racing through the level there as I tend to take my time to get the bonus stuff like throwing 3 rainbows instead of 3 & the big diamonds when you complete the boss levels. Great game.

[ianwilson1978]

@scorpionatthepc Yeah I normally take my time and pick up the food etc..., but wanted to show people more of the game so just zoomed through!

[CMBRetrospective]

Great video mate. I gotta admit i never played this game and always assumed that is was a bubble bobble game or at least the same sort of thing. Im definitely gonna have to check it out.

[ianwilson1978]

@CMBRetrospective Well worth it Carlo- cracking game! :)

[marauderNOR]

Nice review as always. This is certainly one of those Genesis / Mega Drive games that I will have to keep my eye out for. the sound effects and music in this game are excellent. Makes me wonder why so many people bash the systems sound chip. It may not be as great as the one on the SNES but it is still more than capable of providing some catchy and memorable tunes! keep up the great work. I always enjoy your videos.

-Marauder

[ianwilson1978]

@marauderNOR Good Luck getting hold of it! Well worth it... I think anyone who knocks the sound chip on the Mega Drive doesnt really appreciate or know some of the fantastic soundtracks it was capable of producing! Even better than the SNES in some instances... Stuff like the Arcus Odyssey opening theme, Granada, Devil Crash, ESWAT boss theme, Thunderforce IV, Yuzo Koshiro's music for Bare Knuckle, Super Shinobi etc... Some fantastic tunes!

[ianwilson1978]

@ianwilson1978 The SNES was a fantastic machine that has a significant place in gaming history but the Mega Drive definitely deserves more praise for its music... :)

[XFile2708]

I've never played this one before matey - looks a fun game but one that takes a bit of getting used to activating and jumping on rainbows... lol

[ianwilson1978]

@XFile2708 + things shooting at you in the later levels, it gets tricky! :)

[frejden]

this game puts a big smile on my face! So bright and the music just makes me wana sing!

[ianwilson1978]

@frejden Definitely a feel good game :)

[ninjastare]

Awesome game!.i still play it today.......I love the artwork on the box...still cant finish it on one credit....this game is so playable and full of secrets.

[ianwilson1978]

@ninjastare Yeah lots of colour in the artwork as well, just a fantastic game!

[Lorfarius]

This was my all time favourite Amiga game back in the day.

[ianwilson1978]

@Lorfarius True classic mate, games like this just dont age IMO :)

[RaulBillieJean]

my cousin used to play this game a lot right with pang in the arcade.... i used to think it was for girls.. 'till i start playing..and it's great fun..but 50 dollars for the game :( i will have to keep playing in the emulator..

[ianwilson1978]

@RaulBillieJean Ah I remember Pang also, never played it much though.

[a3HeadedMonkey]

Rainbow Islands! :) I used to play that game & Parasol Stars on the Amiga back in the day. Good games!

Great vid as always Ian! ;)

[ianwilson1978]

@a3HeadedMonkey Thanks bud :)

[KaskelotenZebbe]

Great job, Ian :).

[ianwilson1978]

@KaskelotenZebbe Thanks Zebbe! :)

[craigsheree]

Fantastic review Ian, still looks a great game, I used to play the normal rainbow islands on the Amiga back in the day, cracking game, cool music that goes around in your head for hours :)

[ianwilson1978]

@craigsheree Cheers Craig, I can imagine the Amiga version was pretty good as well! I love this game, it's a nice mood lifter! :)

[PhatPhunk]

Nice little review Ian.. I like this game. It was pretty popular here back in the day esp for the Famicom. They would just let the game run in demo mode and it was real fun watching it ^_^. The MD version is so much colorful and better music!! Say is this game expensive at the moment?

[ianwilson1978]

@PhatPhunk Cheers Phat :)

I paid £25 for this including postage and that's about the right price, you'll see it for more in some places ... :)

[pocketmego]

I never even knew this was on the MD. Was Bubble Bobble also on the MD?

[ianwilson1978]

@pocketmego No Bubble Bobble wasnt on the MD unfortunately mate- if only! Want to get my hands on the PS1 version sometime though as it comes with Rainbow Islands also :)

[lostSUND4Y]

Nice review! I like Rainbow Islands, good game. IMO it's not as good as Bubble Bobble, which is one of my favorite co-op games ever. That brings me to the major downfall of Rainbow Islands, the fact that you can't play 2 ppl at the same time. But still, it's a beautiful game and a great "pick up and play" type of game if you have 30 min to kill.

[ianwilson1978]

@lostSUND4Y I agree 2 player mode would have been fantastic on this- one I could play with my bro. Still great to pick up and play like you say though :)

[videogameobsession]

Ahh, great game! It's funny that you seem to pick all the games that I imported in the 90's! These truly are Mega Drive memories for me. :) I think I imported this the same time as FATMAN. Good times with this one.. I was surprised they had the Somewhere Over the Rainbow jingle in this. I think they had to remove it from later Taito compilations.

The diamond collecting was cool, but I think I was unlucky on quite a few game since I only ever got the complete rainbow once. ;)

[ianwilson1978]

@videogameobsession Well hope I keep bringing those Mega Drive Memories mate- that's what it's all about!

[jboypacman]

Wow this is a really great looking and sound game on the Mega Drive i like this one better than the NES version i played and thought that one was very well done.

Great video as always Ian.

[ianwilson1978]

@jboypacman Cheers John :)

[gmintyfresh]

Great conversion an absolute travesty that this didn't get a UK release!! Nice review mate

[ianwilson1978]

@gmintyfresh Yeah I can understand why it didnt get a PAL release- it would have sold well!

[cammanfan]

another great video.ill have to try that one

[ianwilson1978]

@cammanfan Thanks, it's worth hunting down :)

[mafiosotucanazo]

This game is goalin!

♪ Do do doo doo do do do ♪

[ianwilson1978]

@mafiosotucanazo Ha yeah mate you just cant help humming along to the tune!

[nufcdazzla]

Great game, funnily though I dont think this was released over here in Britain on the PAL format on the Mega Drive (and even if it was, its likely a very rare title), but it was released on the Master System (a copy I have got) which despite its 8-bit capabilities, still turns out very well.

But this overall is arguably the best console port of Rainbow Islands out there.

[ianwilson1978]

@nufcdazzla Yup it was a JP release only, strange really as it would have done well over here. :)

[Otouto72]

This looks superb. Great vid as always mate.

[ianwilson1978]

@Otouto72 Cheers bud!

[poptartlove2010]

Ooh....I like this one! How cute....a good pick me up after a tough day I should think... :o)

[ianwilson1978]

@poptartlove2010 Well it's a good pick up wendy- until the games starts to get hard! Ha :)

[RadioTails]

It's a shame the Mega Drive version never got a US/EU release which is odd considering the game is pretty much already in English.

I did play the Amiga version at my Grandparents house which was fun. It's a fun, cute and simply game and that is what makes some retro games fun.

I recently just put the PC Engine CD (Japan only) version on my Wii, which has some nice CD quality music!

[ianwilson1978]

@RadioTails Yes this was when games were just plain simple fun! You cant help smiling when you play it :)

[TanukiKGA]

The music is FANTASTIC! I dont usually say this, but this really beats the music in the nes-version!

The boss seems a bit easier then on the Nes though, Do you know if it has that superterrifying endboss? For the nes its this giant zombiefish, and it looks horrorfying! It does remind me a lot of Darius now that I think about it, and with a Darius world included. Who knows?

Great vid as always Ian, and thanks for the shoutout in the beginning :)

[ianwilson1978]

@TanukiKGA I love the music mate! Hard to not hum along to it! The end boss is a giant bubble dragon, I've put a link on your channel for a good little site with info.

Cheers for accepting the video response mate :)

[oldiron82]

cracking review ian! rainbow islands is a classic, easy to pick up and play but takes true skills to master : (

i like how they kept the original music in this,i seem to remember a lot of the home conversions had alternative music due to copyright issues e.t.c if my memory serves me correct : )

[ianwilson1978]

@oldiron82 It eases you in gently and then the difficulty kicks in as you go on! Your right about the music, some versions didnt have it due to copyright which is a big shame since this a huge part of this game is that tune!

[TheFinalHighlander]

I've never sat there and made an effort to really get into Rainbow Islands but I have of course played it before (the Mega Drive one) and it's a fun little game.

[ianwilson1978]

@TheFinalHighlander It's a nice one to pick up and play until the game starts kicking your ass in the later levels! :)

[dankss]

nice vid ian..... Seems like puzzle games are becoming more and more popular these days....

[ianwilson1978]

@dankss Cheers dankss. More of a platform game really- do you have parasol stars for the PCE? That looks a really great game.

[dankss]

@ianwilson1978

no i do not. This is one thats been on the backburner for a while. Some time soon i will add this one to the collection for sure though =)

[dave4shmups]

Excellent review! The music's really good, very close to Rainbow Islands in the arcades, IMO.

[ianwilson1978]

@dave4shmups I LOVE the music! :)