Darius II

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-J
  • Sega Mega Drive
    NTSC-U
  • Saturn
  • Master System

Darius II Title.png

Sagaia MD TitleScreen.png

DariusII Saturn JP SSTitle.png

Sagaia SMS Title.png

Darius II
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Saturn
Publisher: Taito
Developer:
Original system(s): Arcade boards
Developer(s) of original games: Taito
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Cube/Dougen Shibuya
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (16 tracks)
Genre: Shooting[1][2][3], Arcade[4]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Master System
1
Sega Saturn
1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥8,900 (9,167)8,900e[5] T-11083
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-11016
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
EU
7078
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£32.9932.99[9][10] 7078
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 T-1104G
Sega Rating: All Ages
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81085-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
DE
MK81085-50
USK: 12
Sega Saturn
PT
Sega Saturn
UK
£39.9939.99[12] MK81085-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Saturn
PL
Sega Saturn
AU
FDAR07SSC
OFLC: G
Non-Sega versions

Darius II (ダライアスII), also known as Sagaia outside Japan, is a side-scrolling space shoot 'em up developed by Taito as a direct sequel to the 1986 game Darius. It was originally released in 1989.

The game was ported to several Sega systems, including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System. A port to the Sega Saturn using the original name was released exclusively in Japan and Europe. Conversely the Mega Drive version skipped release in Europe, although it was listed for release.[13][14]

Story

Proco and Tiat, seeing the planet Darius in ruin, create a new planet called Olga. Their descendents, Proco Jr. and Tiat Young, receive a mayday signal from another civilization born from Darius's ruins, prompting them to take the Silverhawk, a ship, back to save this other civilization from evil forces.

Gameplay

Like the first game, the player controls a space ship shooting at various enemies that resemble fish in a branching path level order.

A and C shoot; holding them down rapidfires (though there is a break every few bullets). B drops bombs. Powerups are collected in the usual shoot em up fashion and there are powerups for both the gun and the bomb dropper. A score bonus is awarded for defeating groups of enemies in a row.

Versions

Stages in the Mega Drive version differ quite a bit from the arcade version: backgrounds are different (e.g. arcade stage B takes place on a rocky planet surface and in a cave, while the Mega Drive version of stage B is mechanized), enemy placement and behavior has been changed and the bosses have also been modified. The Master System version features a reduced amount of stages.

The Saturn version, conversely, simulates the arcade version's wide screen mode utilizing a zoom feature. However, due to running in a lower resolution mode, it can be very difficult to see enemies and bullets.

Comparisons

Main article: Darius II/Comparisons.

History

Legacy

Darius II was followed by Darius Gaiden in 1994 (originally planned to be released as Darius III).

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Executive Producer: Takao Ueno
  • Producer: Tomohiro Nishikado, Shouji Takahashi
  • Director of Software: Yuichiro Kawamuki
  • Programmers: Takashi Kuroda, Yoshiaki Ishii, Ayumi Onosaka, Takahisa Horimoto
  • Production Designer: Wakadaishou
  • Character Designers: Makoto Saitoh, Gota Goto, Keisuke Miyanaga, Nishiyaman
  • Team Zuntata
  • Programmed by: Mira Turbo, Dogen Shibuya
  • Game Checker: Kiyoshi Bandou
  • Technical Adviser: Hideaki Tomioka, Haruo Suzuki, Kouji Yamazaki
  • Special Thanks to: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Akira Fujita, Akira Ohtsuki, Tatsuo Nakamura
  • Game Designed by: Yuji Koga
  • Directed by: Yuichiro Kawamuki
© Taito Corporation 1991
Source:
In-game credits
Sagaia MD credits.pdf
[15]

Master System version

  • Executive Producer: Tomohiro Nishikado
  • Producer: Kimio Hirota
  • Director: Iku Mizutani
  • Programers: Moriyuki Kanaya, Yuji Akita
  • Graphics Designers: Isao Inoue, Yasunari Hayami
  • Music Director: Iku Mizutani
  • Music Composer: Hisayoshi Ogura
  • Character Designers: Yasunari Hayami, Isao Inoue
  • Original Game Designer: Fukio Mitsuji
  • Special Thanks: Yuji Koga, Kohji Yamazaki
Taito Corporation 1992 All Rights Reserved
Source:
In-game credits
Sagaia SMS credits.pdf
[16]

Saturn version

The Credits
  • Directed And Produced by: Hidehiro Fujiwara
  • Game Designed by: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Takatsuna Senba
  • Programmed by: Akira Ohtsuki, Tatsuo Nakamura, Masashi Tsuzura, Shinji Soyano
  • Art Designed by: Masami Kikuchi, Takatsuna Senba, Hisakazu Kato
  • Cabinet Design: Yoshinori Aiura
  • Hardware Designed by: Toshiyuki Sanada
  • Team Zuntata
    • All Music Composed And Arranged by: Hisayoshi Ogura
    • Sound Editor: Yasuhisa Watanabe, Norihiro Furukawa
    • Sound Soft Ware: Naoto Yagishita
  • Special thanks to: Onijust, Akira Fujita, Takamasa Hori, Masaki Yagi, Masahiko Takaki, Ogr Young, Zippy Aoki, Kouji Tsunekiyo, Hikaru Taniguchi, And Staff Of Kumagaya
© Taito Corporation 1989 All Rights Reserved
Taito
Source:
In-game credits. Original credits only.
DariusII Saturn JP SSEnding.pdf
[17]

サターン版 「DARIUSII」 スタッフ
  • プログラム: 金子 道明, 南雲 泰人, 阿部 央, 関 拓志, 赤座 清敬
  • グラフィック: 高須 雄二, 小松崎 成俊, 山田 耕司, 栗原 義昭, 藤原 淳
Source:
Staff.txt (in CD-ROM)

Digital manuals

Magazine articles

Main article: Darius II/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Darius II/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
70
[18]
(RU)
40
[19]
(DE)
67
[20]
(JP) NTSC-J
80
[21]
(UK) NTSC-J
83
[22]
(UK) NTSC-J
83
[23]
(UK) NTSC-J
79
[24]
(US) NTSC-U
75
[6]
(RU)
60
[25]
(UK)
70
[26]
(UK) PAL
77
[27]
(FR) NTSC-J
69
[28]
(JP) NTSC-J
30
[29]
(FR)
89
[30]
(UK) NTSC-J
65
[31]
(JP) NTSC-J
77
[32]
(UK) NTSC
87
[33]
(US) NTSC-U
73
[34]
(UK) NTSC-J
83
[35]
(UK) NTSC-J
83
[36]
(UK)
83
[37]
(DE)
72
[38]
(UK) NTSC-J
75
[39]
(UK) NTSC-J
87
[40]
(UK) NTSC-J
83
[41]
(JP) NTSC-J
75
[42]
(BR)
90
[7]
(RU) NTSC-U
69
[43]
Sega Mega Drive
74
Based on
28 reviews

Darius II

Mega Drive, JP
Darius II MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
DariusII MD JP CartTop.jpg
DariusII md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Darius II MD JP Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
DariusII MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Darius II MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Sagaia md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, BR
Sagaia md br cover.jpg
Cover
Sagaia MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR) PAL
82
[44]
(IT)
90
[45]
(ES)
81
[46]
(FR) PAL
91
[47]
(FR)
90
[48]
(FR) PAL
65
[49]
(ES)
72
[50]
(UK) PAL
67
[51]
(UK) PAL
67
[52]
(FR)
80
[53]
(DE)
52
[54]
(UK) PAL
78
[10]
(UK) PAL
23
[55]
(UK) PAL
43
[56]
(SE)
50
[57]
(UK) PAL
51
[58]
(BR)
88
[7]
(FR)
92
[59]
(DE)
73
[60]
Sega Master System
70
Based on
19 reviews

Darius II

Master System, EU
Darius II SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Sagaia SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Sagaia SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
SagaiaSMSEUManual3L.pdf
Manual (3L)
Master System, PT
Sagaia SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU

Sagaia SMS AU cart.jpg
Cart
Sagaia Master System AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
DariusII SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Sagaia SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR) PAL
40
[61]
(JP) NTSC-J
60
[62]
(DE) NTSC-J
30
[63]
(US)
70
[64]
(US) NTSC-J
75
[65]
(FR) NTSC-J
60
[66]
(DE) NTSC-J
68
[67]
(FR) PAL
55
[68]
(UK) PAL
36
[12]
(FR)
75
[69]
(JP) NTSC-J
63
[70]
(JP) NTSC-J
63
[71]
(UK) PAL
28
[72]
(JP) NTSC-J
53
[73]
(JP) NTSC-J
68
[74]
Sega Saturn
56
Based on
15 reviews

Darius II

Saturn, JP
DariusII sat jp backcover.jpgDariusII sat jp frontcover.jpg
Cover
Darius II (ダライアスII) Saturn JP Spinecard.jpg
Spinecard
DariusII Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, EU
DariusII Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
Darius II Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, DE
DariusII Saturn DE cover.jpg
Cover
Darius II Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, PT

Saturn, AU
DariusII Saturn AU cover.jpg
Cover
Darius II Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc

Technical information

Main article: Darius II/Technical information.

References

  1. File:DariusII sat jp backcover.jpg
  2. 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/fb/segahard/ss/soft_licensee2.html (Wayback Machine: 2019-10-02 10:31)
  3. 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  4. File:Darius II SMS EU Box.jpg
  5. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 79
  6. 6.0 6.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 22
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Supergame, "Julho 1992" (BR; 1992-07-xx), page 34
  8. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-06-01), page 19
  9. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 55
  10. 10.0 10.1 Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 28
  11. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1996-10-21), page 20
  12. 12.0 12.1 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-11-01), page 72
  13. Sega Pro, "June 1992" (UK; 1992-05-21), page 9
  14. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-05-11), page 19
  15. File:Sagaia MD credits.pdf
  16. File:Sagaia SMS credits.pdf
  17. File:DariusII Saturn JP SSEnding.pdf
  18. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 54
  19. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 198
  20. Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1991" (DE; 1991-02-22), page 125
  21. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 35
  22. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 102
  23. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  24. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 88
  25. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 304
  26. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 35
  27. Games-X, "31st May-6th June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-31), page 36
  28. Génération 4, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 94
  29. Hippon Super, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-04), page 41
  30. Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 118
  31. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  32. Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  33. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  34. Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 44
  35. MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 77
  36. Mean Machines, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-01), page 76
  37. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  38. Power Play, "3/91" (DE; 1991-02-15), page 140
  39. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  40. Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 21
  41. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  42. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  43. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 151
  44. Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 118
  45. Game Power, "Settembre 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  46. Hobby Consolas, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 68
  47. Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 84
  48. Joystick, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 136
  49. Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 95
  50. Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79
  51. Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 62
  52. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  53. Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 66
  54. Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 95
  55. Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 42
  56. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  57. Sega Force, "1/92" (SE; 1992-xx-xx), page 18
  58. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 54
  59. Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 22
  60. Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 51
  61. CD Consoles, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 162
  62. Famitsu, "1996-06-14" (JP; 1996-05-31), page 1
  63. Fun Generation, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-10), page 80
  64. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 8: August 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 15
  65. Intelligent Gamer, "August 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 90
  66. Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 72
  67. MAN!AC, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-17), page 48
  68. Mega Force, "Novembre/Décembre 1996" (FR; 1996-1x-xx), page 93
  69. Player One, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 124
  70. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 12" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 163
  71. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 16" (JP; 1996-07-19), page 84
  72. Sega Power, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-10-24), page 60
  73. Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 232
  74. Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 15
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Darius games for Sega systems
Sega Mega Drive
Darius II (1990) | Darius (2019) | Darius Extra Version (2020)
Sega Master System
Sagaia (1992)
Sega Saturn
Darius Gaiden (1995) | Darius II (1996)