Darius II

From Sega Retro

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Darius II 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 Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (16 tracks)
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Master System
1
Sega Saturn
1-2
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥8,9008,900 T-11083
Sega Mega Drive
US
T-11016
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
EU
7078
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 T-1104G
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81085-50
Sega Saturn
PL
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.

Story

Proco and Tiat, seeing the planet Darius in ruin, create a new planet called Orga. 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 non-linear level order.

A and C shoot; holding them down rapidfires (though there is a break every few bullets). B drops bombs (you have unlimited 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.

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.

Screenshot

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

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

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.[5]


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)

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
80 [6]
75 [7]
79 [8]
79 [9]
77 №6
69 [10]
30 №1991-01, p41
89 №13, p118
65 №5, p91
87 №1, p65
83 [11]
83 [12]
72 [13]
80 [14]
87 [15]
83 №18, p64
90 [2]
Sega Mega Drive
77
Based on
17 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[16]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[17]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
67
[18]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
80
[19]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) NTSC-J
83
[20]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
83
[21]
Computer & Video Games (UK) NTSC-J
79
[22]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[1]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[23]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[24]
Games-X (UK) PAL
77
[25]
Génération 4 (FR) NTSC-J
69
[10]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
30
[26]
Joystick (FR)
89
[27]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-J
65
[28]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
77
[29]
Mega Action (UK) NTSC
87
[30]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[31]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-J
83
[11]
Mean Machines (UK) NTSC-J
83
[32]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
83
[33]
Power Play (DE)
72
[13]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
75
[14]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
87
[34]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
83
[35]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
75
[36]
Supergame (BR)
90
[2]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) NTSC-U
69
[37]
Sega Mega Drive
74
Based on
28 reviews

Darius II

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

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 [38]
81 [39]
91 [40]
90 [41]
67 [42]
72 №50
80 [43]
78 №34, p28/29
23 [44]
50 [45]
51 [46]
88 [2]
73 [47]
Sega Master System
71
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) PAL
82
[48]
Game Power (IT)
90
[49]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
81
[50]
Joypad (FR) PAL
91
[51]
Joystick (FR)
90
[41]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
65
[52]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
72
[53]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
67
[54]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
67
[55]
Player One (FR)
80
[56]
Play Time (DE)
52
[57]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[58]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
23
[59]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
43
[60]
Sega Force (SE)
50
[45]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
51
[61]
Supergame (BR)
88
[2]
Supersonic (FR)
92
[62]
Video Games (DE)
73
[63]
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, AU

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
30
60 №391, p29
60 [64]
68 [65]
36 [4]
55 [66]
75 №69, p124
28 №86, p60
53 [67]
68 [68]
Sega Saturn
53
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
CD Consoles (FR) PAL
40
[69]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
60
[70]
Fun Generation (DE) NTSC-J
30
[71]
GameFan (US)
70
[72]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-J
75
[73]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
60
[64]
Joypad (FR) PAL
70
[74]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
68
[65]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
55
[66]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
36
[4]
Player One (FR)
75
[75]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[76]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[77]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
28
[78]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
53
[79]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
68
[80]
Sega Saturn
57
Based on
16 reviews

Darius II

Saturn, EU
DariusII Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
Darius II Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
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

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 f1e22f43
MD5 c9ab9dd499c7d56772fccbd2ec2ae465
SHA-1 0aa2632da5ec3c1db21b273bcb8630d84b7bb805
1MB 1990-11 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
CRC32 25dfe62a
MD5 4ab80160ba6811a48e0482c402941062
SHA-1 93593e4014e13db90fedc1903a402c6f7d885a2f
1MB 1990-09 Cartridge (JP)
Sega Master System
 ?
CRC32 66388128
MD5 d8a4c95203bbe294760085189f9544fa
SHA-1 2a3e859139f8ca83494bb800dc848fe4d02db82a
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
489,679,344 CD-ROM(EU) MK81085-50 V1.000
Sega Saturn
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
489,648,768 1996-04-18 CD-ROM(JP) T-1104G V1.003

Track list

Saturn version

1. [data track]  
2. Olga Breeze (04:09) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
3. Olga Breeze (03:34) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
4. Muse Valley (03:42) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
5. Jamming (03:29) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
6. Cynthia (03:49) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
7. Planet Blue (03:37) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
8. To Nari (03:32) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
9. Say PaPa (05:32) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
10. All Clear (01:05) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
11. War Oh! (03:51) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
12. Boss2 (03:52) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
13. Round Clear (00:55) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
14. Say Papa (Intro) (00:23) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
15. Name Set (00:48) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
16. Ending (00:45) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
17. Say PaPa (Ending) (02:17) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
Running time: 45:20

Extra content

This game has extra content which can be viewed when accessing the disc on a PC.

Saturn (JP) Extra files
Folder / File Type Size description
DAR2_ABS.TXT TXT (Abstract) 89 About this game.
DAR2_BIB.TXT TXT (Bibliographiced) 10 Title
DAR2_CPY.TXT TXT (Copyright) 53 Copyright
STAFF.TXT TXT 414 Production credits


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 22
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Supergame, "Julho 1992" (BR; 1992-07-xx), page 34
  3. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 55
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-11-01), page 72
  5. File:DariusII_Saturn_JP_SSEnding.pdf
  6. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 33 (35)
  7. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 83 (85)
  8. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 72
  9. Computer + Video Giochi, "Aprile 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 88
  10. 10.0 10.1 Génération 4, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 94
  11. 11.0 11.1 MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 77
  12. Mean Machines, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-01), page 76-78 (76)
  13. 13.0 13.1 Power Play, "3/91" (DE; 1991-02-15), page 140
  14. 14.0 14.1 Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  15. Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 19 (21)
  16. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 54
  17. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 198
  18. Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1991" (DE; 1991-02-22), page 125
  19. Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 35
  20. The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 102
  21. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  22. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 88
  23. Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 304
  24. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 35
  25. Games-X, "31st May-6th June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-31), page 36
  26. Hippon Super, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-04), page 41
  27. Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 118
  28. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  29. Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  30. Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  31. Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 44
  32. Mean Machines, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-01), page 76
  33. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  34. Sega Pro, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-11-21), page 21
  35. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  36. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  37. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 151
  38. Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 118/119 (118)
  39. Hobby Consolas, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 68/69 (68)
  40. Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 84/85 (84)
  41. 41.0 41.1 Joystick, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 136
  42. Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 62/63 (62)
  43. Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 66/67 (66)
  44. Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 42/43 (42)
  45. 45.0 45.1 Sega Force, "1/92" (SE; 1992-xx-xx), page 18
  46. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 52/53 (54)
  47. Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 51 (49)
  48. Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 118
  49. Game Power, "Settembre 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  50. Hobby Consolas, "Junio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 68
  51. Joypad, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-02-1x), page 84
  52. Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 95
  53. Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79
  54. Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 62
  55. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  56. Player One, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-04-10), page 66
  57. Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 95
  58. Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 28
  59. Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 42
  60. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  61. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 54
  62. Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 22
  63. Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 51
  64. 64.0 64.1 Joypad, "Juillet/Août 1996" (FR; 1996-0x-xx), page 72
  65. 65.0 65.1 MAN!AC, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-17), page 48
  66. 66.0 66.1 Mega Force, "Novembre/Décembre 1996" (FR; 1996-1x-xx), page 93
  67. Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 230 (232)
  68. Sega Saturn Magazine (readers), "Final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 13 (15)
  69. CD Consoles, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 162
  70. Famitsu, "1996-06-14" (JP; 1996-05-31), page 1
  71. Fun Generation, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-10), page 80
  72. GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 8: August 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 15
  73. Intelligent Gamer, "August 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 90
  74. Joypad, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-1x-xx), page 79
  75. Player One, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 124
  76. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 12" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 163
  77. Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 16" (JP; 1996-07-19), page 84
  78. Sega Power, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-10-24), page 60
  79. Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 232
  80. Sega Saturn Magazine, "Readers rating final data" (JP; 2000-03), page 15
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Darius II

Darius II Title.png

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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)