phantasy star

All posts tagged phantasy star

Toys for the Collection (Jim and Phantasy Star Bead Art)

Posted by Sega Dude on December 14, 2012
Posted in: Community, Toys. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

Ever since a good friend of mine gave me my 20th Anniversary Sonic the Hedgehog I’ve decided that I would like a few Sega characters sprinkled throughout my collection. I was surprised by how much I liked seeing Sonic standing next to my TV and games. It really added some charm to the collection. The problem is unlike Nintendo there aren’t many Sega figures being made. So I was very surprised to find that there is an Earth Worm Jim figure.

Earth Worm Jim Figure

I first saw this relatively new Earth Worm Jim at Fan Expo this past fall for $20. And somehow in the excitement I forgot to buy him. About a week ago I found him again by chance at a local comic book shop for the same price. So I picked him up (along with a cool Gordan Freeman figure)!
Jim is very well done. The sculpt and paint are perfect. I don’t think he could ever be done more accurately. He could have a little more articulation but for me he’s perfect. I’ve placed him next to his game on one of my more sparse shelves. He helps fill it out a bit.

Jim’s New Home in the Collection

And if Jim weren’t cool enough, my good buddy has struck again and given some more goodness for the Collection. Below you’ll see bead art for the main characters of Phantasy Star 1.

Phantasy Star Bead Characters

This craft is very clever and particularly well suited for 8bit and 16bit video games. Up close they don’t look that great but from the right distance they look excellent. I don’t think this will be their final home. I might move them to the top of the book shelf once I figure out a way to get them to stand.

Jim, Alice and the crew in the Collection

My buddy who gave me the bead figures (and Sonic) has a pretty good retro video game collection himself. He’s been focusing on 8bit and older. If he ever gets around to posting his own stuff I’d love to put up a link.

This is his blog about the little things in life; the mundane, the silly and the fun: robinsbyacres.blogspot.ca But don’t bother going there. He doesn’t care anymore.

On an unrelated note: While I was searching online to find out what people call ‘bead art’ I found this little graphic that someone whipped up. Looks like they intend to make this graphic into a bead art version. Of course I’m a big Retro fan and I also really enjoy my xbox so I couldn’t help but fall in love this little gem. A Bill Gates boss battle! Epic!.. and even a bit ominous looking.
Great job Doctor Octoroc! You Rocked it! You might want to check out Octoroc’s own site (www.doctoroctoroc.com) where you’ll find some pretty unique stuff like a Sonic Christmas level mock-up complete with 16-bit Xmas music.

Pixel Art by Doctor Octoroc

Poor Mario. I hope he wasn’t the groups healer.

My Sega Ages 2500 Phantasy Star Collection

Posted by Sega Dude on October 12, 2012
Posted in: Collection New Additions, Games, Mega Drive (Japanese). Tagged: , , , , , , . 13 Comments

Maybe you’ve noticed that I’m so completely thrilled by being able to play the English translated Phantasy Star Generation 1 for the Playstation 2. If you have noticed, you’d be right.

I’ve been so happy to finally play this game that I jumped online and bought a copy of Sega Ages 2500 Phantasy Star Complete Collection. It’s a compilation of Phantasy Star I, II, III and IV as they were on the Genesis/Mega Drive, in Japanese and for the Playstation 2. I wont be playing this disc on my PS2 but I will enjoying having it in my collection.

My Playstation 2 Phantasy Star Collection

I doubt we’ll ever see a remakes like Phantasy Star G1 and G2 for Phantasy Star 3 and 4 but I’ll keep hoping. I waited 15 years for the remake (even though I didn’t know it was coming) and another 10 years for the English translation and I’ll eagerly wait for the Sega Ages 2500 Phantasy Star Generation 3 and 4.

This new addition cost me $50 with shipping. Which is why I haven’t picked it up until now. I needed the extra excitement before I was willing to spend so much.

Update: If you look in the comments below you’ll notice that justinwl informed me that this Japanese Phantasy Star collection actually contains the English versions of Phantasy Star 1-4. You’ll still need a Japanese PS2 or a modded PS2 in order to be able to play this disc but having the English included is a huge plus.

Update – Every Collection has its Gem

Posted by Sega Dude on May 2, 2012
Posted in: Community. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

My artist buddy sent me a little update to the Phantasy Star poster he’s been working on. He just began adding some detail and slowly it’s starting show some life.
(Previous related post)

Odin is starting to look like the tank I always knew he was. He looks tough,weathered and experienced. Just the kind of person who would hunt without any regard for self preservation. Just the kind of person you might find turned to stone in the depth of some cavern.

His armor in this drawing struck me as awesome. Phantasy Star has managed a balancing act where it sits right in the middle of super technology and the middle ages. Where laser guns, iron axes, light sabers, leather armor and wands are all formidable. It’s as if Algo received its technology unnaturally. As if by chance it was brought to them or some catastrophy knocked their civilization back a millenium leaving remnants in it’s wake. Odin’s armor looks very advanced yet simple enough to use. And it looks like it would be right at home in any of Phantasy Star 2,3 or 4. It’s a small detail that in my eyes really ties Phantasy Star one to the Mega Drive sequels in a way that the original Master System art work couldn’t.

Noah and Alis are not as detailed yet but they are taking shape. I do love how Noah’s cloak and Alis’ hair are whipping around in the wind. Feels very epic. The whole image feels as if they now understand the task before them. Even though Myau is also not yet as detailed as Odin he (she?) stands out. What a great impression of this little titan. Very different from any others I have seen and very cool. The slender face and huge ears rock. I use to wonder how we went from Myau to Nei (from PS2). I always felt they must share some evolutionary steps.

If you’re thinking I’m a little too preoccupied with Phantasy Star I’d think you’re right. I just can’t help loving this game.

Concept Sketch

Sketch Update

Although it’s far from done it is really shaping up to what I knew Kalman could do; which is nothing short of awesome. Thanks man!

Custom Video Game Art

Posted by Sega Dude on October 15, 2011
Posted in: Community. Tagged: , , , , , . Leave a comment

It’s a crazy assumption on my part… For whatever it never dawned on me that other people might have had an artist create a unique piece of art for a favorite video game. Just today I stumbled onto a youtube video from Dinky Dana and he has done just that. He’s had someone draw him an excellent poster for Shadow of the Colossus.

Previously I posted a rough sketch of  poster a friend made for me. My artist buddy Kalman is still working on my Phantasy Star Poster and I’m still eagerly awaiting it!

This clip will start right at 3min 45sec but be sure to check out Dinky’s collection. It’s excellent.

Even though I’m highlighting the custom art that caught my eye Dinky Dana’s game collection is pretty impressive. I’m starting to realize how focused my collection is.

Here a link to the MetalHanzo‘s Shadow of the Colossus poster.

Genesis – Phantasy Star 2 (Upgrade Part 2)

Posted by Sega Dude on August 8, 2011
Posted in: Collection New Additions, Games, Genesis (North America). Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

So here it is. This is how I upgrade the condition of a game. I buy a whole new one.
This one cost me $40 plus $9 shipping. $49 all in.

Complete Phantasy Star for the Sega Genesis


Not like new but in very good shape. I’m happy with this one. This chapter is closed.

Every Collection has its Gem.

Posted by Sega Dude on July 30, 2011
Posted in: Community. Tagged: , , , , , , . 2 Comments

I use to think I had several really nice gems in my collection. Sure they are great but they’re all about to be dethroned.
And it’s not even by a new game to the library. It’s a poster. A custom poster created for me by a most excellent artist.

If you could think of one game to represent the age of the Sega Master System and the Genesis/Mega Drive. What game would that be?
Yeah, man. We all know it would be Phantasy Star!

Below is a rough sketch Kalman created to show me what he envisioned based off of what I was requesting.

Phantasy Star Poster Concept Art

By Kalman Andrasofsky

I remember how this idea formed in my head. A long while ago I saw a youtube video from a fellow collector and he had printed game covers for some of his favor Genesis games and hung them next to his collection. His collection was looking so good and polished that I wanted to amp up mine as well. I remember thinking how great it would be if I could print up a high resolution copy of the remake cover art for Phantasy Star Generation 1 for the PS2. Couldn’t do it. There was no source that I could find large enough to print at a meaningful size.

Enter Kalman. Not only is he a really awesome professional artist but he’s also a good friend. This combined with the buddy discount rate I was able to commission him for my own Phantasy Start Poster.
Of course you’ve guessed that I’m a big Phantasy Star fan but let me demonstrate  how perfectly aligned the planets and stars are for this project. Kalman is also a big fan. He didn’t need to say it but he’s told me himself this is one of his favorite games. Not only did we both play this game like it was our religion when we were kids but we also played it together back in the day.
There is going to be all sorts of skill and emotion poured into this poster. Right Kalman? Emotion! I want this poster to be your horcrux because a piece of you soul should be left behind 😛

Finally a reason for sega fans to visit my site! 🙂 This is one to keep an eye on.

Thank you Kalman!
http://iamkalman.blogspot.com/