Sagaia

• Machine: Genesis
• Levels: 28
• Theme: Shooter
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Number of Players: 1
• Available: April 1991

The solar system needs your help desperately!

Darius was once a planet that boasted a highly advanced civilization, but fell into chaos and ruin after succumbing to the relentless attacks of the evil Belser and his armada of space aliens. Proco and Tiat, two survivors fled Darius and settled on planet Orga. Many centuries later decendents of Proco and Tiat relieve a distress signal from a distant part of their galaxy. To their amazement the signal came from a different line of Darius descendants. They were also under the wrath of Belser and need help before they are lost forever. It's time to team up with the Organites and blast your way through the solar system to rescue what remains of the proud civilization of Darius.

• Manufacturer: Taito
• Version: Genesis

Here are two codes that Angel Ramirez of Briarwood, New York, sent in:

To get a play data screen, during the title screen, press A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C, A, B, C. This will show you the route you took, how many continues and men you used, difficulty and your initials.

You can also get a much more difficult mode by pressing the C button 12 times during the title screen. When you see "Special Mode" appears on the screen, you know you've done it correctly. Thanks for the Easter eggs, Angel.

• Manufacturer: ROMSTAR

This dual-screen contest features 26 zones of intense outer-space combat in a panoramic blaze of color.

• Levels: 20
• Theme: Shooter
• Players: 1
• Difficulty: Average

The classic arcade game Darius is now out for the Genesis with only a name change! In this great shooter your goal is to blow away a fleet of giant fish-like warships.

As hard as it may be to believe that the super Genesis soft has now been converted to the GameBoy, the pix below don't lie. Actually it plays very good, is challenging, and would be a good title to see in the U.S.

A generation has passed since the incredible victory in Darius. Now, a new danger has raised its ugly head. Tiat Young and Proco Jr., the ancestors of the original pilots, must face this oncoming threat head-on through 28 vicious levels of shooter action! Multiple weapon power-ups and numerous enemies comprise each exciting level, not to mention huge level bosses with one mission: destroy you!

People say:

7

Two gripes: Poor sound and no two player options. Okay, now that's off my chest, so I can say this is an incredible shooter! Fighting through 28 levels is mind-boggling, and the graphics are superb. I like the new Darius-style bosses, too. Wait until you see the last level bosses!

8

I loved the game as a PC Engine CD shooter and the CD BGM was spectacular. As a Genesis game the graphics are better but the sounds, well, they could be better. But, I'll take graphics over audio any day. One of the longest games on any system.

8

Another 8Meg monster to buy for the memory muncher. The most impressive thing about this game is not its amazing graphics (and they are amazing), but the fact that it has a total of 28 different levels! Awesome bosses and cool power-ups. The sound use some improving.

7

In Sagaia, the main problem is the poor sounds. Otherwise it remains a worthy sequel to Darius, even adding more levels and different weapons options. One amusing aspect of this cart is the mini bosses that appear frequently through the game...they are the main bosses from Darius!

This game is also known as Darius 2