Dynamite Headdy
Dynamite Headdy | ||
---|---|---|
Composer(s) Katsuhiko Suzuki | Yasuko Koji Yamada Aki Hata Norio Hanzawa | |
Platform(s) | Sega Genesis, Game Gear, Master System | |
Release | ||
Platforming | ||
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Dynamite Headdy
Critical reception to Dynamite Headdy was positive. Critics highlighted the game's originality and creativity in distinguishing it among other games in the platform genre. They also commended Treasure for demonstrating their technical expertise with impressive graphical effects and building on the success of their earlier game Gunstar Heroes (1993). In reviews from the time and in retrospect, Dynamite Headdy is cited as one of the best games on the Genesis, and has since been included in multiple compilations of classic Genesis games. A remake was released for Master System in Brazil and a Game Gear port based on the Master System version.
Gameplay
Dynamite Headdy is a
During his adventure, Headdy will find power-ups which change the design and function of his head. These 17 power-ups range from increasing damage, such as spinning fireballs around his head, to providing invincibility, restoring health, increasing speed, etc.[6] Some of these power-ups last for only a short time. Other than heads, the player can also find health restoratives, extra points, and extra lives throughout the levels. By finding the Liberty Head, players can enter a Bonus Stage in which the player must shoot basketballs into the correct hoops.[5]: 10–13 Unlike other platform games where falling into a bottomless pit results instant death, if Headdy falls off, he will bounce back up which allows the player to put him back on a platform, though Headdy will still sustain some damage.
Development and release
After developing
Kimura designed Dynamite Headdy to be commercially viable.
Dynamite Headdy was originally released in Japan on 5 August 1994 for the
Reception
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Mean Machines Sega | 93/100[24] |
Next Generation | [25] |
Game Players | 96%[26] |
Dynamite Headdy received critical acclaim,[11] with some believing it to be one of the best games on the Genesis.[21][24][27] Journalists repeatedly highlighted the game's creativity as a strong point.[13][21][24][25] Rik Skews of Computer and Video Games said it "breathes new life" into the platform genre and stood up to the likes of the Sonic series.[13] The staff at Mean Machines Sega found the game innovative and liked how each stage introduced new concepts to keep gameplay fresh.[24] Tim Tucker at GamesMaster believed that Treasure was doing more innovation in the genre than any of its rivals.[23] In addition to the game's originality, critics praised Treasure's programming expertise and Dynamite Headdy's technical prowess.[21][23][24] The staff of Electronic Gaming Monthly complimented the game's visual effects and colorful stages.[21] Tucker said "Dynamite Headdy is full of classic Treasure overstatement" and cited the impressive colors, big explosions, large sprites, and rapidly changing backgrounds—which all together were perhaps a little too overwhelming.[23] The Mean Machines staff believed that Dynamite Headdy followed in the footsteps of Treasure's previous games and therefore confirmed the studio's technical expertise.[24] The gameplay drew some criticism, with Tucker finding it somewhat disjointed and "patchy" and Mean Machines stating that it takes a few stages to truly find its footing.[23][24]
Critics found the Game Gear port to be well done given the system's less powerful technology.[27][28][29] Electronic Gaming Monthly staff called it one of the best portable action games.[29] Richard Leadbetter of Sega Magazine believed that since much of the Genesis version's playability came from the system's technical capabilities, the Game Gear version suffers in that sense, but still believed Treasure was able to create a fun 8-bit port.[27]
In retrospective reviews of the Genesis version, Dynamite Headdy has continued to receive considerable praise. Critics agreed that the game is excellent despite not receiving the same legendary status as some of Treasure's other works such as Gunstar Heroes,
Notes
References
- ^ "$3-$10 off Game cartridges". The Spokesman-Review. September 25, 1994. p. 316. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
Dynamite Headdy not available until Wednesday, Sept. 28.
- ^ "Bulletin board". The Observer. October 23, 1994. p. 189. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
Already being hyped as a replacement for the fading Sonic series, Dynamite Headdy (£44.99, out 28 October) is Sega's big hope for the Christmas market.
- ^ a b c Thomas, Lucas M. (1 August 2007). "Dynamite Headdy Review". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ a b "ダイナマイトヘッディー | Wii(R) バーチャルコンソール メガドライブ 公式サイト". Sega. Archived from the original on 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b c Dynamite Headdy (instruction manual) (NTSC, Genesis ed.). Sega. 1994.
- ^ "ダイナマイトヘッディー | Wii(R) バーチャルコンソール メガドライブ 公式サイト". Sega. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b "名作アルバム -『ガンスターヒーローズ』- P4". Sega. Archived from the original on 14 November 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- Mean Machines Sega. No. 19. EMAP. May 1994. p. 19.
- ^ a b c d e "ダイナマイトヘッディーってこんなヤツ". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 54. SoftBank Creative. March 1994. p. 38. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2020-11-07 at the Wayback Machine).
- ^ "名作アルバム -『ガンスターヒーローズ』- P1". Sega. Archived from the original on 22 January 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Kubiak, Kyle (2008). "Dynamite Headdy". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ "Dynamite Headdy" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 61. August 1994. p. 146.
- ^ a b c d Skews, Rik (October 1994). "Dynamite Headdy". Computer and Video Games. No. 155. pp. 68–70.
- ^ a b "「SEGA AGES 2500シリーズ Vol.25 ガンスターヒーローズ ~トレジャーボックス~」~奥成プロデューサーに再びインタビュー!~". Game Watch. Impress Corporation. 14 March 2006. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- Future Publishing. December 1996. p. 7.
- CBS Interactive. 17 May 2006. Archivedfrom the original on 16 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ Dunham, Alexis (30 July 2007). "Wii Virtual Console Adds Three New Titles". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2007.
- ^ "Dynamite Headdy on Steam". Steam. Valve. 2 May 2012. Archived from the original on 1 June 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ Hatfield, Daemon (2021-11-01). "SEGA Genesis Classics Review". IGN. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ "Sega Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online adds Altered Beast, Dynamite Headdy, Sword of Vermilion, Thunder Force II, and ToeJam & Earl". Gematsu. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2021-12-18.
- ^ a b c d e "Review Crew: Dynamite Headdy". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Vol. 7, no. 9. September 1994. p. 36.
- ^ 読者 クロスレビュー: ダイナマイトヘッディー. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.333. Pg.34. 5 May 1995.
- ^ a b c d e Tucker, Tim (October 1994). "Dynamite Headdy" (PDF). GamesMaster. No. 22. pp. 52–53.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Mega Drive Review: Dynamite Headdy". Mean Machines Sega. No. 25. November 1994. pp. 74–77.
- ^ a b "Genesis: Dynamite Headdy". Next Generation. No. 1. pp. 99–101.
- ^ Slate, Chris (October 1994). "Dynamite Headdy". Game Players. Vol. 7, no. 10. pp. 78–79.
- ^ a b c Leadbetter, Richard (November 1994). "Game Gear Review: Dynamite Headdy" (PDF). Sega Magazine. No. 11. p. 96.
- ^ "ProReview: Dynamite Headdy" (PDF). GamePro. No. 62. IDG. September 1994. p. 138.
- ^ a b "Review Crew: Dynamite Headdy". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Vol. 7, no. 9. September 1994. p. 38.
- ^ CBS Interactive. Archivedfrom the original on 17 January 2015. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
- ^ a b McFarren, Damien (29 July 2007). "Review: Dynamite Headdy (Virtual Console / Sega Mega Drive)". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 14 July 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)