The Heart Of Gaming – Second Visit

 

 

Last weekend I made another long overdue visit to The Heart Of Gaming.

 

The arcade has a nice selection of fighters and a tournament was in full swing.
 

 

 

Other games include Daytona USA, Donkey Kong, Ikaruga, Pac-Man, Strikers 1945 Part II, The House of the Dead and Time Crisis II.  The arcade also features dance machines and a room dedicated to console gaming.
 

 

For me though it was all about this game.
 

 

SegaSonic the Hedgehog is a three player isometric platform game, developed by AM3 and released in 1993 on Sega System 32 hardware.  The game had a very limited UK release, appearing only in Sega branded arcades, including Trocedero and Hamleys toy shop basement arcade.  However I never came across a machine and this became one of my biggest gaming regrets.  There has never been a home console conversion due to the trackball control.  When I heard that The HoG were getting the game I had to come and visit!  Electrocoin bowling arcade machines have been used, allowing each player to have their own screen.  The game is great fun, with impressive visuals and nice variety between stages.  Here is a one credit video of the game.