Burning Rangers

From Sega Retro

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BurningRangers title.png

Burning Rangers
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver: SCSP (1/3Track)
Peripherals supported: 3D Control Pad
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Saturn
JP
¥5,8005,800 GS-9174
Sega Saturn
US
81803
Sega Saturn
EU
MK81213-50
Sega Saturn
BR
191566

Burning Rangers (バーニングレンジャー) is a video game developed by Sonic Team for the Sega Saturn system. The player takes on the role of a new recruit to the futuristic firefighting organisation of the title, and must explore locations where various emergencies have taken place, extinguishing fires and rescuing survivors.

The game is set in a futuristic society in which fire is one of the few major hazards remaining. The Burning Rangers are an elite group of firefighters who have been formed to help cope with such emergencies. The core members of the team are Chris Partn, Big Landman and Lead Phoenix (also known as Reed); as well as two new recruits, Shou Amabane and a woman called Tillis. The latter two are the only characters playable initially, although the others may be unlocked through the use of a password feature. Other major characters within the game include Iria Klein and Neal Belmondo, and there are many cameo appearances from Sonic Team staff including Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima.

The game is notable for its random level generation system, which is unlocked after completing the game once. To help the player find their way around these unfamiliar stages, a navigation system was included - at any time, the player may radio back to Chris, who will provide helpful information about nearby hazards and objectives.

Released in early 1998 to mixed reviews and a dwindling number of Saturn owners, to date the title has not received a sequel. However, a downloadable mission making many references to Burning Rangers was created for Sonic Team's Phantasy Star Online.

The game's memorable characters were designed by Hiroyuki Ochi. Yuji Naka has stated in interviews that Sonic Team wanted the silhouette of a Burning Ranger wearing their "Burneer Unit" jet-pack to resemble that of an angel.

Saving Data

The game makes use of the Saturn's internal battery back-up as well as the Saturn Backup Memory to save progress through the game as either playable character. You can save up to three saves on either the internal back-up or the RAM Cart.

Burning Rangers Save Data
Name Comment File Size
B_RANGERS__ BR data 30

Production credits

Japanese version

Executive Producer: Hayao Nakayama
Project Manager: Youji Ishii
Producer: Yuji Naka
Director: Naoto Ohshima
Game Designer: Takao Miyoshi, Yasuhiko Nagamichi, Norihito Kato, Shintaro Hata
Programmer: Takuya Matsumoto, Akio Setsumasa, Yasuhiro Watanabe, Yoshitaka Kawabata, Nobuaki Yamazaki
Burning-Ship Stage Programmers: Masahiro Wakayama, Takeshi Sakakibara
Graphic Artist: Naoto Ohshima, Tomonori Dobashi, Shinichi Higashi, Yoshinari Amaike, Takehiko Miura
Scene Artist: Hideaki Moriya, Tohru Watanuki, Satoshi Okano, Kensuke Kita, Kosei Kitamura, Mitsutoshi Matuzaki
Character Designer: Naoto Ohshima
Burning-Ship Stage Artists: Michikazu Tamamura, Makiko Banju, Akira Mikame
Visual Material Editors: Yuji Sawairi, Ikuo Ishizaka
Sound Producer: Yukifumi Makino
Sound Director: Naofumi Hataya
Composers: Naofumi Hataya, Fumie Kumatani, Masaru Setsumaru
Sound Effects: Masaru Setsumaru
Sound Programmer: Yoshiaki Kashima

Recording at Sega Digital Studio

Recording Producer: Tatsutoshi Narita
Recording Director: Fumitaka Shibata
Recording Engineers: Naoyuki Machida, Yoshitada Miya

-N.Y Production-

Recording Producer: Atsushi 'Sushi' Kosugi (Beat On Beat Inc.)
Director: Naofumi Hataya
Recording at:

Avatar Studio - Malcom Pollack (eng.)
Beat On Beat Studio - Justin Luctor (eng.)

Mix:

Sound On Sound Studio - Malcom Pollack (eng.)
Theme Music - "Burning Hearts ~Burning Angel~"

Words by: Tomoko Sasaki, Naofumi Hataya
Music & Arrangement by: Naofumi Hataya
English words by: Ryoichi Hasegawa
lead vocal & chorus: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
drums: Omar Hakim
bass: Zev Katz
keyboards: Charlie Giordano, Albert Menendez
guitars: Vinnie Moore

East 4th Horns

leader & trombones: John Wheeler
saxophones & solo: Dino Gavoni
trumpets: Tony Kadreck, John Allmark

"We are Burning Rangers"

Words by: Ryoichi Hasegawa
Music & Arrangement by: Naofumi Hataya
lead vocal & chorus: Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
chorus: Arif St. Michael, Robin A. Small
rap: SUL
drums: Omar Hakim
keyboards: Albert Menendez
guitars: Ira Siegel

East 4th Horns

leader & trombones: John Wheeler
saxophones: Dino Gavoni
trumpets: Tony Kadreck, John Allmark

"I Just Smile"

Words by: Tomoko Sasaki
English words by: Ryoichi Hasegawa
Music & Arrangement by: Naofumi Hataya
lead vocal: Tomoko Sasaki
drums: Omar Hakim
bass: Zev Katz
guitars: Ira Siegel
keyboards: Charlie Giordano
percussion: Bashiri Johnson

-Animation part-

Story board & Director: Yasuichiro Yamamoto
Animation Director: Hiroto Yokote
Art Director: Akira Huruya
Color Design: Terumi Kobayashi, Takae Iijima
Key Animation: Yasuhiro Saiki, Yuichi Kurosawa, Ryotaro Akao
Animation: Studio Boomerang
Animation Checker: Yumi Enosawa
Background: Studio Uni
Special Effects: Yoshimi Hayashi
Computer Graphics Animation:

Tomsphoto - Toshihiro Kawada, Satoshi Ohtsubo, Miyoko Tounou, Aiko Yamagami

Recording Director: Katuyoshi Kobayashi
Mixer: Akiyoshi Tanaka
Assistant Mixer: Hisashi Yamamoto
Recording by: Audio Planning U
Production Staff: Yu Kiyozono
Assistant Producer: Yudo Ohishi
Animation Producer: Yasumichi Ozaki

Voice Talents

Shou Amabane: Hikaru Midorikawa
Tillis: Yuko Miyamura
Chris Parton: Hiroko Kasahara
Lead Phoenix: Tomokazu Seki
Big Landman: Ryuzaburo Ohtomo
Other Characters: Toshihiko Nakajima, Takehiro Murozono, Yukiko Iwai
Iria Klein: Aya Hisakawa

Animation Part Production by: Kyokuichi Tokyo Movie

Executive Management: Shoichiro Irimajiri, Hideki Sato
Executive Coordination: Jin Shimazaki
Promotion Management: Hideki Okamura
Public Relations: Hiroto Kikuchi, Tadashi Takezaki, Masatoshi Kawaguchi, Yasushi Nagumo, Syunichi Kobayashi
Package Illustration: Hiroyuki Ochi
Manual: Hiroyuki Mitsui, Youichi Takahashi, Osamu Nakazato
Internet Support: Kazuyuki Hoshino, Mutsuhiro Fujii
Overseas Coordination: Ryoichi Hasegawa
Special Thanks: Mika Okada, Akira Nishikawa, Yosuke Okunari, Hideki Yohkaichiya, Jun Senoue, Yosio Inoue, Kayo Shimizu
Greatest Gratitude: Ami Shibata
Sega Digital Studio
Produced by: Sega

Overseas version

Executive Producer: Hayao Nakayama
Project Manager: Youji Ishii
Producer: Yuji Naka
Director: Naoto Ohshima
Game Designer: Takao Miyoshi, Yasuhiko Nagamichi, Norihito Kato, Shintaro Hata
Programmer: Takuya Matsumoto, Akio Setsumasa, Yasuhiro Watanabe, Yoshitaka Kawabata, Nobuaki Yamazaki
Burning-Ship Stage Programmers: Masahiro Wakayama, Takeshi Sakakibara
Graphic Artist: Naoto Ohshima, Tomonori Dobashi, Shinichi Higashi, Yoshinari Amaike
Scene Artist: Hideaki Moriya, Tohru Watanuki, Satoshi Okano, Kensuke Kita, Kosei Kitamura, Mitsutoshi Matuzaki
Character Designer: Naoto Ohshima
Burning-Ship Stage Artists: Michikazu Tamamura, Makiko Banju, Akira Mikame
Visual Material Editors: Yuji Sawairi, Ikuo Ishizaka
Sound Producer: Yukifumi Makino
Sound Director: Naofumi Hataya
Composers: Naofumi Hataya, Fumie Kumatani, Masaru Setsumaru
Sound Effects: Masaru Setsumaru
Sound Programmer: Yoshiaki Kashima

Recording at Sega Digital Studio

Recording Producer: Tatsutoshi Narita
Recording Director: Fumitaka Shibata
Recording Engineers: Naoyuki Machida, Yoshitada Miya

-N.Y Production-

Recording Producer: Atsushi 'Sushi' Kosugi (Beat On Beat Inc.)
Director: Naofumi Hataya
Recording at:

Avatar Studio - Malcom Pollack (eng.)
Beat On Beat Studio - Justin Luctor (eng.)

Mix:

Sound On Sound Studio - Malcom Pollack (eng.)
Theme Music - "Angel With Burning Hearts"

Words by: Tomoko Sasaki, Naofumi Hataya
Music & Arrangement by: Naofumi Hataya
English words by: Talking Moon
Lead vocal & Chorus: Dennis St. James
Drums: Omar Hakim
Bass: Zev Katz
Keyboards: Charlie Giordano, Albert Menendez
Guitars: Vinnie Moore

East 4th Horns

Leader & Trombones: John Wheeler
Saxophones & Solo: Dino Gavoni
Trumpets: Tony Kadreck, John Allmark

"We are Burning Rangers"

Words by: Talking Moon
Music & Arrangement by: Naofumi Hataya
Lead vocal & Chorus: Marlon D. Saunders
Chorus: Arif St. Michael, Robin A. Small
Rap: SUL
Drums: Omar Hakim
Keyboards: Albert Menendez
Guitars: Ira Siegel

East 4th Horns

Leader & Trombones: John Wheeler
Saxophones: Dino Gavoni
Trumpets: Tony Kadreck, John Allmark

"I Just Smile"

Words by: Talking Moon
Music & Arrangement by: Naofumi Hataya
Lead vocal: Pamela Driggs
Drums: Omar Hakim
Bass: Zev Katz
Guitars: Ira Siegel
Keyboards: Charlie Giordano
Percussion: Bashiri Johnson
Flugel Horn: John Allmark

-Animation part-

Story board & Director: Yasuichiro Yamamoto
Animation Director: Hiroto Yokote
Art Director: Akira Huruya
Color Design: Terumi Kobayashi, Takae Iijima
Key Animation: Yasuhiro Saiki, Yuichi Kurosawa, Ryotaro Akao
Animation: Studio Boomerang
Animation Checker: Yumi Enosawa
Background: Studio Uni
Special Effects: Yoshimi Hayashi
Computer Graphics Animation:

Tomsphoto - Toshihiro Kawada, Satoshi Ohtsubo, Miyoko Tounou, Aiko Yamagami

Production Staff: Yu Kiyozono
Assistant Producer: Yudo Ohishi
Animation Producer: Yasumichi Ozaki
Animation Part Production by: Kyokuichi Tokyo Movie


Executive Management: Shoichiro Irimajiri, Hideki Sato
Executive Coordination: Jin Shimazaki
Public Relations: Takahiro Fukada
Package Illustration: Hiroyuki Ochi
English Manual: Abbass Hussain
Internet Support: Kazuyuki Hoshino, Mutsuhiro Fujii
Overseas Coordination: Shinobu Shindo
Special Thanks: Mika Okada, Akira Nishikawa, Yosuke Okunari, Hideki Yohkaichiya, Jun Senoue, Yosio Inoue, Kayo Shimizu

-English Version Staff-

SOA Producer: Keith Palmer
ADR Director: Bobby White
ADR Staff: Chris Steen-Olson, Peter Steen-Olson, Nick Steen-Olson, Chad Forsch, Nobuko Nabeshima
Recorded at: AudioBanks. Santo Monica. California
Script Editors: Jason Kuo, John Kuntz, Keith Palmer
Lead Tester: Fernando Valderrama
Assistant Lead Tester: Amy Albertson
Special Thanks: Sandy Castagnola, Sheri Hockaday, Eric Hammond, John Amirkhan, Jo Ann Eastman, Sean Doidge, Mike McCollum, Helen Tsui-Burton

Greatest Gratitude: Ami Shibata
Sega Digital Studio
Produced by: Sega

Promotional material

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
95 №75, p136-138
80 №198, p64/65[3]
80 №57, p94/95
81 №68, p52-54
66
80 №481, p36
90 №31, p50-59[4]
87 №1998-06ex, p185[5]
89
Sega Saturn
83
Based on
9 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
85
[7]
Consoles + (FR) NTSC-J
95
[8]
Consoles + (FR) PAL
95
[9]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
75
[2]
Edge (UK) NTSC-J
80
[10]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[11]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
80
[12]
Freak (IL)
97
[13]
Fun Generation (DE) PAL
70
[14]
Game Buyer (US) NTSC-U
75
[15]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
78
[16]
Gamers' Republic (US) NTSC-U
75
[17]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
66
[18]
Mega Console (IT) NTSC-J
92
[19]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
92
[20]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
76
[21]
Neo Plus (PL)
70
[22]
Next Generation (US) NTSC-U
75
[23]
neXt Level (DE) PAL
75
[24]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
70
[25]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
78
[26]
Sega Magazin (DE) PAL
94
[27]
SuperGamePower (BR)
86
[28]
Sega Saturn Magazine (UK) PAL
90
[29]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
87
[30]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
89
[6]
Super Power (FI)
89
[31]
Sega Saturn
82
Based on
27 reviews

Burning Rangers

Saturn, US
BurningRangers Saturn US Box Back.jpgBurningRangersBox us.jpg
Cover
BurnRang sat us disc.jpg
Disc
Burningrangers sat us manual.pdf
Manual
Saturn, EU
BurningRangersBox eu.jpg
Cover
BurningRangers Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, JP
BurnRang sat jp back cover.jpgBurningRangersBox jp.jpg
Cover
BurningRangersSaturnJPSpine.jpg
Spinecard
BurningRangers Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc
50x50px
Manual
BurningRangers Saturn JP Box InlayF.jpgBurningRangers Saturn JP Box Inlay.jpg
Inlay
BurningRangersSaturnJPCSC.pdf
Reg Card
BurningRangers Saturn JP Disc2.jpg
Audio Disc
BurningRangersSaturnJPSonglist.pdf
Flyer
Saturn, BR
BurningRangers Sat BR cover.jpg
Cover
BurningRangersSaturnBrManual.pdf
Manual

References

  1. File:CVG UK 200.pdf, page 44
  2. 2.0 2.1 File:CVG UK 198.pdf, page 64 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:CVG UK 198.pdf_p64" defined multiple times with different content
  3. File:CVG_UK_198.pdf, page 65
  4. File:SSM_UK_31.pdf, page 50
  5. File:SSM_JP_19980306_1998-06ex.pdf, page 187
  6. 6.0 6.1 Saturn no Game wa Sekai Ichi~i~i~i!: Satamaga Dokusha Race Zen Kiroku, SoftBank Publishing, page 11 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SnGwSISDRZK Book JP.pdf_p11" defined multiple times with different content
  7. Ação Games, "Junho 1998" (BR; 1998-xx-xx), page 37
  8. Consoles +, "Avril 1998" (FR; 1998-0x-xx), page 136
  9. Consoles +, "Juin 1998" (FR; 1998-0x-xx), page 116
  10. Edge, "April 1998" (UK; 1998-03-25), page 94
  11. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1998" (US; 1998-0x-xx), page 143
  12. Famitsu, "1998-03-06" (JP; 1998-02-20), page 1
  13. Freak, "3/98" (IL; 1998-xx-xx), page 1
  14. Fun Generation, "04/98" (DE; 1998-03-06), page 79
  15. Game Buyer, "August 1998" (US; 1998-0x-xx), page 24
  16. GamePro, "August 1998" (US; 1998-xx-xx), page 110
  17. Gamers' Republic, "June 1998" (US; 1998-05-xx), page 64
  18. MAN!AC, "07/98" (DE; 1998-06-03), page 72
  19. Mega Console, "Aprile 1998" (IT; 1998-xx-xx), page 64
  20. Mega Force, "Avril/Mai/Juin 1998" (FR; 1998-0x-xx), page 22
  21. Mega Fun, "07/98" (DE; 1998-06-03), page 94
  22. Neo Plus, "Wrzesień 1998" (PL; 1998-xx-xx), page 59
  23. Next Generation, "August 1998" (US; 1998-07-21), page 94
  24. neXt Level, "Mai 1998" (DE; 1998-04-17), page 66
  25. Saturn Fan, "1998 No. 4" (JP; 1998-02-13), page 144
  26. Saturn Fan, "1998 No. 8" (JP; 1998-04-10), page 116
  27. Sega Magazin, "Mai 1998" (DE; 1998-04-01), page 12
  28. SuperGamePower, "Maio 1998" (BR; 1998-xx-xx), page 60
  29. Sega Saturn Magazine, "May 1998" (UK; 1998-04-15), page 56
  30. Sega Saturn Magazine, "1998-06 extra (1998-03-06ex)" (JP; 1998-02-20), page 187
  31. Super Power, "9 1998" (FI; 1998-0x-xx), page 46