Difference between revisions of "Blue Almanac"

From Sega Retro

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{{sub-stub}}
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{{otherPage|desc=the aftermarket re-release of the game|page=Star Odyssey (Super Fighter Team)}}
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=BlueAlmanac_MDTitleScreen.png
 
| bobscreen=BlueAlmanac_MDTitleScreen.png
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| publisher=[[Kodansha Research Institute]] (Translation [[Super Fighter Team]])
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| publisher={{company|[[Kodansha Research Institute]]}}
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| developer=[[HOT-B]] (Translation [[Super Fighter Team]])
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| developer={{company|[[HOT-B]]}}, {{company|[[Cube]]|role=audio}}
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
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| romsize=1MB (''Blue Almanac''), 2MB (''Star Odyssey'')
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| sounddriver=
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| peripherals=
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| players=1
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| genre=RPG{{fileref|BlueAlmanac MD JP Box.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
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| md_date_jp=1991-06-22
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| md_date_jp=1991-06-22{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
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| md_rrp_jp=8,700
 
 
| md_code_jp=T-46013
 
| md_code_jp=T-46013
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| md_date_world=2011-06-22
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| md_rrp_jp=8,700e{{magref|bemega|1991-05|18}}
 
}}
 
}}
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| genre=RPG
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| savetype={{SaveType
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|MD|battery
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''Blue Almanac''''' (ブルーアルマナック) is a 1991 RPG for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] by [[HOT-B]] and the first Mega Drive game published by [[Kodansha Research Institute]]. While it was only released in Japan, a western release of the game retitled as '''''Star Odyssey''''' was planned by [[Sage's Creation]] for release in July 1991{{fileref|GamePro US 023.pdf|page=38}}, but the translation was cancelled for unknown reasons.  
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}}
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{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ブルーアルマナック) is a 1991 RPG for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] by [[HOT-B]] and the first Mega Drive game published by [[Kodansha Research Institute]]. While it was only released in Japan, a western release of the game, now retitled as '''''Star Odyssey''''', was planned by [[Sage's Creation]] for release in July 1991{{magref|gamepro|23|38}}, but the translation was cancelled for unknown reasons.
  
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A version of ''Star Odyssey'' was reviewed by GamePro in its June 1992 issue, complete with a MSRP of $69.99, suggesting the game was close to a US release. {{fileref|GamePro US 036.pdf|page=48}}
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Versions of ''Star Odyssey'' were reviewed by ''[[GamePro (US)|GamePro]]'' and ''[[VideoGames & Computer Entertainment]]'', complete with a MSRP of $69.99{{magref|gamepro|36|48}} (or $69.95{{magref|vgce|42|35}}), suggesting the game was close to a US release.
  
 +
==History==
 
Two prototypes were independently discovered by drx{{ref|http://hiddenpalace.org/Star_Odyssey_(Jan_16,_1992_prototype)}} and by Brandon Cobb, head of [[Super Fighter Team]], who subsequently acquired a license to complete the translation from HOT-B successor company [[Starfish]] (who like to revisit old properties), with intentions on releasing it on the twentieth anniversary of the original release. Despite his PR claiming that he received an "unofficial license" from [[Sega]] to distribute the game, Sega really asked him to remove their copyrights and trademarks, consequently making the translation fully unlicensed (while ''Blue Almanac'' is fully licensed).
 
Two prototypes were independently discovered by drx{{ref|http://hiddenpalace.org/Star_Odyssey_(Jan_16,_1992_prototype)}} and by Brandon Cobb, head of [[Super Fighter Team]], who subsequently acquired a license to complete the translation from HOT-B successor company [[Starfish]] (who like to revisit old properties), with intentions on releasing it on the twentieth anniversary of the original release. Despite his PR claiming that he received an "unofficial license" from [[Sega]] to distribute the game, Sega really asked him to remove their copyrights and trademarks, consequently making the translation fully unlicensed (while ''Blue Almanac'' is fully licensed).
 +
 +
==Production credits==
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Main Program:''' A B Y
 +
*'''Sub Program:''' Kimihiro Endo
 +
*'''Scenario:''' H.Okinaka
 +
*'''Music:''' [[Cube|Cube Corp.]], Masaru Suzuki
 +
*'''Graphic Design:''' Yukihito Morikawa, Yasuyuki Osada, Mike Yorozuya, Nc30-1004193, Tanuma Yosaku
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' Minoru Fujita, Hisao Yosida, Mitsuru Fujimori, Takako Iizuka, Ryo Kinoshita, Sabu Gikuni
 +
*'''Director:''' Miyabi
 +
*'''Producer:''' Y.Tonomura, Masahiro Tanaka
 +
*'''Produced by:''' [[HOT-B|HOT.B Co.,Ltd.]], Kodansha Sohken
 +
*'''Presented by:''' Kodansha Sohken
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=Blue Almanac MD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
 
==Promotional material==
 
==Promotional material==
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<gallery>
 
−
File:StarOdyssey MD US PrintAdvert 2.jpg|US print advert 2
 
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</gallery>
 
 
{{gallery
 
{{gallery
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
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|SegaVisions US 07.pdf|sv|7|57
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|sv|7|57
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|egm|32|136-137
 +
}}
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|{{galleryPrintAd
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|bemega|1991-01|28-29
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|mdfan|12|92-93
 +
}}
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|{{galleryPrintAd
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|bemega|1991-02|21
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|mdfan|13|91
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}}
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|{{galleryPrintAd
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|bemega|1991-04|9
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|mdfan|15|90
 
}}
 
}}
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|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1991-05|18}}
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|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1991-06|12}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd|mdfan|18|93}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
 +
{{ratings|MD}}
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
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| carttop=BlueAlmanac_MD_JP_CartTop.jpg
 
| carttop=BlueAlmanac_MD_JP_CartTop.jpg
 
| manual=Bluealmanac md jp manual.pdf
 
| manual=Bluealmanac md jp manual.pdf
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}}{{Scanbox
 
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| console=Mega Drive
 
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| region=World (''Star Odyssey'')
 
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| front=StarOdyssey MD Box.jpg
 
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| back=StarOdyssey MD Box Back.jpg
 
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| spinemissing=yes
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
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===ROM dump status===
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
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{{romtable|
 
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{{rom|MD|sha1=0be0d4d3e192beb4106c0a95c1fb0aec952c3917|md5=9679ee2799bf61dd97aaba0799e802ab|crc32=7222ebb3|size=1MB|date=1991-05|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=}}
 
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{{rom|MD|sha1=7553f6c0d07c035c1e4761b1b26e52602fe2f06b|md5=7fa5036db387a874e399e44659a28f96|crc32=fbbd7ef4|size=1MB|date=1992-01-16|source=CD-R disc{{ref|http://hiddenpalace.org/Star_Odyssey_(Jan_16,_1992_prototype)}}|comments=Localised US version. ROM header says 1991-10.|quality=good|prototype=yes}}
 
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{{rom|MD|sha1=791ee690b2929d4edfda22ff23d7cfd74376299e|md5=2f1090251c3178c9136de360a13dfa1b|crc32=0b670a3e|size=2MB|date=2011|source=Cartridge (World)|comments=Super Fighter Team version.|quality=|prototype=}}
 
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}}
 
  
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==External links==
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==References==
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* [http://www.starodysseygame.com/ Super Fighter Team's ''Star Odyssey'' website]
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<references/>
  
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==References==
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{{BlueAlmanacOmni}}
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<references />
 

Latest revision as of 20:51, 5 January 2024

For the aftermarket re-release of the game, see Star Odyssey (Super Fighter Team).

n/a

BlueAlmanac MDTitleScreen.png

Blue Almanac
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Kodansha Research Institute
Developer:
Genre: RPG[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,700 (8,961)8,700e[3] T-46013

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Blue Almanac (ブルーアルマナック) is a 1991 RPG for the Sega Mega Drive by HOT-B and the first Mega Drive game published by Kodansha Research Institute. While it was only released in Japan, a western release of the game, now retitled as Star Odyssey, was planned by Sage's Creation for release in July 1991[4], but the translation was cancelled for unknown reasons.

Versions of Star Odyssey were reviewed by GamePro and VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, complete with a MSRP of $69.99[5] (or $69.95[6]), suggesting the game was close to a US release.

History

Two prototypes were independently discovered by drx[7] and by Brandon Cobb, head of Super Fighter Team, who subsequently acquired a license to complete the translation from HOT-B successor company Starfish (who like to revisit old properties), with intentions on releasing it on the twentieth anniversary of the original release. Despite his PR claiming that he received an "unofficial license" from Sega to distribute the game, Sega really asked him to remove their copyrights and trademarks, consequently making the translation fully unlicensed (while Blue Almanac is fully licensed).

Production credits

  • Main Program: A B Y
  • Sub Program: Kimihiro Endo
  • Scenario: H.Okinaka
  • Music: Cube Corp., Masaru Suzuki
  • Graphic Design: Yukihito Morikawa, Yasuyuki Osada, Mike Yorozuya, Nc30-1004193, Tanuma Yosaku
  • Special Thanks: Minoru Fujita, Hisao Yosida, Mitsuru Fujimori, Takako Iizuka, Ryo Kinoshita, Sabu Gikuni
  • Director: Miyabi
  • Producer: Y.Tonomura, Masahiro Tanaka
  • Produced by: HOT.B Co.,Ltd., Kodansha Sohken
  • Presented by: Kodansha Sohken
Source:
In-game credits
Blue Almanac MD credits.pdf
[8]


Magazine articles

Main article: Blue Almanac/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #7: "Winter 1991/1992" (1991-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #32: "March 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-01: "January 1991" (1990-12-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-02: "February 1991" (1991-01-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-04: "April 1991" (1991-03-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-05: "May 1991" (1991-04-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-06: "June 1991" (1991-05-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Drive Fan (JP) #18: "July 1991" (1991-06-08)
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[12]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
58
[13]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
58
[14]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
73
[5]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
30
[15]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
59
[16]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
62
[17]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[6]
Sega Mega Drive
 56
Based on
8 reviews

Blue Almanac

Mega Drive, JP
BlueAlmanac MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
BlueAlmanac MD JP CartTop.jpg
BlueAlmanac MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Bluealmanac md jp manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Blue Almanac/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:BlueAlmanac MD JP Box.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 18
  4. ↑ GamePro, "June 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 38
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 48
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 35
  7. ↑ Hidden Palace: Star Odyssey (Jan 16, 1992 prototype)
  8. ↑ File:Blue Almanac MD credits.pdf
  9. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 92
  10. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-08), page 91
  11. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "April 1991" (JP; 1991-03-08), page 90
  12. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 57
  13. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "June 1991" (JP; 1991-05-08), page 28
  14. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1991-0x-xx), page 1
  15. ↑ Hippon Super, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-04), page 42
  16. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "September 1991" (JP; 1991-08-xx), page 115
  17. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87


Blue Almanac

BlueAlmanac MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1992-01-16
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Blue_Almanac&oldid=949136"