Darius II

From Sega Retro

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Darius II Title.png

Darius II
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Master System, Sega Saturn
Publisher: Taito
Developer:
Developer(s) of original games: Taito
Sound driver:
Sega Saturn
SCSP/CD-DA (16 tracks)
Genre: Shoot-'em-Up

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,9008,900 T-11083
Sega Mega Drive
US 		T-11016
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Sega Master System
EU 		7078
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Saturn
JP 		¥5,8005,800 T-1104G
Sega Saturn
EU 		MK81085-50

Darius II (ダライアスII) is a side-scrolling space shoot 'em up developed by Taito as a direct sequel to the 1986 game Darius. It was originally released in 1989.

The game was ported to several Sega systems, including the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Master System, whose Western releases were renamed Sagaia for unknown reasons. A port to the Sega Saturn using the original name was released exclusively in Japan and Europe.

Story

Proco and Tiat, seeing the planet Darius in ruin, create a new planet called Orga. Their descendents, Proco Jr. and Tiat Young, receive a mayday signal from another civilization born from Darius's ruins, prompting them to take the Silverhawk, a ship, back to save this other civilization from evil forces.

Gameplay

Like the first game, the player controls a space ship shooting at various enemies that resemble fish in a non-linear level order.

A and C shoot; holding them down rapidfires (though there is a break every few bullets). B drops bombs (you have unlimited bombs). Powerups are collected in the usual shoot em up fashion and there are powerups for both the gun and the bomb dropper. A score bonus is awarded for defeating groups of enemies.

Stages in the Mega Drive version differ quite a bit from the arcade version: backgrounds are different (e.g. arcade stage B takes place on a rocky planet surface and in a cave, while the Mega Drive version of stage B is mechanized), enemy placement and behavior has been changed and the bosses have also been modified. The Master System version features a reduced amount of stages.

The Saturn version, conversely, simulates the arcade version's wide screen mode utilizing a zoom feature. However, due to running in a lower resolution mode, it can be very difficult to see enemies and bullets.

History

Legacy

Darius II was followed by Darius Gaiden in 1994 (originally planned to be released as Darius III). Curiously Gaiden was released for the Saturn before II.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Executive Producer: Takao Ueno
  • Producer: Tomohiro Nishikado, Shouji Takahashi
  • Director of Software: Yuichiro Kawamuki
  • Programmers: Takashi Kuroda, Yoshiaki Ishii, Ayumi Onosaka, Takahisa Horimoto
  • Production Designer: Wakadaishou
  • Character Designers: Makoto Saitoh, Gota Goto, Keisuke Miyanaga, Nishiyaman
  • Team Zuntata
    • Music Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
  • Programmed by: Mira Turbo, Dogen Shibuya
  • Game Checker: Kiyoshi Bandou
  • Technical Adviser: Hideaki Tomioka, Haruo Suzuki, Kouji Yamazaki
  • Special Thanks to: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Akira Fujita, Akira Ohtsuki, Tatsuo Nakamura
  • Game Designed by: Yuji Koga
  • Directed by: Yuichiro Kawamuki

© Taito Corporation 1991
Licensed by Sega Enterprises Ltd.

Master System version

  • Executive Producer: Tomohiro Nishikado
  • Producer: Kimio Hirota
  • Director: Iku Mizutani
  • Programers: Moriyuki Kanaya, Yuji Akita
  • Graphics Designers: Isao Inoue, Yasunari Hayami
  • Music Director: Iku Mizutani
  • Music Composer: Hisayoshi Ogura
  • Character Designers: Yasunari Hayami, Isao Inoue
  • Original Game Designer: Fukio Mitsuji
  • Special Thanks: Yuji Koga, Kohji Yamazaki

Taito Corporation 1992 All Rights Reserved

Saturn version

The Credits
  • Directed And Produced by: Hidehiro Fujiwara
  • Game Designed by: Hidehiro Fujiwara, Takatsuna Senba
  • Programmed by: Akira Ohtsuki, Tatsuo Nakamura, Masashi Tsuzura, Shinji Soyano
  • Art Designed by: Masami Kikuchi, Takatsuna Senba, Hisakazu Kato
  • Cabinet Design: Yoshinori Aiura
  • Hardware Designed by: Toshiyuki Sanada
  • Team Zuntata
    • All Music Composed And Arranged by: Hisayoshi Ogura
    • Sound Editor: Yasuhisa Watanabe, Norihiro Furukawa
    • Sound Soft Ware: Naoto Yagishita
  • Special thanks to: Onijust, Akira Fujita, Takamasa Hori, Masaki Yagi, Masahiko Takaki, Ogr Young, Zippy Aoki, Kouji Tsunekiyo, Hikaru Taniguchi, And Staff Of Kumagaya

© Taito Corporation 1989 All Rights Reserved
Taito

Source:
In-game credits. Original credits only.[5]


サターン版 「ＤＡＲＩＵＳII」 スタッフ
  • プログラム: 金子 道明, 南雲 泰人, 阿部 央, 関 拓志, 赤座 清敬
  • グラフィック: 高須 雄二, 小松崎 成俊, 山田 耕司, 栗原 義昭, 藤原 淳
Source:
Staff.txt (in CD-ROM)

Track list

Saturn version

1. [data track]  
2. Olga Breeze (04:09) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
3. Olga Breeze (03:34) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
4. Muse Valley (03:42) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
5. Jamming (03:29) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
6. Cynthia (03:49) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
7. Planet Blue (03:37) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
8. To Nari (03:32) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
9. Say PaPa (05:32) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
10. All Clear (01:05) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
11. War Oh! (03:51) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
12. Boss2 (03:52) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
13. Round Clear (00:55) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
14. Say Papa (Intro) (00:23) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
15. Name Set (00:48) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
16. Ending (00:45) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
17. Say PaPa (Ending) (02:17) 
Composed by: Hisayoshi Ogura
► Running time: 45:20

Magazine articles

Main article: Darius II/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Mega Drive print advert in Game Players Sega Guide! (US) #0203: "Vol. 2, No. 3: June/July 1991" (1991-0x-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
79 №112, p72[7]
79 №4, p88[8]
77 №6
69 №30, p94[9]
89 №13, p118
65 №5, p91
87 №1, p65
83 №1, p77[10]
83 №8, p76-78[11]
72 №3/91, p140[12]
80 №23, p53
87 №2, p19[13]
83 №18, p64
90 №12, p34[2]
Sega Mega Drive
 80
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[14]
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[15]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
67
[16]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
80
[17]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK) NTSC-J
83
[18]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
83
[19]
Computer & Video Games (UK) NTSC-J
79
[20]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
75
[1]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
60
[21]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
70
[22]
Games-X (UK) PAL
77
[23]
Génération 4 (FR) NTSC-J
69
[9]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
30
[24]
Joystick (FR)
89
[25]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) NTSC-J
65
[26]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
77
[27]
Mega Action (UK) NTSC
87
[28]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[29]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-J
83
[10]
Mean Machines (UK) NTSC-J
83
[11]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
83
[30]
Power Play (DE)
72
[31]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
75
[32]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
87
[13]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
83
[33]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
75
[34]
Supergame (BR)
90
[2]
Tricks 16 bit (RU) NTSC-U
69
[35]
Sega Mega Drive
 74
Based on
28 reviews

Darius II

Mega Drive, US
DariusII MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Darius II MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Sagaia md us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, JP
Darius II MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
DariusII MD JP CartTop.jpg
DariusII md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR
Sagaia md br cover.jpg
Cover
Sagaia MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
82 №11, p118/119[36]
81 №9, p68/69[37]
91 №6, p84/85[38]
90 №25, p136[39]
67 №24, p62/63[40]
72 №2/50
80 №19, p66/67[41]
78 №34, p28/29
23 №9, p42/43[42]
50 №1/92, p18[43]
51 №7, p52/53[44]
88 №12, p34[2]
73 №7/92, p51[45]
Sega Master System
 71
Based on
13 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR) PAL
82
[36]
Game Power (IT)
90
[46]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
81
[37]
Joypad (FR) PAL
91
[38]
Joystick (FR)
90
[39]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
65
[47]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
72
[48]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
67
[40]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
67
[49]
Player One (FR)
80
[41]
Play Time (DE)
52
[50]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
78
[51]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
23
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
43
[52]
Sega Force (SE)
50
[43]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
51
[44]
Supergame (BR)
88
[2]
Supersonic (FR)
92
[53]
Video Games (DE)
73
[54]
Sega Master System
 70
Based on
19 reviews

Darius II

Master System, EU
Darius II SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
Sagaia SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
SagaiaSMSEUManual3L.pdf
Manual
Master System, AU

Sagaia Master System AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
DariusII SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Sagaia SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart

Saturn version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
30
60 №391, p29
60 №55, p72[55]
68 №8/96, p48[56]
36 №50, p72[4]
55 №54, p93[57]
75 №69, p124
28 №86, p60
53 №1996-09, p230[58]
68 №, p13[59]
Sega Saturn
 53
Based on
10 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
CD Consoles (FR) PAL
40
[60]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
60
[61]
Fun Generation (DE) NTSC-J
30
[62]
GameFan (US)
70
[63]
Intelligent Gamer (US) NTSC-J
75
[64]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
60
[55]
Joypad (FR) PAL
70
[65]
MAN!AC (DE) NTSC-J
68
[56]
Mega Force (FR) PAL
55
[57]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
36
[4]
Player One (FR)
75
[66]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[67]
Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J
63
[68]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
28
[69]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
53
[70]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
68
[59]
Sega Saturn
 57
Based on
16 reviews

Darius II

Saturn, EU
DariusII Saturn EU Box.jpg
Cover
Darius II Saturn EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Saturn, JP
DariusII sat jp backcover.jpgDariusII sat jp frontcover.jpg
Cover
DariusII Saturn JP Disc.jpg
Disc

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 f1e22f43
MD5 c9ab9dd499c7d56772fccbd2ec2ae465
SHA-1 0aa2632da5ec3c1db21b273bcb8630d84b7bb805
1MB 1990-11 Cartridge (US)
Sega Mega Drive
✔
CRC32 25dfe62a
MD5 4ab80160ba6811a48e0482c402941062
SHA-1 93593e4014e13db90fedc1903a402c6f7d885a2f
1MB 1990-09 Cartridge (JP)

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Super Darius II
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 File:EGM US 021.pdf, page 22 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:EGM US 021.pdf_p22" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 File:Supergame BR 12.pdf, page 34 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 12.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 12.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Supergame BR 12.pdf_p34" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 55
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 File:MeanMachinesSega50UK.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega50UK.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ File:DariusII_Saturn_JP_SSEnding.pdf
  6. ↑ Mega Play, "May/June 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 7
  7. ↑ File:CVG UK 112.pdf, page 72
  8. ↑ File:CVG IT 04.pdf, page 88
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 File:Generation4 FR 030.pdf, page 94 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 030.pdf_p94" defined multiple times with different content
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf, page 77 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf_p77" defined multiple times with different content
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 File:MeanMachines UK 08.pdf, page 76 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 08.pdf_p76" defined multiple times with different content
  12. ↑ File:PowerPlay DE 036.pdf, page 140
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf, page 21 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 02.pdf_p21" defined multiple times with different content
  14. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 54
  15. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 198
  16. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1991" (DE; 1991-02-22), page 125
  17. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 35
  18. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 102
  19. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 128
  20. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 88
  21. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 304
  22. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 35
  23. ↑ Games-X, "31st May-6th June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-31), page 36
  24. ↑ Hippon Super, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-04), page 41
  25. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 118
  26. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  27. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  28. ↑ Mega Action, "June 1993" (UK; 1993-05-20), page 65
  29. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 44
  30. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  31. ↑ Power Play, "3/91" (DE; 1991-02-15), page 140
  32. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 53
  33. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 64
  34. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  35. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 151
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 File:ConsolesPlus FR 011.pdf, page 118 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:ConsolesPlus FR 011.pdf_p118" defined multiple times with different content
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 File:HobbyConsolas ES 009.pdf, page 68 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:HobbyConsolas ES 009.pdf_p68" defined multiple times with different content
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 File:Joypad FR 006.pdf, page 84 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 006.pdf_p84" defined multiple times with different content
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 File:Joystick FR 025.pdf, page 136 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joystick FR 025.pdf_p136" defined multiple times with different content
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 File:MeanMachines UK 24.pdf, page 62 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 24.pdf_p62" defined multiple times with different content
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 File:PlayerOne FR 019.pdf, page 66 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:PlayerOne FR 019.pdf_p66" defined multiple times with different content
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf, page 42 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaPro UK 09.pdf_p42" defined multiple times with different content
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf, page 18 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce SE 1992 01.pdf_p18" defined multiple times with different content
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 54 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf_p54" defined multiple times with different content
  45. ↑ File:VideoGames DE 1992-07.pdf, page 49
  46. ↑ Game Power, "Settembre 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 48
  47. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 95
  48. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Julio 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 79
  49. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 136
  50. ↑ Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 95
  51. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 28
  52. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  53. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 22
  54. ↑ Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 51
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 File:Joypad FR 055.pdf, page 72 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Joypad FR 055.pdf_p72" defined multiple times with different content
  56. ↑ 56.0 56.1 File:MAN!AC DE 1996-08.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MAN!AC DE 1996-08.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 File:MegaForce FR 54.pdf, page 93 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaForce FR 54.pdf_p93" defined multiple times with different content
  58. ↑ File:SSM_JP_19960614_1996-09.pdf, page 232
  59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 Saturn no Game wa Sekai Ichi~i~i~i!: Satamaga Dokusha Race Zen Kiroku, SoftBank Publishing, page 15 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SnGwSISDRZK Book JP.pdf_p15" defined multiple times with different content
  60. ↑ CD Consoles, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 162
  61. ↑ Famitsu, "1996-06-14" (JP; 1996-05-31), page 1
  62. ↑ Fun Generation, "08/96" (DE; 1996-07-10), page 80
  63. ↑ GameFan, "Volume 4, Issue 8: August 1996" (US; 1996-xx-xx), page 15
  64. ↑ Intelligent Gamer, "August 1996" (US; 1996-0x-xx), page 90
  65. ↑ Joypad, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-1x-xx), page 79
  66. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1996" (FR; 1996-xx-xx), page 124
  67. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 12" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 163
  68. ↑ Saturn Fan, "1996 No. 16" (JP; 1996-07-19), page 84
  69. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1996" (UK; 1996-10-24), page 60
  70. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1996-09 (1996-06-14)" (JP; 1996-05-24), page 232
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