Newsletter: Sega World Weekly issue 132
From Video Game Morgue File
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S E G A W O R L D W E E K L Y
M A G A Z I N E
~~ Issue No. 132 May 14th 2001 ~~
Proudly sponsored by http://www.levelsix.com/
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-- Please Support Our Sponsors Intro --
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RED OCTANE:
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?adux+A2cvBw+index.html
http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?adux+A2cvBw+redrenprog.html
<<.>> VGA Box for $8.95 $8.95! $8.95! $8.95! $8.95!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
LevelSix has VGA Cable's (also comes with speaker output)
for just $8.95! You won't believe the quality it improves
your games by. As I found out myself, Sonic Adventure for
example is a brand new experience - Tails. You just have to
see it to believe it, and at $8.95, you have to get it!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
> Share your thoughts online now at our brand new forum:
-- http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
> Sega World Weekly is best read in the Courier New font.
For past issues see http://www.SegaWorldWeekly.com/
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-- Editors Comments Page 1 --
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And we thought the forum was doing well last week when it
had almost 150 messages online. Now our message board has
over 60 members, and 450 messages! Amazing!
So don't miss out on the hottest new place to talk about
everything Sega, and of course the E3! You can join today,
or just look around as a guest if you like, all from...
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
It was five years ago this week that one purple character
flew out of the E3 show and into the dreams of Saturn
gamers world wide. Now in 2001 it's rumored we may well
see his return on the Gamecube in NiGHTS 2. Hence this
weeks red hot rumors are all about NiGHTS.
Then in the news we've got our E3 2001 Preview, and a list
of Sega's titles (including Black & White and other games
thought to be canned!!) that should be at the show. Then
there's a chance for you to make a cardboard model of
Crazy Taxi 2, and sadly bad news on Bleem and their GT2
disc.
Finally ZOndaro leaves for the E3 this week, so don't
forget if you have any REQUESTS for our E3 coverage, let
us know here: http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
Finally if you have any questions or letters, keep them
coming to zondaro@usa.net. Happy Gaming, and we look
forward to the next big issue!
- Graham "Tails" Parker (Editor)
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|| C O N T E N T S ||
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|| 2 - Cover Story ||
|| 3 - Websites to Visit ||
|| 4 - Weekly News ||
|| 5 - Red Hot Rumors ||
|| 6 - E3 2001 Coverage ||
|| 7 - Level Six Low-down ||
|| 8 - Question & Answer ||
|| 9 - Letters ||
|| 10 - Our Support Sites ||
|| 11 - Credits ||
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HOT QUOTE this issue: "A new Panzer Dragoon will be there
for sure, and it's almost certain we'll see Virtua Fighter
4, and of course a few surprises."
-- E3 2001 Preview - Page 3
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-- Cover Story Page 2 --
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<<.>> Playstation 2
-- Written by Graham Parker
While we can't help but laugh at the intro, "imagine
walking into a movie and taking part in real-time... this
is the world you are about to enter", one cannot deny the
Playstation 2 won't be a serious contender in the console
wars.
The fact Sony are releasing a Sega Music CD in Japan alone
must mean Sega plan on laying down the support for the
Playstation 2, as with all the other consoles.
The legendary Virtua Fighter 4 and a conversion of the
Dreamcast's Space Channel 5 game are confirmed to be coming
to the PS2, but no doubt the E3 will reveal more.
Console: Sony Playstation 2
Release: Out Now
Price: $369.99
-- Features:
Unlike the X-Box and the Gamecube, the Playstation 2 can
and will be compared to the Dreamcast. In terms of power
both those consoles are in the same generation, and that's
something to think about when shelling out your $370 for
a new machine.
We could go on forever comparing machines, the Dreamcast
has far better textures, the PS2 has far more space from
it's DVD's... etc... etc... but here we're going to judge
the machine on it's own.
On the plus side, the console is the sequel to the biggest
selling videogame machine in history. That fact alone is
responsible for instant creditability, excitement, and
most importantly, 3rd party support. Something which the
other upcoming consoles will have to earn. This means you
as a gamer can be ensured of some big titles coming from
the likes of Square, Namco, EA and yes, Sega.
The PS2 also plays DVD's, and while it doesn't come with a
remote control one can easily be found with minimum
searching, and an official one is on the way.
In terms of graphics the Playstation 2 clearly has plenty
of power, as seen in Metal Gear Solid 2, but unfortunately
that power is locked away in the depths on the hardware,
only to be unlocked by a select few skilled developers. In
other words it's like the Saturn, hard to program for, and
this is a major worry. It's in total contrast to the ease
of programming the original Playstation used to attract
developers.
As mentioned before you can ensured of some big titles
from 3rd parties, but the big question is will it last.
First we might see ports of the PS2 games on the Xbox and
Gamecube, but then how long will it be before the under-
powered console gets the boot and those big titles are only
seen on the Xbox and Gamecube?
Finally a point that had to be mentioned here is the fact
the PS2 only has two controller ports. Now you have to ask
yourself, why? Well Sony has to be so sure of their
success, that they can afford to cut costs and just include
two ports, and make extra money by selling the multi-tap.
But isn't that the mistake Sega made with the Saturn, being
so sure of it's success?
-- Main Concern:
The life of the system. Considering it's strongly under-
powered compared to the Gamecube and X-Box, the Playstation
2 could easily end up being that machine in 3rd place. So
perhaps it's better to wait until the future is a little
more certain on the PS2's future, and the price is a little
lower before spending $370 which can be spent on the X-Box.
-- Specs:
CPU - 300 MHz "Emotion Engine"
Graphics processor - 150-MHz "Graphics Synthesizer"
Total memory - 32MB Direct Rambus
Memory bandwidth - 3.2GB/sec
Polygon performance - 66 million/sec
Storage medium - 24X CD-ROM
4X DVD-ROM
8MB memory card
Input/output - two controller ports, ethernet connection
iLink (Firewire), USB port
Audio channels - 48
DVD movie playback - Yes
-- More Information:
More information on the Playstation 2 can be found on the
official Sony site, http://www.scea.com/news/ or check out
one of these other sites...
IGN - http://ps2.ign.com
PS2 Online - http://www.ps2online.com
Sonyweb - http://www.sonyweb.com/
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-- Websites to Visit Page 3 --
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<<.>> PC Abusers - http://www.pcabusers.net/
Come and join in our friendly computer community at
http://www.pcabusers.net/fourms/ Buy, Sell Trade all things
computer related, and receive some great tech support.
<<.>> Phatstart.com - http://www.phatstart.com
The number 1 site for teens - built by teens for teens. Do
everything here- chat, read email, play games, make friends
and more Come today and play over 40 online games for FREE!
<<.>> Sega Store - http://segastore.cjb.net
Shop Sega and Save! This online store has it all, with
games like Dark Angel, Silent Scope, Tony Hawk 2 and
Fur Fighters for just $14.99 onwards! Check 'em out!
<<.>> http://www.ngtools.com/fmain.php?D=core238&A=sww
Wouldn't it be great to have the cash to buy ALL the
upcoming consoles? XBox, Gamecube... This is not a get-rich
quick scheme, it actually works! Just click the link above!
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-- Weekly News Page 4 --
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<<.>> Crazy Taxi Cut Outs!
Hitmaker, the developers of the upcoming Crazy Taxi 2 have
just launched a rather unique promotion through their
website this week... Crazy Taxi 2 Models. From downloading
a small file you will have three image A4 sized images, and
then after printing them, you can fold them together and
have your very own Crazy Taxi!
You can see a picture of the model here:
http://www.hitmaker.co.jp/top/0105_12.jpg
And you can download the Windows version from here:
www.hitmaker.co.jp/top/game/coming/ct2_model/taxi2.exe
Or the Mac version from this address:
www.hitmaker.co.jp/top/game/coming/ct2_model/taxi2.sit
May 31st is the current release date in Japan for Crazy
Taxi 2, and to the disappointment of everyone, it will not
include a four player mode as previously mentioned by IGN.
<<.>> E3 2001 Preview
Exactly 365 days ago we were wrapping up the E3 show for
2000. Sega clearly ruled the roost, and quotes like "of all
the booths though, the most spectacular and most creative
of these was easily Sega of America's" ran wild across the
net.
None of the other companies could even come close to
touching Sega's booth in terms of games, be it the sheer
number or the constant high quality. But this year while
their booth is just a fraction of it's former size, the
most important thing hasn't changed, they will still have
all the big games.
All eyes will be on Sega as their reveal their line-up on
the Xbox, the Nintendo Gamecube, the Playstation 2, the
Gameboy Advance, and even the original PSOne. A new Panzer
Dragoon will be there for sure, and it's almost certain
we'll see Virtua Fighter 4, and of course a few surprises.
But perhaps Sega will show off the new Sonic for the
Gamecube, or a Shinobi game, maybe a massive RPG from Sega
and Nintendo combined, or of course who knows, maybe we'll
even see the long awaited return of NiGHTS!
All will be revealed in less than a weeks time, and
naturally Sega World Weekly will be here to keep you
updated. For faster coverage you can also check out our
forum at http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
<<.>> Sega's E3 Dreamcast Lineup
Thanks to Magic Box and SegaDojo, this is a list of what
should be on show at Sega's booth for the Dreamcast. It's
great to see 3rd party titles like Evil Twin and Planet of
the Apes are still coming, and then there's Sega's lineup!
From the looks of things they got the rights to finish off
Black & White and Agartha! Then there's Alien Front Online
and Farnation, two games long thought to be cancelled.
18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker (Sega)
Agartha (Sega)
Alien Front Online (Sega)
Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare (Infogrames)
Black & White (Sega)
Commandos 2 (Sega)
Crazy Taxi 2 (Sega)
Dogs of War (Take 2 Interactive)
Evil Twin (Ubi Soft)
Farnation (Sega)
Floigan Brothers (Sega)
Headhunter (Sega)
Max Steel (Game Studios)
NBA 2K2 (Sega)
NCAA Football (Sega)
NFL 2K2 (Sega)
NHL 2K2 (Sega)
Ooga Booga (Sega)
OutTrigger (Sega)
Planet of the Apes (Universal Interactive)
Shenmue II (Sega)
Sonic Adventure 2 (Sega)
Stupid Invaders (Ubi Soft)
Toy Racer (Sega)
<<.>> Bleemcast Begone!
That's what Sony has told retailers anyway. They have
ordered retailers across the states to stop selling the
newly released Playstation emulator for the Dreamcast. The
emulator plays Gran Tourismo 2, and improves the graphics
and load times even more so than the Playstation 2 does
when running the game. Bleemcast was announced a year ago
at the E3 show of 2000.
Sony has said to shops before to stop selling certain items,
or we'll without our products from you. Which is a real
shame, because the stores don't realize it's Sony that
needs them... not the other way around. Like Sony would
really stop shipping Playstation 2's to every store in the
US of A.
Well EB has thankfully taken a stand, and still lists the
Bleemcast as one of their best selling items. But for the
moment at least, it seems that is the only place you'll
find a copy.
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-- Red Hot Rumors Page 5 --
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<<.>> NiGHTS 2
It twas five years ago this week when Sonic Team revealed
something brand new to the world, that would change the
life and indeed dreams of Saturn owners everywhere, NiGHTS
Into Dreams. Not even with the original Sonic did they
cause this much excitement, and that was in part because
the game was almost complete! Sonic Team has managed to
keep it a well kept secret, and quite literally the people
at E3 1996 had never seen anything like it.
Now with Sonic Team's commitment to the Nintendo Gamecube,
and the fact they are know to be developing several titles,
rumors of the long, long awaited sequel are once again in
the spotlight. Will the fans finally get what they want? It
won't be long before we find out...
Here comes another plug for the forum, heh -
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
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-- On the Road to E3 2001 Page 6 --
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<<.>> E3 Show Updates
-- May 17th 2001
-- You Decide What We Cover!
What games do YOU want to see at this years E3 show? Who do
you want us to talk to? What free stuff do you want us to
grab? Which console are you most interested in reading
about?
Do you want more shots of the actual show, or the games?
Have you got any questions you want asked to the developers
at E3?
Working with Gamecube Weekly, in just half a week's time
we'll be there on the show floor representing you! Please
send in your E3 coverage ideas and requests to
e3trip@gamecubeweekly.com or post them online at our forum:
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
-- E3 on DVD
For the past two years NextGenVideos have produced an E3
Video, then a VideoCD, and now in 2001 a DVD. Having
received both previous years videos, we can personally say
these guys know how to deliver for gamers. Now they have
the chance to pack two hours of footage onto a DVD, on the
"100% Unofficial E3 2001 DVD".
> Over 2 hours
> Video Interviews with leading Publishers and Developers
> Over 30 Featured Developers
> Region Free encoding for international compatibility
Complete with all the game footage, the DVD also has
interviews with developers, footage from over 30 different
companies booths, and even Dolby Surround Sound! The disc
will be released on the second week of June, and can be
pre-ordered for AUS$24.95 (about US$13) plus shipping
(AUS$5, US$3). The pre-order forms are here...
http://e3dvdorders.nextgenvideos.com
Now without sounding like a payed advert here, you can find
more information on the DVD at there website...
http://www.nextgenvideos.com/expos/e32001faq.htm
-- Over 750 new games!
According to the latest ISDA report, this year's E3 will be
hosting more than 750 "never-before-seen" video games and
related products, according to an exhibitor survey fielded
by the show's owner. The ISDA comments that about 400
companies, including 123 first-time E3Expo exhibitors will
showcase thousands of games and products at this year's
show, which will be held May 17th to 19th at the Los
Angeles Convention Center. We hope that our readers give us
a hand deciding which of those 750 games and products we
should drool over.
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-- Level Six Lowdown Page 7 --
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<<.>> VGA Box for $8.95 $8.95! $8.95! $8.95! $8.95!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
LevelSix has VGA Cable's (also comes with speaker output)
for just $8.95! You won't believe the quality it improves
your games by. As I found out myself, Sonic Adventure for
example is a brand new experience - Tails. You just have to
see it to believe it, and at $8.95, you have to get it!
<<.>> Light Gun - Buy one for Confidential Mission!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
This small light gun is the perfect solution for tired
arms, but that doesn't mean it's small on features. Packing
a built-in rumble feature, including recoil rumble (which
can be turned on/off with a switch), Auto-fire and
Auto-reload modes, a flashing LED light and four buttons
along with the D-pad. This gun would be perfect for the
upcoming Confidential Mission!
<<.>> High Quality Maracas at a Low Price
- http://www.levelsix.com/
Wonder why you are not having much fun with Samba De Amigo
with just a hand-held controller? The answer can be found
with a set of maracas! These maracas have a longer cord
(2.6 meter) compared to the Sega brand maracas.
<<.>> PC Keyboard or Mouse on your Dreamcast?
- http://www.levelsix.com/
Forget aiming with a controller in Quake 3 Arena, now you
can use your PC mouse! The Total Control 5 lets you use a
normal scroll wheel mouse, an optical mouse, or a keyboard.
Full details on the website here, http://www.levelsix.com/
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-- Question and Answer Page 8 --
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Do you have a question for your Sega know-it-all? Simply
e-mail in your questions to Ross at zondaro@usa.net and
look for the answers soon in an issue of Sega World Weekly.
We are unable to personally reply to all emails.
You can also post your questions online, via our forum
which we all check regularly at...
http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
Next week: Post E3 Questions Galore!
Note: Given the almost complete lack of questions last week
we are in danger of having no Q&A for next week. Also as a
special treat to all the longtime readers out there I'm
posting a picture of the computer I work from on Gamecube
Weekly this week. http://www.gamecubeweekly.com/zcomp.jpg
So write in with questions this week or I'll continue the
torture.
<<.>> Glory of the Past
Q) Why can't games like E-swat, Streets of Rage, Shinobi
and other great classic Megadrive games be brought back
in all their glory onto the Dreamcast? That's when Sega
really shined! - Marko
A) Hmm. I've got no idea. I mean heck there's a ninja's
chance of any of those games being karate chopped our
way. Yup. I've got shh-no idea buddy.
<<.>> Dancing in Silence
Q) Hey, Will the DC version of Dance Dance Revolution ever
make it stateside? Thanx. Justin
A) They released a copy in Japan? I've heard nothing about
this game. So I've got no idea. I suspect if they have
any US plans that 50 readers will email me telling me
about it.
<<.>> Versus Times Two
Q) I wrote earlier about the announcement from Capcom
concerning Capcom Vs. SNK 2. I own the first one and I
love it, but like all games from Capcom, it's missing a
lot of things like more characters plus the fact that
there are only three endings and no individual ones.
Anyway I just saw a screen shot of Capcom Vs. SNK 2 that
had Kyosuke from Project Justice in it which makes me
just want it more, I'm hoping that you know a release
date or that if Capcom announced it for Dreamcast,
because I know they just previewed it in Japan, so any
info would be great, cause I can't find anything. Thanx
- Sham
A) Umm. Yeah, sure. Wheel of Release Dates turn turn turn
tell us the date we wish to learn... "Error". Hmm, I'll
ask Capcom about it at E3. Sorry, sometimes the wheel
gets jammed.
Lady X of GamecubeWeekly is HOT! - zondaro@usa.net
Join in our forum - http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
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-- Letters of the Week Page 9 --
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Do you have an opinion who wish to share with all the
readers of Sega World Weekly? Simply e-mail in your
thoughts to zondaro@usa.net and look for them in an issue
of Sega World Weekly. Letters will be edited for length.
You can also post your letters and thoughts online at our
forum... http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
Hot Topic: Deafening Silence from Readers
Cold Topic: The Color of Zondaro's Car
Note: Not many people sent in letters last week. In fact
I don't think I got any new ones at all. So to encourage
you to send more letters I'm making a vow to no longer
yack on and on about my self... as much ;)
<<.>> Sega Making a Different Kind of Comeback
I truly believe that SEGA will someday comeback to the
hardware business, I think it will be in the next 2 or 3
generations of hardware, just imagine all the credibility
and good fame the going to win making games for every
console, players will want to have the machine of the
company that makes the best games around on all consoles.
I will be there to see that. Saludos de Mazatlán México.
- Victor Escalante
[As much as I wish I could agree with you. I think we
should consider ourselves lucky that unlike other
companies that have failed in the hardware business
Sega is going to survive and grow stronger. Yet, I
just don't see them coming back. - Zondaro]
<<.>> Reader E3 Requests... all of them.
As you know I am a die hard fighter fan and a Street
Fighter fanatic. Therefore, I am very interested about
Capcom's plans. If you would, please put the pressure on
full when at the Capcom booth. I request info on everything
games, descriptions, release dates, new game feature, plans
for a rival to Super Smash Brothers 2 with a GC version of
PowerStone, marketing strategies, demos, locations of
arcade tests for games, the works! Granted I'm not really
interested in their non-fighter related games like Resident
Evil.
I read in this week's issue that everything that you guys
get at E3 will be given to the readers for FREE via a
contest. As such, would you please get/win anything
Capcom fighter related? Thanks in advance.
- Brij
Tell us how games handle, like so they have horrible
camera angles that cause the death of a character, or if
the buttons on the Gamecube don't feel right and result in
the death of your character. Instead of doing what most
people do--focus only on the bright aspects, highlight
what's wrong with the games and tell what could be improved
and what to watch out for. Give us the good with the bad.
- Unknown
Man, you guys are so lucky to be going to the greatest
videogame conference on the planet, especially with all the
juicy announcements about Xbox and Gamecube! As I live in
Australia, I have a snowflakes chance in hell of going.
Some of the things that I would love to hear about include;
* Price, launch date and launch titles of Gamecube
* Try to play as many of the games and rather than just
telling us what it looks like, tell what it plays like.
* Try to gauge people's enthusiasm for systems and games
Have a great time!! I can't wait to read about what you
guys report. Cheers.
- Matt
If you have ANY requests for our E3 coverage, please post
them online at http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/ but
you'll have to be quick!
Quick someone please ask the hot LadyX of GCWeekly to go
out with me. - zondaro@usa.net
Join in our forum - http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/
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-- Support Sites Page 10 --
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Sega World Weekly goes out to 40,000 gamers every week, but
how did we get so many people signed up? With the help of
these websites, that's how...
<<.>> System Zero - http://system-zero.com
As game music goes well beyond the beeps and bleeps of the
past and into the soundtrack quality tracks we hear today,
Perfect Zero becomes one of THE most important sites for
game fans. Hosting hundreds of MP3s from different games,
turn up those speakers and click that link.
<<.>> DC-United - http://dc-united.com
The Premiere Dreamcast Community, DC-United.com gives you
the ability to view members online, build your own
homepage, send messages, read in-depth reviews, and much
more. DCU Network Members are also eligible for various
monthly prizes.
<<.>> The Next Level - http://www.the-nextlevel.com
The Next Level is a multi-platform gaming magazine focused
on current and upcoming next-generation systems. We provide
up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, reader reviews,
intriguing editorials, and more.
<<.>> PSY Online - http://www.consolereviews.net
PSY Online is a multiformat reviews website specialising in
the Sega Dreamcast console. With 24/7 updated news, forums
and chat, its a great place to hang out for Sega fans.
<<.>> Future Gamez - http://www.futuregamez.net
What ever console your looking for, Future Gamez have them
all. From Dreamcast to GameCube, and X-Box to Playstation
2. So get your news, reviews, previews, and more at Future
Gamez, and stay on top of all systems.
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-- Credits Page 11 --
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O Editor: Graham "Tails" Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
O Question & Answer: Ross Fisher - Zondaro@usa.net
O Staff Writer: Michael Monahan - Mikelad1@aol.com
O Staff Writer: Paulo Santos - Paulo@sega2000.net
<<.>> http://www.LevelSix.com - Our Sponsor
<<.>> http://www.segaworldweekly.com/ - Our Website
<<.>> http://www.segaworldweekly.com/forum/ - Our Forum
___________________________________________________________
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<<.>> VGA Box for $8.95 $8.95! $8.95! $8.95! $8.95!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
LevelSix has VGA Cable's (also comes with speaker output)
for just $8.95! You won't believe the quality it improves
your games by. As I found out myself, Sonic Adventure for
example is a brand new experience - Tails. You just have to
see it to believe it, and at $8.95, you have to get it!
- http://www.levelsix.com/
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Copyright 1998-2001 Graham Parker - Madcow@ihug.co.nz
No parts may be copied without prior permission or correct
credit where due. There should probably be a pile of other
legal lines here, but please just play nice and don't
steal, lol! Thanks for reading Sega World Weekly!
*wishing someone would walk around Sony's E3 booth wearing
a Bleemcast t-shirt*
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Please note the advert below is added on by our mailing
list, it's in no way connected to Sega World Weekly...
