PGA Tour Golf II (found build of HeartBeat Catalyst version of SEGA Genesis golf game; 1995): Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{InfoboxFound | ||
|title=<center>PGA Tour Golf II (HeartBeat Catalyst version)</center> | |title=<center>PGA Tour Golf II (HeartBeat Catalyst version)</center> | ||
|image=Pgatourgolfiiheartbeat1.png | |image=Pgatourgolfiiheartbeat1.png | ||
|imagecaption=''PGA Tour Golf II'' HeartBeat Catalyst coverart. | |imagecaption=''PGA Tour Golf II'' HeartBeat Catalyst coverart. | ||
|status=<span style="color: | |status=<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
|datefound=30 May 2023 | |||
|foundby=[https://archive.org/details/@zprojectz Isaiah M.V] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''PGA Tour Golf II''''' is a golf video game developed by Polygon Games. Released on the | '''''PGA Tour Golf II''''' is a golf video game developed by Polygon Games. Released on the SEGA Genesis in 1992, and later the Game Gear in 1995, the game was the first sequel of the now long-running PGA Tour series. What is less known is that '''another version was developed exclusively for the SEGA Genesis in America, which was programmed to function with the ill-fated HeartBeat Catalyst'''. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
''PGA Tour Golf II'' proved a critical and commercial success when it was first released on the | ''PGA Tour Golf II'' proved a critical and commercial success when it was first released on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive.<ref name="sales">[https://retrocdn.net/images/e/eb/Mega_UK_08.pdf Issue 8 of ''Mega'' reporting the original game was now topping the highest-selling Mega Drive titles in the UK.] Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref><ref name="gametech">[https://archive.org/details/mt-22_202005/page/100/mode/2up?q=pga Issue 22 of ''MegaTech'' reviewing the original Mega Drive version of the game.] Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref> Particularly, the game sold strongly in the United Kingdom, dethroning ''Ecco the Dolphin'' as the top-selling Mega Drive game in the country.<ref name="sales"/> Meanwhile, Issue 22 of ''MegaTech'' awarded the game 94% for its vast features and control method, though still believed it was too similar to its predecessor.<ref name="gametech"/> A retrospective review by ''Classic Gaming Quarterly'' believed the sequel improved upon the original ''PGA Tour Golf'', especially in terms of graphics and overall content.<ref>[http://cgquarterly.com/2009/08/17/pga-tour-golf-ii/ ''Classic Gaming Quarterly'' review of the original game.] Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref> | ||
==The HeartBeat Catalyst Version== | ==The HeartBeat Catalyst Version== | ||
Such was the game's success that it was considered for HeartBeat Corporation's fledging exercise peripheral, the HeartBeat Catalyst.<ref name="kraken">[http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst ''The Video Game Kraken'' summarising the Catalyst and games being developed for it.] Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref><ref name="detroit">22nd March 1994 issue of ''Detroit Free Press'' promoting the game. Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref> Released exclusively in the United States on 24th November 1993, the Catalyst was a Genesis add-on that aimed to provide gamers with a cardiovascular workout as they played.<ref name="kraken"/><ref name="detroit"/> It functioned as a heart-rate monitor and speed sensor for exercise bikes, treadmills and other fitness peripherals.<ref name="kraken"/><ref name="detroit"/> Connection with the fitness device was achieved by attaching two Genesis controllers to the handlebars of compatible equipment.<ref name="detroit"/> By clipping the Catalyst's pulse monitor onto the player's ear, the device is able to capture their heartrate and display it onto the television screen.<ref name="detroit"/><ref name="kraken"/> From there, the player's exercise has a direct impact | Such was the game's success that it was considered for HeartBeat Corporation's fledging exercise peripheral, the HeartBeat Catalyst.<ref name="kraken">[http://videogamekraken.com/heartbeat-personal-trainer-catalyst ''The Video Game Kraken'' summarising the Catalyst and games being developed for it.] Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref><ref name="detroit">22nd March 1994 issue of ''Detroit Free Press'' promoting the game. Retrieved 25th Mar '23</ref> Released exclusively in the United States on 24th November 1993, the Catalyst was a Genesis add-on that aimed to provide gamers with a cardiovascular workout as they played.<ref name="kraken"/><ref name="detroit"/> It functioned as a heart-rate monitor and speed sensor for exercise bikes, treadmills and other fitness peripherals.<ref name="kraken"/><ref name="detroit"/> Connection with the fitness device was achieved by attaching two Genesis controllers to the handlebars of compatible equipment.<ref name="detroit"/> By clipping the Catalyst's pulse monitor onto the player's ear, the device is able to capture their heartrate and display it onto the television screen.<ref name="detroit"/><ref name="kraken"/> From there, the player's exercise has a direct impact on gameplay; if the player is under or overexercising, it would have a detrimental impact on the game itself.<ref name="kraken"/><ref name="detroit"/> Success was therefore based around maintaining a strong, consistent workout.<ref name="kraken"/><ref name="detroit"/> | ||
Essentially, HeartBeat Corporation aimed to combine routine indoor exercise with gaming, establishing "exertainment" as it claimed in one promotion.<ref name="detroit"/> The earliest confirmed mention of a Catalyst version ''PGA Tour Golf II'' arose in a promotion published by the ''Detroit Free Press'' on 22nd March 1994.<ref name="detroit"/> In that promotion, it claimed ''PGA Tour Golf II'' and ''NHLPA Hockey'' would be released after a couple of months, occurring following the releases of tie-in platformer game ''Outback Joey'' and sci-fi driving game ''Outworld 2375 AD''.<ref name="detroit"/> Based on the back of this version's Genesis box, gameplay was again seemingly based on heart rate, with the ability to store workout stats. The instruction manual elaborates that if one is overexercising, the white swing bar doubles in speed, making hitting an accurate shot extremely difficult. By contrast, if one is underexercising, the swing bar can only move about 50%, increasing the likelihood of a hooked shot. | Essentially, HeartBeat Corporation aimed to combine routine indoor exercise with gaming, establishing "exertainment" as it claimed in one promotion.<ref name="detroit"/> The earliest confirmed mention of a Catalyst version ''PGA Tour Golf II'' arose in a promotion published by the ''Detroit Free Press'' on 22nd March 1994.<ref name="detroit"/> In that promotion, it claimed ''PGA Tour Golf II'' and ''NHLPA Hockey'' would be released after a couple of months, occurring following the releases of tie-in platformer game ''Outback Joey'' and sci-fi driving game ''Outworld 2375 AD''.<ref name="detroit"/> Based on the back of this version's Genesis box, gameplay was again seemingly based on heart rate, with the ability to store workout stats. The instruction manual elaborates that if one is overexercising, the white swing bar doubles in speed, making hitting an accurate shot extremely difficult. By contrast, if one is underexercising, the swing bar can only move about 50%, increasing the likelihood of a hooked shot. | ||
| Line 18: | Line 20: | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
Considering the poor commercial reception the Catalyst received, all its released games, including ''PGA Tour Golf II'', are among the rarest titles for the | Considering the poor commercial reception the Catalyst received, all its released games, including ''PGA Tour Golf II'', are among the rarest titles for the SEGA Genesis.<ref name="kraken"/> The only known copy of Catalyst ''PGA Golf Tour II'' was obtained by YouTuber "videogameexperiment." After being taken to the Video Game Roadshow at the Portland Retro Game Expo, the game was valued between $2,000-$4,000 according to a panel of experts. videogameexperiment then collaborated with Vidja Gamer to produce a YouTube video revealing the key aspects of the Catalyst version, including altered gameplay and a bigger ROM chip. This was made possible after videogameexpert met with video game preservationist Frank Cifaldi at the Expo, the latter conducting a ROM dump on the game and tested on an Everdrive. | ||
On May 30th, 2023, a ROM of the HeartBeat Catalyst version of an older version of the game was dumped to Archive.org by user Isaiah M.V. after they had obtained a version from the game months before it got dumped that was shared to them by a Video Game History Foundation user.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/pga-tour-golf-u ''PGA Tour Golf II'' HeartBeat Catalyst version on Archive.org.] Retrieved 17 Jun '23</ref> An identical version of the game was then eventually dumped by the Hidden Palace on June 19th, 2023, after an owner of a prototype of the game, Brian Nocenti, shared and contributed a version of the game to the Hidden Palace<ref>[https://hiddenpalace.org/PGA_Tour_Golf_II_(Catalyst_prototype) ''PGA Tour Golf II'', dumped by the Hidden Palace] Retrieved 29 Jun '23</ref>. | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
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==External Link== | ==External Link== | ||
*[https://segaretro.org/PGA_Tour_Golf_II_(Catalyst) '' | *[https://segaretro.org/PGA_Tour_Golf_II_(Catalyst) ''SEGA Retro'' page on ''PGA Tour Golf II'']. | ||
==See Also== | |||
*[[HeartBeat Catalyst (partially lost video games made for third-party Sega Genesis exercise peripheral; 1993-1995)]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Found media]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Found video games]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:18, 11 September 2024
PGA Tour Golf II HeartBeat Catalyst coverart.
Status: Found
Date found: 30 May 2023
Found by: Isaiah M.V
PGA Tour Golf II is a golf video game developed by Polygon Games. Released on the SEGA Genesis in 1992, and later the Game Gear in 1995, the game was the first sequel of the now long-running PGA Tour series. What is less known is that another version was developed exclusively for the SEGA Genesis in America, which was programmed to function with the ill-fated HeartBeat Catalyst.
Background
PGA Tour Golf II proved a critical and commercial success when it was first released on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive.[1][2] Particularly, the game sold strongly in the United Kingdom, dethroning Ecco the Dolphin as the top-selling Mega Drive game in the country.[1] Meanwhile, Issue 22 of MegaTech awarded the game 94% for its vast features and control method, though still believed it was too similar to its predecessor.[2] A retrospective review by Classic Gaming Quarterly believed the sequel improved upon the original PGA Tour Golf, especially in terms of graphics and overall content.[3]
The HeartBeat Catalyst Version
Such was the game's success that it was considered for HeartBeat Corporation's fledging exercise peripheral, the HeartBeat Catalyst.[4][5] Released exclusively in the United States on 24th November 1993, the Catalyst was a Genesis add-on that aimed to provide gamers with a cardiovascular workout as they played.[4][5] It functioned as a heart-rate monitor and speed sensor for exercise bikes, treadmills and other fitness peripherals.[4][5] Connection with the fitness device was achieved by attaching two Genesis controllers to the handlebars of compatible equipment.[5] By clipping the Catalyst's pulse monitor onto the player's ear, the device is able to capture their heartrate and display it onto the television screen.[5][4] From there, the player's exercise has a direct impact on gameplay; if the player is under or overexercising, it would have a detrimental impact on the game itself.[4][5] Success was therefore based around maintaining a strong, consistent workout.[4][5]
Essentially, HeartBeat Corporation aimed to combine routine indoor exercise with gaming, establishing "exertainment" as it claimed in one promotion.[5] The earliest confirmed mention of a Catalyst version PGA Tour Golf II arose in a promotion published by the Detroit Free Press on 22nd March 1994.[5] In that promotion, it claimed PGA Tour Golf II and NHLPA Hockey would be released after a couple of months, occurring following the releases of tie-in platformer game Outback Joey and sci-fi driving game Outworld 2375 AD.[5] Based on the back of this version's Genesis box, gameplay was again seemingly based on heart rate, with the ability to store workout stats. The instruction manual elaborates that if one is overexercising, the white swing bar doubles in speed, making hitting an accurate shot extremely difficult. By contrast, if one is underexercising, the swing bar can only move about 50%, increasing the likelihood of a hooked shot.
The Genesis box also confirms the game's release was seemingly delayed until 1995, although a commercial release has never been fully confirmed. Its disputed release likely stemmed from financial difficulties HeartBeat experienced following the Catalyst's commercial failure.[4] The company aimed to sell the Catalyst for $199, and at $299 when combined with its own Genesis console called the HeartBeat Personal Trainer.[4] Producing 1,000 Catalysts, not enough were sold for the Connecticut company to recuperate costs, and it was forced to transfer its assets to a sister organisation.[4] This other company also suffered financial issues, dissolving on 8th September 1997.[4] The last known mentions of the game arose in two promotions by Lansing State Journal on 4th and 17th April 1995.[6][7]
Availability
Considering the poor commercial reception the Catalyst received, all its released games, including PGA Tour Golf II, are among the rarest titles for the SEGA Genesis.[4] The only known copy of Catalyst PGA Golf Tour II was obtained by YouTuber "videogameexperiment." After being taken to the Video Game Roadshow at the Portland Retro Game Expo, the game was valued between $2,000-$4,000 according to a panel of experts. videogameexperiment then collaborated with Vidja Gamer to produce a YouTube video revealing the key aspects of the Catalyst version, including altered gameplay and a bigger ROM chip. This was made possible after videogameexpert met with video game preservationist Frank Cifaldi at the Expo, the latter conducting a ROM dump on the game and tested on an Everdrive.
On May 30th, 2023, a ROM of the HeartBeat Catalyst version of an older version of the game was dumped to Archive.org by user Isaiah M.V. after they had obtained a version from the game months before it got dumped that was shared to them by a Video Game History Foundation user.[8] An identical version of the game was then eventually dumped by the Hidden Palace on June 19th, 2023, after an owner of a prototype of the game, Brian Nocenti, shared and contributed a version of the game to the Hidden Palace[9].
Gallery
Video
Images
The back of the box.
The cartridge.
22nd March 1994 issue of Detroit Free Press promoting the game.
4th April 1995 issue of Lansing State Journal including the game as part of a Catalyst promotion.
17th April 1995 issue of Lansing State Journal including the game as part of a Catalyst promotion.
Instruction manual detailing the consequences of under or overexercising in this game.
External Link
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Issue 8 of Mega reporting the original game was now topping the highest-selling Mega Drive titles in the UK. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Issue 22 of MegaTech reviewing the original Mega Drive version of the game. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ Classic Gaming Quarterly review of the original game. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 The Video Game Kraken summarising the Catalyst and games being developed for it. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 22nd March 1994 issue of Detroit Free Press promoting the game. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ 4th April 1995 issue of Lansing State Journal including the game as part of a Catalyst promotion. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ 17th April 1995 issue of Lansing State Journal including the game as part of a Catalyst promotion. Retrieved 25th Mar '23
- ↑ PGA Tour Golf II HeartBeat Catalyst version on Archive.org. Retrieved 17 Jun '23
- ↑ PGA Tour Golf II, dumped by the Hidden Palace Retrieved 29 Jun '23