Sega Superstars

Not to be confused with Sonic Superstars.

Sega Superstars
Developer(s)	Sonic Team
Publisher(s)	Sega
Director(s)	Yoshihisa Hashimoto
Producer(s)	Takashi Yuda
Designer(s)	Yoshihisa Hashimoto
Programmer(s)	Takaaki Saito
Artist(s)	Sachiko Kawamura
Composer(s)	Tomoya Ohtani Mariko Nanba Keiichi Sugiyama
Series	Sega All-Stars
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2
Release	EU: October 22, 2004 NA: November 2, 2004 JP: November 11, 2004
Genre(s)	Party
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Sega Superstars is a party video game developed by Sonic Team for the PlayStation 2. It was published by Sega and released in Europe on October 22, 2004; in North America in November 2, 2004; and in Japan in November 11, 2004. The game features several minigames based on various Sega titles that are controlled using the EyeToy peripheral. Upon release, the game received "average" review scores from critics.

Gameplay

A promotional example of gameplay, where the player controls NiGHTS by "gliding," from the NiGHTS-themed minigame

Gameplay is similar to that of EyeToy: Play, in which players use their body to play a variety of minigames. However, while that game only picked up player's movement, Sega Superstars uses a more advanced system for some minigames. Before the start of some minigames, such as Puyo Pop Fever, a setup screen with an orange area is shown. In order to start the game, players have to stand in a position where the orange area won't pick up any movement and select the continue button. This method determines what area is the background, allowing EyeToy to pick up the player's position, as opposed to just what areas are moving.

Sega Superstars features 12 minigames, each based on different Sega franchises. Rings earned in each game can be used in a Chao Garden mode, in which players raise Chao from the Sonic the Hedgehog series.

• Sonic the Hedgehog - Using their hands, players must guide Sonic through a tube, collecting rings and Chaos Emeralds while avoiding bombs. This minigame is based on the series' Special Stages, primarily the one from Sonic Heroes. There is also an extra mode where players can play as Shadow the Hedgehog.
• Super Monkey Ball - Players use their arms to control Ai-Ai as he rolls in a ball through a maze, aiming to reach a goal without falling off the stage. This minigame's gameplay is similar to the original Super Monkey Ball.
• Samba de Amigo - Players move their hands over one of the six circles in time to the music. While similar to the Beat Freak minigame in EyeToy: Play, this minigame also plays very similarly to the original Samba de Amigo.
• Space Channel 5 - Playing alongside Ulala, players must copy dance moves given by the Morolian opponents by hitting monitors with their arms. The minigame is similar to the Disco Stars minigame in EyeToy: Play, but still remains similar to the original Space Channel 5.
• NiGHTS into Dreams - Players hold their arms out in a gliding pose to control NiGHTS in a stage based on Spring Valley, a stage from the original NiGHTS game. By picking up Blue Chips, players can destroy Ideya Captures, and once all four have been interacted with (destroyed or otherwise), the stage can be cleared by arriving at the Ideya Palace. There is also an extra mode set in Twin Seeds, the final stage of the original game.
• The House of the Dead - Players use their body to attack zombies that appear on-screen, being careful not to hit any hostages.
• Virtua Fighter - Players fight against various fighters, following command prompts to attack them while also defending against their attacks.
• Billy Hatcher - Players must use rolling motions to help Billy Hatcher roll a giant egg around and clear each level.
• Puyo Pop Fever - Players use their entire body to funnel colored Puyos into their respective departments, being careful not to accidentally roll in a bomb.
• ChuChu Rocket! - Players use their hands to activate mechanisms and guide ChuChus to a rocket while protecting them from a hungry cat.
• Virtua Striker - Players must use their head to knock soccer balls into floating balloons to score points. (However, arms and legs are allowed too.)
• Crazy Taxi - Players attempt to make as much movement and noise as possible to attract the attention of a taxi.
• Chao Garden - Players can hatch and raise their own Chao. The Rings earned in minigames can be used to purchase items in the Black Market, which can be given to the Chao. The Chao will appear on loading screens, though if it isn't hatched yet, their egg will appear instead.

Development

Before Sega Superstars, few games had made use of the EyeToy. As such, the game was developed as a product that would combine the novelty of this accessory with the familiarity of Sega's first-party franchises to extend the long-term viability of the PlayStation 2 console. It was announced in April 2004 and exhibited at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) and Tokyo Game Show events of that same year.

Reception

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
Metacritic	72/100

Review scores

Publication	Score
1Up.com	B
Edge	7/10
Electronic Gaming Monthly	5.67/10
Eurogamer	8/10
Famitsu	32/40
Game Informer	8/10
GameSpot	7.3/10
GameZone	8.3/10
IGN	7/10
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
The Sydney Morning Herald

The game received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of two nines and two sevens for a total of 32 out of 40.

External links

• Sega Superstars at MobyGames