The SEGA Spirit Show podcast

The SEGA Spirit Show is back, and this time we're diving deep into the "Year of the Port!" 2026 has become an incredible year for the Sega community, with talented developers bringing "impossible" titles to our favorite classic consoles.In this episode, Graham Cookson is joined by guest host Chris Powell to explore the massive wave of homebrew ports hitting the Dreamcast, Saturn, and Mega Drive. From N64 classics like Diddy Kong Racing and Wave Race 64 running on Dreamcast, to the mind-blowing feat of Minecraft on the Sega Saturn, the scene has never been more alive.We also take a look at the highly anticipated Sonic Mania ports, the progress of Panzer Dragoon on Dreamcast, and some incredible new features being added to Final Fight MD.Which of these ports blew your mind the most this year? Let us know in the comments below!**Stage Select:***Intro*00:00 - Intro & Guest Host Chris Powell 01:35 - Housekeeping & Patreon Plans 05:00 - Catching up with Chris: Mass Effect Andromeda 11:50 - Graham's Halo: Combat Evolved (Remastered) mini rant 17:35 - Dreamcast Junkyard 25th Anniversary Pickups *Feature Topic: The SEGA Portathon 2026*20:34 - Topic intro22:38 - Automobile Lamborghini (N64 to Dreamcast) 26:45 - Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest (N64 to Dreamcast) 31:15 - Sonic R (PC to Dreamcast) with 4-Player Multiplayer! 36:00 - Virtua Fighter 2 (Saturn/PC to Dreamcast) 40:30 - Panzer Dragoon (PC to Dreamcast) 47:00 - Sonic Mania (Dreamcast Port Update) 53:00 - Diddy Kong Racing (N64 to Dreamcast) 58:00 - Super Monkey Ball (GameCube to Dreamcast) 1:01:20 - Wave Race 64 (N64 to Dreamcast) 1:04:00 - Outrun: Cannonball (Dreamcast Port) 1:08:10 - Sonic CD (2011 Version to Dreamcast) 1:10:25 - Minecraft (Sega Saturn Port) 1:18:00 - Comix Zone 64 (Mega Drive to N64 & Saturn) 1:21:10 - Sonic Mania (Sega Saturn Port) 1:23:33 - Final Fight MD (Mega Drive Enhancement) 1:27:00 - Mega Commando (Mega Drive Recreation) 1:30:15 - Robocop (Arcade to Mega Drive) 1:35:05 - Sonic Mania (Mega Drive Port) 1:40:40 - Final Thoughts & Wrap Up**Super Sonic Sources:**N64 ports by @jnmartin84 *Automobili Lamborghini*- https://www.youtube.com/live/8raMFDfl13w?si=oPNivB1HrGLmw5qD&t=5342- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8L9FNbStSQ *Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest*- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTAbi0ycKm8*Sonic R * @SEGAGuys video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSATtT_cHmo*Virtua Fighter 2*- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MosnmCiGIS4*Sonic Mania Plus* (Dreamcast) also by SonicFreak94 and @FalcoGirgis - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoEqgAyT890*Diddy Kong Racing* - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWQJSK-NuW8&pp=ygUbRGlkZHkgS29uZyBSYWNpbmcgRHJlYW1jYXN0- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ8_heRaNxQ&pp=ygUbRGlkZHkgS29uZyBSYWNpbmcgRHJlYW1jYXN0*Wave Race 64*- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnM9p130eaYPorts by @Frogbull55 *Panzer Dragoon*- https://www.patreon.com/Frogbull/posts/panzer-dragoon-167033409?utm_source=post-search-result*Minecraft on Saturn!*- https://www.patreon.com/Frogbull/posts/minecraft-0-2-167393231*Comix Zone on N64 and Saturn*- https://www.patreon.com/Frogbull/posts/comix-zone-sixty-168106925Ports by MauroXavier*Final Fight MD*- https://www.patreon.com/mauroxavier/posts/final-fight-md-0-165508476*Mega Commando*- https://www.patreon.com/mauroxavier/posts/performance-test-167499122Ports by other indie devs:*Super Monkey Ball* by @memorix101 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=277AUBanFAQ&t=4s*OutRun on the Dreamcast* by GPTTroy, video by @thesegaguru - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHJB1vYechw*Sonic CD* by @DCRSDK - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUB0FSqZvvI*Sonic Mania* on the Saturn by @DivideByZero21 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovGfQFRtqW8*Robocop on Mega Drive* by @BocaRetroGames - https://bocasretrostuff.itch.io/robocop-md*Sonic Mania* on Mega Drivehttps://x.com/RealUndyingStar/status/2093920994574430698?s=20

In this episode of The SEGA Spirit Show, Graham and Scotty blast back to 1996 to revisit the Sonic the Hedgehog OVA. The cult anime that gave us Metal Sonic’s dramatic debut, Knuckles’ legendary cowboy hat, and Sonic’s "favourite clothes" ...apparently!We explore how this two‑part Japanese release became a fan favourite, its ties to Sonic CD and Sonic Adventure, and why it remains one of the strangest yet most charming pieces of Sonic history.Plus we have some hot SEGA community news, including Panzer Dragoon coming to the Dreamcast! Updates for the brand new Dreamcast survival horror, White Creek. And a remake of an arcade classic coming to the Mega Drive/Genesis!So grab your chili dogs and join us for a spin‑dash through Planet Freedom!💙 Subscribe for more retro SEGA deep dives, game history, and Dreamcast nostalgia!**Stage Select:***Intro & What We've Been Doing*00:00 - Intro01:21 - Scotty's awesome Sonic pickups08:15 - Graham's being playing some Halo and raided a retro game shop!**SEGA Community News**26:23 - Panzer Dragoon is coming to the Dreamcast! 27:49 - 1985 arcade game, Commando, is getting an updated Mega Drive version32:10 - Neo Geo Pocket Color emulator for the Dreamcast35:18 - White Creek gets a graphics overhaul!**Feature Discussion: Sonic OVA**41:09 - What is the Sonic the Hedgehog OVA?53:24 - Sonic OVA stats and original reception59:11 - Did you find the Sonic OVA trailer in Sonic Jam?01:02:17 - Our first experience to the Sonic OVA01:06:32 - Scotty's memories01:11:30 - The movie's crazy plot01:19:07 - Graham has notes, many many notes!01:39:20 - Who is really the hero of the movie?01:40:06 - Scotty's latest impressions01:43:05 - What was up with Tails' GPS tracker?01:45:15 - The best line in anything Sonic?01:44:56 - Does it hold up?*Sonic OVA Quiz*01:48:03 - Scotty checks to see if Graham was paying attention*Final Thoughts & Scores*01:56:00 - What did we think?02:04:00 - Theory about Knuckles' Hat*Podcast Announcement*02:07:39 - Scotty is taking a break, but the show will continue!**Super Sonic Sources:***Panzer Dragoon on Dreamcast*- @Frogbull55 - https://www.patreon.com/Frogbull/posts/exclusive-its-166113187*Mega Commando*- Mauro Xavier: https://www.patreon.com/mauroxavier/posts/mega-commando-165579568*Dream Neo Pocket Color*- @IanMicheal - https://www.patreon.com/ImrTechnology/posts/dream-neo-pocket-166057756- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1t8Dfavmfk*White Creek*- @PixelHeartEU - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pixelheart/white-creek-a-survival-horror-of-mercy-and-madness/posts/4759468- Graphics update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs5VYnoMWCg- Gameplay trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrHCFj43Kfs

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of NiGHTS into Dreams, Sonic Team’s surreal, dreamlike masterpiece for the Sega Saturn.In this episode of The SEGA Spirit Show, Graham Cookson and Scotty MO dive deep into the game’s development, its groundbreaking flight mechanics, the iconic soundtrack, the A‑Life system, Christmas NiGHTS, and why NiGHTS still stands as one of SEGA’s most ambitious creations.We explore the emotional inspirations behind the game, Yuji Naka’s vision, Naoto Ohshima’s character designs, and how NiGHTS became a cult classic that continues to inspire fans three decades later.Plus, we have some more super hot SEGA Community News, with more N64 games coming to the Dreamcast and possibly the best audio we've ever heard for the Mega Drive/Genesis! And Sonic Mania Plus for the Dreamcast is nearing its launch date.If you love SEGA history, retro gaming, Sonic Team deep‑dives, or you just want to celebrate one of the most beautiful games ever made - this episode is for you!**Stage Select***Intro*00:00 - Cold opening & Intro01:50 - What we've been doing*SEGA Community News*10:11 - Legend of Drakonnus for the Mega Drive has insane audio quality!14:37 - Could Panzer Dragoon be coming to the Dreamcast??17:15 - Rejoice! Diddy Kong Racing is heading to the Dreamcast!20:56 - Sonic R for the Dreamcast is very nearly complete23:24 - Sonic Mania Plus on Dreamcast is nearing its launch date24:58 - Wave Race 64 splashes onto the Dreamcast*Feature Discussion: NiGHTS into Dreams turns 30*26:12 - Intro & key info & story31:08 - What is NiGHTS?43:00 - The wonder of NiGHTS' design and aesthetics56:07 - The origins of NiGHTS59:36 - Beautiful soundtrack01:01:45 - Seamlessly blending gameplay styles01:04:02 - The final level/boss01:09:07 - The final cutsenes01:15:32 - NiGHTS the comics are a thing!01:22:01 - NiGHTS was the first 3D experience for many gamers... and Graham gets angry at Crash Bandicoot...01:34:34 - The pointless 2-player mode01:36:35 - Graham's introduction to NiGHTS at a birthday party01:42:02 - Scotty's first experience with NiGHTS was NOT good01:45:14 - NiGHTS had AI... in 1996!01:48:38 - Christmas NiGHTS was a demo bigger than most Saturn games01:55:41 - So the Tiger R-Zone is a thing... and it had NiGHTS01:59:50 - Final thoughts & Scores*Show round-up*02:04:31 - Plugs & Shout-outs02:09:25 - Bonus content - a hidden NiGHTS game!**Super Sonic Sources***Legend of Drakonnus:*https://www.patreon.com/mauroxavier/posts/first-official-162975438?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=web_share*Panzer Dragoon maybe coming to Dreamcast...?*https://www.patreon.com/Frogbull/posts/panzer-dragoon-165175878?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=web_share*Diddy Kong Racing on Dreamcast:*@thesegaguru@FalcoGirgis https://www.linkedin.com/posts/falcogirgis_gamedev-retrocomputing-embeddedsystems-activity-7487232992067735552-pu9R?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAARAMh0BIRQglFL6UTsgMR3_M5e4KmFA2is*Sonic R, Sonic Mania Plus & Wave Race 64 for Dreamcast:*@jnmartin84*Shout-outs:*@DiGiValentine https://www.nightsintodreams.com/@SEGAGuys ⁩https://youtu.be/t9lVqNVRuUU?si=IyIc_hPYvr8ffY6U

Guardian Heroes turns 30! In this episode of the SEGA Spirit Show, Graham, Scotty Mo and special guest, KC, dive deep into Treasure’s legendary SEGA Saturn beat ’em up. The game that mixed RPG levelling, branching story paths, six‑player chaos and one very loyal undead warrior.We explore the game’s development history, its wild cast of characters, the iconic soundtrack, and why Guardian Heroes still stands as one of the most ambitious 2D action games ever made!Plus: fun facts, behind‑the‑scenes trivia, and plenty of SEGA‑flavoured nonsense along the way.Featuring: – The full story of Guardian Heroes– How Treasure pushed the Saturn’s hardware– Golden Silver’s cosmic weirdness– The game’s legacy, influences & HD remaster– Our favourite moments and memoriesGraham also looks at two brand new Mega Drive releases, Heavy Recoil and Escape 2049!Plus we have the hot SEGA Community news, with updates on a brand new indie Dreamcast survival horror game, White Creek. Carmaggdon is coming to the Dreamcast AND so is the arcade and GameCube classic, Monkey Ball!!If you love SEGA Saturn, Treasure, retro gaming, or just chaotic good fun, this is the episode for you. 🎧 Listen, laugh, and celebrate 30 years of Guardian Heroes!Check below for timestamps and links to our episode sources.---Stage Select---**Welcome**00:00 - Cold opener00:18 - Intro01:41 - Welcome to KC!04:41 - What's Scotty been up to?10:01 - Scotty's completely bizzarre Sonic the Hedgehog guide14:50 - KC's Sonic mini arcade pickup18:21 - Graham's been watching shows and playing games**First impressions - two brand new Mega Drive releases!**19:52 - Heavy Recoil25:15 - Escape 2049**SEGA Community News**28:05 - White Creek indie Dreamcast survival horror game from @PixelHeartEU 33:10 - Carmageddon Dreamcast port via @thesegaguru 36:44 - Monkey Ball is rolling onto the Dreamcast!! Thanks to @memorix101 **Feature discussion - Guardian Heroes turns 30!**39:55 - Game overview41:31 - A Brief(ish) history of Guardian Heroes50:55 - Our memories of Guardian Heroes01:05:33 - Our latest experiences with the game01:09:19 - Got to dig the amazing soundtrack01:12:02 - Chaotic gameplay01:15:18 - Going all in on strength stats!01:20:24 - Fighting game DNA01:22:57 - Branching story leads to different experiences01:32:24 - XBLA remaster features01:36:30 - Hold the phone! Saturn doing full transparency, again! 🙀01:38:12 - Replayability: The Game01:41:20 - Fun, but frustrating too01:55:05 - Favourite characters to play as01:57:25 - Closing thoughts - should people buy this game?!02:03:27 - The weirdest final screen in gaming history?!02:05:25 - Our rankings!02:14:10 - Shoutouts and goodbye!---Super SEGA Sources---White Creek:- https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pixelheart/white-creek-a-survival-horror-of-mercy-and-madness?tab=prelaunch-story- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xxg4JEH8bo- https://x.com/PixelHeart_eu/status/2074629533760967155?s=20Carmaggeddon Dreamcast port:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MQ3sZM6aNYMonkey Ball Dreamcast port:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=277AUBanFAQ

It’s time to rally the troops because the toys are rebelling! In this episode of The SEGA Spirit Show, Graham and Scotty Mo dive into Toy Commander, the Dreamcast classic that turned your childhood bedroom into a full‑scale battlefield.We unpack everything that made this game unforgettable:• Inventive mission design and toy‑scale physics• The quirky charm of No Cliché’s development story• Multiplayer mayhem and why it still holds up today• How Toy Commander captured SEGA’s creative peak before the Dreamcast’s twilightPlus, we chat about Cuphead’s Mighty Master System tease, Dreamcast Junkyard’s 20th anniversary collab, and other retro news that’ll make any SEGA fan’s heart race.Whether you’re a collector, a Dreamcast die‑hard, or just love chaotic nostalgia, this episode is pure playroom pandemonium.Don't forget to Like, Comment, Subscribe, and join the (toy) rebellion!Super Sources:Dreamcast USB controller adapter:- https://x.com/ToddsNerdCave/status/2064089793466614149/photo/1Mighty Cuphead Adventure coming to Master System:- https://mightycuphead.com/- https://studiomdhr.com/our-games/@TheDreamcastJunkyard x @VGNYsoft 20th Anniversary mech!- https://www.thedreamcastjunkyard.co.uk/2026/06/dcjy-x-vgnysoft-20th-anniversary.html- https://x.com/VGNYSoft/status/2064008414250815774/photo/1- Buy here: https://vgnydc.myshopify.com/ @ScottyMo 's Saturn Day Marathon:- https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2773452341Toy Commander gameplay videos:- Toy Commander playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zjf5UufWCp4- Snail Race 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzK3_Cgo8g4- Christmas demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ_kB901OK4- Toy Racer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58YjM9_Ok50- Snail Race 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJbx6cgcl9I&t=3090sStage Select:00:00 - Intro01:30 - Scotty's been selling and (re)buying childhood memories12:39 - Graham's PSA on what NOT to watch and Luna Abyss is cool. SEGA Community News:24:30 - Modder, Todd Gill, creates a new USB controller adapter for the Dreamcast, which includes VMU support26:33 - @Studiomdhr are bringing a new Cuphead game to the SEGA Master System!29:09 - The Dreamcast Junkyard and VGNYsoft team up to bring some awesome DCJY merch. But get in quick!Feature Discussion - Toy Commander:33:18 - What is Toy Commander?38:16 - Our memories of Toy Commander46:41 - Our recent time with Toy Commander - how does it hold up?48:29 - An adult game disguised as a kid's game?50:54 - Physics, what even are they?54:27 - How are the visuals and sound?55:18 - Cool missions, confusing missions, but lots of fun!57:51 - Great idea for a final boss01:00:45 - What is this crazy ending?!01:04:49 - Our favourite levels01:09:57 - The most CONFUSING level ever01:14:32 - Great variety of missions though01:15:24 - Stand out missions01:18:02 - Secret Snail Race01:24:58 - Graham's VMU panic!01:28:29 - Santa in a Jetpack, Sharks on the beach - oh my!01:32:34 - Toy Racer - online racing fun for the Dreamcast01:35:59 - Final Thoughts & Scores01:50:07 - Shout outs and plugs