Blog:Seoul Train
CRV 14:16, 26 May 2010 (UTC) [permalink] [comments]
The amount of stuff we Westerners know about Korean games could fill a space the size of a headlight on a Kia. But that's all changing thanks to the ongoing research of one "Derboo," who's writing about gaming in South Korea for Hardcore Gaming 101. Because of said research, more has been learned about gamemaker Sanghun Lee (or Lee Sanghun; see right), who has been discussed on this blog before.
Let's start from the beginning...
Among the early Korean game developers was a team of teenagers called New Age, which started making games for MSX computers in 1987. Sangyoun Lee was one of the team's members. He and other "New Agers" would go on to found Phantagram, best known for the Kingdom Under Fire series and Ninety-Nine Nights. Sanghun was on the team, too, but left fairly early on. He is now president of Expotato, but let's not jump ahead of ourselves.
Instead, let's take a look at the games with which Sanghun was involved...
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Legendly Knight / MSX1 / Topia / 1988
The first three games profiled here were done by the New Age team. This one is like Bubble Bobble or The Fairyland Story with swords. Clear the screen of enemies, pick up items, and check your inventory as you progress.
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Double Dragon / MSX1 / Zemina / 1989
Not much to say about this one except this is certainly not the most impressive-looking or sounding or playing version of Double Dragon. An interesting curiosity, though. Features music from Irem's Vigilante for some reason.
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The Three Dragon Story / MSX1, SMS / Zemina / 1989
If you liked Konami's Knightmare for the MSX, you'll be right at home here. Tough game.
Samgukji 3 (aka Sankokuji or Sangokushi) / SMS / Game Line / 1994
If Koei's Romance of the Three Kingdoms was a fighting game...
Jang Pung 3 / GG, SMS / Sieco / 1994
Similar to Samgukji but looks more like Street Fighter II. Features a character named "Sanghun" and a Nazi cyborg developed to bring back the Third Reich.
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GP Rider / GG / Sega / 1994
It wasn't exactly common for a major Japanese game company to outsource development to Korea, but that's what apparently happened here. Sanghun's name can be seen on billboards in-game ("LEE SH") and in the ROM. GP Rider for the Game Gear is more like Super Hang-On than the arcade game from which the name was taken.
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"Come on Baby" Series / AC, PC, PS2 / Expotato / 2000-2010
As mentioned before, Sanghun is now president of Expotato. This company's big series appears to be Come on Baby, an unusual set of games featuring babies racing and slapping each other.
Sanghun Lee's Gameography (probably incomplete)
Name / Platform / Publisher / Year (Role)
- Legendly Knight / MSX1 / Topia / 1988
- Double Dragon / MSX1 / Zemina / 1989 (programmer)
- The Three Dragon Story / MSX1, SMS / Zemina / 1989
- Samgukji 3 / SMS / Game Line / 1994 (programmer, director)
- Jang Pung 3 / GG, SMS / Sieco / 1994 (programmer, director)
- GP Rider / GG / Sega / 1994
- EXP: The Excellent Potato / PC / Open / 1996
- Come on Baby series / AC, PC, PS2 / Expotato / 2000-2010
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