Zork I for the Saturn?

[Tempest]

While browsing through some Ebay auctions I came across Zork I for the Saturn. It was only $12 so I went for it, but does anyone know anything about it? From the pictures it looks like Zork I, but with graphics! Very odd. Of course since I don't read Japanese it's all moot, but I've played enough Zork I that I should be able to hack my way through it somewhat. I just thought it looked really neat.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1369821138&rd=1

Tempest

[Raedon]

thats a new one to me, can you send me a cd image of it when/if you get it tempest. I really would like to take a look at that.

It might just be the US Activision release of Return to Zork for the Saturn with a name change to Zork 1 (Zork I was never Zork I, just Zork) for the Japanese market.

[The32xMemorial]

There were no "Zork" games released for the US Saturn... at least under the "Zork" name. Maybe something else? I can't speak for the UK... they got Riven, maybe they got a Zork game.

[Kamisama]

Ask the Saturn Collector :)

There are 2 japanese Zork's around. At first Zork I and 2 years later Zork Collection.

Here is all the info I found:

Zork I is published by Shoeisha.
They sold around 85.000 - Units (82.371 are the last numbers i have, so probably a few thousand more (maybe less) and thats it.)
It is an Adventure
It was released on 15.March.1996
Catalog #T-21502G

Too bad the guys from Shoeisha don't have their Saturn Games online...

Thats all i know :)

[Tempest]

Zork Collection? Tell me more... I'm a huge Zork and Saturn fan, I just wish I could read Japanese (it sure would make playing Shining Force III parts 2 & 3 easier!). So what kind of games are these Saturn Zork games? I assume they can't be pure text adventures, not on the Saturn...

Tempest

[Kamisama]

They can't be pure text adventures because there never was a Saturn Keyboard. And typing by clicking on the letters would take hours I guess.
I just found Zork I in some japanese store for 2.400 Yen and Zork Collection in another one for as little as 700 Yen :)
Other stuff i came across:
Both games were also released for Playstation.
Zork I Magazine Ad http://segatan.hoops.ne.jp/saturn5/saturn281.html

Somehow I don't find much Info on Zork Collection. I believe it contains Zork 1 and 2. My japanese is not the best, but i came along some message board where they talked about Zork Collection and in the same line Zork 1 & 2.

[Tempest]

How do I get IE to show Japanese symbols rather than those little squares? That's so annoying...

Tempest

[Raedon]

Actually even Activision's web page says they released a Return to Zork for the Saturn in 1996..


@Tempest: you should be prompted to update your language fonts when the page loads up.. if not then:

control Panel/reginal and Language options/advanced then click on the laguage tabs you want to install. You will need to put the windows install disc in the drive.

[The32xMemorial]

Sorry... Zork was never released for the American Saturn. I wish it was.

[Raedon]

Return to Zork was released by Activision for the Sega Saturn the32xmemorial..

a list of R's at Gamefaqs shows that it was indeed released (though could be any country right?) http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/list_R.html

Here is some general info on the US release Return to Zork for Saturn http://www.sega-saturn.com/saturn/software/rzork.htm

Then we head over to Digitpress.com's US Saturn releases.. OH MY there is Return to Zork for the Saturn!
http://www.digitpress.com/archives/arc00112.htm

[DDCecil]

Return to Zork WAS NOT released int he US:

Complete US Saturn Release List:
http://gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/game/22682.html

No sign of it...

Gamefaqs Data for Return to Zork:
http://gamefaqs.com/console/saturn/data/26968.html

(2/2/96 by Bandai)
It's JP only.If it was released in the US, there would be an NA after the entry.

[Neil Koch]

Tempest> you can also go to windowsupdate.com and download Japanese text support.

[Raedon]

Look, I can't say I've ever seen a Zork game for any console. ever.. but I see plenty of sites saying that Return to Zork was released for the Saturn in North America..

XYZZYnews archives has it released in 1995 in the US..

.. I just sent an email to Activision asking what is up here. Hopefully the people who own Zork know what the hell is up.. :)

[The32xMemorial]

OH MY! If it's on DP's release list then it MUST be true.

Incidently, on DP's list RIGHT NEXT TO "Return To Zork" is "Return Fire", another non-released Sega Saturn game. It was advertised (much like Buster Brothers Collection, Iron & Blood, and several other games) in several major publications of the time, but was never released in the US.

Seriously... I'm not going to argue about this any more. If you can find someone with a copy of US Zork who'll scan the front & back and post it, i'll be more than happy to eat every single one of my words (I'll copy them to word, print them out, and eat them.)

It's not on Ebay, past or present. It's not available from any mail order or internet site. It's not on UGTZ/Gametz (though two people seem to WANT it, no one actually HAS it.)

Incidently, you said "Actually even Activision's web page says they released a Return to Zork for the Saturn in 1996.."

Then you link to

http://www.sega-saturn.com/saturn/software/rzork.htm

the webpage claims that Zork was released in 1995.

So who's right? Activison or Sega-Saturn.com? No one has reviewed it. I venture to say that neither site is correct and that Return To Zork was never released in the US.

Like I said, I certainly don't want to argue about this any more. Just don't want the spread of misinformation.

[Tempest]

Return Fire", another non-released Sega Saturn game

Actually I believe that was released. I've seen it mentioned in a few FAQ's that it was released, but in very limited quantities. Now I can't say if this is true or not since I don't have it, but I've seen it listed by sources I trust. These same sources say that Buster Bros. Collection was NOT released, so they're probably not just copying someone elses incorrect list. I'll have to ask around and see if I can find somebody with proof though.

Oh and your not missing anything by not playing Return to Zork. That game was AWFUL! It almost had nothing to do with Zork and it just reeked of cheesy mid 90's CD point and click games (which is what it was of course). Next to NEmesis it's my least favorite Zork of all time.

Tempest

[digitalpress]

OH MY! If it's on DP's release list then it MUST be true.
Incidently, on DP's list RIGHT NEXT TO "Return To Zork" is "Return Fire", another non-released Sega Saturn game.

I missed this the first time around. That was pretty HARSH!

The list you're looking at was done by Charlie the Big Dog. All I did was transfer it to a page so people had some kind of list to work off of. I'm in the process of tweaking our personal database, and the Zork and Return Fire games came up in another thread. So far, no one has been able to confirm these two titles, so they're going into the Rumor Mill until further notice.

I don't create lists based on speculation. I try very hard to confirm everything before publishing it.

[geelw]

GAMESPOT did a series on unreleased titles, and i'm sure return fire for the saturn showed up there...i can't find the link, and i hope that the bums don't make you PAY to track down the older articles...