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Game Information

Release Date: October 18, 2000
Developer: SEGA
Publisher: SEGA
Platform(s): Dreamcast, Windows, Arcade
Genre: Sport
Players: 1

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Synopsis

If you've ever wanted to catch "the big one" but were too lazy to get up at the crack of dawn to do it, now's your chance with SEGA MARINE FISHING. Go out onto the deep blue ocean in search of a host of fish: barracuda, dolphin fish, sailfish, stingrays, hammerhead sharks, tuna, and the ultimate deep-sea fishing prize, the blue marlin. Choose from any of 16 lures or create your own, or engage in any of the five mini-games fight training, lure training, casting training, fishing training, and total weight to unlock new features. If you land a particularly impressive fish and want to show it off, then you can go onto the Sega network and post it for the world to see. So if you're ready to fish with the big boys, then get ready for SEGA MARINE FISHING. Just remember to take your Dramamine.

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Gameplay

Though it is not the most realistic fishing game, it's gets straight to the point. You can separately purchase a special fishing controller that doesn't really have a huge affect on the gameplay, but it is more fun to use.

There are two game modes to choose from the get go: Original and Arcade. In Original Mode there are five different mini games to choose from, an aquarium you can visit to see how many and which fish you have caught throughout the game, and a free fishing mode, which has no time limit so you can sit there for hours on end catching fish. In this free mode, you can unlock new lures, poles, and music to listen to.

In Arcade Mode there are three different fields to choose from, with a fourth that is unlocked once you have finished the first three. You start off with a limited amount of lures and poles to use with a time limit. Each fish you catch is worth a different amount of points, the bigger the fish the more the points. The time limit also pauses for a few seconds after you have caught a fish. You must earn a certain amount of points to proceed to the next field. Each field is also very different. One will have shallow water with only small fish meaning you have to catch a lot, one has semi-deep water with small and bigger fish, and the third will be very deep with mainly sharks and blue fins. The fourth field is near the mountains where a shipwreck has occurred. There are huge fish in this field and is very challenging. Once you have completed all four fields, that is just about it. Not really any replay value unless you want to beat your previous records.

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Graphics

Graphics really aren't that great here. The fish look very boxy and your fisherman does the same exact moves every time you catch a fish. He will also say the exact same thing (Wow!). While you're on the boat reeling out, the water is just blue. You can not see in it until your rod is in. The fish won't even look like they are biting, as the bait will kind of be hanging off to the side and they will do the same twirl every time you pull it out of the water. Only thing that looks very detailed and crisp, are the lures. You will notice this whilst you are selecting which one to use. The fields themselves are some what decent with semi-detailed backgrounds, such as people on the beach or boats out in the distance.

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Controls

If you use the special fishing controller, it is relatively easy to use. You pull back, lunge forward to throw the rod, and spin the wheel on the side as if you are reeling a fish in. It's almost like an ancient Wii controller, but not wireless. However, if you are using the Dreamcast controller, it will be very tedious to get used to. Both analogs are needed simultaneously to reel in the fish which will get very confusing because the game will constantly tell you to change the direction. Besides that, there are only about two other buttons to touch when you are picking a spot and pulling a fish out of the water.

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Ratings

Gameplay: 7.5/10
Graphics: 6.3/10
Controls: 5/10
Overall: 6.5/10