Mega Drive Championship Article Archive 2001-2004 |
Listed chronologically, Mega Drive Championship articles from their creation in 2001 to 2004. These articles catalogue the early days of 16-bit competitions as a lone group of English warriors struggled to assert supremacy on the console whist struggling with a tournament that quickly became blighted and bogged-down with predictability and tedium. Yet from these dark and dismal affairs the first signs of awesomeness began to appear.
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(06/12/04) | | The Return of Private Mary? |
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Private Mary was hardly famous in tournament folklore. He had been part of the Ninth Mega Drive Championship, only to be removed from the competitions at the Tenth. Yet with the Mega Drive Championships coming to an end the artist formerly known as Private Mary expressed an interest in picking up his controller and battling in the last ever tournament.
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(09/11/04) | | The End of an Era |
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It was decided that the Mega Drive Championships were no longer working. Times had moved on, but the tournaments failed to evolve. So the decision was made that the Thirteenth Mega Drive Championship would be the last tournament. After four years the saga that had balanced close to the brink of destruction was being put to the sword.
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(15/10/04) | | The Official Don Beech Challenge Cup |
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The latest from the Don Beech Challenge Cup, which sees Doc Shakib hold the advantage over Lord Dilks by 4 games to 2, with 1 draw. The best Lord Dilks could play for is to draw the Challenge Cup, but some would say Lord Dilks is at his best when his back is against the wall. The series will feature 10 games of FIFA '95 and pays homage to Don Beech. There is also no cup.
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(21/08/04) | | Twelfth Mega Drive Championship Review |
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The Twelfth Championship marked a dark day for the Mega Drive Championships, from an organisational perspective, everything positive implimated at the Ninth Mega Drive Championship had capitulated. The new method for drawing games being the last lone star of solace in a blackened sky. With grim resolve Baron Von Hooton, Doc Shakib, Lord Dilks and Mr Smith picked up their controllers to battle once more.
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(19/05/04) | | The Tournament Knockout Ends |
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It what could turn out to bring a crisis to the Mega Drive Championships, Mr Smith has refused to host the Tournament Knockout at the Twelfth Mega Drive Championship. This decision will mean the end of the knockout competition and could see Mr Smith at odds with the other founding fathers. There is also talk of a Street Fighter mini-knockout emerging from the ashes of the Tournament Knockout.
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(17/04/04) | | Professor Mizutani leaves the Mega Drive Championships |
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Professor Mizutani sent ripples of shock throughout the tournament faithful and plundged the competitions into a black hole by announcing his resignation from the tournaments. Having participated in three Mega Drive Championships, finishing with an appauling performance at the Eleventh Championship, Professor Mizutani deemed now was a good time to depart from the tournaments.
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(25/01/04) | | Eleventh Mega Drive Championship, Tournament Knockout Review |
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Lord Dilks and Princess Charlene went head-to-head on Pete Sampras Tennis to determine the outcome of the tournament Knockout at the Eleventh Championship. It had been six months since the competition had started, but finally it was all concluded with a 6-0 victory to Lord Dilks - a result which earned him his second knockout title, retaining the crown he first won at the Tenth Tournament.
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(06/01/04) | | Eleventh Mega Drive Championship, Tournament Knockout Preview |
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It has been six months since the Tournament Knockout began with Princess Charlene defeating Lieutenant Gareth 3-1 on Sonic the Hedgehog 2. After numerous twists and turns, the Tournament Knockout is set to conclude. Vetran and defending Knockout Winner, Lord Dilks, takes on rookie success story, Princess Charlene, on a game of Pete Sampras Tennis and we preview this prospective encounter.
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(18/07/03) | | Eleventh Mega Drive Championship Review |
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Lord Dilks will be after his third successive title, as the battle to become Mega Drive Champion takes on another dimension. The amalgamation of divisions one and two sees a new method of game selection added to the tournaments. Micro Machines '96 and Road Rash 2 have been included in the division one game pool. Relegation will no longer be a threat, but members will be fighting to avoid the stigma of last place.
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(14/03/03) | | The Super League Cometh |
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The Mega Drive Championships were once again on the brink as Division Two, moving inexorably towards collapse, threatened to take the entire contest with it. Strangled by ineffectiveness, eventually an idea was bought to the front that might avert an all out catastrophe. That idea was the "super league" and "home and away" draw system.
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(13/08/02) | | Tenth Mega Drive Championship Review |
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Returning for another tournament; Lord Dilks looks to fend off the advances for his title from Mr Smith. Sir Jackaman is promoted from Division Two and is expected to give Baron Von Hooton a battle to stay in the top league. Meanwhile former champion, Doc Shakib, must prepare for a tournament in the Second Division, where he will need to show his quality to earn promotion.
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(02/08/02) | | Sir Jackaman: Rising Star? |
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Sir Jackaman has taken the Second Division and the Tournament Knockout by storm. With such success achieved already we contemplate how this man with tons of potential will fare against the Division One eilte of Lord Dilks, Mr Smith and Baron Von Hotoon , who he will face at the Tenth Mega Drive Championship in less than a month.
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(06/06/02) | | Ninth Mega Drive Championship, Tournament Knockout Preview |
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The first ever Tournament Knockout has taken numerous twists and turns as the men from divisions one and two have battled each other for the honour of being crowned the first ever Knockout winner. All ready Lord Dilks and Mr Smith, the two titans, have been eliminated from the competition. We look over the battles that have been fought and look forward to those still to occur, as one of three men look to earn a place in history.
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(07/05/02) | | Ninth Mega Drive Championship Results |
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Two divisions and a new Knockout competition - the Mega Drive Championships have evolved significantly. Mr Smith will be looking to score his sixth tournament title, while Lord Dilks and Doc Shakib attempt to stop him. Baron Von Hooton seems destined for the drop to Division Two, but which of the three new members will earn themselves promotion and the honour of battling in Division One next time?
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(20/03/02) | | The Division Two and Tournament Knockout Projects |
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For the first time since the draw system was added at the Seventh Mega Drive Championships, members once again put their differences aside and attempted to work together to address the problem of predictabilty that was still haunting the tournaments. There were two proposals that were put into effect for the Ninth Tournament; a second division and a new knockout competition.
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(16/02/02) | | Eighth Mega Drive Championship Results |
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The tournament lads are back and Doc Shakib, surprise winner at the Seventh, prepares to defend his title from the vengence seeking Lord Dilks and Mr Smith. Super Street Fighter 2 finally makes it tournament debut, drawn alongside NHLPA Hockey '93, Pete Sampras Tennis and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. With the draw not too dis-similar from last time, will Doc Shakib be able to equal Lord Dilks' two tournament titles?
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(08/12/01) | | The Draw System Analysis |
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Doc Shakib was crowned an unlikely champion at the Seventh Tournament. Does this victory represent an improvement on the part of Doc Shakib or the possibilities of the new draw system in action. So what does the future of the draw system hold for the members? What would be their perfect draws and how might those tournaments unfold?
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(25/11/01) | | Seventh Mega Drive Championship Results |
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A new draw system in place promised a fresh breath of life into the static Mega Drive Championships; NHLPA Hockey '93, Pete Sampras Tennis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Virtua Racing were the four games pulled at random and now Baron Von Hooton, Doc Shakib, Lord Dilks and Mr Smith return to battle once more to decide who is worthy of being crowned the Mega Drive Champion.
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(07/10/01) | | Sixth Mega Drive Championship Results |
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With Captain Maltby departed the predictable Mega Drive tournaments continued unrelenting. Disaster struck the competitions midway through the Sixth Tournament when Baron Von Hooton departed and refused to return leaving the three remaining members to continue in a heavily subdued atmosphere. The Championships were on their knees, but Doc Shakib, Lord Dilks and Mr Smith battled on for a joyless title.
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(29/08/01) | | New Games Added to the Tournaments |
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There is still one game left to complete the fixtures for the Sixth Mega Drive Championship, but, with the tournaments on the brink of collapse, a new draw system and new games will be added to try and bring the spice back to a once glorious contest strangled close to death by predictability. These changes will be implimented for the Seventh Tournament, excepted to begin before the end of the year.
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(24/08/01) | | The End of the Mega Drive Championships |
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The tournaments are on the brink of collapse. The Sixth Championship first leg has been been a disaster and with just one game left, it has been decided to postpone the Seventh Mega Drive Championship until, at least, November, so that we might find a way to save the tournaments. The competitions have become dull and uninteresting.
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(02/08/01) | | An Interview with Lord Dilks |
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Lord Dilks has won the Mega Drive Championships twice, been runner-up twice, but finished a disappointing third place at the Fifth Tournament. Here we interview the man who is renowned on World Cup Italia '90 and Pete Sampras and ask him the question on everybody's mind: Will he be Mega Drive Champion again? As well as questions regarding his fellow tournament members.
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(30/07/01) | | Tournament Members |
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This article takes a look at the five members of the Mega Drive Championships, as they were following the Fifth Tournament. Mr Smith had established himself first in the rankings followed by Lord Dilks. Captain Maltby's retirement and subsequent speech is also here, as four remaining members contemplated future tournaments without him.
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(28/07/01) | | To Hull And Back! |
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After the Fifth Mega Drive Championship it is clear that the Mega Drive Championships are on the brink of collapse. Passion is fading and the resignation of Captain Maltby has left something of a cloud over the tournament faithful. Results and the league tables are become predictable and in order to combat this, a radical new idea has emerged that is hoped could save the tournaments...
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(25/07/01) | | Fifth Mega Drive Championship Results |
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With two titles each; Lord Dilks and Mr Smith go head-to-head to break the deadlock. This marks the final Mega Drive Championship for Captain Maltby who officially announced his retirement after the first leg. Forty fixtures; ten games of Golden Axe 2, Pete Sampras Tennis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and World Cup Italia '90 stand between the competitors and the title.
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(25/07/01) | | Language of the Mega Drive Championships |
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While the Mega Drive Championships have started to become predictable, the atmosphere continues to keep the sometimes boring gameplay alive. Here is some of the common terms used within the competitions, as well as the quotes that continue to keep the spirit of the tournaments alive, even when the Mega Drive may sometimes desert us.
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(11/07/01) | | Tournament High Scores |
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Over four tournaments have been contested, however, some battles are more decisive than others. Here we take a look across the four tournament titles and view who has scored the highest upon them. Lord Dilks's 21-0 victory over Captain Maltby at the Third Championship on World Cup Italia '90 currently stands at the overall number one spot.
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(05/07/01) | | Fourth Mega Drive Championship Review |
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A more detailed look at the events of the Fourth Mega Drive Championship, as Mr Smith looked to defend his title against Lord Dilks, Doc Shakib, Baron Von Hooton and Captain Maltby. No changes were made to the game line-up and the familiar titles of Golden Axe 2, Pete Sampras Tennis, Sonic 2 and World Cup Italia '90 returned. |
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(05/06/01) | | Golden Axe Vs Street Fighter |
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In an attempt to break the predictability that was settling around the Mega Drive Championships, the idea of introducing Super Street Fighter 2 and thus replacing one of the established tournament games, was mooted. Owing to a veto system of organising the tournaments, Golden Axe 2 seemed the only logical choice to, well, face the axe!
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(30/05/01) | | Fourth Mega Drive Championship Results |
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Unaffected by the foot and mouth lifestock epizootic, The Mega Drive Championships return. Mr Smith will be looking for his third title while rival, Lord Dilks, will want to level the total at two apeice. After an improved performance at the Third Tournament, Doc Shakib will be looking to continue his battle to break the two tournament titans hold. Pride, passion and Pete Sampras Tennis.
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(12/04/01) | | Third Mega Drive Championship Review |
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A more detailed look at how the Third Mega Drive Championship played out. Baron Von Hooton joined the competition and as the "new element" in the line-up it was unknown as to how he would perform. There were no changes to the games used and Golden Axe 2, Pete Sampras Tennis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and World Cup Italia '90 returned for another outing. Postponements and passion, the Third Tournament had both! |
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(08/04/01) | | Overall Tables |
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We've had three Mega Drive championships, however, which players have given the best performances over these three tournaments. Here we look at the accumulated league tables for each of the four tournament games; Golden Axe 2, Pete Sampras Tennis, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and World Cup Italia '90. Who is ranked as best and who is statistically the worst?
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(01/04/01) | | Third Mega Drive Championship Results |
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Baron Von Hooton joins Captain Maltby, Doc Shakib, Lord Dilks and Mr Smith in the quest to become Mega Drive Champion. Will Lord Dilks or Mr Smith have the ability to gain their second tournament title, or will Doc Shakib rise from third-place to claim his first tournament victory? Could Captain Maltby prove an unlikely winner and what effect will the newcomer have on the proceedings? Boil up those kettles - it's tournament time!
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(14/02/01) | | Second Mega Drive Championship Review |
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A more detailed look at how the Second Mega Drive Championship evolved. The addition of Pete Sampras Tennis, the change from Golden Axe to Golden Axe 2 and the tweaking of Sonic 2 to remove the Special Stages, the Second Tournament, including the introduction of Captain Maltby - who promptly finished bottom, geared up from the First Championship. |
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(11/02/01) | | Second Mega Drive Championship Results |
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The Mega Drive Championships are back! Lord Dilks and Doc Shakib were eager to challenge Mr Smith for his title and so a Second Mega Drive Championship has been held. Captain Maltby joins the group and Golden Axe 2 and Pete Sampras Tennis become two new tournament games. More games, more members and more awesome, will Mr Smith defend his title or will there be a new Mega Drive Champion?
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(23/01/01) | | Possible Additions for a Second Mega Drive Championship |
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After the success of the First Tournament, plans are now underway for a Second Mega Drive Championship. Here we take a look some of the games that might potentially replace Golden Axe, Sonic 2 and World Cup Italia '90 at the new competition, as we aspire to make the Second Tournament "longer and more erotic" than the first.
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(16/01/01) | | The Story of the Mega Drive Championship |
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A more involved look at the origins of the First Mega Drive Championship. The story begin with Doc Shakib and Mr Smith deciding to race to determine which of them was better, but this concept expanded to become a full blown competition between three men, over nine-fixtures, to discover which of them was the best and worthy of the title of Mega Drive Champion.
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(08/01/01) | | First Mega Drive Championship Results |
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And so begins a legacy! There were no trophies, there was no website, no divisions, no countries and no reglion too. Hard to imagine, but this was just three men; Doc Shakib, Lord Dilks and Mr Smith, battling on three games; Golden Axe, Sonic 2 and World Cup Italia '90, three-points for a win, one for a draw, just nine fixtures will determine which of them was the Mega Drive Champion.
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