ThatStupidLion
Member
Whats the next set of segaages?
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Sega AGES games on the Switch
- Thread starter Bullet Club
- Start date
Bullet Club
Member
Phantasy Star is out today.
Out Run is out January 10th 2019.
That's all that's known for now.
I've bought Phantasy Star but haven't had a chance to play it yet.
Out Run is out January 10th 2019.
That's all that's known for now.
I've bought Phantasy Star but haven't had a chance to play it yet.
Bullet Club
Member
Two Puyo Puyo Games Are Being Added To The Sega AGES Line
Online support included
If you've been craving affordably priced puzzle titles on the Switch, the latest games announced for the Sega AGES line might be exactly what you need. At the Puyo Puyo Championship December 2018 Tournament, Sega revealed Puyo Puyo and its sequel Puyo Puyo Tsū (Puyo Puyo 2) would be added to the retro-inspired series on Nintendo's hybrid platform.
Both games are based on the arcade versions and will feature online support. Much like other titles in the Sega AGES line, you can expect additional modern features to be included that enhance the experience. Apart from this, there's no other information about what else to expect from these classic puzzle games and no word on when each one will be released, either.
The original releases were handled by Japanese developer Compile. The founder of the company Masamitsu Niitani drew inspiration from Tetris and Dr. Mario at the time to create the original game in 1991. The sequel was released in 1994 and went on to become the most widely known multi-platform release within Japan.
Source: Nintendo Life
Online support included
If you've been craving affordably priced puzzle titles on the Switch, the latest games announced for the Sega AGES line might be exactly what you need. At the Puyo Puyo Championship December 2018 Tournament, Sega revealed Puyo Puyo and its sequel Puyo Puyo Tsū (Puyo Puyo 2) would be added to the retro-inspired series on Nintendo's hybrid platform.
Both games are based on the arcade versions and will feature online support. Much like other titles in the Sega AGES line, you can expect additional modern features to be included that enhance the experience. Apart from this, there's no other information about what else to expect from these classic puzzle games and no word on when each one will be released, either.
The original releases were handled by Japanese developer Compile. The founder of the company Masamitsu Niitani drew inspiration from Tetris and Dr. Mario at the time to create the original game in 1991. The sequel was released in 1994 and went on to become the most widely known multi-platform release within Japan.
Source: Nintendo Life
Bullet Club
Member
Sega Ages Gain Ground Will Appear In The Japanese eShop Next Week
The next installment in the Sega Ages series has a Japanese release date. Nintendo Switch owners will be able to download Sega Ages Gain Ground on December 27, 2018 for 925円. As a reminder, it and Sega Ages Alex Kidd in Miracle World were both revealed as entries in the line back in April 2018.
Sega Ages Gain Ground is a top-down shoot’em up for between one to three players. The Nintendo Switch version can be played horizontally or, if undocked, in the vertical tate mode. The official website also points out it will have a network ranking system to let you compare your scores with others and a helper function that lets go back to before you made a costly mistake.
As a reminder, this is based on the arcade version of Gain Ground. This means there are 20 playable characters to choose from and 40 stages. The console adaptation had 50 stages.
Sega Ages Gain Ground will appear on the Nintendo Switch in Japan on December 27, 2018. A worldwide release date has not yet been set.
Source: Siliconera
The next installment in the Sega Ages series has a Japanese release date. Nintendo Switch owners will be able to download Sega Ages Gain Ground on December 27, 2018 for 925円. As a reminder, it and Sega Ages Alex Kidd in Miracle World were both revealed as entries in the line back in April 2018.
Sega Ages Gain Ground is a top-down shoot’em up for between one to three players. The Nintendo Switch version can be played horizontally or, if undocked, in the vertical tate mode. The official website also points out it will have a network ranking system to let you compare your scores with others and a helper function that lets go back to before you made a costly mistake.
As a reminder, this is based on the arcade version of Gain Ground. This means there are 20 playable characters to choose from and 40 stages. The console adaptation had 50 stages.
Sega Ages Gain Ground will appear on the Nintendo Switch in Japan on December 27, 2018. A worldwide release date has not yet been set.
Source: Siliconera
Kazza
Member
Despite being a huge Sega fan since the late 80s, I must admit that I had never heard of Gain Ground until it was announced for Sega Ages. It's certainly not a looker (even for the time it was released), and the gameplay looks really slow. That said, I've heard lots of people praise its gameplay, so maybe I'll give it a chance.
Bullet Club
Member
I played it on the Master System in the early 90s and remember enjoying it.
Bullet Club
Member
They are emulated versions with enhancements.
BANGS
Banned
What type of enhancements? Anything beyond the usual emulation stuff like save states and that nonsense?
Bullet Club
Member
It's different for each game. In Phantasy Star you get an auto map in the dungeons, can listen to the midi or the Japanese Mark III FM music, there's a bestiary and in the Sega AGES mode you get 4x XP & 4x meseta ($) so there's less grinding.
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Kazza
Member
Sega Ages has been through a few different stages in its history, ranging from simple ports, enhanced ports, and all the way to complete remakes:
Saturn era - mostly great ports of old Megadrive and arcade super-scaler games. Generally very good quality (except for Galaxy Force)
PS2 era - a weird mix of straight ports (Panzer Dragon, Dragon Force etc), and complete remakes (normally updating old 2d games with new 3D graphics). The remakes were a real mixed bag, ranging from the good (Phantasy Star 1 & 2), the average (Outrun, Afterburner) and the terrible (Golden Axe).
3DS - enhanced ports with excellent 3D screen effects
There might be more to the history, but that's all I'm familiar with. My Life In Gaming did a good video on the PS2 era games:
Sega Lord X also has a series of great videos on both the Saturn and PS2 era games. I'll link to the video below as it starts with a review of the PS2 Ages version of Gain Ground:
As Bullet Club said, the Switch versions are ports with minor (but often very important) enhancements. The changes to Phantasy Star in particular seem to have been very well received.
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SaviourMK2
Member
i keep wanting to buy Phantasy Star, but something keeps holding me back. I've never played before. Recommendations?
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Bullet Club
Member
Sonic & Thunder Force IV are 25% off at the moment in PAL territories. Not sure about the US.
It doesn't look like it.
The Elite
BOSS
Buy it. Maybe play through it with a gamefaqs guide so you don't get too stuck.
Bullet Club
Member
Harlock
Member
Too bad. I really wanna to play that Phantasy Star version.
I don't have time for the slog that is contemporary games that ask you to stare at non interactive scenes for half their "play" time.
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Bullet Club
Member
Sega Ages: Outrun is out now in the West.
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DunDunDunpachi
Patient MembeR
Looks great! I hope younger gamers will give it a try and see how well it still holds up, even 30 years later.
Hendrick's
If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Off topic, but why in the hell has Sega not reboot the Phantasy Star series (not PSO)? I loved those games so much on the MS and Genesis.
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DunDunDunpachi
Patient MembeR
Doesn't SEGA own Atlus now?
Hendrick's
If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
Huh? I don't know, but are you implying Atlus should make it? Interesting.
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Bullet Club
Member
I want Phantasy Star 5 to be made on the Mega Drive/Mega CD, then ported to the Saturn, then ported to the Dreamcast and then ported to current systems.
And a new Master System Phantasy Star as well, with the old school dungeons.
And a new Master System Phantasy Star as well, with the old school dungeons.
DunDunDunpachi
Patient MembeR
Yes. They're the only studio at SEGA who would be capable of reviving Phantasy Star properly, in my opinion.
MetalSlug
Member
I haven't play that for years! There used to be an arcade machine at the place where my gymnastics lessons took place, and I'd place it for ages after class. Going to go buy this
I hope Afterburner gets the same treatment.
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Zangiefy360
Banned
Yeah, the sudden death of the Phantasy Star as a traditional JRPG series is one of my biggest gaming disappointments. The last mainline Phantasy Star came out 26 years ago in Japan! C'mon Sega, it's time to bring it back.
Bullet Club
Member
cireza
Member
Going to totally disagree with this. If Phantasy Star is to be revived, it must be with Rieko Kodama supervising the game, and developed with by an internal team (the one doing Valkyria and Sakura Taisen for example).
I have no confidence in Atlus getting it right. This is a personal opinion, but I find their RPGs extremely poor gameplay/balance wise, be it Persona or Megaten.
Or eventually a team of fans, like for Sonic Mania, for a retro Phantasy Star game. I had myself started development for a sequel to Phantasy Star IV, as seen here
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Bullet Club
Member
Gain Ground and Puyo Puyo will be released in NA/EUR next month.
Komatsu
Member
Pretty sure SEGA CS3, under Nishino, with RIeko Kodama, as Producer, would be more than capable of delivering the goods. It was the original SEGA CS that developed these games, after all, and many of the original staff are still there.
DunDunDunpachi
Patient MembeR
I learned something new today. Thanks for the info!
No Word Count
Member
I am absolutely loving these Switch ports. I've bought all of them so far.
The price is reasonable, but instead of being the exact same original game they are enhanced in ways that are sensible and add to the experience, without being overdone or ruining the original experience. I will easily argue that Sonic 1 on the Switch is now the definitive version of the game.
It's a very smart way of doing ports. Nintendo could learn a thing or two from this.
The price is reasonable, but instead of being the exact same original game they are enhanced in ways that are sensible and add to the experience, without being overdone or ruining the original experience. I will easily argue that Sonic 1 on the Switch is now the definitive version of the game.
It's a very smart way of doing ports. Nintendo could learn a thing or two from this.
Hudo
Member
After letting this sink in for a while, I actually think that this is a brilliant idea. I kinda really want this now, lol.
Starlight Lotice
Member
The last part would be amazing. They could even rebrand it as the Algo series (e.g: Phantasy Star Algo: Chapter 1)
If SEGA are choosing what to port over, why not a few more obscure Game Gear games such ss Sylvan Tale? That'd be great!
Oh and Shining Force CD whilst they are at it and if they can get the right, Popful Mail.
The Snake
Member
I wouldn't say "sudden." IIRC, PSIV was intended to end the series from the very start of its development cycle. That being said, I would still love to see another traditional RPG set in the same universe or at least something close.
Gain Ground is a blast with a second player. It looks a little slow but there's a lot of strategy involved, especially once you learn what each character can and can't do. In a way, it's almost like a real-time game of Chess, except not boring and with machine guns and ninjas.
Bullet Club
Member
Bullet Club
Member
Sega AGES Development Team Might Localise Games That Have Never Been Translated
Also looking into multiplayer
The Sega AGES line might seem like it is made up of quick and simple ports based on the classics of yesteryear, but there's a lot more work that goes into each of these Switch releases than you might think. Website GearNuke was recently fortunate enough to speak to Yosuke Okunari, one of the staff behind the modern revival of Sega's classic games line and asked a number of questions about the development process.
Although the whole interview is worth taking a look at, here are some of the more interesting morsels of information. One was Okunari's comment about localisation. Provided the team can draw a reaction, it may attempt to localise games that have never been translated before:
Multiplayer is also in consideration, due to the portable nature and connectivity of the Switch:
Looking ahead, the team hopes it can roll out one title per month locally and keep future Sega AGES releases here in the west as close as possible to the Japanese release dates:
Virtua Racing might also take a while to develop:
Source: Nintendo Life
Also looking into multiplayer
The Sega AGES line might seem like it is made up of quick and simple ports based on the classics of yesteryear, but there's a lot more work that goes into each of these Switch releases than you might think. Website GearNuke was recently fortunate enough to speak to Yosuke Okunari, one of the staff behind the modern revival of Sega's classic games line and asked a number of questions about the development process.
Although the whole interview is worth taking a look at, here are some of the more interesting morsels of information. One was Okunari's comment about localisation. Provided the team can draw a reaction, it may attempt to localise games that have never been translated before:
"In the future, we may try localizing titles which have never been translated if we can draw a reaction."
When explaining how the AGES series was an extension of the Sega 3D Classics line on the 3DS, Okunari said how one of the aims of the new project was to release games that weren't able to be added to the existing line. This is why there are so many titles from the 1980s. If possible, Okunari and the rest of the team would like to release games from many other eras:"If the series can continue on longer, I hope we can take on more games from different eras."
Multiplayer is also in consideration, due to the portable nature and connectivity of the Switch:
"With games for the 3DS, multiplayer battles were not a priority. However, the Switch is easy to carry around and play with other players, so we are considering content where people can battle anyone, anywhere on the Switch."
Looking ahead, the team hopes it can roll out one title per month locally and keep future Sega AGES releases here in the west as close as possible to the Japanese release dates:
"We’re still finalizing timing for the rest of the world, but will try to keep the release dates for other countries as close to Japan’s as possible."
Virtua Racing might also take a while to develop:
"The title that will take the most time is the title we are currently developing, Virtua Racing. This game, which is from the system board MODEL 1, was developed when there was no 3D rendering on the PC, so the architecture is incredibly ingenious."
Source: Nintendo Life
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Kazza
Member
Just saw this video from the Happy Console Gamer:
I really love this guy! His channel is the perfect antidote other (often whingey and/or outraged) youtubers. In the video he tells how he decided to play the Switch version of Phantasy Star (his favourite childhood game) on a whim while his wife was away for the night and ended up pretty much doing an all-nighter with it, capturing that innocent feeling from childhood of just being absorbed in a game. He puts this down to the fact that the game is so much more sped up now, with the double gold and XP points, the automapping for dungeons etc. It's amazing how much these little tweaks can improve a game. It's what makes these M2 ports so good.
I really love this guy! His channel is the perfect antidote other (often whingey and/or outraged) youtubers. In the video he tells how he decided to play the Switch version of Phantasy Star (his favourite childhood game) on a whim while his wife was away for the night and ended up pretty much doing an all-nighter with it, capturing that innocent feeling from childhood of just being absorbed in a game. He puts this down to the fact that the game is so much more sped up now, with the double gold and XP points, the automapping for dungeons etc. It's amazing how much these little tweaks can improve a game. It's what makes these M2 ports so good.
DunDunDunpachi
Patient MembeR
Y'all don't know the half of it until you've tried their port of Garegga or Ketsui. M2 are kings of their craft. Hope they continue "M2-ifying" more and more retro titles.
Kazza
Member
I want to try their 3DS port of Ecco some day. I read that the game was made deliberately difficult so that it couldn't be completed in a weekend rental. I remember that M2 made some changes to make it less punishing (I think unlimited oxygen was one of them). I could never get into it when I borrowed it from a friend back in the day, but want to give it another chance. There aren't many games where you get to play a dolphin, after all.
Also looking forward to see what they do with Virtua Racing. I hope they add some of the 32X/Saturn tracks.
cireza
Member
Both Ecco games were released on Sega-CD at the end of the life in Japan, in a collection, and received many improvements as well as a Japanese translation. These versions are supposed to be easier and less buggy, maybe they were used as basis for M2.
Kazza
Member
Unfortunately it seems to be based on the Megadrive version, which is a shame since the soundtrack on the Mega CD one was amazing. I didn't realise it was easier too. It's a shame that M2 often use the Megadrive versions of games when better ones exist (for example, using the MD version of Altered Beast instead of the arcade one).
cireza
Member
These choices were probably made because they had to implement the 3D effect, and they had invested a lot of work in a MegaDrive emulator that added 3D layers.
But overall, this shows that M2 is a small team that can only do so much. They have been promising way too many things lately, they won't be able to deliver.
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