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SEGA FES 2019: Six new titles announced for the SEGA AGES series

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More news has dropped regarding to the SEGA AGES series, this time a lot of announced titles coming to the series sometime in the future. These titles are Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R, Shinobi, G-loc Air Battle, Fantasy Zone, Herzog Zwei, and Wonder Boy in Monster Land. Each title will be based on their original arcade version, with the exception being Herzog Zwei instead being based on the Mega Drive version. No other information such as pricing, release date, or any other additional features have been revealed.

This announcement notably means that G-loc Air Battle will have the original arcade version ported to a home console for the first time, while this will be the first time SEGA used the Herzog IP after the acquirement of Technosoft’s library. What is your thoughts on these titles coming to the SEGA AGES series?

[Source: Twitter]

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SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo releasing on March 28th in Japan

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A lot going on with SEGA’s SEGA AGES series. While people in western territories will be enjoying Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Gain Ground on March 28th, fans in Japan will be instead be enjoying SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo on the same day.

SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo is based on the arcade version, with several enhancements available. In addition to the familiar blob popping puzzle fun from the original, players also have the addition of an optional double rotation feature that was absent from the original arcade version, online multiplayer, and most interestingly the inclusion of the extremely rare English arcade version that changes most of the names and the voice clips. SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo is slated for a price of ¥925 (roughly $8.50), so if you have spare yen, maybe pick this up along with the aforementioned SEGA AGES Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Gain Ground titles.

[Source: Official Website]

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SEGA AGES Virtua Racing slated for Spring 2019 release, multiplayer information revealed

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After several months of silence, SEGA has dropped new information regarding to SEGA AGES Virtua Racing in the latest issue of Famitsu. The main bulk of the new information is regarding to the game’s multiplayer. SEGA AGES Virtua Racing will support both local and online multiplayer, the latter notable due to it being the first online-supported multiplayer title in the SEGA AGES line-up that isn’t related to a puzzle game. For online multiplayer, players will be restricted to one vs. one matches, while for local multiplayer people will have the option to play up to 8 players and the option to change the amount of laps between 5 and 20. Local multiplayer will use the “old-school” style of displaying all the racers, using a classic split-screen approach.

In addition, it’s revealed that SEGA AGES Virtua Racing will be slated for a Spring 2019 release date in Japan. However, due to SEGA’s track record of these SEGA AGES titles being delayed, expect a summer release date instead. No other information regarding to a pricing or release dates outside of Japan have been revealed.

[Source: Gematsu / Ryokutya2089]

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SEGA AGES Alex Kidd in Miracle World to release on February 21st in Japan

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SEGA AGES branding is steadily continuing it’s releases, and this month it’s the Master System/SEGA Mark III classic title Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Titled SEGA AGES Alex Kidd in Miracle World, players take control of the titular Alex Kidd as they travel through 12 levels punching through blocks using his “Shellcore” martial arts and riding weird contraptions such as the Peticopter. What sets Alex Kidd apart from similar games like the Super Mario Bros. titles is the inclusion of item management, where you can find money hidden in blocks and buy items from shops to help Alex on his adventure.

The SEGA AGES version however adds new features into the mix, such as FM sound compatibility, the usage of a previously unused song, and new cutscenes. This version will also include new features for beginners, such as the ability to rewind time by 5 seconds and the option to continue after losing all your lives. It’s officially slated for a February 21st release date in Japan, or next Thursday as of this writing, with the price of ¥925 (roughly $8.50). It’s unknown when SEGA AGES Alex Kidd in Miracle World will receive a release outside of Japan, but the Nintendo Switch is region-free for those that lack patience, so give this Master System classic a try this Thursday if you have the spare yen.

[Source: SEGA AGES Website]

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SEGA AGES OutRun releasing January 10th in western territories

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Back in November in Japan, people got the experience the thrill of the drive on their Nintendo Switch with SEGA AGES OutRun. Now people outside of Japan are going to get their chance to experience OutRun once again, as confirmed by SEGA of America. The game will be available on the Switch’s eShop on January 10th, effectively next week as of this writing. This version of OutRun will contain features from the 3DS iteration, such as a 16:9 aspect ratio, the added songs “Camino a Mi Amor” and “Cruising Line”, and the ability to customize your car to handle differently, along with several new features like two new songs “STEP ON BEAT” and “RADIATION”, a ranking system, and optional gyro controls.

So maybe next week take a break from the winter weather for a nice summer drive with SEGA AGES OutRun, whether at home or on the go.

[Source: SEGA Twitter, Nintendo Website]

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Puyo Puyo and Puyo Puyo Tsu coming to the SEGA AGES lineup

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It’s been recently announced in SEGA’s latest Puyo Puyo Championship stream that the first two Puyo Puyo arcade games, Puyo Puyo and Puyo Puyo Tsu respectively, are coming to the SEGA AGES lineup on the Nintendo Switch! No specific details have been dropped regarding what is new to these specific ports or when they’ll releases, though based on screenshots both games will be based on their arcade versions, and will sport borders like the other SEGA AGES titles. The borders themselves are based on the instruction flyers found on their respective arcade machines.

It’s unknown at this time if these two installments will receive a release outside of Japan. However, in the scenario that they do, Puyo Puyo would notably be the first time it got a western release untouched, unlike what happened with Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine and Kirby’s Avalanche in the past. It’s also worth noting that the Puyo Puyo series was a top 10 wanted choice in SEGA’s official SEGA AGES survey from nearly 3 months ago. It’s not clear if the poll had any influence with pushing out these Puyo Puyo releases, but we might expect similar results like Virtua Fighter titles appearing if they are genuinely taking the poll seriously.

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SEGA Ages Out Run hits Nintendo Switch in 2019, first details on new content

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SEGA has now launched the official site for the SEGA Ages release of Out Run on the Nintendo Switch. We also have confirmed that the game will hit English speaking countries in 2019, confirmed SEGA to Eurogamer.

So what will this version of Out Run come with? SEGA has confirmed that the game will support 60fps widescreen, which was also featured in the Nintendo 3DS version of the game. Unsurprisingly the new songs ‘Cruising Line’ and ‘Camino a Mi Amor’ from the 3DS version will return in this release. But this version of the game will get ‘Step on Beat’ from the Mega Drive/Genesis release, ‘Radiation’ from OutRun 2 SP, and more will be rearranged within the game.

now lets talk about new controller options:

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SEGA AGES Phantasy Star gets new release date for October 31st

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Previously, SEGA AGES Phantasy Star was planned for a tentative September release date, but was quietly delayed as the SEGA AGES versions of Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Force IV filled in that month instead. However, now we have official confirmation as to when SEGA AGES Phantasy Star will be released, and it’s much more sooner than expected. The game is currently planned for this Halloween, October 31th 2018. An odd and sudden choice, but this is likely a side effect of these SEGA AGES delays causing the original scheduling to be messed up.

The game is slated for a ¥925 (roughly $8.50) pricing, and like the other SEGA AGES titles will come with an assortment of bonus features. In addition to the original game, players will have access to other features such as the ability to listen to both the PSG and FM sounds, an optional mapping system for dungeons, an “easy” mode for novices, and a special encyclopedia called the “Monster-Codex” that allows you to view the sprites, stats, and descriptions of different enemies.

[Source: Game Watch]

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SEGA AGES Thunder Force IV (Lightening Force) Review – Lightning Strikes Again (Nintendo Switch)

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After a long hiatus, partially due to the downfall of the company Technosoft, the Thunder Force series is steadily regaining it’s spark. SEGA has been courteous enough to give fans of the series some much needed love, first with M2’s version of Thunder Force III as apart of the SEGA 3D line of titles for the 3DS, then later it’s follow up Thunder Force IV (aka Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar) and the arcade game Thunder Force AC as apart of the SEGA AGES line of titles on the Nintendo Switch.

Today we’re going to be looking at SEGA AGES Thunder Force IV in particular. This is arguably the best game in the series, and commonly praised as an example of one of the SEGA Genesis’ best shmups available on the system. But does this SEGA AGES version live up to this praise, or is it more like flying into a stray bullet and dying multiple times?

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SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog Review – Old Hog, New Tricks (Nintendo Switch)

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The original Sonic the Hedgehog has a very long history with re-releases on many systems. Starting with Sonic Jam on the SEGA Saturn, the blue insectivore’s first outing has appeared on many systems from the likes of SEGA, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. These ranged from the fantastic like Taxman’s efforts on mobile devices, to the absolute atrocious like the infamous Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis on GBA. Either way, Sonic the Hedgehog is once again on a new platform, this time Nintendo’s latest console the Nintendo Switch.

Though on the surface it seems like a straight forward port, the developers at M2 decided to add new features to spice up the experience a bit, giving the player new options to toy with while retaining the original feel of the original release. Does SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog give the game a much needed breath of life, or is it just another cheap cash grab?

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Virtua Racing coming to the SEGA Ages lineup, Twitter survey results revealed

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Yet another title is coming to the Nintendo Switch’s lineup of SEGA Ages titles. This time it’s the AM2 developed racing game Virtua Racing, a formula one racing game notably being the first title in SEGA’s series of “Model” arcade boards that would later power games such as Virtua Fighter. At Tokyo Game Show 2018 SEGA has formally revealed the game will be coming to the lineup in the future, though has not specified any details such as a release date, pricing, or any bonus content like the other SEGA Ages titles.

In addition, SEGA has revealed the results of their official SEGA Ages poll on Twitter, asking what games people want to see in the collection in the future. These results are based on general franchises instead of specific games unless stated otherwise. Click below to see the results.

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SEGA AGES for Nintendo Switch launches with Sonic the Hedgehog and Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar

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The M2 developed SEGA AGES for Nintendo Switch has launched today in the west with two games: Sonic the Hedgehog and Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar (Thunder Force IV in Europe and Japan). The reasoning for the title of the latter is because on the SEGA Genesis in America, Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar was the localized name. However, given the history of the Thunder Force series prior to and since the game’s release, it is odd that SEGA of America saw fit to keep the localized name.

SEGA AGES titles are priced at $7.99 in America and £6.99 in Europe. A little less than the ¥925 Japanese price point when converted to dollars and a little more converted to pounds. Players can expect new features and various settings. Check then out now on the Nintendo eShop and stay tuned to SEGAbits for our reviews of the first two titles.

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Nintendo Switch SEGA Ages Out Run, Columns II, Thunder Force AC, and Sonic 2 New Content Detailed

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The other day it was announced that SEGA Ages would double its output by putting out four more titles. I guess we can consider the first four released the first wave which included: Sonic the Hedgehog, Thunder Force IV, Phantasy Star, and Alex Kidd in Miracle World. As you know, with past M2 re-releases, they like to add new features to said game. Right now we are looking at all the new details and new content they added for wave 2’s re-releases.

Wave 2 is Out Run, Columns II, Thunder Force AC, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The following was translated by Gematsu.

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SEGA Ages Thunder Force IV for Nintendo Switch gets over 10 minutes of gameplay shown

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SEGA had a live stream recently shown off the the SEGA Ages version of Thunder Force IV for the Nintendo Switch. As you know, SEGA revealed that this release and Sonic the Hedgehog are getting delayed into this month. If you want to know more about whats new in this version of Thunder Force IV, check out my write up.

What do you guys think? They are pricing this release at $8 dollars in Japan. Worth it at that price?

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Sega Blog: SEGA 3D Classics – 3D Super Hang-On Interview with Developer M2

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Originally published to the SEGA Blog on Nov 27, 2013 – republished here for archival purposes

We continue our SEGA 3D Classic interviews with Super Hang-On, which appears on Nintendo eShop tomorrow alongside Space Harrier. We’re really excited to get these games out to fans and hope these interviews bring all new insight into not only the creation of the games, but also the finer details inside.

Thanks again to Game Watch and Impress, Okunari-san, and Horii-san for their involvement in making these interviews available to our western audience. Thanks to Siliconera for coordinating with us to help spread the word to SEGA fans across the web. And special thanks to our producer Sam for translating these interviews for everyone’s enjoyment.

If you read and enjoy this interview, please take the time to post a comment and let us know. We’ve got a lot of folks looking on reading the feedback, so don’t hesitate to post!

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