Well called it… and then some! Yesterday SEGA teased a new release announcement today for fans of classics, and that game turned out to be a physical release of the SEGA 3D Classics series for Nintendo 3DS. SEGA 3D Classics Collection will include:
For those keeping track, this is sadly not every title, but the collection does include two new games: Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2 as well as two Master System bonus titles: Fantasy Zone 2 and Maze Walker. Missing titles, which are available on the eShop, include: After Burner II, Ecco the Dolphin, Fantasy Zone, Gunstar Heroes, OutRun, Shinobi III, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Space Harrier, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Hang-On. OutRun 3D and Space Harrier 3D, 3D releases of the Master System titles that were bonuses on Japan’s physical release, are the only 3D Classics games not to see a release in the West yet. Learn more at the new official site, and SEGA 3D Classics Collection will be available in stores and digitally exclusively in the Americas for $29.99/CA$44.99 on April 26, 2016.
Don’t Drift Aimlessly – POWER DRIFT with Purpose in the SEGA 3D Classics CollectionNine Sega Classics (some unreleased!) Arriving on April 26for Nintendo 3DSIRVINE, Calif. – Jan. 21, 2016 – The best thing about classics is that they never go out of style, which is why SEGA of America is bringing nine classic SEGA games to the Nintendo 3DS™ system as part of the SEGA 3D Classics Collection. The best part – four of the nine classics are games that have never been released on the 3DS previously. For all of the included classics, developer M2 painstakingly recreated the experiences by breaking down the original games and powering them up with new visuals, game modes, and more to take full advantage of the Nintendo 3DS system. TheSEGA 3D Classics Collection will be available in stores and digitally exclusively in the Americas for $29.99/CA$44.99 on April 26, 2016.Because it’s a collection, the most prudent thing to do would be to list the games included, starting with the titles never-before-released outside of Japan first:
- Power Drift – This sprite-based circuit racer puts you head to head against other AI racers in a twisting, turning, jumping, looping race to the finish.
- Puyo Puyo 2 – This head-to-head competitive puzzle game is simple to learn, hard to master, and compellingly addictive. Compete against the AI or friends in local multiplayer. Note: because of the quirks of trying to localize a game hard-coded in Japanese, the game has been left entirely in its original language. English instructions are available in the included digital manual.
Next, we have a pair of rarities not released on the 3DS before – true collectibles for the Master System enthusiast:
- Maze Walker – Originally designed for the SegaScope 3-D glasses on the Sega Master System, Maze Walker comes to life on the 3DS, faithfully reproducing the sense of depth as players try to escape the mysterious, twisting maze filled with unknown dangers. Originally released as Maze Hunter for the Master System in the West.
- Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa – The sentient space ship Opa-Opa is back to defend its bases from evil (but cute!) invaders in the classic scrolling shooter. For SEGA history buffs, this version ofFantasy Zone II is the original Master System version.
And for the previously released titles:
- Fantasy Zone II W –Fantasy Zone II W, which was originally created for the Master System, is the version of Fantasy Zone II upgraded to the graphical capabilities of the System- 16 arcade board with added 3D effects. You can enjoy it in 2 game modes with different rules.
- Sonic The Hedgehog – The evil scientist, Dr. Eggman (aka Dr. Robotnik), has snatched the animals of South Island, turning them into robot slaves. Only the famed blue blur can defeat Dr. Eggman and rescue the animals from his vile clutches in the game that started it all for the fastest hedgehog – Sonic!
- Thunder Blade – In Thunder Blade, players control a helicopter and use guns and missiles to destroy enemy vehicles while flying between buildings, through caves, and into enemy bases. The re-mastered version boasts stereoscopic 3D visuals and adds a host of new features.
- Galaxy Force II – As the star pilot of the Space Federation, it’s up to you to strap yourself into your TRY-X fighter and turn the tables on the invade forces of Halcyon and the Fourth Empire in this 3D shoot ’em up. This remastered version has upgraded graphics with double the resolution of the original for a more pleasing aesthetic.
- Altered Beast – Summoned from the dead by Zeus, players in Altered Beast must shape shift into various beasts and fight off hordes of demons to rescue the captured Athena from the clutches of Neff. Offers local co-op multiplayer.
- This is an Extra Bullet
The SEGA 3D Classics Collection will be released at a value price of $29.99/CA$44.99 for the Nintendo 3DS system in stores and digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS, with retail packaging that features original artwork by Pokémon art director, Ken Sugimori. The game is rated E 10+ by the ESRB. For more information, please visit 3dclassics.sega.com.
This fits perfectly with the 3ds
Half of these I already have, but it’s worth buying for Power Drift alone.
Hey, that’s great! Pretty decent compromise, I’d say – it’s nice for the collectors who want a physical release, and then you can pick up the remaining titles digitally.
Digital crap or nothing for Europe as usual. That’s what you get for being the part of the world which has supported SEGA since the Master System era, when nobody gave a f*ck about it. Thank you SEGA, I’m so glad you’ll release a retail version of Sonic Boom Fire & Ice in June in my country. Such a giant videogame company you are.
Relax. EU has not been shot down yet. They operate separate, so you need to watch the SEGA Europe accounts.
EU was already shot down for Yakuza 5 and Fighting Climax and is still waiting for most of the 3DS themes. Don’t know why I should put my hopes on this one, especially when you can read here “The SEGA 3D Classics Collection will be available in stores and digitally exclusively in the Americas”.
I see another rerelease. Sega still does it. 2016 guys. Let us have a jolly good laugh
This is awesome! I bought all the 3D classics in part to support SEGA because these are so great. I’ll be getting this for these 2 games and the bonus games.
Yeahhh!. up 2 a good start sega i am happy. know i wait for the eu version, be nice to us and give us a custom sega theme with it.
When will will get vol 2? Our vol 2 will be Japan’s vol 1.
WOW. My #1 dream 3DS game comes to life. I don’t buy games digitally so this will be the 1st time I experience the highly regarded 3D Classics line. They went the extra mile with this one. A beefy 9 games at a budget price. Not a stinker in the bunch, although I’m curious why Fantasy Zone II got multiple versions.
Anybody who is getting this, pre-order ASAP so SEGA gets the sales numbers in. I seriously hope they release another edition with what I view as the better titles like Streets of Rage, Outrun, and Shinobi.
Fantasy Zone II was originally only a Master System title released in 1987 and it wasn’t until 2008 that M2 made a SEGA System 16 version as sort of a “what if”. This “arcade” version was only released on PS2. That’s what 3D Fantasy Zone II W is. So you’re getting the Master System original and the SEGA System 16 version.
Thanks for the clarification, Nomad. Any differences besides cosmetically?
Given the difference in screen and sprite size that difficulty will be different. Also, you have the different music.
Wiki states: “Differences [in the System 16 version] include the use of the radar that shows which bases are destroyed or not, as well as the use of a timer that, when it reaches zero, the player will lose a life. If the player manages to clear a level, the timer’s remaining seconds will add to the score and money.”
I imported fighting climax to get it physical, it’s always the same with the digital crap. I won’t buy Yakuza 5 because it’s digital. So i have to import this again to have it in europe. It’s hard these days to be and stay an Sega fan.
3DS is region-locked, you can’t import the game.
Don’t be sad, Jurgen Post will bring the next Sonic Boom to you.