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Sega's 3D Classics: making old games stand out
I never really thought much about Space Harrier. I like vintage Sega just fine, I just never spent much time with that particular game for whatever reason. Then I read this interview with M2, who ported it and the rest of the Sega 3D Classics line to 3DS, and I resolved to buy 3D Space Harrier as soon as it was released. M2's obsessive love of Space Harrier, evident in the overwhelming, comical level of detail applied to the port, was the most ringing endorsement possible. The care put into the port made me care more about the game, showing the persuasive power of a truly bespoke adaptation. And by giving me cause to reevaluate Space Harrier, Sega's 3D Classics line allowed me to see just how well it holds up.
Flick up that 3D slider for Sega's 3DS classics
It's been a long-time coming, but Sega's 3DS classics are coming to North America and Europe across the next two months. Eight Sega remasters, each priced $6 (€5 or £4.50 in Europe), are set to remind us of the handheld's 3D slider, starting with Space Harrier and Super Hang-On on November 28. That pair are the first of four spruced-up couples, all coming on Thursday eShop updates. The following week's duo of 3D-enhanced oldies is Sonic the Hedgehog and Altered Beast, due on December 5, followed by Ecco the Dolphin and Galaxy Force 2 on December 12. Shinobi 3 and Streets of Rage round things off on December 19. The Western remasters should be the same as the ones that came to Japan, so expect additions like the optional spin dashes and button remapping of 3D Sonic. And when we say 3D Sonic, we don't mean like the more recent 3D perspective Sonic games, so don't expect Sega to patch in any talking or, Chaos Emeralds forbid, hedgehog-human romances.
Sega 3D Classics coming to 3DS eShop in North America, Europe
Along with today's reveal that Earthbound is now available on the Wii U eShop, Nintendo announced that a slate of Sega 3D Classics are coming to the European 3DS eShop. Sega confirmed that a North American launch is also in the works. No specific dates or prices were given for the games, which include Altered Beast, Ecco the Dolphin, Galaxy Force, Shinobi, Sonic the Hedgehog, Space Harrier, Streets of Rage and Super Hang-On. Of those games, Ecco the Dolphin, Super Hang-On, Space Harrier, Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog already launched on Japan's 3DS eShop.
3D Sonic, Altered Beast ratings suggest Sega's 3DS line is due west
Australian Classification Board ratings for 3D Sonic the Hedgehog and 3D Altered Beast indicate Sega's line of 3DS re-releases may be headed west after all. The four games, also including 3D Space Harrier and 3D Super Hang-on, are all out in Japan already. 3D Space Harrier, rated by the ACB earlier this year, was playable at last weekend's MCM Expo in London. While there's nothing concrete yet, the evidence certainly points to the 3D line coming west, with 3D Space Harrier most likely to glide in first.
PSA: Sega Vintage Collection now available on XBLA
XBLA's Sega Vintage Collections are available today on XBLA, meaning Monster World IV has officially been released in North America, in English, on all three current platforms. Incredible! You can also buy Alex Kidd, in a set with Revenge of Shinobi and Super Hang-On.
NintendoWare Weekly: Amoebattle, Super Hang-On
Two new Virtual Console games in as many weeks? What is going on? On top of the VC release of Super Hang-On, Amoebattle makes its way to DSiWare and Bird Mania 3D takes flight on the 3DS eShop.We rather liked the iPhone version of Amoebattle. Its real-time strategy controls should translate to the DS and 3DS just fine.
Localized Monster World IV leads newest PSN/Virtual Console 'Sega Vintage Collection'
This is slightly confusing, but also awesome. We recently found an ESRB rating for the previously unlocalized Mega Drive/Genesis game Monster World IV, for release on XBLA and PSN. Today, Sega of Europe confirmed that it's bringing the game over -- but on PSN and Wii Virtual Console, as part of a new "Vintage Collection" being released late this year and early next year. The collection also includes Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Revenge of Shinobi, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, and Wonder Boy in Monster World, all of which have already been released on Virtual Console in North America. Super Hang-On is in there too, and has not been released on Nintendo's download service. None of these were already on PSN. Monster World IV is arguably the star of the collection, because it's never had an official console release outside of Japan -- and Sega is actually localizing it.
Super Hang-On likely drifting to Virtual Console
Following Shenmue Town, we're now seeing another questionable Yu Suzuki game revival. However, unlike Shenmue, which was questionable because it looked and sounded like a bad idea, Super Hang-On is questionable because ... we have questions about it. All we know is that Sega has something in mind called Super Hang-On, information gleaned from an Australian rating. The game in question is likely a Virtual Console release of the arcade version, since Sega released that in Japan back in September. Of course, we're at the point now when news of any new Virtual Console release is thrilling, but this is actually neat on its own merits. The Japanese VCA release supports tilt controls!
