3d-classics
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After Burner 2 leads Sega's second set of 3DS classics next year
Sega announced plans to re-release five games from its catalog on 3DS in 2015, the publisher announced today. The next set of "3D Classics" from Sega will reach North America and Europe next year, starting with After Burner 2 in early 2015. Sega plans to issue one game every month from that point on, each priced at $5.99 (£4.49 / €4.99) on Nintendo's 3DS eShop. Though it did not list the order in which the games will appear on the eShop, the other four games getting the 3D relaunch treatment are Fantasy Zone, Fantasy Zone 2, OutRun and Thunder Blade. The first set of 3D Classics launched in late November 2013 and included games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, Ecco the Dolphin and Shinobi 3. Games in the 3D Classic catalog such as Space Harrier feature additional game settings that allow players to optimize the difficulty, number of lives and other bonus functions, improving on the original games. [Image: Sega]
Fantasy Zone 2 is next for Sega 3D Classics
Fantasy Zone 2: The Tears of Opa-Opa is the next game that will get the Sega 3D Classics treatment on 3DS, joining the likes of Sonic the Hedgehog, Ecco the Dolphin, Super-Hang On, Space Harrier and the original Fantasy Zone. Like its predecessor, Fantasy Zone 2 is a side-scrolling shooter set in a vibrant, colorful universe. Apart from the obvious addition of 3D visuals, Fantasy Zone 2 will include the same kinds of modern perks as other 3D Classics. Players will be able to adjust the difficulty and number of lives, remap controls and listen to the game's soundtrack. Furthermore, it will also include an endless score attack mode called "Link Loop Land." Fantasy Zone 2 hits the Japanese eShop on July 16. Assuming it follows along with other 3D Classics, it will eventually see a worldwide release.
Sega to continue 3D Classics series on 3DS, US release depends on sales
The remainder of Sega's first round of 3D Classics for the 3DS eShop will be made available in the US store over the next few weeks, but it seems like another batch is already in the works. Siliconera noticed a Twitter exchange between James Booth, an assistant producer at Sega's mobile-oriented Hardlight Studio, and Yosuke Okunari, a producer at Sega CS3. When Booth congratulated Okunari on the 3D Classics series, Okunari's reply thanked him and said "we develop the 2nd series for Japan. If this overseas release succeeds, it may release these in the world." Okunari did not hint at which games might be included in a future round of 3D Classics. So, there you go. If you're gunning for more 3D Classics in the US beyond those that have already been announced, the series' performance across our shores will need to satisfy Sega, first. The question is, will you love the 3D effect and features added to Streets of Rage, Shinobi and Sonic the Hedgehog enough to buy them again?
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.
Club Nintendo coin rewards changing on July 1
You may want to redeem those coins you've accrued through Club Nintendo, because the reward values are changing as of July 1. Completing registration surveys for the Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL will yield only 100 coins, as opposed to the previously established 160 coins.Software rewards are also getting a shake-up, though only select titles will see a decrease. Completing registration surveys for some 3D Classics and other downloadable titles will grant fewer coins; however, a lot of first-party 3DS games like Mario Kart 7 and some third-party ones, such as Resident Evil Revelations, are seeing increases. Wii and DS/DSi games are sadly seeing a reduction pretty much across the board. Better put in your Animal Crossing: City Folk code before time runs out!
New Club Nintendo awards include Art Style: Pictobits, Urban Champion
If you can't wait to spend some of those coins, Nintendo is offering new rewards for its Club Nintendo program. Four new downloadable games have been made available for May, including a pair of 3DS titles and two WiiWare games.Art Style: Pictobits is the frontrunner for our hard-earned coins, a delightful DSiWare puzzle game ported to the 3DS. Pictobits debuted next to Majora's Mask, so you may not remember it. The other high-profile game is a 3DS port of Urban Champion, the first fighting game to appear on the NES and quite possibly the worst game to appear on the NES.The two WiiWare games are Snowpack Park and Eco Shooter: Plant 3D. All four games will be available for download until May 31.[Thanks, Dali.]
There's another, more familiar Kid Icarus coming to 3DS [update: Free in Europe!]
What's that? You say you want Kid Icarus but you don't want any of that newfangled 3D? Well, according to Australia's Classification Board, your wish has been granted sort of. The site has posted a rating for the original Kid Icarus as a 3D Classic for the 3DS. There's no telling how much of a 3D makeover Pit will receive – or when it will be released, for that matter – but at least those yearning for the (super difficult) classic will have a chance to run from Death once again. Update: Nintendo has officially revealed that Kid Icarus will be offered as a free download in Europe for registering two qualifying 3DS titles with Club Nintendo. Details here.
NintendoWare Weekly: 3D Classics: Twinbee, Aya and the Cubes of Light
Another "3D Classic" is added to the 3DS lineup today -- and, thus, another entry in the small group of 3DS-exclusive downloadable games. 3D Classics: Twinbee is an update of Konami's vintage vertical-scrolling shooter. Expect bright colors and cute music, but not, for some reason, a widescreen presentation. Conversely, WiiWare has a very 3D-oriented game displayed in 2D. It's a neat-looking platformer, Aya and the Cubes of Light, in which you explore all six sides of free-floating, cubic levels.%Gallery-134637%
NintendoWare Weekly: Urban Champion, Flight Control
During a convention like Gamescom, with news flying out in all directions, you have to bring your A-game if you want to get attention. Nintendo of America has brought ... Urban Champion. Specifically, the 3D Classics remake of Urban Champion, available today on the 3DS eShop. Nintendo also mentioned that a new Jason Derulo video will premiere on Nintendo Video today, if that's something you want to see and hear. WiiWare finally gets its port of air-traffic control puzzler Flight Control, so if you don't own any smartphone or a DSi, you can now see what all the fuss was about.%Gallery-131006%
TwinBee goes '3D Classic' on 3DS, mostly
Next week, Nintendo of Japan will release a 3DS "3D Classics" version of Twinbee -- which, if you're not familiar with the 3D Classics line, means a remake of the game, using the original graphics, with added 3D effects. And, uh, if you're not familiar with Twinbee, it's the first in a series of "cute-em-ups" from Konami in which a bulbous little ship shoots at enemies and collects power-ups in the form of bells. The reason Nintendo would pick Konami's NES version of Twinbee for 3D Classics treatment is pretty easy to guess: like Xevious, it features both aerial shooting and bombs that can be shot at the ground, and having the action on these two planes is a good showpiece for 3D effects. What's a little harder to understand is that, while every other 3D Classics game has been updated for the 3DS's widescreen display, Twinbee is in the original NES aspect ratio, with a border of red curtains. Maybe this is some kind of emulation with added 3D, instead of a full remake like the other games. Maybe the enemy patterns would have had to be moved around too much. Or maybe somebody got lazy.
Urban Champion is the 3DS's latest 3D 'Classic'
Well, the 3DS had a good run. Of all the NES games to spend time and money remaking in 3D, Nintendo has chosen its worst first-party game as the third 3D Classics release. That's right, Urban Champion follows Excitebike and Xevious in the 3D Classics line, coming to the eShop in Japan July 13, for ¥600 ($7.40). The 3D perspective change effect actually looks really cool, and there's local wireless multiplayer -- two new aspects that temporarily distract from the crumminess of Nintendo's 1984 fighter. The same day, an unaltered retro game will also come to 3DS in Japan via Virtual Console: Adventure Island 2.
Nintendo of Europe release list reveals 3D Xevious this month, MotoHeroz in Q3
Nintendo of Europe sent out its schedule for the summer and fall on 3DS, Wii, and DS, and most of the news to be found is related to downloadable games. For example: the 3DS's "3D Classics" version of Xevious is due to arrive on the eShop this month, as is a 3DS Virtual Console release of Mario's Picross. There's a DSiWare version of Jagged Alliance due in Q3, and RedLynx's WiiWare stunt racer, MotoHeroz, is given a Q3 release window here. Nintendo also predicts a September release for X-Men Destiny on Wii and DS, which would suggest that the other versions are due for release at that same time. Peruse the list for yourself after the break.
Excitebike 3D Classic to be offered free with 3DS eShop update
When Nintendo finally flips the switch on the 3DS eShop, it's got a pretty solid plan for enticing users into the service. During an investor briefing, president Satoru Iwata announced that Nintendo plans to offer a free downloadable version of Excitebike through the eShop, for a limited time starting at launch. It won't just be Excitebike -- it'll be 3D Excitebike. This freebie will be 3DS owners' first experience with the "3D Classics" line, in which classic games are updated with new 3D effects. So when some anonymous racer knocks you off your bike, it'll be more ... exciting. Iwata didn't specify a region for this release, so there is a possibility that it might be restricted to Japan.
Miyamoto would most like to see a Link to the Past remake on 3DS
Shigeru Miyamoto has a habit for developing games that show off the strength of new Nintendo platforms -- and it sounds like he's planning on doing so once again for the 3DS. Speaking to Edge, Miyamoto explained now that Nintendo has finished developing the 3DS hardware, it can "focus more on gaming" in the coming year, adding that we can expect "remakes of games on 3DS as well." When asked for a specific title he'd like to see remade, Miyamoto reached into his own back catalog, answering, "I think A Link To The Past." Deciding that wasn't enough of a pseudo-sadistic tease, Miyamoto explained some of the functionality he'd like to see in a 3DS Link to the Past remake. "Do you remember Xevious," Miyamoto asked. "It's two-layered and I really wanted to create that at the time. So to see Link To The Past in two layers would be quite attractive for me." Such a remake sounds just perfect for the 3D Classics section of the 3DS eShop -- a storefront which, serendipitously enough, will play host to a renovated version of Xevious itself.
