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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.
Space Harrier 3D gliding onto eShop
3D Space Harrier is making its way to the Nintendo 3DS, according to some translation work done by Tiny Cartridge. Posted by Gamer in a quick blurb, it would seem to be the arcade version with widescreen support.Nintendo did have a 3D Classics line going for a while, but that sorta went the way of Chumbawamba.
Hyperdimension Neptunia trailer features surprise Sega character cameos
Just in case NIS America's Hyperdimension Neptunia wasn't weird enough, this newly released trailer highlights some of the classic Sega characters that inexplicably make an appearance. Also, don't ogle too much over the scantily-clad anime girls; you do know that they're video game consoles, right?
Sega Genesis Classics rising from their graves, hitting Steam and other PC platforms [update]
POWER UP in our gallerySega is bringing a Virtual Console-like experience to PC digital distribution platforms. Sega Genesis Classics is a series of individual Genesis games available for download via Steam and additional, unspecified download services. On June 1, PC users will be able to download Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin, Comix Zone, and Vectorman, "from $2.99." We don't yet know how the prices will vary per game, but even if just one is that cheap, it's quite a savings over the $8 Virtual Console price. The screenshots sent out by Sega also include images of Gain Ground, Altered Beast, Space Harrier, Crack Down, Sonic 3D Blast, and Shadow Dancer, so we can expect to see those games from the distant past on PC in the near future. Update: Sega's blog post about the collection clears up the launch lineup: all of these games will actually be available June 1. %Gallery-93483%
Sega celebrates 32X with soundtrack CD
Deviating from the way we would expect Sega to mark the 32X's 15th anniversary -- by trying really hard to forget about the 32X, just like every year -- the company has announced a CD full of music from 32X games. The Super 32X 15th Anniversary Album includes what looks to be all the tracks from Space Harrier, Stellar Assault, Virtua Racing Deluxe, Parasquad, Metal Head, and Virtua Fighter, all as they sounded on the 32X. The CD will be released through Sega's Wavemaster label on March 31 for ¥3,625 ($40), which is more than you should pay for a 32X system. [Via Andriasang]
VC in Brief: Space Harrier (Arcade)
Space Harrier (Arcade, 1 player, 800 Wii Points)We say: Way superior to the Sega Genesis port; fun on-rails shmupVirtual Console-savvy readers likely remember this video for Space Harrier. Well, that's the bunk Sega Master System version (fun as it may be), and this week, the real deal arcade version arrives. It's superior in just about every way to the Sega Master System version already on the service (including price, sadly). So, if you're going to drop that $8 you earned from mowing lawns and shaving pets on Space Harrier, make sure it's the superior arcade version here. Every week, we like to check out what's new on the Virtual Console. We offer these videos as a sort of taste to help you decide whether or not you would want the game in question. We also toss in our own two cents because we're pushy jerks.
VC Friday: A 'sleeper' Art Style game
This week, another new DSiWare Art Style game appears on the PAL DSi Shop -- one that was overlooked upon its Japanese release, due mostly to the fact that it was released at the same time as the much more eye-catching PiCOPiCT. Somnium has been renamed NEMREM for Europe -- still sleep-themed, but ... weirder.On the Wii side, the arcade version of Space Harrier is now available on Virtual Console and the "arcade" fishing game Fish 'em All has been added to WiiWare.Virtual Console: Space Harrier (Arcade, 1 player, 800 Wii Points) WiiWare: Fish 'em All (1-2 players, 800 Wii Points) DSiWare: Art Style: NEMREM (1 player, 500 DSi Points)
GDC09: Virtual Console Arcade launches with 4 games, available now
Iwata has announced yet another platform expansion for Wii's Virtual Console. Virtual Console Arcade will offer classic -- meaning old -- arcade titles not available on other systems. Four launch games are available for download right now (directly to an SD card, if you prefer -- haven't you heard?), with two additional titles possibly available later day. Here's the starting lineup: Gaplus (Namco Bandai): 600 Wii Points -- available now Mappy (Namco Bandai): 500 Wii Points -- available now The Tower Of Druaga (Namco Bandai): 500 Wii Points -- available now Starforce (Tecmo): 500 Wii Points -- available now Space Harrier (Sega) -- coming soon Solvalou (Namco Bandai) -- coming soon
VC Monday Madness: Space Harrier
Space Harrier (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points)Wii Fanboy says: download it! Yu Suzuki's Space Harrier is quite the fun time. It may not be the perfect arcade port and runs a bit slow when you're playing, but, overall, it's a fun game. And, seriously, for $5, it's a great diversion. You aren't going to be investing 20 hours into the thing, but, for $5, it's a great way to waste a rainy afternoon. Each week, we here at Wii Fanboy like to check out the latest Virtual Console releases in our VC Monday Madness feature, in the hopes that you can make the most sound decision possible regarding purchasing retro titles from the Wii Shop Channel. If you're looking for more retro goodness, check out Virtually Overlooked, which talks about games that should be on the Virtual Console.
Space Harrier flies into Virtual Console
Space Harrier (Sega Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) is one of the last of a dying breed: Beloved classic action franchises that haven't been given a completely unnecessary modern remake (and no, we're not counting Planet Harriers). But the closest you're going to come, a Virtual Console release, will be available at noon EST today.Buy it, not just because it's fun, but because when that unnecessary remake does come, you'll be able to say it's inferior to the original like a champ.
VC Friday: A trip to the Fantasy Zone
After last week's fairly abominable update, Space Harrier is back to save us all. The last time we played Sega's classic rail shooter was in the arcades of Shenmue, and we seem to recall it feeling a bit ancient, but still being a bit of a hoot.Also appearing is Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition (which, rather ludicrously, is the third variation of Street Fighter II to appear on the PAL Virtual Console) and Mayhem in Monsterland, one of the very last of the Commodore 64's 20,000 or so titles, and a graphical stunner for the time. Footage of all three is past the break. Street Fighter II: Special Championship Edition -- Mega Drive -- 800 Nintendo Points Mayhem in Monsterland -- Commodore 64 -- 500 Nintendo Points* Space Harrier -- Master System -- 500 Nintendo Points
Enduro Racer, more SMS greats on Virtual Console soon
One of our favorite Sega Master System games is an unassuming little isometric racing game in which the playr must race a motorcycle across rough terrain against other motorcycles and even dune buggies. Enduro Racer may not be a masterpiece, but it has totally great Sega music and plays pretty much exactly like a rotated Excitebike -- unlike the original arcade game, which had a more common behind-the-bike perspective.The ESRB database says that an "Enduro Racer" is coming out on Wii, and we're fairly certain it's the SMS game. Either that or a new remake. It's probably the Master System game, because its listing co-occurs with two other SMS games: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (not to be confused with Wonder Boy in Monster World) and Space Harrier.
VC Tuesday: Attack of the clones
Nintendo of Japan is following the example of the American Virtual Console this week in two ways: by not releasing that many games, and by making one of them Donkey Kong 3. If you've never played Donkey Kong 3, it's certainly worth a look, because it's pretty bizarre. The concept also seems a bit backward and convoluted: the opportunity for Donkey Kong's creation came from a surplus of unsold Radar Scope (Nintendo's Galaxian clone) machines, and just a few years later Nintendo decided to follow up on their hit with ... a Donkey Kong-themed Galaxian clone.On the subject of clones and clonable games, Yu Suzuki's Space Harrier was a very close inspiration for an early Square project, The 3-D Battles of WorldRunner. Except for the obvious influence of Samurai Shodown, and the general influence exerted by Street Fighter II on the entire fighting genre, we think Samurai Shodown II is safe from clone talk.Nintendo's single WiiWare offering today is Hayazashi Syogi Sandan, another shogi game! Donkey Kong 3 (Famicom, 1-2 players, 500 Wii Points) Space Harrier (Master System, 1 player, 500 Wii Points) Shin Samurai Spirits Haohmaru Jigoku-hen (Samurai Shodown II) (Neo Geo, 1-2 players, 900 Wii Points)
Tennis Harrier
We're pleased to see that the bizarre Sega-history minigames are intact in the DS release of Sega Superstars Tennis. Here, Ulala, a dancing reporter from a satellite-based TV station in a retro-futuristic musical world, is taking a break from rescuing Michael Jackson from TV-faced aliens to play Space Harrier using a tennis racquet. So, you know, it's your basic tennis game.And since we follow all Jet Set Radio-related developments eagerly, we'd like to point out that the second-best-known member of the GG's, Gum, is visible in these screenshots as a playable character. It remains to be seen if you have to jump on top of a car in order to convince her to join.%Gallery-13434%
