The next game to join the SEGA AGES lineup for Nintendo Switch will be the arcade shoot-em-up Fantasy Zone.
As expected, this release of the game will include the extra content introduced in the 3D Classics release of the game, such as Upa-Upa Mode (which lets you switch between power-ups freely, charging you for ammo rather than for each weapon), a ‘Coin Stock’ that accumulates over your playtime (so you can jump into the game with a loaded inventory of coins if you want), and bosses from the Master System version implemented as extra bosses in the arcade version. As you play and accumulate more coins, you’ll also unlock more options, such as increased power-up ammo, and the ability to change how many coins enemies drop when defeated.
There’ll also now be a time attack feature that gives you infinite lives, HD rumble support, the standard replay and ranking functions of the other AGES releases, and a massively overhauled HUD. The HUD is notable, as it’s actually very in-line with M2’s separate ShotTriggers line of shmup ports.
There’s no solid date on Fantasy Zone’s Switch release right now, but we’d expect it to show up within the next two weeks. Over here, it’ll probably launch alongside the recently released Shinobi port.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
2 new hardware articles on the Master System II and Dreamcast have been added to our hardware section. These articles feature a detailed history of each system alongside the system’s specifications and a selection of high quality images.
Another selection of updates to our hardware section have just gone live. See below for the full list of additions complete with links to each article:
2 new features on some rather obscure Dreamcast hardware have now been added to our hardware section.
To begin with we have a feature on the incredibly rare, Japan-only SEGA Fish Life unit. This piece of hardware was sold to businesses as a way to add a virtual aquarium to their decor.
The other hardware feature we’ve added is on the unreleased Dreamcast Zip Drive peripheral. This peripheral would have connected to a Dreamcast and sat underneath the console and given users access to 100mb zip disks to allow for greater storage space while browsing the internet and downloading additional game content.
Both features contain multiple images of both pieces of hardware.
UPDATE
Overnight an additional Sonic 2 prototype has been made available by the good people at Hidden Palace. This prototype dates from August 1992 and can be downloaded by clicking here.
ORIGINAL STORY Hidden Palace‘s Sonic Month continues with a fresh selection of unreleased Sonic prototypes. This time we have 3 different releases of Sonic Chaos for Master System and Game Gear and a separate Sonic the Hedgehog 2 release for Mega Drive.
The Sonic Chaos releases date from May, June and July 1993 with the May release being an early Game Gear prototype that features different character sprites from the final build. Download links for each of these releases are listed below:
For fans of either game, these prototypes reveal some fascinating insight into the games’ development and are well worth a look if you have any interest in either game.
We have some fresh additions and revisions in our hardware section today.
Newly added is an article on the original Mega Drive, which also includes a detailed specification and high quality photographs of the system. Click here to read all about SEGA’s 16 bit wonder and learn about why it was such a massive success for the company.
We also have newly revised articles and photographs for both the Mega Drive II and Mega-CD. We have even photographed a fully boxed Mega Drive II for its entry in our hardware section. Click here to read about the Mega Drive II and click here to read about the Mega-CD. Both articles come complete with detailed specifications on each console as well.
Owners of Valkyria Chronicles 4 on Steam are in for a treat, as the game has now been rebranded to the Complete Edition – even for those who already bought it!
The Complete Edition replaces the listing for the original release, and comes in at £39.99 – except now, you also get all of the DLC included in that price. And if that wasn’t enough, SEGA’s gone back and applied this retroactively to anyone who already purchased the game! So picked up Valkyria Chronicles 4 at launch and wish you’d waited for the Complete Edition? No need – you get all of the DLC for free!
It’s pretty generous to say the least, and a welcome move from SEGA. We can’t remember the last time ‘Game of the Year’ or ‘Complete Edition’ goodies got retroactively given to existing customers, so it’s a pleasant surprise.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
UPDATE
The event has not gone live yet. It is due to go live on the 20th of November 2019 as per details on the Phantasy Star Online 2 news page.
ORIGINAL STORY
Japanese Phantasy Star Online 2 players have a real treat on their hands as the game now features a crossover event with the Evangelion franchise.
The event features a mission based on the famous Ramiel battle where the fifth angel drills into Tokyo-3 in order to get to NERV headquarters. You can also equip your character with costumes based on Unit-01, Shinji, Rei, Asuka and Misato and there’s a choice of 4 weapon skins with one taking the form of the Lance of Longinus.
You can see all of this in action in the trailer below:
Phantasy Star Online 2 is still Japan-exclusive, but a North American released is scheduled for 2020 on Xbox One and PC. There is still no word on whether the game will release in Europe.
The earliest known prototype has been located and dumped by the good people at Hidden Palace and you can now download and play it yourself through emulation. This prototype dates back to December 4th 1992 and features the ‘CD Sonic’ title screen alongside an earlier build of Palmtree Panic which is known here as Salad Plain Zone. If you’d like to see the prototype in action then SEGADriven’s very own Tracker_TD has recorded a playthrough on his YouTube channel:
Alongside this release, Hidden Palace have also released a dump of a trade show-only multimedia disc that features some new artwork and animations of Sonic and Dr. Robotnik. Images of this artwork was previously referenced in magazine news articles that discussed Sonic 2 being ported to Mega-CD, which ultimately never came to pass:
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