Posts Tagged ‘m2’
Thursday, November 14th, 2019
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.
You can check the official SEGA AGES: Fantasy Zone page here.
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.
Tags: arcade, digital, download, eshop, fantasy zone, m2, nintendo switch, sega ages
Posted in News | Comments Off on Fantasy Zone is the Next SEGA AGES Title for Japan, Launching ‘Soon’
Wednesday, August 21st, 2019
SEGA has revealed its next offering for the SEGA AGES line on Nintendo Switch, and it’s the arcade party game Ichidant-R. Somewhat similar to Namco’s Point Blank, the game sees you playing a variety of minigames to progress.
There’s a slew of new features for this release, such as a Helper Mode to make casual playthroughs more feasible – but most interesting is the Mega Drive Mode, which brings over the various additional features that port had. The RPG-style Quest Mode and Free Mode for practising the games are included here, as well as a Competition Mode that supports up to 4 Players (something the arcade version previously couldn’t do). To go along with this, there’s also Netplay support for the Arcade version.
Key for Western players though, is that the previously unreleased English localisation of the game is also included, a la Puyo Puyo’s AGES release.
There’s currently no solid release date for Ichidant-R, but we’d expect to see it pop up in Japan over the next two weeks, as was the case when Columns 2 was announced. Meanwhile, tomorrow Western players will be able to get their hands on Puyo Puyo and Space Harrier, which have been available in Japan for some time.
[ Source: Gematsu ]
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.
Tags: arcade, m2, nintendo switch, Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R, sega ages
Posted in News | Comments Off on The Next SEGA AGES Title for Nintendo Switch is Ichidant-R, New Details Released
Monday, August 5th, 2019
Columns 2: The Voyage Through Time is joining the SEGA AGES for Nintendo Switch lineup in Japan this week, bringing with it a slew of bonus features.
As previously reported, extra content includes a Endless Mode, an unlockable gallery featuring the art used in the SEGA AGES series’ cameo-rich intros, netplay, and even a single-player version of the original Columns. This marks the first time Columns 2 has seen an international release, too!
SEGA AGES: Columns 2 will launch on Thursday 8th August, so about 4pm UK time on Wednesday 7th August. It’ll be 999 JPY.
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.
Tags: arcade, Columns 2: The Voyage Through Time, m2, nintendo switch, sega ages
Posted in News | Comments Off on SEGA AGES: Columns 2 Launches August 8th in Japan
Thursday, July 18th, 2019
SEGA has confirmed that Columns 2: The Voyage Through Time will be the next game to join the SEGA AGES lineup. Notably, this is the first time the game has ever seen a release in the West – it was previously exclusive to Japanese arcades and a JP-only Saturn compilation.
The game’s standard modes, Flash Columns and Vs Columns, will have you clearing puzzle stages and battling it out for Columns supremacy with a friend, respectively. In addition, new rulesets and Netplay have been added, plus a new mode – Endless Columns, which simply challenges you to get the best score. One particularly surprising addition for this release though – Columns 1! The well-known Mega Drive version of the original game will actually be included in this release, though modified a bit – there’s no multiplayer, as it’s based on a version of Columns produced by M2 for a Japan-only Yakuza 0 PSP app. Talk about deep cuts.
One last cool tidbit is that beating Flash Columns stages in this release will actually unlock content for an in-game art gallery. Here, you can unlock the art used for the characters in the SEGA AGES intros to view at your leisure, as well as profiles for the characters.
On the whole, the beefed up content in this port has certainly put it on our radar – going off previous releases, it’ll probably be released next week in Japan. No news for the West, but again based on the other titles of late, it’ll probably be released alongside Space Harrier in the future.
[ With thanks to GSK, who translated the information from the official site ]
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.
Tags: arcade, Columns 2: The Voyage Through Time, m2, nintendo switch, sega ages
Posted in News | Comments Off on SEGA AGES: Columns 2 Next in Line for Japan, Includes Endless Columns and Columns 1 Modes
Thursday, June 20th, 2019
 UPDATE 24/06/19 – SEGA AGES Space Harrier will launch June 27th 2019, M2 has confirmed. Due to timezones this means it should arrive around 4pm UK time on Wednesday 26th.
SEGA has released some fresh details on what to expect from SEGA AGES: Space Harrier for Nintendo Switch, suggesting it might be the next title in the line to release.
The port includes the 3DS version’s bonus content, such as Haya-Oh from the Master System port as a secret boss fight. There’s also a new mode, in line with the other difficulty-mitigating features of other AGES releases – Koma-Inu Barrier. This gives Harrier a barrier that allows him to collide with enemies and obstacles, formed by the dogs that usually help the boss of Stage 17.
Yes, this game has puppy helpers. Yes, this is probably the best version of Space Harrier ever.
It’s been noted by some that this is actually somewhat similar to a feature in the PS2 remake of Space Harrier, so much like how 3D After Burner II had a mode styled after Climax, it’s cool to see an idea backported to the original arcade hardware.
There’s still no release date for the port, but we’ll let you know when one shows up.
[ Source ]
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.
Tags: am2, arcade, m2, nintendo switch, sega ages, space harrier
Posted in News | Comments Off on UPDATE: New Information Released for SEGA AGES: Space Harrier, Including Koma-Inu Barrier Mode
Monday, May 27th, 2019
Sound the SEGA AGES alarm, because the latest title in M2’s lovingly crafted range of Nintendo Switch ports is almost upon us. Wonder Boy in Monster Land will be the next title released in the range, arriving this week, May 30th, in the Japanese Nintendo eShop.
Mooted features for the release include the Trial Mode content from the previous SEGA Vintage Collection release, as well as a single button mapping for the game’s “Alchemy” system and an additional difficulty setting.
Unfortunately, things have gone quiet on the Western front – SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo and Virtua Racing are still nowhere to be seen. Hopefully they show up sooner rather than later, and we’ll let you know if they do get release dates confirmed.
[Source: 4Gamer ]
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.
Tags: arcade, m2, nintendo switch, sega ages, wonder boy in monster land
Posted in News | Comments Off on SEGA AGES: Wonder Boy in Monster Land Releases May 30th in Japan
Thursday, May 16th, 2019
UPDATE: The Western titles have now been confirmed.
The next batch of games available on the Mega Drive Mini have been announced, and are as follows:
JAPAN:
- Ghouls n Ghosts
- Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
- Mega Man: The Wily Wars
- Golden Axe
- Revenge of Shinobi
- Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium
- The Story of Thor (Beyond Oasis)
- Puzzle & Action: Tant-R
- Party Quiz Mega Q
- Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen
AMERICA/EUROPE:
- Mega Man®: The Wily Wars
- Street Fighter II’®: Special Champion Edition
- Sonic Spinball
- Phantasy Star IV
- Beyond Oasis
- Ghouls ‘N Ghosts®
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Golden Axe
- Vectorman
- Wonder Boy in Monster World
Something cool to note: the last 4 games on this list supported 4 players via a Multitap on the original Mega Drive. They actually retain this functionality on the Mini – you can use a USB Hub to connect more controllers!
It’s also been confirmed that RetroBit will be making 6-button pads for the Mini, as unlike the Japanese version which includes them as standard, the Western versions only have 3-button pads included.
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.
Tags: Beyond Oasis, golden axe, m2, mega drive mini, Mega Man, phantasy star, RetroBit, street fighter II, treasure
Posted in News | Comments Off on Next Batch of Mega Drive Mini Titles Announced – Includes Mega Man: The Wily Wars and Street Fighter II, RetroBit making 6-Button Pads
Wednesday, April 24th, 2019
 The SEGA AGES re-release of SEGA’s arcade smash-hit Virtua Racing is now available to download from the Japanese Nintendo eShop. The game will run you 999JPY.
Unlike previous ports, this is a straight re-release of the arcade version. The downside to this approach is it means no new tracks or cars, as was the case in Virtua Racing Deluxe. However, the game supports 8-player local multiplayer and 1v1 online play. It also includes a specialised replay feature, based on the live broadcast function of the extremely rare “Virtua Formula” release of the game.
There’s currently no Western release date for this or SEGA AGES: Puyo Puyo, but we’ll let you know if one shows up.
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.
Tags: am2, m2, nintendo switch, sega ages, virtua racing
Posted in News | Comments Off on SEGA AGES Virtua Racing Now Available On Nintendo Switch in Japan
Saturday, March 30th, 2019
UPDATE 13:23: Details of the European Mega Drive Mini have come to light. An official website is now available to view. The European version includes 3 button controllers instead of 6 button controllers. The games line-up also includes some differences. The current EU line-up includes Ecco the Dolphin, Castlevania: The New Generation, Space Harrier II, Shining Force, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, ToeJam & Earl, Comix Zone, Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast and Gunstar Heroes. There is only the 2 controller option for Europe and the whole package costs £69.99/€79.99.
The SEGA Mega Drive Mini will launch worldwide on September 19th 2019 in all regions. The news came from SEGA Fes that the mini console will launch with 40 games and come in 2 variants: a $60 option with a single 6 button controller, and a $80 option with 2 controllers. Controllers are connected via USB and are the same dimensions as an original 6 button Mega Drive controller.
The only games revealed to be on the system at this time are from the Japanese version. These will likely differ on the US and European Mega Drive Minis. The only titles announced for the Japanese Mega Drive Mini at this time are:
– Sonic the Hedgehog 2
– Comix Zone
– Gunstar Heroes
– Space Harrier II
– Puyo Puyo 2
– Castlevania Bloodlines
– Powerball
– Rent-a-Hero
– Madou Monogatari Ichi
 
As is fairly standard with mini consoles, the Mega Drive Mini will feature a “save anywhere” feature and it has also been revealed that the menu music has been composed by Yuzo Koshiro of Streets of Rage fame.
[Source: Kotaku]
Webmaster and lead writer at SEGADriven. Likes old games, heavy music and too much pizza. Follow on Twitter @kronkblats
Tags: castlevania bloodlines, comix zone, gunstar heroes, m2, mega drive mini, sega fes, sonic the hedgehog 2, space harrier ii, yuzo koshiro
Posted in News | Comments Off on Mega Drive Mini Launches September 19th Worldwide, M2 Leading Development
Monday, March 25th, 2019
 After a hefty delay, SEGA has confirmed the Nintendo Switch port of Puyo Puyo’s original arcade version, part of M2’s SEGA AGES series, will launch on March 28th in Japan.
As well as including the original Japanese arcade version of the game, for the first time ever the AGES release will include the English localisation of the title, previously speculated to be a bootleg. It’s… an interesting take on the game, to say the least. Above all else, the game also supports online play, so you can have those Mean Bean Machine matches with foes half the world away!
There’s no word on a Western release date yet but fortunately SEGA’s Western divisions are catching up, as both Gain Ground and Alex Kidd in Miracle World, the most recent games in the AGES series, will be released over here on the same day Puyo hits Japan, March 28th.
You can check out the official SEGA AGES Puyo page here.
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.
Tags: arcade, m2, nintendo switch, puyo puyo, sega ages
Posted in News | Comments Off on SEGA AGES: Puyo Puyo Launches March 28th in Japan
|
