Sega Ages
Encyclopedia
Sega Ages refers to a number of compilations or re-releases of classic video games from developer and publisher Sega
.
released several Sega Ages games for the Sega Saturn
in Japan
:
There were also two Sega Ages Memorial collections which included a number of older games per disc. These games aim to be faithful conversions of the original arcades. Sega Ages Memorial Collection Vol. 1 included Flicky, Head On, Pengo and Up 'n down. Sega Ages Memorial Collection Vol. 2 included Penguin Land, Monaco GP, Samurai, The Ninja, Sindbad Mystery and Star Jacker.
In 1996, Working Designs
published Sega Ages Volume 1 in the USA, comprising Out Run, Space Harrier, and After Burner II in one disc. In order to fit all three games on one disc, Working Designs had omitted the soundtracks of the "Original" arcade music in each of the titles and left only the remixed tracks calling it a "Refreshing Experience" for the player.
console in Japan. Initially, these were part of a joint venture with D3 Publisher
called 3D AGES (SEGA D3 spelled backwards). These releases were primarily remakes of classic arcade titles with modern 3D graphics and new gameplay features, but also included 2D remakes (the Phantasy Star games) and ports (Virtua Racing, Bonanza Brothers). Many of these releases were harshly criticized for their low production values, inferior gameplay, and visuals that lacked charm.
Sega assumed control of the project with the release of Decathlete, and the 3D AGES development studio was retired with the release of Phantasy Star Generation 2. At this point, the direction of the series shifted focus from remakes to compilations of emulated titles, and ports (enhanced or otherwise) of classic Sega games. Sega produced these titles themselves, but the actual development work was frequently outsourced to other studios, most notably M2
.
The notable exception to this shift away from remakes came with the final release in the series, Fantasy Zone Complete Collection, which included a compilation of classic games as well as a remake of Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa
done in a style contemporaneous with the original. The protracted development of this game took over two years, following which Sega decided to retire the series, although they have not indicated if this retirement would be permanent.
The number "2500" refers to the price of the games in yen.
The complete list of titles in the series:
These are the other titles that were cancelled due to the discontinuation of 3D AGES:
, but was omitted from the European release to hold the game's Pegi (Pan European Games Information) 12+ rating.
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
.
Saturn version
Sega-AM2Sega-AM2
Sega Amusement Machine Research and Development Department 2 is a research and development team for the video game company Sega. Originally known as "Sega Amusement Developing Section 8", AM2 was previously headed up by famed designer Yu Suzuki...
released several Sega Ages games for the Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
:
| Title | Release | Games included |
|---|---|---|
| Sega Ages After Burner II After Burner II After Burner II is an arcade-style flight game released by Sega in 1987. It is the second game in the After Burner series. In the game, you fly a F-14 Tomcat jet fighter, gunning down enemies while avoiding incoming fire... |
1996 Sep 20 | |
| Sega Ages Columns Arcade Collection | 1997 | |
| Sega Ages Fantasy Zone Fantasy Zone thumb|Fantasy Zone arcade PCB is a surreal arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was later ported to a wide variety of consoles, including the Sega Master System. The player controls a sentient spaceship named Opa-Opa who fights nonsensical invader enemies in the titular group of planets, full... |
1997 | |
| Sega Ages Galaxy Force II Galaxy Force (arcade game) is a sprite-scaling rail shooter arcade game, released by Sega in 1988 and built upon the Sega Y Board. The game which is in the tradition of Sega's successful Space Harrier is set in space. Two other versions of the arcade game were released as Galaxy Force II Deluxe Edition and Galaxy Force... |
||
| Sega Ages Mickey & Donald | Castle of Illusion, QuackShot | |
| Sega Ages OutRun Out Run is an arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was designed by Yu Suzuki and Sega-AM2. The game was a critical and commercial success. It is notable for its innovative hardware , pioneering graphics and music, a choice in both soundtrack and route, and its strong theme of luxury and relaxation... |
||
| Sega Ages Phantasy Star Phantasy Star is the first installment in Sega's renowned series of the same name. It was released for the Sega Master System in Japan on December 20, 1987, and then in North America and Europe in 1988. It is considered one of the pioneers amongst console role-playing games, both for its advanced graphics... Collection |
1998 | |
| Sega Ages Power Drift Power Drift is an arcade game released by Sega in 1988. A racing game, it made high use of sprite-scaling to create a 3D effect, similar to contemporaries Out Run and Hang-On.-Gameplay:... |
||
| Sega Ages Roukaniichidantoa-Ru | ||
| Sega Ages Space Harrier Space Harrier is a third-person rail shooter game, released by Sega in 1985. It was produced by Yu Suzuki, responsible for many popular Sega games. It spawned several sequels: Space Harrier 3-D , Space Harrier II , and the spin-off Planet Harriers .... |
1995 |
There were also two Sega Ages Memorial collections which included a number of older games per disc. These games aim to be faithful conversions of the original arcades. Sega Ages Memorial Collection Vol. 1 included Flicky, Head On, Pengo and Up 'n down. Sega Ages Memorial Collection Vol. 2 included Penguin Land, Monaco GP, Samurai, The Ninja, Sindbad Mystery and Star Jacker.
In 1996, Working Designs
Working Designs
Working Designs was an American video game publisher that specialized in the localization of Japanese console role-playing games, strategy video games and top-down shooters for various video game platforms. Though the company had published many 'cult hits', it was known best to fans as the...
published Sega Ages Volume 1 in the USA, comprising Out Run, Space Harrier, and After Burner II in one disc. In order to fit all three games on one disc, Working Designs had omitted the soundtracks of the "Original" arcade music in each of the titles and left only the remixed tracks calling it a "Refreshing Experience" for the player.
Sega Ages 2500
Sega Ages 2500 is a series of budget-priced, retro-themed releases by Sega, released for the PlayStation 2PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
console in Japan. Initially, these were part of a joint venture with D3 Publisher
D3 Publisher
D3Publisher is a Japanese video game publisher founded on February 5, 1992. Current CEO and president is Yuji Ito, and It is known for its Simple series of low-priced console games. Their games have been released for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2,...
called 3D AGES (SEGA D3 spelled backwards). These releases were primarily remakes of classic arcade titles with modern 3D graphics and new gameplay features, but also included 2D remakes (the Phantasy Star games) and ports (Virtua Racing, Bonanza Brothers). Many of these releases were harshly criticized for their low production values, inferior gameplay, and visuals that lacked charm.
Sega assumed control of the project with the release of Decathlete, and the 3D AGES development studio was retired with the release of Phantasy Star Generation 2. At this point, the direction of the series shifted focus from remakes to compilations of emulated titles, and ports (enhanced or otherwise) of classic Sega games. Sega produced these titles themselves, but the actual development work was frequently outsourced to other studios, most notably M2
M2 (game developer)
M2 M2 M2 (有限会社Ｍ２(エムツー) is a Japanese video game developer, best known for handling emulation of re-released games, such as some Sega Ages titles and Wii Virtual Console titles....
.
The notable exception to this shift away from remakes came with the final release in the series, Fantasy Zone Complete Collection, which included a compilation of classic games as well as a remake of Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa
Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa
is a Sega Master System game created by Sega in 1987. It was later ported to the arcade, Famicom, and MSX, and was remade for the System 16 hardware on a PlayStation 2 compilation in 2008. It was re-released on the Wii Virtual Console in North America on June 29, 2009. Like the first Fantasy Zone,...
done in a style contemporaneous with the original. The protracted development of this game took over two years, following which Sega decided to retire the series, although they have not indicated if this retirement would be permanent.
The number "2500" refers to the price of the games in yen.
The complete list of titles in the series:
| Volume | Release | Title | Games included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vol. 01 | 2003-08-28 | Phantasy Star Generation 1 Phantasy Star Generation 1 Phantasy Star Generation:1 is a role-playing game released in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 and is an enhanced remake of Phantasy Star, originally released for the Sega Master System in 1987.... |
|
| Vol. 02 | 2003-08-28 | Monaco GP Monaco GP (arcade game) Monaco GP is an arcade game that was released by Sega in 1979. The game was released in three cabinet styles, a vertical upright cabinet, a cocktail table and sit-down 'deluxe' cabinet. A sequel, Pro Monaco GP, was released in 1980., and was later followed by Super Monaco GP and Ayrton Senna's... |
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| Vol. 03 | 2003-08-28 | Fantasy Zone Fantasy Zone thumb|Fantasy Zone arcade PCB is a surreal arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was later ported to a wide variety of consoles, including the Sega Master System. The player controls a sentient spaceship named Opa-Opa who fights nonsensical invader enemies in the titular group of planets, full... |
|
| Vol. 04 | 2003-09-25 | Space Harrier Space Harrier is a third-person rail shooter game, released by Sega in 1985. It was produced by Yu Suzuki, responsible for many popular Sega games. It spawned several sequels: Space Harrier 3-D , Space Harrier II , and the spin-off Planet Harriers .... |
|
| Vol. 05 | 2003-09-25 | Golden Axe Golden Axe Golden Axe is a side-scrolling beat 'em up and hack & slash arcade video game released in 1989 by Sega for the System 16-B arcade hardware. It is the first game in the Golden Axe series.... |
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| Vol. 06 | 2004-01-15 | Bonanza Bros. Bonanza Bros. is a 1990 3D-style, 2D shooting platform arcade game by Sega. It is one of the earliest arcade games powered by the arcade system board, the Sega System 24.-Gameplay:Bonanza Bros... |
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| Vol. 07 | 2003-12-18 | Columns Columns (video game) is a puzzle video game, first created in 1989 by Jay Geertsen. Early versions of the game were made and ported among early computer platforms, and then the Atari ST, until 1990, when Jay Geertsen sold the rights to Sega, where it was ported to several Sega consoles.-Description:The game takes... |
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| Vol. 08 | 2004-02-26 | Virtua Racing Virtua Racing Virtua Racing or V.R. for short, is a Formula One racing arcade game, developed by Sega-AM2 and released in October 1992. Virtua Racing was initially a proof-of-concept application for exercising a new 3D-graphics platform under development, the "Model 1". The results were so encouraging, that... |
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| Vol. 09 | 2004-02-26 | Gain Ground Gain Ground Gain Ground is a 1988 action-strategy arcade game with real-time strategy elements, later ported to the Sega Master System, Mega Drive/Genesis, and PC Engine . In 2004, it was re-released in Radica Games' TVPlay Legends Vol. II TV Games compilation. It was remade in the PlayStation 2 title Sega... |
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| Vol. 10 | 2004-03-18 | After Burner II After Burner II After Burner II is an arcade-style flight game released by Sega in 1987. It is the second game in the After Burner series. In the game, you fly a F-14 Tomcat jet fighter, gunning down enemies while avoiding incoming fire... |
|
| Vol. 11 | 2004-03-25 | (Fist of the North Star Fist of the North Star is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and drawn by Tetsuo Hara that was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, spanning 245 chapters, which were initially collected in a 27-volume tankōbon edition by Shueisha... ) |
Remake version plus unaltered version of the game known as Black Belt Black Belt (video game) Black Belt is a 1986 beat 'em up game released for the Sega Master System. It is a localization of the Japanese Mark III game, , based on the manga and anime series of the same name . The international version was stripped of the Hokuto no Ken license, forcing graphic alterations to the game... |
| Vol. 12 | 2004-05-24 | Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set Puyo Puyo Tsu is the second instalment of the Puyo Puyo games; the sequel to Puyo Puyo, made in 1994 by Compile. Compile put more thought into this game after its predecessor became successful, but never knew how much of a turnaround the game would bring. Due to its highly acclaimed success, it became the most... |
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| Vol. 13 | 2004-05-27 | Out Run Out Run is an arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was designed by Yu Suzuki and Sega-AM2. The game was a critical and commercial success. It is notable for its innovative hardware , pioneering graphics and music, a choice in both soundtrack and route, and its strong theme of luxury and relaxation... |
|
| Vol. 14 | 2004-07-29 | Alien Syndrome Alien Syndrome Alien Syndrome is a run and gun arcade game developed by Sega in 1987.-Gameplay:Two players control two soldiers named Ricky and Mary, who must fight their way through large eight-way scrolling levels rescuing their comrades who are being held by aliens... |
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| Vol. 15 | 2004-07-29 | Decathlete Collection | |
| Vol. 16 | 2004-10-14 | Virtua Fighter 2 Virtua Fighter 2 is a fighting game developed by Sega. It is the sequel to Virtua Fighter and the second game in the Virtua Fighter series. It was created by the Sega's Yu Suzuki-headed AM2 and was released in the arcade in 1994. It was subsequently ported to the Sega Saturn in 1995 and Microsoft Windows in 1997... |
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| Vol. 17 | 2005-03-24 | Phantasy Star Generation 2 Phantasy Star Generation 2 Phantasy Star Generation:2 is a role-playing game released in 2005 for the PlayStation 2 and is an enhanced remake of Phantasy Star II, originally released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in 1989... |
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| Vol. 18 | 2005-08-18 | Dragon Force Dragon Force Dragon Force is a real-time strategy and tactics video game from Sega created for the Sega Saturn. It was created in Japan and translated for U.S. release by Working Designs in 1996, a translation that was also used by Sega in Europe under license from Working Designs. The USA release has four... |
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| Vol. 19 | 2005-04-28 | Fighting Vipers Fighting Vipers Fighting Vipers is a 3D fighting game developed by Sega AM2.The game was first released in the arcade in 1995 using the Sega Model 2 hardware and ported the same year to the Sega Saturn with significantly reduced graphics.-Gameplay:... |
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| Vol. 20 | 2005-10-27 | Space Harrier Space Harrier is a third-person rail shooter game, released by Sega in 1985. It was produced by Yu Suzuki, responsible for many popular Sega games. It spawned several sequels: Space Harrier 3-D , Space Harrier II , and the spin-off Planet Harriers .... Complete Collection |
|
| Vol. 21 | 2005-10-27 | SEGA System 16 Collection: SDI & Quartet | |
| Vol. 22 | 2006-02-23 | Advanced Daisenryaku: Doitsu Dengeki Sakusen | |
| Vol. 23 | 2005-12-22 | Sega Memorial Selection | |
| Vol. 24 | 2006-06-29 | Last Bronx Last Bronx is a 3D fighting game developed by Sega-AM3 on the Sega Model 2 mainboard. This is one of the first motion captured 3D weapon fighting games released in Japanese game centers in 1996, the other was Soul Edge. Home versions, shortened to Last Bronx, were produced for contemporary Sega game console... |
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| Vol. 25 | 2006-02-23 | Gunstar Heroes Gunstar Heroes is a run and gun video game developed by Treasure and published by Sega.Treasure's debut game was originally released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in late 1993, and later on, ported to the Game Gear by M2. On February 23, 2006, Gunstar Heroes was released as part of the Gunstar Heroes: Treasure... , Treasure Box |
also contains Dynamite Headdy Dynamite Headdy is a video game released in 1994 by Sega and produced by Treasure. It was released on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis system, with ports to the Sega Game Gear and Sega Master System. A port for the Sega 32X was planned, but due to the system's low popularity, the port was canceled... and Alien Soldier Alien Soldier is a side-scrolling run and gun video game developed by Treasure for the Sega Mega Drive. The game was released in Japan and Europe, but not in the US , but it can be rather expensive due to its rarity in either region... |
| Vol. 26 | 2006-04-27 | Dynamite Deka Die Hard Arcade Die Hard Arcade is the licensed North American, European and Australian version of the Japanese videogame . The game is a beat 'em up with loose ties to the Die Hard movie series of the same name.... (Die Hard Arcade Die Hard Arcade Die Hard Arcade is the licensed North American, European and Australian version of the Japanese videogame . The game is a beat 'em up with loose ties to the Die Hard movie series of the same name.... ) |
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| Vol. 27 | 2006-04-27 | Panzer Dragoon Panzer Dragoon is a rail shooter video game released for the Sega Saturn in 1995; and later released on PC, PlayStation 2, and as a bonus in its sequel Panzer Dragoon Orta for Xbox... |
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| Vol. 28 | 2006-09-28 | Tetris Tetris Tetris is a puzzle video game originally designed and programmed by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union. It was released on June 6, 1984, while he was working for the Dorodnicyn Computing Centre of the Academy of Science of the USSR in Moscow, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic... Collection |
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| Vol. 29 | 2007-03-08 | Monster World Complete Collection (aka Wonder Boy Wonder Boy is a series of video games published by SEGA and developed by Westone Bit Entertainment .The series itself consists of the main Wonder Boy series, and the Monster World sub-series. Games may be part of one, the other, or both. This has resulted in a sometimes confusing naming structure resulting in... series) |
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| Vol. 30 | 2007-07-26 | Galaxy Force II Special Extended Edition Galaxy Force (arcade game) is a sprite-scaling rail shooter arcade game, released by Sega in 1988 and built upon the Sega Y Board. The game which is in the tradition of Sega's successful Space Harrier is set in space. Two other versions of the arcade game were released as Galaxy Force II Deluxe Edition and Galaxy Force... |
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| Vol. 31 | 2007-10-25 | Cyber Troopers Virtual-On | |
| Vol. 32 | 2008-03-27 | Phantasy Star Complete Collection Phantasy Star Collection Phantasy Star Collection's North American release was met with generally favorable reviews, earning an aggregate score of 76 out of 100 on MetaCritic. Critics noted that although the game was outdated, it still held up with its innovations to the genre. They praised the games' uniqueness upon their... |
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| Vol. 33 | 2008-09-11 | Fantasy Zone Fantasy Zone thumb|Fantasy Zone arcade PCB is a surreal arcade game released by Sega in 1986. It was later ported to a wide variety of consoles, including the Sega Master System. The player controls a sentient spaceship named Opa-Opa who fights nonsensical invader enemies in the titular group of planets, full... Complete Collection |
These are the other titles that were cancelled due to the discontinuation of 3D AGES:
- Alex Kidd in Miracle WorldAlex Kidd in Miracle Worldis a platform game for the 8-bit Sega Master System video game console. It was first released in Japan on Saturday, November 1, 1986, and then was distributed to Europe, Australia and the United States in 1987...
- Bare KnuckleStreets of RageStreets of Rage, known in Japan as , is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Sega in 1991 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the first installment of the Streets of Rage series which was followed by Streets of Rage 2 and Streets of Rage 3. The game was also converted over to Sega's Game...
- Phantasy Star IV: The End of the MillenniumPhantasy Star IV: The End of the Millenniumis a console roleplaying game released in 1993 for the Mega Drive in Japan and in 1995 for the Sega Genesis in North America. It is the fourth and final game in the original Phantasy Star series, concluding the story of the Algol Star System...
Sega Classics Collection
Some of these games have been released in North America and Europe on the Sega Classics Collection for PS2; namely Monaco GP (Vol. 2), Fantasy Zone (Vol. 3), Space Harrier (Vol. 4), Golden Axe (Vol. 5), Bonanza Bros. (in the form of Tant-R & Bonanza Bros.) (Vol. 6), Columns (Vol. 7), Virtua Racing (Vol. 8), and Out Run (Vol. 13). Alien Syndrome (Vol. 14) was released on the North American version of Sega Classics CollectionSega Classics Collection
Sega Classics Collection is a PlayStation 2 compilation that contains new 3D versions of classic Sega titles. The original games were released separately as part of the Sega Ages games in Japan. This game is not to be confused with the similarly titled Sega Genesis Collection, which contains 28...
, but was omitted from the European release to hold the game's Pegi (Pan European Games Information) 12+ rating.