Sega Ages refers to a number of compilations or re-releases of classic video games from Sega and primarily developed by M2. Two versions were released only in Japan: the first for the Sega Saturn while the second for PlayStation 2 (the latter known as "Sega Ages 2500"), which included 3D graphics and new gameplay features. In America and Europe, some 2500's games were released for PlayStation 2 as part of Sega Classics Collection. There is also the Sega Ages Online series on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 in Japan. A version for the Nintendo Switch will be released on the Nintendo eShop in 2018.
The Sega Ages series differs from most "retro" video game releases in that rather than compiling a number of games, most of them contain only one game and are instead sold at a very low price.
Video Sega Ages
Saturn version
Sega released several Sega Ages games for the Sega Saturn in Japan:
These versions of Space Harrier, Out Run, and After Burner II were released in North America and Europe on a single disc called Sega Ages, published by Working Designs under their Spaz imprint in North America. It was a best-seller in the United Kingdom.
Maps Sega Ages
Sega Ages 2500
Sega Ages 2500 is a series of budget-priced games published by Sega, released for the PlayStation 2 console in Japan, with each game sold individually. 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 and Bonanza Bros.).
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.
List of complete series' titles
Several other titles were cancelled due to the discontinuation of 3D AGES, namely: Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Bare Knuckle, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium.
Sega Classics Collection
A compilation of nine of the Sega Ages 3D remake titles were released in North America and Europe in 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Sega Ages Online
In Japan, there are six Sega classic game releases that are available on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 that use the Sega Ages Online label. On May 22, 2012, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Super Hang-On, The Revenge of Shinobi, Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Wonder Boy in Monster World, and Monster World IV were released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation 3 in all regions but they only use the Sega Ages Online label in Japan. These emulations were handled by M2.
References
External links
- Official Sega Ages Japanese Site
- English Translation of the Official Japanese Site
- Sega Ages at Mobygames
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments