Phantasy Star series celebrates 25th anniversary with release of Phantasy Star Complete Collection, out now on Japanese PSN

On this day in 1987, SEGA released a science-fiction/fantasy role-playing game by the name of Phantasy Star for their Master System console in Japan. It was later localized in English and Spanish, ported to numerous systems, and spawned three direct sequels and several spin-off titles. Hugely successful and highly innovative for its time, Phantasy Star helped to lay the groundwork for the role-playing game genre alongside it’s contemporary, Final Fantasy, with both titles being released within days of each other. Today, it is regarded as one of the most important video games of all time, and has consistently been listed as one of the very best games of its kind.

SEGA is celebrating the series’ 25th anniversary with the release of the Phantasy Star Complete Collection, which is now available on the Japanese PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 for the price of ¥800 (approximately $10 USD). Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, and Phantasy Star IV are all fully translated and playable in English, so these titles should not be overlooked by English speakers.

Originally released for the PlayStation 2 as part of the SEGA AGES series, the collection includes the following titles:

–Phantasy Star (Master System)
–Phantasy Star II (Genesis/Mega Drive)
–Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (Genesis/Mega Drive)
–Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium (Genesis/Mega Drive)
–Phantasy Star II Text Adventures (Genesis/Mega Drive)
–Phantasy Star Adventure (Game Gear)
–Phantasy Star Gaiden (Game Gear)

Phantasy Star II Text Adventures is a compilation of eight visual novels, each centered around one of the main characters from Phantasy Star II and was first available through the SEGA Meganet modem accessory for the Genesis/Mega Drive console, while the eight stories — made available in two separate compilations — were later ported to the console’s SEGA CD/Mega CD add-on. Phantasy Star Adventure and Phantasy Star Gaiden were both released for the SEGA Game Gear in 1992, just months apart each other. Adventure was the first Phantasy Star title to be released for SEGA’s handled and features a different gameplay style than other titles in the series, being a first-person text-based adventure game that takes place during the events of Phantasy Star II. Gaiden, on the other hand, is a traditional role-playing game in the style of Phantasy Star I, which Gaiden is an indirect sequel to. It’s worth noting, however, that according to series continuity both Adventure and Gaiden are considered non-canon.

No announcements have yet been made on the possibility of an international release, though anyone with a Japanese PlayStation Network account can purchase the collection in any territory.

UPDATE: A trailer for Phantasy Star Complete Collection has been released — be sure to check it out after the break.

[Source: Famitsu]

Space Harrier to receive 3D update on Nintendo 3DS, Space Harrier Collection out now on Japanese PSN

Japanese video game news website Gamer has revealed that the arcade classic third-person action/shooter Space Harrier will be receiving an updated port on Nintendo’s 3DS titled 3D Space Harrier, which will be optimized for the handheld’s dual widescreen displays and will feature newly added stereoscopic 3D graphics. Developed by AM2 under the direction of legendary game designer Yu Suzuki, Space Harrier has long been held as one of the greatest and most recognizable arcade games of all of time, revolutionizing the medium as a both a technical benchmark for games at the time and defined a genre with its fun and riveting gameplay, which still attracts scores of fans to this very day. Reports say that this port is intended to be the definitive version of the game, and whilst no further details have yet been revealed, the title is expected to launch on the Nintendo eShop at some point in the near future.

In other Space Harrier news, Space Harrier II: Space Harrier Complete Collection has been released on PlayStation 3 on the Japanese PlayStation Network. This compilation — which was originally released on the PlayStation 2 as part of the SEGA AGES 2500 series — brings the arcade versions of Space Harrier and Space Harrier 3-D [not to be confused with 3D Space Harrier] (both for the Mark III system) and the Genesis/Mega Drive version of Space Harrier II together, also featuring some bonus content and extras, including official art from all of the games. There’s been no word as of yet whether or not Space Harrier II: Space Harrier Complete Collection will be released outside of Japan, but it is currently available for the price of ¥800 (roughly $10 USD).

[Source: Gamer]

Phantasy Star Generation 1 fully translated into English by fan

Development has concluded for a English language translation project of Phantasy Star Generation 1 on PlayStation 2. A dedicated fan under the screen name of Kyence has detailed the process through the Phantasy Star Cave forums. The site itself has gone on to featured the download and informs potential players how to properly run the game, but encourages those interested to purchase the official version. Furthermore, Kyence has expressed interest in translating the sequel Phantasy Star Generation 2, although it was noted that the process would be much more challenging.

Only available in Japan, Phantasy Star Generation 1 is a remake of the first game in the iconic Phantasy Star franchise, which originally was available on the SEGA Master System in 1987. This remake was the first release in the SEGA AGES 2500 budget line of games for the PlayStation 2. The initial few of which were considered of poor quality and have received mixed reactions by the fans of the original titles. SEGA commented on their intentions on releasing Phantasy Star Generation 1, the remake of Phantasy Star II titled Phantasy Star Generation 2 and potential remakes of later games in the series for English language regions, but the project was canceled before significant progress commenced and the remakes of Phantasy Star III and IV were sadly never developed.

Included after the break is footage Kyence made during development of the translation.

Dynamite Deka now available on Japanese PlayStation Network

The SEGA AGES 2500 PlayStation 2 release of SEGA’s arcade classic ‘beat em up’ Dynamite Deka is now available on the PlayStation 3 for download on the Japanese PlayStation Store for 800 yen.

Titled Die Hard Arcade (after the popular 20th Century Fox film series) in many regions, this version of the game features updated graphics and various additional features, such as a mode where the characters are replaced by the cast of Golden Axe or Altered Beast and a digital remake of Periscope, one of SEGA’s earliest ever arcade experiences.

Unlikely to be released outside of Asian regions, interested players are able to purchase and play it regardless of their PlayStation 3’s region with a Japanese PlayStation Network account and with yen added to their account through purchasable ‘Point cards’. Several import sites exist that email the point card’s code, meaning those previously unprepared should not have to worry about shipping costs or dates. It is also worth noting that although very little of the English language is used in the game, the menu layouts and designs are simplistic, meaning those who do not read or speak Japanese should have little trouble navigating the game.

[Source: Official Site]

Giveaway: Three copies of Shinobi (2002) on PlayStation Network up for grabs (Details below)

The SEGA Source is proud to announce our first ever giveaway, in which we will be giving away three download codes of the 2002 Shinobi on PlayStation 2, which was recently released on the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 as part of the PlayStation 2 Classics lineup.

To enter, first you must follow us on any of the following three: Our Twitter, RSS, or our brand new Tumblr, which we will use to showcase official artwork of various SEGA games from throughout their long and illustrious history. Then, all you have to do is email us at thesegasource@yahoo.com with an image of your favorite official SEGA artwork and that’s it! You’re entered. Please submit your entries before the contest ends on August 26th (this Sunday!).

Please note that the codes being given away are for North American users, though they can be used by anyone from any region as long as they have a US PlayStation 3 account.

Shinobi (2002) available for download on US PlayStation Store

The 2002 PlayStation 2 continuation of the popular Shinobi franchise has been released today on the North American PlayStation Store for 10 USD as part of the PlayStation 2 Classics lineup of games. Although part of the same world as the legendary SEGA series of games, the story and setting focus on the character Hotsuma in a much darker, story-driven plot and are unrelated to the games featuring Joe Musashi, although he is an unlockable playable character.

Considered one of the hardest games SEGA released last console generation, Shinobi was released earlier this year on the European PlayStation Network. A sequel titled Nightshade exists, but SEGA has not commented on if it will see a release on the download platform.

Featured Video: Last Bronx Intro

featuredvideo

First of SEGA’s 3DS Virtual Console games now available worldwide, Shinobi added to PlayStation 2 Classics in Europe

The first of SEGA’s 3DS Virtual Console titles were released today, which includes the Game Gear version of Shinobi, Sonic: Triple Trouble, and Dragon Crystal. These ganes are available worldwide and can be purchased in Nintendo’s eShop on their 3DS handheld.

In other Shinobi news, Shinobi, the 2002 reimagining of SEGA’s long-running franchise first released on Sony’s PlayStation 2, has been added to the European PlayStation Store as part of its catalog of PlayStation 2 Classics. It is currently available for 10€ or £8 and can be purchased right now. SEGA announced last year that ports of both Shinobi and Revenge of Shinobi would be scheduled for release in 2012, but news of Revenge’s release is still forthcoming.

Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution and Sonic Heroes released on European PlayStation 3 digital store

The PlayStation 2 versions of Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution and Sonic Heroes have been released to the European Sony Entertainment Network (previously known as the PlayStation Network) for download on the PlayStation 3. Both are 9.99 EUR and are featured under the “PlayStation 2 Classics” section of the store.

Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution is strongly considered one of the best fighting games of all time, whereas the PlayStation 2 port of Sonic Heroes is considered the worst version of the game. It is unknown when or if these will be released to other regions on the PlayStation 3’s online store, but more releases from SEGA’s catalog of PlayStation 2 games should be expected.

Classic SEGA Music: Awaken

Gain Ground is the 1988 action-strategy arcade classic set around 350 years in the future where The Federated Government has created an era of peace. Because war ceases to exist the human race has begun to lose their fighting spirit; Worried of threats from outside of Earth, it is decided that a virtual reality simulation of various periods in time will be created to re-introduce their civilization to conflict. An unforeseen problem occurs and instead traps everyone inside the virtual world, turning the test of strength, knowledge and courage into a dark reality.

Included after the break are numerous variations of the ‘Origin’ zone, the first location in the game.