Sega Ages
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Sega Ages refers to a number of compilations or re-releases of classic video games from developer and publisher Sega.
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[edit] Saturn version
Sega-AM2 released several Sega Ages games for the Sega Saturn in Japan, including Out Run, Space Harrier, Galaxy Force II, After Burner II, Fantasy Zone, and Power Drift. 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.
In 1996, Working Designs published Sega Ages Volume 1 in the USA, comprising OutRun, Space Harrier, and After Burner 2 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.
[edit] Sega Ages 2500
Sega Ages 2500 is a series of budget-priced, retro-themed releases by Sega, released for the PlayStation 2 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 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 current list of titles in the series:
- Vol. 01 Phantasy Star Generation 1 (August 28, 2003)
- Vol. 02 Monaco GP (August 28, 2003)
- Vol. 03 Fantasy Zone (August 28, 2003)
- Vol. 04 Space Harrier (September 25, 2003)
- Vol. 05 Golden Axe (September 25, 2003)
- Vol. 06 Bonanza Bros. (January 15, 2004)
- Vol. 07 Columns (December 18, 2003)
- Vol. 08 Virtua Racing (February 26, 2004)
- Vol. 09 Gain Ground (February 26, 2004)
- Vol. 10 Afterburner II (March 18, 2004)
- Vol. 11 Hokuto no Ken (北斗の拳) (Fist of the North Star) (Remake version plus unaltered version of the game known as Black Belt) (March 25, 2004)
- Vol. 12 Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set (May 24, 2004)
- Vol. 13 Outrun (May 27, 2004)
- Vol. 14 Alien Syndrome (July 29, 2004)
- Vol. 15 Decathlete Collection (July 29, 2004)
- Vol. 16 Virtua Fighter 2 (October 14, 2004)
- Vol. 17 Phantasy Star Generation 2 (March 24, 2005)
- Vol. 18 Dragon Force (August 18, 2005)
- Vol. 19 Fighting Vipers (April 28, 2005)
- Vol. 20 Space Harrier Complete Collection (October 27, 2005)
- Vol. 21 SEGA System 16 Collection: SDI & Quartet (October 27, 2005)
- Vol. 22 Advanced Daisenryaku: Doitsu Dengeki Sakusen (February 23, 2006)
- Vol. 23 Sega Memorial Selection (December 22, 2005)
- Vol. 24 Last Bronx (June 29, 2006)
- Vol. 25 Gunstar Heroes, Treasure Box (February 23, 2006) (also contains Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier)
- Vol. 26 Dynamite Deka (Die Hard Arcade) (April 27, 2006)
- Vol. 27 Panzer Dragoon (April 27, 2006)
- Vol. 28 Tetris Collection (September 28, 2006)
- Vol. 29 Monster World Complete Collection (March 8 2007) (Also known as the Wonder Boy series)
- Vol. 30 Galaxy Force II Special Extended Edition (July 26, 2007)
- Vol. 31 Cyber Troopers Virtual-On (October 25, 2007)
- Vol. 32 Phantasy Star Complete Collection (March 27, 2008)
- Vol. 33 Fantasy Zone Complete Collection (September 11, 2008)
[edit] 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), Columns (Vol. 7), Virtua Racing (Vol. 8), and Outrun (Vol. 13). Alien Syndrome was released on the North American version of Sega Classics Collection, but was omitted from the European release to hold the game's Pegi (Pan European Games Information) 12+ rating.
[edit] Trivia
- The name "Sega Ages" is a palindrome.
