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:
| Title | Release | Games included |
|---|---|---|
| Sega Ages After Burner II | 1996 Sep 20 | |
| Sega Ages Columns Arcade Collection | 1997 | |
| Sega Ages Fantasy Zone | 1997 | |
| Sega Ages Galaxy Force II | ||
| Sega Ages Mickey & Donald | Castle of Illusion, QuackShot | |
| Sega Ages OutRun | ||
| Sega Ages Phantasy Star Collection | 1998 | |
| Sega Ages Power Drift | ||
| Sega Ages Roukaniichidantoa-Ru | ||
| Sega Ages Space Harrier | 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 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.
[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: 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:
| Volume | Release | Title | Games included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vol. 01 | 2003-08-28 | Phantasy Star Generation 1 | |
| Vol. 02 | 2003-08-28 | Monaco GP | |
| Vol. 03 | 2003-08-28 | Fantasy Zone | |
| Vol. 04 | 2003-09-25 | Space Harrier | |
| Vol. 05 | 2003-09-25 | Golden Axe | |
| Vol. 06 | 2004-01-15 | Bonanza Bros. | |
| Vol. 07 | 2003-12-18 | Columns | |
| Vol. 08 | 2004-02-26 | Virtua Racing | |
| Vol. 09 | 2004-02-26 | Gain Ground | |
| Vol. 10 | 2004-03-18 | After Burner II | |
| Vol. 11 | 2004-03-25 | Hokuto no Ken (北斗の拳) (Fist of the North Star) | Remake version plus unaltered version of the game known as Black Belt |
| Vol. 12 | 2004-05-24 | Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set | |
| Vol. 13 | 2004-05-27 | Out Run | |
| Vol. 14 | 2004-07-29 | Alien Syndrome | |
| Vol. 15 | 2004-07-29 | DecAthlete Collection | DecAthlete, Winter Heat, Virtua Athlete 2K |
| Vol. 16 | 2004-10-14 | Virtua Fighter 2 | |
| Vol. 17 | 2005-03-24 | Phantasy Star Generation 2 | |
| Vol. 18 | 2005-08-18 | Dragon Force | |
| Vol. 19 | 2005-04-28 | Fighting Vipers | |
| Vol. 20 | 2005-10-27 | Space Harrier 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 | |
| Vol. 25 | 2006-02-23 | Gunstar Heroes, Treasure Box | also contains Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier |
| Vol. 26 | 2006-04-27 | Dynamite Deka (Die Hard Arcade) | |
| Vol. 27 | 2006-04-27 | Panzer Dragoon | |
| Vol. 28 | 2006-09-28 | Tetris Collection | |
| Vol. 29 | 2007-03-08 | Monster World Complete Collection (aka Wonder Boy series) | |
| Vol. 30 | 2007-07-26 | Galaxy Force II Special Extended Edition | |
| Vol. 31 | 2007-10-25 | Cyber Troopers Virtual-On | |
| Vol. 32 | 2008-03-27 | Phantasy Star Complete Collection | |
| Vol. 33 | 2008-09-11 | Fantasy Zone Complete Collection |
These are the other titles that were cancelled due to the discontinuation of 3D AGES:
[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.) (Vol. 6)
- Columns (Vol. 7)
- Virtua Racing (Vol. 8)
- Out Run (Vol. 13)
Alien Syndrome (Vol. 14) was released on the North American version of Sega Classics Collection, but was omitted from the European release to hold the game's Pegi 12+ rating.
