Sega Ages

(Redirected from Sega Vintage Collection)

Sega Ages[a] is a series of video game ports, remakes, and compilations published by Sega. It consists of Sega arcade games and home console games, typically those for the Sega Genesis and Master System. The series was launched on the Sega Saturn in 1996. Entries were published for the PlayStation 2 as Sega Ages 2500, a reference to its bargain ¥2500 price point. The series later came to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as Sega Ages Online, and finally to the Nintendo Switch as simply Sega Ages. The name Sega Ages is a palindrome, with "Ages" being "Sega" backwards — this was previously used by Sega in European marketing strategies from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Sega Ages
Logo for the Nintendo Switch series
Developer(s)Sega, M2, 3D Ages, Sims
Publisher(s)Sega
Platform(s)Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Switch

The Sega Saturn and PlayStation 2 releases usually feature a singular game alongside extras such as remakes or developer info, and sold at a low price point.[1] Most of these releases were exclusive to Japan. Three games in the Sega Saturn series - Space Harrier, Out Run and After Burner II - were selected for Sega Ages Volume 1, released in Europe in 1996 and in North America in 1997. Several games in the PlayStation 2 series were released in Europe and North America as part of the Sega Classics Collection compilation in 2005. The PlayStation 2 series was initially developed by 3D Ages, a collaborative effort between Sega and D3 Publisher, but Sega would soon develop the games in-house following the departure of D3 Publisher from the project.

Games

Sega Ages (Sega Saturn)

The first Sega Ages series was released in 1996 for the Sega Saturn in Japan and concluded in 1998. Although the majority of the titles in this series remained exclusive to Japan, three games from the line - Out Run, Space Harrier and After Burner II,[2] would be compiled into the video game compilation Sega Ages Volume 1,[1] released in Europe in 1996 by Sega itself and Sega Ages released in North America in 1997 by Working Designs under their Spaz imprint.[2] Despite the title, no additional volumes would be released in these territories. Due to development technicalities at Working Designs, they had to make a sacrifice to Out Run by removing the original arcade music from the disc so that all three games could fit. The game would still contain the arrangement version of the music. Reasons for the removal are explained in the developer / translator notes at the back of the manual.

TitleRelease dateIncluded games
Vol. 1 Syukudai ga Tant-R
Puzzle & Action: Tant-R, Quiz Syukudai wo Wasuremashita
Vol. 2 Space Harrier
Space Harrier
Vol. 3 Out Run
  • JP: September 20, 1996
Out Run
Vol. 4 After Burner II
  • JP: September 27, 1996
After Burner II
Vol. 5 Rouka ni Ichidant-R
  • JP: December 27, 1996
Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R, Quiz Rouka ni Tattenasai!
Vol. 6 Fantasy Zone
  • JP: February 21, 1997
Fantasy Zone
Vol. 7 Memorial Selection Vol. 1
  • JP: February 28, 1997
Head-On, Pengo, Flicky, Up'n Down
Vol. 8 Columns Arcade Collection
  • JP: October 30, 1997
Columns, Columns II: The Voyage Through Time, Stack Columns, Columns '97
Vol. 9 Memorial Selection Vol. 2
  • JP: November 27, 1997
Samurai, Monaco GP, Star Jacker, Sindbad Mystery, Ninja Princess
Vol. 10 Power Drift
  • JP: February 26, 1998
Power Drift
Vol. 11 Phantasy Star Collection
  • JP: April 2, 1998
Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, Phantasy Star IV
Vol. 12 Galaxy Force II
  • JP: July 2, 1998
Galaxy Force II
Vol. 13 I Love Mickey Mouse: Fushigi no Oshiro Daibouken/I Love Donald Duck: Guruzia Ou no Hihou
  • JP: October 15, 1998
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, QuackShot

= Released in North America as part of Sega Ages and Europe as part of Sega Ages Volume 1.

Sega Ages 2500 (PlayStation 2)

The second series was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2003 and concluding in 2008, known as the Sega Ages 2500 series - this title comes from the ¥2500 price point the game had.[4] The series was created from Sega's interest in the success of D3 Publisher's Simple budget-title video game series, which features low-budget games at a low price point. This interest would lead to Sega and D3 Publisher forming a new subsidiary company in 2003, known as 3D Ages (スリーディー・エイジス/3Dエイジス, Surīdī Eijisu), with the sole reason to create games under the Sega Ages 2500 series.[5] Later in 2004, D3 Publisher would leave the project and give Sega complete control of the company.[6]

The main focus of the series was to remake older Sega video games with 3D visuals, alongside improved sound and gameplay. Following the departure of D3 Publisher, the series would soon shift into featuring compilations of other Sega video games alongside remakes of these games.[6] The series officially concluded in 2008 after 33 entries, although several other Sega Ages 2500 games, featuring games such as Streets of Rage and Alex Kidd, were planned for release.[6] 3D Ages was disbanded in late 2005 and absorbed into Sega.[6]

Due to complications with Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sega was disallowed from releasing the games individually outside Japan.[6] Instead, nine of the games in the Sega Ages 2500 series would be compiled into the Sega Classics Collection compilation for the PlayStation 2, released in North America by Sega in 2005 and in Europe by Conspiracy Entertainment in 2006.[4]

TitleRelease dateIncluded games
Vol. 1: Phantasy Star Generation: 1
  • JP: August 28, 2003
Remake of Phantasy Star
Vol. 2: Monaco GP
  • JP: August 28, 2003
Remake of Monaco GP
Vol. 3: Fantasy Zone
  • JP: August 28, 2003
Remake of Fantasy Zone
Vol. 4: Space Harrier
  • JP: September 25, 2003
Remake of Space Harrier
Vol. 5: Golden Axe
  • JP: September 25, 2003
Remake of Golden Axe
Vol. 6: Ichini no Tant-R to Bonanza Bros.
  • JP: August 28, 2003
Remakes of Bonanza Bros. and Puzzle & Action: Tant-R
Vol. 7: Columns
  • JP: January 25, 2004
Remake of Columns, built on the engine of Columns '97, with a Vs CPU mode similar to the single-player mode of Columns III.
Vol. 8: Virtual Racing FlatOut
  • JP: February 26, 2004
Remake of Virtua Racing
Vol. 9: Gain Ground
  • JP: February 26, 2004
Remake of Gain Ground
Vol. 10: After Burner II
  • JP: March 25, 2004
Remake of After Burner II
Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken
  • JP: March 25, 2004
Remake of Hokuto no Ken
Vol. 12: Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set
  • JP: May 24, 2004
Puyo Puyo 2
Vol. 13: Out Run
  • JP: May 27, 2004
Remake of Out Run
Vol. 14: Alien Syndrome
  • JP: July 9, 2004
Remake of Alien Syndrome
Vol. 15: DecAthlete Collection
  • JP: July 9, 2004
DecAthlete, Winter Heat, Virtua Athlete
Vol. 16: Virtua Fighter 2
  • JP: October 14, 2004
Virtua Fighter 2
Vol. 17: Phantasy Star Generation: 2
  • JP: March 24, 2005
Remake of Phantasy Star II
Vol. 18: Dragon Force
  • JP: August 18, 2005
Remake of Dragon Force
Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers
  • JP: August 28, 2005
Fighting Vipers
Vol. 20: Space Harrier Complete Collection
  • JP: October 27, 2005
Space Harrier, Space Harrier (SMS), Space Harrier (GG), Space Harrier 3D, Space Harrier II, Sega Mark III error screen demo
Vol. 21: SDI & Quartet: Sega System 16 Collection
  • JP: October 27, 2005
SDI, Quartet (video game)
Vol. 22: Advanced Daisenryaku: Deustch Dengeki Sakusen
  • JP: February 23, 2006
Remake of Advanced Daisenryaku
Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection
  • JP: December 22, 2006
Head-On, Tranquilizer Gun, Borderline, Congo Bongo, Doki Doki Penguin Land, remakes of said games
Vol. 24: Last Bronx - Tokyo Bangaichi
  • JP: December 29, 2006
Last Bronx
Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box
  • JP: February 23, 2006
Gunstar Heroes, Gunstar Heroes (GG), Gunstar Heroes (prototype version), Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, Dynamite Headdy (SMS), Dynamite Headdy (GG)
Vol. 26: Dynamite Deka
  • JP: April 27, 2007
Remake of Dynamite Deka
Vol. 27: Panzer Dragoon
  • JP: April 27, 2007
Panzer Dragoon, remake of Panzer Dragoon
Vol. 28: Tetris Collection
  • JP: June 28, 2007
Tetris (Sega), Bloxeed, Flashpoint, Tetris New Century, Flashpoint (prototype)
Vol. 29: Monster World Complete Collection
  • JP: August 3, 2007
Wonder Boy (ARC, SMS, SG-1000, GG), Wonder Boy in Monster Land (ARC, SMS), Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (ARC, SG), Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (GG, SMS), Monster World III (SG, SMS), Monster World IV
Vol. 30: Galaxy Force II: Special Extended Edition
  • JP: August 26, 2007
Galaxy Force II, Galaxy Force II (SMS), Galaxy Force II (SG), Galaxy Force Neo Classic
Vol. 31: Cyber Troopers Virtual On
  • JP: October 25, 2007
Remake of Cyber Troopers: Virtual On
Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete Collection
  • JP: March 27, 2008
Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, Phantasy Star Gaiden, Phantasy Star Adventure, Phantasy Star IV, Phantasy Star Text Adventures
Vol. 33: Fantasy Zone Complete Collection
  • JP: September 11, 2008
Fantasy Zone, Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa, Fantasy Zone: The Maze, Super Fantasy Zone, Fantasy Zone II DX, Fantasy Zone Neo Classic, Galactic Protector, Fantasy Zone Gear

= Released in North America and Europe as part of Sega Classics Collection. Alien Syndrome was removed from the European release to lower the game's rating.

Sega Ages Online / Sega Vintage Collection (Xbox 360 / PlayStation 3)

The third series was released for the Xbox 360 that was both introduced and concluded in 2012.[7] This series consisted of releases from the Sega Vintage Collection series, originally released in North America and Europe, from 2007 to 2009, as well as re-releases of games from the Sega Ages 2500 series - the latter games were only released on the PlayStation Store for the PlayStation 3 and had the Sega Ages 2500 name stripped from the title.[8] The games were developed by M2 as opposed to being made in-house by Sega.[7] Ten releases were made in total, making it the shortest of the Sega Ages series.[9]

TitleRelease datePlatformIncluded gamesNotes
Sega Classics Collection
  • WW: May 23, 2012
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Revenge of Shinobi, Super Hang-OnReleased in North America and Europe as Sega Vintage Collection: Alex Kidd & Co.
Monster World Collection
  • WW: May 23, 2012
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Wonder Boy in Monster World, Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Monster World IVReleased in North America and Europe as Sega Vintage Collection: Monster World.
Golden Axe Collection
  • WW: May 30, 2012
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Golden Axe, Golden Axe II, Golden Axe IIIReleased in North America and Europe as Sega Vintage Collection: Golden Axe.
Bare Knuckle Collection
  • WW: May 30, 2012
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2, Streets of Rage 3Released in North America and Europe as Sega Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage.
Dragon Force
  • JP: July 25, 2012
PlayStation 3Remake of Dragon Force
Dynamite Deka
  • JP: August 22, 2012
PlayStation 3Remake of Dynamite Deka
Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box
  • JP: September 19, 2012
PlayStation 3Gunstar Heroes, Gunstar Heroes (GG), Gunstar Heroes (prototype version), Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, Dynamite Headdy (SMS), Dynamite Headdy (GG)
Sega Memorial Selection
  • JP: October 17, 2012
PlayStation 3Head-On, Tranquilizer Gun, Borderline, Congo Bongo, Doki Doki Penguin Land, remakes of said games
ToeJam & Earl Collection
  • WW: November 7, 2012
Xbox 360, PlayStation 3ToeJam & Earl, ToeJam & Earl in Panic on FunkotronReleased in North America and Europe as Sega Vintage Collection: ToeJam & Earl.
Phantasy Star Complete Collection
  • JP: December 19, 2012
PlayStation 3Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, Phantasy Star Gaiden, Phantasy Star Adventure, Phantasy Star IV, Phantasy Star Text Adventures

Sega Ages (Nintendo Switch)

The fourth Sega Ages series was released for the Nintendo Switch in September 2018, available through the Nintendo eShop storefront. This series was developed by M2, with lead producer Rieko Kodama from Sega.[10][11][12][13] Although Sega said that games from the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast would be made available later on,[14] the series concluded in Japan in August 2020 and concluded elsewhere in the following month without these, although Sega stated their intention to continue re-releasing older titles in other ways.[15]

Title[16]Original systemJapanese releaseWorldwide release
Sonic the HedgehogSega Genesis/Arcade (Mega Play)[17]September 20, 2018
Thunder Force IVSega Genesis[b][18]
Phantasy StarMaster System[c][19]October 31, 2018December 13, 2018
Out RunArcade (OutRun)[d][20]November 29, 2018January 10, 2019
Gain GroundArcade (System 24)[18]December 27, 2018March 28, 2019
Alex Kidd in Miracle WorldMaster System[e][21]February 21, 2019
Puyo PuyoArcade (System C-2)[f][22]March 28, 2019August 22, 2019
Virtua RacingArcade (Model 1)[23]April 25, 2019June 27, 2019
Wonder Boy in Monster LandArcade (System 2)[24]May 30, 2019
Space HarrierArcade (Space Harrier)[g][25]June 27, 2019August 22, 2019
Columns II
(Columns is also included[26])
Columns II: Arcade (System C)[26]
Columns: Sega Genesis[h][26]
August 8, 2019October 17, 2019
Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-RArcade (System C-2)/Sega Genesis[i][27]September 26, 2019
ShinobiArcade (System 16)[28]October 31, 2019January 23, 2020
Fantasy ZoneArcade (System 16A)[j][29]November 28, 2019
Puyo Puyo 2Arcade (System C-2)January 16, 2020February 20, 2020
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
(Knuckles in Sonic 2 is also included)
Sega Genesis[k]February 13, 2020
G-LOC: Air BattleArcade (Y Board)March 26, 2020April 30, 2020
Thunder Force ACArcade (System C-2)May 14, 2020May 28, 2020
Herzog ZweiSega GenesisAugust 27, 2020September 24, 2020

Reception

The first Sega Ages volume was a best-seller in the United Kingdom.[30] Next Generation rated it three stars out of five, and considered it better than the Namco Museum series.[31] GamePro gave it a negative review, saying that the three games in the collection "were never all that good to begin with", believing that the collection should have added other Sega games.[32] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly unanimously contended that the three included games were outstanding and praised their arcade-perfect recreations, though they felt the collection should have included more games and historical info, as other retro compilations of the time did. They gave it a 6.5 out of 10.[33] Sega Saturn Magazine gave it a 91%, likewise praising the three included games and the quality of the conversions. Though they criticized that After Burner and Space Harrier were somewhat wasted since they had already received excellent ports for the Sega Mega Drive and Sega 32X, they felt the compilation was worth getting for Out Run alone.[34]

See also

  • Sega Forever - similar series of releases made for iOS and Android devices.
  • 3D Classics - similar series of releases made for the Nintendo 3DS.

Notes

References