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Sega Ages
File:Sega Ages logo.jpg
Developer(s)Sega, M2, 3D Ages, SIMS
Publisher(s)Sega
Year introduced1996
Genre(s)

Sega Ages (セガエイジス Sega Eijisu?) 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.

Most of the Sega Saturn and PlayStation 2 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 Vol. 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, however Sega would soon develop the games in-house following the departure of D3 Publisher from the project.

Games[edit]

Sega Ages (Sega Saturn)[edit]

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, would be compiled into the video game compilation Sega Ages Volume 1, released in Europe in 1996 by Sega itself and in North America in 1997 by Working Designs under their Spaz imprint. Despite the title, no additional volumes would be released in these territories.

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

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

Sega Ages 2500 (PlayStation 2)[edit]

The second series was released for the PlayStation in 2003 and concluding in 2008, known as the Sega Ages 2500 series - this title comes from the ¥2500 price point the game had. 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, with the sole reason to create games under the Sega Ages 2500 series. Later in 2004, D3 Publisher would leave the project and give Sega complete control of the company.

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. 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. 3D Ages was disbanded in late 2005 and absorbed into Sega.

Due to complications with Sony Computer Entertainment America, Sega was disallowed from releasing the games individually outside Japan. 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.

Title Release date Included games
Vol. 1: Phantasy Star Generation: 1 August 28, 2003 Remake of Phantasy Star
Vol. 2: Monaco GP August 28, 2003 Remake of Monaco GP
Vol. 3: Fantasy Zone August 28, 2003 Remake of Fantasy Zone
Vol. 4: Space Harrier September 25, 2003 Remake of Space Harrier
Vol. 5: Golden Axe September 25, 2003 Remake of Golden Axe
Vol. 6: Ichini no Tant-R to Bonanza Bros. August 28, 2003 Remakes of Bonanza Bros. and Puzzle & Action: Tant-R
Vol. 7: Columns January 25, 2004 Columns, remake of Columns
Vol. 8: Virtua Racing FlatOut February 26, 2004 Remake of Virtua Racing
Vol. 9: Gain Ground February 26, 2004 Remake of Gain Ground
Vol. 10: After Burner II March 25, 2004 Remake of After Burner II
Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken March 25, 2004 Remake of Hokuto no Ken
Vol. 12: Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set May 24, 2004 Puyo Puyo 2
Vol. 13: Out Run May 27, 2004 Remake of Out Run
Vol. 14: Alien Syndrome July 9, 2004 Remake of Alien Syndrome
Vol. 15: Decathlete Collection July 9, 2004 Decathlete, Winter Heat, Virtua Athlete 2K
Vol. 16: Virtua Fighter 2 October 14, 2004 Virtua Fighter 2
Vol. 17: Phantasy Star Generation: 2 March 24, 2005 Remake of Phantasy Star II
Vol. 18: Dragon Force August 18, 2005 Remake of Dragon Force
Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers August 28, 2005 Fighting Vipers
Vol. 20: Space Harrier Complete Collection 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 October 27, 2005 SDI, Quartet
Vol. 22: Advanced Daisenryaku: Deustch Dengeki Sakusen February 23, 2006 Remake of Advanced Daisenryaku
Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection December 22, 2006 Head-On, Tranquilizer Gun, Borderline, Congo Bongo, Doki Doki Penguin Land, remakes of said games
Vol. 24: Last Bronx - Tokyo Bangaichi December 29, 2006 Last Bronx
Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box 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 April 27, 2007 Remake of Dynamite Deka
Vol. 27: Panzer Dragoon April 27, 2007 Panzer Dragoon, remake of Panzer Dragoon
Vol. 28: Tetris Collection June 28, 2007 Tetris (Sega), Bloxeed, Flashpoint, Tetris New Century, Flashpoint (prototype)
Vol. 29: Monster World Complete Collection 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 August 26, 2007 Galaxy Force II, Galaxy Force II (SMS), Galaxy Force II (SG), Galaxy Force Neo Classic
Vol. 31: Cyber Troopers Virtual-On October 25, 2007 Remake of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On
Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete Collection 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 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)[edit]

The third series was released for the Xbox 360 that was both introduced and concluded in 2012. This series consisted of releases from the Sega Vintage Collection series, originally released in North America and Europe, from 2007-2009, 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. The games were developed by M2 as opposed to being made in-house by Sega. Ten releases were made in total, making it the shortest of the Sega Ages series.

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

Sega Ages (Nintendo Switch)[edit]

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. Although Sega stated that games from the Sega Saturn and Dreamcast would be made available later on, the series finished in Japan in August 2020 and in Worldwide in September 2020 without these, although Sega stated their intention to continue re-releasing older titles in other ways.

Title Original system Japanese release Worldwide release
Sonic the Hedgehog Sega Genesis/Arcade (Sega Mega Play) September 20, 2018
Thunder Force IV Sega Genesis
Phantasy Star Master System October 31, 2018 December 13, 2018
Out Run Arcade (Sega OutRun) November 29, 2018 January 10, 2019
Gain Ground Arcade (Sega System 24) December 27, 2018 March 28, 2019
Alex Kidd in Miracle World Master System February 21, 2019
Puyo Puyo Arcade (Sega System C-2) March 28, 2019 August 22, 2019
Virtua Racing Arcade (Sega Model 1) April 25, 2019 June 27, 2019
Wonder Boy in Monster Land Arcade (Sega System 2) May 30, 2019
Space Harrier Arcade (Sega Space Harrier) June 27, 2019 August 22, 2019
Columns II
(Columns is also included)
Columns II: Arcade (Sega System C)
Columns: Sega Genesis[1]
August 8, 2019 October 17, 2019
Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R Arcade (Sega System C-2)/Sega Genesis[2] September 26, 2019
Shinobi Arcade (Sega System 16) October 31, 2019 January 23, 2020
Fantasy Zone Arcade (Sega System 16A)[3] November 28, 2019
Puyo Puyo 2 Arcade (Sega System C-2) January 16, 2020 February 20, 2020
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
(Knuckles in Sonic 2 is also included)
Sega Genesis[4] February 13, 2020
G-LOC: Air Battle Arcade (Sega Y Board) March 26, 2020 April 30, 2020
Thunder Force AC Arcade (Sega System C-2) May 14, 2020 May 28, 2020
Herzog Zwei Sega Genesis August 27, 2020 September 24, 2020

References[edit]

  1. The port of Columns I is based on the PlayStation Vita port which was included in Ryū ga Gotoku 0: Free to Play Application for PlayStation Vita.
  2. The Sega Genesis port of Ichidant-R includes the Quest, Compe and Free modes, all exclusive to the console at the time.
  3. Some additional features were ported from the complete version of PS2 and the Nintendo 3DS version.
  4. In the original release, Knuckles in Sonic 2 could only be played by locking-on the Sonic 2 cartridge to a Sonic & Knuckles cartridge.