SEGA promised it would have “HUGE” news at SEGA FES 2018 earlier today and it delivered, offering not one, not two, but four rather impressive announcements.
Most of the announcements were somewhat predictable (in the previous article I accurately predicted two announcements and was somewhat close to another), but the real surprise is that we got anything at all. The guesses were made under the assumption that SEGA would actually announce something worthwhile, but as stated before, SEGA typically doesn’t have many exciting announcements during its FES events.
This year was different, however, and there was something for everyone.
Shenmue I & II HD
First off, SEGA announced that at long last Shenmue I & II will be coming to modern consoles in 2018. Specifically, the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
These will be completely enhanced versions of the originals, featuring fully scalable screen resolution, choice of modern or classic control schemes, PC graphics options, an updated user interface and the option to choose between the original Japanese or English voiceovers.
Mega Drive Mini
Next, following in the footsteps of the Sega Genesis Mini, SEGA announced the coming of the Mega Drive Mini. The full range of games it will offer is unknown (it seems SEGA was asking fans what titles they wanted?), but we do know it will be arriving in Japan in 2018.
SEGA Ages
Third, SEGA announced SEGA Ages for the Nintendo Switch and be available via the Nintendo eShop. It will be coming to Japan and the West this summer.
Overall, this looks reminiscent of the SEGA Genesis Classics that was inadvertently leaked in February, but with titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Thunder Force IV and Phantasy Star, along with its availability on the Switch, it looks like owners of the Nintendo console got the better deal — especially because the SEGA Ages compilations on the SEGA Saturn and PlayStation 2 were never entirely localized.
Sakura Taisen
Lastly, SEGA revealed that a new entry in the Sakura Taisen (known as Sakura Wars in the West) series is in the works.
For those unfamiliar with the series, Sakura Taisen is a series of tactical RPGs that features a sim-based story system where the player’s actions have a direct impact on the game’s outcome. Since its debut in 1996 on the Sega Saturn, it has gone on to get four more entries in the main series, with the last arriving in 2005 for the PlayStation 2. So far, the only entry to have made it to the West was the fifth entry, Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love in 2010 for the PS2 and Wii.
As for this entry, all we know is that it will be set in Taisho era 1929.
Well played, SEGA, well played.
