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Gaijinworks + Sunsoft acquire a ton classics for VC [Cosmic Fantasy, Valis, etc.]
cj iwakura
The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
The big press release:
So what could this mean for the future?
One major possibility, because Sunsoft and Working Designs have worked together before.
A portable or virtual console version? More Albert Odyssey games? Anything would be good, and Victor himself has said:
Fingers crossed.
DEBRIEF: SUNSOFT ACQUIRES ENTIRE NIHON TELENET SOFTWARE LIBRARY
* HOME
* DEBRIEF
* SUNSOFT ACQUIRES ENTIRE NIHON TELENET SOFTWARE LIBRARY
Redding, CA – December 10, 2009 – Sunsoft, a division of SUNCORPORATION (JASDAQ: 6736) , has today announced that they have completed the purchase of the entire software library of defunct Japanese game publisher Nihon Telenet. This transfer of intellectual property gives Sunsoft the ability to publish or remake over 100 Telenet titles originally published on key platforms like Nintendo Entertainment System, SEGA Genesis/SEGA CD, and PC-Engine/Turbografx, and Sony Playstation.
Nihon Telenet, also known as Nippon Telenet, who published under the Renovation brand in the USA, was a prolific developer and publisher of popular and well-crafted titles like the Valis Series, El Viento, Earnest Evans, Tenshi No Uta (Poems of the Angel), Exile, and Cosmic Fantasy series, to name only a few. One of the interesting trademarks of a Telenet game was that it was not uncommon to see characters from one title make a guest appearance in a different Telenet game or series.
Kiharu Yoshida, CEO of SUNCORPORATION said of the acquisition, “I am proud to have succeeded in creating a home for this large family of key software. We plan to carefully cultivate the great software base we have purchased with this transaction.”
Victor Ireland, President of GAIJINWORKS was instrumental in helping the deal come about and will assist Sunsoft in the implementation of a publishing plan for existing titles and development plans for those that are chosen to be remade. Ireland effused “After Telenet closed, I was sure there was a way to keep their great ideas and characters alive, and I’m extremely happy that Sunsoft has stepped into that role. There are numerous fantastic products to work with in this acquisition, and there is nothing but amazing possibilities for the Telenet IP as a whole.”
Initial plans are to quickly begin publication of the original software releases on Virtual Console systems available on the Wii and other platforms. Then new development of key titles in the library will be initiated, targeting the best and most-wanted to be remade for current consoles and services. Given that many of the Telenet series had only one of the installments released in the US, some of these Virtual Console and remade releases will be seen for the first time in Western markets.
In the coming months, the order of release for titles from this library will be announced and publication will begin, events sure to work game fans into a frothing lather. Suggestions and comments for the games to be chosen are welcome and can be made on the new Sunsoft USA message boards at www.sunsoftgames.com.
Sunsoft, a division of SUNCORPORATION, has today announced their return to active console game publishing for the North American market, aided by startup GAIJINWORKS.
Kiharu Yoshida, CEO of SUNCORPORATION (JASDAQ: 6736) initiated a meeting to discuss the possibility of reinvigorating the Sunsoft console gaming brand in the USA. At that meeting, it was quickly obvious that the relationship was a great fit. GAIJINWORKS President, Victor Ireland states, “My relationship with Sunsoft and Yoshida-san goes back more than 15 years, and when this opportunity presented itself to help Sunsoft return to the US console market, it was a natural fit for both our companies.”
This month, the Sunsoft website is being re-launched at sunsoftgames.com, where users will be able to get the latest information about current releases, upcoming games, and special promotions, as well as interact in the forum. Kiharu Yoshida wanted gamers to know that Sunsoft plans to launch a number of special promotions where big prizes can be won, and exclusive, limited edition premiums would be up for grabs as well. Ireland added that some of the swag being made would only be available through these promotions – and is sure to please Sunsoft fans, new and old.
The first title out of the gate for Sunsoft USA will be the Wii Virtual Console release of the Nintendo Entertainment System classic Blaster Master, due in December 2009. Originally titled Meta Fight in Japan, this groundbreaking game was given a story makeover and released in 1988 as Blaster Master™ here in the United States. It received strong critical acclaim and fan raves almost from the moment it hit these shores.
Blaster Master™ is still often listed on magazine and online charts as one of the top 25 NES games ever created. The sublime blend of side-scrolling shooting/platforming mixed with overhead perspective action/shooting areas is just as addictive now as it was then. It will be available for 500 Wii points.
In the coming weeks, additional titles coming to the US market will be announced, many of which will surprise and delight gaming fans. Ireland added, “This first Wii release is a great start, but there is one upcoming announcement in particular that will demonstrate just how serious Yoshida-san is about rebuilding the Sunsoft console gaming brand here. Game fans are going to be pretty happy when they hear about it – I know I was. “
About SUNCORPORATION. Located in Aichi prefecture in Japan, SUN CORPORATION has been innovating electronic equipment and software for almost forty years. Their corporate slogan, “Dream, Challenge, and Creation” perfectly summarizes the spirit that gave birth to their software company Sunsoft. Worldwide, Sunsoft has developed or published almost 100 games for both consoles and arcades. They also publish for iPhone and Windows mobile platforms.
About GAIJINWORKS. GAIJINWORKS was founded by Victor Ireland after spending more than 15 years as President of Working Designs, where he innovated deluxe packaging, special premiums, pack-in soundtracks and game documentaries for their RPG product. Many of the practices he innovated have become standard in the RPG segment, and console video games in general. GAIJINWORKS is focused on continuing a tradition of fanservice for game fans.
So what could this mean for the future?
One major possibility, because Sunsoft and Working Designs have worked together before.
A portable or virtual console version? More Albert Odyssey games? Anything would be good, and Victor himself has said:
"I'm really excited about the work we're doing with Sunsoft. The President of Sunsoft is really open to doing some very gamer-friendly things for the US market, especially. The next press release should definitely make some gamers very, very happy - especially old-school Working Designs fans."
Fingers crossed.
cj iwakura on
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Albert Odyssey was a lot of fun back in the day, but I'm not sure how well it's aged (I haven't played it in ten years or so). Mainly I remember a boss fight where a boss put everyone in my party but Gryzz to sleep and then wasted every turn for the rest of the battle trying to put him to sleep.
It's still really difficult, and has great music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67_ekpqADTc
Also, the shopkeeper is awesome.
"Yeah, Sunsoft just threw a bunch of money over our way so we're just going to go and buy digital distribution rights for all of the old Working Designs games and stick them on the PSN & XBLA. Oh and whenever you download a game, we'll ship you a free punching doll or necklace or some other random thing."
But yeah, that probably won't happen.
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
I remember buying it and being kind of disappointed with it, but I'm not sure what I was expecting. I believe I beat the first boss and stopped playing it.
I definitely enjoyed it more than the Genesis game, though.
My Backloggery
!!
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
Not... quite what I was hoping for, but okay, I guess?
Interesting all the same.
Glad to see Ireland has a healthy sense of humor.
To be a bit more specific, it was renewed recently. Keeping an eye on that thread in GAF. Gushed over Vic too. I probably played more WD games than I did from any other publisher back in the mid 90s.
Albert Odyssey will probably be a little dated for some, especially folks that didn't get to play it back in the day, which was a bunch since it was a Saturn game. It's still quality.
Hope to see Blaster Master used as an IP as well. Bionic Commando type remake? Hell yes.
That's... not the best news. Oh, yay, Valis.
Okay. That's nice. Maybe SunSoft's gonna by the IP for all of those niche Japanese games that somehow made it over to the States back in the day. You know, stuff like Telenet Japan and Valis and Tecno Soft and Herzog.
Ending spoilers for first game.
Switch: US 1651-2551-4335 JP 6310-4664-2624
MH3U Monster Cheat Sheet / MH3U Veggie Elder Ticket Guide
Spoilers for the first and second games.
Switch: US 1651-2551-4335 JP 6310-4664-2624
MH3U Monster Cheat Sheet / MH3U Veggie Elder Ticket Guide
That was pretty much my reaction to the announcement as well. I mean, Ireland was hyping up the BIG ANNOUNCEMENT as much as he could, and then it turns out to be... Valis? Cosmic Fantasy? Uh, yay?
I mean, do people need reminding what the ultimate fate of the Valis franchise was? I think Ireland might, actually, as all of this really smells of him trying to relive his glory days. I don't think he really wants to face the music that A) his real money-maker franchise (which is to say, Lunar) is now solidly out of his hands (and no longer sells well at any rate) and
I really don't want to hate on Victor Ireland, because his company really did call the rest of the industry to the mat in the 1990s and helped to raise the standards of game translation by a lot, but there's just nothing here you can sell to a modern audience, aside from maybe Blaster Master. If he tries to sell a Valis game to modern audiences, he'll just get laughed at.
And though I'm not as excited by the announcement as I might have been (WD PS1 classics on the PSN was what I was really hoping for), Cosmic Fantasy looks like a fun old school RPG series. And I daresay a new Valis could sell pretty well if they made a new one - hot anime chick + fanservice + Action/Platformer seems like a solid sales combination to me.
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVSEzF_qDcQ
It's just so...peppy, and upbeat, and adventurous, and surprisingly long for a NES game.
Can't wait for the VC release, and I'd love to see a new updated version.
If you ask me, the best legacy they've left behind are Growlanser 2 & 3 and Dragon Force, because all three games have immense replay value. AO & the Lunars are one shots, but they're just great RPGs all in all.
Elemental Gearbolt's also a great game, and probably the most well made light gunner of its kind. (Hard mode is for robots.)
But yeah, this is kind of underwhelming. Still, if they try to minimize costs and maximize profit, it could still work well for them.
I've never even played any of the games the press release mentions, I'm just familiar with them.
I played Blaster Master when it came out. So yeah, do want.
Gonna have to disagree with ya on that one.
Exile, Lunar, Popful Mail, Shining Wisdom, Parasol Stars, motherfucking Dragon Force, Alundra, Raystorm, Raycrisis, Thunder Force V, Growlanser, Daisenryaku?
Granted, those are out of his hands now, but still, Working Designs was fucking awesome.
The resurrection and resale of Valis alone will probably make it worth it. Telenet's holdings couldn't have been worth too much. Their best property, The Tales series, was finally taken over by Namco years and years ago.
I haven't played one in ages. I thought their handling of the last release was pretty good?
When in december though, damnit! WHEN! This has been in my top 5 awaited VC games since it's inception.
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
360
Bayonetta
Fable 3
DS
FF: 4 heroes of light
It was, even though V wasn't a very good game(not Atlus USA's fault, of course).
But they never wanted to bring us 1, 2, or 3. Working Designs took the initiative because Atlus USA wouldn't.
Reportedly we only got 5 because they thought 2 & 3 were very successful. They weren't; modest successes at best, and not enough to keep WD in business.
We also haven't gotten 4, 6, or the PSP remake of 1.
I've heard 6 is MUCH better than 5, and improves on it vastly.
Still, the artbook included with V was very well done.
I'd love to be wrong, but...
December 14th according to Sunsoft's website.
I have 700 points left in my Wii account so I know what I'll be playing next Monday.
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
A lot of Sunsoft's NES music from those days was pretty kickass. Batman and Journey to Silius come to mind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCA_msAEn8k
My Backloggery
What do you mean "near perfect"?
PS2
FF X replay
PS3
God of War 1&2 HD
Rachet and Clank Future
MGS 4
Prince of Persia
360
Bayonetta
Fable 3
DS
FF: 4 heroes of light
Cosmic Fantasy 2 is awesome old school RPG goodness. Exile games are tons of fun too, action RPGs. Valis is very mediocre, but it holds a special place in my heart. This is big news for those who hope to see the Turbo Grafx library in complete form on the Wii.
(I actually admit to owning Fester's Quest. I don't recall ever finishing it, but I own it.)
Still, I can think of more than a few Sun games that would be great on the VC, like Aero the Acro-bat, Road Runner's Death Valley Rally and Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions on the SNES. Good games, they were very long and could benefit from the save state.