A sequel of sorts was released for the PlayStation in 1997--which was later ported (rather shabbily, it seems) to the PSP in 2008. Oh, and a DS version containing both the Super Famicom original and the PlayStation follow-up hit store shelves--only in Japan, of course--in 2009.
If all that sounds a bit odd, well, it is--but it's also charming and exhilarating and even pull-out-your-hair tough.
As you probably can tell, I'm a big fan of these games--the one that started it all, especially--and, given that, I was beyond excited to learn yesterday afternoon that a new entry in this series is coming to the Japanese 3DS this summer.
The game will be called Sayonara Umihara Kawase, according to the latest issue of Famitsu, and apparently it will be an all-new game (as opposed to another compilation of the Super Famicom and PlayStation titles a la the DS iteration).
Assuming the finished product looks OK, I'm planning to pick up a copy as soon as it's available. I know that's not an option for every 3DS fan, though, so here's hoping some bold company brings it to the rest of the world sooner rather than later.
(News via tinycartridge.com, images via sufamithoughts.com)
Coool. :D
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm just thinking of the Akedo breakup, but it's surprising to me that this team would still be together or that they could be reassembled for the project. I wonder if it will be much of a departure from the earlier games or something a bit more different?
don't you mean "For those of you who are, like, "sayonara what?" GET OUT UR BANNED!!" :B
ReplyDeletei am trying to be cynical and reserved about this but it's so very difficult. it's amazing that original team members have reassembled for this.
Although I think it would be awesome if the entire team that made the first two games came back to make this one, I'm a bit skeptical about that being the case, Michael. I have a feeling we may learn in the end that Kiyoshi Sakai and Toshinobu Kondo are working on this one along with new team members (and maybe some old). I don't know that for a fact, though, so don't take it as gospel!
ReplyDeleteRegardless, it'll be interesting to see what they come up with. One thing that was noted on NeoGAF last night was that this sequel will have additional playable characters, so that alone should be interesting. I'm guessing some of them will weigh more or less than Umihara herself, and the weight differences will impact your ability to swing, etc?
Ha ha! I thought about it, sharc, but I know I haven't written about these games a ton and so come folks who have only been playing games since, say, the PS2 era may have never heard of this series.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm remaining cautiously optimistic about the game as well, as it's kind of hard to believe anyone--even the original team--will be able to recreate the magic of the first games. I hope they will, though :)
I certainly hope someone brings it stateside. I'd snap that up in a minute.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, too. The good news is that Natsume was in talks to bring the DS version to the US a few years ago (it seems those talks broke off due to some legal issues or something like that), so hopefully they or someone else will give this one serious thought, too.
ReplyDeleteYes! I actually first heard of this game series through Game Center CX and it looked incredibly fun, if challenging. I halfway expected someone to bring the PS version to PSN via the imports section but it still hasn't happened... Well, if the 3DS game isn't too big then maybe someone will stick it on the eShop!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, I also like that Game Center CX episode, Marcus. Someone recently made me aware of it on Twitter, and I got a real kick out of seeing it :)
ReplyDeleteIt really is too bad the DS wasn't brought out in the US (and Europe?) as planned, as it really is the perfect version of the initial four releases. Of course, the DS is region-free, but copies of the Japanese version can be pretty pricey.
Anyway, yes, I'm with you in hoping someone finds a way to bring this sequel to folks outside of Japan--even if that means doing so via the eShop!
I'd say that at least our chances of getting it in the States are better than ever nowadays. Here's hoping! I only discovered it last year on PSX and it's got that odd mixture of cuteness and surreal atmosphere and peppy music that make it instantly memorable. I got a studio Ghibli vibe from it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jeremy. As for the PSX version having a Studio Ghibli vibe: I can see that! Have you ever played the Super Fami version, BTW? It might be a bit difficult to go back to after playing the PSX version, but in some ways I prefer the SF one to its follow-up.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I haven't! Honestly I discovered the PSX version because I borrowed a modified PS2 and realized I could finally bootleg anything I wanted, haha. I filled up a cd binder with games I had never even heard of. Now that I've gotten more into legit importing with my Famicom I'm looking to modify my SNES and move up into a little Super Famicom collecting.
ReplyDeleteWell, there you go! Just to warn you, though, copies of the Super Famicom version can be pricey. Or at least they seem to be on eBay. Still, it's a great one to own if you've got the dough!
ReplyDeleteYou already know that I adore me some Umihara Kawase, so you can probably imagine how much I'm looking forward to this one.
ReplyDeleteI've got zero hope of it coming to America, though, so it could be just one more reason for me to stop procrastinating and just get a Japanese 3DSLL already....
Oh, yes, I knew you were a fan, too, Espiga. I hope you're wrong about it coming to NA, though--or not coming to NA, as it were. Not that it'll likely matter much to me, personally, but I want everyone to be able to experience this game!
ReplyDeleteBTW, this game and a few others have me wishing I would have bought a Japanese LL rather than a regular 3DS. Oh, well!
I hope that do not kill her off at the end. That would be sad :(
ReplyDeleteWell, yes, Zigfried, I guess it would be! I can't see them doing that, though. Uh, maybe one of the aquatic creatures will turn into a prince--or princess!--and she'll go off with that person, happily ever after :)
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