I'm seriously thinking about double dipping on Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 (otherwise known as Sega 3D Classics Collection)

If you're asking yourself: what does he mean, "double dipping"? What I mean is that I already own a copy of Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 (and the first Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives title, too, it has to be said), and despite that fact, I'm still considering buying the localized version of the sequel when it's released here on April 26.

Speaking of which, when Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 hits North American store shelves (as well as this region's 3DS eShop) this spring, it'll do so with a slightly different name. That name: Sega 3D Classics Collection.

As was the case with Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2, Sega 3D Classics Collection will contain a slew of well-loved games from Sega's extensive back catalog. Among them: Altered Beast, Fantasy Zone II (Master System iteration), Fantasy Zone II W, Galaxy Force II, Maze Walker (another old Master System title), Power Drift, Puyo Puyo 2, Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Blade.



Oh, and all of this retro wonderfulness can be yours for a measly $29.99.

So why am I just "thinking" about buying the Sega 3D Classics Collection at the moment--you know, as opposed to feeling certain I'll buy it? Well, like I revealed in this post's opening lines, I already own a copy of its Japanese counterpart. On top of that, I've yet to even stick that game's cartridge into my import 3DS LL.

Because of that, I'll continue to ponder the situation until I'm forced to make a decision one way or the other.

In the meantime, how did all of you react to the revelation that at least one of the Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives titles will soon be made available to owners of North American 3DS systems? Are you going to add Sega 3D Classics Collection to your, er, collection at some point down the road, or are you planning to give it a pass?

5 more games I bought in 2015 that I've regrettably (and embarrassingly) failed to play

Just before 2015 turned into 2016, I published a post with a headline very similar to the one you see above.

As was the case with that write-up, this one shines a spotlight on a handful--five, to be exact--games that I purchased last year but failed to play for even a second. (Hell, a couple of these suckers have yet to be unwrapped.)

Hatoful Boyfriend (Vita)--OK, so I don't feel too bad about "ignoring" this intriguing visual novel. For starters, I only bought it a few weeks ago. Also, I couldn't have played it even if I'd wanted to, as my Vita didn't have enough space to accommodate it. Now that I own not one, but two 16 GB Vita memory cards, though, I should be more than set to start wooing some avian hotties (or something along those lines).

MonHun Nikki: Poka Poka Airu Mura DX (3DS)--Out of all the titles singled out in these two posts, this one pains me the most. That's because I've wanted to play some version of this adorable Monster Hunter spin-off since the first PSP game hit Japanese store shelves in 2010. Now I own both that release and this 3DS port (of sorts) and I've yet to boot up either of them. Mark my words, I'll put some time into MonHun Nikki: Poka Poka Airu Mura DX before 2016 comes to a close.

Ni No Kuni (DS)--I know this portable take on Level-5's Studio Ghibli-backed, Dragon Quest-esque RPG supposedly pales in comparison to its PS3 counterpart, but I'm still itching to play it. Will I get hopelessly lost at some point because I can't properly traverse its inch-thick (at least) "Magic Master" book? (See a few photos of it and the rest of Ni No Kuni's beautiful packaging, in this post.) Quite possibly. Still, I'm willing to give it a go. Fingers crossed the game's more forgiving that some Japanese RPGs due to the fact that it was aimed at children.

Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives (3DS)--You know how I said earlier that at least a couple of the titles discussed in this pair of posts have yet to be opened? Well, this is one of them. And, yes, I'm ashamed to admit that. I'll do my best to put that shame to good use in 2016, though--meaning it should spur me to give this first Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives effort (as well as its just-released follow-up, which includes even more 3D-enhanced Sega classics) the attention it so clearly deserves sometime in the next 12 months.

Virtue's Last Reward (Vita)--Here's another Vita game I've only owned for a short while. In fact, my copy only arrived on my doorstep a day or so before I headed to Wisconsin for the holidays. So, I have a bit of an excuse for neglecting it. I wouldn't expect it to be neglected for much longer, though, as I absolutely loved the nearly 22 hours I spent with its DS-based predecessor (read some of my thoughts on 999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors in this post), and I've wanted to return to its oh-so-tense world ever since I finished it.

How about you? Did you buy any games in 2015 that, for one reason or another, you failed to play by the end of the year? Let me know which ones in the comments section below.

One more reason to buy Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 if you own a Japanese 3DS (hint: it involves Fantasy Zone)

OK, so you'll need more than a Japanese 3DS system and a copy of Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 to take advantage of the "reason" mentioned in the header above.

Specifically, you'll need to own a copy of the first Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives, too.

Why? Because people who own--and have played, for at least a second or two--both Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 3DS games will gain access to the Sega Mark III (aka Master System) version of Fantasy Zone that's been updated with FM sound.



If that last bit means nothing to you, read this post on segaretro.org. Also, watch the video above to see (and hear) this iteration of the original Fantasy Zone in action.

So, with that, now features 10 old Sega games, including Altered Beast, Fantasy Zone (Sega Mark III port), Fantasy Zone 2 (Sega Mark III), Fantasy Zone 2 DX, Galaxy Force II, Maze Walker (Sega Mark III), Power Drift, Puyo Puyo Tsu, Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Blade.

You've got a few options if you want to play this version of Sega's pastel-tinged shmup, by the way. If you already own the first Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives, you can simply buy the second compilation, which is due out on Dec. 23. And if you don't own either title, you can pick up the "double pack" that will be released on the same day.

(Via famitsu.com and neogaf.com)

Raise your hand if you, too, are stoked that Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 is being prepped for 3DS

If you heard something that sounded like a squeal of delight yesterday, it probably came from me.

Even if it what you heard wasn't me, I can guarantee you I made a whole slew of "happy noises" upon hearing that a second Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives is in the works (and will hit Japanese store shelves on Dec. 23).

Granted, I've yet to even stick my copy of the first Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives compilation, which was released in the Land of the Rising Sun late last year, into my import 3DS LL system, but that doesn't mean I can't be stoked about its sequel.

Actually, I'd be frothing-at-the-mouth excited about Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 even if I didn't own the original Fukkoku Archives thanks to its meaty lineup of games: Altered Beast, Fantasy Zone II DX, Galaxy Force II, Power Drift, Puyo Puyo 2, Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Blade.



As of now, the "3D Classics" versions of Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2 included here will be exclusive to this offering--although I have to imagine they'll receive a broader eShop release at some point down the road.

Also exclusive to Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2: three-dimensional updates of two old Master System (or Sega Mark III, if that's how you roll) titles, Fantasy Zone II and Maze Walker.

Initially I was a bit disappointed to learn that this second collection won't include the just-out 3D Gunstar Heroes, but then it hit me that its MIA status probably means a Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 3 is more likely than not.

If you'd like to check out a few screenshots of the Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2 versions of Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2, by the way, head on over to japanese3ds.com.

Update: amiami is now taking pre-orders for Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives 2. The price is 4,220 yen, which equals about $35. (Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes, I've already put myself down for a copy.)

I just pre-ordered a copy of The Legend of Legacy (3DS), which means a North American localization should be announced any day now

Actually, I pre-ordered a number of 3DS games--Japanese and otherwise--in the last week or so, with two of the "otherwise" games being Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. and The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

Getting back to The Legend of Legacy, though--as I've said before, this Japan-only (for the moment, at least) 3DS RPG is being developed for FuRyu by a bunch of the same people who worked on Square Enix's now-defunct SaGa series back in the day.

That, along with the game's interesting art style and unique pop-up-book world, was enough to push me to pre-order a copy (it's supposed to hit Japanese store shelves on Jan. 22) via amiami.com recently, despite the fact that I'm sure to flounder horribly while attempting to play through it.

While I was pre-ordering The Legend of Legacy, I also pre-ordered a copy of Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives, which combines six of the Sega 3D Classics eShop titles that have been released in that region so far (Fantasy Zone, Ecco the Dolphin, Out Run, Shinobi III, Space Harrier and Streets of Rage) as well as two bonus games--updated versions of Sega Master System's (or Sega Mark III's) Out Run 3D and Space Harrier 3D titles.

This budget-priced compilation is set to hit the streets (again, in Japan only--at least for now) on Dec. 18.

Considering Nintendo announced its intentions to publish Level-5's Fantasy Life in the West shortly after I picked up a Japanese copy of that game, I'm hoping these recent pre-orders of mine will prompt similar announcements regarding The Legend of Legacy's and Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives' overseas prospects.

Four recently-ish revealed pieces of Japanese box art that I think are pretty fabulous

Although I recently devoted three different posts to my favorite pieces of Japanese Dreamcast and PlayStation box art, I've been pretty lax as of late in terms of publishing my thoughts on more current examples of the medium.

So, here's a rather hastily thrown together attempt at making amends.

March Onwards! Captain Kinopio (Wii U)--This is a winner every which way you look at it, if you ask me, although I think the highlight of it is its use of color. The teal case combined with the golden background and cherry-tinged logo font makes the whole she-bang appear almost ... delicious.

Sega 3D Fukkoku Archives (3DS)--As fabulous as this Ken Sugimori-designed effort is, I've got to say I'd find it a whole lot more fabulous if its bottom edge didn't feature that black-and-blue "box of logos."

Sumikko Gurashi (3DS)--I hate cover art like this. You know why? Because it makes me want to buy a copy of the game, despite the fact that I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get much enjoy out of it even if I understood Japanese. (It's supposed to be some sort of "communication" game, whatever that means.)

Stranger of Sword City: Black Palace (Vita)--OK, so the way this Wizardry clone's characters are grouped in the middle of this cover illustration is far from unique (in fact, it's downright cliché), but the overall product is so striking that I'm will to give that misstep a pass.

What do all of you think of the above? Also, what are some of your current favorite pieces of cover art?