Famitsu recently confirmed “SEGA 3D Reprint Archives 3 Final Stage” for the Nintendo 3DS, the last of SEGA’s series of classic SEGA game compilations for the 3DS. This compilation will include After Burner II, Super Hang-On, Streets of Rage II, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Gunstar Heroes, and currently unannounced mystery title. This last game was to be decided by polling fans that filled out a survey (included with Reprint Archives 2 and Reprint Archives 1 & 2 Double Pack) asking for the most requested SEGA classic to be remastered.
The Famitsu article did list the 5th-2nd placers (thereby disqualifying them from the final listing):
- 5th: Wing War
- 4th: Gain Ground
- 3rd: OutRunners
- 2nd: Virtua Racing
We’ll see what the last game to be included in Reprint Archives 3 is later on! This compilation is scheduled for a December 22 release in Japan.
Many of SEGA’s classics have been released separately for the Nintendo 3DS across the world (3D Gunstar Heroes has already been released on its own, for example, as have all four of the other games planned for Reprint Archives 3), but the manner of releasing isn’t exactly the same between Japan and the West. Earlier this year in April, the SEGA 3D Classics Collection was released in North America. What we know as the SEGA 3D Classics Collection is the English version of “SEGA 3D Reprint Archives 2”.
As discussion of the Nintendo NX ramps up, what with purported leaks and rumors of incoming unveiling / releasing next year, let’s remember that the Nintendo 3DS is probably in its twilight. It does make sense that this is the last Reprint Archives release for the 3DS.
In any case, since this game will release late in the year 2016 (and considering the timing of any NX news), it remains to be seen if this compilation will be localized.
Today someone told me you can actually make your 3DS region free by simply putting some files into the SD card. Seriously thinking in skipping the very very late euro release and buying all 3 japanese releases. Sega should have really thought on a complete collection, at least for the west, instead of “lets just release this one because sonic is on the cover”…
It’s also a shame they didn’t start sooner in the 3DS life with those ports, this is really the only worth games to play using 3D and the technology is long forgotten. Oh wait, they can re-release them for PS VR! Go M2!