Sega Ages

Sega Ages refers to a number of compilations or re-releases of classic video games from the developer's and/or publisher Sega.

Saturn version
The Sega-AM2 released several Sega Ages games for the Sega Saturn in Japan. These included


 * Out Run


 * Space Harrier


 * Galaxy Force II


 * After Burner II


 * Fantasy Zone


 * Power Drift

There were also two Sega Ages Memorial collections which included a number of older games per disc. These games aim to be faithful conversions of the original arcades. In 1996 the developer Working Designs published Sega Ages Volume 1 in the USA. The games that are inculded are the following.


 * OutRun


 * Space Harrier


 * After Burner II

In order to fit all three games on one disc. Working Designs had removed certain soundtracks of the original arcade music in each of the title. They also left only the remixed tracks calling it a "Refreshing Experience" for the player.

Sega Ages 2500
Sega Ages 2500 is a series of budget-priced retro-themed releases by Sega. These were released for the PlayStation 2 in Japan.

Initially, these were part of a joint venture with D3 Publisher called 3D AGES (SEGA D3 spelled backwards). These releases were primarily remakes of classic arcade titles with modern 3D graphics and new gameplay features. But also included 2D remakes like the Phantasy Star games. Also it had ports like Virtua Racing, Bonanza Bros. This version was harshly criticized for is's low production values, and inferior gameplay, and visuals that lacked in the originals charm.

Sega assumed control of the project with the release of Decathlete. Also the 3D AGES development studio was shut down with the release of Phantasy Star Generation 2. At this point the direction of the series changed from remakes to compilations, and ports of classic Sega games. Sega produced these titles themselves but the actual development work most of the time was outsourced to other video game studios. One of these studios where M2.

The new change that took place was shown in Fantasy Zone Complete Collection. The gamencluded a compilation of retro games as well as a remake of Fantasy Zone II.The games development took over two years. After that game Sega decided to retire the series. But they have not indicated if this retirement would be permanent.

The number "2500" refers to the price of the games in yen.

The current list of titles in the series:


 * Vol. 01 Phantasy Star Generation 1 (August 28, 2003)
 * Vol. 02 Monaco GP (August 28, 2003)
 * Vol. 03 Fantasy Zone (August 28, 2003)
 * Vol. 04 Space Harrier (September 25, 2003)
 * Vol. 05 Golden Axe (September 25, 2003)
 * Vol. 06 Bonanza Bros. (January 15, 2004)
 * Vol. 07 Columns (December 18, 2003)
 * Vol. 08 Virtua Racing (February 26, 2004)
 * Vol. 09 Gain Ground (February 26, 2004)
 * Vol. 10 Afterburner II (March 18, 2004)
 * Vol. 11 Fist of the North Star (Unaltered version of the game known as Black Belt) (March 25, 2004)
 * Vol. 12 Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set (May 24, 2004)
 * Vol. 13 Outrun (May 27, 2004)
 * Vol. 14 Alien Syndrome (July 29, 2004)
 * Vol. 15 Decathlete Collection (July 29, 2004)
 * Vol. 16 Virtua Fighter 2 (October 14, 2004)
 * Vol. 17 Phantasy Star Generation 2 (March 24, 2005)
 * Vol. 18 Dragon Force (August 18, 2005)
 * Vol. 19 Fighting Vipers (April 28, 2005)
 * Vol. 20 Space Harrier Complete Collection (October 27, 2005)
 * Vol. 21 SEGA System 16 Collection: SDI & Quartet (October 27, 2005)
 * Vol. 22 Advanced Daisenryaku: Doitsu Dengeki Sakusen (February 23, 2006)
 * Vol. 23 Sega Memorial Selection (December 22, 2005)
 * Vol. 24 Last Bronx (June 29, 2006)
 * Vol. 25 Gunstar Heroes, Treasure Box (February 23, 2006) (also contains Dynamite Headdy and Alien Soldier)
 * Vol. 26 Dynamite Deka (Die Hard Arcade) (April 27, 2006)
 * Vol. 27 Panzer Dragoon (April 27, 2006)
 * Vol. 28 Tetris Collection (September 28, 2006)
 * Vol. 29 Monster World Complete Collection (March 8, 2007) (Also known as the Wonder Boy series)
 * Vol. 30 Galaxy Force II Special Extended Edition (July 26, 2007)
 * Vol. 31 Cyber Troopers Virtual-On (October 25, 2007)
 * Vol. 32 Phantasy Star Complete Collection (March 27, 2008)
 * Vol. 33 Fantasy Zone Complete Collection (September 11, 2008)

Sega Classics Collection
Some of these games have been released in North America and Europe on the Sega Classics Collection for the PlayStation 2.


 * Monaco GP (Vol. 2)


 * Fantasy Zone (Vol. 3)


 * Space Harrier (Vol. 4)


 * Golden Axe (Vol. 5)


 * Bonanza Bros. (in the form of Tant-R & Bonanza Bros.)


 * Columns (Vol. 7)


 * Virtua Racing (Vol. 8)


 * Outrun (Vol. 13)

Alien Syndrome was released on the North American version of the Sega Classics Collection. But it was removed from the European release to hold the game's Pegi (Pan European Games Information) 12+ rating.

Sega Ages Online / Sega Vintage Collection
This was the third outing of SEGA AGES released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This consisted of collections of games, with the following being released in North America, Europe and Japan on both consoles:


 * 1) Sega Classics Collection: Includes Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Revenge of Shinobi, Super Hang-On
 * 2) Monster World Collection: Includes Wonder Boy in Monster World, Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Monster World IV
 * 3) Golden Axe Collection: Includes Golden Axe, Golden Axe II, Golden Axe III
 * 4) Bare Knuckle Collection: Includes Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2, Streets of Rage 3
 * 5) ToeJam & Earl Collection: Includes ToeJam & Earl, ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron

These collections were only released to Japanese audiences on the PlayStation 3:


 * Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box: Includes Gunstar Heroes, Gunstar Heroes (GG), Gunstar Heroes (prototype version), Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, Dynamite Headdy (SMS), Dynamite Headdy (GG)
 * Sega Memorial Selection: Includes Head-On, Tranquilizer Gun, Borderline, Congo Bongo, Doki Doki Penguin Land and remakes of those games
 * Phantasy Star Complete Collection: Includes Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom, Phantasy Star Gaiden, Phantasy Star Adventure, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium, Phantasy Star Text Adventures
 * Dragon Force: A remake of Dragon Force. Despite not being a collection it was included in this line.
 * Dynamite Deka: A remake of Dynamite Deka. Despite not being a collection it was included in this line.

SEGA AGES(Switch)
The fourth outing of SEGA AGES available on Nintendo Switch. This version of the series has Alex Kidd presenting each game alongside a group of familiar faces appearing as cameos in the opening. The games available in this series:


 * Sonic the Hedgehog
 * Thunder Force IV
 * Phantasy Star
 * Out Run
 * Gain Ground
 * Alex Kidd in Miracle World
 * Puyo Puyo
 * Virtua Racing
 * Wonder Boy in Monster Land
 * Space Harrier
 * Columns II (includes Columns. This game has (most) of the cameo scorecard characters be unlockable avatars)
 * Puzzle & Action: Ichidant-R
 * Shinobi
 * Fantasy Zone
 * Puyo Puyo 2
 * Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Knuckles is also playable in this version)
 * G-LOC: Air Battle
 * Thunder Force AC
 * Herzog Zwei



Trivia

 * The name "Sega Ages" is a palindrome.
 * In the Nintendo Switch collection Alex Kidd will present each game. If the game is Alex Kidd in Miracle World however, he leaps into the screen ready to be played.