Phantasy Star II released March 21, 1989 in Japan on the Sega Mega Drive. It's March 21, 2019 in Japan right now.
At that point in time, Sega of America had not yet announced the Genesis system itself for stateside release. That happened at or around Summer CES 1989 in Chicago.
I'll bet the overwhelming majority of us were not aware of Sega's 16-bit console, the Mega Drive, at the time Phantasy Star II was out in Japan. This was before the modern internet and all.
There might have been mention on USENET newsgroups, but really, our first knowledge was of course, magazines.
EGM had been teasing about Phantasy Star II during Fall 1989 and that winter.
Phantasy Star II was a stunning fully sci-fi adventure, rather than the mix of magic, fantasy and sci-fi elements of the original game.
The U.S. finally saw Phantasy Star II released in stores in March, 1990 and it came with a lengthy full color hint book and map.
Phantasy Star II - A 30 Year Retrospective
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Confirming the March 1990 release on Genesis in the U.S., and impressions, a newsgroup post from the time:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/rec.games.video/vCjeWW4w7DA/qXs21jl4R2AJ
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Get Phantasy Star II NOW
Date: 13 Mar 90
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"Over the course of my lifetime I have played many a role-playing-game. When Phantasy Star first came out I was blown away by the graphics and complexity for an 8 bit system. I just got Phantasy Star II the other day and I have been blown away into another time zone.
Get this game, get this game NOW!!! Not only is it the best game to come out for the Genesis so far, but IMO one of the best RPG games to come out EVER. True it costs almost $100 but considering the size of this game it should take you several hundred hours to solve. And now more about the game...
With the cartage comes a nice full color map with a complete listing of every single weapon, spell, armor, etc... listed with how much damage it does and who can use it, a 48 page instruction book (which actually isn't all that bad, as opposed to some of their past instruction books), and last but not least, a 114 page full color, bounded hint booklet. This hint booklet is not only beautiful looking and laid out, but is extremely well written as well. However, what really makes this game is the game itself.
First of all is the music. It is absolutely amazing and if your Genesis is hooked up to a stero system, then just sit back and enjoy the tunes. When the numerious menus appear on screen they smoothly scroll on and off. They are also nicely laid out so when you have 5 or 6 menus on the screen at once you can mostly see them all. The combat fun to watch (however a little slow) and the pictures of the monsters make full use of the Genesis's 16 bit power. Probably the most impressive item in this game is the graphics.
The view-from-above shots are nicely done, but it's the pictures of the shop owners, other characters, and mosnters which give this game it's power. Someone must have stayed up many a late night to produce such mind numing graphics. I can't wait to bring my Genesis home over Spring Break and hook it up to my 42 inch screen TV.
If you like RPG games at all then buy this game. If you love RPG games the way I do, then get some cash together, go hop into a car, and drive to your local toy store and buy this game!!! It is truely a feast for the senses."
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U.S. print ad:
Magazine reviews --
EGM + Video Games & Computer Entertainment
GamePro
Computer Gaming World
Game Players
Sega Visions
Raze
ACE - Advanced Computer Entertainment
Artwork from the included Hint Book.
Probably the most cryptic thing ever said in official PSII material, that nobody ever mentions... Again, from the hint book.
"During the trip, Nei's skill will become better than the others. You must continue onward, and not worry. Remember, Nei is becoming stronger."
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