Its just a shame because they talked about adding widescreen to other games (think it was space harrier). I guess that means they may add it to the Sonic games too, but haven't heard of anything.
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New set of SEGA Ages games revealed for Switch
- Thread starter Shard Shinjuku
- Start date
Taxman version differences:
-Special Stages run at 60 fps instead of 15 fps
-Sonic 3 elemental shields can be toggled on/off, replacing normal shields in level layouts
-Knuckles present, and Tails can fly
-Time Attack Mode ala Sonic CD, Sonic Mania, etc
-expanded 2-player mode with double the levels of the original, including split-screen 2-player chemical plant zone (which was impossible on the Genesis for hardware reasons related to water effects)
-2 player mode now includes Sonic 3 elemental shields by default (can be toggled on or off)
-Multiple game saves ala Sonic 3, Sonic Mania, etc
-new 8th special stage
-2 versions of Hidden Palace Zone - both the original proto version accessable through debug mode, and the finished new version in Mystic Cave Zone
-Switch between Sonic 2 and Sonic CD style air-physics
-Boss attack mode (with new, unique art from a scrapped level based on Techno Tower Prototype from Sonic Crackers):
-720x480 16:9 resolution as opposed to 320x240 4:3 resolution of the original
-occasional objects such as shields now use true transparency
-Every single patch difference Sonic & Knuckles provides to Sonic 2 is included in the Taxman port, most of which can be explained here: https://s3unlocked.blogspot.com/search/label/Lock-on
It is impossible to add wide screen support to Sonic the Hedgehog without rewriting enormous chunks of the game and also redefining how the Genesis hardware itself works. The reasons are too numerous to list as to why this is not feasible from a rom hack even with a custom emulator. It ties in directly to how the timing of the game itself works.
The type of work that would need to be done to make the Sonic games widescreen has already been done. In short, the process is "1) define new virtual hardware that extends the capabilities of the genesis, and 2) Rewrite the sonic engine and object definitions in game to take advantage of the new virtual hardware." That is literally why the Taxman games exist at all. His ports are already exactly that.
-Special Stages run at 60 fps instead of 15 fps
-Sonic 3 elemental shields can be toggled on/off, replacing normal shields in level layouts
-Knuckles present, and Tails can fly
-Time Attack Mode ala Sonic CD, Sonic Mania, etc
-expanded 2-player mode with double the levels of the original, including split-screen 2-player chemical plant zone (which was impossible on the Genesis for hardware reasons related to water effects)
-2 player mode now includes Sonic 3 elemental shields by default (can be toggled on or off)
-Multiple game saves ala Sonic 3, Sonic Mania, etc
-new 8th special stage
-2 versions of Hidden Palace Zone - both the original proto version accessable through debug mode, and the finished new version in Mystic Cave Zone
-Switch between Sonic 2 and Sonic CD style air-physics
-Boss attack mode (with new, unique art from a scrapped level based on Techno Tower Prototype from Sonic Crackers):
-720x480 16:9 resolution as opposed to 320x240 4:3 resolution of the original
-occasional objects such as shields now use true transparency
-Every single patch difference Sonic & Knuckles provides to Sonic 2 is included in the Taxman port, most of which can be explained here: https://s3unlocked.blogspot.com/search/label/Lock-on
It is impossible to add wide screen support to Sonic the Hedgehog without rewriting enormous chunks of the game and also redefining how the Genesis hardware itself works. The reasons are too numerous to list as to why this is not feasible from a rom hack even with a custom emulator. It ties in directly to how the timing of the game itself works.
The type of work that would need to be done to make the Sonic games widescreen has already been done. In short, the process is "1) define new virtual hardware that extends the capabilities of the genesis, and 2) Rewrite the sonic engine and object definitions in game to take advantage of the new virtual hardware." That is literally why the Taxman games exist at all. His ports are already exactly that.
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Still nothing there for me. :(
Recently played through Sonic 1/2 and the SoR trilogy again on the MegaDrive Collection PS4 and that was just fine. Might be interested in Sonic 3 before I play it elsewhere..
And I would consider that Phantasy Star 4 PS2 version as I never played that franchise apart from PSO on DC.
Recently played through Sonic 1/2 and the SoR trilogy again on the MegaDrive Collection PS4 and that was just fine. Might be interested in Sonic 3 before I play it elsewhere..
And I would consider that Phantasy Star 4 PS2 version as I never played that franchise apart from PSO on DC.
This is an awesome and informative post and I learned some things. But reading it really makes me disappointed for what came of the work that went into those mobile versions. At least we got Mania. I just can't read that and not think, for these specific games, that Sega is approaching the problem from the wrong angle.
This is a dead horse though. Is what it is.
The reason certain arcade games got widescreen on 3D Classics is because they were ported rather than emulated. I'd expect it'll be the same on Sega Ages.
That's the version people are talking about, yes. There is also an android port. You can use keyboards or joysticks to play all the Taxman sonic games, too, and they specifically have a slider in the options menu to turn off the on-screen controls. Particularly with something like a Google Nexus Player or an Nvidia Shield, you can actually play them on a TV just like it was a console game, which is how I usually play them. But I suspect many would never resort to that, which is why it's such a bummer that all these Sega Ages versions are NOT the Taxman versions.
Real talk: I've been this close to taking the plunge on a Shield for the express purpose of being able to properly play those versions of Sonic 1 and 2, which is kinda hilarious considering there's plenty of other great reasons to own one, lol.
I use the shield portable, but have an HDMI out cable for it and a second external controller, so I can set it into console mode and play it from the couch.
So, ironically, I could also play on the go with a controller, because the shield portable has built in controls. I just want others to play the taxman ports of those games, because they're so good.
Sega's been one of the best 3rd parties on Switch with a ton of releases. Basically all it's missing is the Yakuza Studio stuff.
Sega Ages is like a crown jewel, this series is something worth being envious of if you don't have a Switch.
Sites are now open:
http://archives.sega.jp/segaages/
Sonic 2 seems to have gotten the short end boarder-wise, hopefully it's just a placeholder:
https://twitter.com/SEGA_OFFICIAL/status/1040075300191621122
http://archives.sega.jp/segaages/
Sonic 2 seems to have gotten the short end boarder-wise, hopefully it's just a placeholder:
https://twitter.com/SEGA_OFFICIAL/status/1040075300191621122
Yeah that is pretty uninspired. The Sonic 1 one looks great.Sites are now open:
http://archives.sega.jp/segaages/
Sonic 2 seems to have gotten the short end boarder-wise, hopefully it's just a placeholder:
https://twitter.com/SEGA_OFFICIAL/status/1040075300191621122
Also, looks like Outrun has widescreen too, in addition to Space Harrier. Happy I don't have to keep a ~30GB Yakuza install around to play it on a whim.
Sites are now open:
http://archives.sega.jp/segaages/
Sonic 2 seems to have gotten the short end boarder-wise, hopefully it's just a placeholder:
https://twitter.com/SEGA_OFFICIAL/status/1040075300191621122
Anyone who can speak japanese can tell if there is any new info on what will be added for the new games ?
Pack it up, the Switch doesn't need any more games now. Outside of Nintendo's early offerings, games like Space Harrier and OutRun define this medium for me.
Thunder Force AC has the Kids Mode from the Saturn version, as well as online leaderboards and another bonus/es not yet revealed.
Columns II has online play and will also feature a new easy mode for single-player.
Outrun will have new gyro controls, as well as arranged versions of three songs from other Outrun games.
Sonic 2 is getting the Drop Dash upgrade.and a time attack mode with online leaderboards, same as Sonic 1.
These new features are in addition to whichever features were added for the 3DS versions, so Outrun comes with the new tunes, Sonic 2 has the ring keeper mode, etc. There'll probably be other little additions announced closer to release, too.
We think the same!
Pack it up, the Switch doesn't need any more games now. Outside of Nintendo's early offerings, games like Space Harrier and OutRun define this medium for me.
Now for Sega Rally 1+2, Daytona USA, Outrunners, Powerdrift, Golden Axe Trilogy, Fantasy Zone, Alein Storm, E Swat, Afterburner II, Super Hang On, Out Run Europa, Nights into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon, Virtua EVERYTHING!, Fighters Megamix.........*phew* actually there's too many.
This and Hamster + Nintendo and Snes classics is a dream machine.
I know it sounds cliche, but I would never have imagined to have a tiny arcade in my pocket one day.
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Thanks! :D I also noticed no mention of a Mega Play mode announced for Sonic 2 yet even though it exists. I feel it's a ways off, maybe even early next year if they are sticking to 1-2 games a month.
Perhaps, or it may be that they're not bothering because it's barely any different to regular Sonic 2, even compared to the first Mega Play conversion.
Not sure if that's really needed, since Outrun was not focused on precision steering most of the time, but it's good to have options.
It's more for tilt-style controls that emulate the arcade steering wheel, I think.
Have you seen what they added to the 3DS version?
Everything else will be "not sure if that's really needed, but it's good to have options" because they added everything they needed already
Wonder if they'll also add support for the Labo steering wheel for Outrun. M2 did express an interest in Labo support...
The 2013 Taxman version of Sonic 1 is similarly awesome. In addition to time attack, knuckles and tails, level patches, multiple game saves, widescreen, Sonic 3 elemental shields, etc, the special stages now rotate at 60 fps, super sonic (and knuckles and tails) are added, and the debug mode has been massively expanded, and includes a bunch of cut beta items that people can play with.
The Taxman port of Sonic 1 also includes a Special Stage level editor, where you can design and save you own 7th special stage, which gets placed in-game which allows you to unlock the super forms of character. In this custom special stage, you can place beta icons that were cut early in the production of Sonic 1 that were seen in early magazine scans.
The taxman ports of Sonic 1 and Sonic 2 are done using the Retro SDK V4. Sonic CD was Retro SDK V3, Sonic Mania is Retro SDK V5. V4 has a few physics fixes over Sonic CD and also fixes some physics and collision problems from the original Sonic engine that eventually carried over into Mania (which is why it's so much harder to get stuck in walls in mania than in past sonic games).
The announcement of so many games in quick succession is making me hopeful for a physical compilation.
A lot of these games look nice, but I'm done buying digital on consoles when I can help it.
A lot of these games look nice, but I'm done buying digital on consoles when I can help it.
Damn! I have every Taxman port, and I didn't knew Sonic 2 had so many new stuff! Maybe because I've never tried to play Sonic 2's multiplayer...Taxman version differences:
-Special Stages run at 60 fps instead of 15 fps
-Sonic 3 elemental shields can be toggled on/off, replacing normal shields in level layouts
-Knuckles present, and Tails can fly
-Time Attack Mode ala Sonic CD, Sonic Mania, etc
-expanded 2-player mode with double the levels of the original, including split-screen 2-player chemical plant zone (which was impossible on the Genesis for hardware reasons related to water effects)
-2 player mode now includes Sonic 3 elemental shields by default (can be toggled on or off)
-Multiple game saves ala Sonic 3, Sonic Mania, etc
-new 8th special stage
-2 versions of Hidden Palace Zone - both the original proto version accessable through debug mode, and the finished new version in Mystic Cave Zone
-Switch between Sonic 2 and Sonic CD style air-physics
-Boss attack mode (with new, unique art from a scrapped level based on Techno Tower Prototype from Sonic Crackers):
-720x480 16:9 resolution as opposed to 320x240 4:3 resolution of the original
-occasional objects such as shields now use true transparency
-Every single patch difference Sonic & Knuckles provides to Sonic 2 is included in the Taxman port, most of which can be explained here: https://s3unlocked.blogspot.com/search/label/Lock-on
It is impossible to add wide screen support to Sonic the Hedgehog without rewriting enormous chunks of the game and also redefining how the Genesis hardware itself works. The reasons are too numerous to list as to why this is not feasible from a rom hack even with a custom emulator. It ties in directly to how the timing of the game itself works.
The type of work that would need to be done to make the Sonic games widescreen has already been done. In short, the process is "1) define new virtual hardware that extends the capabilities of the genesis, and 2) Rewrite the sonic engine and object definitions in game to take advantage of the new virtual hardware." That is literally why the Taxman games exist at all. His ports are already exactly that.
Thanks for the info!
Anyways, there's finally a release date for the first two Ages games: 20th September:
http://www.nintendolife.com/news/20...les_are_finally_launching_on_switch_next_week
First off, Daytona USA should be ported to every system, every generation from here on out. It's still played in arcades, and the 1080p port last gen was glorious.
Second, the fact that we still haven't seen a home port of Daytona 2 or SuperGT is criminal. Give me every Sega arcade racer.
I'm still sad that Taxman did a homebrew port of Retro Engine to New 3DS that he never released. I mean I can understand why, he said people should buy M2's 3D Classics versions of Sonic 1-2, but he evidently had it 60fps and everything running perfectly with little optimization.
Maybe someday when the platform's truly dead he will release it and we can play the RE versions of Sonic 1/2/CD on our hacked n3DSes.
Yes, and you can also toggle on and off things that cause certain glitches, like the ground speed cap and the air cap. The games are ridiculously detailed in their options, they're made by the most hardcore sonic fans around.
I was watching a video of the upcoming SNK 40th Anniversary Collection and notice how the developers one-upped over M2.
While M2 has done saved replays, SNK collection actually allows players to jump in at any point in the replay. Neat! (Although, Starcraft 2 did it first.) So, I wonder if M2 will implement a similar feature.
While M2 has done saved replays, SNK collection actually allows players to jump in at any point in the replay. Neat! (Although, Starcraft 2 did it first.) So, I wonder if M2 will implement a similar feature.