| Scraping
the barrel
[November 2006 update]
 - - -
[Update
November 29, 2006]
'Trigger
Heart Exelica' & 'Karous' added. All other parts updated.
[Update
January 28, 2006]
'Under Defeat' release
added. Wahey!
[Update
December 10, 2005]
Game status for 'Radilgy' updated.
[Update
September 18, 2005]
To keep up with changes -or the lack of them- here's an update
.
Talking June
2005 now, I thought I'd give you guys an overview on upcoming
Dreamcast releases.
'Upcoming Dreamcast releases? Which ones exactly?' Yeah, I
admit that Sega.jp's schedule is as empty as a deaf man's
cd rack, but what isn't there could be in just a few weeks
time. It's these titles I'll be looking at. Let's start with
the title that everyone knows about to linger on the release schedule for -like- forever. Indeed, it's;
RING AGE
-Developer: Takuyo
game
-Info page (JAP)
-Chances of release: 50%
What is it?
It's an action adventure in which players run around dungeons,
digging out treasures. Judging from the screenshots, there's a
lot of speech/story in it as well. The game's best point is
the 4P mode, which could be a thing we probably won't see in any other
Dreamcast release anymore. Graphically it all look a little
basic and psx-esque, but when the gameplay is done right,
this
could be an interesting title.
When is it coming?
Well, like said above, it was planned for release in 2003,
then it became 2004, and
now were already half past 2005. It remained on the 'to be
released' schedule in all that
time and now its status has been changed to 'TBA/Undecided'.
Most people thought Takuyo
cancelled the title alltogether, but recently a message came
back from them that it wasn't.
If we will see it, it probably will be released Q4 of
2005.
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
Yeah, as if. Takuyosoft
still haven't officially cancelled the title but that's about
it. The only
thing that came out of them was a discount sale on some of their older
DC titles.
Chances of release, as
of now: 20%
Somehow I really start to doubt we'll ever see this
title. It's up to Takuyosoft to
prove me wrong.
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
Nah.
Chances of release, as
of now: 0,000001%
Takuyo is aiming
at a May 2036 release. Can't wait!
SENKO NO
RONDE
-Developer: G-REV
-Info
page, arcade version (JAP)
-Chances of release: 80%
What is it?
It's a 2D/Semi 3D fighter/shooter crossover. Instead of using
the usual arsenal of kicks and
punches (which is still possible, though) , Ronde's fighters
battle with their personal drones/ships.
Huge fights with plenty of fire power take over and drain the
hp bars. A great idea and the overall popularity of this game
reflects this. Even AM studios are supporting this title,
which can only be a good thing. Defenitely one of the most
interesting 'possible Dreamcast releases'.
When is it coming?
I recall -someone-
saying -somewhere- (DC scene?) that G-REV had planned to
release the Dreamcast version of Senko no Ronde four months
after the Arcade version. If that's true, we
could be looking at a Q3 2005 release. Here's hoping!
[Update
September 2005]
Anything happened?
Well, yeah. But
unfortunately it isn't Dreamcast related. G-REV announced a
XBOX360
release last week, which -all things considered- isn't good
news. No news on the DC version..
Chances of release, as
of now: 40%
If I were G-REV and
would want to sell a XBOX360 title, I wouldn't consider
releasing it on
a seven year old console as well. Think about it. Still, who
knows eh?
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
G-REV released the XBOX360 game and an arcade expansion but
that's about it.
Chance of release, as of
now: 10%
I don't think we'll see
this one. Bit late now. Bummer!
UNDER DEFEAT
-Developer: G-REV
-Info
page, Dreamcast version (JAP)
-Chances of release: 100%
What is it?
A 2D shoot 'em up
running on an actual 3D engine. Under defeat is
arguably the most impressive
2D shooter for the Dreamcast yet. G-Rev's attention to
detail design strikes again. Under defeat features
loads of little touches that both makes everything appear very
realistic and really sets the mood. G-REV promises a 2
player mode, a replay mode (in which the player can watch the
action from multiple angles!), bonus artwork and loads more.
It's bound to become something very special indeed.
When is it coming?
It's out now and boy does it rock!
RADILGY
-Developer: MileStone
inc.
-Info
page, arcade version (JAP)
-Chances of release: 60%
What is it?
A very cartoonish 2D
shooter featuring very nicely done graphics, varied
backgrounds,
score multipliers, the usual power ups and a large amount of
bad guys on screen at the same
time. It all looks to come straight out of a comic book, which
gives it a very fresh look. Sadly missing (again, just like
Mile-Stone's last title Chaos Field) is the all
important 2 player mode.
Chaos field was a little light on the extra features,
so hopefully (if MileStone decides for a Dreamcast port) it
will be done this time.
When is it coming?
The arcade version of Radilgy hasn't been officially
released (it's on test display in various arcades at the
moment) so a possible Dreamcast release is yet a while
away. I'd expect it to
be released near the end of the year. (2005)
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
Milestone released various gameplay movies of its title, along
with various website updates.
Nothing that hints at a DC release, but there's one thing that
could be something. One of the
sections of their Radilgy website is called 'Radi-ac'
as in 'Radilgy - Arcade version'. As there
would be no point of specifying a section if there were no
other versions planned....work it out.
Chances of release, as
of now: 60%
If I should place a bet
on either a release of Senko no ronde or Radilgy,
my money would be
on the latter. Goooooooooo Milestone!
[Update December 2005]
Anything happened?
Oh yes sir! Milestone confirmed the release of Radilgy
last week in print in a Japanese magazine.
The news was broken by German games website Gamefront.
This is VERY good news, because it isn't 'just a new Dreamcast
release' but this also -like someone else said- 'kicked open
the door for new releases'. This doesn't automaticly mean we
can expect more releases, keep that in mind.
Pre-orders are open at shops like Lik
Sang for $60.
Chances of release, as
of now: 100%
February 16 2006 will be
the day, rejoice! A review (+media) can naturally be expected
right
here on Segacollection.com!
HIGURASHI NO
NAKU KORO NI
-Developer: Alchemist
-Info
page, non official (JAP)
-Chances of release: 90%
What is it?
Described as a 'detective novel' (thanks: DC scene) , Higurashi
features the usual
amount of big eyed, coloured hair girlies (Nooooooo! -
Segafreak). Together with some
action (overhead, most likely) this could be a -kinda-
interesting game. Alchemist haven't
yet released any more info or media, so we'll just have to wait
and see.
When is it coming?
It was announced about six weeks ago (April 17th) and it's in
an unknown state of development.
To be honest, I don't see much market for Dreamcast releases
after 2005, so I'd say
we should
see it before the year's out.
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
Nothing, as far as I could tell. Alchemist's website is always
very well-updated, but there was nothing to be found. Also,
Alchemist showcased at the Tokyo game show this weekend and
there was no hint of any DC releases. Hmm.
Chances of release, as
of now: 60%
Well, the person that
originally announced that this game was in development for the
DC
seemed pretty sure that it was going to be released, but why
haven't we heart anything on it yet?
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
Nope. Alchemist did plenty of games but no sign of this
game.
Chances of release, as
of now: 10%
I'd be surprised to see
it now.
MELTY BLOOD:
ACT CADENZA
-Developer: Ecole
Software
-Info page,
arcade version (JAP)
-Chances of release: 50%
What is it?
A typical 2D fighter
featuring loads of characters, power bars and various specials,
running on
the Naomi hardware. One of the more original elements
are the various defensive techniques to reduce the amount of
damage done by your opponent's attacks. It doesn't look
amazing (Some people think it does, though) and isn't too
original, but could be a pretty good fighter altogether. Ecole
-being huge SEGA fans- already made the decision to port Melty
Blood A.C. to the Dreamcast, but ran into problems with
the amount of RAM needed. Work on the Dreamcast port has probably
stopped, but perhaps the
recent petetion done by Dreamcast Scene will replenish
their interest.
When is it
coming?
The arcade version of Melty
Blood should be out any moment now (if it isn't already)
so
if Ecole decides to continue work on the Dreamcast version, we
could look at a late Q3 release.
Sign the petition above and hope for the best. The Dreamcast
sure could use another 2D fighter.
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
Nope. Well..yes actually. The petition by Dreamcast scene (see
above) ended today and the results will be mailed to Ecole.
Chances of release, as
of now: 50%
If there's plenty of signatures, Ecole might be looking
into a DC port again. Time will tell.
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
Ecole released a PS2 version..not really what we wanted,
but hey..
Chances of
release, as of now: 1%
I'd consider this a
'case closed', Ecole had the chance but didn't release it.
They won't release it now.
'ANYTHING
FROM TRIANGLE SERVICE'
-Developer: Triangle
service (Duh)
-No info yet.
-Chances of a release: 60%
What is it?
You tell me. Nothing was
announced by Triangle service yet, but after the
relative success
of their 'Trizeal' title we could expect
something. This expectation mainly comes from the SOS
Triangle service did before they released Trizeal.
The 'Project Lambda' video at the bottom of
that page could be that 'something'.
When?
Hmmmm. Triangle
service didn't do anything after the release of Trizeal
(and that was 2 months ago) that looked like a hint for a next
title..so if that's the speed of further development, we could
be waiting for a while.
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
'fraid so. Huh? You see, SEGA (!) announced that it will
publish the -get this- PS2 port of
Trizeal later this year. Meaning every hour of manpower
(Of which Triangle service has very little, remember)
will be going into that, instead of another DC project. Great.
Chances of a release, as
of now: 30%
I don't think there's anything else Dreamcast related coming
from them. D'oh!
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
Triangle Service released a PS2 version of Trizeal,
a mobile phone version and a DVD..that's it.
Chances of a release, as
of now: 30%
After all this time, you'd say a new game should be just
around the corner..
'ANYTHING FROM ANYBODY
ELSE'
-SEGA, SNK, CAPCOM,
TAITO.
-...
-Chances of a release: 10%
Like?
I don't know. I really don't. But in a perfect world, we could
see a surprise release by one
of the companies above. Shouldn't SEGA 'do' a final release to
mark the end of their hardware era? Like a compulation
with their best work over the years, coming on 5 GD's,
together with
a book and a couple of goodies. Yes please!
When?
Tomorrow. Seriously, maybe sometime near the end of the year?
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
Nah. There was a small piece of hope inside me that Puyo
Pop fever 2 was getting a DC
release, but there was no such announcement. As for anything
else.....zilch.
Chances of a release, as
of now: 10%
Nothing really changed. Surprise us, SEGA!
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
Yes! And that's exactly
the reason of this update. Completely out of the blue
Warashi announced a Dreamcast version of their arcade game
'Trigger Heart
Exelica'. Joy! See below for more details.
Chances of a release, as
of now: 100%
Just Trigger Heart
Exelica for now, though.
TRIGGER
HEART EXELICA: Extension
-Developer: Warashi
-Info
page, Arcade version (JAP) - AM
feature with videos
-Chances of release: 100%
What is it?
A 2D shoot 'em up (now
there's a surprise! - Segafreak) featuring futuristic
crafts controlled
by cyborg-esque 'babes'. There's two crafts to choose from
(one with a spread shot, one with
a concentrated heavier shot), long and varied levels (that
don't just scroll in one direction),
plenty of nice graphical touches (such as smoke trails), a
score multiplier and an intelligent boss system called
'V.B.A.S.' (which basicly means that the behaviour of the
bosses changes according to the ability of the player). Seems
interesting.
The most interesting feature of all though, is that
you'll be able to absorb enemy fire, take
control over enemy ships and use them as a real-time wrecking
balls by swinging them around! Even ground targets and huge
turrets can be picked up! Warashi will release the
arcade version
of Trigger Heart Exelica for the Dreamcast as 'Trigger
Heart Exelica: Extension', so hopefully we'll see plenty
of extra features!
When is it coming?
February 22, 2007(!)
KAROUS
(CROWS)
-Developer: Mile-Stone
-Info
page, Arcade version (JAP)
-Chances of release: 60%
What is it?
A moody 2D shoot 'em up
featuring huge robotic 'crows' instead of crafts. The game
seems like
a dark version of Radirgy (it uses the same engine,
unsurprisingly). That said, it does feature more details and an
interesting experience system complete with 'level building'.
It's too early to decide if Karous will be worth a Dreamcast release or not but
I wouldn't be surprised to see Mile-Stone announce one.
If so, let's hope they don't repeat the mistakes made with the
Dreamcast versions of both Chaos Field and Radirgy...
When is it coming?
Spring 2007 seems like a
fair guess.
'SOMETHING NOT ON A
GD-ROM'
-Various teams, various
people.
-Info on
all things homebrew.
-Chances of more releases: 100%
Like?
Far too much to list, but here's an idea of homebrew games to
keep an eye on; Alice Dreams,
Joggle, Age of the Beast, R-Tronic, Rael:
The redemption (running on the BOR engine),
Dope Wars, Marfitude, DC Squares.. and
then there's all the emulators!
When?
Most of them will be done or in very advanced stage this
year.
[Update September 2005]
Anything happened?
Thankfully, yes. Thank god there's at least SOME good news to
post. Various homebrew
games were updated and even new projects were started. Another
VERY interesting thing is
recent release of the Quake III source (which covers
the DC version as well!). This means we
could be looking at loads of new user-maps and TC's in
the future. Wahey!
[Update November 2006]
Anything happened?
Plenty. Goatstore
announced both Goat
Games & Radium
(both planned for next month) and
NG Dev Team has already started pre-orders
for their game Last
Hope (love that soundtrack, guys!). Various new demos were
released as well. (Alice
Dreams, Dream
Chess, Genesis Plus,
VMU Explorer, Retro
Sonic Dreamcast ..the list goes on. Keep up the good work
all of you!
Well,
that's it. Who knows what might happen. If anything is
announced you'll be able to hear
it right here!
SeGaFrEaK
|
