On display at the THQ booth was the Phantasy Star Collection, THQ's Game Boy Advance port of the first 3 installments of Sega's famed RPG series. RPGFan spoke with assistant producer Derek Smith on THQ's first GBA RPG release. Although the game is only 20% complete, several details have become clear:
- The games will be straight ports of Phantasy Stars 1, 2, and 3. Other than color palette updates, there will be no upgrades in graphics or sound.
- The text will also remain unchanged from the original Genesis versions, though Smith said that attempts will be made to clarify PS1's error-laden dialogue.
- Phantasy Star 4 is not included with the package due to cartridge memory limitations.
- The collection is an independently licensed release; Sega is not involved with the port in any way
- The release date is tentatively set for the 4th quarter of 2002.
- There are no plans to release the Phantasy Star Collection in Japan.
- It is unknown if a strategy guide for Phantasy Star 2 will be included, like in the Genesis version.
- There are no plans for a Phantasy Star 4 port at this time, but if the collection sells well in the US, a PS4 port, as well as other possible RPG projects, seems likely.
- Aside from Phantasy Star Collection and the forthcoming Summoner 2, THQ has no other RPG plans at this time.
In the demo, only Phantasy Star 2 was playable, and it appears to be a carbon-copy of the Genesis version, other than the fact that the menu options have been rearranged from the original.
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Updated: 05.24.02 - 7:18 PM |
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| Commodore Wheeler |