TGS 06: Sega Ages 2500 Hands-On Update

TOKYO--The Sega Ages 2500 series is a collection of budget-priced PlayStation 2 games that are designed to bring Sega's classic games to a more modern game machine. The series got off on a very wrong foot, though, as most of the games were re-created in 3D. After horrifying results with lame new versions of games like Golden Axe and Space Harrier, Sega has turned away from the remakes and focused on proper emulations of the original games lately. The company is showing three new installments in the series, which is rapidly approaching its 30th volume.

Tetris Collection compiles a handful of puzzle games, including Tetris. But other Sega puzzle games are in there, like Bloxeed, which is a slightly different take on Tetris. Flash Point, another Tetris-like puzzle game from Sega, is also included.

Monster World Complete Collection gives you a grip of Monster World and Wonder Boy games in various home and arcade configurations, including Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair, Monster World IV, Wonder Boy: Monster Land, and more. Multiple versions of some games will be included, giving you the chance to play the arcade or home version.

The third game being shown is a version of the first Virtual On game. Originally released in 1995, this game puts you in control of a large robot and has you facing off, one on one, against another robot. The original used dual joysticks for control in the arcade, and that control is duplicated by the analog sticks on the PlayStation 2. Though it won't be out for awhile, the version being shown at the Tokyo Game Show 2006 seemed like it would be faithful to the original game.

Sega's arcade and console history is very, very deep, and it's great to see the company delving into its back catalog properly, rather than continuing to release half-baked remakes as a part of this budget line. The Tetris compilation will be released in Japan this September. The other two games lack specific release dates but are expected to land sometime in 2007.