Here's something to do while waiting wisely PC-Engine Bible Collector Pix'n in love scheduled for the end of next month. It is a bit of a shipment that contains particular 3 PC-Engine games in CD format·ROM ² and Super CD·ROM² “unofficial” : Space Fantasy Zone, Rockman and Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire. Unofficial because the first is a title “unreleased” and was canceled just before its release, porting the second Famicom and the last as a reproduction of a very (too) expensive.

In normal temps, I'm not a big fan of reproductions, but these three titles are exceptions because they fall into one of the following categories :

– Portage came from another system : interest for the technical challenge, new gameplay (portable <-> living as GG Shinobi).

– Become too expensive for the average player, hard to find.

– Translated titles (former : these games MD), unreleased or beta phase that would otherwise be lost or remain unplayable.

– For games on CD : Pressed CD, not burned (important for the preservation of the medium and laser lens of our consoles).

Space Fantasy Zone

Space Fantasy Zone, a mix between Space Harrier and… Fantasy Zone, of course !
This title created by Nec Avenue in fact many appearances in Japanese magazines of the time but is ultimately never released, apparently for reasons of license (Sega would have vetoed the concept).
At the end of year 90, “someone” to put their hands on a Beta and distributed. A first series of reproductions of low quality has emerged in the wake (burned to CD-R, audio problems…) some of which are sold up 60.000Y on YJA ! (each his own…). This new repro rule is now perfect because all the problems mentioned above and is provided with a spin, a notice, a poster and a reg card. Quand au CD, it is a pressed CD and screened and not a vulgar CD-R. Quality overall finish is really excellent.

Rockman / Megaman

Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar, merit of this port to ECP Nes returns to the blog author pcedev.wordpress.com who also works on other ports (Castlevania, Super Mario Bros, Ducktales 2 etc.…). His work is impressive and discovers that our little processor PC-Engine is backwards compatible with that of the NES !

However, the author of the repro really neat to work by creating a jacket here and post the most beautiful effect.

Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire

Those like me who have recently heard about the case in Japan Metal Slug AES, be customary fact that’it is now almost impossible to buy a Sapphire original Internet because of too many reproductions sold at a high price (and because of ignorance or lack of scruples of certain sellers).

Can not find it less than 300 € and impossible to ascertain whether an original… The only way to get it is to have a certified original hands before going to buy another shop directly comparing. In short it is very complicated, risky and expensive and that is why I succumbed to the reproduction to be able to play with my Duo and finally heat the damn Arcade Card still sealed !

I am aware that approach is ambiguous, Moreover, it is some debate on forums, because by purchasing this reproduction I participate indirectly general chaos that surrounds this game. But to be honest, I'm a player and foremost to € 300 in original, risk pay full price reproduction, or simply the PSP version is unthinkable in my eyes ! Where the purchase of this version “Robin Hood“.

Anyway ...

As you can see, the overall quality of the reproductions is very good, pushing up retail blister reproduce, spin, reg card, notice, silkscreen poster and CD. The work is quality, but the price is a bit high for the reproduction on CD (count between 35 and 40in / game). However, the author of these repros provided for each of them an additional disk in order to keep its loose copies blister or simply to share the games with his friends. Attention rather nice.