Retro Re-release Roundup, week of December 28, 2023
DOGOON!
...look, a lean week or two never hurt anybody, okay? Let us all pretend to make a dent in our backlogs, or something.
ARCADE ARCHIVES
Solitary Fighter
- Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
- Price: $7.99 / €6.99 / £6.29
- Publisher: Hamster / Taito
What's this? A revision to Taito's 1v1 belt-scrolling fighting game Violence Fight, originally developed and distributed exclusively in Western arcades by Taito in 1991 and recently reissued for the first time via the Taito Milestones 2 compilation; this version maintains the basic arena-based brawling of its predecessor and adds the ability to play as the two boss characters, slightly touched-up visuals, some annoying additional nuisance enemies and a bonus fight against a bear.
Why should I care? You want a refresher on just what constituted a "fighting game" pre-Street Fighter 2, or you're a sucker for ridiculous, dubiously-translated attract mode text. (I won't hear a word against any of the onomatopoeias, either.)
Helpful tip: With this release, Taito Milestones 2 no longer contans a single exclusive game. (Not only has Taito already confirmed a third Milestones, they've also begun announcing new Arcade Archives titles, starting with the long-awaited Rainbow Islands on January 25.)
IMMINENT DELISTING
Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection (Switch, PlayStation) set to be delisted before January 1
You didn't ask for it, you evidently didn't buy it and you certainly shouldn't rush to get it now or in the future, but if you absolutely need to exchange money for the digital license to a mediocre compilation of two even worse games, you'd best act fast.
LIMITED-EDITION PHYSICAL PRINT RUNS
Panorama Cotton (Mega Drive) cartridge reissue via Columbus Circle
- Price: ¥8580 (standard) / ¥9680 (collectors set with teacup)
- ETA: ships early March
Following the ININ-published reissue from a little while back, Japanese repro publisher Columbus Circle is taking their own shot at a Mega Drive cartridge reissue of Panorama Cotton, the pseudo-3D Cotton sequel renowned for its technical ambition and modest print run (and, subsequently, high aftermarket prices). This version sets itself apart from the recent Genesis/EU Mega Drive versions via a new reversible cover illustrated by veteran Cotton designer Hideki Tamura, and will be available both standalone and in a set with the traditional bonus teacup item.
