The good people at Limited Run Games not only strive for the preservation of video games in physical format but even ventured to travel back in time last year in an attempt to save E3. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain, and not even time travel was enough to rescue our dear old exhibition. Ultimately, the No-E3 concluded on a high note with the Limited Run Games event, where more than 20 releases were announced. Below, we provide a summary of the event’s highlights.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster
Star Wars: Dark Forces was the first video game to adapt the Star Wars universe into a first-person shooter back in 1995 by LucasArt. This remake was developed by Nightdive Studios, who are well-versed in reviving old games by adapting them to modern systems and enhancing their technical capabilities. Thanks to the advantages of the KEX engine, the graphics engine used for this remaster, the game looks truly spectacular with high-resolution textures, improved lighting, environmental effects, rendering, better frame rate, and even gameplay upgrades. Both returning players and those who have never played the original can enjoy this updated version with 4K resolution and 120 frames per second.
This remaster has been available on Steam since February of this year, with reviews reflecting its well-crafted quality, garnering 96% positive feedback on Valve’s platform. On the same date, it also launched digitally on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox at a price of 29€. Now, it has been announced that it will be available in physical format for consoles with three different editions, and pre-orders are open on the official website until July 21.
What do the editions of Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster include?
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Standard Edition
The most basic edition includes a physical copy and packaging. At a price of $35, it is a highly recommended option, especially considering the digital version costs just slightly less.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Premium Edition
This edition offers several extras, including a stunning collector’s case made of aluminum, a double-sided 12 x 16 poster, a booklet featuring a retrospective essay on the game, a steel case for the box, a commemorative coin, a pin, art cards, and a certificate of authenticity. All of this is available for $90, which is quite a reasonable price at just under 85€.
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster Master Edition
Perfect for hardcore fans (or for those unconcerned about cost), this is the most complete edition. It includes everything from the other versions and adds some intriguing extras. These include a strategy guide in a high-quality hardcover book, a stress ball shaped like a thermal detonator, an acrylic display featuring the Death Star schematics, and a model of the Moldy Crow ship. This edition is priced at $175 (slightly over 160€), making it the ultimate but also the most inaccessible version.
Fighting Force Collection
Fighting Force is a 3D Beat ’em Up developed by Core Design. It was originally intended to be the fourth installment of Streets of Rage, but SEGA declined as they reportedly had their own plans for the series. Those plans never materialized, and the series had to wait 26 long years to receive the long-awaited fourth installment, with SEGA simply licensing it rather than getting involved in development. Finally, Core Design decided to release their title as an independent, multiplatform game, which debuted on PlayStation in 1997, PC in 1998, and Nintendo 64 in 1999. During the “modern era,” it was ported to PSP and PS3 in 2009 and to PS Vita in 2012, but after that, it was unavailable for any platform until now.
Both the first installment and its sequel, which released for PlayStation and Dreamcast in 1999 and for PS Vita in 2012, will be included in this collection. While it’s true that the original game received mixed reviews from the press back in the day, I personally believe it’s a great game and a must-play experience for fans of 3D Beat ’em Ups. The second game, on the other hand, is quite mediocre and skippable. Making it a single-player game from the start detracts greatly from this genre. Nonetheless, the collection wouldn’t be complete without both parts. It will launch next year, with no official date or price announced yet, and will be available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5.
Assault Suit Leynos 2
Originally released for the SEGA Saturn in 1997, Assault Suit Leynos 2 is a side-scrolling third-person shooter where you pilot a Mecha in a sci-fi setting reminiscent of the golden age of anime. It was developed by Japanese studio NCS Corporation, who did an excellent job creating a high-quality game. The problem? It was never released outside Japan.
Thankfully, the publisher Clever River Games, experts in re-releasing and adapting old games, took action and launched the game on modern platforms earlier this year, including Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, and Steam. However, once again, the Nintendo and PlayStation versions remained exclusive to the Asian market. Finally, during the event, it was announced that the game will make its first-ever debut in the West this year in both digital and physical formats, though the physical version is likely to skip Xbox.
Snow Bros. Wonderland
Nick & Tom are back and making their first appearance in a 3D game. Japanese company Tatsujin, current owner of all Toaplan licenses, is handling development, while Clever River Games will take care of publishing. Snow Bros. Wonderland is the first installment in 30 years, excluding two mobile game disasters that had nothing to do with the original series and the interesting remake of the first game for Nintendo Switch in 2022. Wonderland is coming to Nintendo Switch, PS4, and PS5 sometime in 2024, though pricing has yet to be revealed.
Starship Troopers: Extermination
The classic ’90s sci-fi action film Starship Troopers is getting a new video game adaptation in the form of a multiplayer online first-person shooter that captures the essence of the movie. This shooter is being developed by Offworld, a studio experienced in the genre, having published three similar games covering World War I, World War II, and modern combat settings.
Starship Troopers launched as an early access title on Steam on May 17, 2023, receiving good reviews initially, though they’ve dipped somewhat in recent months. The full version will release this summer, also arriving on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and PS5.
Double Shake
This charming 2.5D platforming game, inspired by the fifth generation of consoles, was already presented at last year’s event, but this time we got to see some additional gameplay. What we saw was very promising. Visually, it takes us back to genre classics like Klonoa and Tomba! from the first PlayStation, with an anime-inspired low-poly design bursting with personality. You can try its demo on Steam and add it to your wishlist. It’s also confirmed to arrive on PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, although the release date remains unannounced.
