Ultracore
| Ultracore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Digital Illusions |
| Publisher(s) | Strictly Limited Games
|
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
2019 |
| Genre(s) | Run and gun |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Ultracore (originally known as Hardcore) is a run and gun game developed by Digital Illusions. Originally due to be released for Amiga, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD platforms, the game was canceled by its publisher, Psygnosis, in 1994 after it had been almost finished. The game was salvaged by publisher Strictly Limited Games and released together with the Mega SG aftermarket console in March 2019. Releases for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita are planned for 2019. A version compatible with original Sega Mega Drive / Genesis systems was released in November 2019.
Gameplay
Ultracore is a run and gun "Eurostyle 2D shooter" that requires fast reflex action. The player collects weapon power-ups while moving through levels.[1]
Development
Digital Illusions initially developed Hardcore for Amiga, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD platforms. Despite being "about 99 percent finished", the game's publisher, Psygnosis, ultimately canceled the game in 1994.[1][2] With the then-upcoming release of the 32-bit PlayStation console, Psygnosis expected sales for 16-bit Sega Genesis games, including Hardcore, to wane.[2] A few videos of its gameplay also leaked over the years.[2] Andreas Axelsson and Olof Gustafsson, two of DICE's founders, presented a demo of the game at the 2010 Datastorm exposition for Commodore enthusiast.[1]
In August 2018, German publisher Strictly Limited announced plans to finish and release the game. The company's team of nine people, including DICE co-founder Fredrik Liljegren and other former DICE employees, used an original Sega Genesis development kit to finish the game's production, porting the game to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, two modern systems, afterwards. At the time, Sony, the makers of the PlayStation, owned the Psygnosis back-catalog. Strictly Limited Games also attempted to add tank levels that were missing from the game with input from its original designers.[1] Prior to release, Hardcore was retitled Ultracore due to licensing issues.[3] Ultracore was first released as part of the Mega SG, an aftermarket console for Sega Genesis games developed by Analogue, on March 25, 2019.[4][5] Ultracore is set to be release for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, as well as Nintendo Switch, in 2019.[6] A physical version compatible with original Sega Mega Drive / Genesis systems was released in Japan in October 2019.[7] Following delays, a separate physical version was also shipped worldwide beginning the following month.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d Good, Owen S. (August 18, 2018). "Canceled at the last minute, DICE's 'Hardcore' to launch 25 years later". Polygon.
- ^ a b c Grant, Christopher (February 22, 2019). "Unreleased Genesis game will come bundled with the premium Mega SG clone". Polygon.
- ^ Lee, Gavin (February 22, 2019). "Analogue Mega Sg To Feature Unreleased Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Game". Nintendo Life.
- ^ Grant, Christopher (March 25, 2019). "Mega SG review". Polygon.
- ^ Wheeler, CJ (March 16, 2019). "There's A Sassy New 1080p Mega Drive And It's Arriving This Month". Kotaku UK.
- ^ Saed, Sherif (July 15, 2019). "Release dates: every game confirmed for 2019". VG247.
- ^ "(MD/MD互換機用)ULTRACORE(ウルトラコア)". Amazon (in Japanese). Retrieved December 6, 2019.
- ^ @RealStrictlyLTD (June 22, 2019). "After nearly 25 years of deep sleep... #ULTRACORE, the newly unearthed Masterpiece by @EA_DICE, will finally be released on the console it was originally meant for back in '94! #Genesis #MegaDrive" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
