M2 is best known in recent years for handling Sega’s 3D Classics line on the 3DS and modernising iconic series like Sonic the Hedgehog, Out Run and Fantasy Zone.
Having now made the transition across to the Switch, the developer recently sat down with Denfaminicogamer to discuss its future port plans, following a Twitter poll asking Japanese fans what games they would most like to see adapted to the current hardware generation. According to the team, the projects will likely be based on games created during the '90s, as most of the titles from the '80s have already been re-released.
M2 President Noki Horii said he was pleased to see Konami’s ReBirth series - developed by M2 - was on the poll, as these games were last released on WiiWare. As Wii Points can no longer be added, this makes these titles inaccessible to modern audiences. The team will now strongly consider this series for the latest systems after a rumour from earlier this year suggested they could be on the way to the Switch eShop. These releases include Gradius ReBirth, Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth and Contra ReBirth.
Speaking about Nintendo’s current system, M2 has been testing Shot Triggers, but is struggling to resolve issues linked to processing speed and slow down. President Horii also clarified the problems had nothing to do with the Joy-Con controllers, despite various online reports citing the hardware as a problem. It was explained games would not be released until each one could adhere to the standards set by titles such as Sega Ages Thunder Force IV.
The team at M2 noted how the Switch was ideal for motion-control and joystick orientated games. M2 planner Kazuki Kubota further elaborated on this by saying how Nintendo Labo had inspired the team to work on games with special interfaces.
Are you a fan of M2’s work? Are you looking forward to its future releases on the Nintendo Switch? Do you have a past game M2 has released you particularly admire? Tell us below.
[source siliconera.com]
Comments 46
It's enough to me that they're trying to get them going on Switch. I wasn't aware that Armed Police Batrider was so demanding.
But next time, it would be nice if they would let the rest of the planet in on these M2 remaster polls. There's countries other than Japan that are aware of these games, you know.
Fingers crossed they can overcome their Switch problems. Looking forward to the Sega Ages stuff
Sweet, I'd love to play Castlevania and Contra Rebirths again.
I never got a chance to play those ReBirth games and have always wanted to. I'd totally do a $35 digital collection for them.
SegaSonic and Chaotix please, I want to complete my classic pre-Adventure ‘hog collection...
The Rebirth series would be nice. I'll buy them all if ever HD Switch versions are released. Konami should consider them since they are easy money since it's cheaper than developing a new game from scratch.
Many of the Wii games (like The Lost Winds series) are better suited for conversion to the Switch, since they were released ages ago and would be not familiar to current Switch owners.
All of the 3DS 3D classics in HD please
Yes for the rebirth series!
Man, I miss the old Wii Shop channel and its music. 😆
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Sega Ages lineup will get physical releases in the same way the Sega 3D Classics did on 3DS. Therefore I won't pick up the digital versions and play the waiting game instead and hope for the best!
Great news.
But im just waiting for news to reach Nintendo Life that Wasteland 2 is heading over THIS MONTH.
I'd love Outrun on the switch. Coast to coast would be the one to remake.
@Razer I can't wait for this. It's relatively cheap as well.
@Razer They reported it was coming on September 13th a few days ago.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/08/wasteland_2_directorrs_cut_secures_a_post-apocalyptic_switch_release_this_september
@Aven Yep Coast to Coast is up there with my most requested titles too. Superb game and probably the best arcade racer I've ever played.
I do wish they would have done sonic 3 plus knuckles on the 3ds before moving on from the 3D classics line of games. But I’m happy they’ll be in charge of bringing some classics to the switch. They always do an excellent job so if they release something I think my kid will enjoy I’ll buy it knowing it’s a great port.
Many of these games can be emulated on less powerful hardware, it's been done. I utterly refuse to buy that excuse.
It's only a matter of time. It we don't get it from an official source, someone's gonna do it threw homebrew.
@OorWullie oh damn i musta missed this. Thanks
@Razer Really looking forward to it myself.I think I'll hold off on it for a few weeks though.Too many other time consuming games on my plate haha.
While yes most of the 80s Sega games have already been rereleased THEYRE STILL NOT ON SWITCH!! You wanna do the 90s games first? Fine just don’t forget the 80s!! 😊
M2 have overseen some of the best emulation work out there (Megadrive on Virtual Console, NeoGeo Station and Capcom Arcade Cabinet on PS3, the amazing Gradius/Salamander/Parodius Collections on PSP and GBA on the WiiU). I still regularly take out my Konami Arcade Hits on DS for one of the few official Arcade perfect ports of Contra out there. Here’s hoping they are supported by Nintendo to get as many retro titles on Switch as possible - no better place to play them.
Regarding the motion control comment: I really would like to see Nintendo bring Skyward Sword to Switch, and maybe it could use the motion controls of the Joy-Cons to do that properly, if it wants to stick with basically the same controls as the original game. But, if it does bring the game to Switch, I really hope it tweaks the first hour or so just so it doesn't feel like the longest and most forced tutorial in existence, and I also hope it tweaks one or two of the obvious filler collect-a-thon quests later in the game, and maybe finds a way to tie some of the areas together a bit more so it doesn't feel so disjointed at times (although this actually isn't essential imo). I honest think people would rediscover just how good a game this was, with some genuinely great sandbox gameplay and level design, if they get a chance to play it fresh again on Switch--and in lovely HD of course.
@OorWullie It was great that all the original music was in there too. Those songs still get stuck in my head years after I played any Outrun. My first version was on the C64 but I think I played it on my cousin's Amiga before that.
I would definitely get those Rebirth games for sure.
@impurekind Moreso than shortening the initial time in Skyloft, I would love to see the Kikwi hunt on the surface be less miserably painful.
I think that using the right stick to control sword swipes would be a neat idea. Just flick the stick in the direction you want to slash.
SotN would make a million dollars/euros/yen/gil
Gimme Out Run. Gimme, gimme, gimme.
Unless theres some weird architecture going on in the 90's Sega arcade boards, they shouldn't be all that hard to emulate. House of the dead 2 & 3 on the Wii is a good indicator that it can be done.
Also, I want contra rebirth, I loved that game. I'm kinda suprised that Konami never continued with the series.
Just need Shinobi III please and thanks
They really need to hurry up with bringing their M2 STG brand to the Switch.
It started as promising effort to revitalize shmups, but right now they are splitting the market by not brining their games (Ketsui, Battle Garegga...) while most others have embraced the Switch as the main shmup platform.
Hoping developers bring Wii Ware Games to switch. At least the good ones. There was quite a few I never got.
I'd quite like some light-gun games on the Switch like the Time Crisis or House of the Dead games.
They should bring their Sega ports from 3DS to the Switch. I never get tired of Out Run, After Burner II and Super Hang-On
Oh my!!! Having the Konami ReBirth trilogy would be a dream!!! I do have Castlevania and Contra on my Wii but i never got Graidus. Would love to have all 3 on my Switch!!!
I hope they succeed with the Rebirth games. I have access to Contra and Castlevania Adventure, but passed on Gradius. I'd play it now if they bring it.
@MotionMan Lol, did we literally say almost the same thing one after each other?
@MeloMan Well i’ll be damned. I think we did ✋️😄👌
Give me Landstalker please.
@MotionMan @MeloMan
Same here. I have no idea why I passed at the time either. I love Gradius.
I'd be so psyched for a "ReBirth" re-release. M2 was too ahead of the curve with the "retro-nouveau" concept, and I think today's gamers would really appreciate the work they did making new entries in classic series for a non-existent, 16-bit psuedo-console.
I'd love them to do the Rebirth series
I would love Out Run Coast to Coast or a hd arcade version of Daytona USA, I know it probably wont happen.... but still I can dream
It seems that the official Sega blog has removed the fantastic M2 3D Remasters project interviews that had been translated into English. Please bring them back, Sega!
I would love to be able to play Castlevania ReBirth again, and I would buy the other 2 as well!
I would love them to remake sonic all-star racing but this time sort the framerate out so you could actually play it as I'm sure there's a good game in there but Sumo digital did a horrible job on the Wii U and 3ds version.
@Alto I'm hoping for Landstalker too,loved that game!
@OorWullie I know it is not on Switch, but Sega Genesis & Mega Drive Classics frequently goes on sale on Steam and includes Landstalker.
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