Update: Strictly Limited Games has announced not one but two special editions for Clockwork Aquario. The standard version will sell for €29.99, while the collector’s edition (limited to 1.300 copies for PS4 and to 2,500 copies for Nintendo Switch worldwide) will cost €69.99.
The Ultra Collector’s Edition is €129.99, and is limited to 499 copies for PS4 and to 999 copies for Nintendo Switch.
Pre-orders open on November 29th, 2020.
Here's what's included in those fancy editions:
Collector’s Edition
- Arcade coin
- Arcade flyer
- Arcade stickers
- Art book
- Character cards
- Collector’s Box
- Copy of the game
- Diorama
- Large reversible poster
- PCB retro box
- Soundtracks
- Sticker sheet
Ultra Collector’s Edition
- 2 soundtracks
- Arcade coin
- Arcade flyer
- Arcade stickers
- Art book
- Certificate of authenticity
- Character cards
- Collector’s Box
- Copy of the game
- Diorama
- Figure
- Large reversible poster
- PCB retro box
- Pin
- Shikishi
- Sticker sheet
Original Story [Wed 23rd Sep, 2020 16:30 BST]: Strictly Limited Games and ININ Games have revealed that Clockwork Aquario will no longer release in 2020, instead being pushed back to 2021.
As you may recall, Clockwork Aquario is an arcade title that was long presumed lost until earlier this year, when Strictly Limited announced that it had managed to find the game's source code. It was originally developed in 1992 by Ryuichi Nishizawa – known for his work on the Wonder Boy series – but was never released; now with the source code now in hand, it's headed to Switch.
Considering we've had to wait almost 30 years for this one, we doubt one more year will cause too much upset, although the teams working on the game have shared a selection of new screenshots to soften the blow. You can check these out below.
The game will be available on the eShop and in the form of a limited physical edition when it does launch next year. We'll leave you with this official description if you'd like to learn more:
The development of Clockwork Aquario started in 1992 and is the last arcade game ever developed by the legendary company Westone. Originally designed by the chief publisher, and co-founder of Westone, Ryuichi Nishizawa, Clockwork Aquario can be described as the swan song of a company that was part of an era with historic milestones such as the Wonder Boy / Monster World series.
The side-scrolling action game can either be played alone or with a friend in co-op. Players can choose from three different characters, each of them with her/his individual moveset: Huck Londo, the daring ghost hunter, Elle Moon, the brave adventuress and Gush, the warmhearted giant robot.
Comments 33
Damn, that's one pretty-ass game.
That's actually really cool. You hear that Square Enix? If people could find the source code of an arcade game, you can keep track of your own.
That game looks so good, I might get it once it goes on sale.
2021 is gonna blow gaming’s socks off
"We've waited 27 years, what's one more?"
28 years.
Next question!
chortle
@Ooyah haha i snorted. Thanks for the laugh
This looks great. Might try it out.
Obviously I never played it, but this will be my 3rd Strictly Limited purchase. Good guys fron Germany, reasonable shipping and no customs because we all are EU.
This was actually found quite a few years ago. I'm not sure when it was actually decided to finish it, but I've probably been checking in on this game since 2015 or so knowing that it was coming eventually. Good to see we're close enough, though a delay is unfortunate. I also hope it comes to other platforms as Switch is never my first choice when it comes to this sort of thing. It is cool to see lost games finally come out. Just last week, the long, lost Mega Drive port of Mad Stalker saw its release which is a wonderful thing.
They did this with Ultracore and that game sucked IMO. So you can say that i'm a little bit skeptical.
I just installed the TGx16 version of Monster Lair on my Wii. These games are my favorite, even if you're constantly scrolling which isn't always good for a semi-platformer.
Screen shots remind me of Dynamite Heddy on the Genesis/Mega Drive. Really like how colourful the game looks.
@Ooyah ha ha that made me laugh too
What platform was this game originally intended for? Genesis or TG-16?
It was intended to be a Arcade Machine @niner. So nether the Genesis or Turbo 16.
@niner to be even more specific than the last reply, I heard it was made for Sega's System 18 arcade board.
Too bad I draw the line at 28 years.
Very disappointed. I could understand if this game was being built from the ground up or something, but that's not the case. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's an incomplete ROM/board that they've decided to finish up? Guess I'll just wait for a deep sale sometime next year if it even comes out.
@CurryPowderKeg79 @sdelfin Thank you both. I thought it looked too lovely to be a Genesis game. I thought TG16 was a possibility.
@RetroOutcast I suspect the delay is more about Strictly Limited Games being unable to produce physical copies as quickly as they would like rather than the game needing further development. It did need some things like music, sound effects, and some new graphic assets, but I think such a delay when it was all set for this year has more to do with how they want to sell it, and all the things that go with it.
NGL, that figure is adorable. I want it. 😍
Was this game I remember hearing about... where there was an old unreleased game and the code was found, but it was either missing the sound, or the sound person wanted to claim their own copyright on the game?
I wasn't expecting this one in 2020, but I really want it and I think I'll go for the Collector's. Ultra Collector's is 60 euro more expensive in exchange for a shikishi and a figure.
I don't know if the game is going to be any good, but it's a release I've been excited about since its announcement long ago. I love video game archaeology and long-thought-to-be-lost games that ultimately see the light of day.
Shyte, I love that art style.
@KingMike Yes. That sounds like this game. When they found the code for this game, the sound data was corrupt or something along those lines.
100000% getting it, but those LE's are insanely over filled.
@noswitchbutidc genius 'Shyte',
Do these Limited games actually sell out and if so do they hold/increase in value?
I've often wondered people would pay so much for a physical copy of Indy games.
The time lapse between the moment you pre-order and pay these games and the moment you get them usually is 6 months, I've bought from SLG before, that hurts, but you can trust them.
It's the only limited-print company I've bought from, because being based in Germany shipping charges are very reasonable and there's no customs for EU citizens.
I'll definitely go for the non-Ultra collector's one. A lot of goodies in both editions, and while I love the figure, I can live without it if that means 60 bucks less. It's not like I have room for the box of the collector's anyway, let alone a figure to display.
Looking forward to this game, I have a good feeling about it. And when SLG releases something that it's going to be on stores they are transparent about that -by saying "our edition will come with this or that", but they say it nonetheless-, and in this case they actually helped bringing the game to the World, so it's not going to be in stores.
@YANDMAN got a Twitter?
@noswitchbutidc No, I was banned for life.
@YANDMAN Discord?
@noswitchbutidc never looked at it
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