SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: Final Stage – Alien Syndrome and Columns detailed, message from the producer
Last week, Famitsu revealed Alien Syndrome and Columns as the latest additions in SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: Final Stage. We now have a few tidbits about what will be included as features.
First, here are a bunch of screenshots from both:
With Alien Syndrome, a new element is two-player co-op via local wireless. Interim Save, Interim Load, Replay, and Round Select are all included. With Round Select, you’re able to start from the last cleared round, though it isn’t available in local play.
Alien Syndrome lets players choose from five difficulty levels. With the lowest one, enemies will not shoot bullets and have reduced health. There’s also a Time Limit feature in which you’re able to choose from six levels, two of which were not available in the original version.
Alien Syndrome includes both the Japanese and international versions. Differences are as follows:
– In the Japanese version, exit will open after rescuing all 16 people, while in the international version it will open after rescuing just 10 of them
– International version has lesser time limit
– Stage 1 and Stage 2 bosses are switched
– International version has BGM at Name Entry
– International version has a hidden character at Stage 3 boss
– In the international version, the hidden 1-up that’s obtained by taking a Question Mark with exactly 100,000 points, doesn’t include 100 points (which allows repeatedly getting 1-ups [as the score stays at 100k])
And as for the different screen options:
– Normal: Same 4:3 ratio as original
– Wide/Full: Stretched to fully cover 3DS screen
– Classic: Screen becomes convex to simulate CRT monitor
Lastly, Game Volume, Voice Volume, BGM Test are all sound settings. It’s also possible to hear all 17 BGMs in the game, including unused songs.
Moving on to Columns, it has two unique modes:
– Flash Columns: A 2-player versus mode where players need to quickly erase predetermined jewels
– Doubles: 2-player co-op mode
Once again, Interim Save, Interim Load, and Replay are all included here. Japanese and international versions are both included, with the latter one offering English text for messages. Screen Modes are Normal and Classic; Normal optimizes 3D Binocular Vision, while Classic makes the screen more convex to simulate CRT monitor. For Sound, you can choose between Mega Drive and Mega Drive 2 versions.
Also, as some trivia, SEGA 3D Fukkoku Archives 3: Final Stage is the first in the SEGA 3D Classics Collection series to receive a CERO C rating (over 15 years old). That’s because of the inclusion of Alien Syndrome, which has horror graphics.
Finally, here’s a message from producer Yosuke Okunari:
“Turbo Outrun and the enhanced restoration of Thunder Force III by Technosoft are the number one in the port wishes ranking. Originally we thought that we should finish the new compilation with these two titles. However, it just isn’t enough to decorate “Final Stage” of the series, so the staff considered the possibility of implementing one more title within the limited development schedule. As a result, we decided on having Alien Syndrome in the compilation, as a port has been requested as long as ten years ago and it hasn’t been able to realize. Please look forward to miniature garden-like three-dimensionality of this game that overflows with horror feel! And fourth unexpected new title is Columns! We weren’t able to do this for Puyo Puyo 2, but now jewels have been turned into three-dimensional one-by-one. That’s what you’d expect from M2. Please look forward to playing supremely beautiful Columns!”
