Phantasy Star Collection
Phantasy Star Collection is a compilation of role-playing video games developed by Digital Eclipse and published by THQ for the Game Boy Advance, released in North America on November 24, 2002. It features ports of the first three main entries in Sega's long-running Phantasy Star series: Phantasy Star (originally for the Master System in 1987), Phantasy Star II (for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1989), and Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (also for the Mega Drive/Genesis in 1990).[1][2][3] The collection preserves the core gameplay of these classic titles, including first-person dungeon exploration, turn-based combat against alien foes, and narrative-driven quests across sci-fi worlds in the Algo star system. Notable adjustments for the GBA include a full-screen display to better utilize the handheld's resolution, unified button controls across all three games for easier navigation, and an improved English translation for the original Phantasy Star that fixes errors from its Master System release. However, the ports retain the original graphics, soundtracks, and some technical quirks, such as a save data bug in the first game, without adding new content like art galleries or enhancements.[3][4] These early Phantasy Star games are celebrated for pioneering elements in JRPGs, blending science fiction with fantasy tropes, complex party management, and expansive stories involving interstellar travel and ancient evils. The compilation provided Western audiences with accessible access to these titles on a portable platform, though its unenhanced nature drew mixed reviews for feeling dated compared to contemporary GBA RPGs. A separate Japan-exclusive Sega Saturn version under a similar name, released in 1998 as part of the Sega Ages series, included all four mainline games.[5][3]Overview
Release history
The Phantasy Star Collection debuted exclusively in Japan for the Sega Saturn on April 2, 1998, as part of Sega's Sega Ages series of re-released classics. This initial version was priced at 4,800 yen and aimed to compile the early entries in the series for the Saturn's hardware.[6] A separate iteration of the collection followed for the Game Boy Advance, developed by Digital Eclipse and published by THQ in North America on November 24, 2002, with no release in Japan.[2] In Europe, Infogrames handled distribution on March 7, 2003, targeting Western audiences with adaptations for the handheld's display.[7] This version emphasized accessibility for portable play outside Japan. In 2008, Sega expanded the compilation with Sega Ages 2500 Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete Collection for the PlayStation 2, released exclusively in Japan on March 27.[8] This edition, priced at 2,625 yen, included additional content like text adventures.[8][9] It was later re-released digitally on the Japanese PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 on December 19, 2012, as Phantasy Star Complete Collection, broadening access without physical media.[10] These releases highlight stark regional exclusivity: the Saturn, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Network versions remained Japan-only, while the Game Boy Advance edition focused on North America and Europe.[7] Overall, the collections repackaged the original Master System and Mega Drive RPGs for contemporary systems, reflecting Sega's post-Dreamcast pivot in 2001 toward licensing its legacy titles to third-party platforms for sustained revenue.Included content
The Sega Saturn version of Phantasy Star Collection, released exclusively in Japan in 1998, includes the first four mainline entries in the series: Phantasy Star (1987, Sega Master System), Phantasy Star II (1989, Sega Mega Drive), Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (1990, Sega Mega Drive), and Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium (1993, Sega Mega Drive).[5] This edition features bonus materials such as an art gallery showcasing character designs and illustrations from the games, exclusive arranged music tracks, and video clips of original Japanese television commercials for the titles.[11] Additional enhancements include a speed-up mode to accelerate character movement and adjustable text speed options for improved playability.[12] In contrast, the Game Boy Advance version, released in North America in 2002 and Europe in 2003, is limited to the first three mainline games due to hardware constraints: Phantasy Star (Sega Master System), Phantasy Star II (Sega Mega Drive), and Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (Sega Mega Drive), omitting Phantasy Star IV.[3] It lacks the art galleries, arranged music, and video content found in the Saturn release, focusing instead on core emulation with adjustments for the GBA's screen resolution, such as scaled-down visuals during certain sequences like jet scooter travel.[7] Save functionality is basic, with reduced slots—three for Phantasy Star instead of the original five—and up to two slots for the other titles, alongside warnings against powering off during saves to prevent data loss.[13] The PlayStation 2 version, titled Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 32: Phantasy Star Complete Collection and released in Japan in 2008, expands significantly on prior editions by including Japanese and English variants of Phantasy Star I through IV, the eight Phantasy Star II Text Adventures (modem-exclusive scenarios from 1990–1991 featuring backstories for characters like Amia, Nei, and Rolf), Phantasy Star Gaiden (1992, Game Gear), and Phantasy Star Adventure (1990, Game Gear).[8] A digital re-release followed on the PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 in 2012, preserving the same content.[14] Bonus materials are more extensive, incorporating a sound test for audio tracks across the games, art galleries with scans of original manuals and portraits, speed-up options for navigation, and emulation features like graphical filters to mimic original hardware displays, including unused test patterns and warning screens from the Sega Mega Drive era.[15]| Version | Included Mainline Games | Additional Titles | Key Bonuses and Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Saturn (1998, JP) | Phantasy Star I–IV | None | Arranged music, art gallery, commercial videos, speed-up mode, text speed adjustment |
| Game Boy Advance (2002–2003, NA/EU) | Phantasy Star I–III | None | Resolution adjustments, limited save slots (2–3 per game), no extras |
| PlayStation 2/PSN (2008–2012, JP) | Phantasy Star I–IV (JP/EN variants) | Phantasy Star II Text Adventures (8), Phantasy Star Gaiden, Phantasy Star Adventure | Sound test, art galleries, speed-up options, graphical filters, hardware emulation extras |