Fans of the country of Japan and Japanese culture are in for a real treat with August’s selection of retro games coming to current generation platforms.
There are two retro titles in particular that fans have been begging for a re-release of on modern platforms, and it feels great to say that it is finally happening. I am, of course, talking about Shenmue I & II. Besides an Xbox port of the second game, these cult classic games haven’t seen an appearance since the Dreamcast originals. Following Shenmue III’s enormously successful Kickstarter campaign, it’s no surprise that many people want to go back and replay the originals or get caught up on the story. On Aug. 21, you’ll be able to do just that when Shenmue I & II comes to PS4, Xbox One, and PC. This re-release will feature an option to use a modern control style, as well as Japanese voices, for the first in an English release.
PS4 owners who just can’t get enough of games set in Japan are in luck; Yakuza Kiwami 2 will be heading to the system on Aug. 28. In fact, many people consider the Yakuza series to be a spiritual successor of Shenmue. Yakuza 1 and 2 released all the way back on PlayStation 2, and Sega has been committed to making sure that the entire story of Kazuma Kiryu is accessible on the PlayStation 4. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an expanded remake of the original Yakuza 2. Like the first remake, Yakuza Kiwami, Kiwami 2 adds the new gameplay features of later titles in the series while retaining the general plot of the second game, with some additions.
What’s that? You want more retro games set in Japan? Well, if you own a Switch, you can have just that; Okami HD is coming to Switch on Aug. 9. This Hideki Kamiya-directed action-adventure game has been released on a plethora of consoles: PS2, Wii, PS3, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. And soon, we’ll finally be able to play it on a handheld with the Switch version. New to the Switch version is the ability to use the in-game paintbrush with touch screen controls. The Switch version of Okami HD will be digital-only in the West.
Here is a list of all the retro games coming to current generation platforms in August 2018:
- Aug. 2 – ACA Neo Geo Prehistoric Isle (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
- Aug. 9 – ACA Neo Geo Metal Slug 4 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
- Aug. 9 – Okami HD (Switch)
- Aug. 21 – Shenmue I & II (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Aug. 23 – ACA Neo Geo Crossed Swords (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
- Aug. 28 – Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4)
- Aug. 28 – De Blob 2 Remastered (Switch)
- Aug. 28 – Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Switch)
- Aug. 30 – ACA Neo Geo Football Frenzy (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
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