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Joystiq

Original Shining Force now available on App Store

by Griffin McElroy on Jul 30th 2010 1:00AM

Sega hasn't found a whole lot of luck porting its classic titles to the iPhone and iPod Touch, largely due to the twitchy nature of games like Sonic the Hedgehog and the totally non-twitchy nature of the devices' virtual controllers. However, that might not be too huge a problem for the latest Genesis game on the App Store: the classic strategy-RPG Shining Force.

The game is currently available on the App Store in North America for $2.99, and doesn't require any split-second spin dashes or evasive maneuvers, meaning you might be able to play it on a glassy, buttonless surface. That's as good a selling point as any, we suppose.

Download: Shining Force for iPhone and iPod Touch ($2.99)

Source: iTunes

Tags: app-store, mobile, sega, shining-force, Strategy-RPG

Reader Comments (25)

Oh Sega Genesis.

I remember nutting myself when I saw the title screen for Phantasy Star 2.

This game was another great, turn-based RPG.

That and Shining in the Darkness, Shining Force, etc.

Shining Force is a fantastic little SRPG. It shows it's age, especially in it's writing and translation, but it's a game built on solid mechanics reminiscent of that of Fire Emblem. Anyone interested in the genre and has not picked it up yet on the Wii's Virtual Console or other means should do so, though I cannot vouch for the quality of this port....

@Alexisonfire Yeah, it was pretty awesome back in the 90s, but it was also very, very raw. I don't think it particularly aged well either, especially given how future SRPGs (Fire Emblem, FFT, Advance Wars, slew of Atlus games, etc.) ended up being so much more polished in all aspects.

Having said that, it's still a fun adventure, and I hope SF2 gets some love too.

@EatSleepChuck
Agreed. I hope they can work this out for Android too, but after having played this game on Virtual Console again I can say that I'll hold out for the second one. It was just so much more polished.

@EatSleepChuck : Interestingly enough, I enjoyed the relative simplicity of Shining Force over its contemporaries. Sometimes I don't want to have to factor in terrain, attack angles, and complex skill trees. It's certainly a more fast-paced experience for it.

In fact, it's probably best to view the game as a straight-up RPG with strategy-lite elements. And really, the only other game I can think of that mostly followed the formula of the Shining Force games is Arc the Lad 1-3. Of those, the 2nd is probably the best.

Nice to see iPhone users are going to get to experience this, regardless. It should work quite well on that platform.

Great game. Wish they would do a full hd remake on this title. Great series too bad they never finished it in the US. Anyone know if the fan translation of the 3rd's 2nd and 3rd game ever got done?

@knil

Agreed. I love Shining Force, and would rather replay it than many of the newer games we've had foisted upon us.

This game may also work well on the iThing. It is turn-based, and requires no real-time interaction.

I hope they'd publish every game ever developed by Camelot! Hands down one of the greatest gaming companies of all time, second only to BioWare. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

And with that, my thoughts come to the new Golden Sun and my mind explodes (can't wait!). That is all.

I really hope they kept that little hamster with the helmet in the game, that guy was creepy.

What was he called, Yogurt?

@Mama Luigi Jogurt. It was retconned Yogurt in the GBA version.

@Not THAT Matt

I love Shining Force, and esp. the sequel. Any idea if this is the original genesis version or the GBA remake? I hope this makes its way to android too ...

Shining Force I and II are two of my earliest console gaming memories. II is particularly awesome. I agree that if it was on Android, I'd be all over this. It'd also be nice to have these games added to the lineup of mega drive games on the PSP, as the lack of Shining Force II on the mega drive collection for PSP is the main reason I'm resisting getting it (it's on the xbox version, but i'd prefer it portable...)

The bit in the second game where you crash your ship and build a village out of it has always stuck with me.

Orgasm!!! Too bad I already bought this for Wii. I might buy it again anway! There needs to be more tactical RPGs for iPhone, it's the perfect genre of game for a phone.

I'm guessing from the non-widescreen screenshots that this is the genesis version and not the GBA version? Would have been nice if they would have actually remade the game and added touch controls instead of emulating a d-pad. Great game though, but still wouldn't buy at that price - would have been a definite at .99 cents.

i played this game, the intro took forever lol... or was that part 2... anyways good times.

This is indeed the genesis version and not the GBA remake, although the app notes do state you can unlock bonus costumes for tao and anri (which was part of the GBA version). The controls are ok, it is that iphone/genesis pad thats pretty weird, but in this genre of game its really not that big of a deal. It seems to move a tiny bit faster, and the resolution actually looks really good on the tiny screen.

I remember this game, sure had fun playing it back then. Too bad i dont have an iPhone or iPod Touch. Wouldnt mind playing it again. I still have it for my genesis system unfortunately its boxed up deep in the attic :(

Looking at this and remembering Shining in the Darkness (where it all started) I can't help but think how much I hate the shit stains SEGA keeps putting the Shining name on these days.

3 bucks is much more doable than the 8 Squeenix charges for Final Fantasy. Though I guess I should stop waiting for that to come down in price, since I'm on an NES collecting kick, I'll have FF1 CIB soon enough.

Just read some reviews on it in the app store. Seems the virtual controller never goes away. Sorry, but when you have a game with menu-driven battle sequences, and you can't just touch the menus, it's lazy. I don't even bother with games like this, that could benefit from improved touch input, but lazily stop at an emulated physical controller.

@Levi Square did overhaul the graphics, however, so there is a reason for the price premium.

Still naively mashing out the B Button for critical hits.

Kan I haz fur Blackberry 9650 plz?

Awesome! I loved on this game back in the day, and was stoked to get it in the Genesis collection for the PS3, but I don't actually play it that much since what little ps3 gaming time I have at home I generally play new experiences.

This is perfect! I can play this on the go, whilst waiting for stuff, and get my fix. The price is very respectable too. Bring on SF2 SEGA!

Would of been nice to have the GBA version but i'll take any Camelot game though.

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Shining Force

Original Shining Force now available on App Store

Reader Comments (25)

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 1:19AM Mal F4cti0n said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 1:20AM Alexisonfire said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 1:50AM EatSleepChuck said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 9:17AM TheBennettBrigade said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 1:39PM Sarge said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 1:21AM knil said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 6:17AM JayVe said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 2:15AM Maccadude33 said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 2:26AM Mama Luigi said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 8:07AM Gibbeynator said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 2:45AM N0c7urn3 said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 7:01AM darrkespur said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 8:59AM Josh A said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 9:15AM redrings said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 9:24AM PR0F3TA said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 9:24AM mikeymilkshake said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 9:47AM calibus said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 10:35AM yomachaser said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 10:38AM Levi said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 4:36PM Levi said

Posted: Aug 3rd 2010 10:47AM Josh A said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 10:55AM Chronomaster said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 11:44AM The Fuzz 53 said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 12:55PM scratchh said

Posted: Jul 30th 2010 7:17PM ecco6t9 said

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