Sega is marking the 25th anniversary of Phantasy Star Online — but only in Japan. Fans are nonetheless pleased — it at least shows the company has finally acknowledged the game’s significance.
In recent years Sega has been actively returning to its classic franchises: a new Shinobi has launched, and work is underway on Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and Virtua Fighter. Yet one of the most eagerly anticipated titles remains Phantasy Star Online, which the company has hardly mentioned.
The iconic Dreamcast project has received sequels and refreshed editions, but many argue they don’t recapture the original’s magic. Sega largely neglected the franchise for a long time, so fans greeted even the modest 25th-anniversary recognition with enthusiasm.
To mark the milestone the company opened a store in Shinjuku (Tokyo) and an online shop (no international shipping), offering a variety of Phantasy Star Online merchandise.
Sega’s renewed attention to its classics increases the prospects of a future remaster or re-release, even though there are no concrete signs that will happen yet. For fans, however, it’s already an indication that their beloved game hasn’t been forgotten.
Source: iXBT.games