In a shocking revelation that might elicit more groans than cheers, a dozen beloved Japanese arcade shoot ’em ups are slated for a one-way ticket out of Steam land by the end of the month. That’s right, no more frantic finger workouts dodging pixels; a legal battle is breaking apart nostalgia.
Farewell to Classics: The Great Delisting of Arcade Heroes
City Connection, a publisher with a knack for dishing out retro re-releases like a grandma at a holiday feast, has announced that 12 of its cherished gems will be packing their proverbial bags on October 31. Why? Apparently, licensing agreements have the same lifespan as a houseplant kept by someone without a green thumb — they wither away.
What’s on the Chopping Block?
Those looking to commit a glorious pixelated massacre will undoubtedly be disappointed to hear that the following classics, all birthed in the magical land of the ’90s and early 2000s by the shoot ’em up maestros at Psikyo, will vanish:
- Strikers 1945
- Strikers 1945 II
- Strikers 1945 III
- Gunbird
- Gunbird 2
- Gunbarich
- Samurai Aces
- Samurai Aces Episode II: Tengai
- Samurai Aces Episode III: Sengoku Cannon
- Sol Divide
- Dragon Blaze
- Zero Gunner 2
What’s a Player to Do?
For the early birds who swooped in to snag these titles before the end of the month, fear not! They’ll still exist in your library, serving as a bitter reminder of games past. They will be there, patiently waiting to remind players of simpler times, much like the childhood toys that have somehow crept back into the attic.
In a twist that only the universe can appreciate, this license expiration only applies to Steam. Console versions, which probably sport a better wardrobe than their digital counterparts, will continue to be purchasable. This makes one wonder if the licensing agreements went through a different portal — one that required less paperwork perhaps or had a more well-behaved lawyer.
Licensing Agreements: The Unseen Villain
A brief shoutout to the unsung champion of legal jargon, licensing agreements, without which much of gaming history would be an unplayable mess. City Connection has assured fans (with a slight hint of optimism) that if there happens to be any future Steam developments, updates will be unveiled with all the fanfare of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Spoiler: usually, it’s just a dusty old top hat.
Praise for the Past
A sincere nod toward City Connection is in order for thanking that cherished subset of players who’ve stuck with their retro whims. The message commends those who basked in the nostalgia of earlier digital escapades. Meanwhile, Psikyo, founded in Kyoto back in 1992, developed games that defined many an arcade cabinet for a decade. But like all good things, this hipster paradise of arcade brilliance eventually found itself snatched up. The rights to Psikyo’s catalogue was joked about until it found a home with City Connection.
But wait, there’s more! Earlier this year, the complex web of acquisitions took another turn as City Connection decided to hand over Zerodiv to media group Edia for a mere ¥1 million (or about $6,600—a new record for low-budget treasure hunting).
So there you have it! Mark those calendars because come Halloween, some gaming friendships are going to need a serious therapy session. Those who played or planned to play these titles may just need to summon the inner child and reminisce while holding onto their controllers as if they were the last lifeline in a sinking ship.
