Fantasy Zone II W (Hardest) 1CC

After numerous attempts, I finally managed a 1CC hardest clear of Fantasy Zone II W. The run initially feels chaotic, but once you get used to certain enemy spawns, knowing when to judge then dodge the increased rate/speed of enemy fire and how to deal with the BuuBuuman difficulty switchup, it's manageble. At some point, I'll do a full breakdown of the run, detailing strategies and routes...a full deep dive. In the meantime, you can catch the run below. I haven't come across any other clears at this setting online, so if anyone does, please let me know!

Fantasy Zone III News...well, kind of.

M2 recently posted a screenshot on X displaying a rather abiguous '3' and nothing else. As expected, this resulted in a flurry of comments from followers enquirying as to what this alluded to, with some presenting possible candidates. Sega Producer Yosuke Okunari commented and I used this as an opportunity to ask if the post was in any relation to Fantasy Zone III. 

This was his response:

So there you have it - straight from the horses mouth. Sega themeselves will announce any updates on a possible Fantasy Zone III. This is interesting as it highlights that they still see Fantasy Zone as a key franchise, worthy enough of a Sega only announcemt should any future works be in development. 

My thinking was that any future game in the series would be developed by M2 (See my Time Extension article) and any news would be announced through them. While M2 are the likely candidates for dev duties, Sega will lead marketing, creative and publishing duties, it seems.

It also puts to bed any suggestions that the Mega Drive's Super Fantasy Zone, was, in fact, Fantasy Zone III, which I've seen some people suggest. Okunari would have stated this in his response and anyway, all FZ fans should know that Fantasy Zone III is mentioned at the end of both the PS2's System 16B reimagining of II and it's 3DS port, Fantasy Zone II W. 

I'm not holding my breath for any Sega announcements any time soon, but hopefully it's on their radar.

(Unofficial) Fantasy Zone Mega Drive

Before Christmas, I got in touch with a vendor in Spain who makes high quality reproduction paraphernalia for unreleased, hard to find, Mega Drive games. He already had a few copies of PAL/EU Fantasy Zone repros that he was selling on eBay and I asked him if he could kindly put together a Japanese variant. His work is so authentic I couldn't pass up on an opportunity to own the physical version of the Mega Drive's incredible Fantasy Zone port. 

Well here it is, with all the authentic touches and stylings that the JP Mega Drive boxart can only bring.

 

 

It's a lovely package and feels absolutely authentic. I has hoping that Sega/M2 would work with the likes of  Columbus Circle or even Limited Run in order to release an official retail copy of Fantasy Zone, given this is something that was done for MD port of Darius. Whether a physical release will eventually come to fruition, whos knows - I'm just happy to own something that looks and feels like an official product.