Flashback: 25th Anniversary announced for Switch. Collector's Edition announced.

[Juke Joint Jezebel]

Official Trailer


Comes with:

- Physical Copy of the game.
- Retro-style instruction booklet (24 Pages)
- Digital Remastered Soundtrack
- Exclusive Numbered Metal Card
- Retro Cartridge Style Metal Case

No release date as of yet, just a basic June ballpark. Having the basic framework of this version based off of the SNES version is very unusual, will be interesting to see how it plays when it comes out.

 

[Hadok]

so it's not the (not really good) remasterd version?

 

[ShinobiBk]

This was announced last year, I believe. Although, people were unsure if it was a remaster of the original or that awful 360 remake

 

[Juke Joint Jezebel]

so it's not the (not really good) remasterd version?

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Nope. Looks like they're making a version of the original game using the SNES version as the base to build off of. Really excited personally as the newest version didn't click with me much. The original version has a look and feel that for me is timeless.

 

[Liamario]

I don't get it. Classic game, but what is this... a basic port, some sort of remaster?

 

[Xer0]

I don't even buy collector's editions, but, I need that one.

I read it's only available in EU and AUS earlier today. Is it in US as well?

 

[Davey Cakes]

Sounds like it'll be the original version with some added bells and whistles. That's probably the best way to go. I don't think anyone even remembers (or cares to remember) the remake.

 

[Krvavi Abadas]

so it's not the (not really good) remasterd version?

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The (near universally considered awful) remaster actually included the original game already, you know.

Probably not the best way to play it though.

 

[Juke Joint Jezebel]

I don't even buy collector's editions, but, I need that one.

I read it's only available in EU and AUS earlier today. Is it in US as well?

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Had a little look around and nothing concrete about region availability yet. I imagine we'll know more over the next couple of months.

Sounds like it'll be the original version with some added bells and whistles. That's probably the best way to go. I don't think anyone even remembers (or cares to remember) the remake.

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It has a decently sized fanbase actually despite it's rather poor reception from critics in general.

 

[HighFive]

Bah. Its a game i was always impress by the visual animation, but never bother continuing, playing. Good for the fans, physical copy is great!

 

[Davey Cakes]

It has a decently sized fanbase actually in spite of it's rather poor reception from critics in general.

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That's really surprising. I haven't heard a peep about the remake since its release week, honestly.

 

[Kazoku_]

I love me some Flashback. Good for Switch owners.

 

[iswasdoes]

The original is one of my all time favourites. I'll buy a remaster in a heartbeat. What I'd really love is some kind of fan made sequel, but that's a pipe dream

 

[Robin64]

The PR does say "To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Super Nintendo version of game, Microïds is releasing a Collector's Edition (in Europe and Australia)"

https://gonintendo.com/stories/304765-pr-flashback-will-be-released-on-june-7-on-nintendo-switch-col

So it's amusing that we get a US cart.

 

[Richter1887]

I have the Mega Drive version, was that supposed to be the best version or is there better?

 

[Frankie_baby]

The PR does say "To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Super Nintendo version of game, Microïds is releasing a Collector's Edition (in Europe and Australia)"

https://gonintendo.com/stories/304765-pr-flashback-will-be-released-on-june-7-on-nintendo-switch-col

So it's amusing that we get a US cart.

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Was just about to post the same

 

[SpillRune]

So, they're putting a US-styled SNES cart metal case in the European collectors edition? No thanks.

 

[Juke Joint Jezebel]

I have the Mega Drive version, was that supposed to be the best version or is there better?

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SNES version is widely regarded as having the better soundtrack and sound effects, as was often the case with both consoles having vastly different sound hardware, but the cutscenes are regarded better in the Mega Driver version, with additional lighting in some parts. There's also Sega CD and Jaguar ports that have their own little niggles, advantages and differences as well. The PC version was king though.

 

[Kaz Frankenstein]

Wow. I remember picking this up on the SNES in WHSmiths when it was on sale for £9.99. I still have that copy (boxed with instructions), this would look lovely alongside it.

 

[zasx]

Available to pre-order on amazon.de

39.99

 

[Richter1887]

SNES version is widely regarded as having the better soundtrack and sound effects, as was often the case with both consoles having vastly different sound hardware, but the cutscenes are regarded better in the Mega Driver version, with additional lighting in some parts. There's also Sega CD and Jaguar ports that have their own little niggles, advantages and differences as well.

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Interesting, might have to see which one fits me better. It has been so long since I played this game and now is the time.

Thanks for the info

 

[RPTGB]

I have the Mega Drive version, was that supposed to be the best version or is there better?

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Yep, The MD version is the best, that's the machine the game was created for despite the Amiga version launching first.

Paul Cuisset (Flashback creator)...In issue #118 of Retro Gamer, Paul Cussiet told the magazine that "The best version for me is the Mega Drive version. The game was created for this platform", contrary to what many had believed before this article was published.

The SNES version had some terrible slowdown.

 

[Richter1887]

Yep, The MD version is the best, that's the machine the game was created for despite the Amiga version launching first.

Paul Cuisset (Flashback creator)...In issue #118 of Retro Gamer, Paul Cussiet told the magazine that "The best version for me is the Mega Drive version. The game was created for this platform", contrary to what many had believed before this article was published.

The SNES version had some terrible slowdown.

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Thank you too for the info

 

[ChemicalWorld]

Hope this gets released via Amazon UK. Pity it isn't based on the version I played though (3DO), but I guess I'm probably in the minority for proffering that version other all the other ones.

 

[Lafazar]

IMHO the definitive version of Flashback can be had through the unofficial source port "REminiscence":
http://cyxdown.free.fr/reminiscence/

It can use the data files from either the PC version or the Amiga version (or even combine the PC graphics/animations with the Amiga music AND the SegaCD speech, it can even use the terrible PC CD prerendered movies if you REALLY want), can easily be ported to any device you want (PSP, PSVita, Open Pandora, Android, etc.) and runs on a toaster.

 

[hollams]

I bought the original on PC. Was in college and the nearest PC store was 60 miles away so I took off after class and bought it and loved the game. So good.

 

[Fularu]

Why is it going after the vastly inferior SNES version instead lf the original, great Megadrive/Amiga versions?

And that ugly NA snes cart is so wrong

 

[Parsnip]

IMHO the definitive version of Flashback can be had through the unofficial source port "REminiscence":
http://cyxdown.free.fr/reminiscence/

It can use the data files from either the PC version or the Amiga version (or even combine the PC graphics/animations with the Amiga music AND the SegaCD speech, it can even use the terrible PC CD prerendered movies if you REALLY want), can easily be ported to any device you want (PSP, PSVita, Open Pandora, Android, etc.) and runs on a toaster.

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Yup, I'd say PC combined with Amiga music is my "definitive" version.
SNES version was the one I played back in the day, so it kind of blew my mind when I saw that PC had a few extra scenes in the intro.


Curious to see how this will be though, using the SNES version as base is an odd choice even though it makes sense given the context of the release.

 

[Krusty]

Played the MD version to death. I'm totally in for a Switch version but no way am I paying more than €5 for it.

 

[Lafazar]

Yup, I'd say PC combined with Amiga music is my "definitive" version.
SNES version was the one I played back in the day, so it kind of blew my mind when I saw that PC had a few extra scenes in the intro.


Curious to see how this will be though, using the SNES version as base is an odd choice even though it makes sense given the context of the release.

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Neato, sometime in the last couple releases a widescreen feature was added to REminiscence, this option allows you to see part of the adjacent screens (of course you can disable it if you don't like it):

 

[BlackLagoon]

Yup, I'd say PC combined with Amiga music is my "definitive" version.
SNES version was the one I played back in the day, so it kind of blew my mind when I saw that PC had a few extra scenes in the intro.

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Yeah, DOS had the best graphics and Amiga the best music. Only issue with mixing them is the longer cutscenes in the DOS version makes the music go out of sync. Also I do kind of have nostalgia for the FM synthesis music in the original DOS release. Still, if they they went the extra mile and had someone rework the Amiga tracker music to fit the DOS version, that'd be amazing.

 

[Freddo]

Damn, I need this.

Bit bummed they re-release the SNES version and not the Amiga version though, which is the one I played.

 

[Epinephrine]

IMHO the definitive version of Flashback can be had through the unofficial source port "REminiscence":
http://cyxdown.free.fr/reminiscence/

It can use the data files from either the PC version or the Amiga version (or even combine the PC graphics/animations with the Amiga music AND the SegaCD speech, it can even use the terrible PC CD prerendered movies if you REALLY want), can easily be ported to any device you want (PSP, PSVita, Open Pandora, Android, etc.) and runs on a toaster.

Click to shrink...

My immediate thought was "Great, now I'm going to waste a bunch of time setting this up." But you know, it's never a waste of time. I love the hell out of Flashback, but I've only ever played the Genesis version. I'll definitely set this up on my PC and do a really long overdue double-dip once that Switch version hits.

 

[Parsnip]

Yeah, DOS had the best graphics and Amiga the best music. Only issue with mixing them is the longer cutscenes in the DOS version makes the music go out of sync. Also I do kind of have nostalgia for the FM synthesis music in the original DOS release. Still, if they they went the extra mile and had someone rework the Amiga tracker music to fit the DOS version, that'd be amazing.

Click to shrink...

Are there other cutscenes than the intro where this happens? Reworking the music wouldn't actually be too difficult, but I think REminiscence loops the intro track on a specific spot and reworking the track would probably break that implementation.

I should look into this one of these days.

 

[BlackLagoon]

My immediate thought was "Great, now I'm going to waste a bunch of time setting this up." But you know, it's never a waste of time. I love the hell out of Flashback, but I've only ever played the Genesis version. I'll definitely set this up on my PC and do a really long overdue double-dip once that Switch version hits.

Click to shrink...

Be warned that the speech... is not great. It's poorly acted and with more than a few French accents, and generally sounds like they just grabbed friends/family/co-workers.

Are there other cutscenes than the intro where this happens? Reworking the music wouldn't actually be too difficult, but I think REminiscence loops the intro track on a specific spot and reworking the track would probably break that implementation.

I should look into this one of these days.

Click to shrink...

To be honest, I don't remember. It's been years since I tried this, I think it was just after support for mixing the two was added to REminiscence. They might very well have smoothed over it by looping the track. Though by reworking the track, I was thinking of what might be done to use the Amiga music on a theoretical commercial ultimate remastered version.

 

[Fularu]

I don't like the PC graphics. The game was clearly made with 320*256 in mind and those PC "reworked" screens didn't capture me the way the Amiga version did

Anyway, Amiga for life yo, I'll still get it because I'm a sucker for Flashback

 

[Hutchie]

Cant wait for the switch tax! Im out!

 

[Crayon]

Does anyone remember the advertising campaign where this was "the world's first CD-ROM game on a cartridge"?

25 years.

 

[Frankie_baby]

Cant wait for the switch tax! Im out!

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Looking at that package I'd expect the digital version should be reasonably priced

 

[Goodacre0081]

*Game Included

;)

 

[Epinephrine]

Be warned that the speech... is not great. It's poorly acted and with more than a few French accents, and generally sounds like they just grabbed friends/family/co-workers.

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Thanks for the heads up. I'm pretty used to terrible voice acting since we got our first CDROM drive for our PC in the early 90s. Wing Commander II blew us away (cartoons with voice acting), but those VOs left a lot to be desired. Some shitty VOs will do me some good, bring back some fond childhood memories of my brother and friends.

 

[ozfunghi]

Was this game released as freeware on some of these platforms? If not, some posters might want to edit their posts, assuming piracy is still against the TOS. Especially the guy wanting to emulate those versions while only owning the MD version. Unless i'm missing something, in which case nvm.

 

[Deleted member 17210]

I'm glad to see Flashback reappear. I really don't like how just the (inferior) SNES version is being celebrated this time around.

 

[MikeProtagonist]

I own a bunch of versions of this already, including the godawful remake. Let me list the ways it ruined (yes, ruined!) the original game: a shitty dudebro version of Conrad, a pointless romance, radio helpers that interupt the goddamn game all the time, arrows pointing where to go, energy refill by killing enemies, tacked on "ability upgrades", tons of flying enemies, pointless camera to show exactly what activates like it's a shitty N64 era platformer, having to scan to see otherwise invisible traps, stealth sections and Press A For Awesome Executions. They did everything possible to make it a shitty Triple A (Jimquisition intonation on that one) game. Btw, the original was unplayable as well because of the ridiculous screen filter and the shitty stuff going on around it and NO MUSIC.

That said, if this is a proper update, I'll be all over it. Flashback really deserves being on every system imaginable, like Another World is for some reason.

 

[Teletext Dreamer]

Urgh.

I hope that there's an option to disable that pixel-smoothing filter. I want my pixels big and square!

Source: http://meridiem-games.com/flashback.php

 

[godofcookery]

Urgh.

I hope that there's an option to disable that pixel-smoothing filter. I want my pixels big and square!

Source: http://meridiem-games.com/flashback.php

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Apparently you can disable effects from what I read. Too bad this is the SNES version.

 

[FFNB]

I still own my Genesis cartridge of this game. Loved it to death back in the day. I'll definitely snag this one.

 

[LQX]

Available for pre-order at Amazon US. Hopefully BestBuy also start selling it so I don't have to put up with Amazon sending it in an envelope.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3ZWNVQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Dranakin]

Wow, interesting. Fade to Black was one of my favorite games growing up, but I never played Flashback.

 

[godofcookery]

https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/flashback-switch

There seems to be some new screens at Nintendo's game page.