Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

Sunday 23 March 1994 Morning

Many gamers across Japan were holding their breath, eyes locked on the clock, waiting for it to strike 10:00—the exact moment when the long-awaited ZEPS 2 official advertisement was set to air on TV Tokyo. As the seconds ticked down, living rooms buzzed with excitement and tension. Then, right on time, the screen changed and the ad began.

First, the screen went dark, then the ZAGE logo shined on the screen. Then Zaboru appeared with his iconic Z Helmet.

"Hey! Hello everyone, thanks so much for waiting! Alright! For those of you who are thinking this is the big reveal of ZAGE's brand-new 16-bit console—guess what? You're absolutely right!"

Suddenly, Sonic zipped onto the screen with flash and smirked, "Boss, don't you think it's already kinda obvious?"

Zaboru froze for a second, stopping in awkward silence while staring at Sonic, before chuckling and continuing, "Heh... anyway! Let's not keep you in suspense—here it is, the newest ZAGE console! Say hello to the ZEPS 2!"

The screen lit up with dazzling visuals, showcasing the sleek design of ZEPS 2, its powerful specs, and enhanced features. The camera zoomed dramatically on the controller, prompting a stunned reaction from the audience.

Zaboru's voiceover resumed with confidence: "With the ZEPS 2 controller, you'll have access to a plethora of buttons—yes, plenty of them! And you know what that means? More buttons, more options, more fun! Plus, this controller? It fits in your hands like a dream—seriously, the grip is amazing! Also, guess what?! You can still play your ZEPS 1 games on the ZEPS 2—it's fully backward compatible! But don't neglect your ZEPS 1—he's your trusted partner, your day-one ally! Show him the respect he deserves!"

Then, as the music swelled, Zaboru delivered the final bombshell: "And here's the kicker—we're not launching with 4, not 5, not 6, not even 7... but 8 GAMES! That's right, 8 incredible launch titles! And what are they? Well, see for yourself!"

The screen then transitioned to an intense Starfox 2 gameplay segment, highlighting its dynamic dogfights and impressive 3D graphics. Next came Street Fighter, bursting with electrifying combos and signature moves. The spotlight then shifted to the timeless Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past, showcasing its mystical overworld and puzzle-filled dungeons. Afterward, Fire Emblem: The Mystery of the Emblem captivated viewers with its turn-based tactical battles and gameplay.

The trailer then shifted gears again, moving into the blistering speed of F-ZERO, with futuristic cars zooming past in Mode 7 splendor. The crowd went wild when Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man appeared, swinging across skyscrapers and engaging in fast-paced combat. The excitement only climbed with the reveal of Final Fantasy 3, teasing stunning visuals and the emotional journey of its characters. Finally, the screen erupted into vibrant action with Sonic The Hedgehog 2, featuring even faster speed, new levels, and fresh gameplay mechanics.

This rapid-fire showcase left the audience completely flabbergasted, jaws dropped and eyes wide with awe. Each game looked not just good—but absolutely fun and thrilling. As the energy soared, the screen transitioned again, and each of the 8 characters from their respective games appeared on screen, standing boldly as if ready for battle, amplifying the hype even more.

First, Ryu from Street Fighter took center stage, followed by the iconic Spider-Man with his web-slinging flair. Captain Falcon appeared next, exuding aura and confidence, and then Tina Bradford, the fierce and graceful female protagonist from Final Fantasy 3, joined the lineup. Link from The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past stood ready with his Master Sword, followed by Marth, the noble hero of Fire Emblem, whose cape fluttered dramatically. Captain Fox McCloud, piloting his Arwing, made a dramatic landing, and finally, Sonic the Hedgehog zipped into frame, striking a confident pose. Each character radiated presence, standing proudly beside Zaboru, forming a united front of gaming legends.

Zaboru turned toward the camera, eyes gleaming with excitement. "We await you all in a new and thrilling adventure with ZAGE," he declared, his voice echoing with energy. Then Zaboru's body shined with light and he conjured the word.

"A NEW ERA HAS BEGUN!"

The screen exploded into light before revealing the highly anticipated pricing: the ZEPS 2 console, sleek and powerful, would retail at 23,500 yen. Each game cartridge was tagged at 8,000 yen—except for Starfox, enhanced with the groundbreaking "SUPER FX" chip, priced slightly higher at 8,700 yen. A deluxe bundle package containing the ZEPS 2 and all eight launch games was also announced for 86,000 yen. Finally, with a dramatic flourish, the release date appeared in bold text:

"Available in nearby stores starting 30 March 1994!"

The audience response was really insane—they really nailed it! ZAGE is insane! They released 8 games at launch! And each game looked really unique and polished, which made the players hungry to play it.

"Damn! That Starfox 2 is really insane! I mean, it's 3D, right? Absolutely 3D, right? How can they manage that?!" one ZAGE fan who had a good understanding of game technology exclaimed to his friend, his eyes still wide with disbelief. His friend, equally amazed, nodded vigorously and replied, "Yeah, damn! And that F-ZERO—seriously, how can it look so smooth? It's like watching a futuristic race in real time!"

The excitement didn't stop there. A small group nearby was buzzing with praise for ZEPS 2's backward compatibility. "This is light years ahead of the Sonaya Titan Drive," one of them said with absolute conviction. Another chimed in, "Titan Drives might become number two now," prompting a burst of laughter. One fan, wearing a ZAGE shirt, grinned and added, "Right where it truly belongs!" Everyone laughed together, united by the feeling that they were witnessing the rise of a true next-gen champion.

Meanwhile, there were fans who were absolutely overjoyed—especially the Sonic fans! For years, they had felt like Sonic had been unfairly sidelined, particularly after the release of Sonic 1 on the original ZEPS with no follow-up in sight. The absence of a sequel had left a lingering void.

"Finally! A Sonic sequel! Yeah! And it seriously looks insane too!" one of them shouted, practically jumping with excitement.

His friend echoed the enthusiasm, eyes wide with anticipation. "Yeah! This is what we've been waiting for! I can't wait to play it—I'm buying it day one!"

Across forums, fan clubs, and street corners, the buzz was real. Sonic's return ignited a wildfire of excitement that quickly spread across the entire gaming community. People were reposting stills from the trailer, arguing over which of the 8 launch titles was best, and praising ZAGE for finally giving their beloved hedgehog the attention he deserved.

Overall, gamers from all corners were incredibly hyped for the release of ZAGE's new console. With its powerhouse lineup of 8 polished, high-quality games, ZAGE had struck a chord with players. The excitement was contagious, and people were already lining up their budgets and clearing their shelves, ready to make room for the ZEPS 2—the next big leap in gaming.

But not all were happy. There were many who were really surprised—but in a more fearful way.

Hikaru Kurata's eyes widened as he watched the ZEPS ad unfold. "Eight games..? And the console is cheaper than ours?" he muttered, disbelief etched across his face. Beside him, Junpei looked equally stunned. "Unbelievable. The games look amazing—fun, polished, and packed with features. And that backward compatibility… it's genius how they even do that?. I… I made a mistake, boss. We completely underestimated Zaboru. I should've known—Zaboru is the kind of guy who turns impossible into possible, every single time."

Hikaru Kurata looked at Junpei. Rarely did he see him this down, this deflated. It was written all over Junpei's face—disappointment, frustration, maybe even a bit of hopelessness. Hikaru sighed deeply. Somehow, he had expected this moment to come. Zaboru always had a way of flipping expectations, bending logic until it snapped, and breaking the rules of what anyone thought was impossible in gaming. And Hikaru had already come to terms with it recently

He placed a firm, reassuring hand on Junpei's shoulder. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Junpei. You're doing a great job, you really are. It's just that Zaboru—that brat—he always shatters common sense. Every. Damn. Time."

Hikaru gave him a warm, encouraging smile. "It's alright. We can't let this shake us too much. We just need to double down. We'll work harder, smarter, whatever it takes—not to let ZEPS 2 steal all the gaming spotlight. We can still shine."

Junpei took a breath, his posture straightening, his eyes regaining focus. "You're right, boss. We just need to give it everything we've got. We'll fight back. We'll give the players something they'll never forget."

Hikaru nodded. It wasn't over. Not by a long shot.

Normally, Hikaru Kurata would be fuming with rage whenever Zaboru dropped something this outrageous. But not this time. He had grown accustomed to it. Over time, he had come to accept that Zaboru was operating on another level when it came to gaming. A level that seemed almost unreachable. Still, Sonaya would never stop striving. That relentless pursuit of greatness was the mindset he had to uphold.

If ZAGE was the Hero of the gaming world, then Sonaya had to become something just as significant. Not just a rival, but a presence so formidable it couldn't be ignored. Whether that meant walking side by side with the Hero or stepping into the role of the Demon King, Sonaya had to be a force to reckon with. That was the only way forward.

And overall, the trailer of ZEPS 2 made waves among gamers alike.

To be continued

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