Ultracore

Ultracore (originally known as Hardcore) is a run and gun game developed by Digital Illusions. Originally due to be released for Amiga, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD platforms, the game was canceled by its publisher, Psygnosis, in 1994 after it had been almost finished. The game was salvaged by publisher Strictly Limited Games and released together with the Mega Sg aftermarket console in March 2019. Ports for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita released in 2020. A version compatible with original Sega Genesis systems was released in Japan in October 2019.

Ultracore
Developer(s)Digital Illusions[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)Strictly Limited Games (Switch, PS4, PSV, MSG versions)
Columbus Circle (Genesis version)
Producer(s)Greg Duddle
Designer(s)
  • Joakim Wejdemar
  • Bo Lankinen
  • Olof Gustafsson
  • Frederik Liliegren
  • Markus Nystroem
Programmer(s)Bo Lankinen
Artist(s)
  • Joakim Wejdemar
  • Markus Nystroem
Composer(s)Olof Gustafsson
Platform(s)
Release
  • Mega Sg
  • March 25, 2019
  • Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
  • June 23, 2020
  • PlayStation Vita
  • NA: July 21, 2020
  • EU: July 24, 2020
  • Sega Genesis
  • JP: October 17, 2019
Genre(s)Run and gun
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

Ultracore is a run and gun "Eurostyle 2D shooter" that requires fast reflex action. The player collects weapon power-ups while moving through levels.[1]

Development

Digital Illusions initially developed Hardcore for Amiga, Sega Genesis, and Sega CD platforms. Despite being "about 99 percent finished", the game's publisher, Psygnosis, ultimately canceled the game in 1994.[1][2] With the then-upcoming release of the 32-bit PlayStation console, Psygnosis expected sales for 16-bit Sega Genesis games, including Hardcore, to wane.[2] A few videos of its gameplay also leaked over the years.[2] Andreas Axelsson and Olof Gustafsson, two of DICE's founders, presented a demo of the game at the 2010 Datastorm exposition for Commodore enthusiast.[1]

In August 2018, German publisher Strictly Limited Games announced plans to finish and release the game. The company's team of nine people, including DICE co-founder Fredrik Liljegren and other former DICE employees, used an original Sega Genesis development kit to finish the game's production, porting the game to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, two modern systems, afterwards. At the time, Sony, the makers of the PlayStation, owned the Psygnosis back-catalog. Strictly Limited Games also attempted to add tank levels that were missing from the game with input from its original designers.[1] Prior to release, Hardcore was retitled Ultracore due to licensing issues.[3] Ultracore was first released as part of the Mega Sg, an aftermarket console for Sega Genesis games developed by Analogue, on March 25, 2019.[4][5] Ultracore is set to be released for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on June 23, 2020, with a planned release for PlayStation Vita at a later date.[6] A physical version compatible with original Sega Genesis systems is also planned.[7] In Japan, this version was released by Columbus Circle on 17 October 2019.[8]

Notes
  1. Additional work by Strictly Limited Games

References
  1. Good, Owen S. (August 18, 2018). "Canceled at the last minute, DICE's 'Hardcore' to launch 25 years later". Polygon.
  2. Grant, Christopher (February 22, 2019). "Unreleased Genesis game will come bundled with the premium Mega SG clone". Polygon.
  3. Lee, Gavin (February 22, 2019). "Analogue Mega Sg To Feature Unreleased Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Game". Nintendo Life.
  4. Grant, Christopher (March 25, 2019). "Mega SG review". Polygon.
  5. Wheeler, CJ (March 16, 2019). "There's A Sassy New 1080p Mega Drive And It's Arriving This Month". Kotaku UK.
  6. "Ultracore launches June 23 for PS4 and Switch, later for PS Vita". Gematsu. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  7. @RealStrictlyLTD (June 22, 2019). "After nearly 25 years of deep sleep... #ULTRACORE, the newly unearthed Masterpiece by @EA_DICE, will finally be released on the console it was originally meant for back in '94! #Genesis #MegaDrive" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. Igarashi (October 8, 2019). "MD/ MD gokan-ki-muke yoko sukurōruakushon 'ULTRACORE' ga 10 tsuki 17-nichi ni hatsubai. Maboroshi no taitoru 'HARDCORE' ga 25-nen no toki o hete fukkatsu" MD/MD互換機向け横スクロールアクション「ULTRACORE」が10月17日に発売。幻のタイトル「HARDCORE」が25年の時を経て復活 [Lateral scroll action "ULTRACORE" for MD / MD compatible machines will be released on October 17th. Phantom title "HARDCORE" revives after 25 years]. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese).
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