March was a busy and exciting month for ZAGE, marked by several major ga releases. This month alone, the company launched four highly anticipated titles: Counter-Strike, ga Man 7, Castlevania 3, and ActRaiser. Each ga was handled by a different division within ZAGE's global developnt teams. Counter-Strike was developed by Team Tempest in the USA, ga Man 7 was crafted by Team NIWA in Japan, Castlevania 3 was built by Team IZAN—also based in Japan—and finally, ActRaiser ca from Team Enigma, another talented group in the United States..
First, ga Man 7 and Castlevania 3 stood out as exceptional releases. These marked the first entries in both franchises to debut on ZAGE's 16-bit console—a huge milestone, considering how beloved these series had beco during the 8-bit era. The transition was not just visual; both gas delivered exactly what longti fans had been hoping for.
With ga Man 7, the improvents were instantly noticeable. The graphics were significantly enhanced, the gaplay refined, and the stage design thoughtfully crafted. Yet, despite these updates, the ga still retained that unmistakable "ga Man" feel—fast-paced action, precision platforming, and morable boss battles. Fans were thrilled. Many praised the ga as a long-overdue but welco return, with comnts like, "ZAGE may have taken their ti, but it was worth the wait."
The release showed ZAGE's commitnt to honoring classic franchises while pushing them forward, and it left ga Man fans hopeful for what's next.
For Castlevania fans, this release of Castlevania 3 was exactly what they had been hoping for. In fact, this version of Castlevania 3 is heavily inspired by what Zaboru rembered as Castlevania 4 from his previous life. In this tiline, Zaboru and ZAGE had previously created Castlevania 1 based on a blend of Castlevania 1 and 2 from his original world, making their Castlevania 2 essentially the equivalent of Castlevania 3 in Zaboru's past tiline.
That installnt, Castlevania 2, had already earned its place as one of the most acclaid 8-bit gas ever—often ntioned alongside great titles like Super Mario Bros. 3 and Choujin Sentai Z-Man. Now, Castlevania 3 carries that legacy forward, raising the bar for what fans expect from the series and delivering an experience that feels both nostalgic and freshly reimagined.
Castlevania 3, while technically a sequel, feels more like a reimagining and significant enhancent of the original Castlevania 1. The improvents are evident in nearly every aspect of the ga. Visually, it showcases pseudo-3D effects using Mode 7 graphics—a feature that has beco a defining hallmark of the ZEPS 2 16-bit console. These effects give the ga depth and dynamism, drawing players deeper into the gothic world of Castlevania.
In terms of gaplay, one standout feature is the addition of the whip-swing chanic. Simon Belmont can now use his whip to swing across gaps and obstacles, adding a layer of mobility and platforming finesse that didn't exist in previous entries. This single feature transforms level navigation into a more engaging and fluid experience.
Furthermore, the entire stage design has been overhauled. Levels now feature more intricate layouts, environntal storytelling, and dynamic pacing. These changes have elevated the gaplay significantly, making it feel modern yet faithful to the series' roots. Fans of Castlevania are thrilled—many declaring that their beloved franchise is not only back, but better than ever.
As for Act Raiser, players loved ActRaiser because it was unlike anything they had ever experienced before because, ActRaiser boldly combined two completely different genres — side-scrolling action and city-building simulation — into one cohesive, emotional journey. You played as "The Master," a god-like being who fights demons in human form, then returns to the sky to guide civilization's rebirth. That sense of switching between divine creator and heroic warrior gave players a feeling of power and purpose few gas had offered before.
The action stages were thrilling on their own. Using a sword, shield, and magic, players descended from the heavens to fight monsters in beautifully animated, mythic landscapes — forests, deserts, volcanoes, and temples — all backed by the ZEPS 2 rich graphics and smooth scrolling. The combat was simple yet satisfying, with a heroic rhythm that matched the ga's tone of divine justice. Boss fights were especially morable, mixing cinematic presentation and dramatic music that made every victory feel sacred.
Then ca the god-simulation mode — the part that truly set ActRaiser apart. After purging evil from a region, players guided the rebirth of human civilization from a heavenly view, controlling an angel to help people build towns, direct their growth, protect them from monsters, and shape the land. Watching villages expand, people thrive, and prayers rise to the sky created a powerful sense of connection. It wasn't just about saving the world through battle; it was about nurturing it afterward. The dual structure made players feel both heroic and compassionate, blending action and strategy into a surprisingly emotional experience.
Finally, the music as Usual ZAGE music are always slaps with orchestral-style soundtrack makes the players feel delighted, elevating every mont to sothing epic and spiritual.
Overall, the ga was a huge success, and it reinforced the idea that ZAGE continues to push boundaries by experinting with new genres. This creative risk-taking has earned the admiration of their fanbase, many of whom are thrilled to see the company consistently delivering fresh, innovative experiences across different types of gaplay.
As for Counter-Strike, it has beco insanely popular, especially with the explosive rise of "Internet Cafés" around the world. These cafés—booming in popularity across countries like China and Korea—have beco social hubs where people gather to play multiplayer gas, and Counter-Strike has erged as the ultimate LAN experience. The ga's smooth, highly optimized network performance makes it perfect for local play, offering a seamless and lag-free experience even with multiple players connected.
One of the biggest reasons for its success lies in its gaplay balance. The weapon chanics—particularly the recoil system—introduce a clear skill gap that separates casual players from highly skilled ones. This makes matches both competitive and rewarding. Players love how every shot matters, and how mastery of movent, aim, and recoil control can determine the outco of a match. The result? An adrenaline-fueled shooter that feels both fair and addictive.
All of these factors combined have made Counter-Strike a worldwide phenonon, with fans praising it as one of the most exciting and skill-driven multiplayer ever.
The two main modes of Counter-Strike—Bomb Mode and Deathmatch Mode—have quickly beco fan favorites. What truly amplifies the ga's appeal, however, is its modding capability. Thanks to the freedom given to players and community creators, an explosion of custom ga modes has erged shortly after release. These include wild variations like Knife-Only Mode, Bomb-Only Mode, Hyperspeed Mode, and countless other inventive twists on the original gaplay.
Players are crafting insane, creative experiences that have added unexpected layers of fun and strategy, keeping the ga fresh and infinitely replayable. The sheer speed at which these mods are spreading speaks volus about the ga's flexibility and the community's enthusiasm. Many in the gaming world are now saying that Counter-Strike hasn't just launched successfully—it's actively redefining what the modern FPS should be, placing player creativity and balance at the core of its design.
After each team completed their primary assignnts, Zaboru, as usual, assigned them one additional task to keep their montum going and further challenge their creativity.
For the ZAGE Japan IZAN team, Zaboru tasked them with creating another ZGB ga: Tetris DX. This version of Tetris would include improvents and tweaks he envisioned, aiming for a May release. Additionally, he assigned team NIWA to work on EarthBound, a highly anticipated sequel to ZAGE's previous title Mother, continuing the beloved RPG series with new storytelling and emotional depth and both of these gas will be released in May 1997.
Next, for ZAGE's Team Tempest, Zaboru gave a focused directive—develop just one major title as part of a collaboration with Microsoft. That title was none other than Diablo II. Given how ZAGE had previously showcased the original Diablo during the Microsoft 1994 event, the follow-up was not just logical—it was necessary. Diablo II would be positioned as a flagship title for the upcoming Windows XP showcase in August 1997, with the ga slated for release in the sa month.
Lastly, for Team Enigma, Zaboru assigned the developnt of another exciting arcade title—tal Slug. Known for its fast-paced gaplay, exaggerated animation, and explosive action, this new project would tap into the booming arcade scene and reinforce ZAGE's presence in that space this title would released on June
In addition, Yugo and Kojima's long-awaited ga finally received an official release window. Titled Jasper Crank, the ga is expected to launch near the end of the year. It is being developed specifically for the upcoming ZEPS 3 console, which has yet to be released but is nearing the final stages of developnt. Similarly, Zanichi: Lunar Knight 2, a project led by Zaboru's father, is also being prepared for the ZEPS 3. As a result, both titles are currently still in progress despite the ZEPS 3 not yet officially launched.
Outside of video gas, Zaboru's wife Ayumi and her pregnancy continued to progress healthily. Her belly had now visibly rounded, a clear sign of the baby growing strong. Concerned for her well-being, Zaboru gently asked her to take a break from work and rest. However, Ayumi firmly expressed her desire to keep working. She didn't want to spend her days simply relaxing or doing nothing—she still felt capable and motivated to stay active in her usual routine. Respecting her determination, Zaboru ultimately agreed to let her continue working, trusting her instincts and strength.
ZAGE is now hosting a small internal Counter-Strike tournant, pitting its various developnt teams against each other in friendly yet competitive matches.
To be continue
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