The collection includes three 16-bit classics, The Lost Vikings, Rock N Roll Racing and Blackthorne, and has already been released after the announcement.
BlizzCon has always been known for offering both new and “old” things, and this year is no exception. For example, the presentation of a class for the future Diablo IV, news that is accompanied by the announcement of the remaster of Diablo II. But it’s not all about the popular role-playing saga, and the company has gone back even further to offer a compilation featuring The Lost Vikings, Rock N Roll Racing, and Blackthorne that PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Switch users can purchase today. same.
Three classics with new functions
Despite the title, these games do not have their origins in arcade games, but in the 16-bit console generation, where Blizzard began to take its first steps long before being known by sagas like Overwatch or Warcraft. Released on Super Nintendo before making the leap to platforms such as Mega Drive, MS-DOS and Game Boy Advance, The Lost Vikings was an action game and side-scrolling platforms where we alternated control of the three vinkingos that give it its name. Each had their own abilities, such as using a shield to block enemies or a bow to attack from a distance, so they had to be combined to increase combat efficiency and even solve some puzzles. The Mega Drive version included new levels and cooperative multiplayer that are now paired with SNES with the superior audiovisual finish of the SNES version.
For its part, Rock N Roll Racing was an isometric racing and combat game. Also originating from SNES, its setting combined post-apocalyptic scenarios with a high-quality rock soundtrack that earned it the title and set itself apart from the other speed games. In addition to weapons and traps to leave on the track, it also lacked permanent upgrades to buy between races or split-screen multiplayer. This edition adds new environmental effects such as rain and snow, 16: 9 format to have more vision of the circuits and also increases the local multiplayer from two to four players.
Finally we find Blackthorne, a cinematic action platformer in line with other classics of the time such as Flashback. Which means that at the level of settings and animations it offered a more realistic experience, but it did so at the cost of reducing the fluidity and pace of the game. However, its elaborate story, brilliant staging, and the presence of puzzles made it an attractive title despite its potential mechanical limitations. Like the other games in the compilation, Blackthorne was also released first on the Super Nintendo, although this edition includes a new area released later on the Sega 32x.
Beyond the aforementioned, the games include additional functions such as rewinding – going back a few seconds if we make a mistake -, immediate saves and loads and several options to configure the edges of the screen or the filter on it, making them more digestible for the modern public or with less patience for the peculiarities of yesteryear.
As we anticipated at the beginning, Blizzard Arcade Collection can be purchased now for € 19.99 in the digital stores of PC, PS4, One or Switch, and also as part of the Celebration Collection for 30 Years of Blizzard (which includes objects specials for Overwatch and Diablo III) for € 29.99.
