Square Enix Brings Xenogears, Rakugaki Showtime PSone To PSN

Author: by David Jenkins, Brandon Boyer

Japanese publisher and developer Square Enix has announced plans to release a number of its classic PSone titles on the Japanese PlayStation Store, with six games already available for download at a price of ¥600 ($5.56). Amongst the games currently downloadable are role-playing game Xenogears and 2D shoot ‘em-up Einhänder, both titles were original published by Square, before its merger with Enix. Also live today on the Japanese version of the PlayStation Network are import only titles Astronoka and the Treasure developed beat ‘em-up Rakugaki Showtime - both previously published by Enix, and the latter well known for fetching premium import prices. Two Taito titles have also been released, in the shape of isometric shoot ‘em-up RayStorm and 3D beat ‘em-up Fighters' Impact. Square Enix acquired Taito and its assets in 2005. According to information detailed in magazine Dengeki PlayStation as translated by game forum NeoGAF, twelve key titles will be released under the scheme, although no further details are currently available. Much fan speculation has surrounded Square Enix’s wider plans for digital distribution of its back catalogue. Thus far only two Square Enix titles are available on the Wii’s Virtual Console in the West: action strategy title ActRaiser and 2D shoot ‘em-up King's Knight. Although more are available in Japan, none include any of the company’s classic role-playing titles, which it continues to re-release and remake as retail releases for a variety of formats.