Another world Game Developers in Japan`s 1991

The last 3 games of ZEPS 2 release titles are Final Fantasy 3, Legend of Zelda: Link Through the Past, and Friendly Neighbourhood Spiderman.

For Final Fantasy 3, the players absolutely loved it. One of the biggest reasons fans fell in love with it was the ensemble cast of characters. Instead of focusing on a single main hero, FF 3 featured over a dozen playable characters, each with unique abilities, personal struggles, and emotional depth. Whether it was Terra questioning her humanity, Locke haunted by lost love, or Celes battling with identity and loyalty, every player found a character to connect with. This level of storytelling in a video game is really great and new to the player to this world, and many were surprised by how deeply the game explored themes like loss, war, identity, rebellion, and redemption.

The game also stunned players with its incredible graphics and music for the ZEPS 2. The detailed pixel art, which Zaboru referenced from Yoshitaka Amano's art style but enhanced with his style as well, made the expressive character sprites and cinematic scenes—like the famous opera sequence or the world literally ending mid-game—push the limits of what players thought 16-bit games could do. And Zaboru is recreating iconic Nobuo Uematsu's soundtrack from his previous life, which became an instant favourite of players. Many players can't forget tunes like "Terra's Theme," "Dancing Mad," and "Aria di Mezzo Carattere"—the soundtrack embedded in their souls; they don't expect this kind of great soundtrack.

Gameplay-wise, players loved the freedom and customization. The Esper system allowed any character to learn magic, but how you built each team member was up to you. Combined with unique special abilities, it made each battle feel dynamic and strategic. Plus, the sheer size of the game—especially with the second half taking place in the World of Ruin, an open-ended world full of secrets—gave players dozens of hours of content and exploration.

As for Zabo-man, he exists in this game as well, but as only a cameo. He will just become one of the non-interactable NPCs. He seems to be wandering around the player town wearing his iconic helmet and black coat.

Ultimately, Final Fantasy 3 on ZEPS 2 delivered something players hadn't experienced before: a dark, complex, beautifully told story with memorable characters, jaw-dropping moments, and emotional weight—all wrapped in a polished, massive RPG world. It set a gold standard for storytelling in games and proved that video games could be art, drama, and epic adventures.

Next game is The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past. At a time when most games had simple objectives and short runtimes, Link to the Past offered a sprawling quest filled with secrets, dungeons, and a dual-world mechanic that blew people's minds.

One of the biggest reasons of how players like this was the sense of exploration. Players felt truly immersed in the vast world of Hyrule, where every screen teased the possibility of a hidden cave, a bombable wall, or a puzzle that led to a heart piece. It rewarded curiosity and experimentation like few games did back then. The transition between the Light World and Dark World was a game-changer—literally. It introduced the idea that the world could be mirrored, twisted, and full of consequences. Players loved figuring out how actions in one world could affect the other, and how they had to use both to progress.

Combat felt tight and satisfying, with Link's sword swings, item usage, and clever boss fights offering a nice mix of action and puzzle-solving. And speaking of items—players were amazed by how every dungeon item felt meaningful, from the Hookshot and Fire Rod to the Pegasus Boots and Magic Mirror. Each tool didn't just open doors—it reshaped how you played the game and explored its world.

Zabo-man returns to Hyrule, this time as one of the hidden bosses. In this appearance, he takes the form of a humanoid black snake, still donning his iconic Z-helmet with a sinister twist. The battle against him challenges players to dodge his venomous bite attacks and poisonous area effects, making for an intense and strategic encounter that rewards quick reflexes and clever item use.

Graphically, it was a huge step up from the ZEPS 1 Zelda games, with rich colors, detailed environments, and a mood-setting soundtrack that instantly became a player favourite. Zaboru also removed annoying sounds when Link attacks, just like its GBA versions in his previous life.

Most of all, players loved A Link to the Past because it felt bigger, deeper, and more intelligent than anything they'd played before. It transformed them into heroes exploring a living, breathing fantasy world filled with danger, wonder, and rich lore. It wasn't just a game—it was a full-fledged adventure they could lose themselves in, the kind of experience that lingered in their minds long after they put the controller down.

The last game that became a ZEPS 2 release title is Zaboru's original Friendly Neighbourhood Spiderman.

Players loved this game for how it brought the Marvel comic universe to life. As an action-platformer, it gave players full control of Spidey's iconic moves—fighting enemies, shooting webs, swinging between buildings, and crawling on walls with fluid, responsive controls that felt true to the character.

The game also featured an upgrade system where players could spend in-game currency (coins) to unlock and enhance Spider abilities. These included Electric Webs for stunning enemies, Web Grenades for crowd control, and even Web Gliding for navigating across large gaps. The system added depth and customization, letting players tailor their Spider-Man to their playstyle.

The boss fights in this game are genuinely creative. Rather than following the standard beat 'em up formula, Friendly Neighbourhood Spiderman introduces unique mechanics for each encounter. For example, in the Sand-Man boss fight, he's invulnerable until the player activates a fire extinguisher valve to soak him with water. Against Venom, players must punch nearby steel structures to trigger vibrations that weaken him, creating an opening to land hits. These interactive elements add layers of strategy and make each boss encounter feel distinct and memorable. One standout example is the Mad Hulk boss fight, where players team up with Luke Cage and Iron Fist. Hulk is initially invulnerable—players can't damage him until Luke Cage manages to restrain him, allowing Iron Fist to land a powerful Chi-Fist strike. That's the cue for the player to unload a flurry of webs to subdue Hulk. Once his health is fully depleted, Dr. Strange arrives to remove the brainwashing spell. This kind of multi-layered, collaborative boss encounter was a huge hit with players, who praised the creativity and character synergy it brought to the game.

As for the graphics, this game really has good graphics, which Zaboru made that way. This game has comparable graphics with Sonic, which is already very good on 16-bit standards.

The story of this game is an original creation by Zaboru. In the first half, Spider-Man faces off against his classic rogues gallery—Green Goblin, Venom, Sand-Man, Mysterio, and more—each encounter adding tension and momentum to the narrative. As the game progresses, the tone shifts dramatically. In the second half, Spidey joins forces with other Marvel heroes to confront a larger threat: Scarlet Witch, who has succumbed to madness after being influenced by evil variants of herself from across the multiverse. Under this dark influence, she brainwashes Hulk, turning him into a destructive force the heroes must battle. This escalating storyline raises the stakes and turns the game from a solo fight into a full-blown Marvel crossover event.

In the final boss battle, Spider-Man teams up with this world's uncorrupted Scarlet Witch, along with Dr. Strange and Charles Xavier, to take on Evil Scarlet Witch. The fight is chaotic, intense, and filled with cinematic flair. Evil Scarlet Witch unleashes a barrage of surreal horror-based attacks—twisted monsters, magical weapons, and waves of chaos energy—creating a constant sense of danger. However, Marvel heroes frequently leap in to assist. When she hurls a massive steel spear at the player, Hulk crashes in to smash it to pieces. If she summons a demonic creature, Doctor Strange wipes it out with a barrage of fireballs. And when she casts a wave of Chaos Energy toward Spider-Man, Iron Man intercepts it midair with a missile blast Then, this world's Scarlet Witch will suppress Evil Scarlet Witch's powers, creating a brief window of vulnerability. That's when Spider-Man—controlled by the player—can launch his final attacks and turn the tide of the battle. These scripted moments elevate the battle, turning it into a true superhero showdown that's as thrilling as it is memorable.

Zabo-man also makes a brief appearance in this game, but only as a background character. During the chaos near the final boss area, he's seen yelling to civilians, "Evacuate everyone! You are very cool!"—a line that catches players off guard and gets a laugh. Not long after, a character resembling Stan Lee appears, frantically running while shouting, "Help! Excelsior!" These small comedic cameos became makes the player chuckle adding a touch of humor to an otherwise intense moment.

Overall, the eight powerhouse titles ZAGE released for the ZEPS 2 each brought something special to the table. Every game had its own identity, and players were left speechless by the sheer quality and variety.

Star Fox 2 showcases 3D polygonal graphics that seem almost impossible on a 16-bit console, while also delivering tight, thrilling shoot-'em-up gameplay that keeps players engaged.

Street Fighter brings the arcade experience home with impressive accuracy. On top of that, it includes a robust single-player mode, and it's one of the best examples of how well the ZAGE controller performs—even with games that demand precision and complex input.

Sonic 2 delivers a fast-paced platforming experience that makes players truly feel the thrill of speed. It's clear that ZAGE still puts great care into their iconic blue hedgehog, keeping the spirit of Sonic alive and well.

Fire Emblem Mystery of The Emblem challenges players to think strategically, requiring careful planning and calculated movement with every decision. It reinforces the importance of tactics while offering deep gameplay and meaningful consequences.

F-Zero puts players in the driver's seat of a unique, high-speed racing experience. Its use of Mode 7 technology on the ZEPS 2 stands out, showcasing impressive technical feats while delivering smooth, exhilarating races that feel truly futuristic for a 16-bit system.

Final Fantasy 3 proves that video game storytelling can be both emotionally rich and narratively complex. It features deep character development, a slightly dark and mature storyline, and themes that are rare in the world of RPGs on this platform. Players were captivated by the cast and the powerful arcs woven throughout the game.

The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past invites players into a sweeping adventure full of discovery and exploration. Its vast world, dual-realm mechanic, and satisfying puzzles made players fall in love with the freedom to roam, solve, and battle through a timeless journey.

Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man deepened players' love for Marvel heroes and introduced them to a wide range of characters across the universe. It combined solid, responsive gameplay with exciting background cameos and dynamic support moments from other Marvel heroes, making the world feel interconnected and alive.

ZAGE did it again—delivering hit after hit that raised the bar for what 16-bit gaming could be. The excitement around ZEPS 2 is so high that, for many players, Sonaya's Titan Drive has been bumped to second place. ZAGE is back in the spotlight, reclaiming their throne in the 16-bit console world—and right now, they're the undisputed kings.

To be continued.

AN: I might use this kind of format when explaining new games because it helps me explain things faster. It's kind of a shame that I can't write in the style of five chapters per game, which would really capture the full experience. I hope this format suits you all. Also, this chapter took me the longest to create—I literally spent around 2–3 hours on it. Why? Because I completely forgot how Link to the Past and Final Fantasy VI played! Even though they were my favorites back in the day, I had to do some research before I could write about them properly.

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