Don't expect any Treasure games on PSN anytime soon

by Chris Powell { Sep 18th 2007 at 1:00PM }

On the cusp of Tokyo Game Show, the 1up crew tracked down Treasure president Masato Maegawa to ask him all sorts of questions regarding his company's future. Treasure, of course, is the company behind such great titles like Ikaruga, Radiant Silvergun and Guardian Heroes.

While we're sure plenty of you would love to download any of those games via the PlayStation Network, it doesn't look like it'll be happening ... at least not for awhile, anyway. Maegawa said that Treasure is just now "fully up and running on developing for Xbox Live Arcade, so to move resources to PSN just now wouldn't make much sense."

Ouch, did you hear that? That's the sound of my heart being crushed under Maegawa's steel-toed penny loafers. You'll rue the day for this decision, Maegawa. RUE!

Tags: 1up, ikaruga, interviews, maegawa, playstation-network, psn, treasure

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 1:17PM

Meh... Never heard of any of this stuff. Won't be any tears shed from me.

FrankTheCrank @ Sep 18th 2007 1:29PM

Guess I'll just have to download a good emulator and run those games on my PC for free.

Who the hell wants to play a 20 year old game on a next gen system? Jazz that old school game up and maybe I'll fork over the duckets, puhleeeze...

ruibing @ Sep 18th 2007 1:38PM

That's too bad, I would love'd to have tried them.

shase @ Sep 18th 2007 1:40PM

Is this a slow news day? Add insignificant company X and have them say "sorry, not on PS3...."

Ste @ Sep 18th 2007 1:43PM

Since the comment is specifically about the PSN and this is PS3Fanboy the article is entirely relevant to the sites audience Shase, even if it is a small company.

Supino @ Sep 18th 2007 2:08PM

theyr games must be less than 100Mb then..

I like that PSN has no size restriction. When will XBLA learn that thats the way to go?

though I live in Europe, and PSN content here is flat out bad.

TheSh0wstopper @ Sep 18th 2007 2:20PM

To Shase, never$Short or anyone who might find this insignificant:

This is acrtually BAD news. The original Guardian Heroes for the Sega Saturn is still in my top 5 games of all time list (possibly top 3). I also have the imported Bangai-OH for the Sega Dreamcast. Treasure makes AMAZING games with a unique art style. Any HARDCORE gamer should be familiar with this company and most likely fell in love with at least one of their titles. I haven't played ANY game this generation for either system that can hold a candle to Guardian Heroes. I'm not even gonna get into the cult following that Radiant Silvergun has, I wonder if its still selling for upwards of $200 on ebay.
Hopefully GH will find its way to Xbox Live arcade. that is a game that every gamer should be exposed to and I am sure the 6 player arena mode would be a BLAST online and the multiplayer cooperative campaign mode is the best that I have ever played. Not to mention the replay value you get from a game that changes every time you play it, I beat it a bazillion times and still havent seen every branch and ending.

TheSh0wstopper

shase @ Sep 18th 2007 2:26PM

Regardless whether it is great games or not... people buy nextgen systems to play new games not to play older games... sadly many people pay for VC games like the overcharged ones from Nintendo and not play the so many games Nintendo offers.... same with Xbox and ps3. If they are making brand new arcade games then i am sorry but if all it is is bringing old stuff back then it is insignificant.

BlackBeltJones @ Sep 18th 2007 2:33PM

How have you never heard of Ikaruga? Go to youtube and look up videos of it, that game is probably in the top 10 most difficult games of all time, it's insane.

djSyndrome @ Sep 18th 2007 2:38PM

I'm still puzzled as to why Treasure is porting to XBLA in the first place. Very few people in America care about these games, and very few people in Japan own 360s. The only thing I can think of is that being a small developer, Microsoft wrote them a large enough check to make this worth their while.

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 2:54PM

@#7: Sorry... still could care less about something I've NEVER heard of. Just because I've never heard of or played thier titles doesn't mean I'm any less of a hardcore gamer than you. Its funny how you always try to make yourself out as if you're better than the rest of us.. meh to you

TheSh0wstopper @ Sep 18th 2007 2:54PM

@ shase
"people buy nextgen systems to play new games not to play older games... sadly many people pay for VC games like the overcharged ones from Nintendo..."

Do you realize that you contradict your own self? Many people pay for these games because they want them! maybe you dont want to play retor games but there is a big enough demand for them that all consoles have Backwards compatibility and that they all have a marketplace where you can download older games and they generate a lot of revenue. A GOOD GAME IS A GOOD GAME!!! Graphics is not the only factor when it comes to how fun a game is, I would take a download of Guardian Heroes over any game coming out this side of christmas (well maybe not Mass Effect or Halo 3).
It is ignorant to pass your opinion as everyones opinion. I hate racing games and games with Female lead characters. Is it fair for me to say people are idiots and wasting their money for getting Gran Turismo and Heavenly Sword?

TheSh0wstopper

upz @ Sep 18th 2007 2:56PM

Ikaruga is actually pretty easy for a Japanese shooter. It's a lot more methodical and less reflex based than most.

In all seriousness though, if you knew anything about gaming, you'd know about Treasure. This is pretty sad news.

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 2:58PM

@#12: It was just as unfair as saying that we are not hardcore gamers because we've never heard of or played these titles...

TheSh0wstopper @ Sep 18th 2007 2:59PM

WHAT???

I never try to make myself out to be better than anyone. I just state my opinion and get into arguements every now and then (well maybe a little more often than that). But I have to stand by my guns on this one, anyone who is a HARDCORE gamer has to have heard of Treasure or at least played one of their games. And I am sure a lot of people will agree with me.

TheSh0wstopper

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:01PM

@13: Maybe I have heard of them in the distant past, thats besides the point... I'm 27 and for some reason none of these titles or the company triggers my memory.. So either they aren't as good as you guys claim or they were INSIGNIFICANT to ME, which is all that matters... not everyone plays and enjoys EVERY GAME.. sheesh, get off your high horses people!!

TheSh0wstopper @ Sep 18th 2007 3:02PM

I apologize if I offended anyone but come on... You have never HEARD of Treasure, Ikaruga, Guardian Heroes or Bangia-Oh. I'm not saying your not a GAMER but if your a HARDCORE GAMER you HAD to have heard of these games. I didnt even say play them, HEARD OF THEM!!!

TheSh0wstopper

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:04PM

@15: Well I don't remember ANY of this!! Maybe it cuz I gotta short-term memory from smokin', I don't know but NONE of this rings a bell, SO SUE ME!!! LMAO

TheSh0wstopper @ Sep 18th 2007 3:05PM

Not on a High horse. I am only 24 and have heard of and owned all of them. Next you'll be saying you never heard of Yie Ar Kung Fu, Contra, or Vectorman but your still hardcore.

TheSh0wstopper

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:08PM

Like I said possibly heard of these MANY years ago... I've had many systems starting with Atari 2600, its REALLY HARD for me to remember ALL GAMES.. So like said, these titles were either MEH to me BACK THEN or trash..

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:09PM

Well I've heard of Contra... LOL

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:10PM

and Vectorman... the 1st one, NOPE, never heard of it... at least I'm honest

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:15PM

Some quick!!! Give Showstopper the Hardcore Gamer of the year award!!

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:16PM

Sorry meant Someone not Some...

TheSh0wstopper @ Sep 18th 2007 3:21PM

OMG! This is such an honor. the Hardcore Gamer of the Year Award. I have dreamed about this moment my whole life. But I couldnt have done it by myself. I would like to thank Howard Lincoln, Bernie Stolar, and of course Nolan Bushnell, My fellow PS3Fanboys, Nick Doerr and Andrew Loon. I could not have done it without all of your help. Thank you AND GAME ON!!!

TheSh0wstopper

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:31PM

Congratulations... you obviously earned it!! exposing me as the non-hardcore gamer that I am... You all know my terrible secret now, I really hate everything to do with video games and I just frequent this site for shitz and giggles and to read how retarded gamers are!!! How will I ever live with shame of not knowing what ikaruga and maegawa are?? I am going to go hang myself in shame now, its all showstoppers fault.. LMAO

railven @ Sep 18th 2007 3:34PM

I'm going to have to agree with Showstopper on this one.

A hardcore/Ethusiast should know more than a casual/extreme gamer. Hardcore gamers beat Sewer Shark and Night Trap. They played through Chaotix and spent all nighters on (Crap whats that shooter for 32x something Squadron?).

I've meant tons of "hardcore" gamers who don't remember Prince of Persia (no not the Sands of Time) or the original Pitfall.

I got Rez for my PS2 and Ikagura for my GC so no tears from me, although GH would be nice. I wouldn't mind spending more time with that game.

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:38PM

I owned the 1st Prince of Persia and owned the original Pitfall ... So whats that make me now?? I want to know since you guys seem like the TRUE experts in this field... LOL

mystical_304 @ Sep 18th 2007 3:40PM

I thought I heard the name somewhere. I have the sequal on my GBA. Never heard of the original, but Ikaruga was on the Gamecube. I played it, it's a hard game, but not something I'm too overly excited for. I'de rather play Gradius or Raiden than Ikaruga.

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:41PM

So if I remember and owned those titles but don't remember these... I am still not a hardcore gamer huh?? I call BS, but everyone is entitled to thier opinion no matter how retarded it is, it is a free country after all.

railven @ Sep 18th 2007 3:41PM

@Never$$hort

I'm not question your "hardcore" status. I was agreeing with Showstopper. A "hardcore/ethusiast" should know all the Obscure games.

Did you ever play Pitfall for the Tandy? Hehe.

(PS: Obscure had great CO-OP mode, wish more games of that genre brought that.)

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:43PM

Gradius an Raiden I DO REMEMBER also.. those are good games. Like said for some reason the titles mentioned here have slipped my mind... So therefor I am not a hardcore gamer according to couple folks in here.. LOL

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:46PM

Yes I agree they should know... A few titles have slipped my mind.. Big whoop. He called me out, I responded back..

railven @ Sep 18th 2007 3:48PM

Ahhh Gradius...I remember that cheap rip-off Lifeforce that turned out to be a rather good game.

Raiden will always be my favorite!

Hey Never$$hort does the name Q-Entertainment sound familiar? The guy that developed Rez went on to make games for them, Lumines, Meteo, so think of those and mix it in with Everyday Shooter and you get a rough idea of what Rez. Oh use Tempest 2000 over Everyday Shooter.

You have to remember Rez it launched with a vibrating accessory that was all the talk! Girlfriends loved watching their boyfriends PLAY!!!

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:48PM

Pitfall for the Tandy?? Sorry thats slips my mind too

never$$hort @ Sep 18th 2007 3:49PM

Rez, I remember, same with Q, yes...

Ironhide @ Sep 18th 2007 6:57PM

Ah well, guess I'll be enjoying it on XBLA then. A shame really because some of the best known games are made by Treasure and while a small segment of the US market really appreaciated them (Ie the dedicated hardcore who didn;t give a rat's ass what system it hit as long as we could play them) PSN owners for the time being will be losing out on some phenomenally legenday games. Not to mention the Virtual Console is getting some of the classics too like Sin and Punishment.

Treasure was a company known for not blindly following like sheep in the industry. Any of the games made by them brought something to the table that was unique. Gameplay elements, distinct art style and the like all made for some unique games the likes of which only Natsume and some of the classics from Kanomi and Capcom touched.

railven @ Sep 18th 2007 9:59PM

I don't see this as a huge loss.

The hardcore should already own a copy of these obscure games. Why would they pay money for virtual copies?

I got Sin for my PC, if I ever want to play it just install it but chances are I don't ever want to play it, haha.

As for Ikagura, GC and last time I checked my Wii is BC with all GC games. Rez, on PS2. I'll only really care when they start to bring over super obscure games like Final Fantasy Mystic Quest, granted that game blew but thats something I doubt we'll ever see on XBLA, PSN, or VC!

Babybeezzz @ Sep 19th 2007 5:38AM

I feel kinda let down knowing Treasure are going to only bring games to XBLA and not the PSN... TO me it's their lose not ours...

But my fave game that Tresure did was Gunstar Heroes!
And Ikagura is way over hyped... R-Type FTW! :P

Larz @ Sep 19th 2007 1:05PM

I'd call myself a hardcore gamer, but I skipped Dreamcast. I had some friends that bought them. Sega seemed kinda iffy at the time and so I wanted to wait a year or so before taking the plunge into Dreamcast... and look what happened! (I know it still has a strong following, regardless.)

I remember all the other games you guys mentioned. I was just looking at my Power Glove the other day thinking "hmm, you know, that's kinda like the Wii remote. But kinda more powerful with the sensors for bending each finger."