The original Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished now available for Nintendo Switch via Egg Console PC-88 emulator [Update: Ys II joins the lineup]
Update (March 14)
Following the release of the original Ys game, D4 Enterprise has added the original Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter to the Egg Console lineup of PC-88 games for Nintendo Switch, priced at $6.49.
This marks the tenth game in the set available to purchase via Nintendo Switch eshop. Note that as with the rest of the Egg Console games, the in-game language will be Japanese-only, although some supplemental information may be available in English.
More information can be found bin the original article below, to which we've added screenshots and a description for Ys II.
Original Article (February 17)
D4 Enterprise has released the original Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished from Nihon Falcom for Nintendo Switch eshop via the publisher's Egg Console PC-88 emulator. The game is priced at $6.49.
Egg Console is a PC-88 emulator for Nintendo Switch, a part of the publisher's Project Egg service, which has been releasing retro Japanese titles via digital distribution on D4's website and has amassed more than 1000 games in the catalog.
Egg Console, specifically, began releasing PC-88 games for Nintendo Switch in October 2023, and it is currently up to nine titles available to purchase from the Nintendo Switch eshop. One of these games is another title from Falcom - the original Xanadu from 1985. The Egg Console emulator includes emulation features such as rewind and turbo modes at 2x and 4x speed.
Importantly, these games — which originally released only in Japan — only contain Japanese text in-game. Some how-to-play menus in the emulator, or supplemental information, may be available in English, but text in the game itself will be in its original language.
To be clear, this is the original PC-88 version of Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished. You may have played the 1990 English-released Ys Book I & II for the Turbografx (which *was* available on Wii Virtual Console before its closure, rest in peace), but the version playable on Egg Console predates Ys Book by a few years.
The Nintendo Switch page description and screenshots for Ys I and Ys II from D4 Enterprise can be found below.
Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished
The landmark first game of an ongoing popular title. Master the 'half-character shift' and embark on an adventure in the land of Esteria!
This is an action RPG released by Nihon Falcom in 1987.
Players take on the role of Adol Christin, a red-haired adventurer, as he embarks on a journey to seek the six Books of Ys.
At the time of its release, the PC gaming industry was saturated with challenging RPGs. However, Nihon Falcom took a different approach with this game, releasing it with the concept of ""Now, it's the era to bring kindness in RPGs,"" aiming to create an RPG that everyone could enjoy.
The game features clever level-up settings that eliminate the hassle of grinding for experience points, the removal of unreasonable traps, and agile characters that move smoothly. With numerous thoughtful design choices, the game can be enjoyed comfortably, and it is not an exaggeration to say that it is filled with ""kindness,"" as the tagline suggests.
*The main game and gallery screen (*Gallery) are in Japanese version.
*Other menu screens and ""How to play"" screens are in English.
Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished – The Final Chapter
A grand story unfolds in the ancient kingdom of Ys. The raging development that unravels the many settings inherited from the previous title is a must-see!
"Ys II," an action RPG released by Nihon Falcom in 1988, with its catchphrase "From kindness to excitement." Known for its well-crafted storyline, user-friendly game system, and refined sound, the game became a major hit. Even today, with new releases, the name "Ys" is familiar to many gaming enthusiasts.
In this game, Adol Christin, the red-haired adventurer who collected the six Books of Ys in the previous game, is guided to the sky world by the magic of the books. Here, he delves into the mysteries of the ancient kingdom of Ys.
Retaining the simple gameplay style of physical attacks from the previous game, Ys II introduces the additional element of magic, making battles more dynamic. The inclusion of movement magic expands the narrative scale without compromising the pace of the adventure, adding excitement to the game.
Among the magical elements, the ability to "converse with monsters" stands out. This essential magic is integral to advancing in the game, offering glimpses into the daily lives of diverse and interesting monsters.
Notable improvements include faster processing speed compared to the previous game, automatic position correction when entering doors, the use of kanji characters in messages, and minor yet thoughtful changes. The game features a thrilling opening animation, more dramatic event scenes, and unique, intense boss battles. With its evolutionary enhancements, "Ys II" lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor.
Playing both games together amplifies the overall enjoyment. For those seeking a high-quality action RPG experience, "Ys II" is highly recommended.
*The main game and gallery screen (*Gallery) are in Japanese version.
*Other menu screens and "How to play" screens are in English.
