Valis and the Sega Genesis - Retro-bit Reissue Special

To coincide with the recent announcement of the Valis Collection from Retro-bit, we look at the trilogy on the Sega Genesis.
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Opening "Sega" jingle is from Astal for the Sega Saturn.
Ending Music during the credits is from Batman for the Sega Genesis.
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By: Jan Neves
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Intro by Evan S.
portfolio.tsestudios.com/
Episode Notes:
1. Captured on the Mega SG.
2. If you are interested in preordering yourself one or more of these:
limitedrungames.com/collectio...
castlemaniagames.com/collecti...
retro-bit.com/valis-collection/
3. There were also PC Engine versions of the Valis series.

[@mikef8846]

Valis 3 was my special game growing up. A game only I had, and nobody else.

[@majicweather4890]

I think we had rented this oddity from Blockbuster . I was astounded by the anime art in this. I was like , how is this possible !?

[@Naedlus]

Interesting note about Syd of Valis. The original release in Japan was "Valis SD," with "SD" standing for "Super Deformed." The term wasn't widely recognized outside of Japan, and when the localization team saw it, they had no idea about the term, and thought that it was an incomplete name, and adapted it as Syd of Valis

[@jdubbs8242]

I wondered about that. Thanks!

[@andrewdowell6474]

I never heard of Valis until like 2 years ago, now I see it around all over.

[@EmperorMegas]

Better late than never! I grew up with Valis, first on the TurboGrafx CD, then the Genesis and SNES releases. I was in love with the series from the moment I heard the music and opening cinema of Valis II. Valis is a series that deserves to be preserved and remembered.

[@240Sil]

Everything from the thumbnail, to the commentary and history is always top notch. Love the vids !

[@SegaLordX]

Thank you.

[@tonywhite3835]

@@SegaLordX love your work brother. Love the UK phrases and shout outs ❤️Love from London Tony

[@lazarushernandez5827]

This game (Valis 3) came along for the Genesis right in the middle of my anime craving. At that point I had buying import subs at the local comic book shop, I had Bubblegum Crisis/Crash, Vampire Princess Miyu, Vampire Hunter D, as well as Fist of the North Star and Kimagure Orange Road. Valis was right up my alley. The artwork drew me in, and I got a pretty good game out of it.

[@Anguawolf007]

Valis 3 opened me up to Anime. It and "Robot Carnival" really got me into it with me buying Bubblegum Crisis, Dirty Pair (because one of the main characters looks similar to Yuko), Urusei Yatsura and recorded Vampire Hunter D off then "SciFi" SyFy channel.

[@MattGuitarPlayer]

If anybody has any interest in the Genesis Valis games, highly recommend checking out the reissues of the PC Engine versions on Switch that are out (1, 2 and 3 are currently out now, 4 is coming a little later along with ports of the Genesis version of 1 and Syd), the music improvement alone is worth it. Even then, the Genesis games are still fantastic side scrollers and definitely worth owning...if I didn't already have 1, Syd, and III CIB, I'd be all over this RetroBit reissue.

[@Zahir658]

This series really deserved an anime adaptation. Very underrated.

[@voodooturbo]

The PC Engine CD version basically is an anime that you play levels in between. Definitely worth checking out.

[@Zahir658]

@@voodooturbo Definitely.

[@Zahir658]

@ChronoArcaile2019 I see.

[@Kingjames313]

It did, but…hentai

[@philiphanan1493]

@@Kingjames313I bought the entire set of Hentai figurines long before I got III.

[@pda1799]

I really like the editing of this video, thank you, SLX!

[@jasonblalock4429]

Anime nerd trivia: it's hard to pin down true firsts, but Valis was among the very first products to star a *fighting* teenage magical girl. Prior to the mid-80s, anime magic girls were pretty peaceful. So it's one of the direct precursors of Sailor Moon. Also, can vouch: Valis 3 is a very credible Castlevania 3 knockoff, and worth playing if you like C3.

[@archer6979]

I love the music on valis stage 1. It's a series worth pulling my Genesis out of the closet to replay the series

[@chrisw8069]

Genesis should never be in the closet. Genesis should be hooked up to your primary tv with latest retrotink, for life!

[@EmperorMegas]

I'm a HUGE Valis fan (hence my screen name), and I love 'SYD of Valis'. I have all of the Genesis, Turbo Grafx, PCEngine, Famicom and SNES releases, and 'SYD of Valis' It's easily my most played of the series. I would have appreciated a proper Valis II for Genesis as well, of course, but I was more than satisfied with SYD and still play through it almost everytime I break out the Genesis. I definitely plan of getting this collection. I also appreciate a copy of Valis SYD with genuine coverart, rather than the reused coverart for 'Naritore the Sugoroku '92' for the PC Engine.

[@gunblade1975]

MEMORIES!!!!! and thanks for bring this to light. It's definitely a purchase.

[@jessragan6714]

Nice editing. I felt like I was watching Samurai Jack with all those split screens!

[@SegaLordX]

I can't take credit. I lifted them from the Retro-bit media kit.

[@gc3k]

Anime cartoons and movies never really grabbed me, but anime-inspired games like this and Target Earth were larger than life as a little kid. Maybe they were simple stories in a filesize smaller than a modern Word document, but I was totally invested in Yuko's fate to bring peace to Earth, the Dark World and the Dream World. Although the best ways to play the series is on PC Engine (though Valis 3 Genesis plays slightly better than the PCE counterpart with more content)

[@Nintendo85]

So nostalgic for Valis III. The music is among the best on the Genesis. Renovation's games always had an appeal to me, and their music is always popping off. Maybe eventually they will do El Viento, Ernest Evans, and Annet Again

[@Donsanity]

Valis III the Genesis version was the game that got me into the series when I was 9 when I played it at my cousins house. I did get my own copy a couple years later which I still have to this day. I’ll get the Trilogy pack for this reissue.

[@MaidenHell1977]

Can't remember which one I played first but it was either Valis IV on PC Engine or Super Valis IV on SNES. Never played the Genesis ones before. That being said I already placed my pre-orders for the Valis Collections from LRG but seeing the comments on how III wasn't included I'll get that for my trusty Genesis for sure. Great vid, legendary series for sure, I remember how "Japanese" it was back then, haha, I love it.

[@officerj2002]

I’m so happy a new video already😊

[@SegaLordX]

Hope you enjoyed it.

[@jeremybowers3181]

Very cool. And no I absolutely have not ever heard of these titles thanks again for shining a light SLX!

[@The_Badcompany]

Do you live under a rock somewhere? Surely you must have heard at least about the Valis Collection Remastered for Nintendo Switch from LRG

[@griffgames9538]

Shining in the Darkness.

[@The_Badcompany]

@@griffgames9538My man! Shining In the Darkness arguably my favorite Genesis game

[@griffgames9538]

@@The_Badcompany 'tis a joyous game.

[@besotoxicomusic]

Maybe it’s because I’m old but Valis 3 seemed moderately popular bitd in school. At least, with the kids not always riding the hype train. I wasn’t too keen on it back then but I remember a few kids being all about it.

[@miguelroman4294]

Great video, truly enjoyed this one!

[@SegaLordX]

Awesome, thank you!

[@tyneishalewis9917]

Thanks so much for going in depth on this series! I saw Valis on the Nintendo Switch's eshop, and wanted to learn more. I'll definitely pick this up for my Switch and when I get a Genesis!

[@Psychology]

Very cool that you made a Valis video. The music from the 1st game is incredible, "The Wilderness" being my favorite. And the fight with Reiko. Touching stuff. Still have my Genesis Syd of Valis box and game cartridge too.

[@MrOuttheir]

I have insane nostalgia for syd of valis, I completely forgot about it until this video, and had waves of waves of nostalgia when I heard the second stages music! I was like OMG I played this game so much! But literally haven’t thought about it in over twenty years! Thank you for this video.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Never played those games but I often saw a "Valis" game in a magazine. I think I'll try that first game just for the music, sounds great!

[@Konuvis]

Exactly the info I wanted! i saw the LRG release and was wondering if these were games I would want to add to my collection. You've helped me make a decision.

[@mommamil]

The background music of valis is friendly.

[@domitalain1]

I loved the Valis series when i was a kid. I already own this on my sega genesis in mint condition but i usually play this on my 3ds sega emulators. The pc engine cd version of Valis 3 was awesome with the voice acting and better visuals and music.

[@johnofthewired]

i loved the valis games when they were new, they came out right when the sailor moon show was on my radar and hit me in just the right way for that

[@lonesquiff6551]

Thanks for showing these SLX. I wasn't familiar with these games so had overlooked them on LRG. They look like something I'd enjoy.

[@Gaming_since_the_eighties]

This game looks interesting, i have never played it before. I might give it a chance. Great content as always Sega Lord X, and another game you have brout to my attention.

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome review 😎🍺🕹 I’ve been a valis fan since I was a kid. I’ve always liked the anime styled visuals, the phenomenal soundtrack, and it’s castlevania like gameplay. I’ve bought physical copies of valis 1 and 3 on sega genesis and I’ve recently downloaded the valis collection on my Nintendo Switch. I definitely recommend this underrated game series.

[@djnoahbeats]

I just enjoyed played through the first one on Genesis a week ago. Nice timing.

[@JoeBuk724]

Crazy timing, I just stumbled on IV for the snes yesterday and based solely on the cover art I decided to give it a go. I only played it for 5 min but i liked what i played. I’m definitely going to have to try these other ones too.

[@jdubbs8242]

IV on the SNES was really cut down from the PC Engine CD/ TG-16 CD version. Look that one up sometime its all that and more.

[@JoeBuk724]

@@jdubbs8242 Will do, thanks!

[@mumfnah]

I love Valis III, it's the only one or these games I have on my Megadrive still. And Grames has been my phone's ringtone for so many years now

[@viewtifuljoe99]

Pretty tempting collection, even though I normally don't get these kind of things. I grabbed retro bit's Mega Man the Wily Wars this past weekend at the Portland Retro Game Expo and I am very impressed with their attention to detail.

[@TheTrueBro]

A shame Valis III for the Genesis wasn't included in the Valis Collection Vol 2 for the Switch :( I played the first Valis for the Genesis and I am shocked to see how different it is from the PC-CD version. Levels and bosses were completely different. Not as hard, but still quite fun to play.

[@fiskburk2908]

The ip owner did that on purpose so they can sell the rest games in different volumes, a shame indeed

[@jasonblalock4429]

Yeah, it feels like they're milking those Valis Collection packs, especially after they held Valis IV back from the first pack. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a Vol 3 with some/all of the other versions which should have already been released.

[@gc3k]

Valis 3 was the first release of the series on Genesis, and it seems like they removed the Rogles rematch in case Sega players didn't understand it? But then they completed the trilogy anyway on Genesis with Valis 1 and "Syd" of Valis

[@TheTrueBro]

@@jasonblalock4429 the thing is, what things could they add in a hypothetical Valis Collection 3? Other than Valis 3 GEN, Super Valis 4 and... uh... Valis X? Lmao

[@jasonblalock4429]

@@TheTrueBro The original PC-88 games would be obvious. They're nearly unplayable by modern standards, but it would be worth archiving them. Although they'd really be better as extras rather than a centerpiece.

[@sherekhangamedev]

Good games, at a really fair price and with astonish presentation.

[@jasonmorgan661]

Shout out to you Sega Lord X. 🏆 I watch your chillaxin Sega flavored vids every day. It's one thing to show games but to preview and give history and then time stamping with your own personal experiences makes this internet Gold. Your in my top 10 go to channels every day of my life. Being 47 I know exactly what your talking about that most younger peeps could never understand. Thank you, and of course ..... Welcome to the Next level🙂 ☺️ 🇺🇸 SEGA!!!!!🤪

[@DerivitivFilms]

yeah Valis was pretty much castlevania with a sailer scout theme. I fuckin loved this series, three was my favorite on the genesis...I do prefer the TurboGrafx16CD versions though.

[@Mankey619]

I played Valis,and it’s a really fun games I’ve played in their collection. Now that the second of the Valis collection has arrived. I’d definitely gonna play that one too.

[@jeffcox6539]

It was Project A-Ko meets Ninja Gaiden basically. And it was released during a time America seemed to hate anime in games.

[@jamesmoss3424]

Valis still kick ass today. 😀👍🎮

[@sbeaber]

Played it on the PC engine and CD way back. Fun games.

[@user-un5qt3bn2w]

私はPC時代からヴァリスは遊んでました。

[@agentesmith100]

Valis II was completely forgotten in this collection.

[@kubev]

Syd of Valis is an SD (Super Deformed) version of Valis II.

[@dangunheadachron1603]

The real Valis II only came out on PC-88, MSX2, Turbo Grafx-16 CD

[@agentesmith100]

@@kubev What I really meant to mention was the real Valis II.

[@Evercade_Effect]

Been enjoying the 1st and 3rd games on the Evercade Renovation Collection.

[@jasonz7788]

Cool thanks 👍

[@Oysterblade84]

Awesome video! And I have never heard of these games before, although I am familiar with a few of Renovations releases on the Sega Mega Drive.

[@SegaLordX]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@billcook4768]

For folks who want to it legitimate physical copies but the game, but find the $50/game price out of their budget… get the Renovation Collection for Evercade. Includes Valis 1&3, and 10 other mostly really good games. SLX - if you are hurting for topics, how about a review of all Renovations games for Genesis?

[@Outshinedsg]

I have fond memories of Valis 1 and I probably like it more than most because I have a nostalgic attachment to it. There used to be a video game rental store down the road and I recall renting this one a couple times because the level of challenge kept me coming back. I agree with everything you said about the gameplay. It is slow but pretty fair and in retrospect it does remind me a lot of the classic Castlevania games where you have to approach the levels methodically. The anime story scenes were unusual back then and made it stand out a little bit from other games. I believe this is based on a popular manga/anime series in Japan in the 90s. I'm not super familiar with the story but I get the vibe that it was kind of like a darker, more tragic Sailor Moon?

[@dantecajigas22]

Valis games are awesome.

[@brandonfarfan1978]

Wow! Its been a while since I heard about this game. Good to see its being re-released again. Nice documentary about Valis Sega Lord X👍😃 Those prices though.😂

[@mtshark7]

The Valis series is soo much fun!

[@The_Badcompany]

I personally think the PC Engine Duo or Turbografx DUO games are much better than the Genesis ones. I also think the Switch remasters Valis Collection 1&2 are better than the new Genesis carts too, even if Valis III isn't included.

[@curtiswilson4737]

Yoooou do know the Turbo Duo is hella stronger than the Genesis, right? That's not a fair comparison.

[@The_Badcompany]

@@curtiswilson4737 Of course I know that, that's why I said it's better. It doesn't matter if it's Hella more powerful, just I like it better.

[@jonathanlisowski5618]

You may want to look into PC Engine Works if you're interested in a Valis PC Engine rerelease.

[@The_Badcompany]

@@jonathanlisowski5618 Yeah. I follow PCE Works, I prefer the original releases but I love PCE Works for some of the translations

[@gc3k]

There are some minor details where Turbo/PC Engine shows its limitations compared to Genesis. In Valis 3 PCE your homing magic can disappear when you jump off-screen (happens most commonly with Yuko's fire daggers) while it doesn't happen on Genesis, I assume it's a memory problem. But the PCE series has all of the story and content

[@jvince001]

1:30 goddayum that theme is slammin’

[@jvince001]

Actually all the tunes in this are VERY very good, geez!

[@gc3k]

The music in the series is awesome, great compositions regardless of FM synth (Genesis versions) or CD audio (PC Engine versions), or even Super Valis for SNES

[@jvince001]

@@gc3k that’s badass. the sign of truly well composed themes, I reckon. Good kinda regardless of the medium they’re rendered on.

[@EdgleyGames]

Nice!

[@CapcommunicationsHQ]

Ah, a man of culture 🧐

[@Kingjames313]

I had the original Valis on Sega, but never knew there were sequels

[@yanholliday8876]

i had opted for the renovation compilation on evercade (with added delicacies likes el viento, exile or granada) instead of the switch collection, but this..... this might do the trick. also, just for trivia, super valis on snes is called "super valis 4" in the west, but it is not a port of the pce-cd game at all, it's a spinoff taking place directly after the event of valis 4 (featuring a new weilder of the sword). you could almost call it "valis 5", instead.

[@specificgravity-thedancing9700]

I still play Valis 1 on a multi game cart I have, great games.

[@DirtyZ]

The ceiling spikes in stage 2 don’t inflict damage, so double jumps are perfectly fine

[@EhrisaiaOShannon]

Scurrying Away In Disgust? Lmiao!! Very funny way of putting it. 💜

[@wildside4822]

Wow, so so classic Genesis

[@christopherlongo3459]

Reminds me of the devil hunter yohko anime and game

[@EpicLebaneseNerd]

i remember playing the one where u start the game in ur pajamas or something, so i think i played the 3rd one but i do not remember enjoying it or finishing it because it felt too slow and i got it very late and didn't look up to par....now i regret it, since the game now looks amazing to the older me.

[@singletona082]

Not gonna lie. I'd love to see more of this verse. Syd of Vallis though? Dear GOD is there no way to fix the floaty jump? It genuinely feels like it was made knowing it'd be a rental.

[@mattb6522]

Very nice! This was good timing as I stumbled across a Valis Collection on the Switch and the games looked pretty entertaining. I adore Classicvania games, so I might give these a try! I have heard from various sources that the TurboGrafx-CD versions were superior to the Genesis, so wasn't sure if I should check out those instead (even though half of them appear to be in Japanese).

[@stephenc.9164]

Ahhhhh Valis. Reliving my child hood now. Popful Mail, fantasy zone...life before bills!! Lol

[@GrimmysReviews]

also worth noting that the PC Engine versions of the 1st 3 Valis games are available on the Switch, with IV and the Genesis versions of 1 and Syd coming soon

[@Michael59197]

Interesting. Never had a chance to play this games in Europe. Mega Drive lives on!

[@AudioAndroid]

I remember being floored by the cut scenes thinking how cool TRANSFORMERS would look in this style, we were starving for Anime back in the days.

[@rsreston]

Good to know about Valis 1 and 3 - they seem right up my alley. LordX, if you wanna explore other systems, like the PCengine or the SNES to show their entries of Valis 4, I'd be totally down for that. In fact, feel free to expand to any system you want and I'll watch it :)

[@mikelucash1881]

I wish the Valis series would come back something in the style of God of War

[@spectreman2532]

Valis 3 is a dream of a game.

[@thommccarthy1139]

Imagine naming your son Valis

[@dashfox8464]

I have the japanese versions of Valis 1 and 3, still need to find Syd of Valis but that game is very expensive in my country! Great video Lord!

[@kevinmcqueary7395]

7:07; that part there with the sword, and transformation, I'm feeling some She-Ra Princess of Power vibes right there.

[@SomeOrangeCat]

Yeah, but weebs will swear up and down that Japan invented the idea of magical transformations.

[@ericcarder5307]

I've always wanted to play valid it looks so coo and been tryingto makeup for the past. I always enjoy your videos your fan Eric.Have a great day

[@williaml9445]

$50 for old ass game? You crazy

[@Planag7]

If people will pay... My only issue is usually with reproduction carts there's issues when it comes to the quality of what the chipsets have and unfortunately I've heard of some terror stories when it comes to that putting in an actual Genesis. I guess we shall see I'm just glad that hey things like this get re-released but I think I'll just stick with my radiant silver gun on switch. Lord knows it was a terrible loss when I lost that game on the original Saturn format with a house fire..

[@dangunheadachron1603]

Yeah but y'all spend $50 on Nintendo 64 and GameCube ports on Switch 😂

[@initial_C]

When people talk about 90s anime aesthetic, this is what it's all about.

[@7200932]

Wonder if this came about because the valis collection on Nintendo switch, also they just released valis second collection on switch as well

[@YourTaciturnFriend]

I mostly prefer the PCE versions, though it's worth playing them all to compare the differences. Also - sorry to bring this up - this video feels like it blurs the line between sponsored and not sponsored.

[@philmason9653]

I ordered the first Valis Collection for Switch from Limited Run, which contains the PC Engine trilogy. They just closed preorders for the second collection, which includes these three Mega Drive games plus the PC Engine Valis IV. I didn't bite on that one, because I was wary of jumping in for a second version of these games before they'd even shipped the first. But it's interesting to see them available here for original hardware. The spine logo for the set is class. I loved Super Valis IV back in the day, and rebought it for Super Famicom a year or so back. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my golden memories. I've heard it's better than the PC Engine version though.

[@mbe102]

Valis 1 reminds me a lot of the Gameboy and Gameboy Color Turok games (I've never played Valis, so, this is what I'm reminded of) which isn't a bad thing. Those are nifty little side scrolling platforming run'n'gun games.

[@roberto1519]

The 'localizers' just didn't know the series, didn't care or didn't have creativity enough, as the Japanese release is called SD Valis, where SD stands for Super Deformed (big headed characters usually aimed at children), they just named it Syd of Valis...In any case, the choice of developers was bad here, and they really shouldn't have made a version like this, unless it was a special unlockable, while the main entry should have been a port from the real Sharp X68000 version, which is way more interesting than this waste. The original Valis II is a proper sequel and looks great, this is sad, in a time when games required to be printed and manufactured, shipped and put into retailers to sell them, this game has no reason to exist.

[@Gatorade69]

I don't get why they chose Syd of Valis instead of the actual Valis 2. Makes no sense.

[@noble_wine2051]

This is why you should be wary of localizers

[@psyberiusblack]

Welcome to localization from the 80’s and 90’s LOL.

[@jeffcox6539]

@@Gatorade69 maybe to appeal to a younger audience

[@TBoneTony]

Valis looks awesome. Would loved to have played it if I only I had a SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. Should have been on the Ultimate Genesis Collection.

[@talen8152]

I loved these games as a kid. I had Valis 3 and Syd of Valis but never played the first one. Wasn't there some Turbographix CD versions as well?

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

Helluva commercial, SLX...helluva commercial...

[@SegaLordX]

Just gotta find a way for Retro-bit to pay me for it.

[@IamMarkSmith]

I ordered the set already from Castlemania. I love this series. My favorite of all of the games is SUper Valis IV for Super NES. I am not really into "SYD," but I'l give her a try.

[@joemamr710]

This video sounds really quiet compared to your past videos, had to max out the volume on my headphones.

[@borrellipatrick]

Switch has a couple collections but I wish they were better, the series is a little complicated with its releases. The main games are very different on the platforms they were released on and well, stuff like Konami's recent collections do a good job having multiple versions of games together for people to try and play today.

[@darinherrick9224]

It’s cool that rare games are getting reissues but these prices are absurd.

[@chaospoet]

I rarely go for these types of things. I have no problem with it and think it's great that classics are made available again, but I'm typically like "I'm good." with the majority of these types of things. The only exceptions I've made so far is Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic Limited Run release for Switch and the Limited Run PS4 Castlevania Rondo/Symphony double pack. And even those two were the basic, vanilla versions. That being said I am extremely tempted to get the all-in-one version of this.

[@meatee]

I got Valis 3 for free from a game store about 20 years ago. It didn't have a price tag, and it wasn't in the store's inventory, so the store owner just let me have it!

[@georgesiv2082]

4:54 this is what happen when Pokemon breeding goes unchecked.

[@rinsatomi9527]

Can never get over how they did Valis wrong with the "modernized" version X.

[@ArabKatib]

Nevermind. Nice video.

[@Monhamd1000]

Valis is the best!

[@theivace9705]

Not sure why this series keeps popping up in my life when I've only ever played bit of Valis III a few times.

[@mikuneverdies6288]

we pre-oredered SyD of Valis from LR. I like the Chibi style its Cute~