Chapter 682 ZEPS 1 Closure Progress.
Author's Note: Instead of structuring chapters by month, I decided to use direct time skips like this to keep the story moving at a faster pace. Of course, ZAGE has been releasing games during those skipped months, though I haven't detailed them all here—honestly, I didn't plan them out yet lol and I might do this often or not at all it depends.
21 August 1996
Zaboru was now back to his routine, working as usual in the ZAGE headquarters located in Tokyo. The office buzzed with the usual activity—team leads reviewing design docs, developers squashing bugs, and marketing prepping new product lines. Yet, despite the typical workday rhythm, there was a sense of pride and progress in the air. Just last month, ZAGE had officially launched its branch in LATAM, with BEAK now acting as their primary distributor across the region—a huge step forward for the company's global presence.
This new chapter wasn't just about distribution. Zaboru had also successfully acquired a manufacturing facility in Brazil, one that happened to be owned by a close friend of Carlos. It was a strategic move that meant ZAGE could now locally produce both their hardware and toys directly in South America, drastically reducing shipping time and production costs. The partnership was proving smoother than expected, thanks to Carlos's connection and the shared vision between both companies.
Not to mention that ZAGE's Marin Dress-Up Doll and Beyblade toy lines were released just last month—and they've been flying off the shelves. Marin's character design, with her charming appearance and detailed accessories, instantly captured the hearts of young fans, especially girls who loved her fashionable themes. Meanwhile, the Beyblade toys capitalized on the explosive popularity of the anime series, which had become a cultural phenomenon in Japan. The show's intense battles and iconic spinning tops had kids across the country competing in parks, schools, and even small tournaments. The synergy between the anime and the toyline created a surge in demand that neither ZAGE nor retailers had fully anticipated.
But now, Zaboru was focused on something entirely different—his primary project for the year: the "ZEPS 1 Closure" initiative. It was a passion project, one he had envisioned as both a tribute and a send-off to the beloved ZEPS 1 8-bit console. As part of this farewell, Zaboru planned to release a staggering 21 new games, all crafted to celebrate the legacy of the platform that launched ZAGE into the gaming world. These weren't just quick, low-effort titles either—each game was designed with care, paying homage to the charming 8 bit gameplay styles, graphics, and sound design that had defined the era.
Zaboru's vision included bundling all 21 games into a single collector's package, offered at a surprisingly affordable price. He wanted players to have easy access to the full collection without needing to hunt down individual titles. As of now, 20 of the 21 games were nearly complete, just awaiting final polish and QA passes. The plan was to release the entire bundle in September, perfectly timed to coincide with the anniversary month of the original ZEPS 1 launch.
For Zaboru, this was more than a product launch—it was an emotional farewell. This project had been in the works since the previous year, and now, with the finish line in sight, he felt both excitement and a touch of bittersweet nostalgia.
"Heh, 21 games... 8-bit games of ZEPS 1 no less. Hehehe, gamers are going to be overwhelmed by this," Zaboru muttered with a wide grin as he leaned back in his chair. For him, the ZEPS 1 wasn't just another console—it was his very first, the foundation of ZAGE's success, and a piece of his own personal history. That's why he was so determined to give it a proper send-off—something bold, nostalgic, and unforgettable.
He had started planning this farewell project over a year ago, meticulously designing each title from his previous life, ensuring they had the heart and charm of classic 8-bit gameplay while still feeling fresh and inventive. It had been his focus ever since , collaborative sessions with the ZAGE dev team, and endless playtesting to fine-tune the mechanics and pacing. Now, standing in front of the display showcasing all 20 nearly-finished games, he could feel that excitement bubbling inside him.
Each cartridge represented not just a title, but a moment, a callback to the magic of gaming resurrection. From side-scrollers and puzzle games to RPGs and action-platformers, the collection was designed to touch every corner of the 8-bit experience. As he stared at the lineup, Zaboru's grin deepened, knowing just how much joy this would bring to fans—and how meaningful it was for him, personally.
Super Mario Bros 3
Megaman 5
Megaman 6
Dr Mario
Blaster Master
Adventure Island 1 (1-2)
Adventure Island 2 (3)
Star Tropics
Star Tropics 2 Zoda Revenge
Alexx Kid in Shinobi World
Alexx Kid Lost Stars
Kenseiden
Enduro Racer
Kabuki Quantum fighter
Jackal
Super Dodgeball
The Guardian Legend
A boy and His Blob
Rescue : The Embassy Mission
Monster party
Kickle Cubicle.
Zaboru grinned to himself, feeling a swell of pride as he looked over the full list of games. He had already developed all of them, with significant support from the talented ZAGE development team. "This is going to blow people's minds," he chuckled, eyes gleaming. "ZAGE is going to send off the console with a bang."
But as the excitement faded slightly, a sigh escaped him. Deep down, a part of him wished the ZEPS 1 could continue on forever. It wasn't just a product to him—it was the first real milestone of his journey in this world, both professionally and emotionally. He had poured so much of himself into the console, and saying goodbye felt like closing a beloved chapter of his life.
Unfortunately, he knew the reality all too well. The ZEPS 3 was already deep into development, and production lines and sooner or later it needed a shifting focus.
Still, Zaboru wasn't ready to completely let go. He toyed with the idea of recreating or relaunching a special edition of the ZEPS 1 in the future—perhaps with improved internals, modern connectors, or even a retro re-release for collectors. After all, the ZEPS 1 wasn't just any console. It was his first love in gaming—a symbol of where it all began. And that kind of connection didn't fade easily.
"Only the finishing touches remain... and the box to hold all these games," Zaboru murmured to himself, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He imagined the players opening the bundle—a neatly crafted collector's box featuring vibrant retro-inspired art, complete with all 21 cartridges nestled inside. If someone chose to buy the full set, they wouldn't just get the games—they'd get a piece of gaming history, presented with pride and attention to detail.
He had already made the decision: these games would not be sold individually. They were being released exclusively as a bundle to preserve the spirit of the ZEPS 1 farewell. It would be harder to acquire in the future, but that was intentional. Zaboru wanted it to be something rare, something fans would treasure—a limited edition tribute to an era.
He planned to release two versions: the ZEPS 1 Normal Bundle, which would include all 21 games, and the ZEPS 1 Special Bundle, which would come packed with exclusive content—most notably, a collection of Zaboru's original artwork from various ZAGE ZEPS 1 titles. The Special Bundle would, of course, be more expensive, but Zaboru felt it was worth it for the fans who wanted something truly collectible and personal.
He leaned back in his chair, stretching before turning his eyes toward the final development screen. The last bits of polishing were underway. Dialogue tweaks, sprite alignment, sound bug cleanups. With the release date drawing near, everything had to be perfect.
And just as he was preparing to dive back into his work, a reminder pinged on his calendar. Next week, ZAGE USA was launching their biggest title yet—Half-Life. A massive project in itself.
To be continue
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