Retro-Bit has announced that the next in their line of retro reissues is Cybernator under the name that the Gods of Nomenclature intended: Assault Suit Valken.
Not only is Assault Suit Valken adopting the name of its original Japanese release, Retro-Bit is also going to the effort of retranslating it and restoring the content that was censored in the Western release. Back in March, Rainmaker Productions partnered with M2 to make a similar re-release happen on Switch as Assault Suit Valken: Declassified. However, this release won’t be using the same script. Also, as stated in the press release, they weren’t able to maintain the protagonist name entry function, so, as Retro-Bit puts it, “everyone gets to be Jake!”
The new release will come in two flavors: the Deluxe Edition, which comes with an embossed slipcase and some extra swag for $79.99, and the Collector’s Cartridge, which just includes the game, a hardcover box, and an instruction manual for $59.99. Both will be limited production runs based on the number of preorders they rack up. Retro-Bit recently sent me a care box of some of their releases, and I can tell you that their reissues are pretty deluxe.
I’ve written about Assault Suit Valken more times and in more depth than I thought I ever would. It is a pretty excellent title, and one of the absolute best side-scrolling mech games to ever have been produced. Its North American release as Cybernator cut back a few features, such as character profiles, and censored the ending. These weren’t drastic changes by the standards at the time, but a lot of fans swear by the original version.
Pre-orders for the Assault Suit Valken reissue will be open from October 3rd to November 5th, 2023 on Castlemania Games and Limited Run Games. The finished produce is expected to ship Q1 of 2024.
