Nowadays, digital libraries are pretty much all the rage. The convenience and ease in which you can access hundreds of games through the wonders of the Internet were just not possible in the late 90s. Back then, we had to depend solely on CDs, which allow Koei Tecmo‘s Monster Rancher series to find its footing. In 2021, we are going to get to relive all of that again with Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX this coming 9 December.
Bundling enhanced ports of the original games that were released back in 1997 and 1999, the collection will be returning on PC, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.
If you are not aware, the monster raising simulator had players training all varieties of creatures to do battle in tournaments. With hundreds of monster types, each with their own abilities and skills, Ranchers could find their perfect fit.
More importantly, said monsters were generated using physical CDs, with the unique ID determining whether you get a Mochi to a Zilla. This feature is making a comeback, albeit in an updated fashion. Players can search a database to find the desired CD and generate a monster from there. It may not feel the same, but it works in the modern context.
Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX will also include content that never made it to the Western release. Players can look forward to additional save slots, Freeze slots, and Monster Hall of Fame slots. The enhanced ports will include new features too, with a high-speed mode pushing things along, while adding a memo feature during the monster raising process and rankings for random battles.
The 9 December release of Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX will line up perfectly for the history of the game. Fans and new players will be able to jump in and celebrate the 25th anniversary and enjoy battling it out in just a few short months.
Jake is a full-time trophy hunter and achievement gatherer on consoles, and part-time Steam Sale victim. He has a thing for Batman and awesome statues, and running out of space for both. Send help.
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