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Radiant Silvergun coming to vinyl by way of Data Discs

Data Discs has announced a partnership with legendary Japanese game developer Treasure that will make way for the company to release Radiant Silvergun on vinyl.

Radiant Silvergun is presented as a remastered double 180g LP, with the first disc featuring Hitoshi Sakimoto’s original compositions and the second focusing on the SEGA Saturn versions, according to the press release.

The package will include a double-sided lithographic print and a foldout poster, showcasing original and rare artwork from Treasure’s archive. In addition, and for a limited time only, all orders placed directly through their website will also include a sheet of 17 stickers (while stocks last).

They will go on sale Dec. 7 at 19:00 GMT (UK time) via the Data Disc website and will be available in three editions:

  • 2 x 180g Orange/Red/Clear, Split and Splatter (Limited Edition)
  • 2 x 180g Translucent Orange
  • 2 x 180g Classic Black

ABOUT

In partnership with acclaimed Japanese game developer TREASURE, we are thrilled to announce our RADIANT SILVERGUN vinyl edition.

Originally released in 1998 in the arcades and for the SEGA Saturn console, RADIANT SILVERGUN is widely regarded as one of the greatest shooters ever made. As a testament to the game’s inventiveness and unique aesthetic, RADIANT SILVERGUN has maintained a legendary status and cult following for decades, despite not being officially released outside of Japan until 2011, when a HD remaster was published on the Xbox 360 Live Arcade.

With its surprisingly complex mechanics, blending traditional shoot ‘em up elements with puzzle-like gameplay, RADIANT SILVERGUN subverted audience expectations and defied genre conventions. This unorthodox approach also extended to its musical score, which was composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto (whose other works include Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy Tactics). Whereas other shooters at the time had been accompanied by frenzied and bombastic scores, Sakimoto took an entirely different approach for RADIANT SILVERGUN.

What begins as a stoic and determined score of recurring motifs, featuring percussion, strings and bells, slowly descends into an unexpectedly reflective and ambient score, with choral passages and a sense of minimalism that completely juxtaposes, but oddly complements, the frantic intensity of the game. There is no grandiose battle theme at the end, nor triumphant crescendo, nor glory. Just stillness and life. And there is life everywhere.

Chris Powell

Chris is the editor-in-chief of Mega Visions Magazine and the co-creator of SEGA Nerds. He was the former managing editor of Airman magazine and has written for publications like Joystiq, PSP Fanboy, RETRO magazine, among others.
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