Vixen 357, a mech tactical RPG released for the Mega Drive in Japan on October 23, 1992, reached the West on October 23, 2026, exactly 34 years after the original launch. The new version is published by Ratalaika Games, developed by Shinyuden, and marks the game's first official English translation — with a Spanish version also reported by RPGFan.
The original game
The game was developed by NCS Corporation and originally published by Masaya Games. In the story, the Slash Unit trains to pilot high-mobility mechs called VECTORs until it is attacked by a mysterious unit. The campaign has 16 turn-based tactical stages, with grid combat and permadeath: pilots who fall in battle are permanently removed from the party.
Another hallmark is tactical freedom: any VECTOR can be assigned to any character. Narrative decisions are also part of the progression, with the truth about the attack revealed as the player survives the battles.
Platforms, price and modern features
The modern version is available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam for US$ 5.99 (or € 5.99). The digital release follows a physical Mega Drive/Genesis edition released earlier this year.
Modern features include a gallery with illustrations, posters and original box art, rewind, turbo mode, optional cheats, save states and screen filters, including a retro-monitor look. They bring a 1992 classic closer to current standards without changing its tactical core.
For fans of tactical RPGs with permanent risk and squad planning, Vixen 357 is an affordable entry point to one of the Mega Drive catalogue's lesser-known titles — now finally playable in English outside Japan.
Image credit: Vixen 357 artwork by Masaya / NCS Corporation, via Pants Pants Revolution and Broken Joysticks.
Sources: Gematsu, RPGamer and Broken Joysticks.
Transparency: this article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence, cross-checking public posts and internet sources. Consult the original sources to confirm dates, prices and platforms before buying.
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