Wednesday 7 August 1998.
After spending the entire night immersed in Tanaka - SalaryMan, Zaboru finally beat the game just before sunrise. The experience left him grinning with satisfaction—it was a refreshing reminder of how fun, daring, and impactful third-party games on the ZEPS 3 could be when studios were given the creative freedom to go wild. His mind briefly wandered, already thinking about what other hidden gems might be waiting in ZAGE's growing third-party ecosystem, and he felt a renewed itch to explore more titles.
But morning had arrived, and with it, the pull of responsibility. Zaboru was already back to work. He made his way to his private development workshop on the 51st floor of the ZAGE Tower, a floor below the company's executive suites. The early morning skyline glowed faintly through the large windows, casting a cool bluish hue across the high-tech workspace. His workstation lights flickered on automatically as he entered, ready to greet him with another day of planning, coding, and innovation.
Upstairs, Ayumi and Zenshin were still sound asleep in their apartment floors on the 52nd floor. Zaboru smiled briefly as he thought about them. Zenshin had curled up beside Ayumi the night before, still giggling from the flashing lights and sound effects of the game. Later today, the three of them will be heading to the Renkonan household for a family visit. But for now, Zaboru had a few precious hours of solitude, and he intended to use every minute of it productively.
Now Zaboru is leaning back in his chair, sipping on a warm mug of black coffee as his gaze drifts toward the pair of consoles displayed on a glass shelf near his working desk. Sitting side by side like aging legends were none other than the ZEPS 2 and the original ZGB. A small nostalgic smile crept across Zaboru's face as his eyes lingered on the ZGB.
"This ZGB is basically ancient now," he muttered with a soft chuckle, leaning forward slightly to get a better look at the scuffed but well-preserved handheld. It felt surreal to think it had been six full years since its release. He still vividly remembered the launch back in 1992—a time when ZAGE was still establishing its place in the global gaming market. The ZGB wasn't just a success; it had been a cultural phenomenon. It had changed everything. Not only had it dominated the portable space, but it had also been the platform that introduced Pokémon to this world, igniting a craze that had reshaped ZAGE's entire business and influenced global trends.
But now, the 8-bit handheld felt like a relic. The once-impressive pixel art and simple sound chip, which had enchanted millions, were now overshadowed by the advancing tide of technology. With ZAGE now in the final stages of developing its next-generation handheld—the 32-bit ZGBA—Zaboru knew the ZGB's time was truly coming to an end. The new device, slated for release next year, would not only rival home console performance in a compact form but also open the door to entirely new types of gameplay experiences.
Still, as he sat there reminiscing, Zaboru felt a quiet kind of pride. The ZGB had earned its place in history, and he intended to make sure it received a proper send-off.
And he looked at the ZEPS 2, the iconic 16-bit console of ZAGE that was released in 1994. While newer systems had surpassed it in power and technology, the ZEPS 2 remained a beloved system in many homes across the globe. For those who couldn't afford the latest consoles, the ZEPS 2 was still a reliable gateway into the world of gaming, offering a massive and diverse library. Even now, years after its launch, many third-party developers continued to release games for it—proof of its lasting popularity and the strong foundation ZAGE had built.
For Zaboru, ZEPS 2 was more than just hardware. It was deeply personal. In his previous life, the 16-bit SNES had been the console that shaped his childhood, introduced him to timeless classics, and sparked his dream to one day make games of his own. The ZEPS 2 had become the spiritual successor to that same era. It was a console designed not only to deliver great experiences but also to capture the magic of that golden age.
ZEPS 2 also found unexpected success in economically struggling regions. After the launch of ZEPS 3, ZAGE had committed to steadily reducing the price of ZEPS 2 and its games, making it more accessible than ever before. That strategy paid off—allowing kids, teens, and families who couldn't yet afford the newest tech to still enjoy high-quality, immersive games.
Usually, Zaboru liked to give each console about five years in the spotlight before preparing their farewell. But the ZGB had been an exception due to limited resources at the time—it had simply taken ZAGE longer than expected to prepare a proper handheld successor. Now, with momentum behind the ZGBA project, things were different.
"Sixteen bits, huh?" Zaboru chuckled to himself. "I still really love the graphics style though. It has this charm modern systems can't replicate."
He glanced toward the ZEPS 2's library displayed on his shelf. It was packed with legendary titles: Super Mario World, Spawn , Ninja Gaiden 3 , Metroid Prime, Final Fantasy IV, Kirby's Dream Land, Donkey Kong Country, and many more. That era hadn't just produced great games—it had defined an aesthetic. Crisp pixel art, iconic chiptune soundtracks, and tight gameplay design. Even today, players on ZEPS 3 were still replaying ZEPS 2 classics, through backward compatibility. The love for that generation hadn't faded—it had grown stronger with time.
He looked at them fondly, letting out a soft sigh. "They should receive a proper farewell—just like the ZEPS 1 farewell," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. Zaboru chuckled at the memory of ZAGE's first 8-bit console, ZEPS 1, and the way it had gracefully exited the spotlight. Back then, ZAGE had prepared a grand send-off, releasing more than twenty special titles in its final year as a celebration of its legacy. It had set a precedent, a standard for how ZAGE honored its platforms—and now, standing before ZGB and ZEPS 2, Zaboru felt the same sense of duty.
"Still… forty games is pretty much impossible now," he admitted with a chuckle. "Unless I can bend time or grow ten arms." The idea of making twenty games for each platform sounded romantic on paper, but logistically, it would strain not just Zaboru but the entire ZAGE development structure. Everyone was already stretched thin, with ZEPS 3 support and the upcoming ZGBA project dominating the schedule.
"So let's scale it," he muttered, more to himself than anyone. "Realistically… six farewell games for ZGB and five for ZEPS 2. Eleven total. That's still a lot—but doable. Barely." He smirked to himself as he scribbled notes into his planner. The key would be to keep the scope tight and focused, not bloated with features or systems. Fun, polished, and heartfelt. Each one had to feel meaningful.
The lineup, in his mind, would be a hybrid. Some of the titles would be inspired by or adapted from the legendary games of his previous life—games he knew deserved to exist in this world. Others would be wholly original—passion projects that could only come from his current self, shaped by both his past and present experience as a developer. The thought of creating new pixel art adventures or compact RPGs with that signature ZAGE charm filled him with excitement.
"Let's aim the farewell for the end of 1999," Zaboru said firmly. "Just before the ZGBA hits shelves. Send them off in style."
With the idea taking form, Zaboru straightened up in his chair, his fingers already itching to begin. He pushed aside some loose sketches and opened a new design doc. There was no time to waste. Farewells weren't just about endings—they were about celebrating what once was and giving thanks through creation. This would be his last gift to two machines that defined an era.
And Tomorrow, ZAGE will be holding a major set of internal meetings focused on team expansions for both its USA and Japan branches. The sessions would take place in the upper executive halls of ZAGE Tower, where strategies for scaling, hiring, and regional coordination would be finalized. It was set to be a pivotal day for ZAGE's global ambitions.
To be continue
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