Stone Protectors 'Super Premium' Re-release Announced for SNES and Sega Genesis by 33 Games
Stone Protectors, the side-scrolling fighter developed by Eurocom and tied to the short-lived 1993 toy line and cartoon, originally reached retail in 1994.
Kemco handled the SNES release at the time; a Sega Mega Drive/Genesis edition was developed but never saw a wide commercial launch during the 16-bit era.
In recent years the title has reappeared under new stewardship: rights holder Piko Interactive issued both the previously unreleased Sega edition and the SNES version in 2022, and both were later distributed in Japan by Columbus Circle under license from Piko.
Boutique publisher 33 Games confirmed to Time Extension that it is preparing a new, higher-end physical reissue of Stone Protectors for the SNES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.
The company described the project as a collector-focused package that will pair the two cartridge versions together and present new visual material.
Japanese artist RIKI has been commissioned to produce new key art for the release, and the package will incorporate comic art from the original Stone Protectors tie-ins.
33 Games founder Steven Charles told Time Extension that the publisher is approaching the project with a focus on historical context and premium presentation.
Charles said the company intends to recreate the feel of the 16-bit rivalry by releasing both platform versions at the same time and treating the release as a thoughtful, high-end collector edition.
The physical package will include a vinyl action figure presented on old-school blister-card packaging as a nod to the original toy line.
This announcement sits within a wider market for retro reissues and collector editions.
While many classic titles also find new audiences through digital releases on modern platforms such as the Nintendo Switch eShop, 33 Games’ stated emphasis for this project is on physical presentation for original SNES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis hardware.
Key factual points: Stone Protectors was released in 1994; the franchise launched as a toy line and cartoon in 1993; Eurocom developed the game; Kemco published the SNES version; Piko Interactive released the previously unreleased Sega edition alongside the SNES version in 2022; Columbus Circle handled a Japan release under license from Piko. 33 Games and artist RIKI are attached to the new 'super premium' reissue, which will include new key art, comic tie-ins and a blister-card vinyl figure.
Stone Protectors, the side-scrolling fighter developed by Eurocom and tied to the short-lived 1993 toy line and cartoon, originally reached retail in 1994.
Kemco handled the SNES release at the time; a Sega Mega Drive/Genesis edition was developed but never saw a wide commercial launch during the 16-bit era.
In recent years the title has reappeared under new stewardship: rights holder Piko Interactive issued both the previously unreleased Sega edition and the SNES version in 2022, and both were later distributed in Japan by Columbus Circle under license from Piko.
Boutique publisher 33 Games confirmed to Time Extension that it is preparing a new, higher-end physical reissue of Stone Protectors for the SNES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis.
The company described the project as a collector-focused package that will pair the two cartridge versions together and present new visual material.
Japanese artist RIKI has been commissioned to produce new key art for the release, and the package will incorporate comic art from the original Stone Protectors tie-ins.
33 Games founder Steven Charles told Time Extension that the publisher is approaching the project with a focus on historical context and premium presentation.
Charles said the company intends to recreate the feel of the 16-bit rivalry by releasing both platform versions at the same time and treating the release as a thoughtful, high-end collector edition.
The physical package will include a vinyl action figure presented on old-school blister-card packaging as a nod to the original toy line.
This announcement sits within a wider market for retro reissues and collector editions.
While many classic titles also find new audiences through digital releases on modern platforms such as the Nintendo Switch eShop, 33 Games’ stated emphasis for this project is on physical presentation for original SNES and Sega Mega Drive/Genesis hardware.
Key factual points: Stone Protectors was released in 1994; the franchise launched as a toy line and cartoon in 1993; Eurocom developed the game; Kemco published the SNES version; Piko Interactive released the previously unreleased Sega edition alongside the SNES version in 2022; Columbus Circle handled a Japan release under license from Piko. 33 Games and artist RIKI are attached to the new 'super premium' reissue, which will include new key art, comic tie-ins and a blister-card vinyl figure.
