Blast Wind: Technosoft’s Rare Sega Saturn Shooter Gets New English Patch

Blast Wind, the cult-classic, vertically scrolling shooter developed by Technosoft, has long been considered a hidden gem of the Sega Saturn library.

Released exclusively in Japan in 1997, Blast Wind’s scarcity and limited reach have solidified its status as a highly prized collector’s item among retro gaming enthusiasts, with copies often fetching hefty prices in secondary markets. Famed for their influential Thunder Force series, Technosoft was already facing significant financial difficulties when Blast Wind launched.

These challenges led to the studio’s closure just a few years later, in 2001.

Following Technosoft’s shuttering, Sega acquired its assets, notably reviving the Thunder Force franchise with Thunder Force VI for PlayStation 2 in 2008. Historically, Blast Wind has been largely inaccessible to audiences outside Japan due to both its regional exclusivity and the lack of an official English localization.

Originally rumored to be headed to arcades under the title Inazuma Savior, the arcade version was never realized, compounding its rarity and mystique. The landscape for international fans has now changed thanks to dedicated community efforts.

Recently, prolific translation contributor CF released a new English language patch that dramatically increases Blast Wind’s accessibility.

This patch localizes the game’s introductory narration into English and introduces a new voice actor for the leader of the evil GORN Empire, enhancing the presentation for non-Japanese speakers. Beyond translation updates, the patch addresses longstanding technical issues: errors within the original English text have been corrected, and audio has been rebalanced to amplify the game’s acclaimed soundtrack.

As an added bonus, the patch includes a comprehensive 1 Credit Clear (1CC) guide, appealing to players seeking tips for mastering the game's challenging stages. In a statement shared on the project’s release page, CF detailed the straightforward patching process: users need only add their original Blast Wind Sega Saturn ISO (in Redump format) to a designated folder and execute an included batch file to apply the patch.

However, it is important to note that the patch is not compatible with the Sega Saturn Patcher utility. Blast Wind’s revitalization with this fan-made English patch exemplifies the passionate preservation efforts within the retro gaming community.

Not only does it shine a spotlight on Technosoft’s underappreciated final shooter, but it also ensures that new generations of players on the Sega Saturn—whether through original hardware or emulation—can experience this piece of shoot-’em-up history.

Japan Sega Rare Sega Saturn Saturn English Technosoft Blast Wind Thunder Force CF GORN Empire