If you are a fan of cooperative games (and you should be, you are visiting Co-Optimus), then chances are you have heard about Guardian Heroes HD. Originally released for the Sega Saturn, Guardian Heroes HD was the remixed version of the Treasure classic. The game is a unique and timeless beat em' up that has stood as a solid game to this day. It is a golden standard by which to measure other games in the genre. This has as much to do with the amazing graphics, music, and animations as it has to do with the underlying game mechanics. This is a thinking man's brawler, particularly on hard mode. It features experience and stat point distribution which can come into play in a large way. Best of all, it sports some very fine cooperative play both online and locally.

Treasure’s seminal action-RPG/brawler is reborn on modern consoles, complete with remixed graphics and gameplay options. A branching story with multiple endings and 45 playable characters in Versus mode will keep players busy. But does Guardian Heroes have the co-op magic?

Guardian Heroes HD comes out in about a month, and will hopefully be a nice shot to the nostalgia vein of gamers who loved the original. What fans might not know, however, is that the project was originally envisioned as a sequel to the Sega Saturn game. When developer Treasure pitched Guardian Heroes 2 to their publisher, SEGA told them to first re-establish the IP. So there you have it, the fate of Guardian Heroes 2 will be determined by how well Guardian Heroes HD does. 

Anyone who owned a Sega Saturn should be excited about Sega’s upcoming HD re-release of Guardian Heroes. And people who didn’t own a Saturn due either to being born too late or making poor life decisions will soon be excited too – all you need to do is watch the new trailer!

It’s time to head back to the age of Sega Saturn with this stylish HD remake of a game called Guardian Heroes. Play as one of four adventurers through an RPG brawler for the ages, as it’s re-envisioned by the same company that originally released it in 1996. I did just that at E3 2011, as a new blood to the game without any tainted nostalgia contact lenses.

The team regretted visiting the outdoor discotheque once Horace had been hit by lightening

A couple of weeks ago we gave you guys the heads-up that SEGA is doing an HD remake of action-RPG Guardian Heroes for Xbox Live Arcade, a game that was originally exclusive to the Sega Saturn. Now we have some additional details about what will set the remake apart, besides the vague term "enhanced graphics" (and yes, you can play with the original graphics enabled if you wish via "Saturn Mode"). SEGA has even provided some side-by-side comparison shots.

Developer Treasure has brought co-op fans some great games through the years: Gunstar Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, and Ikaruga immediately come to mind.  These three Treasure titles, among others, have been (or soon will be) released for Xbox Live Arcade, and this fall another joins the ranks.  Guardian Heroes is getting the full HD remake treatment, with all new graphics and a widescreen presentation.  Online co-op, as well as standard couch co-op, will be included, too.  I've heard lots about this storied action-RPG hybrid, but never played it since it was only released on Sega Saturn.  We look forward to hearing more about Guardian Heroes as its fall release date draws closer.