Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 for iPhone and iPod Touch receives graphical update

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1, that highly controversial 2D episodic game that has since released to just about every platform, has received a long overdue graphical update for the iPhone and iPod Touch version of the game. When Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 first released, there were several different versions out there. Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 received the version of the game with the best graphics and sound while the Wii version was a step below, with less than stellar graphics and sound. Below that was the iPhone and iPod Touch version which not only featured very blocky graphics, but also had stages that existed before SEGA overhauled the game and did away with the mine cart and pinball machine levels. SEGA marketed these as “2 EXCLUSIVE LEVELS!!!”, but savvy fans knew that SEGA likely just didn’t have the time or resources to retool the mobile versions as they did the console versions.

Yakuza social game coming to Android and iPhone by the end of the month

 

SEGA announced that they where working on Yakuza Kizuna, a game for the popular GREE social gaming platform in Japan. Today SEGA Japan has released the first details and screens of the game.

The game will be a card battling game where you have to build your collection of character cards by battling and using synthesis. You will have to create alliances with other plays and work together to defeat bosses and other powerful opponents. Yakuza Kizuna takes place in good old Kamurocho.

The title will be released on March 26th, only on iPhone/iPod Touch and Android. Basic play is free. Even though its Japan only (so far) it looks fairly simple to play. SEGA should port this to America to promote Yakuza: Dead Souls!

Alexandria Bloodshow announced, sequel to Samurai Bloodshow

SEGA has announced a iPhone sequel to the popular Samurai Bloodshow. This new title is called Alexandria Bloodshow and is set 3,000 years in the past. In this title you will take command of Egyptian or Greek armies and battle around Aegean. The iOS app is due to be released this spring.

If you never played the older title, Samurai Bloodshow, it is now on sale for 99 cents. Lucky you.

Sonic CD port drops vocals from music

Above is footage of the Sonic CD intro, with the missing vocals. Not only is the vocal track going to be missing from the game, but it will also be missing in the digital soundtrack download for the game. Why? According to Christian Whitehead, its probably do to legal issues.

“I know it’s a bit of a bummer that the vocals had to be left out. It’s definitely not something due to laziness or something silly. I couldn’t tell you the circumstances, but at least from my understanding there are some rights associated with the lyrics themselves.

My guess is that since Casey Rankin is no longer alive, there might be problems negotiating the use of the lyrics outside of Japan. Please, don’t take this as gospel though since I don’t work in legal” – Christian “The Taxman” Whitehead

Is this a big deal for all fans out there? It might suck we don’t get vocals on the soundtrack, but in my opinion it doesn’t ruin the game.

[Via: TSS]

Brick People for iOS out, limited time on sale


If you are looking for a block stacking puzzle game where you lead brick people to tasty snacks, this game is for you. If you want monsters trying to stop you, guess what? This game is for you. The game supports achievements, leaderboards and even bluetooth enabled multiplayer.

Not only that, SEGA has special promo pricing, giving you a deal on the game on day one:

iPhone/iPod Touch

  • $0.99 USD
  • $0.99 AUD
  • £0.69
  • €0.79

iPad

  • $1.99 USD
  • $1.99 AUD
  • £1.49
  • €1.59
So if you have an iOS device and like puzzle games, check the game out. You can’t lose much if it sucks, I mean, look at that price they are selling it for. This is an arcade port, that is a ton of quarters you just saved yourself. 
[Source: SEGA.blog]

Samurai Blood Show sneaking onto the Apple App store tomorrow


SEGA has been silent about the iOS release of Samurai Blood Show, but it seems that it will be coming out tomorrow, September 1st and its a tower defense game with a mix of card action.

The full title will cost you $4.99 $1.99, but the ‘lite’ version will give players the ability to play 4 stages from the campaign. SEGA says the full release will have over 100 levels that span 2o different battlefields.

The game also features ranking mode and multiplayer if you want to play with friends.

[Source: SEGAShiro]

SEGA announces Brick People for iOS

The Brick People arcade game is being ported to iOS devices! . That means iPhones, iPad and iPod Touch.

  • Tactile Gameplay: Build towers and bridges for the Brick People by pulling bricks from the stack and dropping them into place, using the iOS’ multi-touch interface
  • Build with a Buddy: Compete head-to-head via Wi-Fi to out-build your friends, or compete on a single device in the iPad version
  • See How You Stack Up: Build your Brick People reputation by going for high scores on the Game Center leaderboards, and tweet your tallest towers

The game is set to be released this Autumn. So get your iDevices ready! Now if only they would announce this for Android!

[Source: SEGA.Blog]

SASASR for iOS (iPhone, iPad) Available Tonight. Only $1.99!

Just in time for Sonic’s 20th birthday, TSSZ reports that Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing will be, well, racing to the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch tonight. The game is a higher-resolution version of the DS port. The best news is it will be available for the low, low price of only $1.99 U.S. (1.19 Europe) until June 25. At that point it goes up to $4.99. I got the chance to play this at E3 and it’s a well done port that even looks great on an iPad.

SEGA teases Sonic 20th Anniversary iphone app


SEGA had an event on the 18th in Japan for Sonic Generations. All the big guys from Sonic Team where there to answer fan questions, the public got to play City Escape level on the PS3 and Green Hill Zone (modern) on the 3DS. Then this little app above was teased.

SEGA is calling the app “Sonic 20th Anniversary” app. Featured in the pictures is ‘Soinic the sketch hog’. The app will give you the latest news on how SEGA is celebrating the blue blur’s 20th anniversary and exclusives like wallpapers.

The app is set to debut on the Japanese Apple Store, for free, on June 23rd. Will we be getting a American app? Who knows.

[Source: AndriaSang]

Takashi Iizuka confirms Sonic 4: Episode 2

The guys over at Siliconera had a chance to ask Iizuka if Sonic Team is planning a follow up to Sonic 4: Episode 1, in which he responded:

“We named Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1, so there will be an episode 2. Since this year is the 20th anniversary of Sonic we wanted to focus on Sonic Generations. We don’t have a release date or anything.But, we can tell you it will be in the near future.”” – Takashi Iizuka

Near future? Iizuka and his love for time traveling plots. In all seriousness, it seems that Sonic Generations is getting the physics for cassic Sonic right. Would be interested if the physics being used in Generations will be used in Episode 2.

Samurai Blood Show turns out to be iOS game


Do you like Samurais and Blood? Do you have an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch? You are in luck if you live in Japan. If you remember correctly, we talked about SEGA trademarking “Samurai Blood Show”, this is for western release. So you will probably have to wait later for a world wide release.

Above is a video showing off the game in action. Not too impressive graphically. Looks like they made the game on a smaller budget. Game is launching with three price tiers: Free, Plus (350 Yen) and Complete (1200 Yen).

[Thanks: Deefy]

Streets Of Rage 2 out now on iOS

From out of seemingly nowhere, Streets Of Rage 2 appears for download on the Apple iPod Touch and iPhone. The game will cost you $2.99/€2.39/£1.79/AU$ 3.99 and includes Bluetooth multiplayer, and the Japanese version, Bare Knuckle 2.

The article also mentions that Golden Axe 2, Golden Axe 3, and Streets Of Rage 3 will be available this spring. Cool beans.

[Source: SEGA]

Yakuza twitter app: In a world of nobodies, tweet like somebody

SEGA has teamed up with Genesix to deliver a Yakuza themed iPhone app. This application will allow you to do what most other apps already allow: tweeting, posting photos and sharing shorten links in the twitterverse.

[Icon: Check]

The app is free and comes with 6 themes to toggle between. You can download it here. Now I wish I had an iPhone so I could use the app to update our twitter…

[Source: AndriaSang]

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing coming to iOS

SAN FRANCISCO – SEGA of America, Inc. and SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing is coming to iPhone and iPod touch. The mobile edition of this speedy title will include all the familiar faces and events players have enjoyed on other platforms when it drifts onto the App Store this spring.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing puts players on the track and in the shoes of a host of popular SEGA characters, from the blue blur himself to AiAi and Dr. Eggman, each with their own unique vehicle. Players must use their driving skills to drift and dodge their way to a checkered flag in a variety of single-player modes, as well as local multiplayer race and battle modes via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

For more details about Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing for iPhone and iPod touch, visit www.sega.com.

Source: IGN

UPDATE: check out screens after the break!