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Yakuza creator talks about the future of console gaming

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Toshihiro Nagoshi or better known as the man with an awesome tan, who has helped create games like Super Monkey Ball and Yakuza, was part of a recent article by Famitsu called “Future of Games”. Nagoshi says that the Japanese console game market has had bad growth and that the international market has been showing signs of a drop. He says that developers will have to combat this by being more aware of problems with their games and come up with solutions.

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Toejam and Earl and its sequel on their way to XBLA and PSN

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Let’s categorize this one under “it’s about frigging time.” It’s being reported that our favorite alien duo from the Genesis era, Toejam and Earl, are on their way to Xbox Live Arcade and PSN sometime in the near future.

Toejam and Earl and its sequel, Toejam and Earl in Panic on Funkatron, have both been available digitally on the WiiWare service for years, though this release will mark their first stint on HD consoles.

Though SEGA has yet to confirm the news (letalone offer a release date or price point) series creators Greg Johnson and Mark Voorsanger have reportedly verified its legitimacy.

As far as this potentially leading to new adventures starring Toejam and Earl down the road, Johnson seems hopeful.

“I particularly want to create a new cross platform multi-player version of TJ & E and set the characters in some new environments – but with the original rogue-like game-one game play,” Johnson said. “I get so many requests from fans.”

He also makes it clear though that nothing is currently planned.

We’ll update you with more details as soon as SEGA makes them available.

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Zavvi product description reveals new All-Stars Racing Transformed gameplay details

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With the release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed just four months away, online retailers have started listing the game and revealing new tidbits within the product descriptions. Zavvi has listed the game, and treats potential buyers to a rather lengthy write up that borders on being a full on article. While the product description does not reveal new racers or tracks, it does detail the game’s many modes and expands on things mentioned in past interviews. After the break, a handy bulleted list of the info as well as the full description.

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IGN holding Anarchy Reigns live stream with Platinum Games on August 9th

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IGN will be celebrating the release of Anarchy Reigns by holding a live stream Thursday the 9th of August at 5 PM Pacific time. Platinum Games staff will be playing along with IGN, in addition to answering Twitter-submitted fan questions via Skype.

The live stream will last for one hour and will be viewable on IGN, right here.

Anarchy Reigns was delayed in Western territories to 2013. In the wake of that unfortunate news, Platinum Games had encouraged disheartened fans to simply import the title from Japan, where it was recently released.

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Jet Set Radio HD tags itself into the mobile space this summer

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Jet Set Radio HD will be skating it’s way onto iOS and other mobile platforms later this summer. Looks like the Vita has some more competition. Here’s the official statement from Sega.

Jet Set Radio is headed to iOS and Android this summer! We’re pretty excited – the same game you’ve enjoyed on the Dreamcast is going to be with you anytime you want on your preferred mobile device.

Jet Set Radio for iOS and Android includes the same slick gameplay, genre-blending soundtrack, and pioneering art style as the other versions alongside new features like OpenFeint and Retina display support and the awesome ability to use pictures taken with your phone or tablet’s camera as in-game graffiti! Traverse Shibuya terminal on the train, silence the Love Shockers on your lunch break, blast through Benten-cho while boarding a bus and upload achievements to Facebook while riding a ferry; Jet Set Radio will be a dream come true for portable gamers everywhere!

Okay, here’s my concern. This game’s controls could be a little tricky at times even on the old Dreamcast controller. I can’t even imagine it controlling very well on a touchpad device. Well, here’s hoping I’m wrong.

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Sonic the Hedgehog voice actor Roger Craig Smith to feature in Wreck it Ralph

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When we reported last week that Sonic would have a cameo appearance in Disney’s upcoming video game-themed CG film, the immediate question on many fans’ minds was whether Sonic would have a speaking role, and, if he did, whether voice actor Roger Craig Smith would play the part.

It looks like we now have the answer, as Disney today revealed the rest of the voice cast for the film, and Roger Craig Smith is indeed listed as playing Sonic the Hedgehog. Several voice actors from the Street Fighter video game series will also be making appearances in the movie that looks like a giant love letter to video gaming.

Wreck it Ralph opens November 2nd in North America.

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“Oh, alright!” exclaims SEGA as they reverse their decision on Gamescom

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Okay, so SEGA didn’t really exclaim anything, but they have started to send out invites to a behind closed doors event at the German gaming expo. Back in May we reported that they were not attending the show, due to the release timing of their 2012 titles not lining up with the event (whatever that means). But now SEGA has reversed this decision, as they will be there even if it may be only in a behind closed doors capacity. Possible titles on show include Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Aliens: Colonial Marines and Total War: Rome II. Who knows, they might even reveal a public event in the coming weeks. If they do, we’ll let you know.

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Yakuza 1&2 HD Edition Trailer

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Sega will release a remastered version of Yakuza 1 and Yakuza 2 exclusively for the PS3, the remastered version boasts HD graphics and a much needed cut in loading times for both games. Will it head West? It’s hard to say at the moment, we don’t really know Sega’s plans for Yakuza in North America and Europe but we can all hope, right? Heck I would take it as a PSN digital download if it meant we could get it in English.

The Yakuza series is one of my favourite new IPs from Sega in recent years, it’s such a shame that with each new release it feels like another heart ache over weather it’ll receive a Western release. Let’s hope Sega West sees the potential in the Yakuza series and continues to support it for years to come because by the looks of Yakuza 5, it’s not going anywhere.

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Yakuza 1 & 2 HD confirmed by Famitsu

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We posted the rumor, now it’s confirmed. SEGA is planning on releasing Yakuza 1&2 HD for the Playstation 3. The issue states that both HD remakes are set to release on November 1st, with a price of ¥5,290 (about $67 dollars). November 1st date is a month earlier than what SEGA had in their release schedule, but can’t complain about getting games early, right?

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SEGA says Sonic the Hedgehog can be ‘the next Hello Kitty’

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Now that SEGA has decided to focus on fewer titles, some of their bigger IPs like Sonic the Hedgehog will be getting more attention. What is in store for Sonic? It means signing up more third parties to make Sonic toys, clothing and other gear you might not need but will want to buy anyway.

“Sonic is a well-known character, but we’ve got a lot of room to grow in merchandising . We dream of Hello Kitty. We’re still far off from that but we can see that our profits are growing year on year in the US and Europe [on merchandising]. We’ve got a licensing team on the ground in the UK who are focusing on that and that team will expand. We’ve got a team in the US and which will also expand. We used to run it all out of Sega of Japan, but having people on the ground is making a big difference. We will always do the computer game but the merchandising is a very important aspect to Sonic.” – Jurgen Post, COO of SEGA Europe

In a way I’m glad that SEGA is putting their name out there more. I used to love going to stores and seeing Sonic the Hedgehog stuff everywhere. But then again, who wants to see everyone’s favorite blue blur get whored out? Who wants to see useless collector items like a ‘Sonic the Hedgehog chainsaw’? Funny that they also announced a Hello Kitty Sonic the Hedgehog themed doll a few nights ago.

 

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Say it ain’t Joe! Shinobi track coming to All-Stars Transformed?

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Courtesy of Kori from The Website of the Dead comes a photo from the title screen of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, taken at SEGA’s Arcade during Comic Con. Kori claims that this is a yet to be announced Shinobi track, and we can definitely see the resemblance to Joe’s 16-bit adventures. Sumo Digital has said that tracks will be selected, at least in the story mode, via an world map of floating islands. Each island represents a track, and this island looks very Shinobi themed. What do you all think? Is Joe getting a track to call home?

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Rhythm Thief is out now in North America: Check out the launch trailer

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It’s sure taken its time getting here, but North American 3DS owners can now get their hands on Samba de Amigo director Shun Nakamura’s latest rhythm adventure.

Combining rhythm mini-games with puzzles and light exploration elements, the game’s a good bit of fun and has no shortage of charm.

Check out its official launch trailer above and be sure to pick it up while you can still find it.

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Wreck it Ralph to be a guest racer in Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed

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UPDATE: Good news! Video did record. It’s in the internal memory so Nux will upload it. We’ll have it a little later.

It was revealed last night during Sonic Boom that not only will Sonic be in Wreck-it-Ralph (they even showed the PSA clip Sonic was in), but that Ralph himself will be a playable character in Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed. Some footage was shown of him racing in a Jet Set Radio level. Sadly, the footage I recorded didn’t come out for some reason. (But I did record it. I swear!) Ralph is the second guest character in the game next to Danica Patrick. Frankly, I think he’s a much better fit than her.

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Rumor: Yakuza 1 & 2 HD coming out this December in Japan?

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This screen above was from SEGA Japan’s calendar, which now has been taken down. It shows that the company is planning on bringing Yakuza 1 & 2 HD to the Playstation 3. Could it have been a mistake? I think this rumor will come out to be true for one reason. Yakuza makes money. Not to mention SEGA wants to do more digital releases.

Think about it this way, what will sell more? This or those SEGA AGES re-releases?

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