News

SEGA closes European and Australian offices

by


Another sad day in SEGA land folks, SEGA has announced today that they will be closing their European and Australian offices. Koch Media will be the distribution partner for the European territories, except for Benelux, which will be handled by Level03 Distribution. Australia territory will be handled by 5 Star. SEGA UK will remain open as the European HQ. So it isn’t all that bad.

“SEGA is entering a new and exciting phase that will position the company as a content led organisation maximising sales with strong and balanced IP such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Total War, Football Manager and the Aliens franchise. The company will benefit from a clear focus and realigned strategy for our digital business and packaged goods and we are confident that this will lead to a successful future.” – COO of Sega Europe Jurgen Post

This goes with the rumor they sort of predicted during E3, only that the rumor wasn’t 100% right. Actually still think the guy just guessed and happen to hit some of the mark. What do you guys think? Is this ‘new and exciting phase’ for SEGA or is this bad?

18 Comments

Rhythm Thief demo now available on U.S. 3DS E-Shop

by

Finally! U.S. gamers can get their hands on a demo of the upcoming rhythm-based game, Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure. The demo feature 3 levels to give you a good feel for the game. Here’s a quote from Sega’s announcement this morning.

Good news everyone! The Rhythm Thief Demo launches today across North America in the 3DS E Shop! You play as Raphael, a normal every day kid by day, and Phantom R by night – the heroic thief who is famous among Parisians for stealing paintings only to return them a few days later. There’s a mystery afoot, with full map navigation across Paris, intricate and involved story, and tons of musical mini-games.

Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure will be available Tuesday, July 10th.

1 Comment

My Life with SEGA reviews Motocross Championship

by

I was never fortunate or rich enough growing up to own a 32X. Actually I never meet anyone around the time that actually had one. So its good to see A.J. crack down some 32x reviews, even if the game pisses him off.

“It’s another “classic” episode from the vault. If you thought my review of Cliffhanger was scathing, just you wait until you endure the horror that is Motocross Championship for the SEGA Genesis 32X.”

Like it? Subscribe!

6 Comments

Famitsu gives Anarchy Reigns high marks – so can we have the game already, SEGA?

by

I’m really getting sick of opening articles with a rundown of Anarchy Reigns delay in the west, so I’ll keep it short: SEGA delayed the game again and again, it now looks to be coming in 2013, and it pisses me off. To add salt to the wound, Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu reviewed the game, which releases July 5th in Japan by the name of Max Anarchy. What did they rate it? Straight 9’s for both XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 versions. So it appears the game is very, very good. 9,9,9,9 good. So tell my again why SEGA continues to delay the game? Excuse me while I belt out an old chestnut from Doctor Robotnik: “DUMBOTS!!!”

9 Comments

The Dreamcast Junkyard takes a look at the Gunlord Limited Edition

by

SEGA Network partner The Dreamcast Junkyard has uploaded a great unboxing and gameplay video of the latest indie Dreamcast game, Gunlord. DCJY writer The GagaMan(n) got his hands on the Limited Edition version of the game, which includes a soundtrack CD along with the game. The package art looks beautiful, and the booklet is loaded with great artwork. The game itself looks unlike any other indie Dreamcast game we’ve seen, despite the storyline having ties to NG:Dev.Team’s Last Hope: Pink Bullets. Check out the video here!

Have any readers picked the game up? If so, what do you think of it? I’ve ordered the limited edition earlier this week, and hope to get my hands on it before July 4th. I figure all the shooting can act as our fireworks this year. You can buy yourself a copy at NG:Dev.Team’s shop.

2 Comments

Jet Set Radio HD achievements revealed – game to include JSRF tunes?

by

Achievements for the upcoming release of Jet Set Radio HD have been revealed, and with them comes a hint towards a bonus that SEGA has yet to speak of. At the top of the list of thirty achievements is one titled “Back to the Future” with the description “Unlock all songs in the bonus menu”. To my knowledge, there was never a bonus menu that unlocked songs in the original game. There was a sound test, but that was complete from the start. No unlocking necessary. The achievement’s title mentions “future”, which of course was in the title of the franchise’s second game Jet Set Radio Future. Could SEGA be adding an option to play select tunes from Jet Set Radio Future? Or is it simply a nod to the sequel and nothing more? After the break, the full list of achievements.

Continue Reading ➜

4 Comments

Project X Zone to include over 200 characters

by


Now, just because they promise 200 characters, doesn’t mean there will be 200 playable characters. It just means there will be a ton of cameos, some will be villains others NPCs. If you haven’t heard about Project X Zone, it will feature characters from SEGA, Namco-Bandai and Capcom in a tactical RPG on the Nintendo 3DS.

I know what you are saying, “When is the game out?” Sadly, the game hasn’t been announced for release outside of Japan and I doubt it will make its way out of there. Namco x Capcom on the PS2 stayed Japan exclusive as well.

No Comments

Cinemassacre’s Mike Matei reviews the Game Gear

by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRlyL8XMJAQ

Cinemassacre, home of the Angry Video Game Nerd, is typically a Nintendo leaning site. However, contributor Mike Matei showed SEGA some love by way of a Game Gear video review. The video covers a number of games including Streets of Rage 2 and X-Men. One interesting aspect of the video is that Mike commissioned a video game hardware wizard to make him a Game Gear that is capable of video out. This allows for a way to capture video directly off the Game Gear. Given Mike’s close ties with James Rolfe, this opens the door for AVGN Game Gear episodes. Want to know how the Game Gear video out modification was done? Check out the video after the break.

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

New All-Stars Racing Transformed details revealed

by

Coming out of Las Vegas Licensing Expo 2012 are some new details on the upcoming SEGA mascot mash up racer. The game has been confirmed for two new platforms, iOS and Android, which join Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PC, 3DS and Playstation Vita in the list of confirmed platforms. In addition, it has been confirmed that the Wii U, 3DS and Vita versions of the game will have unique features specific to the platforms. Finally, downloadable content has also finally been confirmed for the game.

We should get a better idea of the game’s features come Comic Con 2012, where new characters are expected to be unveiled. Until then, stay tuned!

6 Comments

All-Stars Racing iOS adds Ulala and three new tracks!

by

SEGA and Sumo Digital have really been doing an outstanding job in updating Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing for the iOS. Previously, they added Knuckles, Shadow and a new track. Now they’ve added Ulala (take that, Deee-Lite!) and three new tracks. Given that SEGA has added the ability to buy SEGA Miles with real cash in the last update, I’m assuming they’re banking on users buying these new additions via buying Miles. Hey, if that means more racers and tracks in future updates, I’m all for it! The added tracks include Super Monkey Ball’s pirate themed “Monkey Target”, Sonic’s Seaside Hill themed “Ocean Ruin” and the casino themed “Bingo Party” – a new Sonic trope for the iOS version. All the new content is locked, so I can’t share how Ulala handles or how the tracks play, but I’m hoping they’ve added new music. I’d love to hear some casino music. After the break, more screens of the additions.

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

English version of The History of Sonic book coming courtesy of Udon?

by

GoNintendo has stumbled upon a pre-order listing on Amazon for Pix’N Love’s The History of Sonic book. The fact that there is an English language version isn’t a surprise, since Pix’N Love confirmed that one is in the works earlier this month. What is a surprise is that the book is not being sold on Pix’N Love’s English site, and that the book looks to be published by Udon Entertainment. Udon Entertainment, for those who don’t know, is a Canadian based publisher responsible for gaming art books both original and imported including the Valkyria Chronicles 2: World Artworks book and the upcoming The Eyes of Bayonetta art book. So has Pix’N Love left the English language duties to Udon? Seems like it. The English translation already exists, as it was approved alongside the French translation several months ago. So at most, Udon would have to handle printing and perhaps a slight redesign to the cover to accomodate their logo. Pix’N Love estimated that the book would sell for between $45 and $50, and the MSRP on Amazon matches that guess at $49.99. However, Amazon currently lists the book for a cool $32.14. The release date is tentatively October 9, 2012. An Amazon.co.uk listing also exists, however a price is not given. The UK release date is listed as September 19, 2012.

A big thanks to Tracker the Doggy for the heads up!

5 Comments

Platinum Games “CONCEPT MOVIE” gets English subtitles

by

Awhile back Platinum Games posted a Japanese behind the studio video, giving fans access to what they do. Sadly the video was all Japanese, but there was promise that they would be translating it to English for people like us. Well, here it is. Enjoy!

I love seeing developers make videos like this. I know bigger publishers always do this, I just wish SEGA would do videos like this. I’m a nerd, I like to have more information about games. Sue me!

No Comments

Sonic pops up in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz via DLC

by


Sonic the Hedgehog will be turning 21 years old in a few days, what best way to celebrate his birthday in Japan than giving users a free Sonic DLC pack? The DLC pack is for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz on the Playstation Vita, so far this DLC has only been announced for Japan since the game isn’t really out in the west yet.

The only thing this free piece of downloadable content really gives you is a model of Sonic, as an object that you can use to in stage creation mode. That means that when you share your banana-fied courses of mass destruction, you can now put a happy looking Sonic giving the player a wag of his finger. No, not that finger, keep it PG.

 

2 Comments

Yakuza 5 Another Drama screenshots released: watch Kazuma battle in a taxi [update]

by

[Hatsune Miku fans eat your heart out]

We posted earlier today all the details about the ‘Another Drama’ gameplay details in Yakuza 5. They are basically side missions for each character, but unlike past games, this game will give each character their own gaming mechanic. Making playing as individual characters more personal. Kazuma gets taxi battles where you get to drive and Haruka gets a Project Diva type rhythm game (see above).

Check out the rest of the screens by hitting the jump.

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

Sega Superstars Tennis plus Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing coming to the Mac this summer

by

In the “better late than never” category, Sega Superstars Tennis and Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing are finally coming to the Mac from Feral Entertainment. It’s unclear whether they’ll be shipped together or separate. Pricing and a set date have not been announced either. At least we know All-Stars Racing will be have online multiplayer which is more than we can say about the PC version. Here’s a statement from Sega’s press release.

Feral Interactive today announced that Sonic the Hedgehog and over 25 other fan-favorite SEGA characters are coming to the Mac this summer! Developed by Sumo Digital Ltd. and published by SEGA for consoles and PC, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing and SEGA Superstars Tennis will bring the world’s speediest blue hedgehog to the Mac for the very first time.

A star-studded line-up including Doctor Eggman, Tails, Shadow the Hedgehog, Alex Kidd and Super Monkey Ball’s Aiai will battle it out not only in single player and split-screen multiplayer modes, but also online using Apple’s Game Center technology, a feature of the next version of Mac OS X, Mountain Lion.

Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing sees Sonic and friends race cars, motorbikes and even a “bananamobile” across crazily inventive tracks inspired by the incredible worlds of the SEGA games. Players must find secret shortcuts and use hilarious power-ups to give them the edge, making Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing an exhilarating ride for family, friends and online challengers.

SEGA Superstars Tennis pits classic SEGA characters against each other across four smashing (geddit?) tournaments on totally outrageous tennis courts. Players can also put their racket skills to the test in twisted minigames inspired by classic SEGA titles such as House of the Dead, Space Harrier and Super Monkey Ball.

1 Comment