Project X Zone to include over 200 characters


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.

Cinemassacre’s Mike Matei reviews the Game Gear

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.

New All-Stars Racing Transformed details revealed

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!

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

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.

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

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!

Platinum Games “CONCEPT MOVIE” gets English subtitles

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!

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


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.

 

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

[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.

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

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.

The Rudie boobies SEGA of America doesn’t want you to see

No, this isn’t one of George’s old “spot the differences” contests. SEGA Network chum TheGagaman spotted this funny difference between the US and UK sites for Jet Set Radio. See the change? Piranha’s boobies have been covered by a green tank top. Guess somebody at SEGA legal thought the US page was too scandalous for the kiddies. No word if this change will be applied to the in-game character (unlikely), but its a funny example of American squeamishness.

Yakuza 5 will let you drive a Taxi and more


So a ton of new info has been released for Yakuza 5. This week Famitsu looks at the game’s ‘Another Dramas’ which is basically ‘side missions’ if you want to call it that. The Yakuza team is trying to bring something unique for each character, so they will each have a new gameplay mechanic to go along with their ‘Another Dramas’. One of the most interesting ones is Kazuma Kiryu’s taxi driving minigame. For details on all the new gameplay details, hit the jump.

Valkyria Chronicles Duel announced as a web browser game

I love the Valkyria Chronicles franchise. I loved the first one on the Playstation 3, then when the sequel was announced for PSP. But at least the second one came West, even if it was a downgrade from the Playstation 3 experience. Then the 3rd one didn’t make it West, my anger built. Now the newest entry, Valkyria Chronicles Duel isn’t even a handheld/console game, but a web browser game? Fudge muffins!

So how does this game play? For starters you will have to build up your battalion by collecting cards. There are over 200 character cards in the game. In the game you have to develop your base camp, take enemy territories and acquire new troops. The game suggest that you will take part in “3D character battles” that features the same style as the Valkyria Chronicles games.

Of course the game will be free to play and offer item transactions to make money. You can check out the official site here. They are taking applications for people to test the game from now to June 25th. Again, you should brush up on your Japanese.

Microsoft unleashes Sonic Adventure 2’s product page before announcement


So Microsoft posted the product page for Sonic Adventure 2 earlier this morning, pretty much confirming that the game is almost going to be announced. From what it looks like, it seems that SEGA might have delayed the game a bit? Don’t be surprised if SEGA announces it soon.

Stuff that is now obviously confirmed include widescreen support, chaos being playable and 2 player offline. Click the jump to see all the leaked assets including in-game screenshots.

 

Gearbox wants to do an Aliens: Colonial Marines sequel


Even though we are still playing the wait game on Aliens: Colonial Marines, that isn’t stopping the fine folks over at Gearbox Software to talk about a potential sequel.

“We’re imagining things – there’s a distinct possibility. We are making the game in such a way that could support certain possibilities, but nothing is certain so we have to leave lots of ground. I think when people finish playing the game, they’ll definitely want more. We’re not just tagging off the end of the game and saying, ‘That’s the end of the Aliens chronology for this sort of thing’. We want to continue it…” – senior producer Brian Burleson

I’m sure SEGA will play the wait game and see how the first game turns out first. Since you know, its been in development forever.

hsvPTof IQ Xc

Phantasy Star Online 2 open beta starts June 21st


So you didn’t get into the close beta, but still want to play Phantasy Star Online 2 with all your buddies that did get in? Well, it won’t matter in a few days, because on June 21st SEGA is opening up the beta for everyone. If you register for the beta in advance, like now, you get the Rappy item for free. Sign up here. Here is a nice guide on how to sign up.

SEGA has not stated when the game will be launched, just stated that if there isn’t any issues in open beta that they will launch it as soon as possible. All open beta characters and data will be transferred over to the full release. So get a head start.