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80% of Jet Set Radio’s soundtrack is intact, says SEGA [Update]

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This according to Game Informer Magazine, who recently got some hands-on time with the upcoming digital re-release. They report that SEGA has retained 80% of the original’s soundtrack, and that this HD update will also feature camera controls mapped to the 2nd analog stick, something which, as Dreamcast fans will remember, wasn’t possible with that console’s controller. Region specific added levels will also make it to the digital version, all running at 60 fps.

My thoughts? 80% is unquestionably a majority of the soundtrack, though I’m personally awaiting a list of exactly what was included before getting too excited. I’ll go out on a limb here and assume that the tracks licensed for the North American and European releases aren’t going to make it this time around, but whether or not that’s the extent of the cuts remains to be seen.

Jet Set Radio will be releasing on XBLA, PSN, and PC sometime this year.

[Update] Joystiq confirms that Hideki Naganuma’s music will stay intact. Licensed music that has been confirmed to stay in the soundtrack include “Magical Girl” by Guitar Vadar and “Funky Radio” by B.B. Rights. [/Update]

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Iizuka says Sonic Dimensions a Hoax, Comments on Sonic’s Future

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Remember those rumors regarding a Sonic Colors sucessor incoming for the Wii U? Well, Takashi Iizuka has finally spoken out on thematter in a SPOnG Sonic 4 Episode 2 interview:

SPOnG: Can you say whether the rumour of a game called Sonic Dimensions on the Wii U is true or false? Takashi Iizuka: Sonic Dimensions? [Laughs] I think it’s a complete hoax. [Laughs]

In that same interview, Iizuka commented on Sonic’s future. We have a sample of his comments posted below. For the full comment, as well as the entire interview, please head over to SPOnG.

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Total War Battles: Shogun is the iOS & Android game, check out first screens

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So are you a big fan of the Total War series? Have you ever wished you could play it on your mobile smart phone? Well, now you can. SEGA just announced Total War Battles: Shogun, their first Total War entry on the smartphone. It will be coming out for iOS and Android. This is not a PC port, its a original game build from the ground up to work great on your beautiful smart phone. The game promises a 10 hour long campaign, challenge missions and multiplayer on a shared screen.

Hit the jump to see the gallery of screenshots.

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First screenshots of Hell Yeah! get released

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SEGA has posted up screenshots of Hell Yeah!, a game by Arkedo. You’re probably thinking to yourself that the name Hell Yeah! is just to cover up how terrible the game is going to be, but to be honest it is looking rather solid. Plus if you’re a vegetarian you will really appreciate all the meat on screen.

The game puts you in the shoes of Ash, the rabbit king of hell. Sadly someone thought putting up a private photo of you would be funny. I guess rabbits have no sense of humor because now you have to get the bastard and take him down in this action-platformer.

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Get a Better Look at Bosses in New Sonic 4 Episode 2 Screens!

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A new collection of Sonic 4 Episode 2 screens have hit the interwebs, and while they cover stages we’ve already seen, they also highlight a few boss battles. Egg Serpentleaf looks to be a huge boss, and this is only the first zone! Metal Sonic appears to have copied Sonic once again as he is seen executing a homing attack and taking out the ground below. After the break, check out the other screens and take a look at yet another gameplay video… this time competently played!

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Yakuza: Black Panther 2 demo released on Japanese PSN store

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SEGA is releasing Yakuza: Black Panther 2 in Japan this next Thursday, so to promote it SEGA has released a demo of the game on the Japanese PSN. The demo has the introduction to the story, hostess bar sections, ability to explore a chunk of Osaka and even test out the fighting system by beating the game’s first boss. This game is released exclusively for PSP in Japan. No western release is planned.

Can’t play the demo because you don’t own a PSP or can’t be bothered? Well we got you covered, hit the jump and you can seen over a dozen screens from the PSN demo. Enjoy!

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First Phantasy Star Online 2 Vita screens make it online

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SEGA just got done announcing Phantasy Star Online 2 for the Vita a few days ago, but now they are ready to start releasing screens. Well, at least 3 of them. The game might look a bit rough to you, but Sakai has confirmed that it’s only 10% complete and promises that when it’s done the Vita version should rival the PC version’s highest setting. I don’t know if this is good news or bad.

Sakai said he had a PSO2 surprise coming in March. Guess what? Surprise, this is it. The Vita version of the game. The Playstation Vita version of the game will start service sometime in 2013. SEGA has recently finished the PC version’s alpha 2 test, which was played by over 50,000 people. The game is getting closer to the large closed beta phase, I can’t believe it’s still this early in development.

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The next Shining Project might end up being a browser game

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Well, remember back when I said there was going to be a teaser for the next Shining project in the retail version of Shining Blade? Guess what? Some people have gotten their copies of Shining Blade in advance. So what is the next Shining project? It would seem that it is a browser game that plays like Shining Hearts with farming elements added on to it. Shining Hearts seems sort of perfect for this, what with it letting you raise your own pet.

The Shining Blade twitter also called this announcement the “biggest thing in the series history” for t he last week or so. Is this their big news? Its hard to tell since SEGA as also shared details on a Shining Hearts anime, which will be airing in April.  That isn’t all, there will be a Shining series costume sets in Phantasy Star Universe.

 

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Sonic 4’s physics finally fixed? “Affirmative”* bellows Balough!

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Tomorrow will be the release of Sonic Talk: Episode 4. In it, we interview Ken Balough about all things Sonic 4:Episode 2. One thing that’s been discussed in other forums and kinda revealed lately is how the physics are shaping up and it’s all true. Here’s what Ken had to say on the new and improved Sonic 4-2 physics.

“You’ll notice the changes right from the get-go. We took fan feedback and made sure he doesn’t uncurl. So now when he rolls up those hills, he’ll stay in ball-attack form. The other thing was to start having the game have more momentum style physics similar to the Genesis. In act 2 of Silvania Castle, it starts off at a big hill. So if you just put Sonic towards the edge and have him tuck and roll (not spindash) and let him roll naturally, you can put your controller down because not only will he roll down that hill, but he’ll actually pick up speed and roll off a ramp (for example) and have it similar in essence to the way it was on the Genesis.”

Check out Sonic Talk 4:Episode 2 tomorrow to find out more on the physics, how Sonic CD is now embedded into Sonic 4 and the Genesis trilogy, what kind of adaption will be in the Archie magazine, which versions have “transfarring” and much more right here on SEGAbits!

*= He didn’t exactly say “affirmative”. It just sounds good in the header.

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Phantasy Star Online 2 alpha version hints at English localization

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You know SEGA, if you just leave hints in the code, we SEGA nerds are going to end up finding it. Remember all the stuff found out from the Sonic Generations demo? You know your fans are going to be checking every single line of code for hints of exclusive information. Well, here is some that might make you smile.

Here’s some localization info:

Between Alpha 1 to Alpha 2 they added the Title screen in different language directories, here is a list:
language/ch/ui_title_logo.ice
language/de/ui_title_logo.ice
language/en/ui_title_logo.ice
language/es/ui_title_logo.ice
language/fr/ui_title_logo.ice
language/it/ui_title_logo.ice
language/jp/ui_title_logo.ice
language/ko/ui_title_logo.ice
language/tw/ui_title_logo.ice

Take a wild guess on what those stand for.

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Petition: Asking SEGA for remastered versions of the Panzer Dragoon games

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The guys over at The Will of the Ancients have posted up a very good petition, one that asks SEGA to remaster the past Panzer Dragoon games for current generation consoles. Not to mention the recent passing of artist Jean Giraud, now is the perfect time for SEGA to bring these classics back. You want them, I want them. Sign the petition below!

http://www.panzerdragoonrevival.com/

Spread the above link, everywhere. Also follow The Will of the Ancients on twitter.

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Panzer Dragoon Artist Jean Giraud (Mœbius) Has Passed Away.

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French artist Jean Giraud has sadly passed away today at age  73. He died of cancer.  Jean earned world fame through his uniquely beautiful art style and worked on many comic books and films including Alien, Tron, The Fifth Element and even Star Wars. Sega fans will know his artwork from the fantastic 1995 game Panzer Dragoon released on the Sega Saturn.

Jean’s art was no doubt one of the biggest influences on the Panzer Dragoon series and went a long way in shaping its beautiful, melancholy world. I’ve personally always been a fan of his art, he created barren yet beautiful landscapes like no other. He will be missed. Rest in Peace, Mœbius.

 

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Phantasy Star Online 2 gets announced for Vita

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Phantasy Star franchise mastermind Sakai has announced today that Phantasy Star Online 2 is coming to Playstation Vita, in 2013. Yeah, sucks that we have to wait that long. Look at it this way, in the US we will probably wait a lot longer, since the game isn’t even announced here yet.

So the video above might not impress you graphically, but keep in mind the game is only 10% complete. That means that the 3D models, shading and other effects are set to the lowest setting. The good thing? The Vita version will play on the same servers, use the same data as the PC version. So you can buy both and pick the game up on the Vita while you ride a bus. Technology, you gotta love it.

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Hatsune Miku coming to your iPhone and other iOS devices

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That’s right, just announced for the iTunes market is Miku Flick, a mobile video game staring Hatsune Miku. Seems in this game, instead of timing your taps with the music, you actually click on the correct lyric while Miku sings. Meaning this will be nearly impossible for people that don’t speak Japanese to play.

Miku Flick is coming out March 9th and will cost you 1,200 yen ($15) on iTunes. Wait, hold on that isn’t all. This game is only playable on the following devices: iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (4th Gen), iPad and iPad2. This is a Japanese only release, no plans announce to bring this to America or European market.

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Yakuza: Dead Souls pre-order trailer is all about the American spirit

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Who said that the Japanese can’t appreciate bad taste in fashion and being a patriot? Can’t love this country built on freedom? *waves American flag*

In all seriousness, above is the pre-order trailer for Yakuza: Dead Souls. Which happens to be out March 13th, did you know that? I didn’t. Been too busy playing Binary Domain to notice. Pre-order DLC is exclusive to GameStop stores.

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