SEGA Toys announces Sky Tree Homestar

Sky Tree Homestar

SEGA Toys is at it again, releasing some cool things, and a bunch of very odd ones, like the recently announced “Toylet”. This one falls under the “cool” category (or nerdy, depending on how much you enjoy staring at the stars.).

With only four AAA batteries, even someone half way across the world can stare up at Tokyo’s skyline with this device. The projector shows one of the tallest buildings in the world, the Tokyo Sky Tree, and a few constellations, including the Big Dipper and Orion. And it can be yours for only about $70.

[Source: InventorSpot.com]

Sonic facebook to have “something big” on April 7th


SEGA is now teasing people that Sonic’s Facebook is going to have something big, most likely on April 7th. Check out the tweets in their uncut glory below.

“There’s something big coming this week to the Sonic Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/sonic”

“Sonic’s 20th Anniversary is this year, but SEGA start celebrating on 7th April and you’ll only find out how on the Sonic Facebook page!”

So what could this be? We will find out in 48 hours, no need to have a panic attack. Could this be a Sonic social game to make old school fans even more mad? We can only dream.

Captain America: Super Solider hands on

Who knew that one of SEGA’s own movie license games would be getting rave reviews? Surely not us…er..anyone, really. But Captain America is seemingly exciting the masses. Destructoid’s new hands on/interview/wrap up thing details how awesome the game plays and the cinematic experience it gives through cut scenes and the fluidity of everything progressing. Check it out, it sure looks good and actually worth playing. It’ll probably sell as well as Iron man, if not better, which probably means a sequel. But promise me this, SEGA, if you do another Captain America game after this, make it good, not like the Iron Man games, or how Thor is looking. Please?

[Source: Destructoid]

Spiral Knights – Launch Trailer

Check out the launch trailer for Spiral Knights!

Sega published and Three Rings developed Spiral Knights is out of beta and available now to everyone! The game is completely free to install and play. While the game does adopt a in game shop system where you pay real money it is entirely possible to play the game for free.

If you were ever a fan of Phantasy Star Online, then I suggest giving Spiral Knights a try. The game features real time combat and is easy to pick up and play. You can go from the log in screen to knee deep in battle with four companions in less than a minute! The enemies are inventive and the sound track deserves a special mention. It also has a unique system were you personally can effect the lay out of the levels!

The game is available to play on pretty much every operating system including Windows, Mac OS and Linux

If you want to try it out and you really have no excuse not to, you can get started at www.spiralknights.com

Virtua Tennis 4 getting two move bundles

The people over at Amazon France have leaked two move bundles before SEGA got a chance to announce it. The first bundle is the Playstation Eye Camera, Virtua Tennis 4, Move Controller and plastic tennis racket for the sweet price of 99.95 euros.

The second bundle is the same, but also has a 320gb Playstation 3 added to the mix. This one is going to cost you 379.95 euros. No idea if any other country is getting a taste of these sweet bundles, I guess the French just love their tennis a bit more than everyone else.

[Source: Playstation Lifestyle]

PlatinumGames “saddened” by current Japanese gaming industry

PlatinumGames President and CEO Tatsuya Minami recently wrote a blog post that can be seen at their website, and it’s clear that he’s not too thrilled at the moment with the Japanese gaming industry.

His problems with the current state of game development, especially in Japan, stems from what he sees as a lack of original content being created as franchises grow “ever longer.” He’s saddened by what he sees as too few Japanese developers creating games with “new” at their core, and Japanese games are, as a result, failing to achieve worldwide acclaim; in short, Minami says, Japanese developers have lost their vigor.

Going forward, the CEO promises that PlatinumGames will continue to strive to provide fresh and original content to a worldwide audience, and hopes that they will inspire other Japanese developers to do the same.

“At PlatinumGames, we strive to be the face of Japanese game studios on the worldwide stage. We want our contributions to not only be towards the games industry as a whole, but also be contributions towards our homeland of Japan. That is the principle that will guide our company into the future.

We aim to bring happiness to gamers worldwide. We seek to ignite a Japanese games revival. And our troops will have the highest morale.

We’re in this fight for the long haul.”

Tatsuya Minami
President and CEO
PlatinumGames Inc.
Spring 2011

To check out the full post, hit up their website.

Captain America Super Solider box art looks like this

If you are like me, you have probably stayed up sleepless nights hoping that SEGA would release box art for Captain America Super Solider. Well, today is your day. Here they are.

Wait, you don’t own a Playstation 3? Well we have the other 3 console versions down here at the bottom. Game is hitting retail shelves on July 11th.

[Source: Buzzfocus]

Virtua Tennis 4 PSN Trailer

“The No.1 Tennis Game Returns!”

Here is the PSN trailer for Virtua Fighter 4, highlighting the PS3 exclusive content like the choice between the Move or standard control scheme, the 3D option and the exclusive mini games. It also highlights some pretty good animations, graphics and ‘match momentum’, what ever that means! Not to mention brand new World Tour mode, Character creation and Online modes for up to 4 players!

The game looks awesome and releases in April 29th.

MLB Manager Online Launch Trailer

Check it out! Here is the launch trailer for SEGA’s totally free to play, browser-based game: ‘MLB Manager Online’.

Now you can create, manage, and improve your fantasy baseball team in a head-to-head competition featuring all MLB players, teams, and managers.

You can play right away, totally free at MLBManagerOnline.com

ESRB rates Monster World IV for XBLA and PSN

Damn right! Monster World IV wasn’t released here in America and it feels good having something like this to look forward to. The game originally came out on the Genesis/Mega Drive, so expect some of those glorious 16-bit graphics.

The info comes from ESRB, who rated the title for both XBLA and PSN. If you remember we posted a rating story for this game before, Australian rating. Can we pretty much confirm it now?

Oddly enough Wiiware wasn’t on there, even thought it has gotten Monster World games, including this one in Japan. Odd?

[Source: Joystiq]

Virtua Tennis 4 on Playstation 3 gets exclusive content


SEGA has just confirmed that the Playstation 3 version of Virtua Tennis 4 is getting exclusive playable characters. These include Boris Becker, Stefan Edberg and Pat Rafter. As well as two minigames. The first one is Pin Crusher which is made for regular controllers in mind and the other is Net Blitz which is Move exclusive.

There is also a minigame being made for PlayStation Home Central Plaza that will launch with the start of the French Open. To check out the message SEGA sent out, hit the jump.

Motion Control in Virtua Tennis 4 only for mini-games

Expecting motion controls (Move, Kinect, Wii Motion Plus) for the upcoming Virtua Tennis 4? According to CVG, you’re out of luck. Mini-games and Motion Play modes are said to allow for the motion controls that will be advertised on the game’s box, while the career mode, online play, and tournaments are said to only support standard controller configurations. Weird, right?

Well, that’s not all. Gamers who were planning on picking up the Wii version should take note that this version will not allow for nunchuck or classic controller support, instead, you’ll be forced to hold the remote sideways and use the d-pad. Yes, really.

The game comes out May 10th in North America and May 14th in Europe, though if you only own a Wii, I wouldn’t bother.

[Source: CVG]

Virtua Tennis 4 Announced for PC!


Sega have announced Virtua Tennis 4 will also be available for PC. Virtua Tennis 4 will be available via digital distribution such as Steam across Europe and North America. Both versions of the fast paced arcade and home console tennis smash hit will be available summer 2011.

As with the upcoming console versions, Virtua Tennis 4 for PC contains an enhanced online mode including leader board support and a new social clubhouse where players can invite their friends over for party games and exhibition matches.

Continue reading for the official press release!