ChuChu Rocket! hits Android devices, buy it now for 99 cents


I love my phone, but lately have been sad that I can’t get those cool SEGA games that they release on iPhones. Well, seems that SEGA is finally sharing the love and at a killer price too. If you have an Android device, you can now own ChuChu Rocket! for 99cents.

The game looks beautiful and runs buttery smooth (at least on my device). It comes with over 500 puzzles to go through and its under a buck. Apparently there is a time out bug on some devices and no multiplayer at the moment. You can grab it here.

Oddly enough SEGA of America only has this and a game I never heard of called ‘Fallen Realms’ on the US Android Market. The game Fallen Realms actually looks quite good and is free. Get that here.

Sonic CD port drops vocals from music

Above is footage of the Sonic CD intro, with the missing vocals. Not only is the vocal track going to be missing from the game, but it will also be missing in the digital soundtrack download for the game. Why? According to Christian Whitehead, its probably do to legal issues.

“I know it’s a bit of a bummer that the vocals had to be left out. It’s definitely not something due to laziness or something silly. I couldn’t tell you the circumstances, but at least from my understanding there are some rights associated with the lyrics themselves.

My guess is that since Casey Rankin is no longer alive, there might be problems negotiating the use of the lyrics outside of Japan. Please, don’t take this as gospel though since I don’t work in legal” – Christian “The Taxman” Whitehead

Is this a big deal for all fans out there? It might suck we don’t get vocals on the soundtrack, but in my opinion it doesn’t ruin the game.

[Via: TSS]

Sonic CD skips Nintendo platforms due to size limit

It’s weird seeing Sonic CD announced for a ton of platforms, even one that always gets left out like Android, but not Wiiware. Why is that you ask? It seems that Nintendo has a strict 40mb size limit on files and to port the cd quality sound from Sonic CD, it would have exceed that. Since Nintendo won’t budge, no Sonic CD for Nintendo fans.

Is it just me or is it weird that SEGA has standards for their ports? I mean, if you have seen how they usually treat their Genesis ports, one would think they are just in it for the quick cash.

[Via: Sonic Stadium]

Swingin’ Report Show #18: Virtua Lovers

Hey, this is the episode where we tell you how much we are looking forward to Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown. You know you want to listen to that, right? Also talk about Sonic CD and Rhythm Phantom Thief R: Inheritance of the Emperor Napoleon.
[audio:http://www.segabits.com/wp-content/uploads/Swingin_Report_Show_18_Virtua_Lover.mp3]

[Download] [Archive]

 

 

Sonic CD Teaser Trailer

Well here’s an interesting trailer! They introduce the trailer with a Sonic 4 sprite running into a Past sign and turning back into the Sonic CD sprite! Is it just a gimmick or some kind of hint towards the direction of Sonic 4 Episode 2? Hard to say!

It has been confirmed that Sonic CD will use the Japanese/Euro version of the sound track, which is a good thing! Apparently this isn’t an emulated port but it actually runs on a fan made engine called ‘The Retro Engine’ developed by someone going by the name ‘The Taxman’. That doesn’t mean much to me but by the reaction of the Sonic fans it’s a good thing and so long as Backbone isn’t involved that’s a plus judging by their previous port work for Sega.

Sonic CD will be available for XBLA, PSN, iPhone, iPod touch, iPad™, Windows PC Digital Download, Android and Windows Phone and will be available for download in late 2011.

I also read something about looping sound tracks and ‘Sonic 2 spindash or CD style.’ Which I’m sure means something to someone…

Google’s Android moscot in Space Channel 5?


[Youtube video of fight here]

Last time we posted about how Yakuza of the End copied zombies from Left 4 Dead, now we bring you the other side of the coin. Well not really, just a coincidence. Engadget already did an article regarding the Android robot being taken from an Atari Lynx game.

Still something cool to look at. These robots are in Space Channel 5 Part 2, which you can now get in the Dreamcast Collection on PC and Xbox 360.

[Posted at Reddit]

Shenmue Town set to invade your smart phone


Shenmue Town (referred to here as Shenmue City) was developed for Yahoo’s mobile application and DeNa Mobage-town portal in Japan, since they have the highest market share. But what about a smartphone app release? Yu Suzuki hints that they looking into it

“From the start, I’ve been thinking of this as a multiplatform game, So I’m thinking about smartphone strategies right now,” he said, hinting that he’s looking at both iOS and Android. Suzuki said that the platforms should be fine for a port, but that “the experience definitely needs to be customized for the smartphone.” – Yu Suzuki

As for other games Yu Suzuki has in mind for the future, he says he is imagining what he can do.

“Since Apple just announced their AirPlay initiative that allows you to play music and send a single out from your phone to multiple devices, that in the future you’ll be able to beam games out of your phone to play on widescreen TVs in massively multiplayer environments. You could play against other people with your iPhone as your controller.” – Yu Suzuki

I hope that the smartphone release of Shenmue Town gets a western release, I would pay for this app. You heard me SEGA? Pay, with real money! Yu Suzuki has responded to the name ‘Shenmue City’, which we and other press have been calling the game. He says that he would call the game ‘Shenmue Town’ because its too small to be a city. If Yu Suzuki says it, then we follow. The game will now be referred to as Shenmue Town.

[Source: Gamasutra]

Videos of the Android Dreamcast emulator

OK, emulators don’t always run great and this one isn’t anywhere near finish it seems, but its good knowing that one day it will be pretty good to play most games and claim to all that the Dreamcast lives on… in your pocket.

According to Engadget, the phone being used in the video is the Samsung Captivate. You can see two more videos here: Crazy Taxi (better running) and Soul Calibur.

[Source: Engadget]

SEGA says no to Sonic 4 for Android phones

According to the NPD, Android OS is the top selling OS in America right now. Given this sudden surge in popularity, you would think SEGA would want to port their big Sonic 4 game to the platform?

I guess not, according to Ripten, who spoke with SEGA employees in a recent Sonic Colors  event, SEGA has no plans on porting this game to Android. What a drag, no SEGA love for Android users. Maybe Google can throw money at them. God knows that Android market needs some good games.

[Source: Ripten]