More SEGA Game Gear titles appear in the 3DS eShop – Sonic, Sonic, and Not Sonic

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The SEGA Blog has revealed the next three Game Gear titles fans can expect to find in the Nintendo 3DS eShop. This week sees the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic Labyrinth, and the RPG Crystal Warriors. Personal opinion on these titles? Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is perhaps my least favorite of the Game Gear Sonic platformers. Maybe it was the lack of Tails, or the bland first stage, or the overly difficult bosses (thanks to a zoomed in screen). Sonic Labyrinth is… an interesting Sonic spin-off. Playing similar to Sonic 3D Blast, due to being isometric, the game finds Sonic stripped of his speed thanks to Dr. Eggman replacing his iconic sneakers with “Slow-Down Boots”. As such, the game is more of a puzzle game. If a slow Sonic with clunky controls is for you, then check this one out. Crystal Warriors is probably the title to check out this week, as it is quite a fun strategy RPG. As a bonus, SEGA has included the ability to play the game over local multiplayer – assuming both players have a copy of the game.

SEGA promises that more Game Gear titles are on the way for the eShop, so stay tuned! Or bookmark this page. However “stay tuned” translates into internet usage.

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SEGA announces “Hero Bank” – a 3DS exclusive money-based RPG

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Via Famitsu comes the reveal of a new 3DS exclusive from SEGA Japan entitled Hero Bank. Set to release on December 19th, Hero Bank is a unique RPG that revolves around world currencies. Seen after the break are two heroes, one with a yen theme and one with a US dollar theme. From what we can gather, the game is based around a fictional sport known as “Hero Battle”. Through one-on-one battles, players must earn as much money as possible to become the winner. Players download “hero data” which is based on real world individuals for in-game use. SEGA uses racers and baseball players as examples of potential real-world individuals.

It sounds like a pretty unique spin on the RPG battler genre, and the character designs are pretty cool. When we learn more, including who exactly is developing the title, we’ll be sure to share it!

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Four more Game Gear games now available on the 3DS eShop

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The SEGA Blog has revealed the next Game Gear titles heading to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. When are they available? Today! Right now, ready to download, are Sonic the Hedgehog, Columns, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, and Shining Force: Sword of Hajya! All four are fantastic titles. Sonic fans who never experienced the 8-bit version of Sonic’s first adventure should play the Game Gear Sonic the Hedgehog as soon as possible. Both Columns and Mean Bean Machine are solid puzzle games, and Shining Force: Sword of Hajya (aka Shining Force Gaiden II: The Evil God Awakens) is a great mobile version of the strategy rpg series.

SEGA also promises that more titles are on the way, so stay tuned!

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IGN and Aaron Webber reveal Sonic Lost World Wii U and 3DS gameplay footage!

IGN.com and SEGA brand manager Aaron Weber have just revealed a ton of gameplay footage from the Wii U and 3DS versions of Sonic Lost World. The footage features Aaron’s handy commentary, telling fans what to expect in Sonic’s next adventure. So what are you waiting for? Check out the video above as well as the three after the break and share your thoughts in the comments section.

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Sonic Lost World Wii U and 3DS box art and plot points revealed

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The SEGA Blog has unveiled the box art and revealed more information for the Wii U and 3DS releases of Sonic Lost World. According to the SEGA Blog, the plot is as follows:

Dr. Eggman has harnessed the power of six menacing creatures collectively known as the Deadly Six, but when the Deadly Six rise up against their master, Sonic has to unite with his arch nemesis in order to take on the new enemies head-on. Using his dynamic new parkour moves and improved Color Powers, Sonic must run, jump and race through a variety of ever-changing terrains in order to defeat the Deadly Six.

SEGA also mentions that the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions will contain competitive multiplayer modes and “distinctive features that take advantage of the consoles’ unique capabilities”. Like Sonic Colors, both the console and handheld version will have their own exclusive color powers. The Wii U version will be completely playable from the GamePad screen and will feature two player support mode, color powers will be controlled via a variety of ways including tilting and touch screen controls. The 3DS version will feature fully 3D levels, exclusive special stages, and the aforementioned exclusive color powers.

So, Sonic and Eggman team up? Reminds me of Sonic Adventure 2. After the break, check out the Wii U box art. UPDATE: Also after the break, a full press release featuring a few new details including a gadget building mode that allows players to share content between the Wii U and 3DS versions.

3D Space Harrier to be playable at MCM Expo

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The official Nintendo Magazine has revealed that SEGA’s digital rerelease of Space Harrier, dubbed 3D Space Harrier, will be shown off at the Nintendo Unleashed tour which makes its first stop at May 24th’s MCM London Comic Con. This is the first sign we’ve had that the game will be released outside of Japan. The 3D Classics series also includes 3D Hang-On and the recently revealed and released 3D Sonic the Hedgehog (no relation to Sonic the Hedgehog remastered).

3D Super Hang-On for 3DS set to release next week in Japan

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File this one under “where is the Western release, SEGA?”. Following the release of 3D Space Harrier, SEGA of Japan has revealed the next title in their line of 3DS rereleases: 3D Super Hang-On. Set to release next week on March 27th for 600 yen,  3D Super Hang-On will feature true 3D graphics, gyro sensor controls, a widescreen mode, a virtual arcade machine mode, the ability to save at any time,  and more!  Players can also change the difficulty, time limit, handling, and screen size.

The SEGA of Japan page appears to hint at two more 3D releases, as four slots are shown and only two are filled with 3D Space Harrier and 3D Super Hang-On. If I had to guess, I’d say 3D OutRun and 3D After Burner are on the way. No word yet on a Western release, but hopefully we hear something soon. Perhaps SEGA West are waiting for all four to release, and then we’ll get a SEGA 3D Classics boxed release? After the break, a slew of 3D Super Hang-On images.

Tails Adventure and Crystal Warriors rated by the Australian Rating Board

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Seems that Tails Adventure and Crystal Warriors could be heading to the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console shop soon over in Australia. The Australian Rating Board has recently put a rating on both Game Gear titles, the rating states that SEGA Europe is the publisher.

It is awesome to see more Game Gear games are making it on the 3DS, since it was one of my favorite handhelds growing up.

Review: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (3DS)

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Released to home consoles in November of last year, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed ended up being one of the best games SEGA released in 2012. Marketing for the game was dead-on in proclaiming “It’s Not Just Racing. It’s Racing Transformed!”, as the game was both a huge step up from the previous game and a contender for the best character kart racer around. As the months went on, other versions of the game released with a Vita version in December and a PC version released just last month. The latest, and possibly final version of the game to be released, is for the 3DS. Despite being the most underpowered of the platforms, I was anxious to see how SEGA and Sumo were able to translate the console title to Nintendo’s handheld.

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New release Tuesday – Aliens: Colonial Marines and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 3DS

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It’s a big day for packaged SEGA games in the US today! Aliens: Colonial Marines releases to Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed releases on the Nintendo 3DS. In the case of Aliens: Colonial Marines, there is a Wii U version coming in March for the US and sometime in the first quarter for other regions. Both games feature bonus content, with Aliens: Colonial Marines featuring pre-order content from Gamestop in the form of playable movie characters, a flame thrower, and additional marine customization. Aliens: Colonial Marines also has a Collector’s Edition for PS3 and 360 owners, which includes a load of goodies including a figurine, the pre-order DLC, and a number of replica print materials from the Aliens universe. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for the 3DS features the same bonus content that the 360, PS3, Wii U and Vita had, with a playable Metal Sonic racer and an OutRun track. The content is downloaded to your 3DS via codes, and the codes are contained within the game case. The bonus content is limited to the first run of the game.

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SEGA details Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 3DS with new screens and info

The SEGA Blog has today revealed new screens and details regarding the Nintendo 3DS release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. The screens, seen after the break, look rather jaggy and blurry. However, as we’ve seen the game looks a lot better when it is actually being played, which is typically the case with 3DS titles when it comes to screenshots. The game is still set for a February 8, 2013 release in Europe and a February 12, 2013 release in North America. Other features include:

  • StreetPass challenges and features
  • The ability to play with up to seven friends using multi cart or single cart play
  • 22 playable SEGA All-stars characters
  • Over 20 tracks and arenas

Also noted, like the other versions of the game there will be a bonus edition available for a limited time. Bonus edition content features: Metal Sonic along with his transforming vehicle and Mod Pack, an additional Outrun Bay Track plus challenges and time trials, and stickers for your in-game driver’s license.

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Sixteen minutes of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 3DS gameplay footage

Despite being a week away, there has been a severe lack of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed gameplay footage. That is, until today! YouTube user Dafstervideos has uploaded a whopping sixteen and a half minutes of gameplay footage. I have to say, the game is looking surprisingly good, for a handheld port of a console title. It is far better looking than the DS version of the first game, that’s for sure. Give the video a watch and let us know what you think of the 3DS iteration. The game is due to release in the EU on the 8th, and in the US on the 12th.

3D Space Harrier for 3DS receives an Australia rating

Yesterday, the Australian Classification Board issued a rating of “G” for the 3DS rerelease of Space Harrier. This pretty much confirms that the game will be releasing to Australia and eventually (hopefully) Europe and North America. Released last month in Japan, 3D Space Harrier looks to be an awesome rerelease of the game, with a ton of features including 3D visuals and a simulated arcade cabinet. When we learn more of the English release of the game, we’ll be sure to share it. In the meantime, celebrate by listening to this week’s Tuesday Tune.

Project X Zone now available for pre-order at GameStop

On Monday we shared the great news that Project X Zone would be coming West this summer. However, we didn’t know certain details including who was publishing it, how much it would cost, and if the title was to be changed or would remain as is. A pre-order page for the game at GameStop.com, which appeared today, answers those questions. The game will continue to be called Project X Zone, the price is $39.99 and the publisher is Namco Bandai Games America. Also included is a brief description of the game: “This epic crossover title brings together the fiercest and most popular legacy characters from NAMCO BANDAI, SEGA®, and Capcom’s most beloved franchises to create a Strategy-RPG experience that can only be described as the ultimate cross-over title.”

Personally, I’m hoping we get the Special Edition which includes an art book and soundtrack. When further details are known, including a specific release date and potential pre-order bonuses or special editions, we’ll be sure to share the news.