Rumor: Shenmue I & II HD Remasters coming by the end of 2017

RoundTableShenmue2“But that’s none of my business”

According to Rice Digital, an online gaming shop who has had close sources in Atlus and leaked announcements in the past has said that Shenmue I & II HD Remasters are in the works. The source also tells Rice Digital that the games could be released together and should be out before the end of the year. The same person leaking this information over at Rice Digital also leaked that Atlus was publishing King of Fighters XIV, which turned out to be true.

Here is the weird part of the rumor, Shenmue I & II HD Remasters are said to be set for PC/Steam release but doesn’t indicate other consoles such as PlayStation 4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch. While I personally game on PC and would be more inclined to play it on PC, it also needs to be on at least the PlayStation 4. Of course the rumor doesn’t rule out that it could be coming to consoles, only that they know there is a PC/Steam release. Shenmue I & II HD Remasters are looking more and more like a solid thing. Remember a few months back we talked about the leaked domains, last year in September SEGA teased saying the Shenmue I & II HD remasters had their full attention and now this rumor starts popping up. What is your thoughts on this rumor and what would like to see changed or updated for the Shenmue I & II HD Remasters? Let us know in the comments below.

 

SEGA Retrospective: SEGA and Tetris

Tetris SEGA retrospective

Good old Tetris, a name that even those not savvy with video games are familiar with, and for good reason. A very simple premise of dropping blocks called Tetrimino to clear lines and get the highest score managed to become a multi-million dollar franchise, with the Game Boy iteration of Tetris alone managing to sell 35 million copies and spawning a lot of competitors in the “Falling Block” genre such as Dr. Mario, Puyo Puyo, and SEGA’s own Columns.

With the announcement of Puyo Puyo Tetris coming to the west on the Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4, we’re going to take a quick look at SEGA’s past involvement with the Tetris brand. This will focus on three versions of Tetris released during the 80’s by SEGA, along with the later released Tetris SEGA and Giant Tetris. Also primates.

Rush Rush Rally Reloaded re-releasing on SEGA Dreamcast

Remember the Senile Team indie Dreamcast game Rush Rush Rally Racing that came out way back in 2009? The game also got a WiiWare release back in 2012 featuring two new modes titled challenge and time attack. Now Senile Team is set to re-release the game as Rush Rush Rally Reloaded back on the SEGA Dreamcast with the two modes that used to be exclusive to the Wii version.
Senile Team isn’t stopping there since they have said Rush Rush Rally Reloaded will also feature re-designed menus, improved graphics, faster loading, optimized video code, and a lot more features. If you want to see everything that is new in Rush Rush Rally Reloaded has to offer hit the jump to check that out.

Pre-order page

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap to feature Master System graphics and passwords

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is still in production for the Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC and slated to be released with a TBA 2017 release date. However for those that want an update of the game, new information has been revealed that may tantalize the fans of the Master System version. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap will feature the ability to seamlessly change the graphics and sound to that of the Master System original. So if for whatever reason you’re not a fan of the updated art style of the remake or if you simply want a more retro flair, you at least now have the option.

In addition, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap will support the original version’s passwords, allowing you to input cheat codes from the original game into the remake. So if you felt like it, you can get a jump start with the game with all equipment and forms available from the start. Regardless, it shows that the developers are going the extra mile to respect the original Master System version.

SEGA Talk Podcast #08: Phantasy Star (1987)

Have your interplanetary passports at the ready as we venture to the Algol Solar System to discuss all things Phantasy Star on the SEGA Talk Podcast. Hosts George and Barry have a sit down discussion talking our history with the original game in the long running Phantasy Star franchise, the innovative gameplay, the music (both PSG and FM versions) and the impact the game made on the industry. Barry also dusts off some classic magazines to see what people were saying about the game at the time. So grab a burger and cola and enjoy the show!

In the comments below, share your memories of the original Phantasy Star!

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If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add them as a comment below or send them directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Know you gonna dig this – Jet Set Radio Future celebrates its 15th anniversary!

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It’s fifteen years later and we’re still trying to understand the concept of love. That’s right, on this date SEGA and Smilebit’s Jet Set Radio Future released in Japan to Microsoft’s Xbox! Just a few days later, on February 25th, the game hit the Americas (thankfully not retitled Jet Grind Radio Future) and then on March 14th those in Europe got to see what those in Japan and the Americas were raving about.

Jet Set Radio Future was a dramatic shift for the franchise for a number of reasons. As the first direct sequel (the Game Boy Advance game was more of a downgraded – but still highly enjoyable – remake), JSRF looked and played very differently. The entire universe had a new art style, characters were very different both in look and allegiance, and the game played less like an arcade game and more like an open world adventure. But hey, what can you expect? It was the future!

Alan Stone, former President and CEO of Sega Enterprises, passes away

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Alan Stone, the former President and CEO of Sega Entertainment and Founding President of Sega GameWorks, passed away last Friday due to cancer. He was 71.

Stone had a long career in the video game industry. He co-founded Far East Video in 1979 that imported Japanese arcade games to America, which lead to his being Co-Founder and Vice President of Nintendo of America when the subsidiary opened up in 1981.

Stone remained at Nintendo until 1994, when he jumped ship to Sega Enterprises (now Sega Entertainment). He was a good fit with his long history in the arcade industry. He remained at Sega Enterprises for 10 years before moving onto other ventures.

On Stone’s passing, former President and CEO of Sega of America Thomas Kalinske shared his thoughts on Twitter yesterday:

Fred Durst signed Dreamcast hits eBay

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I remember way back when the Dreamcast was still in its prime that The Official Dreamcast Magazine ran a feature about how SEGA signed a contract with Fred Durst to help promote SEGA Net. While Fred Durst has fallen off the mainstream stage in recent years, back in the yearly 2000’s he was everywhere and a big multi-platinum recording artist. I know, makes you wanna break stuff.

Part of the promotion was a contest where winners would get a Fred Durst signed Dreamcast. He seemed to have signed a bunch of them, considering a few have popped up on eBay in the last decade. This Fred Durst signed Dreamcast is the official, launch Dreamcast. Comes complete with the box.

eBay Auction Here

Bid starts at $700 and you can buy it now for $1,000. Below I attached some photographs that are related to the auction. Are you in need of a Fred Durst signed Dreamcast?

 

 

First 4 Figures reveals Silver the Hedgehog statue, now available for pre-order

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“It’s no use!” Now that we got that out of the way… First 4 Figures has revealed their latest statue in their modern Sonic the Hedgehog line: Silver the Hedgehog! Due out in the third quarter of 2017, Silver is set to come in two editions: a light up Exclusive Edition for $284.99 and a standard edition priced at $249.99. Those who pre-order the Exclusive Edition on day one, within 24 hours of the pre-order launch, will receive an additional signature card signed by First 4 Figures Creative Director Alex Davis, a DAY ONE Edition hologram sticker and additional First 4 Figures rewards points. Pre-orders are open now, and are only available until March 7th, 2017.

Interestingly, and maybe this is not new to First 4 Figures but it is new to me, they have 3 month and 8 month payment plan options for those who can’t afford plunking down $250+ all at once. Unfortunately it looks like previous statues do not have the payment plan option.

SEGA and NIS America team up to distribute Ys VIII, Disgaea 5 Complete & more

NISAMERICASEGATEAMDuring the NIS America streaming event earlier today, the company announced that it was teaming up with SEGA/Atlus to distribute a multitude of games throughout North America. This doesn’t mean that SEGA/Atlus is publishing them, NIS America is still the publisher on the box but SEGA is the distributor. What does that mean? I have no clue. Is this SEGA and NIS America team up to make it easier to distribute these titles to more mainstream shops?

SEGA is listed as distributing the following titles part of their SEGA and NIS America team up:

That’s quite the number of titles. What are your thoughts on SEGA and NIS America team up? I personally love it, I have always wanted SEGA to push more Japanese skewed titles over here and this is a good start. With SEGA already buying Atlus, would you guys freak out of they also picked up NIS America?

Fastest Food Alive: Unwrapping the Sonic the Hedgehog Ice Cream Bar with Gumball Eyes

Fastest Food Alive returns with one of the most popular Sonic the Hedgehog food products of all time. That’s right, it’s Blue Bunny’s Sonic bar with GUMBALL EYES! Quit reading and watch as we unwrap this famous Sonic foodstuff, looking back on the history of the bar and seeing just how badly they messed up the eyes.

If you enjoyed the video make sure to like, share and subscribe to us on YouTube if you haven’t already. Thanks for the support!

SEGA launches Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire in select countries

SEGA has soft launched its next Crazy Taxi mobile game, this time titled Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire, on Android phones. Right now its only available for people who live in the Philippines. This title is a free-to-play game and isn’t first one for the franchise, since they had Crazy Taxi City Rush back in 2014. This game has a different take on the franchise, by making you the boss of a ‘Crazy Taxi empire’, which means you’ll manage routes, upgrade cars and more.

Here are some features Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire offers:

  • Buy, grow and upgrade your fleet of crazy cabs
  • Hire and level up a cast of new and classic Crazy Taxi drivers
  • Each driver has a favorite type of cab. Match drivers to cabs for extra bonuses
  • Master multipliers to more quickly expand your routes across the cities
  • Prestige your business for even greater wealth
  • Fun and fast play sessions perfect for playing on the go or whenever you have time

I really have no idea when Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire is mean’t to launch globally or if it ever will. Above you can see about 12 minutes of the game in action, what are your thoughts on the art style and take on Crazy Taxi? Personally feel that driving the Taxi and the music in the game made Crazy Taxi what it was. This features neither, sadly.

Dawn of War III’s latest trailer prophecies war

SEGA and Relic Entertainment are marching towards war, especially with the latest Dawn of War III trailer ‘Prophecy of War‘. Dawn of War III is the latest installment in the highly popular series, the last expansion released was back in 2011 with Dawn of War II: Retribution. While Dawn of War and Dawn of War II differ greatly in gameplay, Relic Entertainment has said that they are mixing aspects of both games to create Dawn of War III.

If you watch the trailer, you get a sneak peek at the Imperial Guardsmen, a faction that hasn’t been announced yet. Sadly Dawn of War III still doesn’t have a release date, all we know is that its releasing this year on Microsoft powered PCs.

Phantasy Star Online 2 gets new Japanese ad showing off new updates

While we never got Phantasy Star Online 2 in the west, it doesn’t mean that the game is dead in Japan. At least, not according to SEGA who are still pumping money into new content and this new television ad above. Its crazy, especially since we are coming up on the Phantasy Star online 2‘s fifth year anniversary (this July).

The commercial features high pitched, dead eye starring Japanese girls and quick cuts that show what new users can expect in the latest Phantasy Star Online 2 update. From what I gather they show off new outfits, combat and even casino games. If you want to comment with the mandatory ‘SEGA bring this game to the west’, you can do so below. If you want my take on the whole thing, you can read my article about how Phantasy Star Online 2 not coming west is a bad sign for SEGA. You can also just play on the Japanese server with a fan created English patch… 

SEGA’s mobile game War Pirates launches globally

SEGA’s War Pirates, a mobile game that was out in select countries back in August of last year, is now being released globally. The game peaked our intention when we found out that it was created by Masayoshi Kikuchi of Jet Set Radio and Yakuza fame. War Pirates features 14 maps, over 300 quests, over 20 ships, and over 230 pirate characters to unlock.

War Pirates also features a real-time PVP battle mode which looks pretty interesting. According to the game’s press release they are also promising a Guild vs Guild update later this year. You can check out War Pirates on Twitter and Facebook.