SEGA Tunes: Sonic Rush’s What U Need

Hideki Naganuma has a very distinct style that is very difficult to miss, often mixing Japanese techno with hip-hop and funk. He’s probably one of the most notable composers to ever work with SEGA, having contributed a number of songs to games like Jet Set Radio, Jet Set Radio Future, and Ollie King. His work set the tone for these games, and meshed very well with the off beat Japanese style of these games.

Needless to say, his work on Sonic Rush is similarly revered. It’s composed of some of the most eclectic, energetic and unique songs you’ll hear in a Sonic soundtrack, such as the above song. Fans of Naganuma will also be happy to hear that as of today, the Sonic Rush soundtrack is now available on iTunes for everyone to download!

The Dreamcast Junkyard takes a look at the Gunlord Limited Edition

SEGA Network partner The Dreamcast Junkyard has uploaded a great unboxing and gameplay video of the latest indie Dreamcast game, Gunlord. DCJY writer The GagaMan(n) got his hands on the Limited Edition version of the game, which includes a soundtrack CD along with the game. The package art looks beautiful, and the booklet is loaded with great artwork. The game itself looks unlike any other indie Dreamcast game we’ve seen, despite the storyline having ties to NG:Dev.Team’s Last Hope: Pink Bullets. Check out the video here!

Have any readers picked the game up? If so, what do you think of it? I’ve ordered the limited edition earlier this week, and hope to get my hands on it before July 4th. I figure all the shooting can act as our fireworks this year. You can buy yourself a copy at NG:Dev.Team’s shop.

Jet Set Radio HD achievements revealed – game to include JSRF tunes?

Achievements for the upcoming release of Jet Set Radio HD have been revealed, and with them comes a hint towards a bonus that SEGA has yet to speak of. At the top of the list of thirty achievements is one titled “Back to the Future” with the description “Unlock all songs in the bonus menu”. To my knowledge, there was never a bonus menu that unlocked songs in the original game. There was a sound test, but that was complete from the start. No unlocking necessary. The achievement’s title mentions “future”, which of course was in the title of the franchise’s second game Jet Set Radio Future. Could SEGA be adding an option to play select tunes from Jet Set Radio Future? Or is it simply a nod to the sequel and nothing more? After the break, the full list of achievements.

Project X Zone to include over 200 characters


Now, just because they promise 200 characters, doesn’t mean there will be 200 playable characters. It just means there will be a ton of cameos, some will be villains others NPCs. If you haven’t heard about Project X Zone, it will feature characters from SEGA, Namco-Bandai and Capcom in a tactical RPG on the Nintendo 3DS.

I know what you are saying, “When is the game out?” Sadly, the game hasn’t been announced for release outside of Japan and I doubt it will make its way out of there. Namco x Capcom on the PS2 stayed Japan exclusive as well.

SEGA Memories: Sonic Adventure 2 Commercials

http://youtu.be/btocx2o5gZQ

Of all the things I remember about the Dreamcast days, the Sonic Adventure 2 commercial is about the only ad that actually sticks in my mind. Why? Well, for one, it was the only Dreamcast ad I ever actually saw on television. Thanks to Youtube I know that the Dreamcast had the sort of ads that console makers never even bother with these days. I don’t know what Master Chief and Marcus Fenix are doing in my Xbox, but I know exactly what Sonic and other Dreamcast stars are doing in my little white box: having a never ending dance party!

Cinemassacre’s Mike Matei reviews the Game Gear

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRlyL8XMJAQ

Cinemassacre, home of the Angry Video Game Nerd, is typically a Nintendo leaning site. However, contributor Mike Matei showed SEGA some love by way of a Game Gear video review. The video covers a number of games including Streets of Rage 2 and X-Men. One interesting aspect of the video is that Mike commissioned a video game hardware wizard to make him a Game Gear that is capable of video out. This allows for a way to capture video directly off the Game Gear. Given Mike’s close ties with James Rolfe, this opens the door for AVGN Game Gear episodes. Want to know how the Game Gear video out modification was done? Check out the video after the break.

New All-Stars Racing Transformed details revealed

Coming out of Las Vegas Licensing Expo 2012 are some new details on the upcoming SEGA mascot mash up racer. The game has been confirmed for two new platforms, iOS and Android, which join Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, PC, 3DS and Playstation Vita in the list of confirmed platforms. In addition, it has been confirmed that the Wii U, 3DS and Vita versions of the game will have unique features specific to the platforms. Finally, downloadable content has also finally been confirmed for the game.

We should get a better idea of the game’s features come Comic Con 2012, where new characters are expected to be unveiled. Until then, stay tuned!

All-Stars Racing iOS adds Ulala and three new tracks!

SEGA and Sumo Digital have really been doing an outstanding job in updating Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing for the iOS. Previously, they added Knuckles, Shadow and a new track. Now they’ve added Ulala (take that, Deee-Lite!) and three new tracks. Given that SEGA has added the ability to buy SEGA Miles with real cash in the last update, I’m assuming they’re banking on users buying these new additions via buying Miles. Hey, if that means more racers and tracks in future updates, I’m all for it! The added tracks include Super Monkey Ball’s pirate themed “Monkey Target”, Sonic’s Seaside Hill themed “Ocean Ruin” and the casino themed “Bingo Party” – a new Sonic trope for the iOS version. All the new content is locked, so I can’t share how Ulala handles or how the tracks play, but I’m hoping they’ve added new music. I’d love to hear some casino music. After the break, more screens of the additions.

GBGs ggw YvbD To b inr

Buy.com: Pre-order Anarchy Reigns for $26.99

Hey guys, you guys heard the bad news that Anarchy Reigns isn’t coming out till early 2013 in the West. Don’t fret, Buy.com has a pretty damn good deal. Pre-order the game now and get it when it comes out for $26.99. What a great investment. Also free shipping, my favorite form of shipping.

Links: Xbox 360 version | Playstation 3 version

According to them, the list price of the item or the MSRP will be $29.99. Is SEGA planning on releasing this game as a budget title day one? If so, that is probably a good move, in my opinion.

English version of The History of Sonic book coming courtesy of Udon?

GoNintendo has stumbled upon a pre-order listing on Amazon for Pix’N Love’s The History of Sonic book. The fact that there is an English language version isn’t a surprise, since Pix’N Love confirmed that one is in the works earlier this month. What is a surprise is that the book is not being sold on Pix’N Love’s English site, and that the book looks to be published by Udon Entertainment. Udon Entertainment, for those who don’t know, is a Canadian based publisher responsible for gaming art books both original and imported including the Valkyria Chronicles 2: World Artworks book and the upcoming The Eyes of Bayonetta art book. So has Pix’N Love left the English language duties to Udon? Seems like it. The English translation already exists, as it was approved alongside the French translation several months ago. So at most, Udon would have to handle printing and perhaps a slight redesign to the cover to accomodate their logo. Pix’N Love estimated that the book would sell for between $45 and $50, and the MSRP on Amazon matches that guess at $49.99. However, Amazon currently lists the book for a cool $32.14. The release date is tentatively October 9, 2012. An Amazon.co.uk listing also exists, however a price is not given. The UK release date is listed as September 19, 2012.

A big thanks to Tracker the Doggy for the heads up!

5 things Sonic can do now that he is 21

Tomorrow marks Sonic’s 21st birthday! While not a milestone like the 20th anniversary, Sonic’s 21st is a big deal in regards to the perks that come with being a 21 year-old, at least in the United States. In a very special Weekly Five, we’ll take a look at five things Sonic will be doing tomorrow. Some good, but mostly bad. Okay, mostly bad. Do you really think we’d be all cheery and PC when it comes to Sonic?

Platinum Games “CONCEPT MOVIE” gets English subtitles

Awhile back Platinum Games posted a Japanese behind the studio video, giving fans access to what they do. Sadly the video was all Japanese, but there was promise that they would be translating it to English for people like us. Well, here it is. Enjoy!

I love seeing developers make videos like this. I know bigger publishers always do this, I just wish SEGA would do videos like this. I’m a nerd, I like to have more information about games. Sue me!

Sonic pops up in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz via DLC


Sonic the Hedgehog
will be turning 21 years old in a few days, what best way to celebrate his birthday in Japan than giving users a free Sonic DLC pack? The DLC pack is for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz on the Playstation Vita, so far this DLC has only been announced for Japan since the game isn’t really out in the west yet.

The only thing this free piece of downloadable content really gives you is a model of Sonic, as an object that you can use to in stage creation mode. That means that when you share your banana-fied courses of mass destruction, you can now put a happy looking Sonic giving the player a wag of his finger. No, not that finger, keep it PG.

 

Yakuza 5 Another Drama screenshots released: watch Kazuma battle in a taxi [update]

[Hatsune Miku fans eat your heart out]

We posted earlier today all the details about the ‘Another Drama’ gameplay details in Yakuza 5. They are basically side missions for each character, but unlike past games, this game will give each character their own gaming mechanic. Making playing as individual characters more personal. Kazuma gets taxi battles where you get to drive and Haruka gets a Project Diva type rhythm game (see above).

Check out the rest of the screens by hitting the jump.