Sonic Monopoly gets officially announced

We knew this was coming, USAopoly had a listing for it awhile back. Now it is official via USAopoly’s facebook, which announced Sonic Monopoly this morning. So what do we know about this board game beside that it’s a Sonic themed Monopoly game? Nothing much sadly. All we have is the picture above and the quote below.

“Here is a sneak peek at a few Sonic The Hedgehog titles speeding their way to retail shelves in the near future, also be on the lookout for a new Sonic puzzle as well!”

Yeah, there is also going to be a puzzle game based on the Sonic the Hedgehog IP. Not that its as exciting to fans as a monopoly game. If you don’t have the money for it, you can check out BarryTheNomad’s free print out Sonic Monopoly project here.

SEGA West delays Anarchy Reigns despite the game being completed


Platinum Games has said that SEGA has delayed Anarchy Reigns in Europe and North America, even though the game is all finished. Its release date was changed from July to  TBC (To Be Confirmed). This is what a Platinum Games representative said:

“That means ‘to be confirmed’, not ‘to be cancelled’. We worked really hard to make sure everybody could get the game on time. The game is fully localized. If you buy the Japanese version or any version, it’s going to have all the languages in it. We really wanted everybody online around the world to play together at the same time, but unfortunately that’s not going to happen. In the West, Sega is looking for the best time to put it out. It will still be out in July [in Japan]. There will still be ways for you to get it if you know where to go. We’re still 100 per cent behind the game and we still want to connect with you and play with you and have a good time. So let’s make sure that happens no matter what bad news we get.”

This is one of the few times I have seen a representative from a developer openly suggesting to import their game. How are prospects looking for a Western release? I don’t know, if ‘summer’ isn’t a good time to release this niche title, then when is a good time? Fall?  Not to mention SEGA West is acting like the game doesn’t exist. Anarchy Reigns comes out in Japan on 5th of July. Get your import pre-orders in.

Jet Set Radio coming to Vita with touch controls

It has just been revealed that Jet Set Radio will also be available for Vita as well as PSN/360/PC. The Vita version will be an updated version which will feature touch controls for painting graffiti. This pretty much makes it the definitive version to get if you ask me.

The game will be playable on the E3 show floor.

Double Fine and SEGA title revealed to be “The Cave”

SEGA’s latest partnership with a third party developer ought to get a few fans excited, as Double Fine will be teaming up with the Blue Skies developer to develop a 2.5D adventure. The game will allow players to take control of one of seven characters, all with their unique abilities and story. Being headed by Ron Gilbert, the title is set to take players into the Cave, which happened to be a talking cave earlier in development, a talking cave that has tried its hand in dating. If that has interested you, head over to Destructoid for further information on the game. It is set to be available for Playstation 3, Xbox360 and PC with a release date sometime in 2013.

First Yakuza 5 screens hit the web

As promised, Yakuza 5’s first screenshots have been released onto the web, which show the updated graphics engine being used to run the newest installment in SEGA’s long running Ryu Ga Gotoku series. Featured in these screenshots are all five major characters and the new locals that will be used in Yakuza 5. The game is set for a December release in Japan and one can hope Western fans do not have to wait for long. Hit the jump to see the screenshots.

New Project X Zone screens show off field and event scenes

There has been a new batch of Project X Zone screens released today, these screens show off roaming and event scenes. Not only will the game be using characters from SEGA, Namco and Capcom franchises; they’ll also be using areas from their games. One that stands out to me is Peacock’s Cyberspace from the Mega Man series. If you want to see the latest list of franchises in the game, click here.

Saw a few people point out that some of the character art released was actually re-used from Namco X Capcom, a game they made during the PS2 era. Yes, this game is basically the sequel on the Nintendo 3DS.

Yakuza 5 Famitsu interview fully translated

A kind soul (Captain Epic) over at the SEGA official forum has translated, in full, the Famitsu interview that series producer Toshihiro Nagoshi provided. In it, some extra bits of information were shared, such as the exact date the game is set for (December 2012) and the backstories of certain characters were explained further. It seems that series lead Kazuma Kiryu chose to leave his duty as head of the Sunshine Orphanage to investigate events in Fukuoka as a taxi driver under a false name. Also explained further is the basic plot for the latest installment of SEGA’s action adventure title, in which the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance are set for war and the clan’s sixth chairman Diago Dojima must create alliances with other clans all over Japan to help in the fight against the Omi Alliance. For the complete translation of the Famitsu article, hit the break!

Virtua Tennis Challenge releasing to iOS today

Well this is a nice surprise, arriving on the App Store today worldwide is Virtua Tennis Challenge! Back in March, the game was released to Android devices. Today, the game expands its availability with iOS capable devices. Virtua Tennis Challenge promises 50 players, 18 stadiums, and Exhibition, World Tour, and Multiplayer modes. The game is out now in New Zealand and it should be out in the US at 11PM EST and Europe at around 12AM UK time. Price of the app is $4.99 and size of the app is 289 MB. Sonic 4 last week, Vintage Collections and Virtua Tennis Challenge this week. SEGA is really spoiling us.

Yakuza 5 announced: 5 playable characters and a brand new engine


Yakuza 4
was the first game to allow new playable characters outside of Kazuma. They actually had 4 playable characters since it was the 4th game. Seems that SEGA is continuing that gimmick with Yakuza 5 , since they have announced 5 playable characters. Who are they?

  • Kazuma Kiryu
  • Taiga Saejima
  • Shun Akiyama
  • Haruka
  • Tatsuo Shinada

So we have two new playable characters and one of them is Haruka? Yes, the little girl you rescue in the first game and take care of throughout the series is now a playble character. Intresting? Hit the jump for more details on the title.

Anarchy Reigns demo hits Japan May 31st

Famitsu has reported that a demo of Anarchy Reigns will be hitting Japan on May 31st. The demo will feature a small sample of the single-player campaign and two online modes. It also states that Bayonetta will have some new moves that weren’t included in her game and that she will have different costumes and colors. What it doesn’t say is what system the demo will land on, but I’m guessing PS3 as 360 is not exactly a big enough system in Japan to promote your game on.

SEGA Tunes: PSO Episode 3 C.A.R.D. Revolution’s “Let the Winds Blow”

Every now and then, I surf around for SEGA music. Not for Tuesday Tunes, though, but for my own enjoyment. I mostly do it when I’m looking for a certain kind of music. More specifically, the music posted above. Something orchestral, something theatrical, and something emotional. Something I can either fall asleep to, or to inspire me as I write something.

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across this track on iTunes, while I was surfing around the digital store for things to listen to while I awaited the flight that would take me to San Francisco and allow me to play Sonic & All-Stars Racing. For a game I barely hear about anymore, the opening track is surprisingly strong and well-constructed, giving off the atmosphere of a game I’d like to experience. I’ve heard Phantasy Star Episode 3 isn’t as good as its predecessors, since it focused on a card based battle system rather than real time fighting, but maybe I’ll give it a try anyway sometime.

Samba De Amigo and Rhythm Thief developer would love to create a Nintendo All Star Musical


Shun Nakamura earned his SEGA respect back in the day when he created Samba De Amigo that apppeared in Arcades, SEGA Dreamcast and later ported over to the Nintendo Wii. He is now working on his new IP known as Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure on the 3DS. In the interview he was asked if he could work on a Nintendo franchise what would it be?

” I would rather pick out no titles! Honestly, I would like to enjoy Nintendo titles just as a user rather than developer, because most of them are too great and seem so hard to develop. If I had to, I’d ideally create something like Nintendo All Star Musical, a rhythm game like Rhythm Thief using Nintendo characters and background music. Mario rhythmically follows the stage while Koopa Troopa’s location is based on the rhythm, and that makes a track, for example. Nintendo, I’m looking forward to your offer!” – Shun Nakamura

Sadly the interview conducted by Computer and Videogames is very Nintendo related, disappointing me since I have like 30 questions I would love to ask Shun Nakamura about Samba de Amigo.

SEGA Japan files trademarks for Veil of Dark and The Shooting Coaster

SEGA Japan have filed two new trademarks that could be anything. The names they trademarked? Veil of Dark and The Shooting Coaster. To me Veil of Dark sounds like a horror themed game and The Shooting Coaster a simple arcade game. Who knows, they could both be arcade games we will never play.

Still sort of exciting knowing that SEGA is still working on new IPs, despite a bad year for them.