Just look at this thing of beauty! Looking similar to a MAG from Phantasy Star Online, this 14 inch TV came complete with a built in Dreamcast, controller and keyboard along with some other accesories. The Divers 2000 series CX-1 Dreamcast was only available in Japan back in 2000 and was quite expensive for it’s time. I’d still love to get my hands on one. You can see more of this TV including video of it in action at Kotaku.
It does not seem a day goes by now without SEGA releasing new media for their major release next month, Binary Domain. This latest trailer is a brief recap of the plot with robots ripping off their human flesh but also reveals a showdown in a casino/strip club, escaping from enemies via jet skis and a highway chase scene that has you shooting down flying robots and cars! Mixed with plenty of action and ingame cutscene it seems to indicate all the makings of a another big game from Toshihiro Nagoshi and the Ryu Ga Gotoku studio. The trailer also confirms a short delay, with Binary Domain set to launch in Europe on 24th February 2012 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, expect to be seeing more pieces of media as the launch date draws close.
When I was taking Appreciation for Music a few years ago, and was asked to send in a modern day example of an orchestration, Skies of Arcadia’s opening theme was the first thing to come to mind. There’s a reason for that. It’s a sweeping, epic track that moves quickly and perfectly exemplifies everything Skies of Arcadia is in a single track. Epic one moment, adventurous the next and a little romantic after that, this song covers a lot of ground in less than two minutes. The use of horns, flutes, and percussion make for a very flavorful song that not only perfectly shows off a beautiful RPG, but also stands on its own as one of SEGA’s best pieces of orchestration ever. I only wish it were a little longer so I could enjoy it a little more, but for the time it does take up, it is an absolute joy to listen to, and the perfect way to introduce one of best JRPGs ever made.
When the Nvidia CES press conference was nearing, SEGA of America’s community team was pointing Sonic fans towards the live stream, hinting that something would be shown. After watching an hour of the show, there was absolutely nothing Sonic related to be found. Fans, myself included, felt like they just wasted an hour. Thankfully, the SEGA community team was quick to apologize for the time spent, stating that “there was a last minute switch up during the press conference”, and uploaded the official Sonic 4 Episode 2 logo to the SEGA Blog! I gotta say, it looks exactly like what I expected! Even some fan creations came pretty close. Good on SoA for remedying the situation!
With just over a month away, SEGA has begun to pick up its marketing for their highly anticipated third person shooter from the Ryu Ga Gotoku/Yakuza stuido by showcasing it on British television program Playr. The previews features a look into the first chapter of Binary Domain as Dan and Boi make their way into Japan to begin their mission, taking on hordes of robots whilst interacting with the other characters in the story. Please note that this video may not work for those living outside the UK. Hit the jump for another short video.
Sega and Gearbox Software’s Aliens: Colonial Marines is getting a pretty hot Collector’s Edition. We know this thanks to a leaked shot teasing the collection.
Judging by the leak the CE will come with 3 exclusive in-game multiplayer weapons and an exclusive game mode. (We can only assume these will be available as DLC for anyone who bought the regular edition.) Those who buy the CE will also get an ‘Original USCM Dossier’ and a resin display model of someone piloting the Power Loader. It will all come in a sexy limited edition display case. Nice!
Aliens: Colonial Marines is due this spring for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
SEGA has supplied Japanese publication Famitsu with an extensive 12 minute long trailer for their up and coming third person squad based shooter Binary Domain. Unfortunately the entire trailer is completely in Japanese but shows a large amount of the story, the locations and the character itself. For those who would rather check out some gameplay segments can skip to 8 minutes and 45 seconds and take a glace at the various set pieces of collapsing buildings, the huge boss encounters and the multiplayer mode. Binary Domain is set to launch next month on 14th February.
[Thanks to Suzuki Yu for the tip!]
http://youtu.be/RfUsKWyRRm0
Typically when a Progressive insurance commercial comes on the air, I mute the television. But this brand new one requires SEGA fans to crank the volume! For whatever reason, Sonic is now in a Progressive ad. Sonic is shown running about to the Sonic 3 invincible theme looking for savings on insurance, which is smart considering he always has a violent evil doctor out to get him. Flo, Progressive spokeswoman, stops him and yammers on about savings and insurance. The ad ends with Sonic celebrating to the Sonic 3 extra life jingle.
Overall, a very unexpected but awesome ad. The animation is well done, and everybody loves some classic Genesis tunes pumping through their speakers. One note: when the humans get toonified, they look very much like Sonic Unleashed-style humans. Cool to see that SEGA hasn’t dropped this style, despite humans being MIA since 2008 (Eggman aside).
SEGA has finally shown gameplay segments for their up and coming Playstation Portable exclusive Shining Blade. Starring several characters that have appeared in the recent Shining games, Shining Blade looks to build upon Valkyria Chronicles BLiTZ system with the titles very own Concerto system. The trailer showcases the characters (Ranging from humans to mystical creatures) towns, the battlefields, enemies and even bosses. Unfortunately SEGA has no plans to bring this title over, but for those willing to port the title seem set to play another enjoyable Shining game. The title is set to launch in Japan on March 15th 2012.
[Thanks Suzuki Yu for the tip!]
Last week we shared our favorite games of 2011, and while we didn’t officially announce winners or give out some award for SEGA to stick on their box art (I’d imagine we’d award a gold Opa Opa statue nicknamed “the bitty”), the “winners” deserve another mention. Sonic Generations and Yakuza 4 were the top picks, while Guardian Heroes was picked as an excellent download release. Shinobi for the 3DS also earned a spot on the list. Other notable games included Shogun 2, Sonic CD, Daytona USA, Virtua Tennis 4 and Football Manager 2012. Overall, 2011 was a great year! Being only a week into it, 2012 is still young. However, SEGA has a number of great looking releases on the horizon. In this week’s Weekly Five we’ll look at five of those hotly anticipated titles. Could any of these become our favorites of 2012? Probably.
Everyone knows that I wasn’t too happy with the US/Europe box art for Binary Domain. But now we get to see the Japanese box art, which might not be amazing, but is better than the US/European artwork by a lot. Not only that, this one has the new ‘Team Yakuza’ logo on the box. Nice. That should move a few copies.
As if SEGA’s 2012 lineup was not shaping up to be their finest as a third party publisher, the developer has just announced that the arcade exclusive The House of the Dead 4 will be finally making its way onto console as an exclusive for the Playstation Network. SEGA has announced that The House of the Dead 3 as well to be released on February 2012 for the Playstation Network, followed by The House of the Dead 4 releasing sometime in Spring 2012.
It is not known if the Playstation Move controller would be required to play the titles. With Yakuza: Dead Souls also releasing in March, SEGA will be giving gamers plenty of opportunities to shot down zombies en masses.
My favorite tv show of the 90’s featuring my favorite game of the 90’s, it’s a match made… in space! On the November 11th, 1994 episode of Cartoon Network’s Space Ghost Coast to Coast, upon returning from commercials Space Ghost is caught up in a game of Sonic and Knuckles. It must have been a long commercial break, as Space Ghost has reached Hidden Palace Zone. Before cutting to Space Ghost, Zorak dances to the Sonic and Knuckles title screen theme. Just as Space Ghost is about to defeat Knuckles, he is interrupted by the guest and continues with the show.
SEGA’s legendary former designer Yu Suzuki recently discussed his widely loved Shenmue franchise and the future of the series. In an interview lasting just over 12 minutes, Suzuki talked about the content of Shenmue 3 and what would become of Ryo’s thurst for revenge against Lan Di, but perhaps the most interesting part is how Suzuki said that if he could, he would try to obtain the license from SEGA to further develop the series. A must watch for any Shenmue fan.
[Thanks for the tip Madara!]
For all those Kinect owners thinking about picking up Rise of Nightmares, now you can try out the game for free. SEGA has finally released a demo for their horror Kinect title earlier today. Make sure you have 334.26 MB free on your harddrive to play the game.
The demo is Kinect only, so you will have to have the device to play the game.