*SEGA Europe posted the boxart of the Wii and DS versions of Jambo! Safari. Pretty cool, actually.
*The Tokyo Game Show might be over, but SEGA USA posted the third part of their photo special.
*JeuxVideo posted three new screenshots from Phantasy Star Portable 2. Somehow the Mainichi Issho cats ended up in the game..
*Rumour zone: Vandal online posted the rumour that Yakuza 3 will be released in Europe March 2010. Time will tell..
*Review score update:
-Sonic & Knuckles (XBLA) - 5.5/10 (Console Monster)
-Sonic & Knuckles (XBLA) - 4/5 (Gamepro Arcade)
-Sonic & Knuckles (XBLA) - 9.7/10 (Beefjack)
-Wacky World of Sports - 5.5/10 (WonderwallWeb)
-Wacky World of Sports - 4/10 (Gamestyle)
-Wacky World of Sports - 5/10 (Nintendo Life)
So, did Wacky World of Sports make the Wii top 10? Sadly, no. The rest is slipping as well..
All-format, budget price
[#7](-1) Sonic Unleashed
[#8](-4) SEGA Superstars Tennis
PC, full price
[#9](-3) Empire: Total War
XBOX 360, budget
[#2](-1) SEGA Superstars Tennis
PlayStation 2, budget
[#4](-2) Sonic Unleashed
*Now the C4 Saturn programming contest ended, you’d think Saturn homebrew efforts would be a while away. Or not, as the case is. SegaXtreme member HKZLab ported the classic action adventure Another World to the Saturn.
*As bigs fans of Daytona USA we often wonder ‘what about an XBLA version of the arcade original?'’. Well, SEGA sort of read our minds as an update of the arcade classic is in the works. It’s called SEGA Racing Classic (because of copyright problems with the ‘Daytona’ name, apparently) and will appear in the arcades. Further information is scarce, but UK:Resistance posted some artwork.
*There’s not much news on Rush Rush Rally Racing, but don’t forget to pre-order your copy; it’s just weeks away now.
*It seems 2009 is ‘the year of the 32X’ as yet another unreleased prototype found its way to Ebay. This time around it’s the sequel to SoulStar (by Core Design); SoulStar X.
*SMSPOWER released four more 8-bit classics; Home Basic (SC-3000), Borgman (SMS, prototype) Alien 3 (GG) and Ecco the Dolphin (GG).
A bundle of new trailers:
*Three new Valkyria Chronicles 2 trailers straight from the TGS 09.
*A new Phantasy Star Portable 2 one (also from the TGS).
*Some Puyo Puyo 7 Wii gameplay footage.
*Four new Bayonetta videos (looking good!)
*And finally, the debut trailer of Yakuza 4.
==
’till next week!
After another day with server problems (*sigh*) we’re back with some overdue news, and a fairly large dose of it;
*As featured on many sites, SEGA USA posted a document on their press FTP that had many details of a meeting with Sony. Some of the highlights:
-SEGA on Sony will ‘get together’ each quarter (every 3 months) to discuss games, exclusive deals etc.
-The possibility of Dreamcast games(!) on the PS3 network. Physical discs won’t be supported, so don’t get your hopes up.
-SEGA’s support for the motion controller.
-SEGA & Sonic Allstars racing to have PS3 exclusive characters?
-A ‘collectors edition’ version of Bayonetta with action figure
View the entire list of details (good stuff!) HERE.
*Sonic & Knuckles is selling pretty well. It ranked 7th on the XBLA ‘Top Arcade titles - full versions purchased’ chart last week.
*SEGA Europe posted a trailer, fresh from the Tokyo Game Show; Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll.
*SEGA USA posted some pictures from their trip to the forementioned show. [Day 1] [Day 2]
*Another new trailer for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games was posted .Check it out HERE.
*The first batch of Yakuza 4 screenshots were released. Impressive!
*SEGA is one of twelve developers to support the 360 Project Natal system. The others: Capcom, Activision/Blizzard, Bethesda, Disney Interactive, Electronic Arts, Konami, MTV Games, Namco Bandai, Square Enix, THQ and Ubisoft. As reported earlier; more details to follow in 2010.
*The reviews of SEGA’s Wacky World of Sports are still nowhere to be found. So, did SEGA pull the old trick of withholding review copies because of an underpar game? No. Review copies are confirmed to have shipped, so it’s strange no one bothered to review it yet..
A rather short list this week, hopefully we’ll see some more games charted soon.
All-format, budget price
[#4](-) SEGA Superstars Tennis
[#6](-) Sonic Unleashed
PC, full price
[#6](-3) Empire: Total War
XBOX 360, budget
[#1](-) SEGA Superstars Tennis
PlayStation 2, budget
[#2](-1) Sonic Unleashed
SEGA USA updated their blog with some interesting stuff. There’s a look at some of the weapons in Bayonetta, a word on SEGA @ the Tokyo Game Show and Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics website news. Bless ‘em!
It took a while (we expected Eurogamer, 1UP and IGN reviews by now) but the first review score is in; nowgamer.com rated the game 5.8/10, ‘Wacky World Of Sport is a lot duller than its inspirations would have you believe.’
==
’till next week!
*Wacky World of Sports was released today and SEGA Europe uploaded a final gameplay trailer.
*There’s also two new trailers for Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics. Watch them HERE.
*Gametrailers posted five new Bayonetta trailers.
*Yakuza 3; still bound for release abroad? SEGA’s Aaron Webber quoted: ‘Yakuza 3 is not cancelled – and the possibility for localizing it does, in fact, still exist. The original news story that went around about Yakuza 3 being declined for the US was false, and localizing the game still remains a big point of discussion for many people here at SEGA, and especially those of us on SEGA’s community team.I know it’s far from an announcement, but I just felt you should know that the chance does still exist.‘
*European Wii owners will be able to play yet another SEGA classic; Golden Axe (Arcade version) can be bought for 900 points from the Virtual Console.
*Segadatabase Network update: After a week of downtime (far too long, but what are you gonna do?) Segadatabase and its boards are back. Good!
*SEGA Europe posted an update on Valkyria Chronicles 2, including a teaser trailer.
*SEGA USA posted an update on BLEACH: the 3rd Phantom, including a contest in which you’ll be able to win a guitar!
*The Yakuza 4 website went live. Not much to see yet, sadly.
*Review score update, no Wacky World of Sports ratings yet, strangely:
-Sonic & Knuckles - 7/10 (MS Xbox World)
-Sonic & Knuckles - 7.5/10 (IGN)
-Sonic & Knuckles - 3.75/5 (Hardcore Gamer Magazine)
-Sonic & Knuckles - 6/10 (WonderwallWeb)
*Multiple SEGA games for the Wii were listed in Nintendo’s holiday line-up. Complete with their US release date.
*Virtua Fighter 5 was added to the XBOX360 ‘games on demand’ service. In Asia, that is.
*Dengeki posted a floorplan of SEGA’s Tokyo Game Show booth. Large areas are used to promote Yakuza 4, Bayonetta, End of Eternity, Phantasy Star Portable 2 and Valkyria Chronicles 2.
All-format, budget price
[#4](+3) SEGA Superstars Tennis
[#6](+2) Sonic Unleashed
PC, full price
[#3](+3) Empire: Total War
XBOX 360, budget
[#1](+2) SEGA Superstars Tennis
[#9](+15) The Golden Compass
PlayStation 2, budget
[#1](-) Sonic Unleashed
SEGA Europe posted a new gameplay video of Wacky World of Sports . It features ‘Furniture racing’ and ‘Lawnmower racing’. The game will be in European stores this friday, so expect reviews scores and more media soon!
*Puyo Puyo 7 still rides pretty high in the Japanese software charts; it classified 11th. 428 (PS3 version, published by Spike) claimed #10.
*SEGA USA’s Twitter mystery phrase (which will describe one of the yet uncovered characters in Sonic & SEGA All-stars racing) became a little more complete. ‘Partners in crime’ SEGANerds are thinking of a ShenMue reference, our bet is the Outrun Testarossa (which would make sense, considering Sumo Digital’s history).
*We kinda ‘forgot’ to post the review scores of the recently released Daisy Fuentes Pilates release, so here they are:
C (Tech-Gaming)
4.5/10 (IGN)
A- (al.com)
3/5 (greenpixels)
2/5 (Bright Hub)
2.5/5 (Yahoo! Games)
==
’till next week!
*Portable Gaming uploaded two new videos of Valkyria Chronicles 2 (PSP). [Video 1][Video 2]
*They also uploaded a trailer of the DS version of Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympics. [Check it out]
*SEGA Japan uploaded a commercial of Sakatsuku 6. It’s not all that interesting but the game looks alright.
*Their Sangokushi Taisen trailer is a lot more interesting. It’s a game SEGA USA and SEGA Europe should pick up on..
*Finally, a trailer of the recently released XBLA version of Sonic & Knuckles. See the Mushroom Hill zone in action.
*We’re pretty sure you’ve seen it by now but here it is anyway; SEGA announced a new 2D (!) Sonic game for next gen. consoles.
Pretty exciting!
*Sonic&Knuckles found its way to XBLA, it will cost you 400 points and it can be used together with the other XBLA Sonic games. HERE’s the list with achievements.
*Segadatabase Network update: Segadatabase is experiencing some server problems, we’re hoping to have the site (+forums) back up ASAP.
9/9/99 was the day, and even for this European reporter it brings back some memories. There’s multiple ‘celebrations’ around the web;
*GameFAQs has a poll. (hmm)
*IGN posted a multipage special (getting better!)
*Gamespot talked with Peter Moore. (Been there, done that?)
*Game Informer posted a ‘Nine Dreamcast games in need of resurrection’ special. (Toy Commander YES PLEASE)
*Penny Arcade DIDN’T do anything with their comic (D’OH!)
*Team Senile posted a trailer for their upcoming multiplayer racing game Rush Rush Rally Racing. (More news HERE).
*The GOAT Store announced a new puzzle game and started pre-orders. (Looking good, guys!)
*SEGA Europe posted some iPhone wallpapers. (A nice gesture)
See SEGA USA’s page for even more links..the little white dream machine lives on.
All-format, budget price
[#7](+2) SEGA Superstars Tennis
[#8](+2) Sonic Unleashed
Wii, full price
[#10](-2) Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games
PC, full price
[#5](-1) Football Manager 2009
[#6](-1) Empire: Total War
PSP, full price
[#10](-2) Football Manager 2009
XBOX 360, budget
[#3](-1) SEGA Superstars Tennis
PlayStation 2, budget
[#1](-) Sonic Unleashed
*Valkyria Chronicles fans rejoice; the Japanese DLC (now called ‘Challenges from team Edy’) will reach American and European shores early next year.
*Gametrailers uploaded a Japanese trailer for Tri-Ace’s RPG Resonance of Fate. Check it out.
*Still plenty of months away, but apparently NeoGAF already found the boxart for Napoleon: Total War.
*SEGA USA posted some pictures from their booth at the Penny Arcade Expo. [Day 1] [Day 2]
*’Hit the slopes’, a new trailer for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter games. There’s also a slightly different European trailer.
*Another unreleased Megadrive/Genesis game should be ‘with us’ soon. The 2D fighting game ‘Lobo’ (developed by Ocean) will be released by SegaSaturno soon. Here’s a Youtube video to give you an idea.
*The latest version of Dreamcast DOOM is out. It supports the mouse, keyboard, vibration pack, VMS (level stats on screen during play and saving games), allows up to four DEH and patch WAD files, VGA and has stereo sound effects.
*Segadatabase network update: Another video was added to the Segadatabase Youtube channel. This time around it’s a classic SEGA Toys commercial with Changérion robots. Check it out.
==
’till next week!