Famitsu posted loads of info on SEGA’s upcoming SEGA Ages Online games. On PSN the games will be sold loose, XBLA will receive two packs:
[Pack 1]
- Alex Kidd in Miracle World (SMS)
- The Revenge of Shinobi (Mega Drive / Genesis)
- Super Hang-On (Arcade)
[Pack 2]
- Wonderboy V: Monster World III (Mega Drive)
- Monster World IV (Mega Drive)
- Wonderboy in Monster Land (Arcade)
Apart from Achievements and Trophies, all games will come with a jukebox mode, leaderboards and other extras. Some examples (= not the full list):
- Alex Kidd in Miracle World - Peticopter Time Trial
- Super Hang-On - (3D Graphics mode)
- The Revenge of Shinobi - Time trial & Special trial (no shurikens)
- Monster World IV -’Tower of Silence’ challenge
Kotaku reports:
‘A restructuring in light of steep losses for the quarter ending today means that a lot of people at Sega of America lost their jobs yesterday. But rumors that the entire division is shutting down appear to be unfounded.
Some Sega of America employees, on their Twitter feeds and via this post on Reddit, wrote of being called into an 11 a.m. meeting and being told of the widespread layoffs that they interpreted as a full shutdown.
Sega Sammy Holdings, the parent company based in Japan, released a statement yesterday to investors that identified a “reduction of number of titles,” that are targeted to the U.S. and Europe, listing four that seem to be protected. Work on anything else is likely terminated.’
Eurogamer reports:
‘SEGA will cut jobs and cancel titles as it attempts to “streamline” the home video games business in Europe and the US.
Parent company Sega Sammy released a statement announcing the “structural reform” today. It comes as Sega braces investors for an “extraordinary loss” for the full financial year ending 31st March 2012.’
We featured some Master System t-shirts last week but they’re no match
(in terms of sheer geekiness) for this Master System-style sofa, which also comes with two joypads/pillows (thanks to Bock from SMS Power! for the link).
Andriasang reports:
‘Tak Hirai was the main programmer on Shenmue and also worked on such classics as Space Channel 5 and Meteos. In September of 2010, he formed his own development outfit, Neilo.
The first major release from Neilo has been revealed in this week’s Famitsu. Hirai will be trying out rhythm gaming again through a PlayStation Vita game called “Orgarhythm.” The game will be released this summer through Acquire.
Orgarhythm is actually a new type of game that blends strategy and music.’
The Japan Times Online reports:
‘SEGA Sammy Holdings Inc. has acquired all shares in Phoenix Resort K.K. from an investment fund and has made the operator of Seagaia resort facilities in the city of Miyazaki into a wholly owned subsidiary, according to the Tokyo-based company.
SEGA Sammy, an operator of amusement facilities and pachinko parlors, said Monday it paid ¥400 million to RHJ International S.A. for the acquisition.
Hajime Satomi, chairman and president of SEGA Sammy, and three other officials of the company joined the Phoenix Resort board, replacing as many board members representing RHJ International.‘
Siliconera posted a list of classic SEGA games that will be added to the SEGA Vintage Collection on XBLA:
- Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master system)
- Golden Axe (Mega Drive)
- Golden Axe 3 (Mega Drive)
- Streets of Rage (Mega Drive)
- Streets of Rage 3 (Mega Drive)
- Super Hang-On (Arcade)
All games will come with new features and a full set of achievements.
Three titles make their chart debut..
This week’s entries in the Full price Top 40:
[#9](-3) Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
[#15](NEW) Total War: Shogun 2 -Fall of the Samurai
[#40](-2) Football Manager 2012
This week’s entries in the Budget price Top 40:
[#19](NEW) The House of the Dead: Overkill -Extended Cut
[#29](+1) Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
[#30](NEW) Total War: Shogun 2
[#33](+6) Sonic Generations
Total War: Shogun 2 -Fall of the Samurai
- 9.3/10 (Game Informer)
- 8/10 (Eurogamer)
- 8.5/10 (NZGamer)
Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition (Android)
- 8.6/10 (Life of Android)
- 9.5/10 (XPeria Gamer)
Yakuza: Dead Souls
- 6.5/10 (NZGamer)
- 7/10 (Console Obsession)
- 3.5/10 (Game Revolution)
Spanish clothing shop Bershka started selling Master System themed shirts.
There’s an Alex Kidd one and one sporting the original Power Base console. (thanks to SMS Power! forums user thoja for the tip)
*Max Anarchy (aka Anarchy Reigns) will include the ‘Bayonetta’ character.
*KnowYourMobile reviewed Virtua Tennis Challenge. Seems they liked it!
*SEGA did a feature on some of the minigames found in Yakuza: Dead Souls.
*There’s a new trailer of the upcoming Dreamcast 2D shooter GunLord.
- Release date (Steam version): April 6 (TBC)
- Release date (retail version): ‘Summer 2012′
- Will use Steamworks
- Steam price point: $40 / €40
- Pre-order bonus
Übergizmo reports:
‘If growing up with a SEGA Genesis (Mega Drive for some of you) was part of your childhood, you’ll be excited to know that OnLive is going to bring back some of your favorite games from that golden age of gaming.
OnLive announced that it is launching over 40 Sega Genesis games into PlayPack over the next four weeks and it wants to know which games you would like to see first.’
Total War: Shogun 2 -Fall of the Samurai
- 8/10 (VideoGamer)
- 8.9/10 (PC Gamer)
- 9.2/10 (Hooked Gamers)
- 8.5/10 (AusGamers)
- 8.5/10 (Strategy Informer)
Yakuza: Dead Souls
- 6/10 (Gaming Age)
- 7/10 (GameShark)
- 7.8/10 (Game Informer)
ThatVideoGameBlog reports:
‘Binary Domain is coming to PC, SEGA’s just announced.
Already out for the PS3 and Xbox 360, the keyboard and mouse version will arrive next month. This, SEGA says, is in response to fans asking for it.’
SEGA reports:
‘SEGA, in conjunction with the Sony Mobile, today announced the first-ever release of the Virtua Tennis franchise on smartphones with the new Virtua Tennis Challenge. Available now for select Sony Xperia Devices, grab your copy of Virtua Tennis Challenge now on Google Play.
“Virtua Tennis Challenge is a well-crafted adaptation of the sport on a touchscreen,” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA. “We are pleased to present a variety of customization options for characters and play style for virtually endless replayability.”
Sadly, Binary Domain hasn’t returned..
This week’s entries in the Full price Top 40:
[#6](+1) Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
[#38](-2) Football Manager 2012
This week’s entries in the Budget price Top 40:
[#30](+6) Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
[#39](RE) Sonic Generations
Nintendo Life posted a review of the Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console) version of Shinobi (Game Gear). Some quotes from their review:
‘Each stage looks fantastic. The graphical work in this game is impressive for its time, and its enemies and obstacles are still clear and distinct from the backgrounds.’
‘There may not be a large number of levels, but what’s here clearly had a lot of care put into its design. The music is also fantastic, if a little quiet.’
PlayStation Lifestyle reports:
‘If a recent report is to be believed, SEGA has been withholding a completed high-definition port of their beloved Dreamcast classic Shenmue for over a year now, with a finished HD version of the sequel ready to go as well.
This rumor stems from a Gamerzines report, which states that the reason behind SEGA’s decision to hold out on releasing these two titles is tied to the publisher’s indecision with regard to the future of the franchise, namely “whether or not Shenmue III would ever see the light of day.”
*Wonderboy is coming to XBLA! A leak from Microsoft has revealed a “Vintage Collection” of the company’s action RPG series Monster World.
*Three Game Gear titles launched in the Nintendo 3DS eShop: Shinobi, Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble, and Dragon Crystal.
*Nintendo lets us know that Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure (Nintendo 3DS) will hit the European shelves on April 5.
*SEGA announced the launch of Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition on the Android Market. You can’t go wrong for just 99 cents, can you?
*SEGA posted the third (and final) part of their Total War: Shogun 2 -Fall of the Samurai dev diary featuring new weapons and the third person mode.
*SEGA is headed to PAX East (and Aliens: Colonial Marines wil be there!).
*The first (rather disappointing) review scores of Yakuza: Dead Souls:
- 5/10 (IGN)
- 7/10 (Eurogamer)
- 6.5/10 (PlayStation Official Magazine UK)
- B- (UGO)
- 3.5/5 (Cheat Code Central)