More All-Stars Racing info emerges

Thanks to E3, a lot more information has emerged concerning the upcoming kart game Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. More screenshots have been released, as well as a gameplay video.

The confirmed characters so far, according to Wikipedia, are:

• Sonic
  
• Tails
• Eggman
• Amy
• Shadow
• Big
• AiAi
• Amigo
• Ulala
• Billy Hatcher
• NiGHTS

In the screenshots we have seen Shadow, who is riding his motorbike; and Big, who is riding a tiny bicycle. Ulala, Billy Hatcher and NiGHTS are yet to be seen.

Joining the Seaside Hill circuit is a Billy Hatcher-themed ice level, complete with giant eggs. The tracks seem rather large with multiple routes, shortcuts and jumps. The gameplay video showed drifting and banked turns.

Also seen in the gameplay video was Sonic's "Star Move", where he turned into Super Sonic and sped towards pole position. Each character will have their own signature move relevant to them, such as Amy's Piko-Piko Hammer, and Shadow will probably "Chaos Control" to the front.

Power-ups seen in the video were speed shoes, shields, fish missiles (?), mines, and Chaos Emeralds (which trigger a "Star Move").

Aside from the E3 discoveries, many people in the community were concerned that the game would be download-only on the PS3, due to being listed only for PlayStation Network on the official website. This has now been changed to just PlayStation 3, and the PSN logo has been removed from the bottom of the page. It can probably be assumed that the game will come out on disc after all.

Hopefully more gameplay videos will surface from E3, as well as more character and circuit confirmations! Anyway, below is the gameplay video courtesy of GameKyo. See the new screenshots over on TSSZNews.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing announced

Sega have just announced their latest game, which will be entitled Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing. It has a release date of early 2010, and will be available on the PS3, Xbox 360, Wii and DS.

The game will be the latest installment of the Stars series, which includes Sega Superstars and Sega Superstars Tennis. It seems the series has been renamed to include Sonic in the title, perhaps to make it more clear that everyone's favourite hedgehog is present.

Expect loops and corkscrews aplenty!

The title explains the basic premise of the game - cartoon racing with Sega's most well-known characters. Here is the official press release:

"SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA America, Inc., today announced Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, a fast and furious battle to the finish line in this supercharged racer. Developed for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, the home video game system, Wii and the Nintendo DS system, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing will speed into stores in early 2010.

In a frantic battle to the chequered flag, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing sees Sonic and friends speed around tracks set in mediaeval castle ramparts, lush rainforests and bustling cities, all taken from the visually rich and varied universes of Sonic and SEGA. Fan favourites such as Dr. Eggman, Tails, AiAi, Amigo and many more will join Sonic in their custom built vehicles, revving their engines and jostling to stay ahead of the pack. Each character will race around the track in cars, planes, motorbikes, and in AiAi's case - a banana mobile! Secret short cuts, swift handling and avoiding strategically placed obstacles are certainly the best way to get to the top of the podium.

"Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing is no ordinary racing game. Its huge variety of characters and vehicles, plus the ability to play both online and off set it apart from other games of this type" commented Gary Knight European Marketing Director, SEGA Europe Ltd. "The team have pushed the boundaries on what you would normally expect and created a different and unique party racing title whereby you really can't take anything for granted!"

And winning is only part of the fun in Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing! Each character has a specific All Star move such as Super Sonic, Banana Blitz and Tails Tornado, allowing a quick way for competitors to get back into the race! Power ups and weapons can also be collected around the tracks and used against the opposition to ensure they don't become a threat to that number one position... Players can battle it out in single or multiplayer mode, allowing up to four friends to race in frantic split-screen action, or up to eight players to compete online in the ultimate racing showdown."

A new Sega game was expected to be announced tomorrow, but it has instead been brought forward one day. The title was said to be no "huge surprise", but I certainly couldn't have predicted this. I am actually glad - I've always wanted another Sonic racer!

Sega say there will be no new announcements at E3 next week, so this is the only surprise we'll get for the time being. Anyway, you can see the trailer for All-Stars Racing here:



[Source: C+VG]

Sonic Chronicles to get a name change in Japan

Famitsu have been anticipating the Japanese release of DS RPG Sonic Chronicles this week, and have just revealed that the game will be released under a different name in their region.

In the West, the game is known as Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood; but in Japan, it will be called Sonic Chronicles: Invaders from the Dark Dimension. Spooky.

The game will follow the great Sega tradition of having a different name in practically every region. Other titles like this include Sonic and Tails, Sonic Chaos and Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos; Sonic 3D Blast: Flickies' Island, Sonic 3D Blast and Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island; and the recent Sonic World Adventure and Sonic Unleashed.

Invaders from the Dark Dimension will be released on August 6th, retailing for ¥5,040 (about £34). Despite being marketed as a DSi game, it is unlikely the game will have any new features. Sonic is all ready blue and "actually looks like an alien", thank you very much (UK readers will know what I'm on about).

The Japanese Sonic Chronicles website, which is due to be updated very soon, will provide us with any extra information.

[Source: TSSZ News]

Weekly Famitsu: Volume 1054 (27/02/09)

Here's this week's Famitsu cover, and what a lovely one it is. Here we see Ryu feeling the wrath of Chun-Li's thighs, much to the amusement of onlooker Cammy and referee Necky. I have absolutely no idea who those other two are - Famitsu writers, perhaps?

As for Sega content, Famitsu have reviewed Shining Force Feather for the DS and Sonic Unleashed (known in Japan as Sonic World Adventure) for PS3 and Xbox 360. Both have entered the Gold Hall of Fame, which is surprising considering Sonic Unleashed is rather average. The game has only just been released in Japan for some reason - not for improving it I'm sure.

Shining Force Feather scored 32/40, and Sonic Unleashed actually scored better with 34/40.

Here are the scores needed to enter the Hall of Fame:

• Silver Hall of Fame: Total Score 30+
• Gold Hall of Fame: Total Score 32+
• Platinum Hall of Fame: Total Score 35+
  

More Famitsu news next time!

[Source: NCSX and Famitsu]

Sega confirms Q1 release dates

When I reported on this month's upcoming releases, Sega had not confirmed many definite dates. However, today they have provided some new information regarding Europe's early releases.

They have confirmed that House of the Dead: Overkill will be released on February 13th, with Mega Drive Ultimate Collection coming out a week later on February 20th.

Bleach: Dark Souls will be released on March 13th, although this is the last game Sega has released any information on. Hopefully by next month we will have more confirmed dates.

Phantasy Star Zero beta screenshots released

Prototype games website Unseen 64 has released some images of Phantasy Star Zero in beta stage, shown at the release party of the game in December.

Apparently, areas from Phantasy Star Online were recreated as a starting point for the game. Enemies and graphics were then reduced to suit the DS hardware.


Some pictures show enemies that are not in the final game, as well as character concept art. The graphical style also changed throughout development.

See the rest of the screenshots here.

Phantasy Star Zero coming to the West

In a press release issued yesterday, Sega revealed that Phantasy Star Zero would be released in the West.

They said that the upcoming DS RPG, released in Japan on Christmas Day 2008, will hit our shores this autumn/winter.

There has been some confusion about which winter it will be released in, that is Q1 or Q4 2009. The press release actually says "Fall 2009", whilst other sources say "Winter 2009", leading me to believe that it will see a Q4 release.

[Source: Sega Nerds]

Sands of Destruction is officially announced

Last week I reported how World Destruction had possibly been renamed Sands of Destruction for its Western release. Well, the rumours were indeed true as Sega has officially announced the game will be released in North America under the new title.

"SEGA is excited to be bringing this innovative, engaging IP to Nintendo DS. With the incredible talent and vision of the development team, Sands of Destruction promises to deliver the next epic RPG experience to gamers everywhere."

Phantasy Star Zero to have crossover weapons

Further proof that it is impossible to look normal in RPGs.

A few weeks ago I reported that Phantasy Star Zero would feature a huge list of weapons. It has been announced today that some of these will be "crossover" weapons; in other words weapons from other Sega games.

These include weapons from Blazer Drive, Valkyria Chronicles, Shining Wind and Project Diva. Four "guest cards" contain codes for the weapons, which are then typed in on the official website. The weapons can only be used in certain story missions. Unfortunately that means that you can't just use the gunsword throughout the entire game!

Phantasy Star 0 to have a lorra lorra weapons

In this month's Famitsu, Sega has announced that upcoming DS game Phantasy Star 0 will feature 350 different weapons, split into the following classes:

• Swords
• Spears
• Sabers
• Double sabers
• Daggers
• Claws
• Machine guns
• Handguns
• Launchers
• Rifles
• Bazookas
• Wands
• Magic rods
• Slicers
• Shields
• Gunslashes

The best weapons are definitely the new Gunslashes, which are gunswords designed only for expert players. And Squall fangirls.

New online modes have also been announced, such as Free Mode, where you are randomly assigned to a party; Friend Mode, where you join a party with your friends; and Single Mode, which features one-on-one combat.

The game is released in Japan on December 25th, but there has not been any Western release dates announced.

World Destruction coming to the US

Ryoei Mikage of Imageepoch mentioned yesterday that they are working on a US version of DS title World Destruction. It will include rewritten songs by Yasunori Mitsuda of Chrono Trigger fame, and a different difficulty level (presumably harder as the original was apparently very easy).

Sega of America will hopefully provide a release date soon.

If it's by the makers of Chrono Trigger then it will only be released in America, then Europe a decade later and will cost hundreds of pounds on eBay.

Bleach: Dark Souls is shipped to North America

Sega of America announced yesterday that Bleach: Dark Souls for the DS has been shipped to retailers in North America. The game will feature a cast of over 40 characters, voiced by their original actors. The game, developed by Treasure, will feature improved graphics, multiplayer and more customisation features. The full press release is here:

SAN FRANCISCO (October 7, 2008) – SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that BLEACH: Dark Souls™ for Nintendo DS™ has shipped to retailers in North America. BLEACH: Dark Souls delivers an authentic anime experience with non-stop action and swordplay. The game features an expanded cast of over 40 characters and are voiced by the actors from VIZ Media’s award-winning BLEACH animation series. BLEACH: Dark Souls is rated T for Teen.

Developed by famed Japanese developer Treasure, BLEACH: Dark Souls features a multitude of enhancements to last year’s critically acclaimed game BLEACH: The Blade of Fate. These enhancements include multiplayer games with expanded personalization features, brand new Bankai moves, 30 new Spirit Cards, power-enhancing crystals, and improved character balancing. The BLEACH: Dark Souls storyline takes place in-between seasons one and two of the animated series and was created exclusively for the game.

BLEACH: Dark Souls offers enhancements to the impressive 2D action and brilliant visuals that have become the hallmark of Treasure, the game’s legendary development team. Players will face a variety of opponents playing as one of 44 highly-stylized characters in intense action-packed battles based on the animated series. For the first time ever, players will be able to assume the role of evil Hollows, adding a new twist for gamers to explore. BLEACH: Dark Souls utilizes a traditional 2D fighting game format with enhanced visuals that push the graphical prowess of Nintendo DS to new heights.

BLEACH: Dark Souls features four player multiplayer battles via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and DS Download Play. Players can now battle in melee brawls or fight on teams. Finally, BLEACH fans will enjoy using the newly included encyclopedia that offers detailed explanations of the BLEACH universe, character info, descriptions of their attacks and a full glossary of BLEACH terms.