Monthly Archives

June 2012

Game News, Sega Retro

Rhythm Thief Demo Available in the US Nintendo eShop

Sure has been some unfortunate news for Sega as of late with the closure of several Sega studios. This comes as a massive dent that will cause them to become a much smaller player in brick and mortal retail markets globally as they make a larger push for digitally distributed Sega products. Considering that a lot of Sega’s success came from arcade games, or games that encouraged quick play, it’s a move that makes sense. But it is unfortunate for some of the quirkier titles that have been coming from Sega will not see as wide of a mainstream exposure. Not to mention a number of hard working individuals are no longer working for the company. As always, our condolences to all those involved. Anytime there’s a major closure is sure to generate some really depressing and unfortunate situations.

Sega is not out of the retail market completely, and Sega is willing to play the best cards that they have on hand. Until those major changes make their way, we do have a number of retail games to look forward to. Namely games like Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure are still on track for their debut. The game has already been released in Japan and the UK, however those in the US can now check out the game through Nintendo’s eShop for the NIntendo 3DS.

The demo comes with three rounds with unique mini games for each one. The game makes use of the touch screen, face buttons and (Not used in the demo version) the gyro sensor. Unlike most rhythm based mini games, the control scheme for the songs act as a familiarity as their use will differ for each round (or song.) Although you may find yourself having to replay certain stages as they require memorizing patterns. Some not as obvious as others the first time around, especially in the second round named “Looting to Louvre” where you have to match the pose of the statues to avoid the guards. It took a second playthrough to notice that the glowing hues put on the statues determine not only which pose to hit at the bottom of the screen, but the timing queues when our hero Raphael approaches a statue changes based on it’s pose. It works, but for those who are color blind may have some difficulty reading the poses on each statue as the tempo will also increase in speed overtime. There are onscreen ‘guides’ which will help assist with your timing. They can be freely turned off to allow to see the animations on the top screen. The other mini games featured make it easier to let you know how to time each action appropriately. But again, more than one playthrough will be enough to understand the controls which make for easier chances to net A ranks. As for the music, it’s better to just let you listen to the music itself. Hope you’re up for jazzy swing music, because I sure am. I’m terrible at explaining music, so just let the song below speak for itself, really. Also there are a few references to other rhythm-based Sega games in the mix as well.

It’s going to be tough from here on out for games like Rhythm Thief to make their way to store shelves, but even after playing the demo I feel that the game is going to deliver a unique experience. Why not take this time to check the game out for yourself?

[Source: Nintendo Press Site]

Music

Here’s A Musical Present From Us to You

Sonic is 21 today and as we’ve already seen, he’s wasted very little time in letting the world know it. And while Sonic’s fans may be a very divergent group of varying ages, opinions and levels of sanity, we can all agree on one thing: the music for the games is usually quite good, if not the strongest point across the series.

With that, to celebrate Sonic’s 21st Birthday and to give you an exciting inside look at how video game music is developed gradually, Sonic Retro is proud to bring you not one but two tasty delicacies of Sonic Heroes prototype soundtracks.

Both soundtracks contain songs in development, including the demo track of Crush 40’sWhat I’m Made Of,” pure synth versions of Ocean Palace‘s stage, and a completely different Lost Jungle track among others.

I’m sure you’re all just itching to grab these soundtracks, so let’s cut to the chase. You can grab the soundtracks here for an early Xbox proto, and here for the Oct. 8, 2003 proto.

Humor

So, Uh…

I found this scene on my kitchen floor…

Seems he started early for his 21st, I just found him passed out surrounded by half my available alcohol. I guess he does everything fast, eh? Gonna have a whopping headache in the morning though =P

Game News

Sega Superstars Tennis and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Coming to Mac

Sega and Feral Interactive just announced that the two latest Sega cross-over games developed by Sumo DigitalSega Superstars Tennis and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, are coming to Mac this summer. And it looks like these won’t just be quick ports of the PC versions. Which would be impossible for Sega Superstars Tennis to be, seeing how it was never released on PC.

Both games will have online multiplayer (a feature the PC version of All-Stars Racing sadly didn’t have) by using Game Center, which will be added in the next version of Max OS X, Mountain Lion. More details including pricing, system requirements and trailers will be announced closer to when the games will be released. There’s no mention on if Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will be released for Mac as well, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it will.

[Source: Sega Blog]

Game News

Sonic Adventure 2 Coming to XBLA and PSN (And Probably Steam)

At this point this isn’t even news, but it’s been (pretty much) confirmed that Sonic Adventure 2 is indeed coming to Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. Just not by Sega, a page for the game has been set up on Xbox Live with 10 screenshots showing the game in widescreen. This means either someone at Microsoft messed up and that Sega is going to announce it really really soon, or just that someone at Microsoft messed up. The last of these screenshots shows the circle button of a Dualshock controller, so if you thought that this was going to be an Xbox Live exclusive for some reason there’s your confirmation that it isn’t. And seeing how all Dreamcast ports by Sega for XBLA and PSN have also been released on Steam, it can be expected that the game will be released on that as well.

There are some more details on the Xbox Live page for this HD re-release. It’ll have online leaderboards and there will also be some sort of DLC. Bets are on that they are going to sell the extra content from the Gamecube version for five bucks. The current release date is October 3rd, 2012, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to look for those nostalgia goggles you must have lying around somewhere. You can find the screenshots after the jump.

[Source: Xbox Live]

 

 

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Humor, Miscellaneous, Sega Retro

See Eggman and Other Sega Cameos in the Wreck-It Ralph Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHDQHVkYq4g

The first trailer of Disney’s homage to classic videogames ‘Wreck-It Ralph‘ has been released. We’ve already known Eggman would make an appearance in this movie and he can now be seen in this trailer sitting in a support group for video game villains in the trailer, but it turns out other Sega baddies appear in the same scene as well.

Cyril from The House of the Dead can be seen responding to Zangief from the Street Fighter franchise. And as pointed out by KOG on NeoGAF, the purple rhino is the evil demon god, Neff, from Altered Beast. There’s also some speculation that the yellow robot could be from Cyborg Justice.

The film will be released on November 2nd, 2012.

Game News, Sega Retro

E3 2012: Hatsune Miku Sneaks into E3

Sega’s no-shows at E3 such as Anarchy Reigns, the Valkyria Chronicles series and Phantasy Star Online 2 sure has fans a bit weary of what the publisher intends to bring from it’s library in Japan. However, of all games to be shown off at E3, and so quietly is the Playstation Vita version of Project Diva f. Or as it’s been renamed to at E3, Hatsune Miku.

You know, Hatsune Miku, the vocaloid singer whose quite popular in Japan. However, nothing has been officially announced, in fact, no publisher details have been officially revealed. But it is implied that Sega will post photos of people playing the demo at E3 on their blogs, and they are the official publishers of the Project Diva series in Japan, so their involvement should come as no surprise. It’s more than you can say for something like the Sakura Wars series.

For those at the Los Angeles convention, it is currently being shown off at Sony’s E3 booth, and to those who are interested in a US release are encouraged to bug Sega about it, liberally.

As for me? There sure are some catchy songs, but much like My Little Pony fans rub me the wrong way to the point that I don’t want to show interest in the show, the same could be said for Hatsune Miku. Still an interesting and commemorable move by Sega.

[Sources: Hatsune Miku English facebook Page]

Game News

E3 2012: Danica Patrick Drifts into Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed

With E3 now in full swing, the buzz has been on what new reveals will headline the next year, particularly on Nintendo’s new Wii U. One such game includes Sega and Sumo Digital’s newest party racer in Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed.

In usual E3 flare, Sega kept a surprise announcement for the show as they revealed a car hidden under wraps smack in the middle of their booth. Game Trailers TV blew the secret early while interviewing NASCAR racer Danica Patrick that she will be a playable character in the upcoming game in a Sega-themed NASCAR car. Patrick will also apparently be driving this car in NASCAR events to help promote the game.

And here we were hoping that Sega pulled the trigger on having Daytona USA‘s Hornet as its own racer. At any rate, stay tuned for more E3 updates as they roll in as our own Slingerland is on hand at the show.

Game News

Here’s Some New Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w11wp1DNSwE

E3 isn’t upon us until tomorrow, but that hasn’t stopped game companies from showing new stuff during the week before. Like there’s a new Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance trailer, Sony announced Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault and Sega revealed a bunch of new stuff for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. First off is the new trailer above showing the track based on Super Monkey Ball as well as the new characters Vyse from Skies of Arcadia and Gilius Thunderhead from Golden Axe.

Sega also announced that Shadow will return from the first All-Stars Racing game driving a tank this time around and that Joe Musashi from Shinobi on a quad bike is playable as well. New levels from Golden Axe and Jet Set Radio are shown in a couple of new screenshots which can be seen below.

And it wouldn’t be E3 without there being leaks. Sonic Wrecks accidentally uploaded a version of the new trailer showing the Wii U logo at the end, so it looks like future Wii U owners will be able to get this game for the system. As proof of this a screenshot of this was taken by Sonic Paradise, besides that Sonic Stadium made a post about it before it was removed.

[Sources: IGN and Sonic Stadium]

Humor

Cutscene from Sonic ’06, along with Mega Man 8, MGS4, FFX, Rifftrax’d!

You may have heard of a little show called Mystery Science Theater 3000  that had a man and his robots cracking jokes while cheesy, almost unhealthy to watch movies played in front of them. Fast forward to the present, and Mike, Kevin, and Bill, who starred in Mystery Science Theater 3000, have their own production now, Rifftrax, although it’s a little more internet-centric. Joystiq thought it would be amazing to get these guys to “riff” some video game cutscenes, and well… they were so right. If you want to skip to the Sonic ’06 scene, go to 1:11.