A mobile phone version of what appears to be a significantly altered Virtua Tennis 4 has been revealed. Designed to take advantage of the high quality of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor for the Sony Xperia Play, it is set to have 25 customizable real-world professional tennis players and the renowned World Tour mode from previous titles. Touch screen as well as digital button controls will be available and the game is expected to have numerous multiplayer modes, some of which are playable on one shared mobile device instead of requiring other players to have the same platform.

Outside of the Xperia Play phone, no other platforms have been announced, although iOS and Android versions are expected. Although described as the first Virtua Tennis release on mobile platforms, it is actually the third.

[Source: SEGA Blog]

[Click above image for a closer look]

The upcoming first-person shooter Aliens: Colonial Marines will be getting a special release with exclusive in-game content and a figure based on the Power Loader mechs from the series. Unlike many recent limited extended editions of games, this will be released in European, Australian and North American regions. Although pricing is not being discussed, it is standardized for these releases to be 10-40 USD extra over the typical 60 USD high definition video game release.

Expected to be one of SEGA’s biggest releases of 2012, the game developed by Gearbox Studios and is based on the Alien film franchise by 20th Century FOX and takes place during and after the movie Aliens.

The game has no set date, but the general consensus is that it will be available sometime in March or April of this year. It is unknown at this time if the upcoming Wii U release will receive a similar edition.

A downloadable demo for Rise of Nightmares has been released to the Xbox Live Marketplace service on Xbox 360 after long delay. Included is a single night of the game for players to experience if they are unsure of purchasing the title, however they will need the Kinect sensor add-on for the game to function properly. The download is available for Xbox Live Gold subscribers a week ahead of time and for everyone else next week. Interested players can find the download on the “Newest releases” on the Games Marketplace or go to Xbox.com to instantly add the 334 megabyte download to their queue and have it download as soon as their Xbox 360 console signs online.

Released exclusively on Xbox 360 on the 6th of September last year, Rise of Nightmares quickly became a stand-out title for the Kinect peripheral due to it’s nature and content. It was created by veteran SEGA designer Ryuta Ueda (best known for his work on the Panzer Dragoon, Jet Set Radio and Yakuza franchises) and was the first mature-themed title for the Kinect on Xbox 360.

[Source: Xbox.com]

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II has been revealed over a year after the original episode’s release. This upcoming downloadable sequel will be designed with similar methods to the 2D Genesis/Mega Drive games instead of the more modern 2D handheld Sonic games on the Nintendo DS or Sony PlayStation Portable.

Detailed with the reveal of the title is that Metal Sonic and Sonic’s sidekick Tails will both be included in the game. Along with this SEGA has stressed that the gameplay and graphics engine are improved greatly over the original episode, something a large majority of the fans were very vocal on being disappointed with on Sonic the Hedghehog 4: Episode I.

Another major announcement is that it will be arriving sometime in 2012 to the Xbox Live Arcade service on Xbox 360, PlayStation Network on PlayStation 3, iOS, Android and other various mobile platforms. It is notable that this will not have a WiiWare release on the Wii console, although other platforms are likely, nothing is being discussed at this time.

After the break is the teaser trailer that was released exclusively through GameSpot.

SEGA has announced the second delay for PlatinumGames multiplayer online-focused ‘Beat em up’ on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Originally slated for release in December 2011 and then March 2012, it has again been delayed; This time to July 3rd. Gary Knight, Senior Vice President of Marketing at SEGA West gave vague details in the following statement:

“ANARCHY REIGNS brings a new take to the brawler genre and we have decided to take a little more time to deliver the full knockout punch. I can’t reveal much now, but it has something to do with scale. Let’s just say traditional one-on-one or two versus two fighters will be a thing of the past,”

Typically SEGA releases the majority of their titles within the first quarter of the year as that is when their financial season ends. For comparison to the rest of the industry Summer is typically very light on high-profile video game releases, meaning the title may have a better chance at succeeding in sales.

It is also worth nothing that Anarchy Reigns‘ fairly small development studio is working on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance for Konami along with other projects not yet revealed, which could be slowing their productivity down.

Sonic CD will be available tomorrow for Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360, priced at 400 Microsoft Points (5 USD), the PlayStation 3′s PlayStation Network in Europe for $5.00/£3.59/€4.49 /AUD$6.25 and iPhone, iPod touch, iPad for $4.99/AUD$5.49/Euro $3.99/UK £2.99. It will be released on the PlayStation Network in America on December 20th and for Android and Windows Phone 7 devices in the early 2012.

A conversion of the classic 1993 SEGA CD/Mega CD, this latest release will see the inclusion of selecting either of the soundtracks that were used in different regions, various optional gameplay tweaks and Tails as new unlockable playable character.

Included after the break is the launch trailer.

Peter Moore has become one of the most disliked SEGA of America Presidents in their history as of recent. Among some cancellations of titles like a new Streets of Rage game for the Dreamcast console, he has also been blamed for ‘making the call’ in 2001 to discontinue the same ill-fated platform that would become SEGA’s final video game console.

The later however, is not fully true, and Peter Moore has gone on record with IndustryGamers to clarify that it was not just him, but a group of “maybe a half a dozen people in the corporation around the world” had to decide the fate of the Dreamcast and form SEGA as a third-party developer working to make games on other game platforms instead. He went on to say that the decision had such a large impact on him that it will stay with him for the rest of his life.

For more on Peter Moore’s history with the game industry, which covered both Microsoft and Electronic Arts after his leave from SEGA, continue on to IndustryGamers‘ interview.

[Source: IndustryGamers]

The second expansion pack for The Creative Assembly’s Total War: Shogun 2 has been revealed as Fall of the Samurai. Taking place 400 years after the story of the original game, the title will feature American, French and British units along with newly added railway networks, ironclad warships, improved siege battle mechanics and improved land/sea interactions, many huge multiplayer additions, among other features to be revealed.

Expected to be released in March, this expansion is independent from the main game, meaning those who do not own the original can play it. Pricing has not been discussed or if it will be treated like a new game entirely, like Napoleon: Total War was.

Included after the jump is the reveal trailer.

The first major details behind Yakuza 5 (or Ryu ga Gotoku 5 as it is known in Japan) have been revealed by SEGA through Famitsu, the most well known videogame publication in Japan. A poll was held to see which location in Japan fans would like to see in the title, but every location was revealed to be included, certainly the biggest surprise for fans of the series.

Some new details on Yakuza 5 include:

» – Kazuma Kiryu will be in the game, the producer said the main series is largely about him.

» – It will be a direct sequel to Yakuza 4.
» – It will be exclusive to the Sony PlayStation 3 again.
» – The five new locations will be the same size or larger than all previous maps, Okinawa in Yakuza 3 is cited as an example.
» – Instead of hosting live competitions for real women to be hostesses in the game, SEGA will travel to the actual locations to find whom they believe should be included. They will also appear in commercials for the title.
» – Using techniques learned from the upcoming Binary Domain, the game will feature faster load times, better camera controls and character expressions.
» – Battles and conversations will now be seamlessly integrated with one another.

No word on if the game will receive a large playable cast like the past few previous titles in the series have had. No date is currently know either, making a 2012 release seem unlikely. This could ultimately mean English language fans may have to wait until 2014, but that is only speculation for now and should be taken as such.

[Source: Famitsu via SEGAbits]

The latest Shinobi game in the long running franchise has been released today exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS in North America. Simply named Shinobi in all regions, except Japan where it is titled Shinobi 3D, this latest side-scrolling action game is developed by Griptonite Games whom were perhaps best known for their critically and commercially successful Spider-Man games on Nintendo DS.

Also released today is Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games for the Wii console. This is the third console crossover title combining Nintendo’s Mario and SEGA’s Sonic franchises whom were fierce competitors in the 1990s. The Nintendo 3DS version of this game has been delayed until February of 2012, much closer to the actual upcoming Olympics. This is the first in the series to not receive a Nintendo DS release.

After the break are the latest trailers for both games.

SEGA has announced via their blog, that Miles ‘Tails’ Prower will be an unlockable character in their upcoming remastering of Sonic CD. The original game was being developed during the creation of the character in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and was never previously in the title outside of a single basic cameo. No full details are known as to how he will be unlocked, but it is known that his flying ability will return as seen in the image above.

This new version of Sonic CD will be available for download sometime in December of this year, and it will be released on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, and various mobile platforms (iPod, iPad, Android and so on). It will not be available on any Nintendo platforms.

A price has not yet been announced, though it is likely to range between 5 – 15 USD, or 400 – 1200 Microsoft points. Mobile platforms should be noted for generally having the lower price points on release. Additionally, the game is available bundled pre-installed in mobile tablets purchased at numerous GameStop locations starting today. Click here for a link to various new screenshots of Sonic CD.

[Source: SEGA Blog]

The House of the Dead: OVERKILL – Extended Cut is out now in North America and will be released this Friday in PAL television regions. Developed by Headstrong Games exclusively for the PlayStation 3, it is a largely upgraded port of the 2009 Wii title with a large variety of new content, such as new levels, characters and story elements. Although the PlayStation Move motion controller is recommended as it is a lightgun game, support for the standard DualShock 3 is included.

Designed as a parody of cheap 1970s horror films, this new release features 3DTV support in both stereoscopic and the retro blue and red style seen above.

Included after the break is the raunchy launch trailer.

SEGA and GameStop have confirmed that Binary Domain will have pre-order incentives for those who wish to purchase the game ahead of time and get it on the day or within the week of it’s release.

Included is a bundle of features that only effect multiplayer functions. A new level, a new class of characters (Ninjas!) and two new weapons are all available with this pre-order. It is unknown at this time if these will be purchasable later on, like the extra weapon pack for Vanquish was.

Binary Domain is set to be released sometime in February of 2012 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It has not been discussed if the pre-order extras will be available elsewhere, but is likely in regions outside North America.

For more information on the multiplayer gameplay of Binary Domain, check out GameSpot’s exclusive footage.

[Source: SEGA Blog]

A new demo for Sonic Generations, the next major title in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise was announced and will be released tomorrow (October 18th) on the Xbox Live Marketplace for Xbox 360 in all regions and only in Europe on the PlayStation Network. The North American demo for the PlayStation 3 will be released the following Tuesday (October 25th).

The download will focus on the Green Hill Zone level and will feature 3DTV video options like the previous demo which was released on June 23rd; The 20th anniversary of the first title in the series. Unlike the original download however, this will not have a time limit that makes the demo unplayable after a certain amount of days have passed and will let the players choose to play as the Classic or Modern styles of gameplay and levels.

It is unknown if there will be a demo for the recently revealed PC version released at this time.

The full retail release of Sonic Generations will be available November 1st in North America and November 4th in PAL televisions regions.

[Source: SEGA Blog]

Guardian Heroes, the SEGA Saturn classic is available for purchase worldwide right now exclusively on the Xbox Live Arcade on Xbox 360 for 800 Microsoft Points, the equivalent of 10 USD. This beat em up adventure game features new online functions for the story and battle arenas. The download is 923 megabytes in size and can be purchased on the Xbox 360 console with an Internet connection or through Xbox.com. The Guardian Heroes Avatar items are also available there.

Included after the break are the latest trailers for the title.

Aliens: Infestation, the latest release in the long running Aliens film series by 20th Century Fox is available today exclusively for the Nintendo DS in all major media regions outside of Asian territories. Developed by WayForward Technologies, this 2D side scrolling shooter has been getting many positive reactions.

It is likely this may be one of, if not the last game SEGA will publish for the Nintendo DS platform. The game is also playable on Nintendo 3DS, the handheld’s successor.

A gameplay trailer is available after the jump.

Having been hinted at for a few weeks now, Yakuza: Dead Souls has been officially announced through SEGA’s blog. The English language version of Ryu ga Gotoku: OF THE END will be released this upcoming March, exclusively to the PlayStation 3 console. This is the first spinoff in the franchise to be released outside of Japan.

Although details are fairly sparse at the moment, the English language version will have new content not available in the original release, such as the new minigame pachislot.

Hit the jump for the first trailer and the boxart reveal.

[Source: SEGA Blog]

Initially announced over a year ago, tomorrow (October 4th) will see the release of the long delayed downloadable release of SEGA Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2, on the PlayStation Network. The day after, these titles will be purchasable on the Xbox Live Arcade.

Both will retail for what translates to 10 USD, but the PlayStation Network version of SEGA Bass Fishing on PlayStation 3 will be unique in that it supports the PlayStation Move motion controller.

It should be noted that these games have been available on the Xbox 360 and PC since February as part of the Dreamcast Collection. The cause of the delay is unknown.

Due out originally for Japanese PCs late this year, Phantasy Star Online 2 has been delayed to be released sometime next year due to some mixed reactions and a large deal of requests with alpha testers and from demonstrations at Tokyo Game Show 2011. Additionally, a second alpha testing process is being considered for sometime early next year.

Late last year, Square-Enix released their online title Final Fantasy XIV to unanimously negative critical, commercial reactions, even from many fans. They have since apologized for it’s quality and plan to largely rebuild the game’s play mechanics. Considering this, the delay of Phantasy Star Online 2 may have been a very good thing, although this will mean that the title is released 2 years after the intended 10th anniversary of the original Phantasy Star Online for the Dreamcast. At this time, no English language release is being discussed.

After the break is the extensive list of some requests that early players made.

Editor’s Note: For people unfamiliar to the online style Phantasy Star games, much of the discussion may come off as confusing.

Alpha Test Response Report.
The Staff respond to the requests users made for the Alpha Test!

I want it to be possible to Just Attack with Shooting Weapons and Technics
>Just Attacks are possible.

I want to attack automatically consecutively by continuously pressing the attack button.
>Though it is possible to keep attacking automatically by pressing down the attack button, this won’t allow for a Just attack.

The amount of times you can perform the Hunter’s Step and Dive Roll actions are too high. Some of the actions need a disadvantage, this makes the game balance really bad.
>We’ll adjust it by looking at the amount of time you won’t be able to move as a Hunter, and the invincibility frames for Rangers…

I want you to adjust Guarding, because it isn’t useful.
>Concerning the timing to cancel attacks, adjustments can be made so that Guard can be performed quicker than Step, this would be effective when you guard from a sudden attack

When Techniques are charged, stop it from slowing down movement.
>We’ll stop it, however you won’t be able to dash during this.

I want to be able to charge techniques in the sub-palette
>The technics in the sub-palette can be charged too.

Uncharged Technics power is too low.
>We’ll adjust it so that the difference between uncharged and charged technics are appropriate.

The effective range or Resta is too narrow, and isn’t effective in healing friends nearby.
>We’ll adjust the effective range of Resta.

The screen shakes too much.
>We’ll reduce the amount of times it occurs and allow you to adjust the settings of it.

I want it so that you can walk again when you push lightly on the analogue stick.
>When you are carrying weapons on your back, you should be able to walk.

I feel that the way enemies cancel their damage animations to attacks is impractical.
>This damage animation will be changed so it happens when you do just attacks, but this won’t have an effect on larger sized enemies.

When HP is full, prevent the use of recovery items from being used.
>We will prevent recover items from being used when HP is full.

When you are locking-on, prevent us from locking on to other players.
>We will prevent you from locking on to players.

Make “lock-on” like the old way from past series by holding.
>When you use the gamepad, you’ll do it by holding. When you use the keyboard and mouse, you’ll do it by clicking.
>You can change the settings in the Options.
>By pressing it when you are not locking onto any target, the camera will face forward of the character.

As for the overall UI, it is hard to control it with the Gamepad compared to past games.
>We’ll improve upon the gamepad aspects and allow you to play comfortably not only with the gamepad but also keyboard and mouse combination.

It is hard to distinguish the icons, some of them are hard to understand.
>We’ll review the direction and design of our icons and remake them.

The number of consumable items you have, and the number on the icons themselves are small and hard to see.
>We will improve the visibility of them.

The icons used for the weapons and the icons showing a locked status are hard to understand.
>We will improve upon the visibility of these.

The way you buy and sell items in the shop is hard to understand and inconvenient.
>We’ll allow you to quickly purchase items in the shop and remove the cart system.

In the storage box, allow us to choose multiple items and move them at the same time.
>We’ll allow you to do so.

Allow us to move items which you just purchased to the storage box, and allows us to sell from the storage box.
>We’ll allow you to do so.

I want to be able to keep money in the storage box.
>We’ll allow you to keep and withdraw money from the storage box.

In multi-party areas I want to be able to see the HP bars of other parties so I can make a judgment on when to use healing.
>We’ll make it so that you can see their HP above the player’s head of a person not in your party.

When you go to another area, prevent the radar map from switching from nearby surroundings display to entire display.
>We will prevent it from doing that.

When the radar map shows the nearby surrounding display, it is too small. Please increase the size of it.
>We’ll increase the size of the radar map.

Even if the party member is in a far off location, I want the radar map to display their position.
>We’ll allow the radar map to display their position.

Allow it so that PA or Technic disk that drops shows its current level before I decide to pick it up.
>When you approach a disk that dropped, it will show the level in the information area.

It’s hard to visibly know when you are locking onto an enemy.
>We’ll improve this aspect.

I want to be able to chat when touching the keyboard.
>When using a gamepad, you can chat without having to push the C key, by pushing on any letter. We’ll add a mode called “Direct Chat”

It feels strange starting up the chat by pressing the C key.
>When using the keyboard and mouse, you can change the possible settings other than the C key, like the Enter Key.

Allow us to do shortcut keys that enable us to use cut-in chat, different balloon type and use the manga iconography.
>The above mentioned request can be enabled by a shortcut key.

I want a function that allows us to meet a friend immediately.
>We’ll allow it so that you can go to the block of a friend that you have on your friends list.

It’s hard to know whether you are in party chat or public chat, I want to see something different (that distinguishes between these two chats). In addition I want to be able to switch easier from public to party chats.
>We’ll add a function that allows you to switch chats. In addition, we’ll make the balloon expression different when you are in public or party chat so that you definitely know which chat you are speaking in.

I want you to remove the defense stats on outfits (costumes)
>We will remove that stat from outfits, in addition, your defense stats will mainly compose of your base stats and units.

I want to be able to turn off the graphics of the units.
>We’ll allow an ON/OFF switch for unit’s graphics.

I want you to expand the minimum height to maximum height range.
>We’ll increase the range, but by a small amount.

Allow casts to morph like the other races (in character creation)
>We’ll do that too!

Allow casts to morph their face like other races.
>We’ll allow you to choose faces that will allow for face morphing.

Allow Casts to run like the other races, or maybe you should allow us to change it by choosing the leg parts.
>We’ll allow you to change your movement options regardless of what leg parts you have. You can choose between running or hovering.

When I start a quest, I want to be able to put what policies I have for the party when I’m creating a name for the party.
>We’ll allow you to place not only your name, but also choose the play style, insert the party comment, password, and what conditions you want joiners to have all at the same time.

There’s little information to see during the list of parties, and there’s not many things you can use to make a decision (on whether you want to join a prty or not)
>We’ll place an elapsed time, and the playstyle of the party to the party list information.

In a multiparty quest I want to be able to play with specific players and specific parties.
>We’ll allow the option for you to add a password for multi party quests.

In camp ship, please arrange for quest counter functions so I don’t have to go all the way back to the lobby just to do a new quest. I want to receive new quests consecutively.
>We’ll allow for quest counter functions in the Camp Ship

I want to be able to go directly to the planet without having to start a quest.
>Even if you do not receive a quest from the quest counter in the lobby, you can go down to the planet and do a free quest directly from the camp ship area.

Inside the camp ship, I want to buy and sell items.
>We’ll install a shop in the camp ship area.

When you are in the camp ship, allow us to go directly to the areas a party has been through.
>We’ll do so.

During a free quest, I want various types of Interrupt events to occur.
>Interrupt events will occur in a free quest.

During a free quest, I want there to be a definite end of the quest.
>In the deepest part of the field for a single party area, a boss can appear, if you kill it, the quest ends. However you can kind of continue playing in the area fighting enemies without having to clear the quest just before the boss area.

The conditions to open up a new quest seems unreasonable if you were unlucky to not trigger a certain interrupt event.
>We will remove the quest opening condition, “Clear a certain Interrupt Event”

>Specifically regarding this, if you recall back in a previous post on here, the Vol Dragon was random, and is also an interrupt event. But if you wanted to play a mission that had him permanently it required you to encounter him randomly. Doesn’t sound fair does it?

I want to be able to fight boss enemies with all the party members in an area like the older games.
>In some quests this will happen.
>(Note that bosses can come out in regular areas)

When I pick up dropped items, the item pack’s capacity becomes full very quickly.
>Because there were too many items that dropped at a time, we’ll adjust it so that useless drops don’t occur so often.

When you receive a clear reward and your item pack is full, it feels like you are not given the item.
>At the time you clear a quest and your item pack is full, the item will be sent to storage.

[Source: Sakai's Phantasy Star Online 2 Blog via Phantasy Star Fan Blog]

SEGA had the largest lineup or show floor of any publisher at Tokyo Game Show 2011. As such, they have received the most amount of people view their titles and had the longest press and fan events. They also had an extensive library of games by Electronic Arts that they demonstrated as they will be distributing a large amount of their games in Japan in the upcoming years.

We have collected info from hundreds of previews, interviews and presentations then summed it all up in a simple read after the break.

7th Dragon 2020

A sequel to the Nintendo DS RPG 7th Dragon, this new title exclusive for the PlayStation Portable and created by famed game designer Reiko Kodama and one of the most loved game musicians Yuzo Koshiro is sure to be a hit in the Japanese market, but is unlikely for a release elsewhere.

Playable on the show floor, it received positive reactions and is already receiving large amounts of preorders.

ANARCHY REIGNS

The next major title by PlatinumGames, this “Beat em’ up” is their first game focused on online multiplayer. Expected for a worldwide release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 early next year, not much new has been revealed of the game in the past few months.

As with previous events, the reactions were mixed with players complaining about camera issues and overly difficult gameplay design.

Binary Domain

The first project by the newly revealed Ryu ga Gotoku Studio, this is the first project by the team with a worldwide market in mind since the Super Monkey Ball franchise who had been busy with the Yakuza series of games in previous years. A third person cover-based shooter with heavy emphasis on communication with your team, it is a major departure for the developer.

It obtained very positive reactions from the demo units with a noticeable improvement over graphics and controls when compared to the E3 alpha build code demo. It is notable to mention that the live streaming of the game through USTREAM had more views than any title during SEGA’s showings outside of Battlefield 3.

Kingdom Conquest

A free-to-play and download massively multiplayer online game for Apple’s iOS devices, the game was revealed to be coming to Android phones in the upcoming months. It was not playable at the event, but is known for having a solid fanbase.

Kurohyo 2 Ryu Ga Gotoku (Black Panther 2)

A sequel to the PlayStation Portable spinoff to the Yakuza series of games, the sequel includes a new playable cast in the story, but features the same main character from the previous game.

The reactions were very positive and preorders are high already. Many products, such as AXE body spray are cross promoting the title.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games

The third Olympics game in the Mario & Sonic crossover series, this newest release is the first without a Nintendo DS version, but instead is on Nintendo 3DS. Although developed in house by SEGA, the Japanese release will be published by Nintendo, like each game there so far.

Because of the publishing agreement, it was only playable at Nintendo’s booth, but received positive reactions.

Phantasy Star Online 2

The direct sequel to the Dreamcast Phantasy Star Online, the online RPG as of this time is exclusive to PC. New locations were revealed at the event. A beta is expected to be released for Japanese audiences soon.

It received very positive reactions for it’s deeper combat engine and extremely detailed character creator, although some players noted that this does not effect the gameplay in ways they seemed to have wanted.

Project DIVA Extend

A “Director’s Cut” of sorts to the music game Miku Hatsune: Project FIVA 2nd this new release has a large amount of new songs and costumes, some of which are based off of SEGA IPs such as Virtual-On or Sonic the Hedgehog.

It was one of the most demoed titles at the event, but did not have many previews as the gameplay is largely unchanged.

Project Mirai

Revealed at Nintendo’s 3DS press conference, Project Mirai is another Miku Hatsune title, and the first SEGA have developed for on a Nintendo platform. The game features highly detailed models and heavy use of the platforms unique features, such as augmented reality, where players can make it look as if Miku is singing and dancing on a real life location near them.

Previews were positive, but many noted the gameplay is not incredibly unique.

Puyo Puyo 20th Anniversary

The 20th anniversary Puyo Puyo game that was released exclusively for Nintendo DS earlier this year was just recently announced for Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Portable and Wii.

Reactions were largely sterile, but it is expected to be one of SEGA’s biggest releases in Japan this year.

Renegade Ops

A downloadable release for the Xbox Live Arcade on Xbox 360, PlayStation Network for PlayStation 3 and soon to be also on Steamworks for PC, the recently released Renengade Ops did not get much press from Japanese game publicists, but most people who played it noted the game to be very enjoyable. It is already available for purchase worldwide.

Rhythm Thief and the Emperor’s Treasure

Titled Rhythm Phantom Thief R in Japan, this Nintendo 3DS exclusive music game is planned to have a large focus on marketing in all regions and is expected for release next year.

Reactions were positive, with many people comparing the title with other fan favorite games such as Elite Beat Agents and Space Channel 5.

Shinobi 3D

A prequel to Joe Musashi’s adventures in the legendary Shinobi series of games, this is the first in the franchise’s history to be featured exclusive to a Nintendo platform. Although the Japanese title has 3D in it, the game is largely only playable on a 2D plane and is based off of games such as Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master and Revenge of Shinobi.

Playable at the event, many players noted a dislike of the art direction and graphics, but most concluded that the gameplay is enjoyable and challenging.

Sonic Generations

The next major game in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, Sonic Generations focuses on two play styles, one similar to the classic Genesis games and the other similar to Sonic Unleashed or Sonic Colors with some minor changes.

Reactions for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions were positive, but no new levels were featured at the event. However, the Nintendo 3DS title (which is largely a different game) had a much more positive reaction than previous events had with many players noticing much improved graphics and controls.

Super Monkey Ball (Vita)

One of the few surprise announcements at the event, Super Monkey Ball for PlayStation Vita is the latest in the franchise and uses every unique feature the platform, such as a photo taking mode that allows the player to make their own levels from images that take.

The game was not playable, but many fans have discussed that the title seems more challenging, similar to the first few games in the series.

Virtua Tennis 4 (Vita)

An upgraded port of the recently released Virtua Tennis 4, this new release features many new gameplay functions and additions, such as a more detailed character creator that allows players to put their faces on the virtual avatar.

Reactions were very positive and were similar to how we reacted to the title in our review.

——————

The Electronic Arts titles they had up for display were: Battlefield 3, Need for Speed: The Run, Shadows of the Damned and The Sims 3: Pets. SEGA also revealed other deals with publishers such as Miku Hatsune outfits in iDOLM@STER 2, but nothing relevant outside of Japan.

It is unknown why Aliens: Colonial Marines, Aliens: Infestation, CRUSH3D,Guardian Heroes, The House of the Dead: OVERKILL Extended Cut, Sonic CD or Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown were not at the event. Many downloadable re-releases, such as Monster World IV and Revenge of Shinobi were not mentioned at all.

In an interview with Eurogamer, Treasure Co’s Hiroto Matsuura discussed that they plan to make a sequel to the original Guardian Heroes if their upcoming conversion of the original on the Xbox Live Arcade is a success. Originally, Treasure Co wanted to make the game right away, but SEGA felt it would be better to re-release Guardian Heroes 1 to reintroduce the IP before a large amount of money was spent on a sequel. Considering how poor the Game Boy Advance Advance Guardian Heroes was reviewed and sold, it may have been a very smart move.

Also mentioned in the interview is that the potential Guardian Heroes 2 will be largely a similarly designed title.

Guardian Heroes on Xbox Live Arcade will be released October 12th for 800 Microsoft Points. Treasure Co also released the Saturn classic Radiant Silvergun on the same service this past Wednesday for 1200 Microsoft Points.

[Source: Eurogamer]

Daisuke Sato, one of the more prolific figures of the recently formed Ryu ga Gotoku Studio and currently directing Binary Domain has commented on a possible English language release of Ryu ga Gotoku OF THE END, a spinoff title known as the Yakuza series outside of Japan.

“For the western version of Yakuza: Of the End — if that’s going to happen, then we will tweak the controls, to be closer to other western shooting franchises.”

Unlike Binary Domain, which features controls similar to many first and third person shooters where the camera controls also focus on where your weapon can attack, Ryu ga Gotoku: OF THE END is largely played with one analog stick. Games released outside of Japan with similar controls have been poorly received largely due to the confusion of players who are not used to this setup.

This is no solid confirmation on an international release, however. If it were to be released outside of Japan, it may even rest on how well Binary Domain is received.

The PlayStation 3 exclusive Ryu ga Gotoku: OF THE END was released in Japan earlier this year to high reviews and sales.

[Source: Joystiq]
[Thanks: Aki-at]

Renegade Ops has been released for the PlayStation Network on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox Live Arcade on Xbox 360 for 1200 Microsoft Points (on Xbox 360), $15.00, £9.99, €12.99 or AUD$ 20.00, with 20% off your purchase on PlayStation 3 if you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber. A PC release on Steam is in development and is set for sometime this month.

Developed by Avalanche Studios, this is their first major downloadable title. The game is a dual-stick shooter with a top-down camera perspective and has a huge emphasis on multiplayer action. The download is 2 gigabytes in size and is part of the PlayStation Network PLAY event, of which more information can be found on the PlayStation Blog

After the jump are the latest two trailers for the game.

A new release in the Super Monkey Ball series of puzzle platformer games has been revealed with no developer mentioned for Sony’s upcoming PlayStation Vita format, the successor of the PlayStation Portable. The game will feature the standard tilt-based maze and puzzle format, collectible bananas and party mini-games for multiple players. The game will also feature PlayStation Vita-exclusive features including dual analog stick controls, motion tilt, use of the Vita’s very unique backside touchpad and extra features through online interactions.

The game is scheduled to be released sometime in 2012, likely around the launch of the PlayStation Vita outside of Japan. After the jump is the teaser trailer which hints at day and night gameplay features.

[Source:SEGA Blog]