Technofranki's blog

Project Needlemouse is Sonic the Hedgehog 4. The new game will be released episodical on WiiWare, Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 will feature HD graphics, while the Nintendo Wii version will use some sort of motioncontroll. The best part is that Sonic 4 is back to it’s original 2D roots, where Sonic belongs. The first episode will be released Summer 2010.

Here is the full pressrelease from blogs.sega.com:

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced the first game developed specifically for the download market from the world’s fastest hedgehog. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I will be available via download on Microsoft XBLA, Sony PSN and Nintendo WiiWare, bringing with it the addictive classic 2D side scrolling action that Sonic fans have been waiting for.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I offers sublime 2D gameplay through beautifully rendered HD environments. Fans will be able to speed through each level with the classic Spin Dash move, and destroy enemies using the Homing Attack. Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I sees the return of the much-loved special stages and takes players through a variety of different Zones, all inspired by the Mega Drive era.

Each level from Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I is separately selectable from the main menu, making it easy for players to replay their favorite sections as they wish. Long time fans will not be disappointed as they rejoin the action and face all new intense boss battles against everyone’s favourite villain – the ever devious and evil – Dr. Eggman!

“Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I is a return to the classic game style of the original Sonic games” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe Ltd. “It’s great to be able to offer fans of the Sonic series the type of game they have been asking for in a high definition experience.”

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I will be available in Summer 2010 for XBLA, PSN, and WiiWare.

Sega Dreamcast is 10 years old or there about. The console was released in Japan on November 27, 1998. US September 9, 1999 and in Europe and Australia on October 14, 1999.

The Dreamcast was Sega’s last console and was actually a short-lived one. It was discontinued after around 3 years in most part of the world, but it lived until 2006 in Japan.

I never owned and have hardly never played the Dreamcast, but I’ve many times thought of buying one. should be the place to start. I’ve also seen that Play-Asia.com, Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk have both old games and accessories. So it shouldin’t be that hard to get a console and some games.

You can read much more about Dreamcast on Wikipedia, blogs.sega.com have written a post with a lot of links to sites that write about the 10th anniversary of the Dreamcast, and IGN.com have an in-depth article about the history of Dreamcast. You can watch their video of it below.

There is also a new game coming in October for Dreamcast. Rush Rush Rally Racing is a new 2D top-down racing gam. It’s region free and will play on PAL, NTSC-US and NTSC-J Dreamcast. The game can be pre-ordered from the makers site at redspotgames.com, and they will ship worldwide. You can watch the trailer of the game below.

I’ve also found another History of Dreamcast video on YouTube which is also worth a look.

I liked the Sonic games, when they was in 2D. I don’t think Sonic work that good a 3D enviroment. The game was meant for 2D. Lyckily, Sega is now working on a new Sonic game in 2D and for now, goes under the name Project Needlemouse. The game will be out in 2010.

Watch the teaser below.

In this video from Sega, Will Tarret talks about Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing.

Source: Kombo.com

The Sega Mega Drive was released in Japan on October 28, 1988 and in Europe two years later in November 30, 1990. Gamers in US only had to wait a year before it got its Genesis as it was named in the States on August 14, 1990. So that marks its 20 Anniversary of the Genesis in the states.

You can read more about the anniversary on:

blogs.sega.com

joystiq.com

kotaku.com

You can also vote for the next Mega Drive/Genesis game to appear on Xbox Live Arcade on genesispoll.com. My contribution to the anniversary is to post some old Norwegian SEGA Official Software News letters from 1991 and 1992. I found them in my old stuff earlier this Summer. Click on the pictures to see fullscreen versions of them.

Sega have announced Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing for Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS. The game will be out next year. The trailer looks cool, and I think this can become a great game. (Source: Joystiq.com)

I found the pressrelease on Kombo.com:

Race into Pole Position with Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (May 28th, 2009) – 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.

Can Amigo scramble Dr. Eggman? Will AiAi say bye-bye to Tails? Are you gonna be faster than Sonic? The race will start in 2010… For more information please visit: www.sega.com/sonicracing.

I do love Outrun. It was originaly released in the arcade sometime in the mid-80ies, and then released on almost all homecomputer and consoles at the time. My memories are from the Master System version, the music is great.

Sega has announced that OutRun Online Arcade will be released on Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network in early 2009. This is a definitive buy for me, probably the XBLA version.

Here is the full press release taken from MaxConsole.net:

SEGA’s classic arcade racer returns, but this time it’s in stunning HiDef and available via PlayStation® Network and Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. Developed by acclaimed Sheffield studio Sumo Digital, OutRun Online Arcade, will be available early 2009.

Test your time, speed and handling ability as you race through vibrant, colourful stages and rediscover the 15 glorious OutRun courses. From the steep streets of San Francisco to the beautiful beaches of California, it’s mile after mile of unrelenting acceleration, thrills and action. Feel the kick as you put your foot to the floor in one of the 10 high-performance, fully licensed Ferrari cars as you race your way across the U.S. to a killer soundtrack.

For the first time on PlayStation® Network and Xbox LIVE®, OutRun Online Arcade delivers online multiplayer racing for up to 6 players, with fast paced OutRun, Heart Attack and Time Attack modes, the draw to the open road has never been so appealing. OutRun Online Arcade on Xbox LIVE® will feature achievements and voice; and on PlayStation® Network will include trophies, voice over IP and leaderboards.

Which route will you choose on your drive for the highest possible score?

OutRun Online Arcade will be released on Xbox LIVE® Arcade and PlayStation® Network early 2009. For assets please visit www.sega-press.com.

Joystiq.com have posted a trailer for the game.

Watch OutRun Online Arcade announcement trailer in Game Videos  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com