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Sonic Adventure, Nights headline Humble Sega Bundle
Sega peeks into its storied past this week with the Humble Sega Bundle, a pay-what-you-want collection featuring a handful of classics adapted from the Saturn and Dreamcast eras. Pay any amount for the bundle and you'll get the surreal score-attack action game Nights Into Dreams, kart racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and the Dreamcast Collection, which includes PC versions of Sonic Adventure, Sega Bass Fishing, Crazy Taxi, and Space Channel 5 Part 2. The package also offers Total War: Rome II's "Caesar in Gaul" expansion and the Miles' Tactic DLC for Football Manager 2015. Beat the bundle's average purchase price (currently $3.68) and you'll unlock Empire: Total War, Company of Heroes 2 - The Western Front Armies: Oberkommando West, and additional games that will be revealed as the bundle enters its final week. Total War: Shogun 2 - Fall of the Samurai is up for grabs as a $12 incentive, and you can also get an exclusive Dreamcast-themed t-shirt with a purchase of $50 or more. The Humble Sega Bundle will be available through December 9. [Video: Humble Bundle / Sega]
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed goes free on iOS, Android
Sega's franchise-spanning mascot racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is now available as a free download on iOS and Android following its latest update. Released earlier this year at $4.99, the mobile version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed adapts a majority of its content from the game's previously released console and PC ports, and launched with Shenmue's Ryo as a playable character. The game retains its microtransaction-based approach to progression after its free-to-play shift, with additional characters, tracks, and higher difficulties available as in-app purchases. The newly updated mobile version of All-Stars Racing Transformed improves Bluetooth controller support and overall stability, and introduces replay-sharing via Everyplay. The next update, due to launch on April 29, will add Disney's Wreck-It Ralph and Metal Sonic as playable characters. [Image: Sega]
Shenmue hero Ryo Hazuki joins PC Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed
Ryo Hazuki, leather-clad everyman and forklift-racer extraordinaire from the Shenmue series, has come racing onto the PC version of Sonic And Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed. Ryo debuted in the mobile port of Transformed, but his arrival on PC marks his first appearance in the game on a home platform. Whether this means he'll also be making a pit stop on consoles, 3DS and Vita is unknown. Instead of going for a more realistic approach and placing Ryo atop his signature motorcycle or inside a forklift - as was the case in the original Sonic And Sega All-Stars Racing - Ryo gets to show his '80s heritage by piloting modified arcade cabinets. Ryo rides a Hang-On cabinet on water, an OutRun cabinet on land, and a Space Harrier cabinet in the air. He's available now for $1.59 on Steam.
Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed takes Shenmue's Ryo for a ride on iOS, Android
Sega's multi-terrain mascot racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is now available for iOS and Android platforms, bringing along a familiar Dreamcast star for its mobile debut. Shenmue's Ryo Hazuki joins the race on iOS and Android, battling fellow Dreamcast luminaries like Beat from Jet Set Radio, Samba de Amigo star Amigo, and Space Channel 5's Ulala in a fiercely competitive series of races across land, sea, and air. Ryo pilots an OutRun arcade cabinet while on solid ground, switching to a Space Harrier machine for flying sequences and a modified Hang-On hovercraft for aquatic stretches of track. It's worth noting that Ryo's in-game license plate reads "SHEN 3," teasing a long-rumored sequel in Sega's acclaimed karate-dueling, soda-drinking, sailor-seeking adventure game series. Ryo previously appeared in the Racing Transformed predecessor game Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, with his trademark forklift available as downloadable content.
PS Plus members get Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed free on Vita this week
The PlayStation Vita version of Sega's multi-terrain mascot racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will be available as a free download for PlayStation Plus members starting tomorrow, continuing this month's planned slate of free subscription-based content. Racing Transformed assembles a cast of classic Sega franchise characters for a series of chaotic races across land, sea, and air. In addition to a single-player campaign and an online multiplayer mode, Racing Transformed lets players settle longtime rivalries among Sega's elite. With your help, Alex Kidd can finally take down the vile usurper Sonic the Hedgehog and secure his place as Sega's rightful representative. Afterward, you may wish to pen a dozen-chapter work of fan fiction detailing the great Sega mascot wars that unfolded -- for free -- on your PlayStation Vita over the holiday break. This week also introduces a series of PlayStation Plus-exclusive discounts, dropping the prices of Proteus, DuckTales Remastered, Castle of Illusion, and other featured games for a limited time.
Steam weekend: Sonic & All-Stars, War of the Vikings free to play
Steam has a full schedule this weekend, with Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed and War of the Vikings playable for free through Sunday at 1PM PT, plus sales on Omerta: City of Gangsters and Killing Floor. Omerta is 75 percent off, $10, through Monday at 10AM PT. Killing Floor has kicked off its Twisted Christmas Event, offering the game and its bundles for half off through January 2. That's $10 for the game alone, $50 for a six-pack and $25 for a 14-item DLC bundle. Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed is also 75 percent off through the weekend, going for $5.
GRID 2, Guacamelee heading to PS Plus in Europe this month
Sony announced December's PlayStation Plus lineup for Europe, revealing that Codemasters' racing game GRID 2 and Drinkbox Studios' luchador-themed platformer Guacamelee will be free for subscribers to download starting later this month. PlayStation Plus members will also get free access to the PlayStation Vita version of Sega's kart racer Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed, along with Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories for the PSP. PlayStation 4 early adopters who subscribe to PlayStation Plus can download free copies of Housemarque's Defender-like Resogun and Compulsion Games' light-and-shadow platformer Contrast starting on November 29. December's PlayStation 3, Vita, and PSP program inductees will be available in Europe on November 27.
Remastered Sonic The Hedgehog 2 revs up Sega's winter mobile lineup
Sega announced its winter lineup for mobile platforms, revealing that it has a remastered version of its classic 16-bit platformer Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in the works for iOS and Android. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will launch in the iOS App Store and for Google Play in November, boasting an array of improvements over its previously released mobile port. Similar to the upgraded mobile version of the original Sonic the Hedgehog released earlier this year, Sonic 2 will feature widescreen support, multiple playable characters, and a soundtrack featuring higher-quality sound samples than the original game. Sega additionally announced the upcoming release of Rhythm Thief & the Paris Caper, a mobile follow-up to its 2012 3DS rhythm-action game Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure. Other Sega-published mobile games on the horizon include a port of Sumo Digital's kart racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, the iOS motion-captured dancing game Go Dance, and Demon Tribe, a MOBA-style, card-collecting RPG from Jet Set Radio director Masayoshi Kikuchi.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed free this weekend on Steam
Sega's manic crossover kart racer Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is free to play this weekend on Steam. If you find yourself smitten with developer Sumo Digital's love for Sega's back catalog, the full game can be unlocked for 75 percent off of its regular price at $7.49. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed rounds up Sega's mascots and other memorable characters for a series of multi-terrain races. The PC version of the game brings its own exclusive collection of characters to the track. A recent update added Company of Heroes 2 star General Winter as a playable character, joining oddball PC-exclusive roster additions from Team Fortress 2, Shogun: Total War, and Football Manager.
Sega Sammy posts fiscal net profit, Aliens: Colonial Marines shipped 1.3M [update]
Sega Sammy reported financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31 2013 today, noting a net profit of ¥33.5 billion, which converts to $331 million. The figure represents annual growth of 53.3 percent. However, the company's operating profit decreased year-on-year by 67.3 percent, down now to ¥19.1 billion, or $189 million. While Sega Sammy made significant net profit, largely through gains on the sales of "investment securities" and transfers of employees' pension benefits, the company noted decreased demand for packaged games in light of global economics. Sega Sammy said it must adapt to a market leaning towards games on social networks and smartphones. That decreased demand was coupled with a year of restructuring at Sega Sammy's US and European divisions. With less games coming out as a result, it's no surprise Sega Sammy saw decline in packaged software shipments, down to 10.8 million overall. They include 1.31 million units of the critically panned Aliens: Colonial Marines, as well as 1.36 million for Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed and 940,000 for Football Manager 2013. Meanwhile, Yakuza 5 shipped 590,000 units since its launch in Japan in December 2012. Sega Sammy's biggest success gaming-wise looks to be Phantasy Star Online 2. The PC and Vita MMO has a subscription base of over 2.5 million now, and the company said revenue from in-game purchasable items "exceeded forecasted levels." Sega Sammy forecasts it will ship 11 games on PC, 7 on Wii U, 7 on PS3, 6 on 3DS, 5 on Vita, 4 on Xbox 360, and 2 on PSP in the fiscal year ending March 31 2014 - of course there'll be some crossover there. The company estimates a 41 percent growth in net profit for the next fiscal year, up to ¥47 billion, or $464 million. Update: Sports Interactive's Miles Jacobson tweets Football Manager 2013 has now passed the 1 million mark for sales, having done so five months earlier than FM2012 did.
Every Sonic game on Steam is half off for a few hours starting... Now
All Sonic the Hedgehog games on Steam are 50 percent off, from right now through 10 a.m. PT tomorrow, March 21. The sale makes Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed $15, Sonic Adventure 2 $5, Sonic Generations $15, and Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Sonic 3 and Knuckles, and Sonic CD $2.50 each, among other deals.Check out the entire list of discounted Sonic games below, and catch those crazy hyperlinks on the Sega blog.
Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed 3DS drives, flies and floats in February
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed for 3DS took the "slow and steady" approach in its race to retail, with Sega announcing it'll finally arrive on February 8 and 12 in Europe and North America, respectively.The racer will get in your face with StreetPass challenges and allows multiplayer up to seven with multi-cart or single-cart play. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed was available late last year on other platforms, with our review calling it "a fun, exceptionally well crafted racing game."
Team Fortress 2 characters join Sonic & All-Stars on PC
While the console version has been out for a number of months, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is stuck at the starting line on PC until January 31. Luckily for Sonic and friends, they will be joined by Pyro, Heavy and the Spy from Team Fortress 2 as PC-exclusive racers.As seen in the video above, the manager from Sports Interactive's Football Manager series and the Shogun from the Total War series are also playable characters in the PC version of the game. Add in the recent 10% off deal when buying the game through Steam, and we're pretty sure Sega wants you to play Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on PC.
Pre-order Sonic & All-Stars Racing on Steam, get 10% off
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed patiently sits at the PC starting line, waiting for the green light on January 31, 2013. And rather than cough up the full $30 for the PC port, if you pre-order through Steam, you'll receive a 10% discount – that's $3 off, for all you math types out there.The console version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed launched on just about every gaming device out there back in November, a game our review says "should not be missed by anyone who truly values a fun, exceptionally well crafted racing game." Also, a working knowledge of Sega mascots doesn't hurt.
Buy Sonic & All-Stars at GameStop to snag the Danica Patrick 'Danicar'
You might want to consider trying out Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and not just because we think it "might be the best racer of its kind to come along in years." GameStop is now offering an exclusive, limited edition Hot Wheels car based on in-game (and real-life) NASCAR racer Danica Patrick for any PS3, Xbox 360 or Wii U purchases.The diecast "Danicar" is available while supplies last at retail GameStop locations and online.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed review: Morphenomenal
Kart racing games rank perhaps a notch above licensed cartoon platformers in the category of "assumed quality at first glance" – which is to say they don't rank highly at all. The only kart racer that a "serious" gamer will even give the time of day is the stalwart Mario Kart, and even that series has offered up some recent disappointments: Mario Kart Wii was utterly blasé, and Mario Kart 7, as fun as it is, squandered promising chances to deliver some much-needed retooling to the formula.With such low expectations, it's much too easy to write off Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed as a cynical cash-in featuring a past-his-prime mascot. But I'm here to deliver an important message: if you do that, you will be depriving yourselves of what might be the best racer of its kind to come along in years, and that's no exaggeration.%Gallery-162455%
Fans request Sonic and All-Stars Racing DLC, Sega plays along
Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed will have DLC, but the content of some of that post-launch goodness may be in the hands of the fans. As members of the Racing Transformed forum began throwing out ideas for characters to be added as DLC, Sumo Digital executive producer Steve Lycett issued a challenge:"Without any policing from the Sumo or SEGA crew, if you can all agree on three characters by the 1st of December and prove there is sufficient interest of at least 1,000 unique people per character, I will present the result to SEGA."And so the fans did. There are now separate pages on Change.org for each of the characters eligible to be included in Racing Transformed, and each signature counts as a vote for that character. The three current leaders are Hatsune Miku, Sega Saturn mascot Segata Sanshiro and Shenmue's Ryo Hazuki, each with more than 2,000 votes.There is no promise that Lycett will be able to convince Sega that this is a good idea, but there's always a chance this whole thing could work, so feel free to join in. Besides, there's nothing dangerous about randomly attaching your name to things on the internet.
Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed makes a splash with launch trailer
In case you missed it among the Wii U launch line-up, Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed raced across land, sea, sky, and space to Nintendo's newest toy. It's also out on plenty of other platforms - just watch out for that fish.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Transformed trailer gets a grip on the Wii U GamePad
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed may have dropped the "Sega" from the title and added Wreck-It Ralph to the racing roster, but the game's Wii U features are the all-stars of this trailer.The video above shows off the game's different functions on the Wii U GamePad, with the inclusion of a mini-map, motion control and game pad-only play being the noteworthy additions. One thing the Wii U version will not support is voice chat, however. Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will launch with the Wii U system on November 18, also hitting PS3 and Xbox 360 at that time. A 3DS and Vita version will land on December 11.
See Wreck-It Ralph in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed trailer
Wreck-It Ralph, star of the recent Disney film of the same name, can be seen cruising next to Sonic in this Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed trailer. The game will launch November 18 on Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U, with Vita and 3DS versions crossing the finish line on December 11.
