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Sega Superstars Tennis boxart misses a Beat
Come on, Sega. We're doing our very best to love your new mascot tennis game, and for the most part it's been quite easy. Putting wonderful Sega characters into a wonderful Sega tennis game (Virtua Tennis) is exactly what we'd ask for if we were asked, and if we were clever enough to think of it. Virtua Tennis is excellent enough when it's all boring humans, and can only be made better with space reporters and two different varieties of cartoon monkey.But the European boxart for Sega Superstars Tennis dampens even our enthusiasm somewhat. We understand the reasoning (he's very popular) but we still would have chosen not to put that hedgehog front and center. But in their zeal to sell this to Everybody, Sega has failed to emphasize the most amazing thing about the game: the wide variety of Seganess found within. And in so doing, they've given a bland box to what looks like an extraordinarily jubilant game.Some other characters are indeed on the box (in the area not taken up by Sonic), but where's Beat? Where's NiGHTS? Where's Alex Kidd (who we have yet to see)? Where are the wacky Sega backdrops? With the Sonic-themed stage (which looks the most like a normal, boring tennis court of any of them) and the centered Sonic, somebody could walk by and mistake this for a Sonic Tennis, which nobody wants.[Via GamesPress]
Friday Video: What's better than Sega Superstars Tennis?
The trailer for Sega Superstars Tennis. This thing is brutally insane. Beat's all skating up a tree and flying 50 feet into the air to return a shot, Dr. Eggman's got multiple bionic rackets, and Sonic does a loop at super-speed to build up momentum for his return, after rescuing Amigo from a potentially fatal fall. We want to play the trailer. There's no way any of this awesome stuff is going to happen in the game. It's all going to be Sega characters playing tennis, with, like, a few special moves. Not that that isn't great, it's just not ... brutally insane.
Yessss! Sega Superstars Tennis has an OutRun stage
Oh. Em. Gee. Okay, that Start sign looks awfully familiar. And those "left turn" signs? The palm trees? Yep, a closer look confirms it: Sega Superstars Tennis will have an OutRun stage, hopefully with majestic red Ferraris roaring past as you play.For veteran Sega fans such as ourselves, this kind of fan service is irresistible. First the Shibuya bus terminal, and now this. The only possible downer? Due to its high resolution, we suspect this screenshot is from the Xbox 360 or PS3 versions of the game. That's not to say we won't get an OutRun stage in the Wii version, but please understand, Sega: we need this.Hit the break for a couple more shots of the court.
Sega Superstars Tennis seems to use buttons
You know buttons, right? Those clicky things on either side of the touchscreen? New screenshots of Sega Superstars Tennis show the view on the bottom screen, which contains nothing more than a scoreboard. There are no icons to tap, no moves to select, and definitely no predefined areas to rub. Just character portraits (of what we assume are the player-controlled characters in each team, in the case of doubles) and scores. You're certainly not controlling the players directly via dragging them around, because they're up on the top screen.Of course, stylus controls could still turn up. This display could be temporary, to be replaced when developer Sumo Digital figures out the user interface for the touch controls. Or it could be what displays if you choose a traditional control scheme. Check our new gallery featuring screens of the most exciting multiplatform handheld mascot tennis game ever to have a version made for the DS. Ever.%Gallery-13434%[Via press release]
We just bought Sega Superstars Tennis with our minds
IGN posted an interview with Sumo Digital's Omar Woodley which finally reveals some details about the Wii-specific version of Sega Superstars Tennis. If you want to hear about the different control options and the screen resolution and stuff, we suggest you click over to the link and check that out, because we can't focus on that right now in the post.Because we saw a Jet Set Radio stage. And we also saw Beat as one of the playable characters. Look at that, it's the Shibuya bus terminal and it looks just like in the game and oh man we're hyperventilating and this is awesome SEGA IS AWESOME AND SO IS LIFE. As of right now, we're kicking off a Matt C.-Zack-and-Wiki-style campaign to promote this game -- except it's not enough for you to buy just one copy. Buy one copy for every system, even if you don't have that system. Buy it for your friends, buy it for your mom, and buy it for your dog. It is very important that Sega knows that they need to be spending their time filling our lives with more Jet Set Radio.
Ace Channel 5: Sega announces Superstars Tennis
Hey, Sonic's already appearing in another sports game! Sega announced today that they're making a new tennis game for just about every system, called Sega Superstars Tennis. The concept is simple enough, and is pretty much contained in the title: Sega characters playing tennis. Already confirmed as part of the cast of "over 15" characters are Sonic, Super Monkey Ball's AiAi, Space Channel 5's Ulala, and Amigo from Samba De Amigo. They'll be playing on courts inspired by Sega games, like the Samba court found above.Obviously that's not a DS screenshot, but it gives you an idea of what the game's about. We may balk at Sonic games, but we are ravenous for Sega mascot games like this one. The game became an insta-buy for us as soon as we saw Ulala; unfortunately, there are way more than 15 characters we'd like to see in this game, and at least one more slot will probably be taken up by Tails or Shadow or some other Sonic friend. We're hoping for Ryo Hazuki, ourselves. Or Gilius Thunderhead. Or Joe Musashi, or Alex Kidd, or Michael Jackson.
Today's comparingest game video: Virtua Tennis 3 360/PS3
The PS3 versus 360 side-by-side showdowns keep rolling out, with GameTrailers mixing those versions of Virtua Tennis 3 together. This comparison may be even more interesting because those versions were developed by two studios (Sumo for 360 and AM2 for PS3). Or maybe that difference makes the comparison about each developer instead of a straight 1080p hardware shootout. Either way, taste both flavors after the break, or hit the HD version on the GameTrailers site.
Virtua Tennis 3: turn down that racket!
We really wanted to like Virtua Tennis 3. On the surface, the Virtua Tennis 3 demo presents a polished, professional veneer. Dig deeper, however, and something ugly begins to rear its head. Of course, it's possible that we just really suck (or that we've been spoiled by Top Spin). We can accept that. Still, in an hour of play time, we managed to win one (one!) game against the CPU. Not one match mind you, but one game. Put simply, the CPU is pretty ruthless. Combine that with some questionable game mechanics and Virtua Tennis 3 becomes very frustrating very fast.
Virtua Tennis 3 Demo serves Marketplace
Major Nelson gave us word that Virtua Tennis 3 had a demo hit Xbox Live Marketplace this morning. It weighs in just shy of 850 MB and unfortunately is not available in Asia. Still, the game looks promising and will have a native resolution of 1080p, although we don't know if the same can be said for the demo. So, did you play Top Spin 2 last year, which was alright and had reasonably challenging Achievements (we were also partial to The Future's "Change your Ways" which played in the career menu and progressively added instruments and eventually lyrics as each year passed)? If so, how does this demo compare to that experience for you? We'll have impressions for you shortly.
Virtua Tennis 3 Trailer
SEGA released a couple trailers for Virtua Tennis 3, the first is in 720p, even though the game itself is 1080p native, and shows some cool doubles and singles action as well as the solid animation. The other video available gives you a taste of some of the minigames that are a staple to the Virtua Tennis series, although only being available in 640x480. Still, definitely worth a look as this game is one of the most promising tennis titles to date. So, click the "Read" link and watch the videos, they're only a couple minutes each. Are you interested in this or is Top Spin 2 all you need to get your fill?
Virtua Tennis 3 1080p, new spectator mode
SEGA announced today that Virtua Tennis 3 will be playable in the coveted 1080p resolution. While this means nothing to the majority of gamers out there, it should provide an extra feather for the caps of game industry executives and owners of dumpster sized televisions. Perhaps more interesting than the announcement of 1080p support is the announcement of Virtua Tennis 3's Live features. While the game offers typical ranked and friends matches, it also offers tournament and exhibition play. Best of all, these modes include doubles play. The most interesting feature addition is VT:TV, which will allow players to watch matches in progress. As the press release notes, this makes for a good way to size up your competition (or learn from the top ranked players). Virtua Tennis 3 is expected to release in March. [Via Joystiq]
Sega: Virtua Tennis 3 brings its 1080p game to the Xbox 360
We're sure Microsoft exec Scott Henson -- who last March said 1080p graphics were "basically impossible" -- is probably going to help himself to an extra generous portion of humble pie as Sega announces that Virtua Tennis 3, already running proudly in 1080p on the PlayStation 3, will be arriving in full true HD glory on the Xbox 360 as well. Sega's press release can barely handle the full resolution of the news, gushing, "For the first time, Xbox 360 gamers can experience high-definition 1080p graphics on their console with Virtua Tennis 3." Of course, it's no coincidence that the first Xbox 360 game to hit that magic resolution was one of the few PS3 launch games to make it there as well. The tennis court remains relatively static while the players (choose from up to 20 tennis pros!) move around, unencumbered by dozens of creepy monsters from an alternate history intent on killing them. Now that Sega's paved the way (with clay we imagine), how long before future titles sign-up for 1080p doubles?
Smashing new video of Virtua Tennis 3
Our buddies at Gamertag Radio got their eager mitts on this new gameplay video from Virtua Tennis 3. Having watched the video, we can safely say that it's definitely tennis. Given the series' history, VT3 will likely be a pretty good tennis game, too. We're glad the 360 allows for custom soundtracks though, because the music sounds like it was ripped directly from the Sonic Adventure series. Of course, the big question is whether or not Virtua Tennis 3 can compete with the likes of Top Spin. We'll find out soon enough when the game releases in March. In the meantime, watch the video and tell us what you think.
Video: Virtua Tennis 3 smashes the 360
We sat on this Virtua Tennis 3 video yesterday, ultimately running with something different. We have come to realize that was a mistake. You see, this video is hot. In fact, it was apparently yesterdays hottest game video. As such, it journalistic (bloggerlistic?) duty to provide it to you now. Watch it after the break. And remember, this thing is hot, so watch responsibly.
IGN says PS3 aces 360 in Virtua Tennis
As IGN was checking out the new Virtua Tennis 3 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 at Leipzig, they made note of the "slight" differences between the two versions saying that the PS3 edged out the 360 when it came to graphical dominance. Plainly put, the PS3 looked a little better with sharper textures and incredibly detailed player models. It was almost eerie when we noticed the veins sticking out in our character's forehead. To be fair, however, IGN does say that the different versions are being worked on by two different companies -- which could account for the slight differences. But, we're sure this won't stop the many fanboys ready to defend their camp on this new info. [Thanks, HEYYOUTHERE]
Virtua Tennis 3 trailer served up
EuroGamer has the first trailer for Virtua Tennis 3: SEGA Professional Tennis. As 8BitNinja notes, the music does sound a bit like sales training video. Has the lackluster reception for Top Spin 2 and over-exposure of Rockstar Presents Table Tennis dampened your enthusiasm for yet another glorified game of Pong?
Sega returns to the court with Virtua Tennis 3
Sega's making a return to the tennis court with Virtua Tennis 3, hitting the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 spring 2007. This is Sega's first tennis game since the Dreamcast's Tennis 2K2 four years ago. Apparently, the guys at Sega think it's pretty good. One of them says, "Virtua Tennis 3 provides a must have in-depth experience - though I'd say the graphics alone are reason to buy and the quality is so sharp and clear you can even see the veins on the players necks!" It'll have to beat Top Spin 2 and Rockstar's Table Tennis if it wants the next-gen tennis game crown. That is, unless Mario Tennis Revolution blows our collective minds away. [Thanks, Matt]
First OutRun 2006 screens
In celebration of the OutRun franchise's 20th anniversary, Sega will be releasing OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast in March for the PS2, PSP, Xbox, and PC. Kikizo has the first screen shots of what is basically an updated installment of last year's OutRun 2 for Xbox. In this special edition, the arcade release of OutRun 2 SP has been included along with online play for up to six players. The PS2 and PSP versions will also feature unlockable bonus content when the two systems are connected. Although GameSpot reported last month that the Xbox version had been scrapped in favor of a PC release, Kikizo is now confirming that OutRun 2006 will in fact appear on Xbox.
Sega OutRun 2006 coming to PS2, PSP
Get ready to hop back into your Ferrari and pull off some mean powerslides with a hot babe at your side. Sega has confirmed that OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast for PS2 and PSP will be released in March. The third outing for Sega's popular racer will feature 30 stages, a revamped mission structure, six-player online competition, and 12 licensed rides from the house of Enzo. No love for Xbox owners this time around, but there will be unlockable content for those who connect the PSP and PS2 versions of the game via USB cable.
