The SEGA AGES re-release of SEGA’s arcade smash-hit Virtua Racing is now available to download from the Japanese Nintendo eShop. The game will run you 999JPY.
Unlike previous ports, this is a straight re-release of the arcade version. The downside to this approach is it means no new tracks or cars, as was the case in Virtua Racing Deluxe. However, the game supports 8-player local multiplayer and 1v1 online play. It also includes a specialised replay feature, based on the live broadcast function of the extremely rare “Virtua Formula” release of the game.
There’s currently no Western release date for this or SEGA AGES: Puyo Puyo, but we’ll let you know if one shows up.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Persona 5 Royal has been formally announced. The title is essentially an expanded remake of Persona 5, with a slew of new content. It is currently a PS4 exclusive.
This includes new outfits, a “third semester” added to the year the game takes place across, updated graphics, new areas and two new characters – Yoshizawa Kasumi and Takuto Maruki. The game launches under the title Persona 5: The Royal in Japan on October 31st, but western gamers will have to wait a little while longer.
This just leaves the question of what “P5S” is – presumably we’ll find out at the second day of Persona’s Super Live event, which is tomorrow.
The Japanese trailer is far more in-depth and can be seen below:
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
A fresh batch of games have been announced for the Mega Drive Mini. As with the first set, the titles vary by region, but there’s some surprising picks for both regions – namely in the form of the Disney Mickey Mouse titles! The announcement also confirms the previously mooted “one game per series” policy only applies to the Japanese version of the mini console, as Sonic 2 has been confirmed for the Western edition now.
The new batch for the Western Mega Drive/Genesis Mini is:
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Earthworm Jim
Streets of Rage 2
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
Shinobi III – Return of the Ninja Master
Thunder Force III
Super Fantasy Zone
Contra Hard Corps/Probotector
Landstalker
The new batch for the Japanese version is after the jump:
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
The Dragon of Dojima’s latest outing, Yakuza Kiwami 2, is coming to PC on May 9th.
The game is a remake of the original Yakuza 2, redone in Yakuza 6’s Dragon Engine. The move to PC means unlocked framerates and 4K resolutions, a considerable leap over the console version.
Pre-ordering the PC version nets you the Clan Creator Bundle, with rare leader cards and exclusive weapons, outfits and bonus items.
It’s great to see the Yakuza series continue to make it’s mark on PC, and there’s not long to wait either. The game is £24.99 on Steam.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
After a hefty delay, SEGA has confirmed the Nintendo Switch port of Puyo Puyo’s original arcade version, part of M2’s SEGA AGES series, will launch on March 28th in Japan.
As well as including the original Japanese arcade version of the game, for the first time ever the AGES release will include the English localisation of the title, previously speculated to be a bootleg. It’s… an interesting take on the game, to say the least. Above all else, the game also supports online play, so you can have those Mean Bean Machine matches with foes half the world away!
There’s no word on a Western release date yet but fortunately SEGA’s Western divisions are catching up, as both Gain Ground and Alex Kidd in Miracle World, the most recent games in the AGES series, will be released over here on the same day Puyo hits Japan, March 28th.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
The Nintendo Switch ports of Gain Ground and Alex Kidd in Miracle World, part of M2’s SEGA AGES line, are finally hitting the West in just under a week’s time, March 28th.
Previously Gain Ground was scheduled alongside Puyo Puyo for a February release, but Puyo was then delayed (including in Japan, where it is still listed as ‘TBA’) and things went quiet. So to make up for it, SEGA’s releasing both Gain Ground and Alex Kidd at the same time for the West.
The ports come with a slew of new features, such as a ‘full team’ mode in Gain Ground that gives you all characters from the start, and a rewind function in Alex Kidd, as well as much more besides that. It’s great to see SEGA’s western releases of these titles catching up in one fell swoop, and we recommending giving them a shot!
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
It’s not a good month for SEGA games and delistings – first Judgement was the subject of of a huge drugs scandal that’s taken it off shelves, and now the bizarre Japan-only Index vs Virtual On crossover title A Certain Magical Virtual On is being delisted from both physical and digital sale too.
No reason has been given for the removal, but it’s likely down to the license agreement with Dengeki running out. There’s nothing to suggest this affects Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax: Ignition, thankfully, but if you’re itching for some new Virtual On action today’s your last chance to grab it. Currently a PS4 copy of the game will set you back about £40 with shipping from Amazon.JP, and if you’re on Vita it’s only £30 – so it might be worth jumping on it before prices start to rise (as is becoming the case with Judgement).
SEGA has referred to the delisting as “temporary”, but given the difficulty of licenses and the fact the game apparently didn’t do so well sales-wise, it’s looking too likely that it’ll be back in the short term. The upside is Virtual On fans still have ports of 3 of the games most loved entries on the way to PS4 with support for an all-new Twin Stick peripheral to boot, but losing games like this to the void of licensing is always a shame.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
UPDATE 20/03/19: This article previously stated the replay feature was new to Virtua Racing – as CubeDragonX has pointed out, it’s actually from the rare Virtua Formula version of the game. The article has been amended to reflect this.
SEGA has re-confirmed Virtua Racing for the SEGA AGES line on Nintendo Switch, now with a fresh slew of details as to what exactly will be in the port – and we have to say, it’s sounding pretty snazzy.
Firstly, the game will support up to 8 players locally and 1v1 online. There’ll also be a splitscreen view for local matches, so you can see how other racers are doing. In addition to this, the Normal race and Endurance based Grand Prix modes are both accounted for.
One very impressive new feature is that replay mode in VR’s port is a step up from the other AGES titles, which offered a robust but simple means of watching back your run. Virtua Racing’s replay mode is actually taken from the rare, high-end Virtua Formula version of the game, with live commentary from Mr. Virt McPolygon! No, really. That’s his name.
On the whole, it’s shaping up to be an incredible way to bring Virtua Racing’s arcade version home for the first time. We’ll keep an eye out for a more solid release date, though given the silence on Puyo Puyo’s AGES release it’s likely to be a while. And that’s just for Japan – the SEGA AGES line has been silent in the West for over 2 whole months now, and it’s unclear when the next game in the West’s lineup, Gain Ground, will actually be released.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Opponents of DRM rejoice – the controversial Denuvo anti-tamper DRM has been removed from Sonic Mania’s Steam release, in a newly launched beta patch.
The official patch notes cite changes to controller and shader support, as well as adjustments for the time attack mode – but one user verified that Denuvo had been removed from the game. It’s actually somewhat obvious just from looking at the game’s .exe file, which has gone from 117MB in size to a mere 3MB. This also allows the game to boot up much faster, and allows greater potential for modding.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Tags: Denuvo, DRM, pc, sonic mania, steam Posted in News | Comments Off on Beta Patch Now Available for Sonic Mania on Steam, Removes Denuvo Anti-Tamper
The track is available as part of the “Donder Pack Vol. 16”, or on its own from the ingame DLC menu for 79p. The track is the original version of the song from OutRun’s arcade release – also making it quite the endurance run, as it’s a pretty long song!
Namco Bandai UK’s Tweet about the release can be seen here:
Keep up the beat with a pack of 5 new songs for Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum Session! out today on PS4! DLC Vol.16 includes New Stranger, OLGA BREEZE (Sun Scene), MAGICAL SOUND SHOWER, DRAGON SABER and SHOGYOMUJO. #TaikoNoTatsujinpic.twitter.com/2RrKQuhW5C
— Bandai Namco Ent. UK (@BandaiNamcoUK) March 5, 2019
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
SEGADriven and its original content are copyrighted to their respective authors. Media related directly to SEGA is copyrighted to its respective authors. Any comments on SEGA-related materials do not represent SEGA themselves. All rights reserved 2008-2025.
We use cookies to analyse site usage, provide social media features and personalise content and ads. We may also share information about your use of our website with our partners.
The SEGA AGES re-release of SEGA’s arcade smash-hit Virtua Racing is now available to download from the Japanese Nintendo eShop. The game will run you 999JPY.
