The new iOS subscription service Apple Arcade is available now and with it comes the launch of 2 new SEGA titles, Sonic Racing and ChuChu Rocket! Universe.
Developed by Hardlight, Sonic Racing is a paired down version of Team Sonic Racing with more of a single player focus. ChuChu Rocket! Universe is definitely the more interesting of the bunch as it’s the first ever sequel to ChuChu Rocket! which originally released for Dreamcast back in November 1999. You can see what both games look like in action via the embed below:
Along with Apple Arcade comes the launch of iOS 13 which allows for controller support with bluetooth devices like the PS4 and Xbox One controllers. It’s certainly a more comfortable option for those who prefer buttons to touch and gyro controls.
Apple Arcade costs £4.99 a month but during the launch window you can try the first month for free. It works on all modern iOS devices.
An extended look at Android & iOS title Sonic at the Olympic Games is now available to view. Sonic at the Olympic Games is shaping up to be quite an extensive package for a mobile title. It features a selection of exclusive events and even a Tokyo-themed overworld to explore. Check it out below:
Sonic at the Olympic Games launches for Android and iOS devices in Spring 2020. There is currently no word on whether the game is free-to-play for priced.
UPDATE
SEGA have uploaded a short gameplay trailer to their official Twitter page. They have also confirmed the rotating 3D nature of the puzzles and that the game will also support multiplayer. No release date has been revealed but the announcement does confirm the game is coming soon.
ORIGINAL STORY
A new Chu Chu Rocket title is coming to Apple’s new Apple Arcade service. Titled Chu Chu Rocket Universe, details are pretty thin at the moment with the above screenshot being the only thing we have to go on at this time. The game appears to play in a similar fashion to the Dreamcast original except the maps are displayed in a more cartoony environment and feature changes in elevation. You may even have free control over the camera in a similar way to Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.
Chu Chu Rocket Universe will launch exclusively on the Apple Arcade service at some point in the future. Apple Arcade itself launches on September 19th 2019 and costs £4.99 a month after a free one month trial period. Games can be downloaded and played online or offline on any iOS device that supports the service.
Our first preview of the latest Sonic the Hedgehog mobile title has arrived in the form of 3 screenshots of Sonic at the Olympic Games. This mobile title is similar in scope to the Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series, but minus the Mario. In the latest screens we get a look at the title screen, an in-game event and an over-world screen that showcases the Olympic village. Check it out:
Sonic at the Olympic Games will be coming to iOS and Android devices in Spring 2020.
A new Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games title has been revealed for Nintendo Switch at SEGA Fes. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will launch Winter 2019 for Switch, but an arcade version will also launch in early 2020. This will be the 6th entry in the series and the first since 2016’s Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for Wii U and 3DS.
It has also been revealed that a Sonic-only mobile title is in development. Simply called Sonic at the Olympic Games, this title will launch for Android and iOS devices at some point in 2020.
You can check out the announcement trailer and a gallery of screenshots by clicking below:
A new Sonic racing game by Hardlight has been unveiled during the Apple Arcade reveal.
Simply called Sonic Racing, this new title will be launched exclusively on the Apple Arcade service, which allows users to pay a subscription fee and play up to 100 games on any Apple device.
There is currently very little in the way of in-game assets related to the Sonic Racing title. A brief section of the Sonic Generations introduction sequence was shown in the below Apple Arcade preview video, and an image on the Apple Arcade website that seems to suggest Sonic Racing will follow the vehicular racing style of Sumo Digital’s Sonic and SEGA racing titles. A closer look at the in-game visuals has been showcased via an image on the official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter account (see below):
Apple Arcade launches on all Apple devices in Autumn 2019.
SEGA have released a brand new mobile title today called SEGA Heroes. The game is a Bejeweled-like puzzler with RPG elements and an abundance of characters from various classic SEGA franchises. Put together a team of up to 4 characters and battle it out to level up and gain power ups. You can play as characters from Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Shinobi and Streets of Rage and all the characters have been drawn in a cartoony, big-head style that keeps things looking consistent. Check out the launch trailer below:
SEGA Heroes is out now on the Google Play store and iOS app store. The game is a free download but it supports in-app purchases.
After being teased just a few days ago, SEGA has now announced Idola: Phantasy Star Saga, a new RPG title in the Phantasy Star series. The game is exclusive to iOS and Android devices, and will launch this year in Japan.
The game sees the resurrection of the amusingly-named “Dark Farce”, in a world ravaged by huge monsters named Idola. You’ll be using a “command-based battle system”, which SEGA intend to detail more in the future. Also confirmed are a slew of characters, including the main heroine Stella – fully translated bios for these characters can be found on Gematsu.
The team behind the game includes veterans of the Valkyria series, as well as Sakura Wars and of course Phantasy Star itself. There’s (unsurprisingly) no word on an English release, but we’ll keep an eye out in case one gets announced.
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.
SEGA has launched a countdown site, teasing the reveal of a new entry in the Phantasy Star RPG franchise. However, it’s for smartphones. Take that as you will.
Currently, there’s no real details on what the game itself entails – whether it’ll be taking after the stylings of the original series, or the more modern Online universe for instance. Saying that, the artwork definitely has us expecting something more akin to the former, and it may well be that it combines the two – it’s a 30th Anniversary celebration, after all.
The game will be announced on July 24th at 4am UK time.
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: android, ios, phantasy star, rpg, Smartphones Posted in News | Comments Off on Phantasy Star 30th Anniversary RPG for Smartphones Teased, Countdown Site Opened
SEGA has announced that they are now prioritising native ports for SEGA Forever a la the ‘TaxStealth’ ports of Sonic 1 and 2, as opposed to emulated titles.
In a post on SEGA’s blog, they state that the native ports amongst the SEGA Forever lineup (Sonic 1,2 and CD, Crazy Taxi, and Virtua Tennis Challenge) are the most played – and as such, they intend to bring more of these sorts of titles to the service, rather than the emulated Mega Drive titles that make up a fair chunk of the current lineup. There’ll still be emulated titles added to the roster, but the focus of the initiative is now elsewhere.
As a result of this shift, the slew of releases for SEGA Forever is set to slow down a tad – however it appears the aim here is now “quality over quantity,” which will likely be music to the ears of many a SEGA fan. Also promised is “a surprise or two you weren’t expecting” amongst the upcoming emulated titles.
Speaking of which, the blog’s decor does tease another upcoming Mega Drive title for the service – it appears Treasure’s classic head-em-up Dynamite Headdy is coming to smart devices soon, as is… Super Monkey Ball?
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.
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