SEGA have just uploaded the first in-game trailer for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD, and as you can expect it’s basically Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz in HD. That’s no bad thing because the original game was certainly a good-looking game, and with that added clarity it now looks even better. Check it out:
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD released on the 29th of October 2019 for Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One. A PC port will arrive later in the Winter. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz is also famous for being the last Super Monkey Ball game directed by series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi who would later find fame with the Yakuza franchise.
UPDATE AT 17:54
A Western release has been confirmed as Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. The game will release on PS4, Xbox One and Switch on October 29th 2019 with a PC release scheduled for “Winter” 2019. You can watch the announcement trailer above.
ORIGINAL STORY
It’s official – Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball launches in Japan on October 31st 2019 for PC, Switch and PS4, and now we have our first look at the in-game visuals thanks to 4 high quality screenshots direct from Famitsu (see above).
Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball appears to be a remake of 2006 Wii title Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, which controversially included boss battles and the ability to jump. It was also the last Super Monkey Ball title directed by series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi who has more recently found fame with the Yakuza franchise.
There is currently no word on a Western release, but this at least confirms the existence of an Asian version after it was leaked on a Taiwanese ratings board last week.
The Super Monkey Ball franchise hasn’t seen an entry since 2012’s Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz on Vita and it’s been even longer since it received a release for a home console (2010’s Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll for Wii if you’re keeping track).
The Taiwanese Rating Board have listed a new title in the Super Monkey Ball series, following on from what sounded like a new game being trademarked in Japan a couple of months ago.
The rated title’s name on the board roughly translates to “Now Taste Good! Super Monkey Ball”, which suggests this indeed the previously trademarked “Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball” (so a closer title would be along the lines of “Ripe! Super Monkey Ball”). The listing also seemingly reveals which platforms the title will be coming to – PS4, PC and Switch. We wouldn’t be surprised if SEGA followed their recent trend of adding an Xbox One version to the lineup in Western regions (as was the case with Valkyria Revolution and, bizarrely, Sonic Forces), but that’s purely speculation on our behalf.
With an actual logo and artwork included with the listing, it’s probably not too long until SEGA officially announces this title. It’s a good time to be a fan of classic SEGA IP though – this is the latest in a string of revivals including Panzer Dragoon and Streets of Rage. Here’s hoping it’s up to par. Monkey Golf Par, that is.
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 11:29
Even more in-game Shenmue III footage! This time it’s Ryo chopping wood:
UPDATE 09:00
More footage is also available on IGN Japan’s YouTube that showcases Ryo training and sparring. Check it out:
ORIGINAL STORY
We’ve seen plenty of in-engine cinematics and cut-scenes from Shenmue III, but until now we’ve never seen what the actual game plays like. IGN have now made 13 and a half minutes of in-game action available to watch and you can do so by clicking the embed below:
Well that certainly looks like Shenmue! Shenmue III launches for PC and PS4 on November 19th. The game is being published by Deep Silver under license from SEGA and will be exclusive to the Epic Games Store on PC.
Limited Run Games will be producing a collector’s edition version of Shenmue III for the North American market.
The contents include a copy of the game, a replica double-sided dragon/phoenix mirror, a sticker sheet, a selection of embroidered patches and a Shoji door light box desk lamp. Pre-orders will go live for this edition at a later date via Limited Run Games’ website.
Limited Run Games also ship worldwide so there is nothing stopping people outside North America from ordering this collector’s edition. We will update this story when we learn more about when pre-orders will go live to the public.
The PC Gaming Show has just concluded at this year’s E3 and with it comes a brand new Shenmue III trailer. Click the embed below to hear your first example of the English voice work in Shenmue III. It’s absolutely fantastic to finally hear Corey Marshall voicing Ryo Hazuki once again:
Shenmue III is the much anticipated follow-up to Dreamcast action RPG Shenmue II, and it releases on PC via the Epic Games Store and PS4 on November 19th 2019. It will not be published by SEGA, with Deep Silver taking over publishing duties under license from SEGA.
I don’t think many of us were expecting any news of a Western release for Phantasy Star Online 2 in 2019, but 7 years after its original Japanese launch, an English language version of the game for North America is finally coming in Spring 2020 for Xbox One and PC.
Announced during the Xbox E3 Conference, the free-to-play MMORPG has been a Japan exclusive since launch with the only signs of an English language version coming with the launch of the South East Asian version. This will be the first officially sanctioned Western release of the game and the reveal trailer promised all content that is currently available in the Japanese version will make its way to this North American port.
This news is unfortunately bittersweet for European fans as SEGA Europe have stated that they have nothing to confirm regarding a release for that region at this time. Porting PSO2 to a European market is likely a more intensive task as it isn’t as simple as supporting the game in English. European games normally support English, French, German and Italian language options as standard so this is likely causing a delay for a European launch.
Fingers crossed European Phantasy Star fans don’t have to wait long for confirmation of the game in their region, but this is still the most promising PSO2 news for quite some time.
Due to the delayed release of games in specific regions, global ranking and competitiveness can at times encounter disruptions. To ensure that players in regions like Europe can catch up and compete effectively in Phantasy Star Online 2, however, those who don’t have the time to spare, can consider enlisting the help of professional game-boosting services. Websites like https://overboost.pro/ offer valuable assistance in leveling up, acquiring resources, and mastering the game, allowing players to bridge the gap caused by regional release disparities and stay competitive in the Phantasy Star Online 2 universe.
Phantasy Star Online 2 is free-to-play MMORPG that supports cooperative gameplay for up to 12 players. There is no level-cap, but the game supports micro-transactions.
SEGA has announced a surprise follow up to 2015’s Citizens of Earth, Citizens of Space.
The original game has been described as a ‘giant parody of Earthbound’. As the trailer puts it:
The follow-up to 2015’s constituent-pleasing Citizens of Earth features an all-new combat system, deeper recruitment mechanics, and plenty of unique worlds to explore!
The game launches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on June 18th 2019. The original game was published by Atlus, and as such the game’s official site (which doesn’t appear to be live yet) is under the Atlus banner.
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 much anticipated Shenmue III has suffered another delay. Fortunately the game is still planned to release this year, but it’ll now be launching November 19th, rather than August 26th as previously planned.
In a joint statement, Yu Suzuki’s company YS NET and publisher Deep Silver said that the game “needed more refinement before being truly finished.”
We’re all for delays in the name of improving a game’s quality, so here’s hoping this helps Shenmue III become the game that fans have been waiting for.
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.
Our good friends Pete “TitansCreed” Nethercote and Andy “TheBritishAndy” Wilson will be running another Sonic charity stream this year.
Last year they managed to raise over £600 for Special Effect over the course of 10 hours playing the Classic set of Sonic games. This year they’re aiming for a minimum of £700, but they will be streaming over two days with more of a focus on the modern Sonic titles.
Day 1 will consist of the following games:
Sonic Adventure DX
Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Generations
Day 2 will consist of the following games:
Sonic Lost World
Sonic Mania
Sonic Forces
Check out the trailer for Race for Good 2: Adventure Battle DX by clicking below:
The race will be hosted on both twitch.tv/projectphoenixproductions & twitch.tv/thebritishandy on June 22nd and June 23rd. It will begin at 8am BST/3am EDT/12am PDT. We wish both TitansCreed and TheBritishAndy all the best during their stream! As soon as a donation page is available we will update this story so you can donate to their cause.
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 2008-2022.
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.Accept cookies
