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.
In news that’s come almost completely out of nowhere, SEGA has announced a new game in its long-running Project DIVA rhythm game series, Project DIVA: Mega39s.
Intended to be a celebration of the series’ 10th Anniversary, it seems the game will be a scaled-down take on the PS4’s excellent Project DIVA: Future Tone, with similar graphics and 91 tracks from the series’ past. In addition, there’ll be 10 new songs, such as NayutalieN’s “Alien Alien”. The game also marks a first for the series – as it’ll be the first entry to not appear on a Playstation platform. Instead, the Nintendo Switch will play host to this entry.
Other confirmed features are over 300 costumes (modules), and the return of “Touch Mode” from Project Mirai DX for the 3DS, which allowed you to play the game with the touch screen. Additionally, Playstation fans aren’t entirely being left out – as all 10 new songs for this game will be coming to Future Tone as paid DLC.
Given how close it is to Future Tone, it’s probably not too surprising to learn that this title is being developed by SEGA’s beloved AM2 branch. Along with Future Tone, AM2 were also responsible for the Mirai series, so it’s exciting to see them working with Miku again given how good those games were.
The game is currently planned for a 2020 release in Japan. Whilst there’s no information on a Western release, it’s a fairly safe bet given even Future Tone, which was likely a licensing nightmare, managed to come over fairly soon after its Japanese release.
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.
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.
On the 30th of May 2019, SEGA Europe held a preview event for the upcoming Judgment game, aptly named Judgment Day. At this event we got a chance to play the game and in this video we share our thoughts on both the game and the event itself:
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.
The previously Eastern-exclusive Puyo Puyo eSports will launch in the West on May 7th 2019 as Puyo Puyo Champions, for PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC.
This title is built heavily on the Puyo Puyo Tetris engine and focus heavily on both local and online multiplayer. You can check out the reveal trailer below:
Puyo Puyo Champions will release for £7.99 as a digital-only release.
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