A pretty looking young woman by the name of Yukie Kawamura will be featured in the game, as Sega has thought that it would be a great idea to include the Japanese swimsuit model in limited edition versions of the game, as revealed by Andria Sang.

The levels in question will feature the model dressed in her favorite attire, with our monkey hero having to find his way around the arena dodging certain obstacles – one of which is her pair of breasts which Sega have transformed into a monkey ramp.

If you’re interested in playing these kind of levels, you’ll want to know that trying to get hold of a limited edition may prove to be a difficult task. Sega are only putting a handful of codes inside boxes of Banana Blitz (the full title), and there’s obviously a high chance that the adult levels will only see a release in Japan anyway – for obvious reasons.

What do you make of this? Is it clever marketing by Sega or an embarassing ploy to shift their game? It seems to work for Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive 5, another two games made by Japanese devs. Imagine the uproar by the parents if something like this happened in the UK, we wouldn’t see the end of it.

Let us know if you plan to import this asap!

More About: Sega, Super Monkey Ball

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Just to point out though, the beta will only be available for the PC version of the game, as SEGA recently confirmed that the Vita version of the game won’t be due out until 2013 and that the game is only 10% complete at the moment.

With that out of the way, Producer Satoshi Sakai has revealed that the upcoming closed beta testing will have space for 100,000 entrants and that players who were lucky enough to participate in the alpha test will be receiving priority for the closed beta.

The closed beta will bring significant gameplay additions compared to the alpha test, as Sakai states that they will be adding in story and quest elements, some town fields and even more weapon categories to play around with, as translated by Andria Sang.

If you are interested in getting into the closed beta, you’ll need to be aware that Sega are planning to hold an event at the end of this month, which they are calling the ‘Media Briefing 2nd’ event. In this event, they will announce when the beta will begin and we’re guessing ways in which to enter the beta as well. If you are fluent in Japanese or don’t mind using a translate service, you may want to check out the official PSO2 blog here.

We have added some gameplay footage from the second alpha test below, as we’re guessing a lot of you may not have seen the game in action yet. For an alpha test, it looks really impressive in our opinion and pretty mouthwatering to think that this game is on the way to the PS Vita as well.

More About: Phantasy Star Online 2, Sega

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To bring you up to speed, Jet Set Radio had been teased before this week and now Sega has just made things official. The game will be coming as a PSN and Xbox Live download during the Summer, with a PC version also apparently on the way as well.

Jet Set Radio is easily one of the best games on Sega’s ill fated Dreamcast console and we’re delighted to see Sega give this generation of gamers a chance to relive the 2000 classic. As mentioned above, this won’t just be a straight up port of the Dreamcast original – Sega will be upgrading the game with HD graphics and since the game was one of the first to utilize cel shaded graphics, it will probably still look as fresh as ever on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

While the news of Jet Set Radio’s return is obviously awesome, we’re a little bit disappointed that there doesn’t appear to be a PS Vita version in the pipeline. Jet Set Radio seems like a perfect fit on the Vita’s gorgeous OLED screen and it seems a strange decision from Sega not to cash in on the opportunity to bring it to the Vita, as it would simply fly off the shelves.

There may be one saving grace though for Vita owners, once Sony improve their remote play functionality via a firmware update. At the moment, remote play is basically non existent on the Vita and is actually quite frustrating for a lot of you who hoped that you would be able to play Killzone 3 at the very least after Sony’s heavy advertising at the Tokyo Game Show.

We’re confident though that remote play and other PS3-Vita cross platform features will work like a dream sooner rather than later though, so fingers crossed that this Jet Set Radio game will be just as good playing it via PS3 remote play on the Vita, rather than having a standalone title.

What is your reaction to Jet Set Radio HD coming out – would you like to see this on the Vita as well? Let’s get the word across to Sega.

More About: Jet Set Radio, Sega

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February is a busy month for SEGA, on the 10th of this month Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games Sports will arrive for the Nintendo 3DS, dates in different regions may vary slightly, however unless you are in Japan it should arrive somewhere between now and six days time (Feb 14th). One game which we are particularly excited about is Virtua Tennis 4 for the PS Vita, this beautiful-looking game is said to arrive on 22nd February according to EuroGamer. The only other SEGA title which is said to arrive this month is Binary Domain, this tactical third-person shooter should hit PS3 and Xbox 360 on 24th February in the EU – four days later it should arrive in North America.

In March SEGA has two titles lined up, it has just been confirmed that Yakuza: Dead Souls will launch in Europe on March 16th, we’re not yet sure when it will arrive in other regions. EuroGamer also expect the Limited Edition of Total War: Shogun 2 – Fall of the Samurai to show up on March 23rd.

The rest of the releases don’t seem to be set in stone, however we should see London 2012 – The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games hit PS3, Xbox 360 and PC in June, Anarchy Reigns hit PS3 and 360 in early July and Super Monkey Ball Banana Splitz to hit the PS Vita sometime this summer, as for Aliens: Colonial Marines this has been pencilled in for Autumn 2012.

Games which we’ve heard nothing about include the North American release of Crush 3D for the 3DS, Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure which should arrive sometime this month the 3DS in North America and Europe also we’d like to hear some solid information in regards to Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown and its PS3, Xbox 360 and PS Vita releases.

Which SEGA game release do you want to know more about? Perhaps we can find out information for you…

More About: Sega, Yakuza: Dead Souls

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The game’s publisher, SEGA originally signified spring 2012 as being the period that we could expect to see the game released. However, today’s news suggests that the date has been pushed back a little further, as AVP Galaxy spotted that the official website now reports we won’t be seeing the game until autumn 2012. When the publisher was asked for a comment on the matter it was revealed that they were not discussing the release date for the moment, suggesting a simple delay was to blame.

Earlier this month we brought our readers the first details of the collector’s edition of the game which was packed full of bonus Alien content including a new game mode, unlockable weapons and a highly detailed resin display model, complete with a limited edition display box. The details came from what was thought to be a leaked image, making the announcement somewhat unofficial, but led us to believe we would be seeing the game released sooner rather than later.

With a new release date now thought to be coming in autumn we can expect to see a lot more details revealed about the game in the not too distant future. Perhaps some trailer and screenshots would be enough to get an idea of the quality of the game, but for now we will just have to assume that the game may end up being a disappointment as past Alien games have been, hopefully we get proved wrong.

What do you think of Aliens: Colonial Marines so far?

More About: Aliens: Colonial Marines, Sega

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The news comes from an image, that is reported to be leaked, which made its way onto French gaming website Gamekyo, although in situations like this is it often the publisher that is behind the details revealed, in this case SEGA. The image shows a fair amount of content is exclusive to those who purchase the collector’s edition including new game mode, unlockable weapons and a ‘highly detailed resin display model, complete with a limited edition display box and wrap around display.

There are three weapons that appear to be available to unlock, these are the M41A Pulse Rifle, M577 A2 Smart Gun and the M240 Flamethrower. According to the image these weapons will be available in multiplayer modes. The new game mode is called USCM Academy Firing Range, suggesting that it may be some form of tutorial level.

As for the resin display model, it represents a marine strapped into the classic yellow power loading suit, fending off an alien. While SEGA are yet to confirm how genuine the details are, the image itself looks legitimate enough. The game is slated for a spring launch time this year and will be available across all platforms including PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. Check out the image for yourself to see all the extra content that is expected to be available.

What do you think of this collector’s edition? Will you be purchasing it?

More About: Aliens: Colonial Marines, Sega

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To commemorate the announcement, the company also released a trailer which teases some footage of what’s to come and promises the ‘return of a sidekick’ – Tails – as well the ‘rebirth of a villain’, which according to TechRadar is none other than Metal Sonic. Fans waited 16 years for Sonic 4 to be made and many were left disappointed so the developers are now making promises of a completely reworked engine for Episode 2.

According to reports, NVIDIA and SEGA are working very closely together and as a result the game will support the graphics specialist’s Tegra 3 quad-core processor, a chip that will feature on future mobile devices such as the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime. The game is also set to be available across other platforms including Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network as well as on mobile OS devices.

Little is known about the new game although all new character animations have been confirmed. SEGA were not specific when it came to a date of release for the game either, so for now some time in 2012 is as accurate a date as we’re going to get. Check out the trailer we have embedded below to catch a glimpse of the supersonic spikey animal we have grown to love in action.

Are you looking forward to playing the next episode of Sonic 4? What did you think of the last episode and Sonic’s return in Sonic Generations?

More About: Sega, Sonic the Hedgehog 4

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The game is set for release on November 1st in the US and the 4th in UK and marks the 20th anniversary of the super-sonic blue hedgehog that has become such an icon in the games industry. Pritchard said ‘Sonic Generations is the ultimate title to cap off Sonic’s 20th anniversary.’ He then went on to explain that their aim for this title was for it to become the best game ‘that Sonic fans, old and new, have been waiting for.’

Although there hasn’t been any official figures released in regards to the pre-orders, as PSU explains, this news seems to suggest that the company has achieved their goal in terms of making Sonic Generations the most anticipated Sonic title in its history. There is no doubt that many gamers will wanting the game, especially so near to Christmas as Sonic represents a lot of gamers’ childhoods and would bring back fond memories.

For those that are unfamiliar with the upcoming game, it uses the classic 2D views that we are used to and combines them with 3D views so as to appeal to the old and new players of the game. Even the same sound effects are used when collecting the infamous coins, a sound I certainly could never forget. A glimpse of what you can expect from it can be found in the trailer below. In the meantime you can also checkout the demo of the game which is available on consoles now. Are you glad to see Sonic back?

More About: Sega, Sonic Generations

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As Cubed3 explains the line-up begins with old-school ninja classic, Shinobi. The series returns after more than seven years of absence. While Europe are scheduled to get the side-scrolling platform game November 11th, the US have to wait a little while longer as its not due out there until November 15th.

The second game sees the return of another fan favorite return, the super speedy blue Sonic the Hedgehog, as he gets his Nintendo 3DS debut in Sonic Generations. Sonic has appeared on the Wii before in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, but this game sees Modern Sonic and old-school Sonic team up to solve the issues with a time gap. It will launch for the device across Europe on November 22nd, again those in the US will have to wait, only until November 25th.

The third game that SEGA has lined up is CRUSH 3D, a game that had previously appeared on the Sony PSP. Danny faces some challenging situations as players use 3D and 2D to help him solve them. This won’t be launching in Europe until January 13th, the US actually get it slightly earlier this time on January 10th.

Finally we see Sonic return once more as he goes head to head with Nintendo legend Mario in Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This is another game that is not set to launch until next year, first in Europe on February 10th then in the US February 14th. What do you think of the line-up from SEGA? Are you interested in getting any of these games?

More About: nintendo, Nintendo 3DS, Sega

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The new bundle which will include both the game and the blue Wii console, as well as one blue Wii controller, will be a limited edition bundle launching across Europe November 18th. The game will feature main characters Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario plus all of their friends once more as, like the other Mario and Sonic Olympic Games video games, they take part in several athletic events including new ones such as Canoeing, Show Jumping and Football as well as the popular past events which include Table Tennis, Aquatics and the 100m sprint.

Nintendo has enjoyed much success in the past with both Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games and Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games. They appeal to gamers of all ages and are one of the most active video games available, taking advantage of the Wii’s motion based gaming and motion sensor technology. No other details about the game have been revealed as of yet, but if you’re a fan of the previous titles this is sure not to disappoint.

NowGamer doesn’t list any price details that have been announced so far, although a few months back we brought our readers an article about Nintendo lowering the price of their Wii bundles. Check out the trailer of the new game below.

Will you be getting the new blue Wii bundle?

More About: nintendo, Sega

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