Sonic 4 Episode II screenshots leak

A member of the Sonic Retro forums found that several Sonic 4 Episode II screenshots leaked on the Xbox Live Marketplace. These screenshots depict what appears to be cooperative gameplay with Sonic and Tails. Two of the zones are reminiscent of Sonic 2’s Aquatic Ruin – along with Sonic 3‘s Marble Garden motives – and Oil Ocean. The other two are a carnival and a ice/water themed level. Sonic 2’s special stage also makes a return. In some of the screenshots what appears to be Little Planet from Sonic CD can also be seen, which confirms that the story of Episode II will be linked to CD’s plot.

Additionally, the Xbox Live Marketplace revealed that the title will support local and online co-operative gameplay, something the franchise has lacked this entire console generation. All of this information has been pulled from the Xbox Live Marketplace since. It was previously confirmed by SEGA PR Ken Balough that Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II will feature a new physics engine.

Click below to check out the screenshots.

The House of the Dead 3 and 4 getting PSN release

After the release of The House of the Dead Overkill Extended Cut on the PlayStation 3, fans of the THotD series and owners of the Move motion controller have reasons to smile once again. SEGA has announced the release of The House of the Dead 3 and 4 on the PlayStation Network. It marks the first time House of the Dead 4 will be available on a home console. The feature set is the usual from this kind of release: improved graphics and resolution, and trophies. It’s not known whether these versions will support the regular controller, but it’s quite likely as Overkill Extended Cut did as well. The House of the Dead 3 will be released on 7th February while the fourth game is set for sometime this Spring.

Source: SEGA

Daytona USA announced for XBLA and PSN

After recent achievement leaks, Daytona USA finally received an official announcement for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 digital download services. Sporting a widescreen resolution and enhanced visuals, it is quite possibly a home release of Sega Racing Classic, Daytona’s recent and improved re-release on the RingWide arcade platform. The game will also feature online multiplayer, a first in the series for European gamers as the CCE Netlink Edition and online functionality in the Dreamcast remake never reached their shores.  Steering wheel support is also included as well as survival and time trial modes.

Daytona USA will be released on 25th October on PS3 in SCEA regions for $9.99, and on 26th October on Xbox 360 worldwide for 800 Microsoft points.  Late November will mark the arrival of Daytona USA to European PlayStation 3 owners.

Source: SEGA / Eurogamer

Space Channel 5 Part 2 and Sega Bass Fishing set for PSN

According to Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation, the downloadable versions of Space Channel 5 Part 2 and Sega Bass Fishing will be available on the PlayStation Network on 5th October. It is unclear if this refers exclusively to the Japanese PlayStation Store or Xbox Live Arcade as well.

Both titles have been available through the Dreamcast Collection on Xbox 360 and PC since February.

Source: Siliconera

Block People coming to iOS devices

Following the footsteps of Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown, Block People, now known as Brick People, will be made available via digital distribution. Initially released during 2009, the arcade exclusive will be released for Apple’s complete range of iOS devices under the name of Brick People.

The object of Brick People consists in guiding the computer controlled characters towards candy scattered around each level. To do so, the player is required to build structures using blocks put at his/her disposal. While the original arcade release featured actual blocks, whose placement was detected by the cabinet, this new release will make use of the iOS devices touch screen capabilities. The game will be available on the iTunes App Store this Autumn.

Videos of both arcade and iOS versions after the jump.

Source: SEGA

SEGA Rally Online Arcade leaderboards reset

SEGA announced via Twitter today that the leaderboards for SEGA Rally Online Arcade have been reset. A patch for the game was also released but its functionality is unclear. Despite the reset, the game will still allow players to re-upload their existing scores.

Source: SEGA Twitter 

New Unofficial Portable Dreamcast Coming Soon

Starting this June, Japanese online retailer Pachimon will sell an unofficial portable Dreamcast console. Roughly two thirds the size of a regular Dreamcast, this unit features the buttons one would expect from the system’s controllers alongside two other which appear to regulate sound and LCD screen brightness. It’s on sale for ¥38,000, roughly €330/$470/£285.

Source: Andriasang

7th Dragon sequel on the way to PSP

Japanese, Nintendo DS exclusive 7th Dragon will receive a sequel on its competitor, the PlayStation Portable. The follow up to the 2009 dungeon crawler was announced today and, like the first, will be developed by Imageepoch. Returning to her role as producer and composer are Rieko Kodama and Yuzo Koshiro respectively. As with its predecessor, there are no plans for a Western release. The game is out this Autumn.

Source: Famitsu

Guardian Heroes returns in HD

Update: SEGA confirmed on its blog that Treasure themselves are indeed working on this revival.

Saturn classic Guardian Heroes is headed to the Xbox Live Arcade service, SEGA announced today. This re-release will not be a direct port of the Saturn original as Treasure’s two-dimensional beat’em up comes complete with remastered visuals. Also part of the package are new modes, including online multiplayer, an excellent addition to one of Saturn’s top titles. There are no news regarding price or who is in charge of Guardian Heroes’ Xbox 360 conversion. It will be released this coming Summer.

Source: SEGAbits

Sonic Generations – First Details Released

Announced this week was Sonic Generations, coming this holiday season to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This new title in the Sonic franchise, released to commemorate Sonic’s 20th birthday, will feature a combination of modern and classic Sonic gameplay. With this, the producers aim to reach both old and new school Sonic fans by creating a game that showcases both momentum and speed based mechanics.

The story will revolve around the concept of “time holes”, explaining how the “two Sonics” will visit zones spanning a 20 year career. Each zone will feature two versions, one for classic Sonic and other for modern Sonic. It is known that the writers of Sonic Colours will also be in charge of Sonic Generations. Confirmed to be in the game are Green Hill Zone, from the original Mega Drive classic, and City Escape, from Sonic Adventure 2. Also confirmed are distinct abilities for each Sonic: the spin dash for classic Sonic and homing attack and speed boost for modern Sonic.

Watch the first teaser trailer and a three minute gameplay clip, featuring Green Hill Zone, classic and modern, after the jump.