Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed review (All versions)

Date Released: Winter 2012 for most versions
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2013
Genre: 3D Party Racer
Players: 1-4 players locally (up to 5 on Wii U), 10 online
Length: 3-30 minutes per event, 12-25 hours to unlock all content
Replayability: High

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Introduction

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is the sequel to 2010’s crossover party racer Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing. Not simply a basic sequel, the game focuses around the concept of vehicles that change during the race to traverse over land, water and the sky with a few courses that even head through lava or outer space. Presented as kid-friendly but designed to be enjoyable for all ages, Transformed is a quality racer for fans of SEGA and the genre. Difficult but not unfair, the game succeeds in making a unique and fun game for groups online or off, but somewhat sloppy direction and awkward marketing attempts keep it from becoming a true classic.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed now available for PlayStation Vita

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed has finally been made available for Sony’s PlayStation Vita handheld after initial delays in production caused it’s release to be pushed back. Developed by Sumo Digital across all platforms, this version of the game retains all of the features of its console counterparts, save for the number of racers per race, which has been downsized to eight from the console version’s ten. A version for Nintendo’s 3DS is also slated for release on February 8th in Europe and February 12th in the United, while versions for Microsoft Windows and iOS are also planned, but have yet to been given release dates. Also of note is that if any is version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is purchased through all GameStop retailers (including pre-orders for the 3DS version) will come bundled with an exclusive Hot Wheels toy car modeled after Danica Patrick’s ‘Danicar’ vehicle from the game.

After the break, we’ve included the launch trailer released for the game back in November.

Space Harrier to receive 3D update on Nintendo 3DS, Space Harrier Collection out now on Japanese PSN

Japanese video game news website Gamer has revealed that the arcade classic third-person action/shooter Space Harrier will be receiving an updated port on Nintendo’s 3DS titled 3D Space Harrier, which will be optimized for the handheld’s dual widescreen displays and will feature newly added stereoscopic 3D graphics. Developed by AM2 under the direction of legendary game designer Yu Suzuki, Space Harrier has long been held as one of the greatest and most recognizable arcade games of all of time, revolutionizing the medium as a both a technical benchmark for games at the time and defined a genre with its fun and riveting gameplay, which still attracts scores of fans to this very day. Reports say that this port is intended to be the definitive version of the game, and whilst no further details have yet been revealed, the title is expected to launch on the Nintendo eShop at some point in the near future.

In other Space Harrier news, Space Harrier II: Space Harrier Complete Collection has been released on PlayStation 3 on the Japanese PlayStation Network. This compilation — which was originally released on the PlayStation 2 as part of the SEGA AGES 2500 series — brings the arcade versions of Space Harrier and Space Harrier 3-D [not to be confused with 3D Space Harrier] (both for the Mark III system) and the Genesis/Mega Drive version of Space Harrier II together, also featuring some bonus content and extras, including official art from all of the games. There’s been no word as of yet whether or not Space Harrier II: Space Harrier Complete Collection will be released outside of Japan, but it is currently available for the price of ¥800 (roughly $10 USD).

[Source: Gamer]

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed out now

Sumo Digital’s latest arcade racing title, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, is now available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and Wii U in North America and Europe. The sequel to 2010’s Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, Transformed brings a myriad of new changes and additions to the series, with the most notable feature being the dynamic transformations of the game’s vehicles, which allows them seamlessly race on land, sea, and air. Transformed also assembles an all-star cast of characters from across SEGA’s long history, with several newcomers entering the fray, including Joe Musashi from Shinobi and Vyse from Skies of Arcadia. In addition, two guest characters from non-SEGA properties make an appearance on the game’s playable roster, those being auto racer Danica Patrick of NASCAR fame and the character Ralph from the 2012 Walt Disney film Wreck-It Ralph, which features several cameos of SEGA characters including Sonic the Hedgehog and the zombies from The House of the Dead.

Those who pre-ordered the game will receive a special ‘Bonus Edition’ of the title, which includes an extra course modeled after SEGA’s hit arcade driving game OutRun, as well as Metal Sonic from Sonic CD as a playable character. In addition to its release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Transformed will also be released for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita on December 7th in Europe and on December 11th in North America. Versions for Microsoft Windows and iOS are also planned, but currently do not have release dates.

Be sure to check out the game’s launch trailer after the break.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed demo now available on Xbox LIVE, coming soon to PSN

A demo for the upcoming Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is available for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace for free in all regions the service exists. PlayStation 3 will also receive this, but once the network is updated, which is independent by region. It is currently unknown if any other platforms will also receive a demo version of the game, as SEGA has not announced any as of yet.

The demo features only Sonic as a playable racer, but has tracks based on the classic Panzer Dragoon and Golden Axe titles, the later of which is not a race, but a ‘boost challenge’. Both levels use the unique transforming mechanic where the player’s car turns into a boat or a plane when necessary.

A sequel to Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is available to purchase on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this week for most Europeans, but will be available for North Americans next week. The Nintendo Wii U version will launch with the console the week after and the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita versions will be available in December. The PC version has no release date at the posting of this article, but is expected in 2012.

SEGA Tokyo Game Show 2012 Roundup

Compared to last year, SEGA’s showing at Tokyo Game Show (TGS for short) was hugely gimped by lack of multiplatform titles, something the publisher is greatly known for. A general shift in focus towards touch-based platforms is apparent with not just SEGA, but the entirety of the event across all publishers.

That said, SEGA has still revealed and demonstrated several titles, although as always it is unclear how many of these will receive English language releases.

After the break we have compiled a list of every title involving SEGA at the event.

‘Bonus Edition’ revealed for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed

A specialized ‘Bonus Edition’ of the upcoming Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed has be announced through SEGA’s official blog. Available to all who pre-order the racing game, potential players will receive access to an extra course themed around SEGA’s classic arcade franchise OutRun and Metal Sonic, Dr Robotnik’s evil doppelganger version of Sonic as a playable character – Both of which will be available in all gameplay modes. It is unknown at this time if the content will be packaged within the game itself or be a downloadable extra.

Although the title will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, the upcoming Wii U console, PC and mobile devices, there has been no word concerning if the later two will be receiving these additions.

Developed by SUMO Digital, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed will be released in North America on November 20th. A more extensive special release of the game will be revealed at a later date, but that has been confirmed to only be arriving in European regions.

Update: The European ‘Limited Edition’ has been confirmed to be identical to North America’s ‘Bonus Edition’.

[Source: Official SEGA Blog]

Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure available now

The Nintendo 3DS exclusive Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure has been made available in North America. A light hearted and music-centric game set in Paris, Rhythm Thief sees players take the roll of Raphael and his dog Fondue as they attempt to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearances of his father and Napoleon Boneparte’s casket.

Previously available earlier in the year in European and Asian regions, the title has been notably and mysteriously absent from several events SEGA has had the ability to market it in, creating several false cancellation rumors. A free downloadable demo of the game is also available in all regions on the Nintendo 3DS’ eShop.

SEGA E3 2012 Roundup

SEGA had a fairly muted showing at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, but it was still rich with unique and diverse titles across every major platform, like fans of the company can always expect. SEGA also had some very unexpected surprise reveals and announcements, some received better than others.

Anarchy Reigns and Rhythm Thief are especially notable for not having a proper slot at SEGA’s booth this year. I suggested previously that these games are likely canceled in North America, but SEGA has hinted that this may not be the case.

After the break we have included each game SEGA of America focused on during the event. as well as other titles related to the company. We have read hundreds of articles and compressed it all into a basic read.

Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed Announced

SEGA has announced a sequel to 2010’s Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing titled Sonic & All-Stars Racing: Transformed. While dropping the ‘SEGA’ portion of the title, the game will still feature a wide variety of SEGA franchises in addition to the Sonic the Hedgehog series, spanning from SEGA’s early years up until now. Franchises shown off include Skies of Acadia and Panzer Dragoon, with mention of others such as Golden Axe. The game’s main feature over its predecessor is the ability for player vehicles to transform from cars into both boats and planes mid-race, combining three separate physics engines into one game.

The game has been announced for XBox 360, PlayStation 3, Personal Computer, PlayStation Vita, and Nintendo 3DS, and will be developed by Sumo Digital. It is set for a release in Autumn of 2012. Assets below include a launch trailer, a set of screenshots, and a preview by IGN including a developer video interview.