171w ago - Sega of America's Assistant Community Manager Aaron Webber has announced Yakuza 3 PlayStation 3 pre-order bonuses today, as follows:

Hey there Yakuza fans, it's been a little while, but we're back with more news on Yakuza 3 - today, we'd like to show you guys what we've got set up as a pre-order bonus for all of the fans who support the game by throwing in their reserve ahead of time!

What's in store for those of us here in the US? A fair bit, actually - here's what you score when you pre-order the game:

4 pieces of DLC will be packed into the game via a special code card. This will allow players access to the following content:

• Battle for Survival - Take on all the bosses of Yakuza 3 as Kazuma
• All-Star Tournament (7 character tournament)
• All-Star Tag Tournament (8 team tournament)
• Haruka's Request - This unique series of challenge missions will send you on a task of exploration throughout the entire Yakuza world, playing mini-games and entertaining Haruka.

In addition to this, Yakuza fans who pre-order the game at their local GameStop will receive additional content via the Challenge Pack. This will allow them to enjoy 2-player mini games, competing against their friends at Pool, Bowling, Darts and Golf....

172w ago - Sega has unveiled Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I, previously Project Needlemouse, on Gamespot (linked above) which will be downloadable on Sony's PS3, Microsoft's XBox 360 and the Nintendo Wii console.

While the game retains the classic 2D gameplay that made the series great, Sonic 4 will include 3D visuals, and be digitally released over Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network, WiiWare and the iPhone.

Due this summer, Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 will take place after Sonic & Knuckles, but is "a brand-new adventure... what you are looking at is the beginning of a new story arc," says associate brand manager, Ken Balough to GameSpot:

"I think the best way to view it is as a first part in a much larger adventure. When Sega released Sonic 3, ultimately it was the part 1 of a story that saw its conclusion in Sonic & Knuckles.

In that same spirit, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 is a bigger story, and this is that first chapter. I think it's also safe to say that by the end of the episode one, fans will be very excited to see what's in store for episode two!"

"We're going to deliver a Genesis-era Sonic game as if it were created today that goes to the core of what classic Sonic fans desire. All the Sonic favorites [are] here for sure!

Spin dash, power sneakers,...

172w ago - Speaking with Japanese weekly Famitsu, Sega stated they would consider developing Shenmue III exclusively for one platform, if a platform holder was willing to help fund a third title in the cult-hit series.

Sega knows that fans want to see a new title emerge, but are apparently mindful of the fact that previous games didn't sell well - that said, they seem keen to get a new game made anyway.

To quote: "In a recent issue of the 360 dedicated Famitsu the game was discussed and the sum of it was this:

None of the previous games sold really well for the investment made, and SEGA is in doubt as to if it will resurrect the series. However, SEGA assured the fans that if there is some opportunity to revisit the series, they would love to do it.

SEGA also mentioned the chance of one of the three hardware makers financing the game's (Shenmue III) production in exchange for an exclusivity deal."

178w ago - Today SEGA's Assistant Community Manager David Beavers has revealed that starting after today's North American PSN update all SEGA games are on sale for PS3 and PSPgo until January 7, 2010.

To quote: Every SEGA game on PSN and PSPgo is 40% off, from this afternoon (after the PlayStation Store update) through January 7th.

This is your chance to not only snag downloadable content for all variety of flagship SEGA titles -- present and past -- but to load up your PSPgo with SEGA titles, as well.

There's a pretty wide breadth of stuff here. On the Downloadable Content side, you can shore up your copy of Sonic Unleashed with new stages and missions -- all of the various Adventure Packs for Sonic Unleashed are discounted, with tons of daytime and nighttime missions.

I'm a big fan of the daytime stages, and all of the available packs feature more daytime than nighttime missions (but for Werehog fans, there's plenty of nighttime missions as well).

Speaking of Sonic, the "very hard" missions for Sonic the Hedgehog 2006 are also discounted, so if you were ever looking for a dirt-cheap excuse to complete your Sonic collection, there you have it! But the real gem -- at least...

184w ago - Today Sega Europe has announced news of a Bayonetta Special Edition (pictured below) coming on January 8, 2010 to both Sony's PS3 and Microsoft's XBox 360 consoles.

To quote: I'm very pleased to announce that a special edition of our forthcoming game Bayonetta will be available at launch on January 8th.

Available to gamers in the UK, France, Spain and Australia the special edition is presented in a nice slipcase and includes a copy of the game, a lovely artbook and game soundtrack.

The track listing is as follows:
1. One Of A Kind
Music by: Hiroshi Yamaguchi

2. Riders Of The Light
Music by: Hiroshi Yamaguchi

3. Battle For The Umbra Throne
Music by: Rei Kondoh (T's Music)

4. Theme Of Bayonetta - Mysterious Destiny
Music by: Masami Ueda
Vocal Performance by: Helena Noguerra
Lyrics by: Nikola Obermann

5. The Old City Of Vigrid
Music by: Masami Ueda

6. The Gates Of Hell
Music by: Masami Ueda
Trumpet Performance by: Yohei Ichikawa