F355 Challenge for the Sega Dreamcast Now Playable Online Again!

 

Great news for everyone that's still playing Sega Dreamcast online multiplayer games in 2023 - Sega's F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa has had its online features restored by fans and is now once again playable online for the first time in over a decade!

F355 Challenge was originally released in the arcades as a deluxe racing cabinet, with some of these cabinets notably featuring three different screens to better simulate the experience of 3D space, with each screen positioned to simulate driving in a car via a first-person perspective. The game was produced and directed by the legendary Yu Suzuki of Sega AM2 and was heralded as a huge leap for realism in video games, as well as just being a fantastic racing game. And although it was an arcade game, it definitely falls under the simulation side gameplay-wise, with very realistic driving physics. The game was later ported to the Sega Dreamcast, which had online multiplayer where players could take part in a solo race and compare their race times with the other players. It wasn't real-time multiplayer, unfortunately, but it was a nice bonus feature that sadly had been lost to time when the official servers for the game were shut down in the early 2000's.

On November 30th, 2023, Dreamcast-talk user flyinghead posted a thread stating that he had been working on restoring the online functioning of the game, and on December 1st, 2023 testing was completed and everything was confirmed to be working. The online features can be accessed straight from the official GD-ROM with no special mods or hardware needed, although you'll obviously need a working internet connection to your Dreamcast to play it - it's been confirmed working on Dreampi and emulators, and should also work with the official Dreamcast dial-up modem as well.

It's yet another Sega Dreamcast game that has had its online multiplayer functionality restored through the efforts of fans. We're row reaching the point where almost every Dreamcast game that featured online play has been made playable again through private servers and reverse engineering. For a full list of games that have been brought back online, check out our list of Dreamcast games that are still online.

Cool Cool Toon For Sega Dreamcast Unofficial Fan Translation English Patch Download

Great news! Cool Cool Toon for the Sega Dreamcast is finally playable for the first time in English! This stylish and quirky rhythm game by SNK is one of the more notable Dreamcast exclusives that never left Japan. It was released in 2000 and features some very Dreamcast-y aesthetics with lots of very colorful flat-shaded polygons and a stylized cartoony look somewhat similar to Jet Set Radio. Being a fairly text-heavy game has made it not very import-friendly, but now thanks to the hard work of Derek Pascarella and others, the game can now be patched with an English translation. Can't wait to finally be able to play it!

Download:

Github

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16-Bit Survival Horror Classic Returns: Clock Tower Announced for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, XBox, and PC

In an exciting announcement for survival horror fans, CAPCOM, Sunsoft, WayForward, and Limited Run Games have joined forces to breathe new life into the seminal Super Famicom horror game Clock Tower. The landmark horror title, a pioneer of the survival horror genre, will be reborn with a port/enhanced remaster, set to release in early 2024 for modern consoles.

Clock Tower, originally released for the Super Famicom in 1995 only in Japan and developed by Human Entertainment, has gained a cult following for its tense gameplay, atmospheric storytelling, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The game was a point-and-click adventure game focused on the survival of protagonist Jennifer Simpson, who found herself trapped in a nightmarish mansion while being relentlessly pursued by the hideously deformed Scissorman. Clock Tower has the honor of being the best Super Nintendo horror game ever made, in our opinion. Several sequels to the game later followed on the Sony PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2.

Clock Tower is set to launch simultaneously on multiple platforms. Fans can look forward to experiencing the horror classic on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC via Steam.

Tomba! Returns: Limited Run Games Announces the Classic Platformer for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC

Get ready to swing back into action as Limited Run Games, in collaboration with creator Tokuro Fujiwara, has announced Tomba! for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. This beloved platforming gem from the past will be resurrected on modern consoles, thanks to the power of the Carbon Engine. Additionally, fans will be treated to a new soundtrack by the legendary FUJITA HARUMI, further enhancing the nostalgic experience.

Tomba!, also known as Tombi! in PAL territories, originally debuted on the Sony PlayStation as a first-party mascot platformer back in 1997. Developed by Whoopee Camp and created by the acclaimed Tokuro Fujiwara, the game introduced players to the energetic and pink-haired hero, Tomba. Known for its colorful visuals, classic 2D platforming gameplay, and quirky humor, Tomba! quickly won the hearts of players and became a cult classic.

Adding to the excitement, the talented composer Harumi Fujita of the original Tomba! and many other classic games, has returned to craft a new soundtrack for the game's revival on modern consoles.

Limited Run Games Announces Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution: Cancelled Game Boy Advance Shantae Game to be Released for GBA

Limited Run Games is teaming up with WayForward to publish the previously unreleased Game Boy Advance game Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution on a physical cartridge for the GBA. The game was being developed back in 2002 but was cancelled as the developer was unable to find a publisher for the game as the first game, Shantae on the Game Boy Color, was received well by the press and fans but didn't sell very well at retail.

Shantae, the half-genie guardian of Scuttle Town, has become a beloved character in the gaming world since her debut in 2002. Known for her distinctive hair-whip attacks, shape-shifting abilities, and vibrant personality, Shantae was an instant hit with gamers who played the first game on the Game Boy Color, spawning four sequels across multiple consoles and handhelds, not including the previously unreleased Shantae Advance.

The game looks like it'll be a solid entry to both the series and the Game Boy Advance's platforming library. Shantae Advance will even support 4-player support via the GBA link cable. It's awesome to see a new Game Boy Advance game being released physically, especially one that was cancelled back in the day, giving the game a chance to finally be enjoyed.

There's no word on a release date yet, with Limited Run Games only saying that the game would come out "in the near future".

Gex Trilogy Announced for PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series S/X, and PC

Limited Run Games, in collaboration with Square Enix, has made an exciting announcement: the release of the Gex Trilogy for modern consoles. Fans of the wisecracking gecko will soon have the opportunity to relive the classic platforming adventures on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). The collection includes Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko.

Gex, the charismatic and pop culture-savvy gecko, first emerged on the gaming scene in 1994. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, Gex quickly became a mascot character for the 32-bit generation. The first game, titled Gex, was initially released on the 3DO, PC, and SEGA Saturn, before making its way to the PlayStation. It introduced players to the world of Gex and was a 2D platforming game, filled with references to pop culture and challenging levels based on classic movies and TV shows.

Gex: Enter the Gecko marked the gecko's return and first foray into 3D, this time gracing the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and PC platforms. It was a solid early 3D platforming game that expanded on the series' humorous take on the genre.

Finally, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko took players on an action-packed 3D adventure across multiple platforms, including the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and PC.

There aren't many details about this upcoming collection yet, and it's not clear at this time whether this release will feature simple ports or full-on remakes of the classic games.

Rent A Hero No. 1 For Sega Dreamcast Unofficial Fan Translation English Patch Download

The wait is over! Rent A Hero No. 1 for the Sega Dreamcast is now fully playable in English!

Thanks to a dedicated group of fans led by VincentNL, going by the name of the Rent-A-Modders, we now finally have a fully translated version of Sega's classic Dreamcast action-RPG Rent A Hero No. 1: Hero For Hire! The original Dreamcast version was released only in Japan in 2000 (later ported in 2003 for the Japanese Microsoft Xbox - an English version was planned for release in North America as well but was sadly cancelled), and was a 3D remake of the original Japanese Sega Mega Drive game called Rent A Hero which was released in 1991. The Dreamcast remake was built using the engine of the hit arcade game Spikeout, and feels like a humorous, tongue-in-cheek counterpart to Shenmue.

This new patch isn't just a translation either - it features all-new exclusive content, which according to the developers include "unlockable secrets, 3D models, VMU animations, [Opening/Ending subtitles], reworked interface controls, Debug modes and much more!"

Downloads:

.GDI patch

.CDI patch

Esppiral’s widescreen patch: (Game assets don't use 16:9 resolution, so some visual issues may occur)

.GDI widescreen patch

.CDI widescreen patch

Thanks again to VincentNL and his team for all of their hard work! Check him out on Patreon and Twitter.

Sega Sammy Holdings Acquires Rovio Entertainment: A Strategic Leap into the Future

Image copyright Rovio Entertainment www.angrybirds.com

In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry (well OK, maybe not), Sega Sammy Holdings, the renowned Japanese entertainment conglomerate, has recently announced its acquisition of Rovio Entertainment, the Finnish gaming company behind the globally popular Angry Birds franchise. This unexpected merger has set the stage for exciting possibilities, forging new paths for both Sega Sammy and Rovio in the ever-evolving world of interactive entertainment.

A Match Made in Gaming Heaven

The decision to acquire Rovio Entertainment aligns with Sega Sammy Holdings' long-standing strategy of expanding its global presence and diversifying its portfolio of popular gaming titles. The addition of Angry Birds to its already impressive lineup of iconic franchises, such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Yakuza, enhances Sega Sammy's position as a major player in the gaming industry.

Rovio Entertainment, on the other hand, gains access to Sega Sammy's extensive resources, including a vast network of distribution channels, expertise in game development, and a loyal global fanbase. The synergy between the two companies holds tremendous potential for both short-term and long-term growth, benefiting players, shareholders, and industry stakeholders alike.

Unlocking New Opportunities

The acquisition represents a strategic leap forward for Sega Sammy Holdings, positioning the company to capitalize on the growing mobile gaming market. With Angry Birds boasting over 4.5 billion downloads globally, Sega Sammy can leverage the franchise's immense popularity to engage and entertain a broader audience.

Moreover, Rovio's expertise in mobile game development and its established brand recognition will undoubtedly strengthen Sega Sammy's foothold in the highly competitive mobile gaming sector. This move allows Sega Sammy to diversify its revenue streams and reduce its dependence on traditional console gaming, further adapting to the evolving preferences of modern gamers.

Expansion into New Markets

With Rovio Entertainment's strong presence in the European market, the acquisition provides Sega Sammy with a springboard for expanding its reach across the continent. By leveraging Rovio's established distribution channels and localized knowledge, Sega Sammy can tap into a broader player base and build stronger relationships with European consumers.

Additionally, Sega Sammy's global network and experience in the Asian market can help Rovio Entertainment penetrate new territories, particularly in Japan and other Asian countries where Sega Sammy enjoys a strong market position. This collaboration opens doors to mutually beneficial partnerships and the potential for cross-pollination of gaming cultures, further enriching the industry as a whole.

Investing in Innovation and Future Growth

The acquisition of Rovio Entertainment signals Sega Sammy Holdings' commitment to investing in innovation and driving future growth. The collaboration between these two industry giants creates fertile ground for the development of groundbreaking games and technologies that push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.

With Sega Sammy's strong financial backing and Rovio's creative talents, we can expect to see the Angry Birds franchise evolve and expand, introducing fresh gameplay mechanics, captivating storylines, and immersive experiences across multiple platforms. The fusion of Sega Sammy's expertise and Rovio's creativity will undoubtedly result in a portfolio of games that cater to a diverse range of players and capture the imaginations of millions worldwide.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Rovio Entertainment by Sega Sammy Holdings marks an exciting chapter in the evolution of both companies. This strategic move solidifies Sega Sammy's position as a global gaming powerhouse while empowering Rovio Entertainment to reach new heights in terms of market presence and innovation.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the synergy between Sega Sammy and Rovio promises to redefine industry standards, enhance player experiences, and propel the gaming industry into uncharted territories. Together, they have the potential to create gaming experiences that transcend boundaries, captivate audiences, and leave an indelible mark on the world of interactive entertainment.

Sega Genesis Mini 2 Complete Games List For North America And Europe

Image copyright Sega https://www.sega.jp/

Get ready for the Sega Genesis Mini 2, Sega's upgraded mini console based on their hugely successful Sega Genesis/Mega Drive hardware. We have the list of all 60 games that will be appearing on the system (and the 7 extra "bonus games" that are exclusive to the mini console) when the mini console launches on October 27, 2022 for $99.99 plus shipping from Japan, exclusively sold on Amazon.

Sega has finally announced the 60 games (20 more than what was included with the first Genesis Mini) that will be included with the console in North America and Europe, including 7 extra bonus games, for a total of 67 games! The most exciting part is that 12 Sega CD games also made it onto the console! This is the full list of games that will be included in the North American version of the system:

• After Burner 2
• Alien Soldier
• Atomic Runner
• Bonanza Bros.
• ClayFighter
• Crusader of Centy
• Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf
• Earthworm Jim 2
• Elemental Master
• Fatal Fury 2
• Gain Ground
• Golden Axe 2
• Granada
• Hellfire
• Herzog Zwei
• Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar
• Midnight Resistance
• OutRun
• OutRunners
• Phantasy Star 2
• Populous
• Rainbow Islands Extra
• Ranger-X
• Ristar
• Rolling Thunder 2
• Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
• Shining Force 2
• Shining in the Darkness
• Sonic 3D Blast
• Splatterhouse 2
• Streets of Rage 3
• Super Hang-On
• Super Street Fighter 2: The New Challengers
• The Ooze
• The Revenge of Shinobi
• ToeJam & Earl in Panic on Funkotron
• Truxton
• VectorMan 2
• Viewpoint
• Virtua Racing
• Warsong
• Ecco the Dolphin (Sega CD version)
• Ecco: The Tides of Time (Sega CD version)
• Final Fight CD
• Mansion of Hidden Souls
• Night Striker
• Night Trap
• Robo Aleste
• Sewer Shark
• Shining Force CD
• Silpheed
• Sonic The Hedgehog CD
• The Ninja Warriors

In addition to all of these great titles, the Sega Genesis Mini 2 also includes seven “bonus games,” including two games that had been previously unreleased, with the others being new ports of games from other platforms. 

The previously unreleased games are:

• Devi & Pii
• Star Mobile

And the five new games ported for the Genesis Mini 2 are: 

• Fantasy Zone
• Space Harrier 2 (+ Space Harrier)
• Spatter
• Super Locomotive
• Vs. Puyo Puyo Sun.

You can check out Sega's announcement trailer on Youtube below, featuring short gameplay clips of every game included:

Buy The Sega Genesis Mini 2 on eBay!

Panzer Dragoon Remake Trailer For The Nintendo Switch

The modern remake of the Sega Saturn classic Panzer Dragoon has finally been revealed, and it's coming out for the Nintendo Switch, with the trailer debuting as part of Nintendo's E3 2019 Direct. As you can see the graphics are receiving a complete overhaul and the art style is more reminiscent of Panzer Dragoon Orta for the original XBox, the last game to be released in the series to date. It's great to see the original game get a chance to be played by a wider audience on Nintendo's handheld. The sequel, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei, has also been confirmed to be in the works. Here's hoping that if the remakes sell well, we might eventually end up seeing a remake for the lost classic Panzer Dragoon Saga!

Shop for Panzer Dragoon on eBay!

Sega Genesis Mini Complete Game List For North America

More news on the Sega Genesis Mini! We have a list of all 40 games that will be appearing on the system when the device launches worldwide on September 19, 2019 for $79.99.

Sega has announced all of the 40 games that will be included with the console, including 2 extra bonus games, for a total of 42 games! Here's the full list for the North American release:

• Ecco the Dolphin
• Castlevania: Bloodlines
• Space Harrier 2
• Shining Force
• Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
• Toe Jam & Earl
• Comix Zone
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Altered Beast
• Gunstar Heroes
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Earthworm Jim
• Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
• World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
• Thunder Force III
• Super Fantasy Zone
• Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
• Streets of Rage 2
• Contra Hard Corps
• Landstalker
• Mega Man: The Wily Wars
• Street Fighter II: Special Champion Edition
• Sonic Spinball
• Phantasy Star IV
• Beyond Oasis
• Ghouls 'N Ghosts
• Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
• Golden Axe
• Vectorman
• Wonder Boy in Monster World
• Virtua Fighter 2
• Alisia Dragoon
• Monster World IV
• Kid Chameleon
• Road Rash II
• Eternal Champions
• Columns
• Dynamite Headdy
• Strider
• Light Crusader
• Tetris
• Darius 

The bonus games Tetris and Darius will be brand new ports created specifically for the Sega Genesis Mini, with Darius being developed by fan favorites M2!

Buy the Sega Genesis Mini on eBay

Sega Mega Drive Mini Complete Game List For Europe

We've got the list of games that will be included for the European release of the Sega Mega Drive Mini! All of the titles that will be included with the console have been announced, and we have the complete list.

Without further ado, here's the full list of games that will come bundled when the European Mega Drive Mini hits store shelves worldwide on September 19, 2019:

• Ecco The Dolphin
• Castlevania The New Generation
• Space Harrier 2
• Shining Force
• Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
• ToeJam & Earl
• Comix Zone
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Altered Beast
• Gunstar Heroes
• Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
• World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck
• Thunder Force III
• Super Fantasy Zone
• Shinobi 3 Return of the Ninja Master
• Streets of Rage II
• Earthworm Jim
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Probotector
• Landstalker The Treasures of King Nole
• The Story of Thor
• Ghouls'N Ghosts
• Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
• Golden Axe
• Phantasy Star IV
• Street Fighter II Special Champion Edition
• Mega Man The Wily Wars
• Sonic Spinball
• Vectorman
• Wonder Boy in Monster World
• Virtua Fighter 2
• Alisia Dragoon
• Monster World IV
• Kid Chameleon
• Road Rash II
• Eternal Champions
• Columns
• Dynamite Headdy
• Strider
• Light Crusader
• Tetris
• Darius

Instead of the originally announced 40 games, the Mega Drive Mini will include new versions of Tetris and Darius as bonus games, bumping the number of included titles to 42!

Buy The Sega Mega Drive Mini on eBay

Virtua Racing Coming To Nintendo Switch

Sega has unveiled a remaster of Virtua Racing for the Nintendo Switch created by wunderkind developer M2 and available now for download in Japan. There's yet to be any word on whether this new entry in the Sega Ages series of classic Sega remakes will be released in North America or Europe, but there's a very good chance of that happening in the future.

Here's the trailer for the Switch version:

Virtua Racing was a landmark title when it was released in the arcades, introducing gamers to a fully polygonal 3D world to race in at a blistering frame rate. The Nintendo Switch version retains the classic flat-shaded aesthetic of the arcade original with some subtle graphical updates like a 60 frames per second framerate, much better screen resolution, and higher resolution shadow meshes. The Switch version even has an 8-player splitscreen option to emulate the arcade game's multiplayer. It looks like it will be even better that the arcade game and we can't wait to play it! Here's hoping it will eventually get a physical release in the west!

If you can't wait for the Nintendo Switch version, check out the Virtua Racing home ports for the Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, and Sega Saturn!

Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash Coming To Playstation 4 and HTC Vive in 2019!

It's time for Ulala's Swingin' Report Show!

Up, Down, Up, Down, Chu, Chu, Chu!

Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash PlayStation 4 Trailer:

That's right, Ulala is back! Sega has announced that the beloved series from the Dreamcast is being resurrected for VR platforms as Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash, scheduled for release in the US sometime in 2019 for the Sony PlayStation 4's PlayStation VR and the HTC Vive for PC, just in time for the 20th anniversary of the original game. Being billed as a "funky dancing simulator", there's no word yet on whether it'll be a remake or a completely new game, or whether Space Michael will reprise his role in the wake of his namesake's recent controversy. We'll update this post when we know more.

If for some reason you're unfamiliar with the series, Space Channel 5 began it's life as an exclusive rhythm game for the Dreamcast released in 1999 in Japan and later in the year 2000 in the US and Europe. The game became an instant cult classic and Ulala is one of the console's most iconic and recognizable characters. It received a sequel in 2001 and games from the series were later brought to the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance. If you haven't played the original Space Channel 5 you should definitely look to change that - it's cheap and incredibly charming.

Buy Space Channel 5 for Dreamcast on eBay

Buy Space Channel 5 VR on eBay

Sony PlayStation Classic Complete Game List

News on the PlayStation Classic front! Sony has unveiled all of the 20 games that will come pre-installed with the system when it's released worldwide on December 3rd, 2018.

Here's the list of games that will be included with the PlayStation Classic in North America and Europe (as well as Korea and southeast Asia):

• Battle Arena Toshinden
• Cool Boarders 2
• Destruction Derby
• Final Fantasy VII
• Grand Theft Auto
• Intelligent Qube
• Jumping Flash
• Metal Gear Solid
• Mr Driller
• Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee
• Rayman
• Resident Evil Director’s Cut
• Revelations: Persona
• Ridge Racer Type 4
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
• Syphon Filter
• Tekken 3
• Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six
• Twisted Metal
• Wild Arms 

The full list of games included with the PlayStation Classic includes some great iconic titles like Twisted Metal, Final Fantasy VII, and Resident Evil, along with a few, umm... Oddball choices. Still, it looks like a pretty solid list of games.

Buy the PlayStation Classic on eBay

Meanwhile, the list of games included with the Playstation Classic in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan has a slightly different library of pre-loaded games:

• Arc the Lad
• Arc the Lad II
• Armored Core
• Battle Arena Toshinden
• Final Fantasy VII
• G-Darius
• Gradius Gaiden
• Intelligent Qube
• Jumping Flash
• Metal Gear Solid
• Mr Driller
• Parasite Eve
• Resident Evil Director’s Cut
• Revelations: Persona
• Ridge Racer Type 4
• SaGa Frontier
• Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
• Tekken 3
• Wild Arms
• XI (Devil Dice)