Showing posts with label xbox 360. Show all posts
Showing posts with label xbox 360. Show all posts

Dreamcast Collection Vinyl Surfaces on eBay

I'd never even heard of this until...about 20 seconds ago, but it appears that in 2011 SEGA released a 12" vinyl record containing a selection of the Dreamcast's best tunes. This record was made to celebrate the launch of the Dreamcast Collection on the Xbox 360, and bizarrely only made available to those who pre-ordered from certain retailers in Australia. I've got nothing against Australia (in fact, I was considering emigrating there a few years ago), but Australia?! No US or EU release at all? Very odd if you ask me.

But fear not! One lucky record-collecting Dreamcast fan (I would presume) has decided to put their extremely rare copy (1686 of just 2000) of the Dreamcast Collection vinyl up for auction on that there eBay. Please be assured that this isn't me shamefully trying to get my own item sold/get more views - anyone who knows me knows damn well that I'll never, ever part with any of my retro gaming items. Indeed, I fully intend to have a coffin specially created that will be voluminous enough to contain all of my collected junk so I can take it to the grave with me. Don't worry, I've also booked a forklift truck to move said coffin so no 'No Win, No Fee' backache claims will be coming to bite my ghost in it's spectral ass.

Fancy bidding on this super-rare item? Or just fancy having a look? Then go here, dear reader! Please note that the starting bid is £99.99...which bit steep for six tracks from Sonic Adventure and Space Channel 5, but cest la vie and all that.

Update: It appears that the item didn't sell...but never fear, it's been re-listed. I'd advise lowering the £99 starting price to be honest. Meh.

I'll never be able to look at a Dreamcast controller the same way again..

To most people, this photo above is just a Dreamcast controller. To those who have been playing Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, which just released on the PS3, XBOX 360 and Wii U recently, and has played that game quite far in, it probably means a extra bit more.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, and do not mind being spoiled probably the coolest unlockable in a Sega game for about a decade, and also need a solid piece of evidence why you as a Sega fan must own this game, check out the video after the jump..

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Shenmue 1 & 2 HD


Wassup, fellow dreamcasters? It's been a long, long time without posting, but today I repent for my sins as I come to you with some rather delightful news (which I really hope haven't been posted before, I searched for a bit and couldn't fin anything).

It looks like that most beloved of Dreamcast sagas is getting an HD treatment. According to this site both Shenmue 1 and 2 have been ported already and SEGA is just waiting for the right time to release them on the XBLA and PSN.

Of course, by now what we're all thinking is: "And what about Shenmue III? Now that would be news!". Well, according to the same source, the delay in releasing these HD ports is tied to SEGA taking the time to decide whether or not they will continue to work on the franchise.

Yeah, I know, it could just be the same "Shenmue III rumours" all over again, but if these HD releases really come out and sell well, who knows? Maybe it could be our way of telling SEGA that we don't just wish for a 3rd game, but are actually willing to pay them for it. Let's wait and see...

Jet Set Radio HD to Lose Deavid Soul?



Joystiq is reporting that Jet Set Radio's HD rerelease will not retain the full soundtrack. While I expected the HD version to shed a few tracks, I had thought the losses would be limited to the US and Euro additions. However, Joystiq points to even more cuts, most notably four tracks from Deavid Soul and Idol Taxi's OK House. JSR fans will immediately recognize Deavid Soul's tracks: Miller Ball Breakers, On the Bowl, Up-Set Attack and Yappie Feet.

Now I'm not saying that the game will be ruined without these tracks, it'll be a blast to have the right stick FINALLY controlling the camera and 60fps widescreen in HD will look stunning. But with a game like Jet Set Radio, where music is a major element of the game and story, the loss of five tracks is a big deal. Up-Set Attack and OK House define Shibuya-Cho, the former track serving as the introductory music for the first stage. Miller Ball Breakers and On The Bowl ARE the sound of Benten-Cho.

As the game has yet to be released, the best course of action is to hit SEGA up on Twitter and Facebook and request that they do all they can to bring Deavid Soul and Idol Taxi's songs to the HD version. In the meantime, don't sell your Dreamcast copies just yet.

Jet Set Radio Coming This Summer!


SEGA Blog has just shared some VERY exciting news regarding the next Dreamcast rerelease. The game being released is Jet Set Radio,as if there was any doubt. They also confirmed that the game will be known as Jet Set Radio, so say goodbye to the original US title “Jet Grind Radio” (and good riddance!). Also, the game will be in beautiful widescreen, as seen in the screen shot above, and the game is coming to XBLA, PSN, and Windows PC Digital Download this summer! SEGA has also announced a contest where fans can get there art in the game and win prizes for doing so. Reminds me of when the game originally released, I recall SEGA having a similar contest. So far so good! Now SEGA just needs to confirm that there will be no music cuts. 

Dreamcast Versus Xbox 360 Part 3

Hello, and Season's Greetings (vomit). You may remember my previous forays into the world of video creation, Dreamcast Versus Xbox 360 Part 1 & 2 that I uploaded to Youtube a few years back and also published here at the 'Yard. To my utter astonishment, the first one has over 20,000 views at present so there's obviously demand out there. Demand to see videos comparing Dreamcast games to games from the current generation. Granted, the mind boggles...but I've dusted off my shitty old Fujifilm (non-HD) digital camera again, recorded some new footage and slapped together another DCJY-exclusive visual comparison. This time its WRC 2 on the 360 (which is a stonking rally sim, by the way) squaring up against V Rally 2: Expert Edition. Enjoy:



The quality is lamentable, I know. And the editing isn't amazing (what do you expect from a Media graduate?!), but I'm using shitty tools. Give me a 2002 Avid suite and I'll give you Avatar 2. Sort of. Meh.

Before anyone says it, I know that WRC 2 is an awesome visual showcase (although it's no DiRT 3...), and I know that V Rally 2 looks like a tramp's gusset in true comparison...but to be fair, it doesn't look too far removed from most Gamecube and PS2/Xbox rally games. Even if all the Gamecube ones were a stain on Humanity. Damn this digressing! Anyway, it's just a bit of fun, so don't go mental.

There's more:

If I don't get the chance to say (write) it - Happy Christmas to all on the DCJY team, and to all our readers around the world. You guys and girls make it all worth it - 6 years on!

City Escape Hits E3!



People playing City Escape at E3, what is this? 2001?! No, it's the latest stage reveal for Sonic Generations. This time, SEGA has unveiled the classic and modern acts for the HD remake of the famous Dreamcast stage. Gamestop sat down with a SEGA rep and chatted as footage played. Check it out, I can't wait to hear what other Dreamcast era stages we'll get to play!

Sonic Adventure Pose Appears in Sonic Generations


Okay, so this might seem like a stretch for Dreamcast news, but I think Sonic Adventure fans will get a kick out of it.

A recent preview video of Sonic Generations featured the game's new combo system in which you pull off a variety of mid-air tricks by moving about the analog stick. One of those tricks is none other than the Sonic Adventure pose famously seen on the cover of the Dreamcast version of the game. Check out the pose below!



Sonic Generations to Travel Back to the Dreamcast Era!


Every SEGA and Sonic fan should know about Sonic Generations by now, so I'll spare you the description. If you don't know what it is, check out the press release and official trailer. The game is sounding insanely awesome, probably the most exciting 3D Sonic game since Sonic Adventure. While current gameplay videos and screens are all about Green Hill Zone, various preview articles and interviews are popping up that reveal a bit of info that might be of interest to Dreamcast fans. Gamespot's preview reports:

The game will be set across the three defining eras--the 2D Mega Drive/Genesis era, the Dreamcast era, and the modern-day HD graphics era

Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 stages remixed in HD and featuring 2D Sonic sections?! Exciting! I would assume that both games would have one stage each represented in Generations. Personally, I could see Speed Highway and City Escape as the most likely candidates. Emerald Coast, while a defining stage of Sonic Adventure, has too much in common with Green Hill Zone. Meanwhile, Speed Highway was one of the most iconic stages of the game, appearing in countless commercials and ad campaigns. Who can forget this moment:

Yes, I know this is the XBLA version, relax.
As for Sonic Adventure 2, City Escape is very likely. Not only because it was a defining stage of the game, but also earlier this year musician Tony Harnell (vocalist from “We Can” and “It Doesn’t Matter”) let slip on Facebook that he was heading to the studio to record a new version of the Sonic Adventure 2 track “Escape From The City”. Since then, nothing has been seen or heard of this rerecording. It doesn't even look like it would be on the upcoming rerelease of the Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack. So what does this mean? Either the new recording will be in an upcoming anniversary album OR it was for Sonic Generations. We shall see.

In the comments section, let us know what Adventure stages you'd like to see return in Generations.

The Dreamcast Collection CONTEST!


CONTEST ENDED! Thanks for playing!

Hey there space cats! Barry here with great news: we're having a contest and it starts NOW! Thanks to our friends at SEGA of America comes Dreamcast Collection goodies that you, the readers, can win. What are the goodies and how do you win? Read on!

The Prizes

We're giving three lucky readers the chance to win one of these three prizes:
  • • One reader will win a copy of the Dreamcast Collection for the XBOX 360
  • • One reader will win a Dreamcast Collection vinyl record
  • • One reader will win a Dreamcast hooded sweatshirt, a brand new exclusive item from SEGA!
How to Enter

To enter all you need to do is answer the following:

Tell us your favorite moment from one of the games in the Dreamcast Collection. Could be a favorite cutscene quote, or a gameplay moment. Be nostalgic and be creative!

Email your name, mailing address and answer to: CONTEST ENDED! Thanks for playing!

Want to double your chances of winning?

Enter over at SEGA Network affiliate SEGAbits for a chance to win!

The contest will end next Tuesday on March 8th. Good luck!

The Dreamcast Collection VERSUS My Dreamcast Collection


A package from SEGA arrived in the mail today! In it were two copies of the 360's Dreamcast Collection. One for me to review, one for a certain contest I keep hinting at. While a proper review will turn up Monday, I thought I'd have the Dreamcast Collection face off against my Dreamcast collection. Is the compilation disc worth it for a Dreamcast collector? Which version of the games will I come back to when I need my fix? Let's find out!

CONTENT

The Dreamcast Collection contains four games: Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, SEGA Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2. The Dreamcast Collection version of Sonic Adventure is actually a port of the PC version of the game but with the original Dreamcast menus and the Gamecube content stripped away (available via DLC). 360's Sonic Adventure has an aspect ratio of 4:3, just like the original game, so unfortunately no widescreen. However the game runs at a very solid frame rate and loading times are much faster. Despite not being as great as it could have been, you'll never see a smoother or crisper version of Sonic Adventure than here. The 360 version does not feature the Chao Adventure VMU game, however the chao garden has been beefed up as it was in Sonic Adventure DX. That means high polygon counts on the chao, more ways to raise them and a black market where rings can be traded for items.

Crazy Taxi is a mixed bag. While the gameplay is there, as is all the modes from the Dreamcast original, the iconic Bad Religion and Offspring songs were swapped out for different music. It's a drag, but it's understandable that music rights would change over time. Despite this, the game runs in widescreen AND has a very solid frame rate. Plus, if you have the original soundtracks on your 360 hard drive (or stream from your computer) you can play all the original music and more via the 360's custom soundtrack option. Personally, I play the soundtrack from all three Crazy Taxi games while playing this one. It really does make the game feel complete.

SEGA Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2 are the winners when it comes to comparing content. Everything from the original games are here, plus the games run in widescreen, have a solid frame rate AND are crisp. The only drag (fishing pun) is that SEGA Bass Fishing isn't as good without the fishing controller. Still fun, but not as fun as it could be.

On the 360, all four games feature their own achievements and avatar awards, providing an incentive to replay the games. I cannot wait to earn my Moralian costume.

CONTENT VERDICT: 360 and Dreamcast Sonic Adventure are a tie, Crazy Taxi Dreamcast is preferred for the original music but widescreen on the 360 is worth it for Crazy Taxi fans, 360 SEGA Bass Fishing wins (unless you own a fishing controller) and 360 Space Channel 5 Part 2 wins.

PRICE

The Dreamcast Collection retails for $29.99. According to videogamepricecharts.com and ebay: Sonic Adventure can currently be found for around $9, Crazy Taxi for around $5, SEGA Bass Fishing for $3 (around $20 with fishing controller) and Space Channel 5 Part 2 for $80 (game only) and $200 (box set). Assuming you have both systems, you can either spend $30 for the 360 compilation or between $97 and $234 for the Dreamcast originals. There is also a version of SC5 Part 2 on the PS2, and that will run much cheaper, for around $15. Replace the Dreamcast version with the PS2 version and we're looking at $32. About even with The Dreamcast Collection.

PRICE VERDICT: In an all Dreamcast vs. 360 battle, 360 wins. In a Dreamcast and PS2 tag team versus 360, it's a tie. Space Channel 5 Part 2 saves the Collection.

CONCLUSION
And the winner is: Everyone's a winner! HA! Didn't see that coming, did you? But seriously, it's great to have these games on next gen consoles. While Sonic Adventure and Crazy Taxi don't beat the originals, the achievements and avatar awards give an added bonus for playing through those games once again. The fact that the two recent releases, Bass Fishing and SC5 Part 2, are far better ports is hopefully a sign that upcoming Dreamcast Collection releases will follow suit in providing widescreen support and minimal cut content. I'd love to see a widescreen version of Jet Set Radio or Sonic Adventure 2. 

Coming this Wednesday, a contest!

Classic Game Room: Dreamcast Collection vs. Genesis Collection


If you haven't figured it out yet, the DCJY loves Classic Game Room. Heck, we even gave it a tag! In the above video, Mark compares the boxart of the Dreamcast Collection to the boxart of Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection. As always, it's humorous and all in good fun. No ranting, no cussing, just good ol' CGR. Enjoy!

Personally, I like the Dreamcast Collection cover more. I could see a few more volumes coming out in the same style. I never was a fan of the Ultimate Genesis Collection having that wonky looking Sonic on the front. Plus, you got a big Dreamcast console and controller right there on the cover!

Dreamcast Collection (360, PC) releases today! Contest to come...


The Dreamcast Collection is now available to purchase in the USA for the 360 and the PC! The collection will be available in Europe on the 25th. Are you planning on picking it up? Did you pick it up? Sound off in the comments section!

Keep visiting the Dreamcast Junkyard in the coming weeks, as there is a contest with Dreamcast Collection prizes (courtesy of SEGA of America) in the works. What is the contest and what are the prizes? Stay tuned.

Personally, I'm very interested in seeing how Space Channel 5 Part 2 plays. If it is a solid port, it could be the selling point of the collection. SEGA Bass Fishing, while lacking the fishing controller, also has the potential to be good as it will be in widescreen and is presumably uncut. Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure have already released on PSN and XBLA.

Dreamcast Collection gets Pre-Order Bonus Vinyl in Australia !

Does anyone remember that Vinyl LP that some people were lucky enough to get as a pre-order bonus with Mega Drive Ultimate Collection on PS3 and 360? Well looks like they are doing a similar deal again for the 360 release of Dreamcast Collection! So far though this only appears to be in Australia, but if it turns out anything like the Mega Drive one it *might* show up in areas of Europe too, I manged to pick up the mega Drive LP on Ebay in the end and only paid a tenner for it. Either way see where this offer has been first spotted here. Turns out the LP contains 3 Crazy Taxi tunes (not Offspring I'm presuming so er...kind of pointless IMO) 1 Sonic Adventure track (Open your Heart surely?) 1 Space Channel 5 part 2 track and one Bass Fishing track. Will make a cool collectible none the less if just for the design of it.

Via SegaBits and TSSZ

Dreamcast Collection for 360 and PC Revealed (don't get excited)


From SEGA comes the full press release revealing just what that Dreamcast Collection compilation disc contains. For those not in the know, back in December we made note of an XBOX 360 Dreamcast Collection compilation disc momentarily made available for pre-order at GameStop's website. This collection was confirmed in a Game Informer interview with Alan Pritchard. Well speculate no more, it contains exactly what I thought: Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5 Part 2 and SEGA Bass Fishing. As Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 have yet to hit downloadable marketplaces, I assume they will first release on the disc, thus providing a little incentive to pick it up. Also, I should note that no PS3 version has been announced. Then again PS3 owners get Virtua Tennis 4 this year, so it all evens out. ;)

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that a packaged compilation of  classic titles from  SEGA’s  popular Dreamcast™  console will hit retail shelves on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PC. The Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25th 2011 in Europe and February 22nd in North America, February 24th in Australia and February 25th in New Zealand.
The Dreamcast Collection includes the fan favourites Sonic Adventure™, Crazy Taxi™, SEGA Bass Fishing™ and Space Channel 5™: Part 2.  Players will get to enjoy four very different Dreamcast experiences, from hopping behind the steering wheel of Crazy Taxi, to taking things a little slower by luring in their fish before catching them hook, line and sinker with SEGA Bass Fishing. Alternatively, take over as intergalactic news reporter Ulala in Space Channel 5: Part 2 and dance your way past the evil Rhythm Rogues, or make it all about speed in Sonic’s first Dreamcast outing, Sonic Adventure!
SEGA’s Dreamcast Collection features enhanced graphics for both platforms versions, providing an even more engaging experience. In addition to this, achievements and online leader boards will be available for each game providing a competitive edge and allowing players to prove their skills!
“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favourites on this generation of consoles”.
Dreamcast Collection will be available in Europe in February 2011 for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PC and PC digital download.

While I know this might be a letdown for some who were hoping for many more games on the disc (such as Skies of Arcadia, Shenmue, Sonic Adventure 2 and Jet Set Radio), did we really expect SEGA to cram all those great games on one disc? What is more likely the case, we'll see all those other games down the line and hopefully they'll receive the same treatment as successive volumes. If the retail price of $30 remains, at the very least those who didn't pick up the games on XBLA will save $10 by getting the disc.


Dreamcast rarity Space Channel 5 Part 2 could be a great port and the cover art is pretty cool. There's also a chance that there will be a disc menu in which you can select the games, unless the disc simply causes the titles to appear in your game library. I'll probably pick it up simply because it isn't every day that you see something Dreamcast related on game store shelves.

Dreamcast Collection for PS3/360 confirmed.

"The Dreamcast fans are very devoted," he said. "You see on eBay people are still buying the games and system. We actually have a Dreamcast collection coming out soon. We are looking to bring some of the old Dreamcast games to market digitally and packaged. The titles are still to be announced. The Ultimate Genesis Collection did huge numbers on PS3 and 360, so it's an important part of our business. We've already been releasing some Dreamcast games digitally; Crazy Taxi [for one]." 

Quoted from Alan Pritchard, vice president of sales and marketing at Sega during an interview in the latest issue of Game Informer. This means that pre-order on GameStop is real, though wherever the price and release date were real is yet to be known.

Most likely it will at least contain Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2, but will that be all or will there be more? Well Sega did say they plan to release more than those 4 in the future so we might start seeing announcement of further downloadable titles in the near future that could also be on the collection.

Some games might have issues getting ported, mainly due to licensing issues which led to the changes in the re-release of Crazy Taxi. Jet Set Radio for example might run into some issues that would led to cut music. Also Daytona USA 2001 would be stuck due to Sega not owning the Daytona license anymore (which is why the arcade re-release of the original Daytona is called Sega Racing Classic).

Also I doubt there will be any online play with any of these releases so that rules Phantasy Star Online out unless they really want to surprise and impress us. Space Channel 5 Part 1 was probably skipped due to the game using pre-rendered video backgrounds that would require a lot of work to look good on a HD resolution. Of course third party games will be out of the question too.

There are still plenty of easily portable games however: Skies of Arcadia, Dynamite Cop, Virtua Fighter 3tb, Zombie Revenge, House of the Dead 2, Outtrigger, Puyo Puyo Fever, Virtual On 2 (already on XBLA), Sonic Adventure 2, 18 Wheeler and many more.

Who knows!

Dreamcast Collection disc release heading to the 360?


Via SEGAbits and Scrawl comes an interesting piece of news! It seems that SEGA of America has a Dreamcast Collection disc release planned for the XBOX 360 (and possibly PS3) for release on February 15th, 2011. While nothing else is known of the title, it would make sense for SEGA to feature the four XBLA Dreamcast re-releases on one disc. Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Space Channel 5 Part 2 and SEGA Bass Fishing on one disc? Even if I've already downloaded one of the four titles, it does sound tempting. Here's hoping for some kick-ass package art and more Dreamcast Collection releases to come!

I've picked up Qubed a while back, a collection featuring Rez HD, Lumines Live! and E4. These releases are a great value, often cheaper than buying the titles individually, and they save on harddrive space. Plus, who doesn't like holding a physical box?

Next XBLA/PSN Dreamcast ports revealed!

They are Sega Bass Fishing and Space Channel 5 Part 2. JeuxVideo24 have screenshots of how they will look on the new consoles in 720p and widescreen.


Space Channel 5 Part 2 is an interesting choice. before you ask where part 1 is, I believe they've picked this one simply because it's easier to port. Part 1 one used pre-rendered video backgrounds (as opposed to in-game graphics like in Part 2) so not only would they need to re-render those videos in HD, they would either have to stretch them or force the game to be 4:3 (like the Sonic Adventure port was). Maybe this is why they have skipped to Part 2. To be fair though Part 2 is a much rarer game, especially on Dreamcast on which it would cost you a small fortune, especially if you went after the special edition box set.

Sega Bass Fishing is.not quite so exciting. The game really required the fishing controller to have much fun with it so wherever they will implement the Move controller for the PS3 version is yet to be seen, but very unlikely. Hopefully Sega marine Fishing will follow up eventually from this, as that was a much more fun and bigger game.

In case you were not aware, Crazy Taxi is due out at the end of November so at this rate it looks as though we may be getting a Dreamcast port every month if one of these is due in December.

Dreamcast Collection - Sonic Adventure Trailer


Sonic Adventure is out today for the XBOX Live Arcade, check out the snazzy trailer SEGA put together! Bonus points for including the swirl logo. PlayStation users will have to wait a week for the game to hit PSN. While the delay is a shame for Sony fans, perhaps it was SEGA's choice to make them wait a week as a repercussion for supporting the PS2. I'm joking, I'm joking!


I've downloaded the game and played a good 15 minutes of Sonic's story and I have to say that I'm quite impressed! The game plays just as the Dreamcast version did, so yes there are the occasional glitches. Then again, just as an old car has its problems (you have to jiggle the keys to turn on the ignition!), if you're are accostomed to the flaws as one who played the Dreamcast game for years would be, you'll know how to avoid them. Basically what I'm trying to say is, if you played the game last week on the Dreamcast and enjoyed it, you'll enjoy it here.

There are also a number of cool features such as online leaderboards, a solid 60 fps framerate, achievements and the promise of DLC which is to include missions from the Gamecube's Sonic Adventure: DX as well as 360 avatar awards and items for use in the PS3's Home. Its also possible that the DLC will include the Game Gear games found in DX.

Obviously try it before you buy, but as a fan of the game I say pick it up! It has a helluva lot more content than most XBLA titles.