Sonic The Hedgehog 4: Episode II “Reunion” Trailer: Change Is Good (Unless You’re A Nitpicker Who Thinks It’s Not)…

While I’d still prefer Sega just get all the parts done and release this on a DISC with all the other Genesis/Saturn/Dreamcast Sonic games ever made (they’ll fit on a single Blu-Ray comfortably, I’d bet), we’ll have to “settle” for installments. The good thing is, the dev team is addressing the complaints about Part 1 and it looks as if the animation is fixed up quite nicely. Of course, SOME people out there are going on and on about how the game doesn’t PERFECTLY replicate the Genesis version to a T in terms of every single animation or how some parts seem to take control away from the player and so forth and so on. I say knock it ff and wait for the game (or at least a demo) to drop before swallowing that foot.

Jet Set Radio Finally Returns (This Time On PSN/XBLA)

Excellent, but I have mixed feeling about this one. How funny that a very physical game based on the physical acts of graffiti and trick skating is coming back as a digital-only title. Well, kudos to Sega for FINALLY getting this one out there to the masses, but still. I recall that Jet Set Radio Future on the Xbox had some killer PR goodies such as a set of awesome headphones and a CD soundtrack and yes, a NEW disc version would have been cool just for a documentary on the original JSR and the sequel how they changed gaming. I still remember the first time I saw those ‘cel-shaded’ graphics running on the Dreamcast and thought they were the best thing to hit gaming in a while. Hopefully, all those folks that have never played either game will be as awed as I was back in the day.  We shall see…

Sonic 4: Episode 2 Set To Roll In 2012

Sega is set to send Sonic soaring into the stratosphere after two great games in a row on consoles (the super Sonic Colors and the even superior Sonic Generations). Here’s a quick peek at the Hedgehog’s latest speed-fest, set to hit XBLA and PSN in the New Year – enjoy!

Gallery: Xbox/Xbox 360 Demo Library

I’m missing a few Official Xbox Magazine demo discs as you can see, but overall, I’m happy with what’s here. Actually, I have disc 31 in a slim case buried in a stack of games here (and possibly a few other demo discs), and disc 2 was supposed to come with the second issue a few years back. However, all I got after I subscribed was the mag itself and NO disc (grrr). As for the later discs I’m missing. I’ll dig those up at some point, as I see small to medium size lots floating around a few places for cheap. I actually want more single game demo discs as well as kiosk discs, as I know there are a bunch out there I don’t have yet. One day, one day…

Sonic CD Lands Pretty Much Everywhere (Except On An Actual CD)

Let’s see now, Xbox LIVE Arcade, Android and iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch today and tomorrow, PSN on the 20th, Windows Phones sometime early in 2012. How funny is it that a game with “CD” in the title DOESN’T get an actual disc release? Oh well. Heck, I was hoping this would have been a bonus in the otherwise superb Sonic Generations, but nope. I guess I’ll have to hold out for a Vita release at some point. Anyway, if you’ve one of these fancy de-vices listed above and want to experience a classic platformer that will plant a grin across your mug, definitely check out what Sega has cooking. Now about getting ALL the 16-bit up to to Sega Saturn Sonic games all in one place…

Review: Fusion: Genesis

Platform: Xbox 360 (via Xbox Live Arcade)

Developer: Starfire Studios

Publisher: Microsoft

# of Players: 1 (1 – 4 online)

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Official Site

Score: A (90%)

For a first game, Fusion: Genesis is outstanding, but what would you expect from four ex-Rare team members who got together with the express purpose of making great games? Starfire Studios’ beautiful, addictive and deep space combat game combines elements from shooters, MMO’s and RPG’s in a solid blend of twin stick action, loads of loot and a nice range of customizable spacecraft. It’s too bad this is a 360 exclusive, as what’s here would do well as a Games for Windows title or even a cross platform and handheld release. Nevertheless, if you have an Xbox Live account and want something deep and thrilling that won’t be over in a weekend and has replay value to spare, this one’s got your name all over it. Continue reading

Fusion: Genesis – Half of Twenty Questions With Starfire Studios

(Or: Conquering Space in a Packed Online Universe, One Player at a Time)

Thanks to my one-man army status and rather ridiculous tower of stuff to tackle, It’s been a little while since I’ve interviewed someone for a DAF feature. Fortunately, I’m ending that quiet streak in a nice way. Every so often, I play a really cool game that demands a bit more attention and a little Q & A time, so here you go. Starfire Studios’ upcoming Xbox Live Arcade exclusive Fusion: Genesis is set to launch November 9, and it’s looking like one of those games that’s bound to gain a dedicated following as more gamers discover its stunning visuals and easy to pick up but highly challenging gameplay.  With their first release done and ready to roll, I shot a few basic Q’s over to the fab four at Starfire and got a speedy response from two of the team, Phil Dunne and Chris Tilston (plus a musical guest star)… Continue reading

Fusion: Genesis – Hands-On With Starfire’s Sure-Fire XBLA Hit

One of the nicer surprises at the VERY packed New York Comic Con was actually hidden in plain sight at the Microsoft booth. While packs of gamers waited in lines to play the spectacular Mass Effect 3, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and a few other AAA games, right next to those was Fusion: Genesis, a sprawling, top-down space shooter/RPG/MMO hybrid by Starfire Studios headed exclusively to Xbox Live Arcade later this year. You probably haven’t heard of Starfire just yet as this is their first title under that name, but the four-man team is comprised of Chris Tilston, Mark Edmonds, Philip Dunne and Ross Bury, all ex-Rare talent with credits that range from GoldenEye, Killer Instinct, Perfect Dark and Kameo. Fusion looks and plays like none of the above games at all, but it’ll definitely seem familiar to fans of PC classics such as Starflight, Star Control or even the Sega Dreamcast sleeper, Armada. The game also tips its cap to classic arcade shooters, Star Wars and Star Trek in spots, but I don’t want to spoil too much in this preview… Continue reading

Guardian Heroes Is Back! Now, How About A Sega Saturn Collection?

Well alright! Treasure’s innovative fighter/RPG hybrid is finally coming to Xbox Live Arcade (and hopefully, PSN) soon. While this is indeed a great thing to see, I’d really love it if Sega just took the time to bring a bunch of their first-party Saturn games to us on a disc like they’ve done with the numerous Sega Genesis collections over the years for consoles and PC. Of course, given that Sonic The Hedgehog’s presence on the Saturn was somewhat weak, I’m wondering if that’s a main reason we haven’t seen a PS3 Blu-Ray or Xbox 360 disc collection yet. On the other hand, with games such as this one, Astal, Shining The Holy Ark, Shining Force III, The Panzer Dragoon games, Burning Rangers and more classics, it’s a no-brainer that seeing all these great games (and getting them all in one shot at a great price point) would be a win-win situation for Sega and gamers alike.

The King of Fighters XIII Character Trailers (Yes, All NINE Of Them!)

Atlus, I love you so much, but this is ridiculous… in the best possible way. OK, I'll shut up now and let you get to watching all these brief HD trailers starting with the ladies first because I'm a nice guy. OK, Mai said she'd beat me up and I'm not into that rough stuff. Anyway, one here, eight below the jump. I COULD have done nine separate posts, but there's still a ton of stuff to tackle from other publishers (not to mention a review or two) and I don't want you all to think I'm a TOTAL Atlus freak or anything (he said, stroking his copy of Run Saber gently). Oh yeah, The King of Fighters XIII is coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 in October in HD with an incredible amount of new and updated features.Read more »