Sega excites longtime fans by announcing a new Shenmue game ...

... and then enrages them by adding that it's not Shenmue III.

Making matters worse: The title--called Shenmue City--is being developed for Yahoo! Mobage, a Japanese, PC-based social games service.

The question on the tip of every Shenmue fan's tongue: 

Will Shenmue City include forklift races?

Given its name and the fact that it's being developed for a "social games service" (whatever that means), it seems doubtful Shenmue City will be the game longtime fans of the series have been looking forward to since the release of part two in 2001.

(Via andriasang.com)

Oh, look, more 'special edition' systems that won't be released in the States

On Nov. 11, a special Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary Wii system will hit the streets in Japan.

For ¥20,000 (approximately $240), Japanese gamers will get a shiny new Wii system, a Wii Remote Plus, a nunchuck attachment and what appears to be a special anniversary version of the original Super Mario Bros.

Oh, and by the way: The Wii, Wii Remote Plus and nunchuck attachment will be red.



Although Nintendo's American and European arms have thus far refused to talk about any Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary releases for their respective territories, it seems the floodgates may open shortly.

The brass at Nintendo of Europe, for instance, recently let it slip that a localized version of Japan's Super Mario Collection Special Pack--to be called Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition on the Continent--will be released on Dec. 3.

(Via andriasang.com and wii.nintendolife.com)

Something old or something new?

Well, it's that time of year again--the time of year when I waste way too much time pondering how I'm going to spend the birthday and Christmas money I receive from my parents.

So, what am I hoping to buy with this presumed windfall? Here are the top three possibilities:

1. A slew of PC Engine platformers--Specifically: Gekisha Boy, Mizubaku Daibouken, Parasol Stars and Rainbow Islands. How much can four old PC Engine games cost, you ask? Quite a bit if you're anal retentive (like yours truly) and you only buy games that come with boxes and instruction manuals.

2. A red Twin Famicom (right)--My desire for Sharp's toaster-esque console--its eject button causes cartridges to pop out of the system like toast pops out of the aforementioned appliance--seems to bloom and fade like the blossoms of a cherry tree. Apparently it's blooming again, as I can't stop thinking about the damn thing.

3. A PS3--Surprise, surprise: I'm actually open to buying something au currant. Of course, the problem with this choice is that it's the most costly. That said, it sure would be nice to (finally) be able to play games like 3D Dot Game Heroes, Demon's Souls, Katamari Forever, LittleBigPlanet and Valkyria Chronicles.

I honestly have no idea which of the above options I'll blow my money on at the end of the year, but you can bet your butt I'll post all the gory details here.

Note: This post originally appeared on my other gaming blog, iwasateenagepcenginefan.wordpress.com

After this, I hope the folks at Double Fine develop a game about Christmas

"This," by the way, is Costume Quest, the trick-or-treat-themed RPG that will hit the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade on Oct. 20. If this is the first you've heard of this Halloween-inspired game, check out the following "Quick Look" from giantbomb.com:



By the way, I'm seriously considering picking up a PS3 after the holidays (more on that in a later post) and if I do Costume Quest surely will be one of the first games--along with Pac-Man Championship Edition DX and Valkyria Chronicles--I buy for it.

This *almost* makes me want a Kinect

Mark my words: Of all the games that will be released for and take advantage of Microsoft's Kinect peripheral later this year, Dance Central will create the most buzz--especially if videos like the one below are watched by enough potential customers.



Of course, whether or not the Harmonix-developed title will create enough buzz to prompt consumers to plop down $200 ($150 for Kinect and $50 for Dance Central) or even $400 (if they don't already own an Xbox 360) is another question entirely.

Pre-order: Kinect (with Kinect Adventures!) and Dance Central

Wait, this is already out?

A few minutes ago, I stumbled upon the following trailer over at gonintendo.com:



The press release that accompanied said trailer revealed that its focus--Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light--is "now available at North American retailers." That gave me a bit of a shock as I thought the game--which I pre-ordered earlier this summer--wasn't going to hit store shelves until the end of the month.

Strangely, according to Amazon.com, which lists the game as "in stock," my copy of Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light won't be shipped until Oct. 12. Oh, well, I won't be able to play it until later this month anyway.

Buy: Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light

Proof that Japanese 7-Elevens are cooler than those elsewhere

On Oct. 28, Nintendo will release--in Japan only, of course--a Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary DSi system. This limited edition system (below left) will be sold exclusively at 7-Eleven convenience stores--yes, you read that correctly--for ¥14,800 (about $177).



Considering the brass at Nintendo of America have yet to announce how they (and we) will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., I guess it's possible this system--and this similarly branded DSi LL--will make it to the States at some point, but I certainly wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

(Via andriasang.com)