Source: seganerds.com

If you’ve recently played Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer and have been yanking your hair out in frustration, you might think about trying a much easier, albeit equally bad game instead. EBGames is currently selling Alien Syndrome for the PSP for only $10.

I actually had the displeasure in reviewing the title, and I can honestly say it’s not very good. However, for only $10, it might interest a few Sega Nerds out there who just don’t have a lot to play right now.

Source: seganerds.com

Sega recently released a brand spanking new trailer for the upcoming Iron Man game, and I have to say things are definitely looking up for the game.  The graphics all round have most definitely improved since the first videos we saw, Iron Man himself is looking very polished (literally) as he glimmers in the sunlight.

I’m also glad to see/hear Sega (finally) making use of Black Sabbath’s musical talents in this video.

The game will be available on the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, DS, PSP, Playstation 3 and PC.

Source: seganerds.com

Its been like 2 weeks since the contest finished – and I’m the douche who forgot to post up the results sooner.  I hold my hands up – Im sorry.

But fret no more, here are thewinners of the great prizes!

2x Runners Up: Christmas NiGHTS

Question: No question, just had to enter the contest and be picked randomly!

Winners: Emmett the Crab and Will Thoraldson

Bundle 4: Handheld Games

Question: What is the name of the lead female character in Sonic Rush?

Answer: Blaze the Cat (or just Blaze)

Winner: Alex Marsh

Bundle 3: PC Games

Question: Which division of Sega develops the Total War series?

Answer: The Creative Assembly (or just Creative Assembly)

Winner: Kogen

Bundle 2: Xbox 360 Games

Question: What major feature do the Xbox 360 versions of Virtua Fighter 5 and Virtua Tennis 3 have, that the PS3 versions do not?

Answer: Online Play (or Online Features)

Winner: Samuel Evans

Bundle 1: Saturn Games

Question: How many Panzer Dragoon games were released on the Sega Saturn?

Answer: Three (Panzer Dragoon, Panzer Dragoon Zwei and Panzer Dragoon Saga)

Winner: Diogo Rato aka “Charmed699“

So congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who entered.  We had well over 100 entries!

For the winners, if you would still like to receive your prizes (which I assume you do!), could you please Email (graham@seganerds.com) or PM me (via the Forums) your addresses, so I can ship your goodies out to you.

Thanks again to everyone who entered.  I think this was a pretty big success, and hopefully it will mean more contests like this to come in the future…. (not sure how often though - it was pretty expensive!)

Source: seganerds.com

Just over a week ago, we announced the New Years Nerdaway, our special giveaway for the start of 2008.  Featuring 4 great bundles of gaming goodness.

So far we have been inundated with scores of entries, but the contest is not yet over. No sir!

The closing date for the contest is on January 31st 2008.  Which, at the time of posting this article, leaves anyone who has not yet entered, with exactly 1 week (7 days) left, to try and win these fantastic prizes.

For full details, follow this link.

Source: seganerds.com

Finally it is here! Apologies we had planned to hold it sooner, but… well I won’t fob you off with any excuses, it was held off, it’s here now.  That is what matters!

Previously we had teased you with the outline of prizes we had on offer, and now I give you the rules, regulations and (most importantly) the questions, with which you will need to win.

Rules:  We have 4 seperate bundles of prizes to give away.  Each bundle has a question to go with it.  All you need do is choose which of the prizes bundles you would like to try and win, and answer the corresponding question, and then send your answer(s) to us (contact info coming up).

You can enter to win as many of the bundles you want to, however, we will pick the winners for each bundle in order (starting with 4, ending with 1), and should your name be chosen for Bundle 4, you will not be eligeble for any of the other bundles.

So if you really want to win Bundle 1, it could be wise not to enter for all 4 bundles, in case you ‘accidentally’ win a different bundle.  But, then again, if you just want to win some Sega gaming goodies, then go ahead and enter for all the bundles!

The full list of prizes and questions coming up after the jump.

Bundle 4:  Handheld Bundle

What we have here is a selection of Nintendo DS and Sony PSP titles.

DS: Super Monkey Ball DS, Sonic Rush and Touch Darts (with limited edition stylus)

PSP: Crazy Taxi: Fare Wars, Sega Megadrive Collection and CRUSH

Bundle 3: PC Bundle

House of the Dead III, Sonic Mega Collection Plus, Sonic Adventure DX and Total War: Eras (Collectors edition boxset with; Shogun: Total War & Mongol Invasion Expansion Pack, Medieval: Total War & Viking Invasion Expansion Pack, Rome: Total War & Barbarian Invasion and Alexander Expansion Packs, plus more)

Bundle 2: Xbox 360 Bundle

Five Xbox 360 games; Chrome Hounds, Full Auto, Condemned, Virtua Tennis 3 and Virtua Fighter 5

Bundle 1: Saturn Bundle

Three fantastic Saturn classics.  Enemy Zero, Christmas NiGHTS and Panzer Dragoon Saga.  Plus a NiGHTS Journey of Dreams poster, signed by Iizuka-san, the game’s creator (not shown in picture).  And a Xbox 360 controller.

You may be wondering what the Xbox 360 controller is for?  Well, I have to warn you that the three Saturn titles are from Japan, so you will need either a Japanese Saturn, a Convertor cartridge or a Saturn emulator. 

We suggest using a Saturn emulator, in particular SSF.  This allows you to play all region Saturn games on your PC, and the Xbox 360 controller works with SSF allowing you to play these Saturn games with ease.  (See we do care).

Questions

Bundle 4 - Handheld Question:  What is the name of the lead female character in Sonic Rush?

Bundle 3 – PC Question: Which division of Sega develops the Total War series?

Bundle 2 – Xbox 360 Question: What major feature do the Xbox 360 versions of Virtua Fighter 5 and Virtua Tennis 3 have, that the PS3 versions do not?

Bundle 1 – Saturn Question: How many Panzer Dragoon games were released on the Sega Saturn?

So there we are, the full list of questions and prizes on offer for you.  I, perhaps, should add that there are no trick questions here and anyone interested in gaming should be able to answer them with ease.  However, if you cannot, there is always Wikipedia and hundreds of search engines to help aide you. (Really it cannot be more easy!)

How to Enter

To enter the contest all you need do is sign up to be a member here at Sega Nerds (don’t worry it is free) and then PM me  (G) in the forums, with your answers.

Or you can also email me - graham@seganerds.com - giving the email header as “New Years Nerdaway” and then the answers to the questions of the prizes you want to win.

Simple eh?  Any questions, feel free to either PM me or just leave a comment at the end of this post.

 Good luck everyone!

[Update:] Whoops!  I forgot to add.  The closing date for the contest will be on the 31st January 2008.  So that is a little over 2 weeks away. 

Any entries after this date, will not be counted.  We shall then randomly draw the names for each winner and post them on the site the following week.

Thanks, in advance, to everyone who enters.

~G~

Source: seganerds.com

If you didn’t already know, one of Sega’s most profitable and popular franchises, is the Football Manager series, created by Sports Interactive.

Having huge success on the PC, Sega brought the popular 2007 edition of the game to home consoles.  However, until now Football Manager 2008 was only for PC/MAC and a slightly stripped down version for the PSP.  It looked as though, perhaps, Sega had second thoughts about a home console version.

But have no fear Football (Soccer) fans, Sega has now decided to release a version for the Xbox 360, with all PC features intact, updated stats to coincide with the new transfer window and PC to 360 online play!

“Football Manager 2008 on Xbox 360 gives console gamers the chance to dive into the wonderful world of football management.” commented Miles Jacobson, Studio Director of Sports Interactive Ltd. “With the same feature set to the PC version and various online modes, we hope that there is something for every Xbox 360 owner to get stuck into.”

The Xbox 360 version is set for a March 28th release. Better get the clackers, scarfs and pork-pies at the ready, for some online Football fun.

For full details, here’s the press release:

LONDON (January 11th, 2008) – SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that Football Manager™ 2008 for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will be hitting stores in Spring 2008. Football Manager™ 2008 is the next chapter of the renowned Football Manager™ series developed by BAFTA winning studio Sports Interactive Ltd. The latest console version of Football Manager will be fully updated for the new season, including transfers being made in the mid-season transfer window, allowing players to select their favourite club or international team and guide them to the title.

While retaining all the depth and realism of the record breaking PC version, the Xbox 360 version also features revamped online play to the PC game via Xbox Live, permitting you to challenge friends to one-on-one matches and even host tournaments.

“Football Manager 2008 on Xbox 360 gives console gamers the chance to dive into the wonderful world of football management.” commented Miles Jacobson, Studio Director of Sports Interactive Ltd. “With the same feature set to the PC version and various online modes, we hope that there is something for every Xbox 360 owner to get stuck into.”

With all-new features, improved gameplay and a depth only seen from Sports Interactive Ltd., the whole range of Football Manager 2008 titles offer a management simulation that is second to none.

Football Manager 2008 for Xbox 360 is set for release on March 28th 2008. For further information please go to www.sigames.com or the completely re-vamped www.footballmanager.net website. For all SEGA assets please visit www.sega-press.com .

[Source: Sega - Press Release]

[Thanks: Dennis - SegaOn]

Source: seganerds.com

That’s right my fine nerdians, we here at Sega Nerds, want you to kick start your new year with a bang!

Which is why we are going to be giving away a butt load of Sega games, for your enjoyment.

Our New Years contest will see 4 lucky winners, walking away with a bundle of goodies, plus 2 runners-up prizes to be had.  That’s 6 winners overall!

What you see in the picture above, is the entire goodie bag, but those prizes will be split down into 4 seperate (but very good) prize bundles, which go as follows;

• Bundle 4: Hand-held – a selection of DS and PSP games.
• Bundle 3: Sega PC games.
• Bundle 2: Xbox 360 games.
• Bundle 1: Saturn games, plus a signed (by Iizuka-san) NiGHTs Journey of Dreams poster.

We shall be starting the contest very soon, when we shall give you the full details of how to win these prizes!

Happy New Year everyone!

Source: seganerds.com

Recently IGN court up with Omar Woodley of Sumo Digital to talk about the up coming fan service game Sega Superstar Tennis, which I’m sure you can all tell from the title is a Tennis game that you will love
… I’ll stop now.

They talk mainly about the Wii version of the game but it will be released on all platforms. Worth noting is that NiGHTS and Beat from Jet Set Radio are playable and have their own courts.

Regard ici,

IGN: Obviously one of Wii’s top titles at launch was Wii Sports, including Wii Tennis. Did you draw any ideas from Nintendo’s launch title? How does SEGA Superstars Tennis differ?

Woodley: Wii Sports is a wonderful title because the play mechanics were very easy for anyone to pick up and play. SEGA Superstars Tennis is also very easy to pick up and play though we have a bit more in depth in terms of the different character attributes as well as Superstar Powers. What makes the game really stand out is how the development team incorporated the vast heritage of SEGA characters into the title that we think SEGA fans will really appreciate that. Lastly, SEGA Superstars Tennis also has a ton of replayability with its numerous play modes and mini games.

IGN: Will the game run in 480p and 16:9 display?

Woodley: Not only will game run in 480p resolution, it will also run at a smooth 60 frames per second frame rate and at 16:9 display.

IGN: What type of multiplayer features can players expect? Will we see online via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, or is it local multiplayer only?

Woodley: SEGA Superstars Tennis is twice as much fun once you get a doubles match going on and the game supports 2-4 players. The game does not support Nintendo Wi-Fi connection at this time and only supports local multiplayer.

For the rest of the interview and some new screen shots go HERE!

[Thanks to Kori-Maru]

Source: seganerds.com

It’s another good week to be a Sega fan, as Sega released two new titles: The long-delayed and much-anticipated Universe at War: Earth Assault, and the not-so-anticipated movie tie-in The Golden Compass.

All RTS fans should do themselves a favor and check out Universe at War on Windows via whatever method they have to: Buy a disc in retail stores, download it straight to your hard drive through Steam, or sacrifice the souls of 10 neighborhood dogs to the demon Beelzebub in trade for delicious strategy goodness.

The Golden Compass, based on the movie, based on the book, is obviously nothing more than a cash cow. Quite appropriate, considering the movie stars real-life cow Nicole Kidman! All serious Sega fans should buy at least one copy immediately. Hell, I’m buying it on all seven available platforms. Twice.

Source: seganerds.com

Despite abandoning the most crucial feature (online play) that we’ve all come to love about the last several iterations of Phantasy Star, there’s one thing that remains apparent in this first batch of Phantasy Star Portable screens that have been released – Sega knows how to create great looking games.

In this tiny, portable version, Phantasy Star Portable looks pretty darn good on the PSP. However, it appears that such a feat doesn’t come without a cost as it’s clear by the low resolution character models in some screens. But we should keep in mind that we don’t know how far the game is in its development process, so the graphics could look even better by the time PSP is due for release.

[Via Exophase - see more screens there]