The official Sega Universe website is a bit vague about the company’s larger plans when it comes to these old IPs. However, among the ideas it seems to be exploring is to explore a world “beyond games”, and expand into “film, music, fashion, and even further forms of entertainment.” A video, which you can check out, gives us some examples of these expansion plans.

The video showcases what appears to be a new line of merchandise that will revolve around older Sega IP, like NiGHTS and Sakura Wars. The character in the video eventually decides to open her window, only to see a cityscape dotted with references to classic Sega games like Rent A Hero and OutRun, among others.

The complete list of its classic franchises that Sega is targeting appears to be Fantasy Zone, OutRun, Streets of Rage, Rent A Hero, Guardian Heroes, NiGHTS, Dynamite Deka, Sakura Wars, and SGGG. The website also lets you sample some classic tracks from the soundtrack of these games, which span across platforms from the old-school arcade machines, all the way to Sega’s final console – the Dreamcast.

As for its reboot of Jet Set Radio, Sega had confirmed back in December 2023 that it would feature an open world. While not too many details about it have been revealed as of yet, the company has promised players that they can “experience the ‘rebellion movement that feels free in a suffocating society” and that they can “make friends, increase your fans, and create a movement.”

Rumors from 2024 had indicated that the core structure of the Jet Set Radio reboot is going to be similar to Fortnite. What this means is still unknown, but shooter mechanics are reportedly “planned” to be added to the game, joining the original’s graffiti and skating-centric gameplay. Along with this, reports have also indicated that a remake of the original Jet Set Radio is planned for release before the reboot.

With Crazy Taxi, Sega has confirmed that its planned reboot of the series will be “massively multiplayer”, allowing players to drive around in an open world. These details were confirmed through official job listings, which also described the reboot as being “theme park-like”.

Sega hasn’t yet confirmed when the reboots of Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi will be released. However, a report from February 2024 had indicated that Sega, at least at the time, was aiming to release its new Jet Set Radio game in 2026, with Crazy Taxi slated for a 2027 launch. Both titles are also reportedly being developed for the Nintendo Switch 2 alongside the other console and PC versions.

Check out this new trailer from Guardian Heroes.

Guardian Heroes isn’t just about beating up bad guys. With a branching storyline full of twists and turns, players will enjoy one of five completely unique final boss fights, as well as more than half a dozen possible endings.

For more on the game please click here.

The Xbox Live Avatar Marketplace has been updated with a few Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim items as well as items from the hit AMC Show ‘Walking Dead’.  Also added to the Avatar Marketplace are items from Dark Souls, Just Dance 3, Batman Arkham City (including a full Batman suit w/ cape), and Guardians Heroes.  On October 13th we will be treated to Avatar Items from Saints Row The Third (Pictured Above), Battlefield 3, Kinectimals (Bears) and the arcade title Zombie Apocalypse: Never Die Alone.  I personally can’t wait to see what Battlefield 3 has to offer although, I still think every Xbox title should have Avatar awards.  Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has added:

• Dragonborn Helmet for 240 Microsoft Points
• Skyrim logo t-shirt for 80 Microsoft Points
• Skyrim logo baseball cap for 80 Microsoft Points

The ‘Walking Dead’ and Guardians Heroes have added mostly character outfits as well as props while Just Dance 3 had added some new dance moves for your Avatar.  Saints Row The Third will bring items such as the Various Luchador Masks (Killbane’s, Angel’s, and a Luchador Lieutenant), Decker Outfits, STAG Uniform, Furry Outfit, Genki Time Shirt, Professor Genki’s Super Ballistic Manapult RC Car and many more outfits, shirts, caps, and props coming October 13th, most of which are pictured above.

SEGA have announced that Guardian Heroes will release on Xbox Live on October 12th .The game supports up to 12 players online and is priced at 800 Microsoft Points.

Guardian Heroes isn’t just about beating up bad guys, with a storyline full of twists and turns players will enjoy one of five completely unique boss fights, as well as more than half a dozen possible endings. To showcase the potential ways players can punch, kick, chop and stab and their way through Guardian Heroes.

The XBLA game Guardian Heroes may get a sequel but it will all depend on how it performs. In the July Famitsu 360 issue, Treasure Games have detailed a few tid bits about the same.

• They started thinking about it after finishing Bleach Wii
• They originally wanted to jump right into making Guardian Heroes 2, but after seeing the wild success of Castle Crashers, they thought they would re-introduce the world to the series since it’s been so long. Their hope seems to also be to prove to Sega that a full Guardian Heroes 2 would sell well.
• They originally wanted to recreate everything in HD, but the idea was scrapped and it seemed the best approach to re-use the Saturn artwork as is, with a shader/post-effect mode and an original mode. They found out about how important retaining original graphics are with the PS2 ports of Nights and Dynamite Deka.
• There is an original gameplay mode with nearly all quirks of the original intact, save for some bug fixing. They know well of problems with the original game’s balance, so to counter that for the remix/arrange mode they have a host of different configurations that can be set manually, such as turning flying off and making line movement that was abused before impossible. They are hoping that people use these rules/configs to make online play more fun and balanced, but rely upon users to maybe find “good hosts” that set sensible rules.
• The character balance is fixed for arrange mode, and they believe overall the game plays with a better rhythm and flow. The sound is the same but more sound effects and voice are available because they were cut for Saturn’s limitations. Now some skeletons and villagers talk that didn’t before
• 12 person battles are possible, they think it will be “Quite crazy!”. They really want people to have fun with the game and seem to be counting on good sales of this game to float the idea of GH2.

So there you have it. If you need a Guardian Heroes 2, then you need to buy Guardian Heroes. The game is expected to be release sometime this year on XBL. Stay tuned for more updates.

Source: Neogaf.

Sega have released a brand new gameplay video for Guardian Heroes. Check that out above.

The game will be available on Xbox live for $10 this autumn.

SEGA have announced a re-release of Guardian Heroes, an action-RPG fighter from Treasure, that’s coming to Xbox Live.

The game’s original release was on SEGA Saturn way back in 1996, and the re-release of it for XBL has been remastered with “enhanced graphics, online co-op and battle modes, all-new modes of play, and more.”

“Ever since we began to make SEGA’s classic Dreamcast and the Mega Drive titles available for modern systems, the fan response has been overwhelming – and the demand for their favorite games has been pouring in,” said Haruki Satomi, VP of digital business at SEGA. “Players have been clamoring for this treasured favorite from the Saturn days, and we cannot wait to show them what we have got for them.”

The game will apparently include:

• Action-RPG Brawling: Choose one of five heroes to level up and guide along a branching storyline with five different endings.
• Friends, Foes, and Fighters: Play the game’s Story Mode alone or with a second player, or challenge Versus Mode with up to 12 players at once.
• Extended Gameplay: Time Attack Mode, Arcade Mode, Arrange Mode and more allow players to explore every nuance of 45 different fighters.
• Fully Re-Mastered: All-new graphics and visual effects bring the classic to life in a completely high-definition, widescreen presentation.

Guardian Heroes will be available this fall.

Thanks to VG247 for the info.