Sega Rally 2005 Speeding to PS2

One of Sega's mightiest franchises is definitely set to return exclusively on PS2 next year. Full details inside.

Update - first screens added - better shots to follow.

As we reported over a year ago, Sega Rally is to make a thundering return into living rooms next year as Sega Rally 2005, the third in the series since the groundbreaking original 1995 coin-op, hits PlayStation 2.

An official announcement has yet to be made by Sega but a report in the next issue of Famitsu reportedly breaks the exclusive on the sequel.

(Sega Rally 2) - The popular series is set to return.

A lot happens in a year and indeed it now seems that the game is coming straight to console without an arcade version, an interesting strategy if true, that reaffirms Sega's commitment to the home videogaming business despite Sammy's clear amusements-driven strategy.

We reported that the game was "ready to go" a year ago but our sources suggested that ongoing licensing issues, as well as the obvious matter of total R&D reorganisation in the last year, have held the project back.

First screens of Sega Rally 2005 emerged today.

The incredible Xbox-exclusive OutRun2 conversion is just weeks away from release in Europe, but now rampant PS2 fanboys will have something to shout back about.

Kikizo assumes that the Hitmaker team is behind the project, with the majority of staff from the old Sega Rosso side of the studio central to the project. Our source told us a year ago that Sasaki-san was overseeing the project but there has been a lot of movement within Sega since then and really anything could be happening.

More from the new game.

Sources suggest Sega Rally is the first of many valuable Sega franchises in line for big comebacks. Watch Kikizo for details.

Expect the first screens and solid details in the coming days, with an appearance at next week's TGS not unlikely - if that happens, then of course expect our first-hand impressions.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com