New SEGA Titles Revealed

Despite having been aggresively denied by Sega Europe and Sega of America, the list has been cited as genuine by anonymous insiders, and 'friends of friends' alike.

Many of these titles we already know about, and the only 'news' that can be gleamed from such titles is that yes, they're 'confirmed' for Europe, and 'here are the dates'. It also marks the end of Infogrames' and SCEE's roles as publishers of Sega titles in Europe for the last year or so, commencing with VF4 and PSO.

Initial D for PS2 had been delayed in Japan, after eager Japanese gamers were forced to wait beyond the previously anticipated release date last week. The new date for Japan, it has emerged, is June 26th. However this list indicates that European gamers will have to wait until October, while nothing much can be assumed regarding a North American release date.

Phantasy Star Online on Xbox is another title for which European release details were very sketchy, so if this list is indeed genuine, a lot of European gamers are going to be pleased.

Otogi, From Software's impressive action game, is also on the list. Although Sega of America announced this morning that Otogi: Myth of Demons is officially coming to the US in September. It therefore would not be surprising if Sega Europe's supposed list below is already out of date.

Altered Beast for PS2 is a franchise that many gamers would welcome the return of, as one of Sega's most treasured 16 BIT classics. This list says that Europe can expect it in October, making an E3 appearance likely in May.

Headhunter 2 for Xbox is an unexpected, but not unwelcome addition to the list, as the sequel to the original game released on Dreamcast and PS2 in 2000 and 2001.

Sonic Hero is probably Yuji Naka's much hyped 'next Sonic game', slated for November. Yuji Naka also stated last week that he's like to make Sonic Mega Collection 2 for GameCube, but these are clearly separate titles.

Meanwhile, the massively anticipated Sega Rally 3 is expected to see first quarter 2004 on PS2. Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who was heavily involved in the original Sega Rally, is not expected to be involved with the third in the series, however, with Sega Rosso in charge of future Sega Rally projects.

Thanks to GameKult for breaking the original news, and probably getting somebody at Sega sacked. The full list is as follows:

• Phantasy Star Online - Xbox - May 16
• Virtua Fighter - PS2 - July
• Otogi - Xbox - August
• Puyo Pop - PS2, Xbox, GC - August
• Phantasy Star Online Card Battle - Xbox, GC - October
• Altered Beast - PS2 - October
• Initial D - PS2 - October
• Headhunter 2 - PS2 - October
• Giant Egg - GC - October-November
• Headhunter 2 - Xbox - November
• Sonic Hero - GC - November
• Sega Rally 3 - PS2 - Q1 2004
• Mister Golf - PS2 - Q1 2004
• Management Soccer - PS2 - Q1 2004

Adam Doree
Why not go and spoil all of E3's Sega Surprises!