YEAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!
Shenmue main man confirmed for racing game!
It's been a long and tearful six years since we last saw Ryo Hazuki on a console (that's Shenmue II on Xbox, fact-fans) but now the face-plastered one is set to return as a playable character in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing!
This new video just sent to us by Sega shows Ryo thundering around the game's brightly-coloured race tracks on a motorbike - presumably Ito's bike from the unforgettable motorbike scene in the first Shenmue - pulling off martial arts moves as tricks and generally looking stupendously awesome. Things get even more awesome when he jumps off his motorbike and starts driving around in a forklift truck.
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And here's the official press release from Sega:
He shall appear from a far eastern land across the sea, a young man who has yet to know his potential... And he'll be driving a badass motorcycle.
Ryo Hazuki, star of the Shenmue series returns in his first playable appearance since Shenmue 2 to join the ranks of the SEGA All-Stars as part of Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing.
Ryo, protagonist of the Shenmue series and one of the most requested SEGA character to make an appearance in All-Stars Racing will be riding his borrowed motorcycle around classic SEGA themed race tracks. And when a motorcycle just can't cut it, Ryo unleashes his All-Star move and is able to swap vehicles to his iconic forklift truck to charge and barge opponents out of the way!
The Shenmue series, the story of a son's quest for vengeance, began life in 1999 as the killer-app for the SEGA Dreamcast. Originally developed by the legendary Yu Suzuki for SEGA, Ryo has yet to gain his revenge but he's certainly no stranger to motorcycle racing and is sure to make a formidable adversary for Sonic, AiAi, Dr. Eggman and the other All-Stars.
Although there's no sign of Nozomi, Lan Di or sailors in this video, it looks like Ryo can satisfy his capsule toy addiction by ramming into those Monkey Balls.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing just became our number one most anticipated game in the world, so stay tuned for more videos and screenshots as the game's Q1 2010 release date gets closer.
1. pixelman
07 Oct 2009, 16:46 BST
Does this have online?
2. Prosody
07 Oct 2009, 16:46 BST
This is my favourite news ever on Nintendo Life.
pixelman - yes, it has online play.
BEST GAME EVER.
3. pixelman
07 Oct 2009, 16:47 BST
Never played Shenmue, so I guess I'm not as excited as I should be.
@Prosody: Ahhh, cool. I'm excited now, but the framerate looks a bit chuggy, even though the 360 version was being displayed. :/
4. Hyper Luigi
07 Oct 2009, 16:48 BST
I think I will buy this game either for the Wii or PS3.
5. Reala
07 Oct 2009, 16:50 BST
A good move by Sega, I wonder does reviving this character mean they may revive Shenmue, I can dream can't I, in any case its good to see Ryo on wii.
6. Shiryu
07 Oct 2009, 17:25 BST
How unexpected...the return of Shenmue is on wheels!
7. MrPinguy
07 Oct 2009, 17:31 BST
Ryo in mah Wii?
I am in heaven or something?
8. Egg miester
07 Oct 2009, 17:32 BST
fan-freeking-tastic news and way to funny i guess the game is a day 1 buy if theres nothing else good the month it will be out
9. WaLuigi1982
07 Oct 2009, 17:37 BST
I now want this game ! Shenmue was my favorite Dreamcast game. Granted I still need to beat Shenmue 2 (I just have a hard time enjoying the clunker called the XBOX).
10. Hardy83
07 Oct 2009, 17:54 BST
"A good move by Sega, I wonder does reviving this character mean they may revive Shenmue, I can dream can't I, in any case its good to see Ryo on wii."
I would assume it's just fan service for now. I mean Smash Bros had a ton of character we'll probably never see games for in a long time, if ever again.
11. aaronsullivan
07 Oct 2009, 18:31 BST
Now we just need some Dreamcast and Saturn games to come to the virtual console.
12. RadioShadow
07 Oct 2009, 18:40 BST
Come on Sega! Please add Axel Stone from Streets of Rage driving a police car or Arle Nadja driving a Puyo car (those blob things with eyes) from Puyo Puyo (If a banana car can get in, a Puyo car can!)!
Actually, is that Billy Hatcher in the chicken car? It didn't look like him but the only other Sonic game that has a chicken is from Sonic 2 (the robot enemy) or Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine (although I doubt it's Scratch).
13. JamieO
07 Oct 2009, 18:59 BST
@Reala and @Hardy83 You never know "fan service" may also be a teeny bit of Sega testing the water to see how enthusiatically we all respond to Ryo's return. If we all go nuts and get vocal about a new Shenmue, then they might just listen.
Is Shenmue III the most requested video game sequel of all time? (possibly!).
How cool are Sumo Digital, their Outrun 2 conversions were mint and Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing looks like being the most promising Kart racer, since Mario Kart Wii.
Cheers for the news, James.
14. redflicky
07 Oct 2009, 19:02 BST
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing!!!
I bet it's going to be a great game for Wii, PS3, 360 and DS!
15. Stuffgamer1
07 Oct 2009, 19:05 BST
Wow. I was already interested in this game, and the immense strangeness of seeing that guy in it only makes it more interesting. I've never played Shenmue, but I don't think that really matters too much. Driving in a forklift is awesome!
16. Strofan7
07 Oct 2009, 19:05 BST
This just sounds like it's going to take away a few people from mario kart online. So its just sad for me lol
17. chunky_droid
07 Oct 2009, 19:26 BST
YEAH! RYO HAZUKI!
Ok, I'm not THAT excited, I've never played Shenmue
18. Incognito D
07 Oct 2009, 19:27 BST
my actual reaction to this news:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djtl9Kv64c8
Sega, you for once did what we all asked for, and I will repay you by buying this game day 1.
Also, I like how this is tagged "awesome" - because it is!!
19. Reala
07 Oct 2009, 19:31 BST
Shenmue 1 & 2 would make great NPC games, I think the games would suit the wii, since it seems to be the place for unique games.
20. madgear
07 Oct 2009, 19:36 BST
Arghhgh!! I saw that screenshot and thought "oh man!! Shenmue is coming to Wii!!!!" then realised it was a cameo in a racing game. Whilst still cool it got my hopes up.
With the exact same thing happening yesterday with the Jet Set Radio announcement, I don't think I can take much more Sega related disappointment.
21. WhoKnew
07 Oct 2009, 20:45 BST
I have Mario Kart so I don't think I need this. To me this just looks like Sega trying to copy Mario Kart/Smash Bros. Doesn't look that fun, honsetly.
22. Prosody
07 Oct 2009, 22:18 BST
@WhoKnew - but it's Ryo Hazuki! In a racing game! Driving a forklift truck!
Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one not dead inside.
23. Ristar42
07 Oct 2009, 22:33 BST
Seeing Ryo and hearing the Shenmue music is excellent in the extreme - I was one of those who thought the game was great.
However - Its also slightly annoying as reminded me I still want to know what happens after Shenmue 2, and SEGA will seemingly never finish the story...
24. Prosody
07 Oct 2009, 22:54 BST
After Shenmue II, Ryo jacked in avenging his father and decided he just wanted to drive Ito's motorbike around the Green Hill Zone.
25. The Fox
08 Oct 2009, 00:30 BST
Hey, Ryo Hazuki. How about that. Maybe now they can add a cool character?
26. laskecap
08 Oct 2009, 02:33 BST
hope sega will remake shenmue for wii
this game's so awesome cant wait for it
27. Kidpit
08 Oct 2009, 04:03 BST
(well since no one else has thought to do it...)
This is the song
About Ryo Hazuki
As he unleashes
His All Star Move
HE TRIED TO KILL ME WITH A FORKLIFT! (Huzzah)
28. LEGEND MARIOID
08 Oct 2009, 09:56 BST
Please work well with the wii wheel, please.
29. Bass X0
08 Oct 2009, 11:01 BST
I'll be getting this on XBox 360.
30. Incognito D
08 Oct 2009, 11:19 BST
How about Joy from Shenmue II on her bike as well, or even that Chinese guy who always stands by the vending machine on his bicycle!?
31. Relevant Latty
08 Oct 2009, 14:54 BST
This could be just like the Smash Bros hype about 2 years ago. I haven't really played the Dreamcast or Saturn (although I like to take interest), I have heard Shemnue is an excellent game on the Dreamcast and can only be happy for the fans. It's just like the Sonic announcement of Smash Bros too which has made many people happy.
I am looking forward to this game but the charcaters/music/themes I want the most is the classic Streets of Rage. Imagine having a course that ranges from the tough streets to the factory of stage 6? It's a pity it can't be because back then it was deemed abit of a "mature" title despite there being no gore in the game compared to HotD.
Still excited for it though by all means.
Also (@ Bass XO: Me too. This'll be great for it!
@RadioShadow: We think alike my friend
. The Police Car is a must but it has to be the original gang in the car and their All-Star move has to be to bomb their rivals with the mortors.
32. Ristar42
08 Oct 2009, 21:42 BST
@Prosody - yeah, youtube has some great 'alternate endings' to Shenmue 2 (too)!
Man, Ryo's just going to be stuck in a cave for ever more, at least hes getting let out for this.
Shame the US never got Shenmue 2 on Dreamcast - I prefer the Japanese voice acting to the X-box version but..... why SEGA, why not finsh the story!?
33. The Fox
09 Oct 2009, 02:02 BST
@post 32:
Because the first two didn't come anywhere near close to making the money back for Sega.
34. Machu
09 Oct 2009, 16:47 BST
I'm not at all interested in Mario Kart clones, they are pointless, but, this line...
"He shall appear from a far eastern land across the sea, a young man who has yet to know his potential..."
...has me hyped. Please give us more Shenmue, pleeease. In fact, give us the first two on Wii, then the third. Please Sega! Do something useful with one of your awesome franchises for once!!
And then give us JSR, SC5, CT, etc. 
35. Betagam7
12 Oct 2009, 00:54 BST
I would buy this if I felt it would support Shenmue 3 finally coming and it could well be a way for Sega to reintroduce the character before an XBLA release for Shenmue's 1 and 2 perhaps?
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