Minor Shenmue reference in Sonic Riders Zero Gravity

[Hadoken Hazuki]

I purchased Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity for the Wii a few days ago, and unlocked two tracks called 80's Boulevard and 90's Boulevard. They're basically two cities full of massive posters/statues/references of many Sega games and consoles from the aforementioned decades.

Anyways, I was playing through the 90's Boulevard when lo and behold, there it was: a fairly big Shenmue poster on the side of a building towards the end of the circuit (box art of the original game).

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, and I know it's nothing special, but it is the first official Shenmue reference in a Sega game for many, many years, is it not? (The Virtua Fighter 5 tags were fan-made, I believe.)

Nice to see that SEGA aren't completely denying the series' existence...

[random331]

nice thanks for telling us man

[ac2u]

nice find!

Shenmue references are pretty rare, in regards to "many many years"... Outrun 2 did have a shenmue reference as well. One of the bars from Shenmue 2 featuring on a track.

Can't quite remember the exact details at the moment, but it's on the kikizo forums if you want to look it up (and probably here too).

[Kiyuu]

I purchased Sonic Riders: Zero Gravity for the Wii a few days ago, and unlocked two tracks called 80's Boulevard and 90's Boulevard. They're basically two cities full of massive posters/statues/references of many Sega games and consoles from the aforementioned decades.

Anyways, I was playing through the 90's Boulevard when lo and behold, there it was: a fairly big Shenmue poster on the side of a building towards the end of the circuit (box art of the original game).

Interesting! Thank you for the info!


EDIT:

I've just found this image in the official site of the game:

[TheTimeRanger]

Cool! Glad to see that they are at least thinking of Shenmue internally.

[Hadoken Hazuki]

Shenmue references are pretty rare, in regards to "many many years"... Outrun 2 did have a shenmue reference as well. One of the bars from Shenmue 2 featuring on a track.

Oh, I wasn't aware of that. I stand corrected then.

What I find interesting is that while the poster is located in the 90's Boulevard, Shenmue was released in Japan in the final three days of the 90's. It just about made the cut!

[TheEdge]

Thats pretty cool, I like the way Sega does that in its game.

[Kiyuu]

Shenmue references are pretty rare, in regards to "many many years"... Outrun 2 did have a shenmue reference as well. One of the bars from Shenmue 2 featuring on a track.

Oh, I wasn't aware of that. I stand corrected then.

What I find interesting is that while the poster is located in the 90's Boulevard, Shenmue was released in Japan in the final three days of the 90's. It just about made the cut!

I wonder if he means the "Bell Wood's" reference in "Outrun 2" as you see here:

http://shenmue.planets.gamespy.com/foru ... p?p=662708

Anyway, it's good that Shenmue was eligible for the 90's Boulevard's entry. ;)

[Mr.Tambourine Man]

Could it be a clue????

[Hadoken Hazuki]

Unfortunately, it's definitley not a clue, buddy. ;)

There were countless other tributes to many Sega games in those circuits that have practically no chance of making a comeback. Plenty of games I'd never even heard of before. For example, there was a large banner for a Mega Drive puzzle game called "Jewel Master". I'd be suprised if Sega were thinking about developing a new instalment in that series.

EDIT: I just Youtubed Jewel Master, and it's actually a sidescrolling fighter, not a puzzle game. Sounds like one though, doesn't it?

[Clint]

This epic discovery could lead to Shenmue III.

[Mr.Tambourine Man]

[quote="Hadoken Hazuki"]Unfortunately, it's definitley not a clue, buddy. ;)

I was being sarcastic.

[Hadoken Hazuki]

Ah, couldn't tell.

[2ndOpp]

This epic discovery could lead to Shenmue III.

You really think so Clint? My god your right! I going to start studying it right away... maybe even right a book about it ;P


Really though, it is a nice find

[Ziming]

This epic discovery could lead to Shenmue III.

Time to update the front page of the dojo. I'm sure fan will get excited about this.