Whenever Shenmue gets it's eventual HD Remake and ported to PSN/XBLA, what do you think the overall response and reaction will be to those who purchase the game?
Of course the majority of purchases will be from fans of the game who want to re-live the Shenmue experience. But this myth and mystique surrounding Shenmue has definitely garnered interest to a point where Sega themselves will be shocked when they look at the sales numbers.
Let's not forget that as of right now, Shenmue can only be played on one console, so the new audience for this game cannot be underestimated. I think you're going to find a vocal audience(your average COD gamers) who won't understand the game and call it "boring". But then I think you'll find the majority who will see the game for what it is and find it easy to play and to progress in it's entrenching story due to times finally catching up with Shenmue's innovations.
If it's reasonably priced, there's no reason that Sega won't pick up steam and interest for Shenmue III, perhaps even Shenmue II if the decide to release the games one at a time. It's an extremely low risk and high reward for Sega. To be honest, Shenmue could even become bigger than it was before.