Shenmue 3 ready to be "ported" to next-gen console(s)?
by Dan Choi 
{ Aug 24th 2005 at 2:15PM }
If this
exclusive on Kikizo is to be believed,
Shenmue 3 (covering chapters 7-16 of the planned
series) is not only virtually complete, but it's simply waiting for an exclusivity agreement to be ported to a next-gen
console. The unnamed, but "authentic and reliable" source claims that should such an agreement not come about, this
next Shenmue might even appear as a multiplatform release on the PS3, Xbox 360, and/or Nintendo Revolution,
depending on which option "makes more sense."
Now before we get any farther, it should be noted that we're not talking about Ryu ga Gotoku (an edgier game similar to Shenmue that Sega's working on) or Shenmue Online (the troubled PC MMO that's a bit up in the air right now). So if that's what Shenmue 3 is not, then what's "Shenmue 3" about (if we can even call it that)? Apparently this title will encompass every single chapter of Shenmue (the whole series, if you will), including the resolution of poor Ryo's search for the elusive Lan Di. AM2's plan would be to provide "a complete product" for those who have never played the first two installments, which would free the developers from being tied to a previous platform like the original Xbox (or Dreamcast!) due to a lack of old saves or loyal fan base. Kikizo's trusted source does say, however, that "360 looks most likely, but we shall see what the future brings."
Wow, up to this point, I've still only watched the movie portions of Shenmue 1 that came with 2
for the Xbox, so I guess I'm not bound much by old saved games, either. Maybe they'll bring this out in time to release
on home consoles while Virtua Fighter 5 and Afterburner III come out in the arcades. That would be
sweet. (SEGA!)
[via CAG (registration req'd.); thanks,
Ecofreak]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sam @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!! Thank you, god!
WizarDru @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Oh, please...please...please!!!
If true, this would be great news. Shenmue's grasp tended to reach further than the technology could handle, so nextgen update would be great.
I'm glad I never played the Xbox version of Shenmue 2, though, as I heard the voice-acting was atrocious. I played in on the Dreamcast via import from Europe, and loved it.
Juan Carlos @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I didn't think this day would every come...
*sheds a tear*
Brent @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
i would also like to thank someone for this, if you go to the shenmue fan sites most of them have given up hope on somethign like this ever seeing the light of day!
Morningbuster @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Is it sad that I will buy any system Shenmue 3 will be on? Seriously - major factor in my purchase of an Xbox.
With that said, if it does come out, I hope it (Shenmue 3 or Shenmue Collection) comes to the Revolution, for a few reasons:
First, the revolution will be the cheapest of the three next-gen systems, so Shenmue Fans would have to pay the $400 or god-knows-how-much the Xbox360 and PS3 will cost;
While not many are talking about it being their primary console, there is a lot more "yeah, i'll pick it up as my second system" than "not getting one, ever." so poetential market could be big;
It could support some of the Shenmue Passport online stuff from the Dreamcast days (though it would be a miracle the game comes out at all, so online components will probably be a no-go);
And, I think, the Shenmue series would appeal to the Nintendo Loyal. I've always thought of Shenmue as this weird alternative-reality Grand Theft Auto, where it isn't violent (save for the fighting sequence), the story takes absolute precedent over action (as opposed to some GTA missions which, i swear are just there because someone thought it'd be cool), and the voice acting is horrible. If Sega played its cards right, they could market this game as a GTA for people who hate GTA.
Of course with all that being said, I want it now, so either on Xbox or Gamecube, dammit.
pointfour @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
This is amazing news. Best news I've had all day, possibly all week. Here's hoping it come to the revolution.
Dr @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
TO ALL OF THOSE WHO SAID THIS DAY WOULD NEVER COME, WHAT ARE THEY TO SAY NOW???????????????????????????????????
O
M
F
G
CRYING IN JOY
Barry the SuperScot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Come on, Microsoft! Get this game exclusively for 360 (If not already)!
It makes sense as all the Sega loyal went to MS for Shenmue when it was revealed Shenmue 2 was coming to Xbox and MS bought the rights to the games for USA and Europe. It's good news that it seems it is coming to 360 anyway.
Rocket Punch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
OMFFFFFFFFFFG!!!!!!!! Santa is real!!!!!!!!!!
Danny Boy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Shenmue has made a big impact on a lot of gamers, sure it didn't sell well on Xbox but thats only because a lot of people probably already had it on the Dreamcast.
IMO, I think playing the game in Japanese was better; The Voice acting was really badly done in English.
I have yet to finish Shenmue 2 (On the Dreamcast) but it will happen one day soon, just as long as I still have my Game Saves.
chill @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
#7 Dr you might want to up your med dosage...
Jack @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
THIS IS CRAZY!! I'm so glad Shenmue 3 is finally coming I was about to put away the consol games for a while once I heard it would be $300 for the next generation system now no matter what I am deffinatly buying which ever system this comes out for. I just can believe it i've been a part of shenmuedojo for a very long time and the hope for shenmue was so low and I thought for sure it wasnt going to come because of shenmue online. JOYSTIQ THANK YOU VERY MUCH YOU JUST MADE MY WEEK MAYBE EVEN MONTH!
Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Hey, we aim to please. =)
Hilal Kalawi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I admit that I, like many others, have lost the hope in a third sequel of Shenmue. To game system manufacturers, Shenmue is a HIT. But who's smart enough to understand this fact?
Maybe MS would afford some deal with SEGA, why not?
However, it's good to hear that Shenmue 3 or whatever named is to be seen soon.
Rocketboy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Do you know where I can find some sailors?
Dan Choi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Ha, I know where you can find some sailors (gotta love Mega64.com):
http://videos.somethingawful.com/mega64/shenmue.mpg
Dr X @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
FINALLY AFTER BUYING SHEN 1 AND 2 ON DC BUYING 2X ON XBOX AND WAITING YEARS SHEN 3 IS COMING OUT ON NEXT GEN CONSOLES! AT LAST!
whiteguysamurai @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Xbox360 all the way,
Seems to be where the dreamcast soul went after the console died..
I can't wait.
mastermo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
this is the greatest thing ive heard,ive been waitin since shenmue 2 was released on the dreamcast for this, the excellent story just has to be brought to an end, i bought a gamecube ps2 and xbox just incase it was released on any of them, but it werent (damn). however i wont hesitate to get which ever console it comes out on, i want it on ps3 purely because its the powerfullist machine and it would look best on it.
rock it up @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I am so effing excited aabout this game, i just hope every thing is the same, the story and gameplay mostly. Since suzuki apparently has little to do with this game the people at am2 might end up giving him a pistol and magic abilities and have him kill zombies and demons, like so many games are being based off of these days. Just keep it the same, end the story, and i will die a happy death
Jason Camp @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
Agreed...I will not rest in my grave until I can lock Ryo's fingers around Lan Di's neck. Still one of (if not THE most) powerful moments I've ever experienced in a video game was Ryo staring down Lan Di as he got away on the helicopter's rope ladder.
Juggaloking13 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
I bought shenmue when it first came out, instantly loved it. then I got my hands on the elusive N.American Version of Shenmue II, THEN i BOUGHT IT AS ONE OF THE FIRST GAMES FOR MY XBOX, it really does seem that the dreamcasts soul went right to xbox, which is why I bought it instead of a PS2, that and I didn't believe for a second about sony's claim that the PS2 could support CG quality graphics, Did you see the B.S. Video Sony showed, They didn't even come close the the video, Which is why I don't believe for a second that the cell processor will be as powerful as they are hyping it up to be, that and sony already released statements saying that some of the cores in the cell processor might not work, plus they are locking one cell totaly off from developer use. PS3 Sucks.
Mr Knowledge @ Dec 18th 2005 9:36PM
All the remaining Shenmue games in one game!! PLUS Shenmue 1 + 2!!!! ALL IN ONE GO???!!!! It took me about 80 hours to complete the first one and about 90 hours to fully complete the second one!!! Thats 170 hours of game play! Add to that the potentially huge size of Shenmue 3 which incorperates ALL the remaining chapters! Are you having a laugh??! How long is this shit going to take to complete? 5, 6 years?! Get real. It's too big. No-one wants to play a game that big.