I know for a fact that none of you have been paying attention to Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, and really why should you? Um, maybe because RYO HAZUKI IS IN IT!? That's right, the Shenmue star is making his grand return in the most unlikely of fashions, appearing as a racer in Sega's upcoming crossover game.
Sega made the announcement in a brand new trailer for the game, showing Ryo taking on the likes of Dr. Robotnik from the back of his trusty chopper. It's something I don't think anybody has ever expected to see in the history of ever, so I highly suggest you click that video and watch Shenmue's hero in action.
And yes, he DOES ride a forklift truck in the video as well.
This is literally unbelievable.
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.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
Likes
PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3
Meet the rest of the team
Damn. Even Ryo isn't safe from these hard, economic times. He was in the greatest DC RPG ever made, and he went from earning dough by giving hand jobs to sailors to starring in what will probably be an awful cliche SEGA crossover racing game.
Somehow i genuinely though it looked fun, it was maybe only .0 infinity 1 of a moment in time. But i felt it. Nostalgia is a powerful tool, but you will not sell me this shit SEGA!
I was so surprised by this news that in my haste to pause my stereo to watch the video unencumbered by the sound of Alice In Chains new album that I knocked a pack of batteries off my desk and it landed on the power button on my surge protector thus shutting off all power in my room. Oddly it felt like a metaphor for how SEGA built us up for 3 Shen Mue games but then pulled the plug on the series just when we were ready for something awesome to happen.
That's so awesome. I'm not sure how this game will be better than Mario Kart yet, but it's already beating it in terms of graphics and character roster (Because we really need the option to play as 18 Mario Characters, even though half of them suck)
...I really want to comment on this. I really do. But I just don't know what to say. Initial thoughts are awesome. But I hope this game doesn't suck, since I know how Sega develops cart racing games (looking at you, Sonic Adventure 2). But...Ryo effing Hazuki? I really hope he has some dialog in the game.
This hurts, so much. It's like turning on tv one day to see your once-beloved childhood sweetheart in a live mudwrestling contest. Please just give us Shenmue 3.
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
10:40 AM on 10.07.2009
| 
That is awesome, awesome footage. Are you sure this isn't some sort of 6 month early April Fool's joke?!
"Is this the sort of kart-racer where SAILORS hang out?"
HOW ABOUT LUCKY HIT!?
Poor Ryo.
Or at least, I'm being hopeful for it.
*Spoilers*
This IS Shenmue 3.
You just love playing Miss Negativity don't you. I hope your day gets better and you stop being so douchey.
Sega I am disappoint.
Now does this change the fact that I've still not heard of this game nor care about it? Nah.
It's almost like a Corey Feldman cameo.
How the mighty have fallen. :[
... to fap.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Or maybe just to play this game.