SEGA of America,
Inc., SEGA Europe Ltd., and Microsoft today announced an exciting new
partnership for Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing.
For the first time
ever in a racing game for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment
system from Microsoft, players will be able to jump in the game as
their Avatar and race against the most popular Sonic & SEGA
characters. Exclusive to Xbox 360, gamers will also be able to play as
the infamous Banjo and Kazooie who make a welcome return to the console
and take to the starting grid in their Bolt Bucket all-terrain vehicle!
Working closely with the Rare Studio to bring the popular characters
to life, Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing sees Banjo and Kazooie
taking their place alongside classic SEGA characters such as Sonic,
AiAi, Amy, Knuckles and Ryo Hazuki. While mastering the drift system
to get the best out of the tracks and picking up weapons such as Sonic
speed boots and homing rockets, Banjo and his faithful sidekick Kazooie
will be able to unleash their own unique All-Star move in a bid to
cross the finish line in pole position. Players can take advantage of
the All-Star move in the addictive 8-player online multiplayer mode as
well as the single player and offline co-op modes.
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing will also be the first racing game
for Xbox 360 to feature fully playable Avatars. Players can watch
themselves speeding around the lush green hills of Sonic’s Seaside Hill
Zone or rolling around the levels of Super Monkey Ball. The game will
allow Avatars to hop in to the All-Stars Racing “Avacar” and master
stunning tracks from the visually rich and varied universes of Sonic
and SEGA. When it looks like they are falling behind, gamers can take
advantage of the Avatar All-Star move – a move exclusive to the Avacar.
Recognizable faces from the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network
Friends List will offer a cheering hand in the crowd.
"We’re very excited to see Banjo and Kazooie back on the screen
racing against these great SEGA characters” said Shintaro Kanaoya, Head
of Business Strategy and Development at Rare. “We’re also very proud
to see Xbox 360 Avatars, which were conceived of and developed at Rare,
incorporated into the game and allowing players to put themselves in
the driving seat. The project has been an excellent collaboration
between Rare and SEGA, and we’re looking forward to tearing around the
tracks and the game’s retail release!”
Christina DeRosa, GM for Xbox LIVE Business, says “We are excited to
be bringing our avatar characters to life in this title as avatar
characters are rapidly becoming a huge part of gaming for Xbox 360
owners. We are especially excited to launch this activity as Banjo
& Kazooie return on the scene.”
“We are so excited to feature Banjo and Kazooie in the Xbox 360
version of Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing” said Sean Ratcliffe
Vice-President of Marketing, SEGA of America. “Not only are we
thrilled to be able to work so closely with Microsoft and Rare, but we
recognize that Banjo and Kazooie – like Sonic – are some of the video
game industry’s most loved characters. Between them and the Avatars, we
are really happy to offer gamers the racing game we know they have been
waiting for.”
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing featuring Banjo Kazooie will be in stores Feb 2010.
Via http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2009/12/18/banjo-kazooie-playable-avatars-confirmed-for-xbox-360-version-of-sonic-sega-all-stars-racing/#more-3540
