Mickey Mouse is returning to star in Castle of Illusion, a fantastical HD reimagining of the classic Sega Genesis game. The game is scheduled to release in summer of 2013. We know that Castle of Illusion has a special place in many gamers’ hearts. Sega studios Australia is putting lots of care into this new 2D/3D game.

Our plan is to deliver a fully reimagined experience that takes advantage of the power of PS3 with all new graphics and new adventures, while at the same time making sure that the game maintains the Disney magic that the original Castle of Illusion captured in 1990.

We have also been working very closely with the director of the original game, who is now at Disney Interactive. We are having a blast working with her to realize many of the elements that were intended for the original game, but couldn’t be achieved until now due to the technical limitations of previous generation consoles. If you have played the original game, you will also see that we have kept intact many of the major iconic elements of the game that helped define this groundbreaking game at the time of its original release.

Look out for our developer interviews and behind the scenes videos to catch the Sega Studios Australia team and members of the original game development team share their experience working on Castle of Illusion.

Also, just a few weeks ago in LA, we teamed up with fighting game legend Alex Valle and his crews from Level|Up Series to host a Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown Pre-launch party. We’ve invited the VF legends, Fuudo and Chibita, from Japan to demonstrate the game and also take on 20 or so challengers. Amazingly, we had people fly in from Australia, Japan, Singapore, Canada and all over the US just to make it to this event and … we had a blast! We’ve put together a short video of our event. If anyone is interested in seeing what the VF community is like, you can watch the video here!

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is the definitive version of the popular Virtua Fighter 5 series, developed by AM2. The game introduces two new playable characters, overhauled fighting mechanics and dynamic and interactive fighting arenas. Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown also includes console-only features such as a robust Training Mode, eight-player Online Room Match Mode and a match record feature to replay, save, and upload fights.

In its PSN debut, Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is $14.99 and each character costume customization DLC pack is $4.99 each at launch, with each pack containing a whopping 600-900 customization items.

Two additional customization bundle packs, one consisting of nine character customization DLC packs and the other with 10 character customization DLC pack, are also available at launch for $14.99 each. Yes, that means there will be thousands of customization items per bundle pack.

However, only on PSN, for two weeks only (from June 6th to June 19th), the Complete Edition ($45 value), which includes the full game and all 19 character customization DLC packs, will be offered storewide at a discounted price of $29.99.

Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown is also the PlayStation Plus Game of the Month. All PlayStation Plus subscribers will be able to download the game as part of their instant game collection free between June 5th to July 3rd. In addition, we will be offering 20% off on both character customization bundle packs to Plus members for two weeks (6/5-6/19). We will also be offering one free dynamic theme and 20 free avatars (scheduled to be available on 6/26) to Plus members.

Your mission is simple: Play as AMS Agent James Taylor or Kate Green and save the world by fighting against an old enemy and hordes of unforgiving evil creatures. Use your gun and grenades to blast them away!

Here are the key features:

• PlayStation Move compatible
• Multiplayer mode
• Multiple paths
• Ranking and grading system to track your shot accuracy
• Additional levels from The House of the Dead 4 Special
• Bonus unlockable PlayStation Home item
• Original creator interview
• Trophies

We will be releasing an early demo on April 10th. This demo will be available for two weeks (4/10-4/24) exclusively to PlayStation Plus members. For a limited time only (4/17-5/1), Plus members will also have access to a 30% discount on the full game. What else? We will also be offering Plus members an exclusive PS3 dynamic theme and avatars to help set the mood.

For the first two weeks (4/17-5/1), we will also be offering an avatar as a gift with purchase store wide. Download the game this April and continue the adventure!

It’s time to make a move! Today, we are releasing The House of the Dead III demo on PlayStation Network. This demo will be available on PlayStation Network for two weeks (until February 21st) exclusively to PS Plus members.

Not a PS Plus member? That’s okay… This beloved arcade classic will be released exclusively on PS3 on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2012) at an easy to pick up price of $6.99. For two weeks only (until February 28th), we will also be offering a PSN avatar as a free gift with purchase.

For PS Plus members, we will be offering additional 30% off on the game for two weeks (until February 28th) to make your Valentine’s Day and the month of February even sweeter! We will also be giving away PS Plus exclusive free dynamic theme and avatars.

Your Mission: Run fast. Shoot faster. As Lisa Rogan or Agent G, rescue Ex-AMS Agent Thomas Rogan before the unthinkable happens. Unload shotgun rounds on relentless armies of evil creatures and of course, save the world!

Key features:

• PlayStation Move compatible
• Multi-player mode
• Multiple paths
• Multiple rescue events
• Ranking and grading system to track your shot accuracy
• Trophies
• Bonus unlockable PlayStation Home item
• Original creator interview

It’s all here. The cars, the courses, the original soundtrack and of course, the unforgettable Rooolliiiing staaaart! Race your AI opponents in classic Arcade Mode, beat the clock in Survival and Time Trial modes or sing along to your favorite DAYTONA songs in Karaoke mode!

We are bringing back the original DAYTONA USA experience introduced back in 1993 with enhanced retro graphics, trophies, steering wheel controller support and a new online mode that supports up to 8 players.

Since its arcade debut, DAYTONA USA has stood the test of time as one of SEGA’s top racing titles. The DAYTONA USA and retro game fans will certainly notice that every detail of the original hit has been meticulously preserved and polished for this ultimate version of DAYTONA USA.

For two weeks only (until November 8th), we are giving away our DAYTONA USA retro theme as gift with purchase. DAYTONA USA is also part of this month’s PlayStation Plus program. For Plus members, we are giving away a free theme and retro car avatars.

We hope to see you on the speedway tomorrow!

This latest version is called Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown or “VF5FS,” and it introduces a fistful of new features to this time-tested fighter, including completely rebalanced mechanics, timing, animation and a brand-new dynamic arena system. We’re also introducing two new characters to the roster: Sumo wrestler Taka-Arashi will make his big return from VF3 and karate expert Jean Kujo will join the VF series for the first time. Best of all, VF5FS now includes online play via PSN, engineered to allow fast-paced combat with little to no latency.

Mixing all that with a huge variety of character customization items and costumes, you will be getting the definitive Virtua Fighter experience when the game is released in Summer 2012!

If you can’t wait that long, we’ve got a special treat for you. The SEGA team is rounding up the only existing VF5FS arcade cabinets in the US, and bringing them to PAX! We’ll have the cabinets up and running at Gameworks during PAX so come by and join us for an old-school arcade blowout!

Depending on when you come by, you might also be able to catch a member of the VF5 production team in action. We’re planning to give out some exclusive VF5FS items at PAX and Gameworks too!

If you can’t join us at PAX, please keep checking back for updates. This is just the beginning, we’re planning on providing much more information between now and launch.