Segata Sanshiro Considered for ASR, But Unlikely
Tristan Oliver | December 2, 2009
Response to some Social Media Snooping
The long-retired Japanese commercial icon for Sega known as Segata Sanshiro was briefly considered for a role in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, according to a post on the Sonic Stadium forums by Steve Lycett.
Using his S0L nickname, he addressed some snooping that had taken place on his personal Facebook page. A conversation was picked up there, started by Sumo Digital’s lead designer Travis Ryan. He asked Lycett if the character had been picked up. A back and forth ensued between he and composer Richard Jacques lead to Ryan qupping that “Sony and MS are missing a trick here.” That led a few to wonder if Sanshiro would head to the Wii or DS edition.
Lycett admitted that concept art had been drawn up for Sanshiro, including a sketch of him riding a Sega Saturn–the console he was associated with in Japanese commercials. Still, you ought not hold your breath:
I’m glad there is nothing too embarrassing on my Facebook!
I’d not hold your breath on Segata Sanshiro, we did look at the possibility (and yes, I’ve even got some concept art of him riding on a Sega Saturn) but then I’ve got concept art for all manner of things that aren’t in the game!
That pesky Travis. You can’t say anything right now without it becoming a massive rumour!
Segata Sanshiro came to prominence in the 1990s as the face of the Sega Saturn ad campaign in Japan. The real life character, portrayed by actor Hiroshi Fujioka, would lay a beat down on anyone he came across in commercials who wasn’t playing the Sega Saturn. His name, translated, is “Sega Saturn White,” which was one of the model Saturns sold in Japan. The character was killed off in his final commercial, where Segata uses his strength to turn a rocket away from Sega’s Japanese headquarters, and into space.
We are expecting some legitimate new information in the next week or so concerning ASR. It is of critical timing, given the proximity to the Holidays, and NiGHTS’s association with them. We will keep track.
Filed Under Gaming News, Sega, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Sonic Scene
This could be interesting…
It would be as awesome as Ryo´s appeareance if they would´ve put him in!
At least they considered it, … I wanna see the concept art so badly, at least for old times sake! :3
Sega Ta Sanshiro Segata Sansiro, Segatatan Shiro! ^^ I know it´s probably not the right spelling, but you know what I mean! PLAY SEGA SATURN!!!! SHU!!! XD
God, I miss that guy and the commercials! ^^
Who is Segata?
@ daylengamer17
^ That’s exactly why he won’t make it in.
Segata Sanshiro is such an awesome guy…
EVERYONE TO THE SEGA SATURN NAO!
@Mike: Got that right!
I want Jacky Bryant in his race car. But yeah for Ulala! *starts dancing*
those commercials were hilarious
Which is the best version of this game to get?
“and NiGHTS’s association with them.”
@Tristan:
You are never going to give that up, huh?
Show proof of why you think the NiGHTS community is wrong in believing that the character will not be playable, then we will end the feud.
Oh, but then you will state that “NiGHTS has been in every other cameo/Superstars/All-Stars game, why wouldn’t he be in this one?”
The fact that everyone “expects” the character to be playable is proof enough why he won’t be.
Remember, Segato Sanshiro would punch sega neptune.
HE BETTER FUCKING GET IN
I WOULD BUY 10 COPIES HOLY SHIT
Come on now, this would be a beuatiful thing. I want it.
Don’t know who he is, but it sounds cool.
No, no, Digital Sumo. This is the part where you ADD him in. I don’t care if he’s on the active roster or DLC released later. You must add him in now for he has the power of the Fist of the Northern Star.
It would be disrespectful not to include Segata, he is the reason why Sega is still around. Do not forget his sacrifice, he gave his life so we could dream…
Tough on the other hand he would punish us for not playing this game on a Saturn.
@SMS
LoL I know, he probally wants a saturn version of the game to come out or he wont make an appearance!
Will go back to ‘buying it’ if this is in it.
Segata? I won’t even ask
Anybody who don’t know the greatness of Segata Sanshiro should be punished by a body slam in a mine field. :[
how the hell do you people like Sonic but NOT know who Segata Sanshiro is?
well I hope he makes it as DLC at least
Some errors:
- His name is a parody of the Akira Kurosawa movie character Sugata Sanshiro.
- The translation you have in the article as his name is actually his catchphrase that’s a pun for “Play Sega Saturn.”
[...] in all likelihood, wouldn’t have been playable, she joins other prominent rejects like Segata Sanshiro and who knows how many others that won’t make the final cut. We’re only a couple [...]
Segeta Sanshiro huh? Never heard of him, but some say that he’s an awesome character. I still have Sega Saturn. If he’s going to be in, that’s okay.
@NinMicroSega
I hope that NiGHTS join the ASR competition with Sonic and the others. It will be way awesome if she have.
[...] was a suggestion to have him race upon a giant Sega Saturn but in reality Segata would either run with a giant Sega Saturn strapped to his back or just fly. [...]
[...] “I’d not hold your breath on Segata Sanshiro, we did look at the possibility (and yes, I’ve even got some concept art of him riding on a Sega Saturn) but then I’ve got concept art for all manner of things that aren’t in the game!” – Steve Lycett [...]
[...] say should, because that respect was declared null and void when they didn’t include Segata Sanshiro among the cast. Letting ridiculous things like licensing and actor fees and budgets [...]