“Fully Playable” Shenmue PS2 Port Was Developed By SEGA

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Summary

  • SEGA developed a playable PS2 port of Shenmue over 20 years ago, but it was never released due to real-life brand rights issues.
  • The PS2 port had all graphical issues fixed, making it a more polished game. A leak of the source code has not occurred.
  • Despite no new Shenmue game announcements, Inin Games will publish Shenmue 3 on current-gen platforms. SEGA also plans a subscription service.

As an old-school gamer with memories of playing games on cathode-ray tubes and dial-up modems, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I hear about the lost Shenmue PS2 port. You see, I was one of those who played the original Dreamcast version, marveling at its open-world city gameplay that later inspired games like Grand Theft Auto.

However, hearing about a playable build of Shenmue for the PS2, complete with fixed graphical issues, has left me wondering what could have been. I can only imagine how much smoother the game would have run on Sony’s powerhouse console and how many more players might have experienced its charm.

I remember the excitement surrounding the release of Shenmue 3 a few years ago and the disappointment that followed when it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. But now, with Inin Games as the new publisher and their intention to release Shenmue 3 on current-gen platforms, I can’t help but feel hopeful.

I guess you could say that I’ve been waiting for Shenmue 2 all these years, and it looks like I might finally get my wish. But hey, if the game’s heavy use of real-life brands gets in the way again, maybe they can work out a deal with TIMEX for a limited edition watch bundle. Now that would be something to see!

Shenmue, though not as well-known today as in past decades, holds a unique place as the first open-world city game, paving the way for series like Grand Theft Auto. Regrettably, its release coincided with the twilight of the Dreamcast console, which was overshadowed by Sony’s PlayStation 2.

Surprisingly, you might not be aware that the PlayStation 2 had a version of Shenmue! Not just a prototype or idea, but a fully functional game to play.

SEGA Developed A Shenmue PS2 Port

25 years ago, the team responsible for creating Shenmue developed a fully playable version of the game on the PS2. Surprisingly, this early build was never made available to the public despite being created more than two decades ago.

Hirai explained that he created a version of “Chapter 1” for the PlayStation 2, noting that it was never officially launched. However, there was an internal version of the game that could run on the PlayStation 2. Furthermore, he developed an Xbox version, but only “Shenmue II” was released in North America for the Xbox.

Makoto Wada mentioned that the development team successfully addressed all graphical glitches, resulting in a smoother gaming experience for PlayStation players. Essentially, they adapted the shaders from the Dreamcast and customized the PlayStation 2 to support these shaders since both systems’ GPUs are distinct. He further explained that they redesigned and installed new GPUs because the ones for the PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast were not compatible. In essence, they made it possible to release the game on the PlayStation 2 if one had chosen to do so.

As a gamer, I’ve been wondering: If the game development was so far along, why didn’t Sega release it? Well, according to Wada, it was due to complications with using real-life brands. He elaborated, “The Xbox version of ‘Chapter 1’ was also not released. I believe this was because of contractual issues rather than technical ones. You see, the game featured brands like TIMEX watches and Coca-Cola drinks. The agreement was only for the Dreamcast version of ‘Chapter 1’, so I think it was put on hold since those elements couldn’t be used on other consoles.

There’s been no leak of the Shenmue PS2 source code or anything, which is surprising today.

As a longtime fan of the Shenmue series who has eagerly awaited the release of a new game for years, I’m thrilled to hear that Inin Games has taken over the license and plans to bring the game to current-gen platforms. Having grown up playing the original Shenmue games on Dreamcast and Xbox, I can only imagine how much more immersive and visually stunning a modern iteration of the series would be. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this new partnership will lead to a sequel that lives up to the legacy of the beloved franchise.

These days, open-world games are plentiful, but Shenmue 3 could still be worth exploring. According to our review, “Shenmue 3 is packed with outdated design elements, oozing charm everywhere, and ultimately delivering on its promise. Fans received a genuine Shenmue game in every aspect, flaws and all.

Furthermore, it’s being said that SEGA might be planning to debut a streaming platform similar to Netflix, according to recent reports.

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2025-01-01 15:09