Shenmue 1 & 2 re-release could be on the cards

Sega has said that it is currently pondering how to go about re-releasing cult RPGS Shenmue and Shenmue 2.

Despite the fact that fans have been clamouring for more Shenmue for years, it was the recent success of the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter that finally gave Sega the nudge it needed.

Now Sega Europe’s head of brand marketing Jon Rooke has told Marketing Week that the publisher is exploring ways to re-release the original two Shenmue titles, although it sounds as if mobiles – or perhaps even VR – could be the platform of choice.

We want to innovate and back smarthphones and virtual reality but our key purpose is to go back to what the brand used to stand for and I think the buzz around Shenmue 3 shows that people love our legacy,” Rooke said.

Sega was an innovator, the Dreamcast was offering online gaming as early as 1998. But perhaps back then we were pushing boundaries a little too soon. Nowadays we know what we’re good at and the strategy is to be more gradual. Over the next few years, we want to use engaging content and marketing to remind the public why they fell in love with Sega in the first place.”