Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! – Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation

October 12, 2020

Rez Infinite, Little Witch Academia & Space Channel 5 VR Launch a day Early

The biggest virtual reality (VR) hardware launch of 2020 takes place tomorrow with the arrival of Oculus Quest 2. During Facebook Connect last month several videogames were confirmed for launch day with many more coming to the platform before the end of the year. If you own the original headset then head to the store as three titles have dropped early.

Launching ahead of schedule are Rez Infinite, Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing and Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!, as well as a couple of other editions today; Hatsune Miku VR and Homestar VR: Special Edition.

Rez Infinite is the big name out the bunch, a collaborative effort between Monstars Inc. and Resonair, published by Tetris Effects’ Enhance Games. Initially released for PlayStation VR, this psychedelic shooter is a visceral mix of lighting, neon colours, sound and music featuring reworked levels from the Dreamcast original as well as a dedicated VR level called Area X.

Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing is one of a cohort of titles created by Japanese developers, this one from UNIVRS, Inc. A racing videogame set around the Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy, you can across more than 10 stages and customise your broom in single-player with an online multiplayer arriving in a post-launch update. The title will also support PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and SteamVR in early 2021.

The last of the early arrivals is Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!, another musical title from the Dreamcast era. Set in a 25th century space TV station, aliens known as “Morolians” arrive, forcing people to dance. So you have to dance and strike poses to catchy tunes in a bid to score points.

While all the videogames support both Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2, they’ve been tweaked to make use of the latter’s improved hardware specifications. For example in Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing there will be more objects and additional visual effects to enjoy.

The new Oculus Quest 2 comes in two storage variations, 64GB for £299 GBP or 256GB for £399, always worth considering as the storage isn’t expandable. As more videogames are released for the Quest platform, VRFocus will keep you updated.

October 9, 2020

The VR Game Launch Roundup: A Quest to Play the Best

Anyone with a slight interest in virtual reality (VR) will know that the launch of Oculus Quest 2 is imminent, due to arrive next Tuesday, 13th October. Previously released titles are going to see enhancements whilst other developers are using the date to launch new content. Here are the videogames confirmed so far with more expected to drop.

The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners – Skydance Interactive

One of the bigger titles set to launch for the standalone headset, Skydance Interactive’s The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners has already been well received on PC VR and PlayStation VR. With an original storyline set in New Orleans, you have to survive walker filled streets looking for resources and crafting new items to help your journey. The Oculus Quest version features the Tourist Edition content, featuring three unique weapon recipes.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
Launch date: 13th October

Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing – UNIVRS, Inc.

Based on Studio TRIGGER’s anime, Little Witch Academia: VR Broom Racing will feature a new storyline within the magical universe, you’re a guest student at the famous Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy. Grabbing your flying broom, compete across more than ten tracks whilst unlocking customisation options.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
Launch date: 13th October

Rez Infinite – Monstars Inc. and Resonair

A visceral mix of lighting, neon colours, sound and music, Rez Infinite requires you to shoot a myriad of enemies which are synced in time with the music. Featuring the five original areas, this enhanced version also includes the VR specific Area X.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
Launch date: 13th October

Space Channel 5: Kinda Funky News Flash! – Grounding Inc.

Released earlier this year for PlayStation VR, Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is a rhythm-action videogame where players have to dance and strike poses to catchy tunes to score as many points as possible.

Supported platforms: Oculus Quest
Launch date: 13th October

Time Hacker – Joy Way

And for PC VR owners there’s Joy Way’s Time Hacker. You play a hero who can temporarily stop time allowing you to diffuse dangerous situations. This gives you time to add some choice uppercuts in, use their guns against them, trigger an explosive device or knock them into traffic.

Supported platforms: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index, Windows Mixed Reality
Launch date: 14th October

February 21, 2020

The VR Game Launch Roundup: Kinda Strange and Kinda Funky

VRFocus presents a list of 5 brand-new virtual reality (VR) titles to look forward to over the course of next week. Featuring both AAA and independent videogames, be sure to check out the accompanying YouTube video for a preview of each title’s gameplay.

Soul Axiom Rebooted – Wales Interactive

Previously released on all traditional gaming formats in 2016, Wales Interactive has now added VR support to this story-driven adventure puzzle game with vast improvements over the original release. Set in a cyber-world known as Elysia, users can collect and build up their powers and with the game featuring multiple possible endings, it’s up to every user to control their own destiny.

Supported platforms: Valve Index, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality
Launch date: 27^th February

Covert – White Elk Studios

In this co-operative videogame, you and a friend must work together to carry out a successful heist. Featuring cross-play, the gameplay features one player on a mobile device and one in VR, as either a thief in VR or a hacker on a mobile.

Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
Launch date: 25^th February

Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! – Grounding Inc.

Take a trip into the 25^th century in this easy-to-learn dance VR title suitable for the whole family. You are on a mission to defeat an evil alien race known as the ‘Moralians’ – by outperforming them on this galactic dance floor!

Supported platforms: PlayStation VR
Launch date: 25^th February

Hero Index – Fingertip Games

In this superhero-inspired flying adventure made exclusively for the Valve Index, wearing your H.E.R.O (Humanoid Exo Robotic Outfit), you take off from your battleship and make use of your deadly laser weapons arsenal to destroy all objects in your path.

Supported platforms: Valve Index
Launch date: 28^th February

Dawn Of Art – Atlas V, Novelab

Take a trip back to 35,000 BC to discover the very first pieces of artwork ever created by man. Discover the mysterious paintings on the wall of the cave in this immersive film, featuring interactive exploration elements. Narrated by Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley, users can discover the mysteries surrounding the origin of art itself.

Supported platforms: HTC Vive and Oculus Rift
Launch date: 24^th February

February 11, 2020

‘Space Channel 5 VR’ Headed to PSVR This Month, PC VR & Quest Versions TBA

Space Channel 5 (1999) first launched on Dreamcast and PS2 over two decades ago, and now the long-dormant franchise is ready to reemerge on PSVR headsets this month with Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!

Originally slated to launch in December 2019 on PSVR, Space Channel 5 VR was later delayed to Spring 2020. Now, Japan-based developer Grounding Inc. says the rhythm game is headed to PSVR on February 25th in North America (prices at $40), and in Europe & Oceania one day later.

Versions for PC VR headsets will be available through Steam and Viveport, and for Oculus Quest, although their respective launch dates are still unknown at this time.

Set in the titular 25th-century space TV station ‘Space Channel 5’, the single-player VR game tasks you with fighting against alien invaders and rival dance crews with the power of choreographed moves—all in the patently ’60s retro-future surroundings. Although you don’t take over Ulala herself, you do get a chance to bust moves as her assistant.

Space Channel 5 VR is said to include a story mode, arcade mode, and an endurance exercise mode with calorie counter. Check out the latest trailer below:

The post ‘Space Channel 5 VR’ Headed to PSVR This Month, PC VR & Quest Versions TBA appeared first on Road to VR.

February 10, 2020

PlayStation VR Launch Date Confirmed for Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!

Sega Dreamcast classic Space Channel 5 celebrated its 20th-anniversary last year, with developer Grounding Inc. and SEGA originally planning to release Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! to coincide with the event. A delay was announced in December until Spring 2020, and now the first launch dates have arrived – only for PlayStation VR.

Space Channel 5 VR

Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is a rhythm-action videogame where players have to dance and strike poses to catchy tunes to score as many points as possible. There’s even a story behind this dancing fever in that you work for “Space Channel 5,” the premiere space TV station of the 25th Century. You join senior reporter Ulala as a rookie just as aliens known as “Morolians” arrive, forcing people to dance.

It’ll feature several modes to enhance the content experience alongside the main story campaign. An Arcade Mode will be available to introduce the gameplay which is recommended for VR beginners. For those that like a bit of a workout then the Trial Dance is where you get 100 dances in a row in this exercise and endurance mode – calories are also tracked. A Viewing Mode enables the story to be watched again through a third-person perspective and multiple camera angles, while the Friendopedia has all the character biographies. Finally, a Dressing Room is available to change Ulala’s outfits as they’re unlocked through the story.

Grounding Inc. confirms that: “The English voice cast includes Cherami Leigh taking over the lead role as Ulala, and Tom Clarke-Hill returning to reprise his role as Jaguar. Other cast members include Cassandra Lee Morris as newcomer Kell and Greg Chun as the being terrorizing the galaxy, Glitter.”

Space Channel 5 VR

Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! will be released on 25th February 2020 across North America, Central, and South America, and 26th February in Japan, Europe, and Oceania for PlayStation VR, retailing at $39.99 USD. Versions for HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest have been confirmed but no dates have been released at this time.

Additionally, A Space Channel 5 Ukiuki Music Festival to celebrate the launch, as well as the franchise’s 20th anniversary, will be held in Shibuya, Japan on 27th March 2020. For further updates on the videogame, keep reading VRFocus.

December 3, 2019

Space Channel 5 VR Release Delayed Until Spring 2020

Japanese developer Grounding Inc. has confirmed that rhythm-action title Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is once again being delayed, pushed back from its 2019 release window into the Spring of 2020.

Space Channel 5 VR

In a statement on the official Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! website Grounding Inc. says: “Thank you for your support for “Space Channel 5”. We regret to announce the “Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash!” will be delayed. Originally scheduled to be released end of 2019, it has since been pushed back to Spring 2020. The new release date will be announced as soon as possible. Thank you again for your support to our game and apologize for the delay.”

While the English version is devoid of any reason behind the delay the Japanese version does note the delay is to improve the quality of the videogame.

A reboot of the Sega Dreamcast classic from 1999, Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! was originally announced in early 2018 as Space Channel 5 VR: Arakata Dancing Show in Japan. A couple of months later it was confirmed the videogame would be getting a western launch with its new title.

Space Channel 5 VR

Just like its predecessor, Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is a dancing rhythm videogame where you have to strike poses to catchy tunes to score as many points as possible. The gameplay should be a good fit for virtual reality (VR) headsets which have seen a growing abundance of rhythm-based titles arrive, such as Beat Saber, Synth Riders and BoxVR to name a few.

The story is set in 25th century involving Space Channel 5’s top reporter Ulala. She is hosting a news report on a mysterious dancing incident involving aliens known as “Morolians”, forcing people to dance. This means you need to fight the invading aliens by strutting your stuff in the ultimate dance battle, receiving more views and helping Ulala in the process.

Space Channel 5 VR: Kind Funky News Flash! is slated to support PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive when it eventually arrives. When details of a more concrete release date are confirmed, VRFocus will let you know.

September 17, 2018

Further Details on PlayStation VR Release of Space Channel 5 VR

Though the SEGA Dreamcast is long gone now, its legacy lives on in the form of the videogames that came to prominence on SEGA’s last console. One of those is Space Channel 5, whose virtual reality (VR) adaptation has been making the rounds at event in Japan, and now wil finally be getting a home release on the PlayStation VR.

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash is currently in development and is set for release some time in 2019, appropriately marking the 20th Anniversary of the title’s release on the Dreamcast.

A demo of Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash will be playable at the Tokyo Game Show 2018 on 20th-23rd September, 2018. There are also plans to hold a special campaign called the ‘Gyun-Gyun Campaign’ to celebrate the announcement.

Players will be broadcast into the 25th Century where players will take control of rookie reporter twin sisters Lou and Kee who will act as the player avatars for the futuristic rhythm adventure. Lou and Kee (and the player) will be able to dance alongside iconic Space Channel 5 host Ulala and bring back a wash of nostalgic memories.

Developers Grounding Inc have promised that the classic Dreamcast setting and gameplay will be present, but now players can react to the rhythm using their body, instead of just the controller. Brand new stories, characters, stages and sounds can be expected.

Attendees at the Tokyo Game Show will be able to request time with the Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash demo. Demonstrations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, though some advanced reservations are possible by contacting the company.

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash will be at the Grounding Booth, Hall 10, W19. The title is available in both English and Japanese, though a Western release has not yet been confirmed. The English trailer is available to view below.

For future coverage of Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash and other upcoming VR experiences, keep checking back with VRFocus.

September 11, 2018

Space Channel 5 VR Prepares To Broadcast Onto PlayStation VR

The SEGA Dreamcast is unique as it is perhaps more beloved after its lifespan than during it. A case of not knowing what you had until it had gone, SEGA’s last home console was almost too ahead of its time in many ways and it and its videogame library brought about a great many ideas now considered standard in the industry.

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash One colourful rhythm-action title that made waves was a slightly surreal one about an intergalactic news reporter in the mini-est of vinyl miniskirts who found herself part of a story of alien invasion. Saving the day not through journalism but effectively via a series of dance-offs. That title was Space Channel 5 and it still beloved today, the character of Ulala being elevated to one of publisher SEGA’s ‘All-Stars’.

A virtual reality (VR) version of Space Channel 5 has been a reality for over two years now. Appearing at 2016’s Tokyo Game Show as Space Channel 5 VR: Ukiuki Viewing Show, the initial six minute demo originally used an HTC Vive to transport people five hundred years into a future of interstellar broadcast networks, hostage rescuing and Space Michael Jackson.

Initially an experience for arcades earlier this year the rechristened Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash! confirmed plans at least for a home release thanks to a “Game Hardware for Console Version” label, which said it was TBD – or ‘To Be Determined’. Now however in the run up to this year’s Tokyo Game Show the PlayStation VR has been confirmed as a platform for release. What has sadly not been confirmed is any release date, or how any Western release might factor into proceedings. However, a newly released trailer for the announcement at least shows that Ulala, the invading Morolians and the residents of the space station are looking, graphically, better than ever.

You can watch that below. We’ll bring you more news about Space Channel 5 VR as soon as we have it on VRFocus.