Dreamcast sales have spiked since Shenmue III’s reveal

If you thought that interest in Shenmue has waned since it’s announcement at E3, you may want to rethink your stance. According to MCV UK, Dreamcast sales have “gone through the roof”  since Shenmue III was announced at this year’s E3.

According to one indie retailer, “We sold 20 Dreamcasts in the last week alone,” said Alex Bowness of Canterbury’s Level Up Games. “All of sudden, people are asking where they can play the original two Shenmue games. The announcement of Shenmue III really piqued everyone’s interest.”

David-James Turvey from Llanelli’s Retrobution believes that the renewed popularity for the Dreamcast and the Shenmue titles is partially driven by a lack of Shenmue HD remakes.

“Sega has really lost out on a load of digital sales by not releasing HD versions, so naturally indies like myself are the only place that would satisfy that itch to get back into these titles,” he said.

“I’ve had more customers hyped about Shenmue III than Call of Duty, and I am glad there are gamers out there like this, because it proves that gaming is not as disposable as other forms of entertainment. Indies should be confident in their physical stock. Dreamcast sales have come from nowhere almost, what’s exciting now is that young gamers who perhaps didn’t even know what the Dreamcast was are interested in it.”

With Tokyo Game Show right around the corner, it would be smart for SEGA to strike while the iron is hot and announce those HD versions of Shenmue I and II. It’s refreshing to see Shenmue getting such publicity after years of being dormant. Do you think Shenmue HD will be announced at this year’s Tokyo Game Show? Let us know in the comments below!

Via MCV