Segagaga/Trivia

No Budget: According to developer Tez Okano, the game cost "100th of Shenmue" and was developed mostly in secret over two years. When its sale was approved, Sega gave him a $200 marketing budget, of which half was used by Okano to buy himself a wrestling mask. Appearing at games stores in disguise, he was able to get enough buzz going to spur online orders and eventually a retail release.
No Export for You: This game never made it outside of Japan. It's just too weird and too Japanese.
Reality Subtext: The game is a deranged Self-Parody of how SEGA was losing their one-sided rivalry against Sony and the stress it was causing the staff. Unfortunately, the 'saving the company' part never really came to pass...