Posted by Barry the Nomad
on Dec 4th, 2013
Presenting a new SEGAbits YouTube channel original series dedicated to SEGA’s 2D and Arcade powerhouse, the SEGA Saturn. Our new series, entitled “This is Saturn”, is created by the latest member of the SEGAbits team, Liam ‘Tracker’ Ashcroft. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Tracker was the winner of our third anniversary contest back in February. It ended up being sort of a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory situation, where he not only won the prizes, but was also invited on staff. We just refused to also house his family, and we have no chocolate to share.
In this premiere episode, Tracker looks at the arcade hit Daytona USA’s conversion to the Saturn. Take it away, Tracker:
Daytona USA is a game I have fond memories of in terms of the arcade – both the original and the also fantastic sequel (which is crying out for a home port) have eaten many £1 pieces out of my wallet over the years, and the HD re-release on PSN was great!. As a result, the game was the first thing I bought for my Saturn – and it only set me back 50p!
So, is it still an arcade classic? Or is it just a polygonal pile of shit? Let’s find out, in a review certainly not ripped from my personal channel. Not in the slightest.
Like this video? Subscribe to the SEGAbits YouTube channel!
Posted by Barry the Nomad
on Dec 4th, 2013
Variety has reported that actor Christopher Evan Welch, the voice of Miles “Tails” Prower in The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon series, has passed away at the age of 48*. Welch voiced Tails in all 65 episodes of the series alongside Jaleel White’s Sonic and Long John Baldry’s Robotnik (Baldry passed away in 2005).
Welch’s other TV credits include AMC’s Rubicon, The Sopranos, The Practice, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: SVU and The Good Wife. Welch also appeared in several movies including Spielberg’s War of the Worlds and Lincoln, Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
All of us at SEGAbits, especially those of us who grew up on Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, send our thoughts and prayers to Welch’s family. He will be missed.
I wanted to add that the Seattle Times has a fantastic tribute to Welch’s stage acting career, featuring a great photo from 1993 which was around the same time he had worked on Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog.
* Despite many entertainment outlets stating that Welch was likely 48, this doesn’t jive with his child-like voice in Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. At 48 now, Welch would be 28 in 1993. But given puberty has been the presumed cause for Welch not appearing in Sonic Christmas Blast in 1996, he would have been closer to 11 which matches with a 1983 birthdate floating around. And yet, the Seattle Times shows a photo from 1993 featuring a man much older than 11. So either Welch was much older and could do a great child voice, and did not appear in the Christmas special for other reasons, or something else is not matching up.
Posted by Barry the Nomad
on Nov 30th, 2013
Recently, Sumo Digital producer Steve Lycett has been teasing a new controversial character to be added to the roster of the PC version of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Nothing has been formally announced as of yet, but according to a recent stream from the Yogscast – one of UK’s top Youtube channels – it was revealed that they’re pushing for a new Humble Bundle that is currently not active, which reportedly has Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed and a new racer as part of the deal. In addition, their livestream revealed not only the bundle, but that there is charity DLC on the way for the PC version of the game. They didn’t reveal what it is, but given Lycett’s comments, and what they mentioned and showed on the stream, the new racer could be Yogscast’s very own Simon.
Keep in mind it is entirely for charity and not a deal of a Lets Play “celebrity” taking away a spot of a potential SEGA character. Lycett also mentioned that there is more stuff on the way that would be bigger. But for now, this is whats set for December 6th.
Posted by Nux
on Nov 30th, 2013
Video game developer M2 has just confirmed via Twitter that they are working on a second series of 3D SEGA classics for the 3DS. M2 went on to confirm that there is a good chance these games will head west if they sell well enough in Japan. M2′s first series of 3D titles is currently being released weekly on Nintendo’s US and European eShops, with 3D Space Harrier and Super Hang-On already available on the service for $6 each.
What kind of games would you like to see?
Posted by George
on Nov 29th, 2013
Hey, not all Black Friday deals make you stand in line with a super violent mob of soccer moms, at least not when you are dealing with Amazon. The online store giant really wants you to buy Android applications through them instead of Google Play Store and to show how much they want your business they are giving a slew of Android games for free. Usually the lists are full of stuff like Fruit Ninjas and some revision of Angry Birds (they’re still there) but this time they also added Sonic the Hedgehog for free.
Now you have something to be thankful for, free Hedgehog action.
Posted by Ben
on Nov 29th, 2013
It was a day of deathly quiet as Ryo hurried up the path to the Hazuki dojo, well aware that something was amiss. Minutes later, he would witness the murder of his father at the hands of Lan Di, an event that would forever alter the course of his existence.
Shenmue was a series that began dramatically, but quietly. Iwao’s death was one showcased with a degree of style, but the next few hours of the game saw the Hazuki dojo grieving, with Ryo searching through town for the most mundane of clues. It was a deliberately-paced start that may have mislead some into believing that they’d began a subtle and realistic experience; and to an extent, they wouldn’t be wrong. But Shenmue is, at heart, a Kung Fu epic. And like in almost any of those, it doesn’t take long at all for the adventure to fly off the rails. In a good way.
Continue Reading →
Posted by Kori
on Nov 28th, 2013
With this year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Virtua Fighter series, SEGA launches a new website with the first blog which roughly translates “20 years have passed since the release of Virtua Fighter. Thank you very much to our fans.” “This special site will be sequentially updated to celebrate this milestone, looking back at every step of the path to present day.”
In Famitsu’s article on the 20th Anniversary of Virtua Fighter, the site will update with the development of the games and tournament history.
Posted by Kori
on Nov 28th, 2013
In a recent Famitsu interview, SEGA Sammy’s Chief Operating Officer, Naoya Tsurumi, talks a little bit more about the future of Atlus brands and its relationship with SEGA Corporation.
There are some interesting tidbits in the Famitsu interview as Tsurumi-san explains that Atlus will continue developing their brands, making them bigger and for SEGA to sell them. The interview also mentions a line of SEGA IPs such Sakura Wars, Jet Set Radio, and Space Channel 5 as Tsurumi explains that the company has just started but definitely will give it more thought.
You can read the entire interview here. What are your thoughts about Atlus using dormant SEGA franchises?
Posted by Barry the Nomad
on Nov 28th, 2013
SEGA returned to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013 with their signature Sonic float. Back in 1993 Sonic was the parade’s first video game character to make the transition to parade balloon, even beating his rival Mario who by our knowledge has yet to even appear as a balloon in the parade. Unfortunately 1993 was a windy day and several balloons, including Sonic, popped as they ran into street lamps and buildings. Thankfully, 2013′s parade had no such occurrences despite returning windy conditions.
From all of us at SEGAbits, have a very happy Thanksgiving!
Posted by Kori
on Nov 27th, 2013
Featured in our next gaming community night on SEGABits is AM2′s finest arcade fighters supported by the SEGA MODEL 2 hardware. We will hosting each game on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday on XBLA this week after Thanksgiving. During the event, we will be posting references of each game including Fighters Megamix on Twitter. Just add “KoriSX15” on Xbox Live and I will be sure to add you. Want to suggest some more SEGA titles to play in our next Gaming Community NiGHTS? Be sure to comment below or visit our forums. Hit the jump for the schedule.
Continue Reading →
Our newest YouTube series, This is Saturn, takes a Rolling Staaaaaaaaaaart!
The Weekly Five: Shenmue’s craziest moments
The Dreamcast Junkyard Top 200 results are here – Happy 15th birthday to the SEGA Dreamcast!
My Life with SEGA proves that white men can’t jump in Jammit on SEGA Genesis
Round Table: What’s next for Sonic after Lost World?
Swingin’ Report Show #53: SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works Interview with Darren Wall
