Tanglewood Review – A Retro Revival (SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis, PC)

It’s not every day that we get a brand new game coming out for the SEGA Mega Drive but Tanglewood by Big Evil Corporation is just that. Joining a very exclusive club of games released long after the console was discontinued, we got to try out and review this new release for the iconic 16 bit console. Staying true to the limitations of 90s game development and being built from the ground up, is Tanglewood a game worthy of reviving your Mega Drive for one more spin, or is it better left in the cupboard, read on to find out!

Yakuza 6 records biggest series launch in US sales history

For the first time in the series’ history, a Yakuza game has made the top 20 of NPD at position 17th! Beating out Sea of Thieves, Kirby and FIFA, the title was also the month’s 4th best selling Playstation 4 game (In a month which saw the PS4 record the best April sales for a leading console since 2009) and must now cement its place as the series most successful Western release. It’s funny how not only strong this series has become but a jump from Kiwami 1 to 6 has had no negative effects on the series sales potential which has been on an upward trend since 2015’s release of Yakuza 5. Numbers are yet to be published but if we ever see them in the wild we’ll be sure to share them with you but for now it’s certain that Kazuma Kiryu’s final outing as the main protagonist of the series is the most successful Western release yet.

SEGA FES 2018: SEGA AGES coming to the Nintendo Switch this summer!

Whilst we’re reporting this one last, SEGA started off SEGA FES by announcing SEGA AGES for the Nintendo Switch and to be released this summer in Japan. Details are still being updated as this is a relatively new story but we can see from the image shared that SEGA will be bringing Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star and for the frst time Thunder Force IV back too modern consoles.

SEGA FES 2018: SEGA working on Project Shin Sakura Taisen

Topping off the events announcement, SEGA CEO Haruki Satomi announced that the company has began work on a new Sakura Taisen project, still named Shin Sakura Taisen. I was predicting that the possibility of Sakura Taisen being revived ever since it placed first in the survey that had SEGA ask fans what series they’d like revived. Look at the past list, with Virtual On having a game released recently and Shenmue getting ports announced, perhaps this means a future Jet Set Radio and Virtua Fighter game might be on the cards? As this is a breaking story, please bare with us as we update it with further details.

SEGA FES 2018: SEGA Genesis Mini announced at SEGA FES [UPDATED]

Another breaking news from SEGA FES is the SEGA Genesis Mini, though no price or release date has been announced but SEGA is hoping to get feedback from fans at the event what games they would like on the console. As this is a breaking story, please bare with us as we update it with further details.

Update: AtGames will be handling production of the SEGA Mega Drive Mini, with updated technology. The plug and play will release to the west as well.

SEGA FES 2018: Shenmue 1 & 2 Remasters announced for PS4, Xbox One and PC [UPDATED]

Just now Shenmue 1 & 2 has been announced for remaster on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Details are just breaking now so bare with us as we update this story but looks like the much requested port is finally a dream come true for long term fans!

The Steam page has launched, which reveals the game will have an updated user interface, a choice of modern or classic controls and Japanese and English audio (this will be the first time Shenmue I will be playable in Japanese in the west). The game is set to release in 2018.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 releasing west on August 28, 2018

SEGA announced at it’s Essence of of Art Exhibit that the remake of the second installment of the Yakuza series will be making it’s way to the West on August 28th 2018. The turn around from the original Japanese release in December 2017 to the Western release of Yakuza Kiwami 2 in August 2018 will make it the quickest turn around in the franchise’s history since the original release. Check out the trailer above and get ready to relive one of the great rivalries of the series, Kazuma Kiryu vs Ryuji Goda. The game will release in two editions: a special Steelbook Edition and a Standard Edition.

Puyo Puyo Tetris Switch has sold almost a million units

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It looks like Puyo Puyo Tetris is one of Sega’s biggest success stories of last year! Mizuki Hosoyamada of SEGA revealed on the Puyo Puyo Anniversary TV Show 2018 that the Nintendo Switch version of Puyo Puyo Tetris S will soon surpass over a million units worldwide, no doubt that when you combine the other versions of the game (Which also include but not limited to Xbox One, Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita) it’s already a million seller but to see one platform do so fantastically for the game must be a great source of joy for Sega. Hopefully with this news means that future Puyo releases are a lock for localisation, perhaps it might even be a good idea to try and come up with a way to port Puyo Puyo Chronicle onto the Switch? Either way, great news for Puyo fans!

Yakuza Online announced for Smartphones and PC

The latest entry in SEGA’s long running Yakuza has been announced, Shin Ryu Ga Gotoku/New Yakuza was shown off on the stream and gave us a look to the new protagonist Kazuga Ichiban. Not much was shown off but one scene depicting the tone of the latest game keeping in line with the gritty crime drama aspect but now with a slightly more laid back character as the lead.

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Interestingly, the new protagonist will not only be appearing on consoles on Shin (New) Yakuza but also the smartphone game Yakuza Online with an undisclosed release date. Yakuza Online will be heading to Android, iOS and even PC! I must admit the new character comes across as quite different from previous series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and I’m looking forward to seeing more of him as we head closer to Tokyo Game Show where  SEGA will be showing off more of the project.

SEGA officially announces Yakuza Kiwami 2, Goro Majima will be playable

We all knew it was coming thanks to Sony’s mistake on early Friday morning but SEGA has now officially announced Yakuza Kiwami 2. Following from the success of Yakuza Kiwami, SEGA began developing a remake of the second Yakuza game. It’s obvious to see the mass improvements the dragon engine is already providing as they bring this classic back for the modern generation. Personally speaking Yakuza 2 has my favorite story and cast of characters in the series but the game obviously has been held back by the technology of the time so to see it updated brought a smile to my face.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 promises to feature seamless maps of Osaka and Tokyo. The theme song for Yakuza Kiwami  2 is being performed by SiM, a Reggae Pop band. Yakuza Kiwami 2 hits the PlayStation 4 in Japan on December 7th of this year. No word about a Western release, but I wouldn’t expect it until months after Yakuza 6 ships.

A Certain Magical Virtual-On gets major update, will be playable at TGS

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Announced back in mid-March, SEGA has been pretty quiet on their latest entry into the Virtual-On series. Coming to the Playstation 4 and Vita, the crossover has left many of fans of either franchise mystified. Now with Tokyo Game Show less than a month away we’ve gotten a massive blow out of information in the latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation! The new issue covers the Virtuaroids, weapons and the characters from A Certain Magical Index that will be appearing in the crossover. Hit the jump after the break to check out more information and screenshots;

It has also been confirmed that A Certain Magical Virtual-On will be playable at Tokyo Game Show next month. We will be there to give you guys some hands on impressions of the game. Stay tuned.

Yakuza Studio’s new titles presentation to be live streamed this Saturday

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With less than a week until SEGA kicks off it’s Yakuza Studio’s new titles presentation this Saturday, we’ve been given confirmation that the event will be live streamed on YouTube, Fresh, and Niconico from 19:00 Japan Standard Time. Having the presentation on youtube will be a godsend for fans who don’t have Niconico accounts and don’t know how to make it through the Japanese only sign up of the site.

Previously Nagoshi mentioned that multiple titles would be announced at the event “including something expected.” so what could it be, Yakuza Kiwami 2 with a new IP or perhaps something else? Gives us your thoughts and hopes on what you’re expecting this Saturday below.

New Shenmue 3 teaser trailer finally released

With Gamescom going full swing tomorrow, PlayStation youtube channel has released a teaser trailer (And the first trailer since the project was announced way back!) for Shenmue 3. Featuring predominantly Ryo and Shenhua, we get to see the trailer kick off from where Shenmue 2 finishes and some delightful enviroments are showcased. I must admit for the budget of over $6 million, that is some fine looking areas the team have come and I can’t wait to get the chance to explore them. Let’s hope we get to see more of the game with Gamescom opening to the public tomorrow!

What did you think of the trailer? Comment below with your thoughts!

Persona 5 hits sales of 450,000 units in North America

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Last month Atlus’s Persona 5 broke records in the franchise’s history becoming the best selling entry. Now a trusted GAF source has confirmed that sales for Persona 5 in April for North America was around 450,000 between both digital and retail figures. Not only does this make it the best debut Atlus have had in their history, it also means this is one of the best debut a SEGA owned franchise has had in the American market. It’s hard to track down solid numbers for SEGA games, we already know that it’s outsold Sonic Heroes debut month (The best selling SKU being the Gamecube version was just shy of 200,000 units.) which was also SEGA’s best selling console title in the sixth generation era. With data we know about the 4th generation, I think the only title that could realistically have a chance at being a bigger seller would have been Sonic the Hedgehog 2 but as that market was smaller in the past, it’s fair to assume Persona 5 has even overtaken that title too.

In fact, the only title that had a better debut in SEGA’s long and varied history isn’t even a mainline Sonic game but 2007’s landmark title Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games which managed a staggering 613,000! It’s interesting to note that Persona 5 will also end up selling far better in America than it did in Japan. So there you have it, Persona 5 has not only made records for Atlus but for SEGA too and perhaps an indication that the Persona brand has now over taken the Sonic the Hedgehog series as SEGA’s best selling console series, can the blue blur pull one back with Sonic Mania or Sonic Forces? We’ll find out soon enough but for now as Morgana would say “Looking good Joker!”

[Source: NeoGAF]

SEGA Sammy third quarter review for fiscal year ending 2017

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The ship seems to be sailing just fine at Sega with their recent report showing off good results in all their sectors, but there might still be some trouble brewing. Though with big hitters like Yakuza 6 and Football Manager 2017 making a charge in the gaming division, Sega Sammy might have enough firepower to hold back any trouble that approaches them. After the break to find out how the company’s latest set of financials turned out as they released the third quarter results for the fiscal year 2017.