Europe

Yakuza 6 charts in pal regions, from obscure Japanese game to chart topper

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I have been a huge fan of the Yakuza series, if you have read this blog in the last 8 years, you will see that I push the franchise quite a bit. Sadly the general public is finally getting addicted tot he franchise, ever since SEGA brought over Yakuza 0. It seems whatever the new team at SEGA is doing to promote Yakuza games, its actually working because against all odds Yakuza 6: The Song of Life has been charting in pal regions.

Seeing the new charts over on ResetEra, Yakuza 6 went from the 3rd best selling game in United Kingdom down to 39th. While its a big drop, its a lot better to chart than to never have charted at all. Over in France, Yakuza 6 is the 5th selling game only being outsold by three different God of War versions (SKUs) and Far Cry 5! The game also came in 3rd in Italy and 7th in Denmark! Sadly didn’t chart in Germany. What’s wrong with them?

Its nice to see that Yakuza 6 is charting in Europe and hopefully we see good sales in America as well. Yakuza 6 in my opinion, is one great game that is worth picking up.

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Persona 5 releasing in Europe the same day as US

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PERSONA51Publisher Deep Silver announced today that Atlus’ Persona 5 will launch in Europe and other PAL regions on February 14, 2017, which is the same day Persona 5 launches in the United States. Persona 5 will come out in Europe and PAL regions with a PlayStation 4 edition that costs  €70 / £55, on the other hand the PlayStation 3 version will launch at €50 / £40.

The PlayStation 4 ‘Take Your Heart’ premium version of Persona 5 and the SteelBook launch edition will also make their way to Europe. The Take Your Heart premium edition will cost €90 / £80, click here for all the contents on that version. Persona 5 on the PlayStation 3 will be the only version to launch with its standard packaging (since first time buyers of the PlayStation 4 version get a SteelBook launch edition.)

If you are confused about why Deep Silver is publishing the game in Europe and not SEGA or Atlus, its because they announced their European publishing deal a few months ago. This is good news because it means that Europeans get to enjoy Persona 5 the same day as we Americans, but then again the Japanese get Persona 5 this September. Damn them.

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#TakeMyMoneySoE – a campaign to get Sega Europe to localise games

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TAKEMYMONEYSOE

This is Sega Europe: https://twitter.com/SEGA_Europe. They do things like localise games from Japanese and release them in the UK, Germany, France, Australia, etc.

Oh, did I say localise games? Old hat. Their current job is to say “no information at this time” to any questions on Twitter. Over and over and over again. This is a shame, because SoE used to be the best Sega division, and SoA has rather cheekily stolen this title in the last couple of years.

The only reason I can think of for them doing this (other than just tormenting the audience, and I can’t see this as a logical business decision), is that they don’t think they’ll make any money on a release. That the translation won’t get them sales, and that they need some incentive or something.

Right. They want some incentive? Let’s bloody GIVE them an incentive! If the only thing they’re going to listen to is cold hard cash, I think we can do that.

Continue Reading ➜

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Summer of Sonic UK fan convention attempts a revival via Kickstarter

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Having taken a break since the last event in 2013, the Summer of Sonic organizers are feeling revitalized and ready to bring the event back for 2016 – and they need your help! Dubbed the largest fan run officially recognized Sonic the Hedgehog event in Europe, Summer of Sonic is relying on a Kickstarter campaign to fund their 2016 convention. With a goal of $28,675, and $20,842 already raised with 28 days to go, it should be no difficult task to fund the event. The planned location is the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court, London, and the proposed date is August, 6th, 2016. Activities at the event are said to include meet and greets with the special guests, competitions in art, gaming and cosplay, Q&A sessions with guests, and fan showcases.

If this sounds like the event for you, head on over to their Kickstarter and show your support!

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Yakuza 0 confirmed for Europe, early 2017 release date planned and new trailer released

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SEGA has good news for European Yakuza fans, as it has been confirmed that Yakuza 0 will be releasing to both the Americas and Europe. Prior, only an American release was confirmed when the localization was revealed at the Playstation Experience in December 2015. Even better, the game will be released both physically and digitally! SEGA’s plan is a simultaneous release in both territories and the release window is “early 2017”. While the game was released on both PS3 and PS4 in Japan, westerners will only be receiving the PS4 version. Given the PS4 version is obviously superior, I’m not going to complain. Better that than give us the one for older hardware. SEGA was also quick to point out that the localization is 100% SEGA, and that Sony and PlayStation have no involvement on a production level.

If early 2017 is too long a wait, SEGA has more good news. If you’ve yet to play Yakuza 5, the game is currently on sale for 25% off through April 5th. We loved the game, and we’re certain you will too. Now’s the time to pick it up, support the franchise, and play a great game. Win-win-win!

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Alton Towers Sonic Spinball ride has been re-themed, Sonic branding gone

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Note: “Closed” in the above graphic refers to how long the wait times are, not the permanent closure of rides. As the park was closed at the time of this screenshot, all rides are closed as well.

It is an end of an era for Sonic the Hedgehog at the English theme park Alton Towers. The rollercoaster ride Sonic Spinball, which has been in operation under the Sonic branding since February 2010 (almost exactly as long as SEGAbits has been in operation), has been re-themed as Spinball Whizzer. The ride originally opened in 2004 under the Spinball Whizzer name, but was given a Sonic re-theming with a lot of fanfare back in 2010. Not only was there a Sonic themed ride, but there was also a Sonic-themed hotel room as well as Sonic merchandise throughout the park. I’ve heard from fellow fans that the Sonic merch has been slowly drying up, signaling that the Sonic license may be coming to an end, and this recent news all but confirms it. It is unknown if the Sonic-themed hotel room has also been removed or will be removed. The room is best known to fans for being one of the earliest instances of Roger Craig Smith voicing Sonic the Hedgehog, as audio of Sonic would greet guests as they entered the room. Hilariously, due to an audio snafu the voice sounded much lower leading to the infamous “check out the consoles” line and many fans freaking out that the new Sonic sounds a lot older and slower. The audio was soon fixed, but it was funny while it lasted.

Roger spoke about recording for Alton Towers, as well as the audio mistake, on our Swingin’ Report Show podcast interview which can be heard right here.

[Via Sonic Stadium]

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SEGA News Bits: Valkyria Chronicles on PS4 coming West reaction and discussion

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The physical releases of localized Japanese SEGA titles keep on coming! In this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry react to the news of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered coming to the Americas and Europe and discuss how this could affect the future of the series. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is due out Spring 2016, priced at priced at $29.99/CA$44.99 in special launch edition case for the Americas. The game is also releasing to Europe both physically and digitally, with physical release details to come.

If you enjoyed the video make sure to like, share and subscribe to us on YouTube if you haven’t already. Thanks for the support!

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Sonic Boom TV show heading to UK DVD with Volume 1: The Sidekick

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A listing has appeared on Amazon.uk for a DVD release of the Sonic Boom TV show. The DVD, due out February 15th, is being released through Universal Pictures UK and has the subtitle “Volume 1: The Sidekick”. With a runtime of 143 minutes, that translates to 13 eleven-minute episodes of the series. Meaning that the complete 52 episode season one would be completed in four volumes. No word yet on an American release or the possibility of special features yet.

It is possible, given that these are the first thirteen episodes in order, that the volume will include: “The Sidekick”, “Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Days?”, “Translate This”, “Buster”, “My Fair Sticksy”, “Fortress of Squalitude”, “Double Doomsday”, “Eggheads”, “Guilt Tripping”, “Dude, Where’s My Eggman?”, “Cowbot”, “Circus of Plunders”, “Unlucky Knuckles”. And if future volumes are being titled based on the first episode of the next thirteen then volumes 2-4 would be titled: “The Meteor”, “Chez Amy” and “Tails’ Crush”. It is more likely, however, that they will select an episode that has the best title for a DVD cover and not simply the first episode on the disc. Fingers crossed for a DVD titled “It Wasn’t Me, It Was the One-Armed Hedgehog”.

More news on the DVD as we hear it!

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SEGA Europe to publish Persona 4 Arena Ultimax in Europe, SEGA also publishing in Australia

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P4AUEuropeThis NeoGAF topic reported that Persona 4 Arena Ultimax’s (the expansion/sequel to Persona 4 Arena) PEGI classification was recently registered. That registration lists the game’s publisher as SEGA Europe. The move comes across a notable display of the new relationship between Atlus and Sega, fast approaching its first anniversary. Towards the end of May, Atlus took over distribution rights for Persona 4 Arena in Europe from Zen United, delisting the game from PSN in the process. Zen United previously handled distribution of other Atlus games in Europe, including Rune Factory 4 and Persona 4 Arena.

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SEGA West confirms Phantasy Star Online 2 delay

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Are you one of the many people waiting for the Western release of Phantasy Star Online 2? Well there is some good news, SEGA has stated that the game has been delayed. This might not be the fantastic news you wanted, but in the end at least SEGA is mentioning the intention of still releasing it.

“Originally slated for an early 2013 launch, Sega can officially confirm that PS02 has been delayed. We don’t have any specifics but will update everyone as soon as there are more details to share.”

Well, all I hope is that the title is ready before summer so it can eat all my hours and make me depressed come October.

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Yakuza Fan launches his ‘Bring Yakuza 5 West’ Facebook campaign

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YakFan
Yakuza Fan website has decided to take a lesson from the book of the blue S and launch a Facebook sharing/like campaign to see if there is enough interest in a Yakuza 5 western release.

Over a week ago SEGA launched their own campaign for Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F, stating if the image got enough shares/likes that they would bring the game over from Japan. That game is great and all, but we want Yakuza 5 and if you do too you should probably share/like the picture to help.

Go here, share and like the picture on your Facebook.

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Edge Online wants a western release for Yakuza 5

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Guess what? We agree with them. They did a pretty sweet article titled ‘Yakuza 5 and why it needs a western release‘.

 “Nagoshi’s housewarming is in full swing in Japan, and it’s high time the rest of the world gatecrashed the party.”

Usually I would love for the game to get a box release, but seeing as One Piece and a few other games have profited by digital only releases, I wouldn’t mind that as long as I get to play it in English. What about you?

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Aliens: Colonial Marines enters the UK at #1 on the charts

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Say what you want about Aliens: Colonial Marines, just to allow some people from the UK to overhear you. Aliens: Colonial Marines debuted at number one in the UK charts, beating out Dead Space 3. This is one of the rare moments that SEGA gets number one on charts, I just wish it was a game that was actually good or that I wanted to see more of. Like Binary Domain or Rhythm Thief.

This isn’t surprising since Aliens vs Predator (the SEGA published one) also did really well. Actually it did better than this one and is the most successful Aliens game in UK history. Now imagine if SEGA released an actual triple A Aliens game? Well, might happen since Creative Assembly (Total War franchise) has been working on an Aliens game for awhile. Hit the jump to see the UK charts ending on February 16th.

Continue Reading ➜

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Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure gets European launch trailer

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Even though we recently have been hit by the recent layoff news, SEGA is set to release Rhythm Thief & The Emperor’s Treasure on April 5th in Europe. Here is the game’s launch trailer above. If you want to see the euro website, click here. Has samples of some of the awesome music you will find in the full game.

Sadly if you live in America, like me, you will have to wait all the way till July 10th to get your hands on this game. That isn’t very fair, now is it?

 

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Check out these awesome SEGA Master System shirts

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SMS Power! forum member thoja has spotted  two SEGA Master System related shirts in his local mall. He said he found them in Bershka, a chain of Spanish stores from Spain. I have to say, I like the ideas but I don’t like white shirts all that much. I searched their site and only found a page for the Master System one, not the Alex Kidd one.

So what do you guys think of the shirts? Do you like in Europe? Maybe you should go out and check them out.

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