Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance announced from Atlus, available June 21st, 2024

Good ol’ Atlus with their expanded SMT/Persona re-releases. Seriously though, props for the clever logo design here.

If you liked Atlus’s recent hit JRPG Shin Megami Tensei V, then you’re gonna love Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Just announced within the same Nintendo Partner Showcase Direct from February 21st, 2024, which also revealed the new demo for Unicorn Overlord, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance was revealed as an all-new definitive version of the original and highly lauded Shin Megami Tensei V (2021). This all new version of SMT V will include extra locations, demons, and an all new additional story to experience. From a technical side, the game also includes an improved battle, exploration, and demon fusion system, new accessibility features, and all the previously available DLC from SMT V as standard content within the base game.

Journey past the break for links to the game’s official website.

Unicorn Overlord demo now available to download

If you’ve been waiting with baited breath to try the brand new strategy RPG from Vanillaware and Atlus, Unicorn Overlord, you now have your chance with an official demo being available on all consoles’ digital storefronts right now. News of this was revealed in Nintendo’s Partner Showcase Direct livestream from February 21st, 2024 via the above video clip, but the demo has also launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox at the same time. Give it a shot right away and see what you’re in for.

Take a look beyond the break for links to each demo.

SEGA Announces Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble for Nintendo Switch

Today, SEGA has announced a brand-new Super Monkey Ball game during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase for the Nintendo Switch titled “Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble”. The new entry will have new characters joining AiAi and gang on a brand-new journey to seek out 7 mysterious artifacts that are said to be the key to locating The Legendary Banana in 200 all-new stages.

The game will also have tons of features including local 4-player co-op in an all-new Adventure mode, 16 players online battles where players can compete online across multiple game modes, customize your character with over 300 stylish items to choose from, and a brand-new gameplay mechanic called Spin Dash that allows players to sprint past rivals or create new shortcuts to victory.

Pre-Orders are now available for Nintendo Switch for both Physical and Digital Editions on the game’s official website. Hit the jump to check out screenshots of the new game.

Sonic X Shadow Generations remaster set for Autumn 2024 release

SEGA has announced a remaster to the 2011 hit Sonic Generations, titled Sonic X Shadow Generations. The remaster is obviously tied to tie in with the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, which will prominently feature Shadow the Hedgehog. The remaster is being described as an “all-new collection” and will feature a new Shadow story campaign featuring new powers and abilities in stages from his 2005 solo game and 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2. The original Sonic Generations experience will also be present, with newly remastered stages, upgraded visuals and a promise of new bonus content.

The game is due out this Autumn for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Limited Run Games announces Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked! on Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5


Rocket Knight Adventures was a cult classic SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive game developed by Konami way back in 1993, since then our hero Sparkster and in 1994 we got Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures! In the same year Konami would release Sparkster on SNES. At one point Sparkster was being printed on all Konami’s promotional material being pushed as a sort of mascot for the company.

Now PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch owners can play these classic 16-bit games in the new upcoming collection! Yep, all three games. Not only that, Carbon Engine has went back and even added dan all-new animated intro by Studio Meala, rewind feature, boss rush mode and museum mode featuring never-before-seen content!  In a nice change of pace, this collection was announced as a Limited Run Games physical release only instead of it coming out digitally first then a physical copy down the line.

Check out Rocket Knight Adventures Re-Sparked! on Limited Run Games. 

Limited Run Games shows off physical Persona 3: Portable, will also start Persona 4: Golden pre-orders on Oct 27th


Limited Run Games has announced big news as its partnered with Atlus (aka SEGA) to officially physically release copies of Persona 3: Portable. Kind of weird since Atlus has recently opened up pre-orders for Persona 3: Reloaded, a brand new remake of Persona 3… I guess Atlus knows its audiences will double, triple, no; quad-triple-double dip.

 

Like always Limited Run Games has three editions coming out for PS4, Switch and Xbox Series consoles! Ranging from just the game at $34.99 to the Grimoire Edition for $69.99 and finally the S.E.E.S Edition for a whopping $199.99. This will also be a open pre-order meaning you can place an order from September 29th into November 12th! Gives you a bit of time to grind some money.

Sonic Superstars gets fantastic “Trio of Trouble” animated short

One thing that I have loved about the recent classic Sonic the Hedgehog games have been the animated shorts they’ve been releasing, starting with Sonic Mania Adventures! This time, Sonic Superstars gives us this really nicely animated “Trio of Trouble” short. Sadly, when I say short, I mean too short. I could really go for a classic Sonic, silent cartoon. I love it. Obviously the animated short’s name is a reference Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble, the Game Gear exclusive game that was the first time Fang (or Nack) was introduced! We even did a SEGA Talk discussing the game, which you can listen to! 

Sonic Superstars is getting closer to release date as October 17th will be here faster than you can say “Does Fang have a Nack for treasure hunting?” .

 

Sonic Frontiers third free content update revealed, titled “The Final Horizon”

Sonic Frontiers third content update has been revealed, with the subtitle “The Final Horizon” and a release date of September 28th. The update adds new story content, new challenges and the ability to play as Tails, Amy and Knuckles. The teaser trailer showcases a brand new boss and the return of Sage as she and Eggman appear to be working with Sonic and friends.

Sonic Frontiers is available now across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch family of systems and Steam.

Sonic Superstars release date, DLC and multiplayer detailed

As gamescom 2023 kicks off, news has dropped on the upcoming Sonic Superstars! 2D classic Sonic is returning to all modern platforms, and he is bringing Tails, Knuckles and Amy Rose with him on a brand new adventure. While the game will have a single player mode, there is also a focus on 2-4 player gameplay and the latest trailer details that element. Local co-op and Battle Mode will allow up to four players to drop in and out of a local game, or battle up to seven other players online or four players locally in a Battle Mode. Most exciting for longtime Sonic fans is the appearance of metal doppelgängers including the long lost Metal Knuckles! These robot duplicates can be build in a new mecha building mode where players can mix and match parts to create new or classic mecha robots.

Also detailed was the Digital Deluxe Edition, which is priced at $69.99 and includes the base game, a Sonic Rabbit Skin (straight from the early Sonic Team concept art), a LEGO fun pack, Mecha Sonic (from Sonic 2) parts, bonus menu wallpapers, a digital artbook and mini-OST and a LEGO Sonic skin.

Sonic Superstars is launching October 17, 2023, and is available for pre-order physically and digitally for PS5 and PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch systems and PC starting at $59.99 USD.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central demo now available on Nintendo Switch!

Out of nowhere, SEGA has dropped a demo of Samba de Amigo: Party Central for the Nintendo Switch. Usually these things get press releases or some fanfare from SEGA, but instead it’s just there. So head on over to the Nintendo eShop listing and check out the demo for yourself!

The demo will finally allow players to try the game for themselves to see if SEGA has finally perfected what was the perfect control scheme in the arcade original. The game was ported to the SEGA Dreamcast, with some excellent controls but sadly the dedicated controller cost a lot. The game then released to Wii, and the less said about the controls on that one the better. What are your thoughts on the demo? Sound off below!

Atlus says they want to remake Persona 1 and Persona 2

With Persona 3 getting a remake soon, the question in a lot of fans minds is when Atlus will reach back and remake older titles that deserve a brand new coat of paint. During a recent interview, Atlus was asked if there where other remakes in development which they said:

“Atlus and Sega are experimenting with many remake ideas for different franchises. But there is nothing in end production like P3RE right now. Atlus really wants to make a P1/P2 remake.”

While the original Persona (2009) game and the sequel Persona 2 (2011) had remakes on the PlayStation Portable, as all Sony PSP games, these these titles are rare and hard to buy. I think giving the original titles a fresh coat of paint could be interesting. But should modernize the gameplay to match the newer Persona games or keep it original? I guess we shall see.

Nintendo’s Top 30 downloaded games for 2023 features two Persona games, zero Sonic games


Nintendo has posted the most downloaded games on the Nintendo Switch so far for 2023. The list was really surprising, since it seems people are really buying re-releases of older games with Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 and 2 made the rankings in the top ten. But on the SEGA side, the most interesting part is that the top 30 downloaded Nintendo Switch games, no Sonic the Hedgehog game made the list.

Though Atlus made the list twice with both Persona 4 Golden (13) and Persona 3 Portable (19) which I consider a big success for these re-releases. Why didn’t Sonic make the list? Good question, SEGA did release Sonic Origins Plus, it came out at the end of June which could mean that the game hasn’t had enough time to sell enough to make the top 30. I guess we will see in the end of the year when the list is re-released to see how that game performed. The surprising part is that Sonic Frontiers hasn’t continued to have the legs on Switch, what with all the free updates happening. I guess most Sonic gamers opted out to play it on beefier hardware?

Check out the top 30 downloaded Nintendo Switch Games for 2023 after the break:

Samba de Amigo Party Central Shakes Its Way On Meta Quest 2 & Meta Quest Pro

During the Meta Quest Showcase, SEGA announced that Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be arrive for Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro later this fall. Pre-orders for the game are available on the Meta Quest Store.

As a special bonus to those who pre-order the game ($29.99 MSRP) up until launch will also receive the following unique in-game accessories they can use to dress up their Amigo:

  • A virtual replica Meta Quest 2 VR headset
    A pair of virtual replica Meta Quest controllers that replace the player’s maracas

Samba de Amigo will also be arriving on Nintendo Switch on August 29 with pre-orders now available here.

Limited Run Games releasing Alien: Isolation – The Collection for Nintendo Switch, includes a loaded Collector’s Edition

This Friday, Limited Run Games will open up pre-orders for Alien: Isolation – The Collection for the Nintendo Switch. While this version is downgraded compared to the PC version, according to EuroGamer the Nintendo Switch version actually is more impressive than the PlayStation 4 version. The port is also done by Feral Interactive who are known for their high quality ports to MacOS and mobile. Like always Limited Run Games will include three different releases for Alien: Isolation – The Collection on the Nintendo Switch:

While in the past a lot of Limited Run Games releases have been limited in quantity, these three versions will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow and end on July 9th, 2023. Should give you enough time to consider what version of the game you will want.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central Releases On August 29th for Nintendo Switch; Sonic & SEGA DLC Announcement

Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be partying its way for Nintendo Switch on August 29th and SEGA has also announced today that the digital editions of the upcoming rhythm action game are now available to pre-order for Nintendo Switch on the Nintendo eShop.

Those who purchase the Samba de Amigo: Party Central Digital Deluxe Edition ($49.99 MSRP) on the Nintendo eShop will receive the following:

  • The Standard Edition of the game
  • Sonic Music DLC Pack that includes fan-favorite tracks such as “Open Your Heart” from Sonic Adventure™, “Reach For The Stars (Re-Colors)” from Sonic Colors™️: Ultimate, and “I’m Here” from Sonic Frontiers™!
  • SEGA Music DLC Pack has you setting the festivities on fire with popular tracks from SEGA’s history: “Bakamitai (Taxi Driver Edition)”, “Go Go Cheer Girl!” from Space Channel 5™️: Part 2, and “Rhythm Thief Theme” from Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure™️!
  • Special costumes inspired by Sonic and Tails from the Sonic the Hedgehog™ series; Space Channel 5Super Monkey Ball™️; and Puyo Puyo™️!