Phantasy Star II getting a fanmade port to the Amiga platform

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These are interesting times for retro ports. First, we had folks porting games to Sega consoles from other platforms, then someone ported Shinobi and Golden Axe to SNK’s Neo-Geo platforms, and now someone wants to bring Phantasy Star II (1989) to the Amiga platform. I’m certainly not against it.

Homebrew developer RetroLover is now hard at work on an Amiga conversion of the seminal and very influential Genesis/Mega-Drive JRPG Phantasy Star II. That game is their favorite RPG of all time, and this is their way of paying tribute to it and the Amiga platform. The game is being rebuilt in Scorpion Engine, which is made for development of Amiga, Genesis, and even Neo-Geo games, but RetroLover is aiming to make this as faithful to the Genesis original as possible. They’ll still be adding enhancements to make it easier to play through, such as an improved battle system based on that of Phantasy Star IV (1995).

For now, though, the port is still early in development. However, RetroLover has released a demo for the public to try and is open to feedback. If you have a way to run Amiga games, I’d say give it a go. You can find a link to download it below the break.

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Indie fighting game Pocket Bravery getting an official Genesis/Mega-Drive port

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Here comes a new challenge on Genesis/Mega-Drive. Pocket Bravery, a modern, independent 2D fighting game by Brazillian developer Statera Studio, has an official 16-bit port being worked on for the Genesis. The port is being handled by RheoGamer, himself a Brazillian developer, who had previously ported Real Bout Fatal Fury to Genesis and is already hard at work on his own Genesis port of X-Men vs. Street Fighter and an original King of Fighters Genesis game. Needless to say, this makes him the perfect candidate for porting a game that was already clearly inspired by the best of Capcom and SNK’s fighting game pedigree. Never underestimate the love Brazil has for the old school Sega, Capcom, or SNK.

For more info on Pocket Bravery to get you excited for this 16-bit port, have a look past the break.

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Dreamcast racer Speed Devils: Online Racing back online thanks to Dreamcast Live

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It’s Dreamcast Live time again. The “Online Racing” subtitle of Speed Devils: Online Racing (2000) finally has meaning again now that online servers have been restored thanks to Dreamcast Live, Shuouma, and Flyinghead. Now you can once again race online in this oft-forgotten Dreamcast classic via Dreamcast Live’s network.

As a special side note, although this also works with the NTSC version of the game released in North America, the fact that this also works with the European PAL release makes Speed Devils Online the last online-enabled PAL Dreamcast game that wasn’t online. Now all PAL Dreamcast games with online modes are finally online once again.

Dive on in below the break for more info.

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SEGA Announces Virtua Fighter Open Championship

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Today, SEGA has officially announced that the first official “Virtua Fighter Open Championship” tournament is underway which was teased last year during the VF Direct.

Focusing on “Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.” , tournament qualifiers will be held globally in four regions: North America, Europe, Japan and Asia (excluding Japan).

Players who win their regional qualifiers will earn a spot in the Grand Finals where the winner will take home a grand prize of $100,000! The first qualifer tournament will be held at COMBO BREAKER in Chicago on May 23-25, 2025. In the meantime, check out the official Virtua Fighter discord server and practice with other players before the tournament.

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First Look At DC x Sonic the Hedgehog Cover Art & Pages Revealed

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Today, DC and SEGA of America revealed cover art and an interior preview of their upcoming comic book series that teams up DC’s Justice League with the Sonic the Hedgehog universe!

In DC x Sonic the Hedgehog by writer Ian Flynn and artist Adam Bryce Thomas, the Justice League will meet Sonic and friends to kick off an all-new, five-issue comic book series. The new series features an unprecedented crossover event where the Justice League and Team Sonic must unite to save their worlds from a major threat.

DC x Sonic the Hedgehog #1 by Flynn, Thomas, and colorist Matt Herms will publish on March 19, 2025, with a cover by Pablo M. Collar and a variant cover by Ethan Young. Here is a sneak peek look at the covers and pages from DC x Sonic the Hedgehog issue #1!

 

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SONIC WEEKLY: Unleashed Recompiled + Prime vs Underground

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This week begins with a prompt from the listener letterbag about backlogs and time management, then segues into a conversation about Sonic Prime vs Sonic Underground, and eventually we talk about Sonic Unleashed Recompiled, the new fan PC port of the PS360 classic!

For more episodes, search SONIC WEEKLY on your podcast service of choice!

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SEGA Talk #159: SEGA Accessories Part 2

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Plug in and power up for the second installment of our deep dive into the wild world of SEGA accessories! This episode takes you on a nostalgic journey through the best, the weirdest, and the most innovative add-ons for the Game Gear, Saturn, and Dreamcast. From the must-have Virtua Stick and Virtua Gun to the quirky Samba de Amigo maracas and the infamous Dreamcast karaoke unit, we’re breaking down the hits, misses, and hidden gems of SEGA’s hardware legacy. Whether you’re a die-hard SEGA fan or just love retro gaming, this episode is packed with insights, memories, and a few hot takes you won’t want to miss. Tune in and relive the glory days of SEGA’s most iconic accessories!

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Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

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SEGA Crowned Metacritic’s Publisher of the Year 2024

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In 2024, SEGA delivered an impressive lineup of games, solidifying its position as a powerhouse in the gaming industry. The year began with the highly acclaimed releases of Persona 3 Reload and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the latter of which expanded the Yakuza franchise by taking its beloved characters to new international settings. Over the summer, SEGA continued its winning streak with the multiplatform release of Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengence, which had previously been exclusive to the Nintendo Switch. However, the crown jewel of Sega’s year was Metaphor: ReFantazio, a brand-new IP from Atlus that garnered widespread praise and multiple awards for its innovative story and gameplay. These successes not only showcased Sega’s ability to reinvent its franchises but also its commitment to delivering fresh, high-quality experiences. Not surprising, SEGA has announced they will be focusing more on these two properties. 

SEGA’s stellar year culminated in it being named Metacritic’s Publisher of the Year, a title it has now won multiple times in the past. Metacritic calculates this award by averaging each publisher’s game scores and factoring in the ratio of positive to negative reviews. With a total of 325.5 points, SEGA surged from 9th place in 2023 to claim the top spot in 2024. This victory marks another milestone in Sega’s history, as it previously won the award in 2020, thanks to hits like Persona 5 Royal and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Capcom, the 2023 winner, came close to repeating its success with 323 points, while Microsoft also made significant strides, climbing to 9th place with 301 points. Sega’s 2024 triumph underscores its consistent ability to produce critically acclaimed games and reaffirms its legacy as one of the industry’s most respected publishers.

 

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SEGA’s New Focus: Why Sonic, Yakuza, and Atlus Are Top Priorities

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SEGA-Sammy’s latest fanicial report made one thing clear: The company will be focusing on what they consider its holy trinity which is Atlus JRPGs, Yakuza aka Like a Dragon titles and of course Sonic the Hedgehog brand. The wild thing is, SEGA is actually more focused on Japanese title more than ever because a decade a go Like a Dragon wasn’t considered a big pillar for SEGA; but seems to have released the Total War franchise on SEGA’s top three list. SEGA Europe’s issues are definitely something to talk about in its own post.

Let’s look at what this new focus could mean:

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SONIC WEEKLY: Episode 102 Gamma + CrossWorlds First Impressions

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This week, Grant can’t pronounce “Gamma” but does have some thoughts on playing CrossWorlds closed network beta test and the conversation surrounding it. David pontificates about the journey of E-102 Gamma and the existential themes of Sonic Adventure and Bo updates us from Rings of Saturn.

Listen to SONIC WEEKLY on YouTube above or on your podcast service of choice by searching SONIC WEEKLY

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The House of the Dead 2: Remake DEMO Now Available To Play During Steam Next Fest!

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Steam Next Fest has officially launched with a playable demo of THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake from Mega Pixel Studio S.A. and Forever Entertainment. THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake is a remake of the second entry in the well-known and popular arcade rail-shooter series by SEGA. Take on the lone role of a secret agent as James or Gary, or team up in co-op mode to neutralize the dangerous undead monsters standing in your way.

The demo includes:

• First level of the game
• Co-op mode
• Remastered music (with the classic soundtrack also available in the game)
• Modern graphics
• Gameplay faithful to the original game

Give this demo a shot and let us know what your impressions are!

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SONIC WEEKLY: Hopes and Dreams for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds

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Recorded just prior to the closed beta test for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on PS5, this week Team Sonic Weekly ideate around dream features, characters, and courses that could be included in the final game. Next week: our first impressions, so stay tuned!

Listen to SONIC WEEKLY on YouTube above or on your podcast service of choice by searching SONIC WEEKLY

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SEGA Talk #158: Sonic & SEGA Theme Parks

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This week on SEGA Talk, join George and Barry as they embark on a whirlwind tour of SEGA’s fascinating history with theme parks! From the ambitious SEGA World Sydney, dubbed “Australia’s Interactive Disneyland,” to the futuristic Joypolis centers in Japan and beyond, we explore the rise and fall (and sometimes rise again) of SEGA’s ventures into themed entertainment. We’ll delve into the unique attractions, the iconic logos, and the stories behind parks like Centre Sega Paris, Festival Disney, SEGA Arena Taichung, SEGA Republic in Dubai, and the ill-fated SEGA VirtuaLand in Las Vegas. Did you know SEGA even had a presence inside Disneyland Paris?

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Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

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NetEase to Close Nagoshi Studio Amid Major Cuts

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Nearly three years have passed since Toshihiro Nagoshi departed SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio to establish his own venture, Nagoshi Studio, under NetEase. Unfortunately, reports indicate the studio may not see its debut project come to fruition. According to Bloomberg, Nagoshi Studio is among the casualties of NetEase’s recent restructuring, facing closure.

While the studio will be granted time to finalize its current projects, but will not receive further time, funding or marketing support. This severely limits the game’s prospects for widespread release and promotion.

Speculation now turns to Toshihiro Nagoshi’s future. His departure from SEGA was reportedly fueled by dissatisfaction with a demotion and disagreements over company expenditures. Regardless, Nagoshi’s reputation remains strong within the Japanese gaming industry. It would not be surprising if other publishers are already expressing interest in his services. Who would that be?

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Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Out Now; New Game Plus and English VO Available with Day-1 Patch

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Aye ye land lubbers! We would like to inform you all that SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has officially launched the latest spin-off in the Like a Dragon series and one of 2025’s most anticipated games, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows and Steam (PC).

In addition to the launch, a new “Day One” patch is available for the game with New Game Plus, which allows players to start the game from the beginning, carrying money, fame, and the abilities of Majima and the crew from the completed story save data (story progression will be reset). English and Chinese voice over in addition to other technical adjustments are also included in the patch.

Don’t miss out and be sure to get yer hands on Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii today on these platforms.

Available Now on Amazon

Standard Edition: PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

Collector’s Edition: PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

Windows & PC: Steam

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