Author Archives: FlareHabanero

Space Harrier II, Shining Force II, and Sonic Spinball Coming To The Nintendo Online Expansion Pass

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Nintendo has announced three more games coming to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, this time it is the tactical role-playing title Shining Force II, the pseudo-Super Scaler title Space Harrier II, and the pinball game with ear bleed option menu music Sonic Spinball. All three games will be available in all regions for Nintendo Switch owners that have the NSO Expansion service.

What is your thoughts on the new titles? Please comment below your thoughts.

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Three SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Titles Coming To Nintendo Online Expansion Pass

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It has been recently revealed by Nintendo that three more titles from the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive are coming to the Nintendo Online Expansion Pass service. Two of them are from Treasure, being the coveted action game Alien Soldier and the isometric adventure game Light Crusader. The third being Super Fantasy Zone, an original game released for the Mega Drive originally developed by Sunsoft. All three games are now available for those that have the Nintendo Online Expansion Pass, in all regions.

It’s worth noting all three games were technically previously released on the SEGA Genesis Mini, albeit Alien Soldier was exclusive to the Asian (Korean and Chinese) market. But the lineup is still a solid reveal regardless, especially since Alien Soldier and Super Fantasy Zone are expensive on third-hand markets.

 

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Rumor: “Wonder Boy Collection” rated by the ESRB for Nintendo Switch and Playstation 4

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Continuing the trend of Wonder Boy (aka Monster World) getting a lot of love as of late, there is likely a new collection of the games that will be revealed soon. As revealed by this ESRB description, Wonder Boy Collection is a collection of four of the Wonder Boy/Monster World titles, with versions for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch cited on the page. While the page doesn’t list the individual games, the description makes mention of alcohol like beer and cocktails being sold in a shop, which is likely a reference to Wonder Boy in Monster Land where one of the shopkeepers is a bartender lizard.

No other information has been revealed, such as pricing or other features, but the existence of this page implies that Wonder Boy Collection is far into development and will be released soon.

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SEGA Announces The SEGA Astro City Mini V

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In the past we talked about the SEGA Astro City Mini, a mini console designed to mimic SEGA’s Astro City line of arcade machines that comes packaged with 37 SEGA arcade games. Well it looks like SEGA is ready to release a new successor, named the SEGA Astro City Mini V. As the name implies, the main difference between the original mini arcade cabinet and the new one is that the SEGA Astro City Mini V system has a vertical (aka portrait) screen. Another major difference is the larger emphasis on third party games instead of SEGA’s own arcade titles, including games such as Raiden, Truxton (aka Tatsujin), and Gunbird. 22 games have been revealed for the SEGA Astro City Mini V, which can be viewed under the read more tag below.

Continue Reading ➜

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Five SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Games Get Added to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass

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Five more SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive games are being added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack service. These five games are Altered Beast, Toejam & Earl, Sword of Vermilion, Thunder Force II, and Dynamite Headdy. Out of the five games, Thunder Force II is probably the most notable, as it was skipped over in favor of its two sequels Thunder Force III and Thunder Force IV with stuff like the SEGA Genesis Mini or the SEGA AGES series, until now. All five games are the same across every region, and are available now for anyone that uses the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Service.

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Sakura Wars GB Go Forth, Young Cadet! Gets English + Cut Content Restoration Patch

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Another Sakura Wars game called Sakura Wars GB Go Forth, Young Cadet! has been translated into English by diligent fans. This project was helmed by @burntends2, with the assistance of @matto_bii, dan_jia, Neko, @The_Opponent, and comicmaster, with the goal of not only making Sakura Wars GB accessible to English readers, but to also restore unused content such as being able to view the miscellaneous character portraits, unlockable secret photos, and unused voice clips for the endings.

Sakura Wars GB Go Forth, Young Cadet! was originally released for the Game Boy Color, developed by Jupiter and Published by Media Factory under the license of SEGA and Red Entertainment. Taking place between the events of Sakura Wars and Sakura Wars 2, you take on the role of an unnamed temporary recruit who was recently enrolled in the Flower Division. You’re task is to train with six members of the Imperial Flower Division, both to gain a stronger bond with each member and to also get stronger, with the ultimate goal to complete an exam by the end of the month. Unlike other titles in the series, Sakura Wars GB is a mixture of a raising simulator and a minigame collection, where you must participate in different training sessions that tackle different subjects like accuracy and intelligence, play different mini-games, and have turn based battles to test your wits.

The patch is readily available here. For official PR post and trailer, click here.

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SEGA Genesis STG Gynoug (Wings of Wor) Coming To Modern Consoles On November 12th

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Gynoug (or Wings of Wor in North America) is officially receiving a re-release, courtesy of developer Ratalaika Games in conjunction with Masaya Games and Shinyuden. Originally released on the SEGA Genesis back in 1991, you play as the winged hero Wor, who is tasked with eradicating a hoard of mutated monsters that suddenly appeared in the land of Iccus, created by their leader Destroyer. Using a powerful set of spells collected from orbs, it’s up to you to clear six challenging stages from deep caverns to literally being in the belly of the beast to free the land of Iccus from this chaos.

Like Ratalaika Games past efforts, this re-release will included bonuses such as an advanced CRT filter and the option to rewind or use save states. Gyoung/Wings of Wor will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on November 12th 2021 for only $6.99 or equivalent. As a fresh reminder, Ratalaika Games were also responsible for the recent releases of Gleylancer, Panorama Cotton, and Cotton 100%, so pick those up if you’re curious about their other efforts.

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SEGA and Microsoft Announces Collaboration for New Strategic Titles, “Azure” Cloud Development, and Next-Generation Development Environment

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SEGA of Japan has officially announced that there are currently plans to work with company giant Microsoft. While specifics have not been disclosed, the official PR blog post goes into details on what to expect out of this collaboration. The most notable thing discussed is using Microsoft’s “Azure” cloud technology, as part of a mid-to-long term plan for SEGA to release games on a global scale. For context, Azure is a cloud service produced by Microsoft designed with storing data, machine learning with artificial intelligence, and virtual machines in mind. Other details noted in the post include treating network infrastructure and communication cools for online services being a top priority, along with the “Super Game” incentive that focuses on producing new and innovative titles, with key words such as “Global” and IP Utilization” cited.

Remember, this isn’t an acquisition of SEGA from Microsoft, this is simply a collaboration to push SEGA’s long term strategy of trying to tackle a global market. What are your thoughts about this announcement about SEGA and Microsoft working together for cloud gaming?

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SEGA Game Gear title Eternal Legend gets an English fan translation

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A new English translation has been produced by TheMajinZenki, Supper, and cccmar, for the Game Gear title Eternal Legend. Eternal Legend, originally developed by Japan Art Media (aka “JAM”) and published by SEGA, was one of the earliest JRPGs released for the SEGA Game Gear, even predating Phantasy Star Gaiden. It was originally released back in August 9th, 1991 for Japanese markets only.

In Eternal Legend, you take on the role of Arwyn, a young treasure hunter who accidentally got himself roped up in searching for a long lost city called Millennium. Together with Ryall and Blue Moon, you will go on an adventure across the world fighting monsters and finding secrets, all to solve the mysteries of Millennium and it’s rumored lost treasure and technology. This patch translates the game entirely in English, along with other minor changes such as different fonts.

[Source: ROMhacking.net page]

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SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC releasing internationally on May 28th

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Get ready shmup fanatics, as the classic Thunder Force is back again with the arcade version of Thunder Force III, Thunder Force AC, with this SEGA AGES release. SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC will be available on the Nintendo Switch eShop, for $7.99 and equivalent, in all regions.

In Thunder Force AC, you take on the role of piloting the FIRE LEO-03 “Styx” through 5 different planets and eventually the ORN headquarters, blasting anything that gets in your way with an assortment of weapons that have different properties. While similar to Thunder Force III, there are several differences to still make this a worthwhile playthrough, including audio improvement due to the SEGA System C2 hardware, and rearrangements of enemy and weapon layouts. SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC will also come with several additions, such as the ability to play as four different ships, including the ship Fire LEO-04 “Rynex” from Thunder Force IV, and a Kids Mode for novices who want to play the game without getting a weapon deduction punish from dying.

[Source: Official Website / Twitter]

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Rumor: SEGA files trademarks for several Sakura Wars related projects

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The recent release of Sakura Wars (aka Shin Sakura Taisen) has had a solid enough release, with it generally receiving mixed to positive reception and a slew of multi-media adaptations such as a manga, anime, and stage play. But if you’re still on the fence about this new take on the series, read this review by writer Kori-Maru.

However, it seems like SEGA is not quite done with the Sakura Wars IP. SEGA of Japan has recently filed several trademarks, for the purposes of multiple things such as miscellaneous types of physical media and software. This includes Sakura Taisen B.L.A.C.K., B.L.A.C.K., Sakura Ishin (Restoration), and Sakura Kakumei (Revolution). What these titles would be is not clear, but it’s likely Sakura Ishin is some type of remake or remaster of a past title and Sakura Kakumei is a spin-off. Currently nothing has been officially announced, but considering the recent Sakura Wars project has had a positive response from consumers so far, it would make sense to continue expanding on the brand in the near future.

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SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC releasing on May 14th in Japan

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We have a release date for SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC. You can  travel across different planets and fight against the ORN Empire this upcoming May 14th, from the Japanese Nintendo Switch eShop for ¥999.

SEGA AGES Thunder Force AC is an arcade remix of the game Thunder Force III. While the general structuring is similar to the original game, there are several differences for this new arcade iteration to mix things up for veteran players, such as enemy and weapon placements being tweaked, some levels being overhauled, and the lack of a stage select. This SEGA AGES iteration also includes extra features, including the ability to play as four different ships with their own properties, and a Kids Mode meant for less experienced players where the player doesn’t lose their weapons upon death.

[Source: Official Website]

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Steam Database leak suggests Yakuza: Like a Dragon is coming to Steam

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Steam Database, a tool that tracks down applications and packages on Steam has picked up a recent update for an application of Yakuza: Like a Dragon (aka Yakuza 7), the latest installment in the Yakuza series as of this writing. While it is unusual for Yakuza 6 to still not be available on Steam, Yakuza: Like a Dragon is possibly next in line since it has key differences that separate it from past installments. Mainly because it focuses on a new character Ichiban Kasuga and adapts a turn based battle style inspired by the Dragon Quest games (which funnily enough is referenced in-game).

However, SEGA has not officially announced anything about Yakuza: Like a Dragon coming to Steam at this time, and there is no page officially uploaded. It’s also unknown what features the game will support with a PC release, but it will likely support higher resolutions and frame rates, similar to past Yakuza games released on Steam.

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Streets of Rage 4 releasing on April 30th for all platforms, Battle Mode revealed

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Publisher Dotemu has finally revealed when Streets of Rage 4 will release. You can take to the streets and beat up thugs this upcoming April 30th, and it will launch for all four platforms. In addition, Battle Mode has been announced. In Battle Mode, you pick from a selection of different characters and beat the tar out of your opponents, with up to 4 players being able to participate in the brawl.

Also advertised is pre-orders for the physical copies of the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions of the game, by Limited Run Games. These physical copies come with a steelbook, a reversible cover, and a custom clamshell case mimicking the design of a SEGA Genesis case.

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SEGA AGES G-LOC Air Battle releasing on April 30th in western territories

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SEGA AGES G-LOC Air Battle has a release date for western territories. For those in North America and European regions, you’ll be able to take to the skies on April 30th, available on the Nintendo Switch eShop for $7.99 and equivalent.

In this spin-off of the popular arcade game After Burner, you once again pilot a fighter jet called the A8M5 Thunderfox “Zeek”, soaring through the landscape blasting down anything in your path with bullets and missiles. The key difference is the emphasis on switching between a first-person and third-person perspective, influencing how you control and aim with the jet. The SEGA AGES release will also include new features, such as a AGES Mode which adds more enemies, more missiles, and an improved lock on system, and a special border that mimics the swaying of the original arcade cabinet.

[Source: Official Website / Twitter]

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