Author Archives: George

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Review – A Ninja Legend Reforged

September 29, 2025 by George

The Shinobi legacy returns with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a modern reimagining of SEGA’s iconic ninja action series. Released earlier this year, the game slices its way onto PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, bringing a mix of stylish combat, retro-inspired flair, and fresh design sensibilities. Behind the project is Lizardcube, the Paris-based studio best known for revitalizing another SEGA classic with Streets of Rage 4. Having earned widespread praise for blending hand-drawn artistry with tight, old-school gameplay, Lizardcube now turns its attention to one of SEGA’s most enduring heroes, aiming to reintroduce Shinobi to a new generation while respecting the series’ stealth-and-slash roots.

But will their trademark flair fit seamlessly with the iconic Shinobi franchise? I spent time with Art of Vengeance, and in this review, we’ll talk about what works, what doesn’t, and whether this revival lives up to its legendary name.

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Announced for February 2026 Release

September 24, 2025 by George

During RGG Summit 2025, SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, a dual release celebrating the series’ 20th anniversary. The package includes a full remake of Yakuza 3, following Kazuma Kiryu and Haruka’s life at Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa and Dark Ties, a brand-new story starring antagonist Yoshitaka Mine that explores his origins and descent into the world of the yakuza. The game launches globally on February 12, 2026 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.

Kiwami 3 is rebuilt from the ground up with new cutscenes, side activities, and two distinct combat styles: the brutal “Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami” and the weapon-based “Ryukyu Style.” Players can also dive into the quirky new “Legendary Baddie, Bad Boy Dragon” biker-gang mode. Meanwhile, Dark Ties lets fans control Mine for the first time, featuring stylish boxing-based combat, the devastating “Dark Awakening” mode, and the brutal “Hell’s Arena.” Pre-orders come with exclusive DLC, while the Digital Deluxe Edition adds extra characters, outfits, customization packs, and more.

You can read the full press release below for all details straight from SEGA and RGG Studio.

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Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Twitch Rivals Tournament: Dates, Times, and Prize Pool

September 22, 2025 by George

Sonic Racing fans, get ready to rev your engines because SEGA just dropped some competitively inclined news! The very first official Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds tournament is happening soon, and it’s all going down with Twitch Rivals. Your favorite speedster is hitting the big leagues with an esports tournament where invited Twitch creators from both the US and Europe will battle it out for ultimate bragging rights and a sweet cash prize. If you’ve been practicing those drifts and power-ups, you won’t want to miss seeing some serious Sonic speed on display. Get ready for some hopefully family friendly comepetive racing action as we find out who truly has what it takes to be the Sonic Racing champion!

Mark your calendars, because the action kicks off with qualifiers on Friday, September 26th (NA) and Saturday, September 27th (EU). Then, get ready for the grand finals on Friday, October 3rd! There will be competitive and casual lobbies, each with 12 racers, and the top six from each region will race their way to the finals. With a whopping $10,000 up for grabs for the winner of each bracket, you know the competition is going to be fierce. You can check out the official trailer to get hyped. It’s time to see some incredible gaming competition in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – don’t miss out on all the fun and intense racing as these creators race towards victory!

SEGA Announces Persona 3 Reload Demo, Two Point Museum Pre-Orders, and Virtua Fighter 5 for Switch 2

September 12, 2025 by George

Did you catch the latest Nintendo Direct? Sega dropped some great news, and it’s all ports coming the Nintendo Switch 2! (Nintendo won’t escape the port machine alligations)

First up, a free demo for Persona 3 Reload is available now. You can play through the opening of the game, and your save data carries over to the full version when it launches on October 23, 2025.

Next, get ready to build your dream exhibits in Two Point Museum. The new management sim from the creators of Two Point Hospital is available for pre-order and will be released on October 28, 2025.

Finally, the classic fighting game series is back with Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage. This version includes rollback netcode and cross-play support, and it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 this winter.

What are you most excited to play? Let us know!

SEGA’s SHINOBI vs. NINJA GAIDEN Bundle Arrives

September 9, 2025 by George

Get ready to sharpen your blades and prepare for battle! SEGA and Dotemu have just dropped the ultimate ninja showdown on Steam: the ‘Path of the Ninja’ bundle. This isn’t just any collection—it’s a direct challenge to fans of two of the most iconic ninja franchises in gaming history.

For years, gamers have debated which ninja reigns supreme. Is it the vengeful warrior of the Shinobi Oboro clan, or the rage-fueled master from NINJA GAIDEN? Now you can settle the score for yourself. This bundle brings together the two biggest ninja titles of the year: the critically acclaimed SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance and the intense NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound.

Both games deliver a masterclass in high-speed, 2D platforming and intense combat. With a 10% discount, you can experience the art of revenge and the power of pure rage in one epic package. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer ready to pick a side in this classic rivalry, the ‘Path of the Ninja’ bundle is your ticket to a world of shadow-filled action.

Grab your copy on Steam and let us know: which ninja do you think comes out on top? (Yes, it’s Joe).

SEGA News Bits: New Jet Set Radio Logo?

September 8, 2025 by George

On this episode of SEGA News Bits we look at the first new officially used Jet Set Radio logo created since Jet Set Radio Future in 2002! We also discuss the artist, Eric Haze who has worked with SEGA on the original Jet Set Radio and going to create new artwork for Shinobi and Virtua Fighter.

If you want to support this type of content, check us out on Patreon and get some exclusive content!

Sonic and Steady Hands Team Up for Exclusive Merch

September 8, 2025 by George

Sonic fans, get ready to sonicfy your style! SEGA has teamed up with the apparel brand Steady Hands for an exclusive new t-shirt collection. This capsule collection features five unique tees showcasing some of the most iconic characters from the Sonic universe: Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow, Eggman, and even has a cameo by Super Sonic. Each design highlights these fan-favorite characters in a bold, collectible way, crafted with Steady Hands’ signature approach to everyday wear.

This special collaboration is a celebration of Sonic’s legacy and the characters that have defined generations of gaming. The collection launched on Friday, September 5th, and is available exclusively through the Steady Hands website for fans in the United States and Canada. If you’re looking to add some edgy hedgehog flair to your wardrobe, now is the perfect time to grab a piece of this unique collection.

The real question, where’s my girl Amy?

Rumor: Leaked Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Box Art Reveals NiGHTS’ As Playable Character

September 6, 2025 by George

It seems unsurprising that NiGHTS, the SEGA Saturn mascot from Sonic Team, will likely be a new racer in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds. This is based on a leaked physical box art image, assuming the image isn’t a clever hoax.

I believe the leak is legitimate for a few reasons:

Sonic Team has a history of including NiGHTS in their games.
A NiGHTS-themed vehicle was previously spotted in an official SEGA trailer.
The leaked art reuses the cover art from NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams, which, while good, has been in use since 2007. Just seems like Sonic Team would continue to re-use this art, since they love it so much (get married you two).

It’s exciting to see NiGHTS appear alongside two of SEGA’s modern-day icons: Joker from Persona 5 and Ichiban Kasuga from the Like a Dragon series. Considering that the last NiGHTS game was 20 years ago, its crazy that he’s on a box with two characters have had more recent, high selling games.

SEGA News Bits: Is Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Beta Good?

September 5, 2025 by George

SEGA News Bits is back, this time we will be talking about Sonic Racing CrossWorlds Open Beta, we dive deep into some of the features of the game and gush over the amount of content.

If you want to catch these SEGA News Bits segements a day early, check us out and consider supporting us on Patreon!

LEGO Reveals a New Sega Genesis Controller Set

September 4, 2025 by George

LEGO is dropping a new set that’s a throwback to the classic Sega Genesis Controller. This isn’t just any controller replica; the front looks just like the real deal, complete with A, B, and C buttons. But the real surprise is on the back, where you’ll find a miniature scene from the iconic Green Hill Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog, featuring Sonic zipping through a loop!

Curious about how to get your hands on this set? It looks like it might be a special gift with purchase (GWP) item, as the official LEGO site has it listed for $19.99 with the price crossed out (edit: Seems that the item will go live on 9/9/2025). However, it’s currently marked as “not available” and isn’t on the offers page just yet. The set is also a pretty accurate, miniature version of the original controller, measuring 3.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches long. So keep your eyes peeled for an official announcement on how you can add this cool piece of gaming history to your collection!

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Eric Haze Collaborates with SEGA on Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, and Virtua Fighter Art

September 3, 2025 by George

[The first original logo by Eric Haze for the new partnership]

SEGA has teamed up with legendary artist Eric Haze for a new collaboration that’s got us feeling all kinds of nostalgic. If you’ve ever played Jet Set Radio, you’ve seen Haze’s work, he was a key contributor to the original game’s iconic look. Now, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise, he’s back with a fresh new design and custom SEGA logos.

But it’s not just about Jet Set Radio. This partnership is a full-on celebration of SEGA’s history. Haze is also creating unique art for classic titles like Shinobi and Virtua Fighter. It’s a fantastic way to honor some of gaming’s most beloved series, bridging the gap between classic gaming and modern art. Keep an eye out for what’s to come over the next two years since that’s how long Haze said he will be working on these SEGA retro logo designs.

Hit the jump for the full press release:

“Stranger Than Heaven” is the Official Title for RGG Studio’s “Project Century”

June 6, 2025 by George

Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, fresh off the critical and commercial success of their Yakuza/Like a Dragon series and currently developing a new Virtua Fighter title, has officially named their previously teased “Project Century” as “Stranger than Heaven.”

This new action game, from one of SEGA’s most prominent studios, features an interesting historical setting. Although an initial teaser trailer placed the game in 1912, the most recent trailer also indicates at a 1943 setting. This transitional period in Japan’s history promises a rich and dynamic backdrop for the gameplay.

A key element of the game seems to be the protagonist’s journey through these distinct time periods. His striking blue eyes appear to be a consistent visual thread, visible on the younger character featured in the 1912 teaser and again on the older gentleman in the 1943 trailer. You can checkout the 1912 teaser below.

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Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast Tees Launch at Don Quijote

March 27, 2025 by George

Alright, fellow Sega faithful! Dust off your VMUs and plug in those 6-button controllers, because Don Quijote is about to drop a pixel-perfect power-up for your wardrobe!

Yes, you heard right! Our beloved Sega consoles are getting the fashion treatment, courtesy of a collaboration with the legendary discount haven, Don Quijote. Get ready with three sleek, limited-edition black tees, each paying homage to the iconic Mega Drive (or Genesis), Saturn, and Dreamcast.

For a mere 2,199 yen (that’s roughly $14.61), you can snag these threads in sizes L and XL. Each shirt boasts a subtle chest logo, a bold back graphic, and—as if that wasn’t enough—a bonus sticker of the console’s logo to slap on your console, laptop, or wherever your Sega spirit takes you.

But here’s the kicker: these are Don Quijote exclusives! So, if you’re planning a pilgrimage to Japan, set your GPS for your nearest Donki and be there bright and early. These treasures drop sequentially from March 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM JST, and they won’t stick around forever.

Let’s recap: