Author Archives: George

Shenmue III update reveals improved graphics and new characters

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Shenmue III has revealed its 80th Kickstarter update and even with 80 whole updates a large part of the game is a big mystery. On this update we got four new screenshots of the game, one of them showing off a brand new character. That new character can be seen above.

Outside of that we have a screenshot featuring a young kid, an elder man and that bad guy we saw in the trailer released last year. First thing I noticed is how improved most of the characters faces are and how more animated they look. Especially the young kid in the gallery below. I still have some issue with how Ryo Hazuki is designed, something is really off about him. It isn’t the graphics, but more how the facial structure and hairline are placed. Seems a little off compared to the way he was designed in past games. But who knows, maybe I’m crazy? What are your thoughts on the brand new screenshots?

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Valkyria Chronicles 4 getting Japanese PSN demo on February 26

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Oh boy, SEGA is releasing these Japanese demos faster than I can keep up. Just a few days ago we got the Hokuto ga Gotoku demo on Japanese PSN, now less than a week from that one we will be getting a Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo. According to SEGA they will be unleashing the playable demo they have been showing at events in Japan. The demo releases on February 26, 2018.

According to early players, the demo allows users to play from the prologue all the way through chapter 2. It also seems that the save data can be transferred over to the full game when its released (in Japan). So if you are going to import the game, you can continue where the demo ends and not replay it from the start.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 on PlayStation 4 is launching in Japan on March 21, 2018. As for us Westerners, we get the game later in 2018 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch. I also hope SEGA releases a similar demo for all platforms, since I think it will move more copies.

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SEGA shows an hour of Shining Resonance Refrain English gameplay

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Yo, I heard you guys like Japanese games but don’t know Japanese. Relax, SEGA got you covered with this double live stream featuring Yakuza Kiwami (which is out already) and the first look at Shining Resonance Refrain in English! About an hour of the gameplay was shown via SEGA’s official live stream. You can check it out above (1:04:00 into the stream)

We also did a SEGA News Bits discussing the announcement which discusses all the details including the game’s launch day edition, pricing and new platforms. Shining Resonance Refrain will be coming this Summer on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. That’s quite a bit of platforms. If you are picking it up, what platform will you be playing it on?

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SEGA releases Sonic the Hedgehog movie press release

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I know all the Sonic the Hedgehog fans around the world are wondering what the ‘live-action CG animation’ Sonic the Hedgehog film brings to theaters. We already know that SEGA is teasing a November 15, 2019 release date since we covered it.

Now SEGA has sent out the official press release about the upcoming movie, having quotes from people involved including SEGA Holdings CEO Haruki Satomi, Paramount Pictures CEO Jim Gianopulos and Producer Neal H. Moritz.

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After Burner 2xLP vinyl pre-orders go live this Saturday

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The people over at Data Discs have announced their 15th retro SEGA vinyl release, it is After Burner! This will be a 2xLP affair with the first one having the whole After Burner soundtrack from 1987 as composed by Hiroshi “Hiro” Kawaguchi and the second LP featuring additional material like live arranged versions of the tracks by S.S.T. Band.

The LP will come on double 180g LPs, play at 45RPM and even have a fold out poster featuring the original artwork. This release will run you £24.99 ($34.88 USD) and come in three versions:

  • 2 x 180g Purple and Blue Swirl (Limited Edition)
  • 2 x 180g Opaque Purple
  • 2 x 180g Classic Black

The pre-order goes live on February 24th at data-discs.com, vinyls ship out on March 31st, 2018.

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The Jungle Book on SEGA Genesis, Game Gear and Master System gets Spanish fan translations

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Romhacking.net user Wave has released a Spanish translation for all the SEGA versions of The Jungle Book. Ever want to play The Jungle Book but you don’t know English? Wait, how are you reading this blog? Never mind, just know that The Jungle Book is now playable in Spanish on your retro SEGA platform of choice.

Now when that one cousin from Mexico that doesn’t know English comes over, you can pop in The Jungle Book on your favorite SEGA retro console and show him a time when Disney made animated films and had decent video game tie-ins. Weren’t those the days?

[via: Romhacking.net]

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SEGA News Bits: Let’s Talk Shining Resonance Refrain Coming West

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On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we go over all the details surrounding the western release of Shining Resonance Refrain, including the new platforms it was announced for, what is new in this version of the game and some background on the Shining franchise in the West. Tune in and let us know what you think of Shining Resonance Refrain being announced for the West in the comments below.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

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A Certain Magical Virtual-On shifts 27k units on its debut

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SEGA has released A Certain Magical Virtual-On  in Japan, a game that is meant to crossover SEGA’s Virtual-On mech franchise with A Certain Magical Index manga series. The Media Create sales chats recorded sales from February 12th to the 18th, since A Certain Magical Virtual-On came out on February 15th, this would be about 3 days of sales counted.

Here is the breakdown:

  • A Certain Magical Virtual-On (PS4) – 17,938
  • A Certain Magical Virtual-On (PSV) – 9,284

Another ‘SEGA game’, Bayonetta 1+2 which SEGA owns the character IP of sold a combined total of 21,226 units on the Nintendo Switch combining the Bayonetta Ultimate Climax Edition and Bayonetta 2 (regular edition) sales. That makes A Certain Magical Virtua-On sales at 27,222 not seem too shabby. Though do note that Bayonetta 1+2 is a port on one platform while A Certain Magical Virtual-On is a brand new title on two platforms. To check out the full sales charts, hit the jump:

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Hokuto ga Gotoku demo hits Japanese PSN later today

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If you have been waiting to get your hands on Hokuto ga Gotoku, the Yakuza Studio’s take on a Fist of the North Star game, you won’t have to wait that long since the demo is launching in Japan on February 22nd! Considering how time zones work, if you live in America it should be later tonight.

If you live in America (like me) it will hit the Japanese PSN store at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET.

The demo will include

  • “Experience Hokuto Shinken” – Learn the game systems by battling Shin. Includes a battle tutorial.
  • “Experience the Story” – Play a side mission from the game. This mission will have Ken driving a buggy, fighting scoundrels, and exploring Eden.

Hokuto ga Gotoku will hit PlayStation 4 in Japan on March 8, no release dates announced outside of Japan. Yet SEGA was (not so) quick to announce Shining Resonance Re:frain, so don’t count this game out yet.

[Via: Gematsu]

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Sonic the Hedgehog movie racing into theaters fall of 2019

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It seems that every year we get a announcement that the Sonic the Hedgehog movie is coming, next year. Guess what? Paramount Films has slated the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie for November 15, 2019.

As we already know Neal H. Moritz (Fast & Furious series) will be producing the project, along with Tim Miller (Deadpool) and Toby Ascher (Green Hornet) as executive producers. Dmitri M. Johnson (Little Nightmares, Life is Strange) and Dan Jevons will be co-producers. So this movie is really gonna be… you know, produced.

If you missed the news before the movie is still set to be a mix of live action and CGI animation. As you can see we don’t really have much news on the Sonic the Hedgehog movie outside the fact that it got a release date. We still don’t have a cast either. Personally don’t think this movie will make its November 15, 2019 release date, but we’ll see. Maybe we’ll get more news on the movie at this year’s SXSW?

[Source: Hollywood Reporter]

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IDW teases Sonic the Hedgehog #5, the return of Dr. Eggman!

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We know that all of April will have Sonic the Hedgehog IDW comics, as they are releasing four whole issues for the month. After that its back to a monthly title with Sonic the Hedgehog #5 which is set to include the return of everyone’s favorite Sonic villain, Dr. Eggman (or Doctor Robotnik depending on your age).

“After four back-to-back weeks of Sonic goodness, fans are wondering: where is Dr. Eggman? Sonic’s greatest enemy is strangely quiet. He disappeared after his last defeat, but you can’t keep evil scientist down! So where is he? What has he been up to? Readers will get all those answers and more in Sonic the Hedgehog #5!” – Ian Flynn, writer for Sonic the Hedgehog comics

Check out the solicitations and full cover after the jump as IDW starts its ‘The Fate of Dr. Eggman‘ plot:

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Diamond Select Toys reveals upcoming Sonic Toys

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The people over at PreviewsWorld have captured some good shots of the upcoming Diamond Select Toys featuring our favorite blue hedgehog. We teased a few days ago that we would be having a reveal and here it is. There will be two different products coming of the toys including some high quality PVC and minimate figures (check them both out below).

The high quality PVC figures feature Sonic the Hedgehog grabbing a ring and our two tailed fox leaping for a chaos emerald. While the minimate is set to have twelve figurines for $24.99 and so far feature Sonic, Super Sonic, Amy, Silver, Tails, Eggman, Cheese, and Cream. At least these characters are the only ones on display at the event. Check out the photos below. For the record I think the minimate figures look horrible and their ‘art style’ for the figures don’t really work well with Sonic the Hedgehog. It looks like Sonic and he’s friends have been doing a lot of curls at the gym.

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Rumor: Sonic Kart Racing Game Coming 2018, Won’t Include other SEGA IPs

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On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we look at the new rumor that SEGA is working on a Sonic Kart Racing game that won’t be part of the ‘All-Stars’ series or include many or if any SEGA brands (outside of Sonic). Check the out the video above for the evidence, at the end I give you my opinion about the rumor and if I think its in fact a reality. I guess we will find out soon, at SXSW panel, if these rumors turn out to be true.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

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George’s Corner: Who owns the Bayonetta IP?

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I’ve been trying to do a ‘news series’ of videos to work on my on camera persona. This is my second video I’ve done and since this has something to do with SEGA, I decided I could share it here. Again, this is more of a test than anything. Yes, I got a click baity thumbnail.

I’m still learning and trying to improve and the idea for the show is that I’ll cover four to five stories, 3 times a week. If you want to help out by giving me a sub, that would be great too. Thanks!

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