SEGA News Bits: Daytona 3 Championship USA Announced for Arcades Reaction

If you have been reading the blog you know we have been following the announcement of Daytona 3 Championship USA, which was teased a few days ago and we finally got confirmed yesterday. Now join George and Barry as they discuss their reaction to the Daytona 3 Championship USA announcement, what they want to see from the game and our general opinion on the game being arcade exclusive. Tell us your general opinion about Daytona 3 Championship USA in the comments below!

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TecToy relaunching limited edition Mega Drive in Brazil next year

originalWhile I wrote about what SEGA could learn about the NES Mini, I made reference to a lot of TecToy releases of the Mega Drive. TecToy has re-released the Mega Drive over in Brazil many times, but this time they are taking a note from the NES Mini and keeping the original form factor. Above is the photo of their limited edition Mega Drive.

The limited edition Mega Drive will  come with 22 pre-installed games, support original cartridges, come with one controller and a micro SD slot. Sadly the limited edition Mega Drive only supports composite output. That means no HDMI port. The 22 pre-installed games are a mix bag, while you have your Golden Axe and Shinobi titles, it seems lots of big names are missing. Hit the jump to see all 22 pre-installed games. This console is being aimed at a different audience than us, so maybe these titles are more popular in that region.

The console is up for pre-order now on TecToy’s website, they are charging R$ 399,00 ($125 USD). Which is more than double the price of the NES Mini, is having a working cartridge slot worth the extra cash?

[via: tectoy]

SEGA News Bits: SEGA & Atlus Talk Nintendo Switch Support

Welcome to a new episode of the SEGA News Bits, this time we will be talking about SEGA & Atlus pledging support for the Nintendo Switch console. We discuss what type of Nintendo Switch support we will like to see from both publishers, discuss what we thought about the announcement trailer and what this means for us SEGA fans. One thing we do know, Nintendo Switch support from 3rd parties is one thing they need to get right with this console. How would you want SEGA & Atlus to deliver Nintendo Switch support? What type of games will make you purchase on the console? Let us know!

Like our SEGA News Bits segments? Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel to never miss an episode. Read more about Barry’s thoughts on the console here.

SEGA confirmed to be making games for Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics

2887958-mariosonic_004SEGA has confirmed today that it has picked up the 2020 summer Olympics license games license. SEGA has had a long relationship with the Olympic Games committee on using their license and was one of the main reasons behind the creation of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic  Games series of games. That means that Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be happening and when it does it will be a Nintendo Switch exclusive. SEGA has full reign on the license, so a more realistic Olympic title could also be in the works. I can see their offerings being rather good if they start development this year, 2020 summer Olympics will be a huge event for Japan.

“It is truly an honor for us to be granted this Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 sub-license from [International Sports Multimedia],” – SEGA CEO Haruki Satomi

You can read the press release after the break, but at this point the only reason SEGA has held on to the Olympic games license is to churn out more Mario & Sonic games. 2020 summer Olympics will run from July 24-August 9 in Japan.

New Yakuza 6 kitten feeding gameplay reminds us of Shenmue

SEGA recently held another NicoNico Live Stream with Yakuza 6 producer Toshihiro Nagoshi showing off new game activities in Yakuza 6. These activities included playing with cats, spearfishing and even taking cute selfies.

These videos even show gameplay in the new town of Onimichi Jingaicho, which is always nice to see a new place in scenery. Yakuza 6 is shaping up to be the best yet, but it seems we say that every time a new one is coming out. The game launches in Japan on December 8, 2016 only on PlayStation 4. It is even getting its own PlayStation 4 model! No Western release has been announced yet. Hit the jump to see another Yakuza 6 video.

[via: Siliconera]

Sonic CD goes free-to-play with ads

Sonic-CD-2.0Sonic CD has now been updated to version 2.0, which changed the app from a paid game to a free-to-play game with ads. The issue with this is, that if you bought Sonic CD before going free-to-play, you will also be getting ads and be asked to pay $1.99 to remove them. According to developer Christian Whitehead this was all SEGA’s doing since he’s been busy working on Sonic Mania.

SEGA has yet to come out and comment on the change, but I seriously think this is just a error that will hopefully be resolved. If not it would be a really slimy move to charge loyal paying customers $1.99 to remove ads that you recently updated into their already purchased $2.99 game. Anyway, what do you think of Sonic CD going free-to-play with ads? If you paid for the Sonic CD, do you feel burnt that you now has ads?

UPDATE: Sonic Social Media manager Aaron Webber has confirmed that a fix has rolled out for those who purchased Sonic CD and still got ads. Let us know if you guys are still having issues in the comments below!

[via Touch Arcade]

SEGA Talk Podcast #02: The House of the Dead (1996)

We return with another episode of the SEGA Talk podcast, on this extra spooky Halloween episode we look at the release of the 1996 light gun shooter classic The House of the Dead. We will look at the development, talk about the gameplay, tell you about its history and even talk about a time when the arcade game went to US court for being too violent. Grab some Halloween candy, pop in a copy of The House of the Dead , hit play on the podcast, and go down memory lane with us!

[iTunesStitcher – Play Music – RSSDownload]

But tell us what you thought of The House of the Dead, where you first play it and did you think it was too violent? Tell us in the comment section below. You can also email us via our contact page just make sure to put SEGA Talk podcast on the header.

SEGA and Atlus talk Nintendo Switch support

SEGAATLUSNINTENDOSWITCHWhile we only have one SEGA title announced for the upcoming Nintendo Switch console/handheld hybrid entertainment system, it seems SEGA might have more games up their sleeves. Both SEGA and Atlus talk Nintendo Switch support earlier today.

SEGA had this to say:

“SEGA and Nintendo have been great partners over the years, and we continue to with our support of the Nintendo Switch. We look forward to revealing specific game plans soon, but have nothing further to announce at this time.”

While Atlus, who also announced support a few days ago when the console was first revealed said:

“We’re excited to be supporting the Nintendo Switch and believe the games we publish are a perfect fit for the portable nature of the console.”

While its not surprising seeing SEGA and Atlus talk Nintendo Switch support considering both publishers have supported Nintendo hardware over the past 10 years, Atlus really pused some amazing JRPGs on the Nintendo 3DS handheld. Seems that they are obviously excited to continue that relationship.

What SEGA and Atlus franchises would you like to see on the Nintendo Switch? Does the new console have you excited?

[Source: Siliconera]

SEGA Talk Podcast #01: OutRun (1986)

Here at SEGAbits, we’ve been thinking about ways to expand our content. If you guys didn’t know, SEGA Talk was a show on our YouTube channel, but we have decided to transform it into a podcast. If you are subscribed to our YouTube channel, don’t fret! We will be uploading small segments of the podcast with some visual dazzles to entertain your eyeballs. So what is the SEGA Talk podcast all about? Each episode of SEGA Talk will focus on a SEGA game, a big SEGA event or a SEGA console. Listen in on our debut episode as we chat about the history of OutRun, OutRun spin-offs and discuss themes behind the game. If you like the episode make sure to give us a review on iTunes, we would appreciate it.

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If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Atlus reveals Persona 5 English voice cast

Atlus has now revealed the Persona 5 English voice cast, if you haven’t heard the western release will only be playable in English with the Japanese dub sold separately as DLC. That means that the Persona 5 English voice cast should at least be decent, since its the only option we poor westerners have.

Persona 5 English voice cast is: 

  • Xander Mobus as the protagonist
  • Cassandra Morris as Morgana
  • Max Mittelman as Ryuji Sakamoto
  • Erika Harlacher as Ann Takamaki
  • Matt Mercer as Yusuke Kitagawa
  • Cherami Leigh as Makoto Niijima
  • Erica Lindbeck as Futaba Sakura
  • Xanthe Huynh as Haru Okumura
  • Robbie Daymond as Goro Akechi

Most of the voice actors have been doing JRPG dubs for quite awhile, one of the most noticeable games most of the actors/actresses share in common is that most of them did voice work for Xenoblade Chronicles X. Also Max Mittelman is doing the English voice work for Saitama from One Punch Man, which is one of the best recent anime shows. Above is a interview conducted by Atlus USA with Xander Mobus (recently played the announcer in Super Smash Bros Wii U/3DS) , who is obviously playing the protagonist, aka the lead in Persona 5.

 What are your thoughts on Atlus’ Persona 5 English voice cast and how do you feel about Japanese audio being DLC for the game? Let us know in the comments below!

SEGA planning a third Valkyria: Azure Revolution demo

ValkyriaAzurreRevolutionSEGA is readying itself to release Valkyria: Azure Revolution in Japan. They already released one demo in earlier this year and had the second demo with the latest build at Tokyo Game Show 2016 (where we posted up a hands-on impressions of the game). Unsurprisingly lots of fans have had nothing but negative things to say about the latest demo (including our preview), which was given limited access by SEGA. Well, soon anyone with a Japanese PSN account will be able to try Valkyria: Azure Revolution, at least when the third demo is released:

“We released Ver. 2.0 of the Battle Demo the other day, and starting next week we’ll be holding hands-on experience events across the country. In the future, we’re planning to provide one more, additional demo. At that time, we’re planning for everyone to be able to enjoy it, rather than just a limited amount of users.” – Youichi Shimosato, Valkyria: Azure Revolution producer

But I wouldn’t be expecting major changes, even though they did state that they changed the game due to fan feedback a lot of the issues users had with the first battle demo are still present in the 2nd demo and from what Valkyria: Azure Revolution‘s producer is saying it doesn’t sound like much will change with the latest demo:

“We’re putting in all the elements that should be included, leaving only minor adjustments and bug fixes after.” – Youichi Shimosato, Valkyria: Azure Revolution producer

Valkyria: Azure Revolution hits Japanese store shelves on January 19, 2017 only on PlayStation 4. No western release date has been announced but little birds told me that SEGA Japan did hand out English ‘how to play’ cards at the Tokyo Game Show 2016 for Valkyria: Azure Revolution and Puyo Puyo Chronicle, so anything is possible. But would you be interested in purchasing Valkyria: Azure Revolution if it comes over?

[Source: Gematsu]

Yakuza 6 promises full-fledged baseball team building simulation

Yakuza6Baseball (2)Just revealed in the latest issue Famitsu Weekly that Yakuza 6 will have a Baseball manager play spot. It seems that Yakuza 6 won’t just let you play in a Baseball team, but will also make you the manager allowing you to collect players, train, organize the team and much more. The team that you manage is called teh ‘Setouchi Warriors’. Yakuza 6 promises to have a ‘full-fledged Baseball team building simulation’ built into the play spot.

Crazy how much stuff the Yakuza 6 team have packed into the game, since they revealed last month that a full version of Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, along with online play would be part of the package. If you want SEGA to bring Yakuza 6 to the west, make sure to pick up a copy of Yakuza 0 (which got a day one edition with free goodies).

[Source: Famitsu]

SEGA confirms Yakuza 0 Western release will be uncensored

It seems that online gaming fans have lost some trust with SEGA when it comes to them releasing uncensored Yakuza games due to them censoring Yakuza 3 when it came out. Should you be worried about Yakuza 0? Well, no because SEGA has gone on the record to state that Yakuza 0 will be 100% uncensored when it hits PlayStation 4 in January 2017. Not surprising considering that SEGA knew censoring Yakuza 3 was a mistake after its release and released the uncensored Yakuza 5 last year.

SEGA confirmed that all gameplay modes will be intact in Yakuza 0, that means those shady girly video parlors will be accessible to your Western eyeballs. Make sure to pre-order Yakuza 0 if you wan the day one ‘The Business Edition’ featuring extra Yakuza swag for free. I would ask you if censoring Japanese games for the West is a good idea, but I already know the answer is no. Right?

SEGA News Bits: SEGA Announces Acquisition of Technosoft’s IPs

Welcome to another episode of the SEGA News Bits, this time we will be talking about SEGA buying Technosoft’s IPs. Technosoft is best known for their Thunder Force series but also did titles like Herzog Zwei, Elemental Master and Hyper Duel. We discuss if this is a good buy for SEGA, what we would like to see SEGA do with Technosoft’s IPs and more. Tell us in the comments what your favorite Technosoft game is and what do you think of this whole buyout?

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic X & SEGA Hard Girls Blu-Ray & DVD Releases Discussion

If you have been waiting the Sonic X and SEGA Hard Girls blu-ray and DVD releases, you might not have to wait too long since they are coming by the end of the year. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss the upcoming Sonic X and SEGA Hard Girls releases, talk about physical media and what you need to know about these newer releases. Is anyone here going to pick up the Sonic X DVDs or the SEGA Hard Girls Blurays?

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments, make sure to share the videos with like minded folks and hit that subscribe button. Thanks for the support!