SEGA 3D Classics get discounted on the American eShop

SEGA3DClassicsGunstarShinobiOutrunNine of SEGA’s fantastic SEGA 3D Classics remake/re-releases are getting a discount on the North American eShop. If you haven’t picked up some of these titles I totally think its the time to get on it. If I had to recommend one of the following nine titles, I would totally recommend 3D Out Run. Read my review on that title here.

The following games are being discounted (from $5.99 to $3.99):

  • 3D Super Hang-On
  • 3D Space Harrier
  • 3D Ecco the Dolphin
  • 3D Streets of Rage
  • 3D Streets of Rage 2
  • 3D Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
  • 3D After Burner II
  • 3D Out Run
  • 3D Gunstar Heroes

Which SEGA 3D Classics do you own and which SEGA 3D Classics are you looking into purchasing in this sale? Let us know in the comments below.

[Via: Go Nintendo]

SEGA bringing Zero Latency’s VR multiplayer game to Japan

It seems that SEGA of Japan is showing some interest in the world of Virtual Reality. SEGA Live Creation announced on Tuesday that it will be bringing Zero Latency (and its technology) to Japan. The VR system including software was built by a Melbourne-based company and features a free-roaming virtual world with built-in multiplayer.

So what is SEGA going to do with the game? Well from July 16th the game will have a permanent home in SEGA’s Joypolis in Tokyo. This isn’t just software as the team created its own VR headset that allows for players to roam huge warehouse sized areas, unlike something like HTC’s Vive that only does smaller rooms. SEGA seems rather impressed by the technology:

“When we first tried the Zero Latency experience we were blown away. We are only at the early stages of understanding what free-roam VR is capable of. It’s one of the most exciting technologies coming to market today.” – Kazuhiko Hayami of SEGA Live Creation

Zero Latency announced they are developing a shorter, more arcade-style version of their zombie shooter for SEGA’s Japanese launch. The team still has deals to bring the technology to USA, China, Europe, and Australia but isn’t ready to talk about that.

[Source: Mashable]

SEGA News Bits: 7th Dragon III: Code VFD First Impressions

On this SEGA News Bits we will be giving you our first impressions on 7th Dragon III: Code VFD a JRPG exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS. The video covers the first few chapters of 7th Dragon III: Code VFD and gives you a feeling on what to expect July 12th, 2016 when the game launches in North America.

7th Dragon III: Code VFD features music by Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage) and is co-produced by Rieko Kodama (Phantasy Star & Skies of Arcadia), which are a couple of big names to make die hard SEGA fans happy. Give the video a play and tell us what you think in the comments below. Like always, if you want to see more don’t forget to subscribe to us on YouTube.

Dreamcast 2 Fan Project Shuts Down

sega-dreamcast-2Last year a group of fans got together to try and get a Dreamcast 2 console off the ground. They aggressively tried to use petition sites like Change.org and showed off several videos showing off concepts like the menus. We even did an opinion piece on the project, pointing out concerns we had with how it was being handled.

It seems that what we expected came true and now ‘Project Dream’ is officially dead. Yes, that means there is no Dreamcast 2.  They have now shut down their website and facebook group. But left this message as an explanation:

“The project has been taken offline. This is due to a schism within the team caused by inefficient and amateurish conduct resulting in members being removed and others leaving the team. In light of such unprofessional behavior and an embarrassing lack of progress, seasoned members of the gaming industry have chosen to distance themselves from the project. I too am stepping away from Project Dream. Please note the Twitter account @Project_DreamDC is no longer associated with this group.”

According to a inside source from Dreamcast Junkyard, there is a lot of ‘schism’ within the team and in-fighting. This turned into a rift between core members of Project Dream. Let’s be honest, SEGA said in 2001 that they were leaving the console hardware space, they aren’t coming back. This was bound to fail even without the in-fighting between the members. I mean why would SEGA even call it the Dreamcast 2? What are your thoughts?

[Source: Dreamcast Junkyard]

SEGA announces ‘Hatsune Miku Symphony’ full orchestra concert

20160530_101229SEGA has announced that they will be putting on the very first Hatsune Miku orchestra concert. They are calling the event ‘Hatsune Miku Symphony‘ and will be performed with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Hatsune Miku Symphony will be performed at Chiyoda Ward of Tokyo on August 26, 2016. Hologram Hatsune Miku will be singing during the concert, of course.

Hatsune Miku Symphony tickets are set to cost 8,000 yen ($72 USD) for A-seats, 9,000 yen ($81 USD) for S-seats, and 14,800 ($126 USD) yen for ‘Special Seats’ that include limited edition goods. Tickets go on sale starting June 28th.

SEGA’s survey asks fans about possible Sonic crossover games

SonicTheHedgehogcrossover

[Art by Haysey84]

During SEGA’s survey, they had a interesting bit where they asked fans what Sonic crossover games people were interested in. Franchises/companies included: Adventure Time, My Little Pony, Pixar, Capcom, Looney Toons, Disney, Nintendo, and of course Dragon Ball Z. I think its safe to say that Sonic the Hedgehog fans will find all these franchises appealing one way or another.

Here is the screenshot of the question:
3070658-1I’m 100% OK with Sonic crossover games, as long as they are handled with more care than we have seen with their Sonic & Mario At the Olympic Games titles. Can we not make them some low budget mini games compilation? That would be great.

What franchises would you like to see Sonic the Hedgehog crossover with? Let us know in the comments below.

[Via: Gamespot]

Etrian Odyssey V’s Japanese box art looks great

etrian-odyssey-v-05-23-16-1

Etrian Odyssey V: End of the Long Myth has just gotten it’s official Japanese box art revealed online, which you can see above. The cover is being illustrated by long time series artist Yuji Himukai. Etrian Odyssey V, along with the other games in the series, always had a distinct art style and its wonderful to see it embraced on this box art.

Etrian Odyssey V hits Japan on August 4th, no Western release dates have been set for a Western release.

[via: NicheGamer]

Hatsune Miku getting her own limited edition PlayStation 4 bundle

HSMIKUPS4If you are a big fan of the Hatsune Miku video game series, then you will probably be excited to know that its getting its own limited PlayStation 4 pack. Bad part? Only in Japan thus far.

According to the product page there will be a choice of 500GB and 1TB models along with a Glacier White and Jet Black color choices.  More details below:

500 GB Jet Black/Glacier White Models

  • With one PS4 HDD Bay Cover: 37,480 plus tax
  • With two PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 38,980 plus tax
  • With three PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 40,480 plus tax

1TB Jet Black Model

  • With one PS4 HDD Bay Cover: 42,480 yen plus tax
  • With two PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 43,980 yen plus tax
  • With three PS4 HDD Bay Covers: 45,480 yen plus tax

Depending on how many HDD Bay Covers you want, this can cost you up to $413ish dollars (For the PS4 1TB with 3 HDD covers). That isn’t that bad considering its a limited edition product. Check out the photos:

M2 wants to release Alien Syndrome as a ‘SEGA 3D Classic’

aliensyndrome-wallpaperIn the latest M2 interview with Yosuke Okunari, Kagasei Shimomura and Naoki Horii, which is posted over at the SEGA blog, the team talks about testing the 3D features with games like Alien Syndrome on the Nintendo 3DS.

KS: So rewinding a little bit, before we settled on Power Drift, we had a couple of titles to choose from for this. We talked about Alien Syndrome, Golden Axe, Turbo Out Run, and even Columns.

NH: (looks at the lineup list) These are pretty bold choices.
– I’d like to see Alien Syndrome someday. Stereoscopic 3D would be really effective in that game.

NH: Oh that game is amazing. We did a little test on it to see how it would turn out and it was great. Although, doing every single stage would be quite an effort.

You can read the full interview here. Its a great interview, they talk about the hardships they encountered while trying to bring Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2 to the 3DS. You know what we say, more SEGA 3D Classics, the better.

[Via: NintendoLife]

7th Dragon III Code: VFD Battle System Trailer

SEGA of America have released a new trailer for their upcoming 3DS JRPG, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD. This is actually first 7th Dragon game to make it West. This 7th Dragon III Code: VFD trailer is focused on the game’s battle system which is pretty interesting and unique in its own way. Believe me, I have been playing the game recently and this isn’t one of those ‘auto attack’ (maybe if you grind a lot) JRPGs that I have grown to hate.

7th Dragon III Code: VFD hits North American store shelves on July 12th only on Nintendo 3DS. If you want SEGA to localize more Japanese games, I suggest looking into this title.

SEGA Game Tester documentary from 1996 emerges online

This video was uploaded online a few days ago, titled ‘This is SEGA TEST’ a titled “trainumentary” created by the SEGA test department in 1995-1996. The video was shot on location at Sega of America in Redwood City, CA. The SEGA Game Tester documentary talks about what SEGA is looking for in a game tester, but gives you a interesting inside look at the company during that era and the people that worked as testers.

Tom Kalinske, President of SEGA of America at the time is in the video talking about the processes of selecting a SEGA game tester. We had a chance to interview him in our podcast, if you haven’t listened. Its a great little documentary, especially for retro SEGA game fans. Watch it and let us know what you guys think in the comments below and tell us how many of you wanted to be a SEGA game tester during the mid-90s.

Tails’ Channel interviews Aaron Webber about Sonic 25th Anniversary party

Matt from Tails’ Channel got to sit down with Sonic’s social media manager and Sonic PR Aaron Webber (or how Phantasy Star people know him as Ruby Eclipse). The topic of the interview was the upcoming Sonic 25th Anniversary party including questions about what to expect, if Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will be playable and what sort of merch will be sold at the event.

If you guys decide to go to the Sonic 25th Anniversary party, make sure you stop by and say hi to me and Barry since we will be attending the event. So are you going to Sonic 25th Anniversary party?