SEGA Talk #136: SEGA World – International (1990s)

This episode we take another week off from games to talk about theme parks, specifically the short lived ‘SEGA World’ range of theme parks that went on from the UK to South Korea!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – RSS – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGA appoints former Disney exec Justin Scarpone as new executive to lead global transmedia strategy

It looks like SEGA wants to increase their global presence, as they just recently announced former Walt Disney executive Justin Scarpone as the Executive Vice President, Head of Global Transmedia Group for SEGA effective April 1st, 2024. Justin is probably most well known for launching a little indie title known as Kingdom Hearts. Between the Sonic movies and the New Energy, New Era lineup of video game revivals, it looks like SEGA is serious about expanding their presence. Welcome to the team, Justin. Word of advice: don’t talk to Sonic fans on social media.

After the break, check out the full press release!

Red vs. Blue – Sonic X Angry Birds mobile event sees the two franchises cross paths in multiple games

It finally happened. Sonic and Angry Birds are teaming up for a mobile crossover event! Five mobile games – Sonic Forces, Angry Birds 2, Sonic Dash, Angry Birds Dream Blast, and Angry Birds Friends – will feature new events where Sonic and the Angry Birds characters cross paths. Characters from both franchises join forces in these events to defeat Dr. Eggman and the Pigs. The Sonic and Angry Birds Mobile Crossover Event is happening now from March 14 to March 21 on both iOS and Android platforms.

SEGA Talk #135: Unreleased Sonic Movies – Trilogy Entertainment Group (1994-1995)

On this special SEGA Talk podcast we will be looking at newly found information on a very early script pitched by Trilogy Entertainment Group for SEGA and MGM, plus we look at the famous re-write that has also made its way to the wild. Get your popcorn ready!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – RSS – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGAbits Presents Arcade Adventure 2: Arcade meetup at Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, IL on April 27, 2024

It’s the sequel you’ve been waiting for: SEGAbits Presents Arcade Adventure 2! Meet up with fellow SEGA fans at Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, Illinois on April 27th, 2024 to play hundreds of arcade games in the world’s largest arcade!

Let us know you will be attending by clicking “Yes” on this form
(this is not a ticket or official commitment, it is simply a gauge for us to know how many will be attending)

This event requires no advance ticketing or advance access, simply show up to the arcade and pay them $25 for all day play. The arcade is open from 11am to 2pm the following day, and you are free to come and go as you please – just hang on to that receipt. The meetup will take place between 1pm and 6pm and will feature impromptu tournaments, arcade and world record attempts and the chance to meet and hang out with fellow SEGA fans.

Want to grab something to drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) and eat before the hang? We are planning a pre-game meetup from 12pm to 1pm at Imperial Oak Brewing, which is across the street at 9526 Ogden Ave. The venue is all ages (until 10pm) and allows customers to order food delivery from local restaurants. This is a great way to meetup before the meetup and answers the question many had during our first hang: “Where can we eat?”.

For those unaware, Galloping Ghost Arcade is HUGE. Want to play The House of the Dead 1 through 4? How about Monkey Ball with that ridiculous banana joystick? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to play SegaSonic the Hedgehog starring Sonic, Ray and Mighty? They have all those, plus nearly every super scaler game, Sonic the FightersVirtua FighterFantasy ZoneGhost Squad, L.A. MachinegunsGunblade NYShinobiAltered Beast, The Revenge of Death AdderAll-Stars Racingand many, many, many more! Heck I’m just naming off a handful of the SEGA titles. There are close to 1,000 games!

Hope to see you there!

Artwork credit: Pseudochel

Long lost 1994 Sonic the Hedgehog movie treatment from Trilogy Entertainment Group uncovered and archived

In 1994, Trilogy Entertainment Group, who were behind such films as Tank Girl and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, partnered with MGM and SEGA to develop a movie that would evoke the same sense of entertainment found in films like Batman and Jurassic Park. The first of these attempts to be publicly known was actually the second attempt (we’ll get to the first attempt shortly).

Written by contracted screenwriter Richard Jeffries, “Sonic: Wonders of the World” was an eight page treatment written in 1995 that saw a Roger Rabbit-esque story of Sonic and Robotnik emerging from a child’s television as the video game world met the real world in a high stakes adventure. This treatment was discovered in March 2022 by Jacob Berkley who was researching for his book “The Complete History of Sonic SatAM”, and despite missing pages 6 and 7, the treatment gives a solid idea of how the film would play out.

However, little did Sonic fandom know that an earlier treatment existed. In fact, it has been something of a white whale for me for the past eight years and something I’ve kept a secret until recently. The first treatment sees a totally different take on the story of Sonic the Hedgehog. Sonic is a teenage boy named Jimmy Hedgeman who fights a fingerless bioengineer named Dr. Paul Elleson. But before we get to the content of the treatment, let me tell you how the treatment was discovered…

SEGAbits, Sonic Retro & Cybershell read through a long lost Sonic movie treatment!

Update: Watch the archived stream here!

Join us TONIGHT at 7:45PM Central at The Game Show Game Twitch channel as we read through a 32 page treatment for a Sonic movie, drafted in November 1994!

This proposed film was from Trilogy Entertainment Group, a team who attempted a live action Sonic movie from 1994-1995. While fans have known about the 8 page treatment from 1995 called Sonic the Hedgehog: Wonders of the World, there also existed an earlier and much longer treatment called Sonic: The Movie which is so damn weird that SEGA asked them to start from scratch, which is where the Wonders of the World came in. So what we have to share is a HUGE piece of Sonic movie history that has been unseen until now!

Watch the first trailer for Knuckles, mini-series set to hit Paramount+ on April 26

The trailer for the six episode series Knuckles, a spin-off from the Sonic the Hedgehog films, has just dropped! With the trailer drop comes an April 26th date for all six episodes.

The trailer showcases Knuckles training Tom’s fellow Green Hills sheriff Wade in the ways of the warrior, and along the way we see a former Robotnik tech expert who seemingly has gone rogue and is using old robots combined with powered-up Knuckles quills. Two well dressed characters also seem to join this new villain, and if I can throw out one guess it is that these are the Sonic movie’s take on Black Arms. Don’t ask me why I believe this, but let’s just say it rhymes with “sneaked snorey chords”.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie logo revealed, Jim Carrey is back as Doctor Robotnik

In a very Shadow filled week, the Paramount Pictures and Sonic movie social media accounts have shared an official look at the logo for the upcoming third Sonic film, which will fittingly be titled Sonic the Hedgehog 3. In addition to the logo reveal, which was accompanied by an orchestration of Sonic Adventure 2‘s “Live and Learn”, Variety broke the news that Jim Carrey is returning as Doctor “Eggman” Robotnik. Carrey’s involvement was up in the air after the actor alluded to retiring from acting, though he did say he was not fully retiring. Clearly the Sonic movies are a good time for Jim, which explains his returning to the role.

Sonic X Shadow Generations remaster set for Autumn 2024 release

SEGA has announced a remaster to the 2011 hit Sonic Generations, titled Sonic X Shadow Generations. The remaster is obviously tied to tie in with the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, which will prominently feature Shadow the Hedgehog. The remaster is being described as an “all-new collection” and will feature a new Shadow story campaign featuring new powers and abilities in stages from his 2005 solo game and 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2. The original Sonic Generations experience will also be present, with newly remastered stages, upgraded visuals and a promise of new bonus content.

The game is due out this Autumn for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series consoles, Nintendo Switch and PC.

SEGA Talk Podcast #133: SegaSonic The Hedgehog (1993)

Let’s spin that trackball as we join franchise star Sonic the Hedgehog and newcomers Ray and Mighty as they try to escape Eggman’s fortress. We take this wild trip down memory lane looking at this obscure Sonic arcade game!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – RSS – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

The SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show LIVE: Sonic Grams Extra Uncovered

On this episode, David the Lurker of Sonic Retro joins Barry to talk about the long running Archie Sonic comics letters page Sonic Grams! We discuss the long history of the feature, the bonus comic Off Panel, and debut scans of a long lost Sonic Grams Extra released by Ken Penders!

[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]

SEGA Talk Podcast #132: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist

On this radical episode of SEGA Talk the dynamic duo take a trip into Dimension X and cover Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Hyperstone Heist! Cowabunga!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – RSS – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

The SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show LIVE: Our Favorite and Most Disappointing Games of 2023

2024 is upon us, but we can’t officially start the new year until Barry and George look back on their favorite and most disappointing SEGA games of 2023! We also share the games that almost received the Golden Opa as well as what to look forward to in 2024.

[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]