Check out Bayonetta’s new look in 30 images from Bayonetta 2


 
The latest Nintendo Direct has finished, and the biggest reveal (outside the usual Nintendo properties) was a new trailer and gameplay video of Bayonetta 2 from Platinum Games. Despite SEGA having limited involvement in the sequel, as far as we know they are only involved as the IP holders, this was too cool not to share. Bayonetta 2 is set for a 2014 release. Also on show during the event was Sonic Lost World for Wii U and 3DS, though little new was seen. Another Super Smash Bros. was shown off, but Sonic was nowhere to be found. Another certain blue mascot did appear, however.

After the break, check out 30 images from the stream as well as the full stream itself! Bayonetta 2 appears at the 29 minute mark.

IGN and Aaron Webber reveal Sonic Lost World Wii U and 3DS gameplay footage!

IGN.com and SEGA brand manager Aaron Weber have just revealed a ton of gameplay footage from the Wii U and 3DS versions of Sonic Lost World. The footage features Aaron’s handy commentary, telling fans what to expect in Sonic’s next adventure. So what are you waiting for? Check out the video above as well as the three after the break and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F heading West

229537-Hatsune-Miku-Project-DIVA-F-1
 
After months of teasing and testing the waters, The SEGA Blog has revealed that Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F will be receiving a Western release. The game is set for an August 2013 release on PlayStation 3 and Playstation Network in North America, and in Europe on Playstation Network. So no physical copy for European fans, unfortunately. Still, Miku fans finally get a Western console release so beggars can’t be choosers – unless you’re living in America.

The SEGA Blog post details Miku’s popularity in the West, citing over 950,000 English speaking fans on Facebook, the Nokia Theater concert selling out, and the time when SEGA asked fans to like and share an image of Miku and in less than three days the post received over 25,000 likes and 15,000 shares. Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F will also be getting a demo, which will be available on June 11th for the U.S. and June 12th for Europe.

Slightly off topic: Remember when Sumo Digital stated that SEGA had approved a DLC racer for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, and Miku was second to Ryo Hazuki? Given that Miku now has a Western presence, could Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Miku DLC be planned to release alongside Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F? We’ll have to wait and see…

Read the full press release after the break!

My Life with SEGA vs. Spy vs. Spy

On this week’s 2-Man Scramble, Mickey Mac and I enjoy a Master System classic; Spy vs. Spy. Based on MAD Magazine’s infamous comic strip, created by Antonio Prohías way back in 1961….

While I have fond memories of this game, Mickey Mac has gone so far as to call this “the friendship killer”. Can our friendship survive Spy vs. Spy?

Like this video? Subscribe to the SEGAbits YouTube channel! After the break, check out the promo video for what My Life with SEGA has planned for July!

Sonic Lost World Wii U and 3DS box art and plot points revealed

8878959185_911bdbd71f_o
 
The SEGA Blog has unveiled the box art and revealed more information for the Wii U and 3DS releases of Sonic Lost World. According to the SEGA Blog, the plot is as follows:

Dr. Eggman has harnessed the power of six menacing creatures collectively known as the Deadly Six, but when the Deadly Six rise up against their master, Sonic has to unite with his arch nemesis in order to take on the new enemies head-on. Using his dynamic new parkour moves and improved Color Powers, Sonic must run, jump and race through a variety of ever-changing terrains in order to defeat the Deadly Six.

SEGA also mentions that the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions will contain competitive multiplayer modes and “distinctive features that take advantage of the consoles’ unique capabilities”. Like Sonic Colors, both the console and handheld version will have their own exclusive color powers. The Wii U version will be completely playable from the GamePad screen and will feature two player support mode, color powers will be controlled via a variety of ways including tilting and touch screen controls. The 3DS version will feature fully 3D levels, exclusive special stages, and the aforementioned exclusive color powers.

So, Sonic and Eggman team up? Reminds me of Sonic Adventure 2. After the break, check out the Wii U box art. UPDATE: Also after the break, a full press release featuring a few new details including a gadget building mode that allows players to share content between the Wii U and 3DS versions.

Presenting “My Life with SEGA: The Next Level”, a short film by A.J. Rosa

They took his game. The Holy Grail of SEGA Saturn titles….Panzer Dragoon Saga. Now, A.J. Rosa must go up against an old friend and a swarm of henchmen in order to reclaim what is rightfully his.

Starring Shawn Morgan, Mickey Mac, Doug Beamer and Alex Gonzales. Written and Directed by A.J. Rosa.

WARNING! This video contains action violence, adult language, obscure references and severe ass-kicking. VIEWER DISCRETION is STRONGLY ADVISED! Like this video? Subscribe to the SEGAbits YouTube channel!

After the break, check out, download, and print out the kick-ass My Life with SEGA: The Next Level poster.

Review: The House of the Dead: Overkill – The Lost Reels (iOS)

27910HOTDOK LR_GDC 4
 
Despite SEGA West whittling down the number of franchises they’ll be focusing on, the longtime classic franchise The House of the Dead has been kept alive (no pun intended, seriously) as of recent thanks to rereleases of arcade classics and expanded enhanced ports of the franchise’s most recent title The House of the Dead: Overkill. The 2009 Wii release became a cult classic, featuring a crazy re-imagining of the light gun shooter as a grindhouse flick complete with over the top gore, 70’s film stock effects, and gratuitous language. In 2011, The House of the Dead: Overkill Extended Cut released to the PS3 with enhanced visuals and new modes and stages. We thought that was it for the Overkill titles, but we were wrong. Dead wrong. SEGA has released The House of the Dead: Overkill once again, this time on iOS and Android devices. Enough with the introductions, let’s tear into this f***er!

New Sonic Lost World teaser appears on Facebook – more revealed May 29th

966771_10151664870501796_251977729_o
 
SEGA’s Facebook page has teased a new image from the upcoming Wii U and 3DS title Sonic Lost World. Accompanying the photo of six new characters is “Six will rise from the Lost World. Are they friends or foes? Find out on May 29th”. Could these be the guardians of the lost world? The six characters fit in with the standard number of zones found in most Sonic games, with six plus a final zone. Could each character represent an action stage, and introduce a new gameplay mechanic not unlike the wisps in Sonic Colors? So much to speculate until May 29th!

Speculate away in the dedicated Sonic Lost World topic over in the SEGAbits forums!

My Life with SEGA boots up and reviews the Genesis CDX

Time for another “classic” episode from My Life with SEGA where I review the Genesis CDX hardware, or Multi-Mega for those of you in Japan or the UK. Mind you, this is NOT a review of SEGA CD in general; just this specific piece of hardware.

Odd watching this again. This was made long before I joined SEGAbits and there are so many things I hint at here like Genesis/Star Trek, The Next Level. Hell, it practically foreshadows the 3rd Anniversary Contest and me ditching the Model 2….so fucking weird.

Anyway, on with the show! Enjoy, for this is the last old-school video I’ll be posting. It’s all new shit from this point forward. Like this video? Subscribe to the SEGAbits YouTube channel!

After the break, check out the teaser trailer for next week’s extra special episode: My Life with SEGA: The Next Level.

Total War to enter the world of historical adventure novels – reading as you truly imagined it!

91jOm5IspOL._SL1500_
 
I am a sucker for video game novels. I recall reading Myst: The Book of Atrus for a book report and thinking I was the coolest kid in school. SEGA Europe, in partnership with Pan Macmillan, will soon be releasing historical adventure novels based on the Total War franchise, so now kids can have a reason to read SEGA related books for school! Just tell them it’s world history. Coinciding with the release of Total War Rome II, SEGA plans to release four novels written by acclaimed adventure novelist David Gibbins. The first of these books, entitled Total War Rome II: Destroy Carthage, is due out September 3rd and can be pre-ordered now.

David Gibbons seems enthusiastic about the new series, stating “what really attracts me about the Total War games is their historical authenticity and attention to detail, as well as the contexts ranging from antiquity to more recent times that closely match my own range of interests.My novels will not only enrich the experience for Total War players but also stan alone in the wider market, where I see huge potential and an even bigger audience for the Total War franchise.” SEGA and Pan Macmillan plan to cross-promote the novels, including in-game marketing. Who knows, what you read could very well seep into the game you’re playing, allowing for a richer experience on both sides.

3D Space Harrier to be playable at MCM Expo

Xw2a4

The official Nintendo Magazine has revealed that SEGA’s digital rerelease of Space Harrier, dubbed 3D Space Harrier, will be shown off at the Nintendo Unleashed tour which makes its first stop at May 24th’s MCM London Comic Con. This is the first sign we’ve had that the game will be released outside of Japan. The 3D Classics series also includes 3D Hang-On and the recently revealed and released 3D Sonic the Hedgehog (no relation to Sonic the Hedgehog remastered).

Yakuza 1& 2 HD coming to Wii U in Japan

ku-xlarge
 
Via (shudder) Kotaku comes news that Yakuza 1&2 HD is making its way to the Wii U in Japan. Already released to PS3, the collection will be hitting the Wii U in August, and will utilize the GamePad by way of in-game maps and GamePad-only play. No mention has been made of a Western release, and given that the PS3 version has not made its way West, a Wii U Western release would be a bold move for Nintendo. Given the recent Sonic exclusivity announcement, making such a bold move isn’t such a crazy possibility for Nintendo and SEGA.

Sonic Lost World and Mario & Sonic 2014 announced – Wii U and 3DS exclusives

sonic_lost_world
During today’s Nintendo Direct, the latest Sonic title was announced: Sonic Lost World. Iwata stated that Nintendo and SEGA have entered into a “worldwide partnership in the Sonic franchise”, and as such, Sonic Lost World will be exclusive to Wii U and 3DS owners. No date was revealed, but November is a safe bet.

Update: It was also announced that another title in the Mario & Sonic Olympic Games series is in the works. Check out a video after the break.

Update 2: The Japanese SEGA site is up, and while it doesn’t offer much, it does confirm a Fall 2013 release date as well as the title being styled as Sonic Lost World.

Update 3: According to The Wall Street Journal SEGA and Nintendo have entered an exclusivity agreement, stating that the next three Sonic titles will be Nintendo exclusives:

SEGA(R) of America Inc. and SEGA(R) Europe Ltd. today announced details of an exclusive partnership with Nintendo of America Inc. and Nintendo of Europe GmbH for the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. The new agreement will make Nintendo consoles the number one destination for Sonic gaming over the next three titles with more details of the individual games being revealed in the coming weeks.

Sonic the Hedgehog remastered on iOS and Android releasing NOW – new features revealed!

BKV03COCcAAq_Vy
 
Via our broniks at Sonic Retro comes news that Taxman and Stealth’s remastering of Sonic the Hedgehog is releasing to iOS today and tomorrow! While some fans have bemoaned the fact that its the same game we’ve seen released again and again, Sonic the Hedgehog remastered has more than enough goodies to warrant a purchase. The game offers up Time Attack modes, remastered music, spin dash feature, slightly updated boss patterns, smoother motion in the Special Stages, and… unlockable characters! We’ll give you a hint as to who they are: one is red and the other is orange. Given Taxman’s work on Sonic CD, there are surely more surprises to be had, but we won’t know of them until the game arrives. Owners of the original Sonic the Hedgehog iOS App will receive the game as a free update. Android owners take note, according to Taxman on the Sonic Retro Forums: “Thursday 16th PST for Android, US & Canada so you’ll have to wait a bit longer sorry.”

After the break, sweet screens of the game and the cool new menus.