Preview: On February 27th, My Life With SEGA experiences Shenmue
“You should NOT waste your life on revenge.”
– Master Chen
Author Archives: Barry
My Life With SEGA races through the wastelands of Outlander
It’s time for another “classic” episode of My Life with SEGA. This was my follow-up to Technocop. Both games are similar in that they’re both action/adventure titles with driving and side-scrolling stages. The only difference is that Outlander’s actually good.
Don’t believe me? Check it out.
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Round Table: Our Favorite SEGA Games of 2012
Another year, another batch of SEGA games for us to play, critique, argue over, and enjoy. As is tradition here at SEGAbits, our writers have come together and each have selected their favorite SEGA games of 2012. Looking back, 2012 offered up a number of excellent rereleases, sequels to franchises both old and new, crazy and unique mobile and digital titles, and not a single crappy licensed Marvel title in sight. So, from all the games SEGA had to offer, which ones did we like best? Find out after the break!
First 4 Figures teases Ryo Hazuki statue
First 4 Figures, makers of the many Sonic the Hedgehog statues, has revealed a teaser for a Shenmue Ryo Hazuki statue. The teaser, which can be seen in full after the break, shows Ryo in his iconic “wanna wrestle?” pose. Price and size have yet to be known, but given F4F’s past releases, this statue could go from $130+ and could reach 12 inches tall. Some fans have noted that Ryo’s face seems off. It could just be the lighting, or perhaps Ryo has changed a little since we last saw him in Shenmue 2. The statue’s announcement follows the release of Insert Coin’s Ryo Hazuki jacket hoodie and t-shirt, as well as Ryo’s cameo in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed and his win in the All-Stars Racing DLC character poll spearheaded by fans. Could all this be building towards Shenmue 1&2 HD in 2013? After the break, the full statue teaser image.
SEGA CD Month – My Life With SEGA returns with Batman Returns
Well, SEGA CD Month – Hell, this year – has come to an end. Before we call it a night, the bat, the cat and the penguin have something to show us; Batman Returns. While the movie split both critics and audiences, this game has been met with praise due to it’s impressive pseudo-3D graphics, exciting gameplay and kick-ass soundtrack….
But is there more hiding beneath that cowl? Let’s take a peek.
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Get your Sonic Jump on, Android users!
SEGA has released Sonic Jump to Android devices! Now Android users can see what all the fuss is about. The game is $1.99 on the Google Play store, and while the Android release doesn’t appear to have all the content that the iOS version currently has, the game will have free updates and will most likely get everything the iOS version currently has in time. Given the time it takes to level up, players probably won’t notice the lack of content until an update is set to appear.
SEGA and Icelandic developer team up for Godsrule: War of Mortals
Via the SEGA Blog comes news that SEGA and Icelandic developer Gogogic are teaming up to release a browser/tablet MMOG game entitled Godsrule: War of Mortals. The game is said to combine “real-time player-versus-player combat with RTS (real-time strategy) elements, in a unique fantasy setting with an epic backstory.” At the moment, the game is asking potential players to sign up for a closed beta for the game. Just visit playgodsrule.com to create an account and begin playing. For more information on the game’s features and further information on the closed beta, visit the SEGA Blog for details. After the break, check out a gallery of screens and concept art.
SEGA announces Alex Kidd for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed
While some fans have known of Alex Kidd’s upcoming addition to Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed’s roster, SEGA has finally officially announced themselves that we can expect Alex Kidd to unlock on Christmas day. The news came from the Sonic the Hedgehog Facebook page:
Happy Holidays from Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed! If you fire up Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed on Christmas Day, you’ll find a little surprise under your tree — Alex Kidd jumps into the race! He doesn’t need to pedal to take to land, air and sea — two powerful JanKenPon engines allow him to roar around like it’s Christmas in Miracle World. Surely this is a better present than some paper, scissors and stones!
Alex Kidd wasn’t quite a surprise for all, as it was learned early on that files for him existed within the game and eventually fans figured out that they could unlock Alex if they used their console offline and moved the date ahead to December 25th. However, once they logged back on and the clock changed to the current time, Alex would disappear. So don’t open your gifts early, be a good SEGA fan and wait until Christmas day!
Capcom asks fans what digital titles they want – survey includes Power Stone and Project Justice
Don’t freak out, we’re not turning into CAPCOMbits. However, this story may be of interest to some SEGA fans. Capcom wants to know what sorts of digital titles fans want to see, and to let them know all you need to do is take a survey. Of interest to SEGA fans is that the survey asks “From which Capcom franchises are you most interested in seeing digital games?” followed by a number of franchises that were popular on SEGA consoles, including Power Stone and Project Justice (aka Rival Schools). Once you select the games you wish to see digitally rereleased, you get to answer more detailed questions including your levels of interest for HD ports of Power Stone 1, HD ports of Power Stone 2, and an HD port of a Power Stone Collection.
So if you’ve ever wanted to see some classic Capcom titles that appeared on SEGA consoles rereleased, head on over to the survey and make sure Capcom hears you!
SEGA CD Month – My Life With SEGA goes to FMV Hell in Wirehead
SEGA CD month continues, and misery loves company in the latest episode of My Life With SEGA.
If you love FMV games, as well as watching Mickey Mac suffer, this one’s for you. This is the full-motion shit-fest only Tom Zito of Digital Pictures could produce. That’s right, I’m talkin’ about Wirehead. Written and directed by James Riley (Night Trap), this game takes FMV gaming to a whole new plateau. This is the 2-Man Scramble that nobody wanted to experience. Especially Mickey Mac, because he’s yet to speak to me since.
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Indie Dreamcast games roundup – Sturmwind, Redux, NEO XYX & Pier Solar
As the year draws to a close, as a Dreamcast fan I always like to look back on the indie Dreamcast titles that were released and announced in 2012. While the start of the 2012 looked great for indie Dreamcast fans, it ended up being a less than stellar year. Sturmwind, published by redspotgames and developed by Duranik, was meant to have a release in the second quarter of 2011. But manufacturing delays lead to a November 11th, 2011 release date. However, according to redspotgames ,the release date had been postposed yet again “due to difficulties with the CD factory”. As such, the release date changed to some time in 2012. Now, just a few weeks before 2013, the game has yet to be released and the latest update from redspotgames is that they “decided to work on the game even more. So the weapon system and the HUD has been improved.” A better game is always great, but in my opinion a year and a half delay is uncalled for. Those who put money down for a pre-order are sure to be angry at redspotgames by this point. Which is a shame, given their past high quality efforts including the awesome Wind & Water Puzzle Battles and Rush Rush Rally Racing.
Sonic Jump receives big update, including Silver, Rouge, bosses and more
SEGA has updated the iOS game Sonic Jump today, adding two new characters: Silver and Rouge, more boss battles, new level objects and gimmicks, new wallpapers, graphical updates and more. Upon starting up the game, players will notice additional screens including an easy to access pop up panel that gives gameplay records including completion percentages and ring totals, as well as a panel that shows total zone progress. Within stages, graphical flourishes have been added including animation on once static objects and new elements such as Green Hill Zone flowers. Later stages feature diagonal springs and swing gimmicks. Each zone has double the boss battles, with the sixth stage of each zone being replaced by a new Eggman fight featuring new layouts. Additional characters, Silver and Rouge, bring with them more levels with 30 looking to be the new maximum level to attain.
SEGA Archives reveals Space Harrier 3DS details – simulate the arcade experience!
SEGA’s recently launched Archives site reveals more details of the 3D rerelease of Space Harrier, including release date, price, features and more. The game is set to release on December 26th in Japan, for 600 yen (about $7). According to a translation of the site, features include: the ability to put in credits to increase your playtime, stage select screens, the ability to save the game at any time, the ability to save and watch replays, control with either the circle pad or the d-pad or the touchscreen, change difficulty, change the number of lives you start out with, change rate of fire, a time trial mode, change the range of movement, an enhanced sound test and a variety of screen sizes (seen below).
Perhaps the most interesting feature is, what appears to be, a mode which simulates the arcade experience: “When ON, the game screen is tilted up, down, left and right according to the movement of the player.” Environmental sounds also play, which are said to simulate the various sounds that were heard from the arcade machine based on the movement of the player. For an idea of what that might feel like, check out a YouTube video of the arcade machine in action after the break.
No details have been given on a Western release, but when we hear something from SEGA we’ll be sure to share it! This is looking to be a truly awesome rerelease of a SEGA arcade classic.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed releases to Vita in the US today
Vita owners in the United States can finally get their hands on Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, as the game is now available to purchase! While released on the 7th in Europe, Americans had to wait a little longer to get the game. Was it worth the wait? Vita owners who picked it up, feel free to sound off in the comments section or over in our lovely forums. So far, critic reviews hover around 8/10, which is a great score! For those of you who plan to buy the game, remember that Gamestop is still giving away a free diecast Danicar Hot Wheels car with the purchase of any version of the game.
NiGHTS into Dreams now available on Steam
It’s a Christmas NiGHTS miracle! The Saturn classic NiGHTS into Dreams is now available to download on Steam for a cool $9.99. Buy it now so you can enjoy Winter NiGHTS and on Christmas day, Christmas NiGHTS. Make it a holiday tradition!
Features include:
Hd Dreams
See NiGHTS come to life like never before with HD graphics and widescreen. All 7 original dreams have been enhanced for an invigorated gameplay experience.Christmas Nights
Experience the holiday season early with playable content from Christmas NiGHTS.Achievements and Leaderboards
Track your progress against the most dedicated NiGHTS fans in the world.Saturn Dreams
Long-time fans can re-play the game in its original form.Extras
The Movie Theater and Gallery offer a behind-the-scenes look at the story and artwork that make NiGHTS into dreams… so special.