Author Archives: Barry

If Sonic Adventure 2 avatar items are hitting XBLA on June 5th…

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… that can only mean Sonic Adventure 2 will be revealed for XBLA and PSN at E3! The Sonic Stadium is reporting that XBLA’s Major Nelson has just posted the latest Xbox Live Marketplace release schedule of all the games and items being released over the next few weeks. Among these new goodies are Sonic Adventure 2 Avatar items with a release date of June 5th. Hey, that’s when E3 begins. This wouldn’t be the first time a Sonic Adventure 2 announcement was made at E3. Back in 2000, we were wowed by the trailer posted above. And last year, we were given the great City Escape trailer for Sonic Generations. If you want to see that, check it out after the break. As for E3 2012, stay tuned to SEGAbits for the impending trailer, assuming there is one.

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Virtua Tennis Challenge releasing to iOS today

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Well this is a nice surprise, arriving on the App Store today worldwide is Virtua Tennis Challenge! Back in March, the game was released to Android devices. Today, the game expands its availability with iOS capable devices. Virtua Tennis Challenge promises 50 players, 18 stadiums, and Exhibition, World Tour, and Multiplayer modes. The game is out now in New Zealand and it should be out in the US at 11PM EST and Europe at around 12AM UK time. Price of the app is $4.99 and size of the app is 289 MB. Sonic 4 last week, Vintage Collections and Virtua Tennis Challenge this week. SEGA is really spoiling us.

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SEGA publishing new game by Double Fine Productions

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SEGA’s Twitter has recently posted a mystery image on Flickr, seen here, of a forest setting with a chunk missing from the image and a question mark. Clearly they are teasing a new game, but what game could it be? Well, we shared the initial image on our Facebook page, and a kind reader by the name of Marius Theßeling speculated that the art matched the style of Ron Gilbert’s unannounced upcoming game from Double Fine Productions. And sure enough, it matches up! We simply grabbed the image from SEGA’s flicker, and dropped in all the character art from Gilbert’s blog onto the image. Just like a puzzle, an image came together and you can see the completed image above. So it’s official: SEGA is teaming with Double Fine to publish a game! Sorry if we ruined the surprise, SEGA. But all the pieces were there.

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Meatbun offers up three cool new SEGA inspired shirts

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Meatbun have some crazy talent designing their gaming related tees, and I get the feeling they may have a bit of a Sega fan streak in them judging by how 3 out 4 of their latest designs are Sega inspired. Many are quite surprising mash ups too! First up, Passing Breeze. This looks like it could have come directly out of a mid to late 80s Japanese indie fan magazine, right down to the manga like toning. A gorgeous illustration that nails the vibe of the classic Outrun.

Check out SEGA Memories for the other two designs!

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SEGA teams with Nike to present a run and jump Sonic mini-game

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From the Sonic Stadium comes this cool bit of Sonic news. Nike Football and SEGA have teamed up to promote football shoes (soccer shoes to Americans), and to do this they’ve created a rather ingenious interactive video that unlocks a Sonic mini-game. The game features a modified Green Hill Zone with Splash Hill music in which Sonic runs forward, with the space bar acting as the only way to control him. Sonic can jump and double jump (what is this, Sonic Colors?) as well as execute a killer soccer attack not unlike his recent move in which he can blast a box forwards to kill a string of enemies as seen in Colors and Generations. After the break, learn how to access the game.

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XBLA and PSN Vintage Collection titles finally priced and dated

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From the SEGA Blog comes news that is a surprise to nobody: The third wave of Vintage Collection titles are hitting XBLA and PSN next week. What we did not know were the dates and prices, thankfully SEGA has that covered. On May 22nd, PSN will receive the following titles for $4.99 each: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade), Wonder Boy in Monster World (Mega Drive), Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive), Super Hang-On (Arcade), Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive), Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System).

On May 23rd, XBLA will receive the following compilations: Monster World Collection (800 MSP) includes Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade), Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis/Mega Drive) and Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive). Alex Kidd & Co. Collection (800 MSP) includes Super Hang-On (Arcade), The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive) and Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System). But thats not all! After the break, more games, dates and prices.

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My five favorite things in Sonic 4 Episode II

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While I’ve yet to post up my iOS review for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2, I can say that after playing a majority of the XBLA version and half the iOS version I am enjoying the game. Not every aspect is perfect, more on that in my review, however there are a lot of things I’m liking. In this week’s Weekly Five we’ll take a look at five things found in Sonic 4 Episode II that I’ve enjoyed the most. My favorites, if you will.

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Like blue skies and palm trees? Follow SEGAbits on Tumblr

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We’ve friended on Facebook and tweeted on Twitter, and now we’re tumbling on Tumblr! Rather than recycle news and articles that you can find at this very site, we’re trying something a bit different. SEGAbits presents Palmtree Panic! is a Tumblr devoted to SEGA’s iconic palm trees. Think palm trees are only found in Sonic games? Think again. Every day we’re posting a new instance of a palm tree in a SEGA game or a game on a SEGA console. Some famous, like Green Hill’s digital palms, and some obscure. So make sure to check up on our Tumblr for new trees and we’d very much appreciate submissions. Just click “submit a palm tree” to add to our digital garden.

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Sonic 4 Episode II launch trailer proclaims “to be concluded…” – Episode III a possibility?

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SEGA has unveiled the launch trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II, showing off zones that have yet to be seen in official videos and making the proclamation of “to be concluded…”. So is episode II the end of the Sonic 4 saga? Or will it be concluded with an episode III? I’m assuming they mean once you play episode II, the game is concluded. But seeing as how SEGA likes money, you’d think they wouldn’t be so definite with the end of the episodic releases. Unless Sonic 5 is next…

Update: After watching the Sonic 4 Episode I trailer, I’m now convinced that the Episode II launch trailer actually points towards an Episode III which will act as the conclusion. Episode I’s launch trailer ended with “To Be Continued…”, referring to another episode. So Episode II’s “To Be Concluded…” most likely refers to another episode that will serve as the conclusion.

After the break, all the prices and release dates you could ever want.

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II’s release rollout begins!

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It’s here! Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II has started to release on the many platforms promised to receive the game. The first to see the game’s release is Steam, the same platform that inadvertently released the game a few weeks back. Those who pre-ordered the game and got the early beta download can now download the completed version. Beta players are reporting that their save file transferred successfully to the new version. American’s on Playstation Network can expect the game to release today. The American XBLA will get the game tomorrow, as will Europeans on XBLA and PSN. Other platforms, such as iOS and other mobile devices, will receive the game between now and July. SEGA has yet to give specific dates. Have you downloaded and played the game? Hit up our forums and share your thoughts! 

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Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown dated, priced and DLC revealed!

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SEGA has released a press release detailing everything we wanted to know about Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown’s… erm, release. The game will launch on June 5th, for PSN and June 6th for XBLA. Prices will be $14.99/ £9.99/ AUD$18.25/ €12.99 on PSN and 1,200 Microsoft Points on XBLA. As for DLC, check the deatils for that and more in the full press release after the break!

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First4Figures reveals their modern Sonic statue

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Via their Facebook page, First4Figures have revealed the first in their modern line of Sonic statues: Sonic the Hedgehog. Like the photo says, pre-orders start May 15th, 2012 and there will be a very limited number of statues available. I have to say, when I heard of a modern line I was iffy, but this statue looks great! While I won’t be getting it, the F4F statues are too rich for my blood, I do love looking at photos of them. What do you think, dear readers? Would you let this hedgehog into your home?

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Rumor: SEGA’s Hardlight studio shifting from Vita to iOS

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In January we reported on a new SEGA studio called Hardlight, whose goal was to develop “high quality and innovative experiences for both current and future platforms”. Hardlight’s first game was, and may still be, a “unique action adventure” for the Playstation Vita. However, since SEGA’s recent changes, some SEGA fans questioned what was to become of Hardlight’s project. After the break, speculation as to what the status of the game is and why it might be heading to iOS.

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Check out this awesome GameWorks Virtua Cop statue that never became a reality

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This exclusive, never before seen, concept sketch comes courtesy of a GameWorks social media employee who recently joined up with the Sonic Stadium forums. Seems a GameWorks topic brought the forum to his attention. As a special treat, the “GameWorks Social Media guy” shared a very special bit of concept art that he describes as “mock-up art of a Virtua Cop statue from way back when GameWorks was only a glimmer in SEGA & DreamWorks’ eye”. This statue never made it to the construction stage, but it is a very cool piece of SEGA, and Virtua Cop, history. You can check out the full sized image here. After the break, his thoughts on SEGA’s split with GameWorks.

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