Chu Chu Rocket hitting the iPhone in late October

Forgive me for not thinking of a cat and mouse pun for the headline. Via SEGA’s e-newsletter comes an official word on when we can expect the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch to get Chu Chu fever: late October! Considering the iDevice’s are getting Sonic 4 next week, October will be a big month for SEGA on the App Store. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but $7.99 to $9.99 seem to be the magic numbers for other new App Store releases from SEGA.

[Source: SEGA Pass]

Sonic Free Riders release date announced, website launches

As if we didn’t know already, SEGA has officially announced that Sonic Free Riders will release on November 4th (US) and November 10th (Europe) for the launch of the 360’s Kinect. SEGA has also launched the official English language website which includes a bit of new art, several locked sections and a unique navigation method in which you can use a web cam to navigate the site. I tried it at work and I looked like a fool, but it worked rather well.

[Source: SEGA’s Tweet]

New Sonic Colors trailer shows the Eggmagineers accomplishments

The latest Sonic Colors trailer has arrived, and unlike previous released videos of the game, this one shows off a bit of the in-game cutscenes! If the opening map is anything to go by, it looks like each stage will be receiving a trailer which will also highlight Wisp powers. Tropical Resort is still looking to be an excellent first stage, and the drill power-up looks like a lot of fun. Like NiGHTS meets Mr. Driller. What do the fellow “bitters”* think of the latest trailer?

* I realize “bitters” is a terrible name for SEGAbits members, but I have yet to hear a better alternative.

Sonic 4 hits the Casino Street – Trailer & Screens

The latest reworked stage from Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been revealed thanks to a video and written preview from the folks at Joystiq! Just as Lost Labyrinth replaced the much maligned mine cart, Casino Street has been confirmed to have replaced the itty bitty act 2 pinball machine with a much sweeter card focused stage. Sonic is shown to use cards as platforms, as a way to win an extra life and as a fast moving platform. Way past cool! In fact, the final moment of the trailer was the first true instance in which Sonic 4 made me say “wow!” aloud. I was pro-Sonic 4 before, but now I think I have been welcomed to the next level.

Sonic Colors Multiplayer Features Classic Maps

While we here at SEGAbits can’t post every single image and video related to Sonic Colors as they appear (if we did that, we’d have to post about five posts a day pertaining to Colors), this one specifically caught my interest. While browsing the Sonic Stadium Message Board, I came across new videos of Sonic Colors multiplayer mode. Nothing really new compared to older videos of the mode, but I had a familiar feeling when watching the footage. What could it be? After a bit of back and forth with other forum members, we came to the conclusion that… (dramatic pause, unless you read the headline)

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Dreamroom 2010 Postgame Show

For those who missed the action yesterday, check out all ten hours of my stream available to view for another week as well as Gagaman’s stream which currently has his four hours of gameplay on loop.

Another year, another loop added to the Dreamcast’s swirl. As I stepped outside this morning, after a day of Dreamcast gaming, I realized that I hadn’t stepped outside the entire previous day! Still, it was all worth it and I’d gladly do it all again next year. In fact, I will do it all again next year! Until then, let’s reminisce on something that happened 24 hours ago…

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The All Day Dreamcast Party Begins NOW! [party is over]

As this is a day that I’m sure will be filled with articles involving the Dreamcast, I’ll cut right to the chase: In celebration of 9/9, the Dreamcast’s 11th Birthday, both Gagaman of SEGA Memories fame and myself will be hosting back to back streaming Dreamcast parties! His is already in progress and will go right up to when my party begins, so check him out at the link below and then be sure to jump over to mine at 12am-11pm EST (US), 6pm-5am GMT (UK). Make sure to join in on the chat, because what is a party without that?

Dreamroom 2010 UK:

Watch live streaming video from gagaman at livestream.com

Dreamroom 2010 USA:
Watch live video from Dreamroom on Justin.tv

My Eleven Hour Dreamcast Party

Last year I held a Dreamcast birthday party which streamed live online. As the Dreamcast was turning ten, I held the party for ten hours. This year, I’m doing one better: one hour better! I’m excited to share “Dreamroom 2010: The Eleven Hour Dreamcast Party”! The official date and times are as follows:

September 9th, 2010
12am-11pm EST (US), 6pm-5am GMT (UK)

Last year was a blast, and I’m sure this year will be just as fun. For those who missed last year’s Dreamroom, essentially it will be ten hours of Dreamcast gaming streamed live online with live chat. The first half will be me going solo playing Dreamcast games. During the second half the IRL party kicks off with whoever I invited showing up for multiplayer games and the occasional visit to Seaman.

Games will be played from my library, and requests are welcomed! Expect to see some of the best, worst and delightfully oddest Dreamcast games. Of course a Dreamcast birthday party isn’t a birthday party without the guests, so I hope to see everyone (virtually) there!

Sonic Adventure Dated and Priced

I have some good news and some good news: Sonic Adventure will be hitting XBLA (and presumably PSN) on September 15th for a mere 800 points or $10!

The low price, in my opinion, makes for a nice impulse or curiousity buy. While I bemoaned SEGA for lack of widescreen, at $10 I’ll be giving this a download just for an easier way to play the game. I hate having to walk to my game shelf to get the Dreamcast version, plug in the VGA box and skip past the screen telling me to set the time and date. Also, achievements would make for some nice replay value.

Let’s just hope they’ve ironed out the bugs.

[Source: Major Nelson’s Blog]

GamesTM Magazine Goes Cover Crazy

The SEGA europe blog has just (as in a few minutes ago) announced that European magazine GamesTM is celebrating their 100th issue by releasing 100 alternate covers to represent their list of the top 100 video games. Of course, SEGA is on the list, so we can expect 12 covers to represent our favorite company. See the other six covers after the jump.

Phantasy Star II coming to the iPhone!

One month ago SEGA brought iPhone and iPod Touch owners Shining Force. This Thursday the SEGA RPG love continues with the release of Phantasy Star II! For just $2.99 the classic game will be fully playable, running on the same emulator as previous games. However, unlike games that require precise controls and fail on SEGA’s Genesis emulator (I’m looking at you, Sonic 2), Phantasy Star II is promised to be a smooth experience as the game itself does not require fast timing or a fast frame rate.

Here’s hoping that we get more SEGA RPGs in the coming months!

[Source: TouchArcade and The Nomad Junkyard]

In Memoriam: Strange Mine Cart

Another negative of Sonic 4 has been nixed with a recent update to the official Sonic 4 sites (US, EU and JP). The update details the second zone, Lost Labyrinth, including previously heard music, new badniks and eight screens from the zone’s three acts. The screens show acts seen in the leaked footage, such as the rolling balls and an underwater segment, but what hasn’t been seen before is the supposed revamped act 2!

It’s a SEGA PC Kid’s Meal!

Back in 1999, when you thought “SEGA” you inevitably thought “Dreamcast”. With the impending September launch, Dream-hype was seen anywhere and everywhere… except at the Califronia based fast-food chain Jack in the Box. Jack in the Box, oddly enough, had featured a SEGA Kid’s Meal in 1999 that focused on SEGA’s PC games. Guess they didn’t get the memo.

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