SEGA News Bits: Our Favorite SEGA Games of the DECADE

The road to 2020 has ended, and now it is time for us to look back at TEN YEARS of SEGA games! On this SEGA News Bits, old man George and grandpa Barry share their favorite game from each year of the past decade. The fact that SEGAbits turns ten years old in 2020 is not lost on us, as this is a real walk down memory lane. Once you finish the video, check out Our Favorite SEGA Games of 2019.

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SEGA News Bits: Our Favorite SEGA Games of 2019

Happy new year!

No, wait! It can’t be 2020 yet! Not until you’ve watched our favorite SEGA games of 2019 video. On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry share what they thought were SEGA’s best offerings, and reflect on the year as a whole. How was SEGA’s marketing? How was SEGA on social media? Click play and hear our thoughts!

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

SEGA Talk Podcast #32: Phantasy Star Online (2000)

Renew your Hunter License because Barry and George are returning to Ragol to discuss Phantasy Star Online! On this episode we share our memories of playing the game as it released and new versions rolled out, the unique gameplay and chat functions and the future of the franchise.

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!

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If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

SEGA Talk Podcast #31: The Revenge of Shinobi (1989)

The SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive action classic The Revenge of Shinobi is the focus of this SEGA Talk episode. Barry and George discuss the game’s development, the difficulty, the various revisions and the impact the game made on the Shinobi series as a whole. While not available on the SEGA Genesis Mini, the game was included on the Japanese and Asian models and is available in the west via the SEGA Genesis Classics collection for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One.

Note: Due to a setup error, George is speaking through his computer mic. Please forgive us for his audio quality.

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle announced for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

SEGA and Platinum Games, that’s a partnership I have not heard of for a long time…

Just announced officially is the Bayonetta & Vanquish 10th Anniversary Bundle, a remastered combo pack celebrating the 10th anniversary of Platinum Games early titles. Due out February 18, 2020, the games will be available physically and digitally for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Priced at a cool $39.99 physically and digitally (or $24.99 each on digital platforms if you don’t opt for the bundle), SEGA is offering an extra incentive for physical purchases. The games will be contained in a double sided steelbook featuring new artwork in a slipcover. The games will be combined on one disc. Those with PS4 Pro and Xbox One X will enjoy 4K resolution and 60fps gameplay. Additionally, those who purchase from the PlayStation Store will have access to exclusive themes.

Pre-Order Today!
Xbox One | PlayStation 4

SEGA Talk Podcast #30: Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986)

On this SEGA Talk, we tackle the precursor to Sonic: Alex Kidd in Miracle World! Described as “SEGA’s answer to Mario”, Alex Kidd is a character who brings back fond memories for some, and frustrating memories for others. We discuss the development history, the game’s connection to Dragon Ball and debate whether Alex Kidd was ever really a mascot.

An additional Patreon comment was posted after recording, so we will share it here:

While I think Sonic was a much better mascot Alex Kid has his place in Sega History. I would love for Sega to license him  out  for a modern game like wonder boy and streets of rage. But I think its impotant to look at his modern career on the Sonic  Social team, all the samless Pugs, killing a Game Group on livestream giving the people our sonic toaster. Such good memories – Nicholas S.

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Shenmue 3 release day is here, plus a reminder for Kickstarter backers about digital rewards

Today’s the day! After 18 long years, we’re leaving the cave and are experiencing Shenmue 3. Kickstarter backers, Limited Run Games customers and the general public are now receiving their physical copies. Based on a Twitter poll we held, fans are receiving their Kickstarter and Limited Run Games releases on release day, though some are still waiting. But hey, if you are waiting what’s a few more days. At least we can now say that Shenmue 3 is complete and now we begin the fun part: playing the game!

If you are a Kickstarter backer, make sure you login to Fangamer as you should have some digital bonuses available. In addition to digital wallpapers for your PC and phone, backers at $80 and above receive a digital in-game phone card. The phone card allows you to call characters from the first two games including Nozomi, Guizhang Chen, Ine-san, Joy, Fuku-san and others. Not only will you talk on the phone but you will also view flashback scenes. No idea if these are in-game footage from the old games or newly rendered cutscenes, but it sounds cool. All backers are also given a backer number code on Fangamer that is entered on the main menu screens, so do not forget to do this as well.

Enjoy the game and in the comments below, share your thoughts on Shenmue 3!

 

SEGA News Bits: Sonic The Hedgehog Movie Redesign and Trailer 2 Reaction

The redesign for the Sonic the Hedgehog movie has released with a brand new trailer! On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George share their reactions to seeing the new design as well as their thoughts on the jokes, story and general direction the movie is taking.

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

SEGA Talk Podcast #29: Puyo Puyo/Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine (1991/1993)

On this SEGA Talk, we discuss two games: 1991’s Puyo Puyo and 1993’s Westernized version Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine! Learn about the developer Compile, the Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog episode that inspired the game’s bosses and hear Barry rant about Eggman versus Robotnik.

Try the games for yourself! They’re both on the recently released SEGA Genesis Mini (switch to Japanese in the language settings for Puyo Puyo).

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD Review – An A-Peeling Remake? (PlayStation 4)

It was just a few short weeks before the announcement of Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD that I was talking with fellow SEGAbits editor and writer George about the franchise, specifically the first game and just how impactful it had been in SEGA’s early days as a third party developer.

Starting in arcades and quickly shifting to home consoles, Super Monkey Ball had become a staple for SEGA when debuting their software to new platforms. From the Apple App Store to Nintendo’s 3DS and Wii, it just became expected that Aiai and his friends would make their appearance.

Note: This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher.

SEGA Talk Podcast #28: The House of the Dead 2 (1998)

It’s the Halloween season, and that means Barry and George are returning to The House of the Dead! But wait, where’s the house? Are we in Venice? On this SEGA Talk we discuss the acclaimed sequel to the original The House of the Dead, which we covered three years ago to the date on our second episode. How does the sequel compare? What impact did The House of the Dead 2 have on the franchise? Click, listen or watch and find out!

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories played at the end and more!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Original version of Sonic Mania to receive physical release

SEGA is releasing the original version of Sonic Mania physically to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Listings for all three appeared on GameStop’s website priced at $19.99 for a November 5, 2019 release (UPDATE: some stores are now carrying it). It does not appear that this release will have any bonuses, like an art book or a Mega Drive/Genesis reversible cover. The content from the Plus release is not on disc, though should be available as DLC at an additional price.

Classic Sonic revealed as bonus character in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD

SEGA has officially announced that Sonic the Hedgehog is an unlockable character in the upcoming Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. The news was previously leaked when the achievements were revealed, which we reported on. However, it was unknown at the time that SEGA opted to go with the classic design, and interestingly SEGA’s press release does not use the “Classic Sonic” descriptor, instead just calling him “Sonic the Hedgehog”, perhaps signaling that they are moving away from using Classic and Modern labels. It is unknown how Sonic is unlocked, and in our experience with the game no prompt is given telling players what objectives must be satisfied.

SEGA Talk Podcast #27: Bug! (1995)

On this episode, we cover the unique SEGA Saturn platformer Bug! How did this wacky game come about, and what connection does it have to Sonic the Hedgehog? Travel back to 1995 with us as we discuss what it was like when this oddball game released.

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories played at the end and more!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add  them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

Swingin’ Report Show #95: Developer Kiyoshi Okuma – World Series Baseball 2K2, Gauntlet Legends, Strike Blazinger

Game developer Kiyoshi Okuma joins us on this episode of the SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show podcast to discuss his work on N64, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC games. Kiyoshi has worked on games that include World Series Baseball 2K2, Gauntlet Legends, The Sims 2 as well as the upcoming Strike Blazinger!

Want more information on Strike Blazinger? Visit the official website!

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