Author Archives: Barry

Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD releasing west October 29, 2019 to PS4, Switch and Xbox One

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Well that was fast! Earlier today Famitsu revealed a Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz remake for Japan and now we have an official confirmation of a release for Europe and the Americas for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on October 29, 2019. A PC Steam release will come later in the winter of 2019. Per the press release, the game will include: Complete with updated graphics, optimized control schemes for each platform, a brand-new mini-game Decathalon mode where you complete a set of 10 mini-games in a row, and online leaderboards.

The game will release digitally and physically, with a $39.99 price point.

Pre-order Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz HD
PlayStation 4 | Nintendo Switch | Xbox One

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Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz remake Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball releasing to PS4, Switch and PC

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Just two weeks ago, we talked all things Super Monkey Ball and shared our wishes for a new game in the series. Well it looks like our wishes are being granted, as Famitsu has announced a remake of the Wii game Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz titled Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball. The game, sporting new graphics and potentially gameplay refinements and additions, is due out October 31st in Japan to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, with a PC Steam version also in the works.

No word yet on a western release, but we will share news as we hear it!

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Fan restoration of Archie’s Sonic Universe #95 releases – read the full issue now!

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Fans of Sonic the Hedgehog comics went through a series of ups and downs during the final years of the Archie Comics run of the series. From reboots to cancellations to an outright end to the series, the long running series deserved a better finale. The spin-off from the main series of comics, Sonic Universe, came to an end with issue #94 wrapping up a Chaotix story arc. However, fans were promised a new arc with issue #95 focusing on the members of the Freedom Fighters. Of course, issue #95 never came to be however the penciled and partially inked issue was made public. Using these elements, a group of fans took the incomplete work of Adam Bryce Thomas, Jim Amash and Ian Flynn and inked, colored, wrote and lettered the full issue. The issue is available to read now, and can be found here!

Most exciting, to me at least, is that the end of the restored comic teases that Sonic the Hedgehog #291 – the conclusion to Genesis of a Hero – will be the next Archie Sonic comic to be restored. This will complete the four issue flashback arc that would have acted as a fitting end to the series.

Oh, and my fingers are crossed for Mega Drive: Overdrive to be restored next.

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SEGA Talk #21: Super Monkey Ball (2001)

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On this episode of SEGA Talk we look back on a very important game in SEGA’s third party era: Super Monkey Ball! We discuss the arcade original Monkey Ball, the console port and its sequel, the development history, gameplay and the future of the franchise.

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Support us on Patreon! Get an exclusive pre-show, early access, 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!

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SEGA Talk #20: Comix Zone (1995)

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With all the buzz of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Mini, we thought we’d discuss a game featured on the upcoming plug and play console! On this episode, George and Barry discuss the comic book inspired adventure game Comix Zone. We talk about the development history, the gameplay and the sequel that never was.

Make sure to leave us a positive five star review on iTunes, it always helps!

Support us on Patreon! Get an exclusive pre-show, early access, 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!

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Swingin’ Report Show #94: Bitmap Books founder Sam Dyer – SEGA Master System: a visual compendium

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On this episode of the SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show podcast, Barry is joined by Sam Dyer, the founder of Bitmap Books, to discuss SEGA Master System: a visual compendium which releases June 17th, 2019. You can buy a copy of the book for yourself right here!

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

[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]

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Watch 15 minutes of Shenmue III gameplay footage from IGN Japan

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IGN Japan has released two videos showcasing Shenmue III mini-games, training and fighting. The video above features the previously revealed mini-game system of exchanging money for gameplay tokens, and games include lucky hit, turtle racing, a dice game called roll it on top and capsule toys. Despite the runtime of the video, it appears to play twice. After the break, check out practicing and sparring in which Ryo tries out some moves and fights a monk.

The footage very much feels like Shenmue, with sharper visuals of course. Funny how they retained the awkward conversations. What are your thoughts on the new footage? Let us know in the comments below!

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Panzer Dragoon remake coming to Nintendo Switch

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Nintendo’s E3 Direct gave Panzer Dragoon fans a first look at the upcoming remakes, something we covered back in December 2018. The first two games are being remade by Forever Entertainment, and while all platforms have not been revealed, we now know the game will be coming to Nintendo Switch this winter. More information as we hear it, and after the break you can read the original press release!

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Data Discs announces Sonic the Hedgehog CD vinyl – available to pre-order now!

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Data Discs is retuning to the world of Sonic the Hedgehog soundtracks with an impressive 3XLP release of Sonic the Hedgehog CD. Available to pre-order now and shipping September 2019, the release will feature the original Japanese score composed by Naofumi Hataya and Masfumi Ogata, newly remastered. The release will present the soundtrack in the game’s time zones, meaning “present”, “good future”, “past” and “bad future” will all be lumped together. The release will be accompanied by three double-sided art prints, liner notes from Naofumi Hataya, and a bespoke etching design on Side F of the soundtrack. There will also be a download code for lossy and lossless digital versions of the soundtrack. The release will be in three editions: 180g Clear Vinyl w/ Blue & Green + Sonic Blue Etched Disc (Limited Edition), 180g Sonic Blue Vinyl + Etched Disc, and 180g Classic Black Vinyl + Etched Disc.

Per the official pre-order site: Pre-orders for the limited edition will remain open until Monday 17th June (closing at 12:00pm UK time). Anyone who orders before then will be guaranteed a copy. The expected shipping date is September 2019.

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Seeking Art Submissions: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog charity fanzine seeks to help Robotnik designer Milton Knight

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For those who don’t know, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog character designer Milton Knight – who is famously known for creating the design of Robotnik for the series – had fallen on hard times in 2018 with an eviction from his longtime home, which itself was riddled with substandard living conditions. In 2019, things got worse as Milton was a victim of a hate crime and was assaulted. I personally have had a long history with Milton, purchasing some art from him ten years ago which led to a correspondence where we discussed his work on Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, my personal favorite Sonic cartoon, and his art.

In an attempt to raise funds for Milton in his time of need, a fan named Harper plans to release a charity fanzine (fan made magazine) of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog inspired art. Harper tells me that he is “attempting to unite the talented artists as a force of good to create an AOSTH-themed Zine” and that “proceeds from this zine will be donated to Milton Knight’s gofund me”. The submission details, also found after the break, can be seen here: https://aosthzine.tumblr.com

As a fan of Milton and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, I urge other fans to spread the word of the fanzine. Best of luck to Harper and his efforts!

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SEGA AGES Virtua Racing and Wonder Boy: Monster Land set to release June 27 in the Americas and Europe

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SEGA has officially announced that the next Nintendo Switch SEGA AGES titles, Virtua Racing and Wonder Boy: Monster Land, are due to hit the Nintendo eShop on June 27. Virtua Racing promises improved framerate, greater draw distance, online matchmaking, leaderboards, a new replay mode and up to 8-player local multiplayer.

Wonder Boy: Monster Land will feature the ability to restart after a game over with the same gear, as well as three new challenge modes, online leaderboards, replay function and a “Money Hungry Mode”. The “Money Hungry Mode” replicates a bug from the original game that allows players to increase the value of hidden gold by shaking the joystick back and forth.

The games will retail for $7.99 each. Will you be picking up one or both? Which one are you most excited for? Sound off in the comments below!

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SEGA News Bits: Final 12 SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Mini Games Revealed

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The SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Mini surprised us with not 10 final games revealed, but a dozen games! That makes a total of 42 games on the plug and play console. On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry run through the full lineup, share their thoughts on the new reveals and discuss some interesting accessories.

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