New Shenmue III trailer reveals release date and returning characters

Just in time for the start of Gamescom 2018 and the release day of Shenmue I & II comes a new trailer for the upcoming Shenmue III. The big news is that we have a release date! The game is set to release to the PlayStation 4 and PC on August 27, 2019. What more, the announcement trailer gives us a look at the game and it looks much improved from previous videos, with facial animations and the reveal that Lan Di will appear in the game! While most probably assumed he would appear, it’s great to get confirmation and from the look of things he won’t have a helicopter to escape on this time. Also spotted is Ryo’s buddy Wuying Ren from Shenmue II.

What do you think of the new trailer and release date? Sound off in the comments below!

SEGAbits forums get streamlined with new board categories

Whoa! Talk about exciting news! Long before the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Discord, the SEGAbits forums were the backbone of the community. Since 2010, the forums were where the SEGAbits community clicked over to when game announcements hit or company news broke. As the years went on the forum community grew and grew… and then shrunk thanks to the advent of social media and chat applications like Skype and Discord. Still, we are proud of the dedicated community that have stuck with the forums and love the work from users like Berto who continues to do a stellar job maintaining yearly topics collecting every SEGA, ATLUS and indie games planned for release.

In an effort to streamline the forums and make them easier to use in the current climate of the internet, we have decided to merge our Classic SEGA, Modern SEGA and Non-SEGA Gaming boards into one General Gaming Discussion board. We have also kept Everything Else as the go-to board for any non-gaming discussion. We do hope our forum users like the changes, and any suggestions can be shared in our feedback board.

Want to join the forums, or just lurk around? Visit the SEGAbits forums today! Hey, it’s not like SEGA is bringing their forums back anytime soon.

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom release date announced, new trailer showcases cinematics and gameplay

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom has come a long way! Back in early 2016 we interviewed Fabien Demeulenaere, Director of Game Atelier, on our Swingin’ Report Show Podcast, and now the game has seen a huge overhaul with enhanced graphics, animated cinematics and more! The latest news is a release date, with the game set to launch on the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One on November 6th, 2018. The physical launch edition of the game will include a full color 24 page instruction booklet and two sticker sheets. Those attending Gamescom can play the Switch version at the Nintendo booth in Hall 9.1.

Pre-Order the Launch Edition of Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom:
Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One

Retro-Bit reveals first wave of officially licensed SEGA controllers

Back in January, the company Retro-Bit revealed a lineup of officially licensed SEGA controllers for the Genesis/Mega Drive, Saturn and Dreamcast. Now, they’re ready to reveal what they are calling the first wave. The full lineup, seen after the break, includes Genesis, Mega Drive and Saturn controllers. Absent are the Dreamcast controllers, leading me to think that the VMU might be the reason they have not been revealed yet. I can’t imagine a VMU saving out over wireless, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out.

In the meantime, the first wave gives SEGA fans original port, USB and wireless Bluetooth controllers. Genesis/Mega Drive will be black in all versions, and there will be a clear blue version for original port and USB. The Saturn will be available in black for all versions, and a slate grey version will also be available for the original port and USB versions. No sign of the white pad, which is a shame as I know several white Saturn owners who would love to get their hands on a second pad at a fair price. Fingers crossed we see that in a second wave.

Team Sonic Racing adds Team Vector to the roster – featuring Vector, Blaze and Silver


It looks like Team Chaotix couldn’t afford more than one entry fee! The newest team to be revealed for the upcoming Team Sonic Racing is a surprise to be sure, while we were guessing Team Chaotix were a shoo-in it looks like SEGA is taking a u-turn and are featuring Vector the Crocodile, Blaze the Cat and Silver the Hedgehog in Team Vector. If you want to play with the new racers for yourself, you can check them out at Gamescom 2018 in Cologne, Germany from August 21-25.

After the break, check out a big gallery of screens.

Pre-order Team Sonic Racing today!
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch

SEGA releases What is Shenmue? Part 3, which highlights mini-games and combat

SEGA has released the third part of their What is Shenmue? series of videos, this time focusing on the mini-games and combat found in both Shenmue I & II. Seasoned Shenmue fans know just how packed these games are with mini-games, from classic SEGA arcade games like Space Harrier, forklift races, duck races, lucky hit, arm wrestling, darts, pool and much more. Combat, meanwhile, is just as fun with Quick Timer Events and a full fighting engine. Shenmue I & II releases next week on August 21st. Pre-ordering the physical edition gets you a two sided poster and a reversible cover.

Pre-Order Shenmue I & II:
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | PC

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise available to pre-order – new combat trailer released

SEGA has released pre-order details for the upcoming Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, set to release in the Americas and Europe on October 2 for the PlayStation 4. physical pre-orders will include two free deathcry decal stickers that you are encouraged to stick to your console, controller or wherever. Digital pre-orders will include the Destiny Talisman Pack, which add useful abilities to the player. Also included is a theme and avatar set. After the break, check out the new trailer released today which focuses on the game’s combat.

Pre-order Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

Total War: THREE KINGDOMS cinematic trailer reveals upcoming game’s campaign map

SEGA has released a cinematic trailer for the upcoming Total War: THREE KINGDOMS, which gives us a first look at the game’s campaign map. The trailer focuses on warlord Sun Jian, The Tiger of Jiangdong, who believes his destiny is to be the one true ruler. Historically, the Sun family played an important role in the Three Kingdoms period by establishing the kingdom of Sun Wu.

Developed by Creative Assembly, Total War: THREE KINGDOMS releases on PC in Spring 2019. You can learn more about the game on the Steam product page.

Meet the characters of Shenmue I & II in What is Shenmue? Part 2

SEGA has released the second part in their “What is Shenmue?” video series, this time focusing on the characters of both games and their place in the story. Ryo, Shenhua, Lan Di and many others are highlighted. We suspect Goro Mihashi was not mentioned because SEGA wants to keep him a surprise. Narrated by Ryo’s english voice actor Corey Marshall, the video series is a nice introduction to the series for new players, and a reminder for those who played the Dreamcast originals years ago. You can see the second part above, and the first part can be seen here. Shenmue I & II releases August 21st on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

Pre-Order Shenmue I & II:
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | PC

SEGA News Bits: Ben Schwartz to voice Sonic the Hedgehog in upcoming movie from Paramount

The upcoming Sonic movie from Paramount just keeps getting better and better! On this SEGA News Bits, Barry shows his excitement for recent casting announcements and set photos, and speculates on what sort of plot the movie might have.

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.

Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection releases December 4th – now available to pre-order

ATLUS has just revealed an awesome collection for a great deal! The Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection will include the new Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight as physical discs, as well as a digital code for the 2015 game Persona 4: Dancing All Night which originally released to Vita and had a Japanese PS4 release earlier this year. This will collect the complete catalog of Persona Dancing games in a exclusive art book package. The collection will be available for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 4, priced at $69.99 and $99.99 respectively and will release December 4, 2018.

The Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection will also be available digitally on both PS4 and PS Vita. Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight will also be available individually for Vita ($39.99 each) and PlayStation 4 ($59.99 each).

Pre-order today:
Persona Dancing: Endless Night Collection
: PlayStation 4 Pre-order | PlayStation Vita Pre-order
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight: PlayStation 4 Pre-order | PlayStation Vita Pre-order
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight: PlayStation 4 Pre-order | PlayStation Vita Pre-order

Due to a pricing error, Amazon has pulled links. When they’re back up, we’ll be sure to update the article!

Team Sonic Racing team mechanics spotlighted in new video

SEGA has released a new trailer spotlighting the team mechanics in Team Sonic Racing. The video shows Team Rose, Team Sonic and Team Dark racing in the recently revealed Ice Mountain track. The highlighted team mechanics include:

  • Skimboost: Boost struggling teammates back into action as you drive by!
  • SlingshotSlipstream a teammate for a slingshot boost!
  • Rival Takedown: Knock out highlighted opponents ahead and speed past them!
  • Item Box TransferSend and receive Wisps with teammates anywhere on the track!
  • Team Ultimate: Use Team Mechanics to fill your Team Ultimate meter and unleash a massive team boost!

Pre-order Team Sonic Racing today!
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch

Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch; digital pre-orders open

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is due out September 25 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam. In anticipation of the game’s release, SEGA dropped a ton of new info about the demo and digital pre-order bonuses. Digital pre-orders are available now for all platforms, and included is a bonus add-on mission ‘A Captainless Squad’ in which a group of Squad E soldiers find themselves on an impromptu reconnaissance operation after the squad’s beloved medic dog, Ragnarok, goes missing. The add-on mission will also be available for $4.99 in late October. Pre-ordering Valkyria Chronicles 4 through the PlayStation Store will get you an exclusive theme and avatar set.

Also available today is the Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo which is free to download from the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop. Players will be treated to the prologue and first two chapters of the game, as well as a bonus mission created just for the demo. Save data will carry over to the full game, and importing data will unlock an exclusive accessory for use in the full game.

Pre-order the Valkyria Chronicles 4 “Memoirs from Battle” Premium Edition
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch

SEGA reveals Gamescom 2018 lineup

SEGA and ATLUS have just announced what games attendees at Gamescom 2018 in Cologne, Germany can get their hands on. The lineup includes: Total War: THREE KINGDOMS, Team Sonic Racing, Valkyria Chronicles 4, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, Persona 3 Dancing in the Moonlight and Persona 5 Dancing in the Starlight. Football Manager 2019 and Two Point Hospital will also have a presence at the event.

Of note to Sonic fans, Team Sonic Racing‘s demo will feature the new Ice Mountain track (which fans have pointed out is a zone in Sonic Advance, though whether that is by chance or intentional is unknown) and two new teams. More of the in-game customization will also be revealed.

All games will be playable at the Deep Silver stand in Hall 9, B011-C010.