Author Archives: Barry

SEGA Genesis Classics trailer released, lineup and in-game features revealed

by

SEGA has officially unveiled the trailer for SEGA Genesis Classics (SEGA Mega Drive Classics in Europe) and have revealed some of the in-game features. The collection will include over 50 classic games along with enhanced features like Rewind, Mirror Mode and visual filters. The official site, megadriveclassics.com, has yet to go live but it can be assumed that is where the full list of games will be included. The collection is releasing physically to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 29th, and as an added incentive will include a double sided poster. Thankfully, SEGA seems to realize the Genesis can stand on its own and does not need Sonic’s name tacked on to the title, like they did with Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection in 2009.

After the break, see the full list of included games.

Continue Reading ➜

8 Comments

Commodore 64 game Barbarian releasing to the Dreamcast and Genesis/Mega Drive

by

The classic 8-bit Commodore 64 Epyx game Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior, which was later ported to several systems including the BBC Micro and Atari ST, is set to receive a SEGA Dreamcast port. The upcoming port is being handled by Retro Games Ltd, who have acquired the Epyx catalog, so it’s official!

Given the game has seen so many ports, you’re probably wondering which one the Dreamcast is getting. The answer is all of them, as you will be able to switch between the various versions with the press of a button. There will also be a new Dreamcast version with enhanced visuals. The game is also heading to the NES, Atari Jaguar and Genesis/Mega Drive.

Expect a physical Dreamcast release later this year, and in the meantime you can keep up on the project by following the Epyx Facebook page.

[Source: The Dreamcast Junkyard]

No Comments

Unboxing: New Sonic the Hedgehog books

by

In this unboxing, or should I say unbooksing, video we take a look at the three new Sonic the Hedgehog books to release from Penguin Random House. Welcome to the World of Sonic features character profiles, story information, trivia and stickers. Sonic and the Tales of Deception features three stories set in the game universe. And finally Sonic Mad Libs is just what you expect, it’s the classic game of Mad Libs with a Sonic twist. Each book can be ordered by clicking the title above. There are also two more books on the way: a second story book titled Sonic and the Tales of Terror and the Race Against Chaos Sticker Activity Book.

If you enjoy our SEGAbits Unboxing videos and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a like so it shows up on more like minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

No Comments

SEGA in the Media: Sonic the Hedgehog cameos in Ready Player One

by

vlcsnap-2018-03-07-07h56m13s796

While we’ve yet to see any signs of Sonic in Wreck-It Ralph 2, the latest Ready Player One TV spot reveals that Sonic will join the pop culture cameo ranks of The Iron Giant, the Back to the Future DeLorean time machine and Child’s Play‘s Chucky. In a recent TV spot, seen after the break, Sonic is seen waiting in line. You can spot him in the screenshot seen above on the far right. I have also heard that Sonic does his signature spin attack move in another trailer though I have not found it yet.

Ready Player One hits theaters March 29, 2018, and if you want more than Sonic cameos remember that a Sonic the Hedgehog movie is set to release November 15, 2019!

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

Check this out: The Story Of Digital Pictures – The FMV Studio Behind Sewer Shark, Night Trap, Double Switch & More

by

YouTube Channel Wrestling With Gaming has produced some pretty great gaming documentaries, and his latest one takes a look at Digital Pictures which is the studio behind FMV games including Sewer Shark, Night Trap, and Double Switch. The series creator, Yahel, reached out to SEGAbits for permission to use our 2014 interview with Digital Pictures co-founder Tom Zito, and having seen Yahel’s previous videos we were more than happy to give the thumbs up! So check the video out and make sure to watch his backlog at Wrestling With Gaming, including some great SEGA installments covering VR, Bleem!, and the Saturn and 32X.

Keep up the great work, Yahel! After the break, check out our full original interview with Tom Zito.

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

SEGA News Bits: SEGA Forever Focusing On High Quality Ports

by

SEGA Forever is seeing a change in 2018 and beyond, and it’s good news: high quality ports are the future! On this SEGA News Bits we look at this change and what games to expect in the future. What are your thoughts on the new direction? Let us know in the comments below.

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.

4 Comments

What to expect from SEGA Forever in 2018 – Changes are coming!

by

sega-forever-980x420

SEGA Forever, SEGA’s mobile initiative to bring classic SEGA games to smart devices, has updated the SEGA Mobile blog with details of what we can expect from the collection in 2018. Over the past 8 months, 18 titles have been released under the SEGA Forever banner, including emulated titles and native ports. Interestingly, it is noted in the post that the native ports (Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Sonic CD, Crazy Taxi, and Virtua Tennis Challenge) have been the most played.

As such, SEGA has decided to make changes to SEGA Forever to appeal to gamers most interested in that aspect of the project. While emulated titles will still release, including some surprises, the main plan will be to release more native ports. As such, the amount of titles regularly released will reduce (no doubt due to the amount of work a native port requires when compared to emulation) however the next titles in the lineup will release soon. The post also notes that over the course of 8 months, there have been over 40 million downloads. Impressive!

You can follow SEGA Forever on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and check out their official website.

Read the full post here, and in the comments below let us know your thoughts on this shift in focus!

[Source: SEGA Mobile Blog]

1 Comment

Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire changes its name to…

by

Screen Shot 2018-02-28 at 12.17.56 PM 2

The Crazy Taxi social media accounts have announced that Crazy Taxi Gazillionaire will be changing its name to… Crazy Taxi Tycoon. The game can now be found on the App Store and Google Play under the new name. No reasoning is given, however I’m certain it has to do with how difficult “Gazillionaire” may be for people to spell and the fact that it doesn’t quite tell you what the game is all about. Crazy Taxi Tycoon is more on the nose and a welcome change.

3 Comments

SEGA manages to squeeze into the Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 teaser trailer

by

Screen Shot 2018-02-28 at 10.22.21 AM

The teaser trailer for the sequel to 2012’s Disney animated feature Wreck-It Ralph, titled Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2, has released. The first film was covered by us quite a bit, as SEGA had a sizable presence as Sonic the Hedgehog, House of the Dead, Altered Beast and other franchises made cameos and Sonic himself made the poster and home video release cover art. Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 will see Ralph venture into the internet, leaving the world of arcade references for jokes about eBay and iOS games. To be honest, I am not liking the direction the sequel is taking. A large part of what made the original so fun were all the classic game references, and I just don’t see cameos of popular websites to have any nostalgic value.

Continue Reading ➜

3 Comments

SEGA hosting 24 hour charity stream for Gameblast 2018 – starts today!

by

DWo2eYFW4AEDhG8

Later today, at 6pm UK time, SEGA Europe and Hardlight employees will be hosting a 24 charity stream for Gameblast 2018. The event, which you can learn more about here, aims to raise money for charity through streaming SEGA games, hosting other activities, and giving away swag. A special guest includes Hellena Taylor, the lead voice actor of Bayonetta, who will join the team as they play Bayonetta. Proceeds go to SpecialEffect, a UK based charity which uses video games and technology to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities.

The stream goes live in just a few hours as we post this, so make sure to check it out and show your support!

No Comments

Shining Resonance Refrain coming west this summer on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC

by

In January this was a rumor we shared, and now it’s confirmed! Shining Resonance Refrain is coming west this summer on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC. The game will release as a Draconic Launch Edition featuring a collectible metal slipcase, priced at $49.99 USD / $64.99 CAD. We did a SEGA News Bits video on the initial announcement of the game back in November of last year, noting that the developers considered this a “worldwide product”. It’s great to see that this plan came to fruition, as the Shining series has been MIA in the west for far too long.

Stay tuned to SEGAbits for pre-order information, including an exact release date, and you can visit the official site shiningresonance.com as well. After the break, check out the full press release!

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

IDW Sonic the Hedgehog villains Rough and Tumble revealed

by

randt

IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic books are due out with one issue per week in April and then monthly after that, and in the lead up to the new series we have our first look at the villains Rough and Tumble via Kotaku. Set to debut in issue three, these skunk brothers (Rough is the little one, Tumble is the big one) are described as “independent agents” and “more bullies than masterminds” but “tough enough to maybe become someone’s henchmen down the line”, according to associate editor David Mariotte. The character creation process is also touched on in the article, noting that SEGA has final approval on new creations.

IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog #1 releases April 4th! After the break, check out some additional images of the new villains.

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

New Sonic the Hedgehog toys and figures coming from Diamond Select Toys

by

Sonic_Generations_GCI_Slide

Diamond Select Toys & Collectibles have announced that they have teamed with SEGA to create a line of Sonic the Hedgehog collectibles for, in their words, fans “young and old” (which to me translates to modern and classic Sonic). The first products will be unveiled at the International Toy Fair in New York City which is in just a few days on February 17. Product categories include Gallery PVC dioramas (9-inch scale PVC sculpted statues), Minimates block figures, Vinimates vinyl figures (4-inch block-style figures) and PVC mini-figures with collect-and-connect racetracks.

The new products are expected to release holiday 2018. We’ll be sure to share images of the new products as soon as they leak from the toy fair!

No Comments

Sonic the Hedgehog: Battle Racers board game Kickstarter launches

by

A new officially licensed Sonic the Hedgehog board game has just hit Kickstarter, titled Sonic the Hedgehog: Battle Racers. Developed by Shinobi 7, the board game sees 2-5 players using re-painted miniatures to race past Badniks and bosses, while collecting rings in a sprint to the finish. While the game will see a commercial release outside of Kickstarter, there are bonuses to entice collectors. The bonuses, however, come at a cost as the only tier is $100 + shipping.

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments