Author Archives: Barry

Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works smashes Kickstarter funding goals – four days remain

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The Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works Kickstarter has amassed 155% of their funding goal, assuring that the book will be published and then some. Published by Read-Only Memory and officially SEGA licensed, the book is a followup to the excellent SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works. Since we last reported on Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works, some new details have been revealed. Having passed their funding goal and then some, backers can expect more than originally promised in terms of content. A backer update assured that the book will exceed the predicted 300 pages and Dreamcast case and controller production drawings will now appear as fold outs.

More information on special edition versions of the book, which highlight classic Dreamcast games including Jet Set Radio, Phantasy Star Online and Shenmue, was also given. Backers who choose the special edition tier can expect official Dreamcast typography screen printed onto a handmade, cloth bound and color paper lined box. It sounds like Read-Only Memory is putting a lot of work into color matching, as it is stated if they have to manufacture custom cloth colors, they will.

If you like what you see, check out the Kickstarter page and consider backing.

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Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom to feature graphical overhaul, hand-drawn animation

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The latest development blog update for Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, an upcoming game from FDG Entertainment which carries on the Wonder Boy/Monster World franchise, has revealed that the game will have a graphical overhaul. The team says they plan to “rework the characters and their animations in the game”, shifting from a Flash animation-style look to hand-drawn anime characters. The change was made following online feedback and, in my opinion, is a reaction to the recently released Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap. The new style will feature brighter coloring, and different weapons and equipment will appear right on the sprite thanks to a technology the team has implemented.

The change is a positive one for sure. What do you think of the new style? Sound off in the comments below!

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Retro City Rampage DX physical edition for Switch to feature Master System style reversible cover

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Calm down, we haven’t become a Nintendo new site! (Though I hear that’s where the money is these days…) Vblank Entertainment has announced that the retro gaming-inspired action-adventure game Retro City Rampage DX will be receiving a physical Nintendo Switch release in both collector’s edition and retail edition options. Of interest to SEGA fans is the fact that the reverse of the cover art is inspired by SEGA Master System box art, complete with the grid and simplified drawings of characters and enemies. You can learn more about the release in the trailer above and at the Vblank Entertainment website. The physical edition releases October 9th!

2017 appears to be the year of Master System covers, as Limited Run Games released Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap with a reversible Master System cover as well.

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New Sonic Forces custom hero Chemical Plant stage and Drill Wispon weapon revealed

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New Sonic Forces content has been revealed by way of four screenshots and a press release from SEGA PR. The custom hero, the player’s in-game avatar, will return to Chemical Plant in what appears to be the modern day. The classic zone appears a bit dirtier and the stage takes place during the day. Also revealed is the Drill Wispon, which allows players to drill dash on the ground and climb walls. Players can also attack enemies by charging and launching a drill punch.

Interestingly, all these enhancements sound very much like how Knuckles would play. This makes me wonder if we will see an Episode Knuckles with the character playable in select custom hero stages much like how Shadow will be playable in select modern Sonic stages. Just speculation on my part, but it would be cool. As for Chemical Plant… I love the stage, and always will, but it does sort of smell of recycling assets from Sonic Generations, much like how Green Hill is also making a return. Here’s hoping enough new elements are added to make it feel fresh.

You can pre-order Sonic Forces via Amazon Prime and save 20% off the home console versions, making the game just $31.99. After the break, check out the four new screens!

Sonic Forces Bonus Edition pre-order
Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | PC

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Classic SEGA Magazine Corner: Playboy showcases SEGA’s big screen television (safe for work)

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The death of Hugh Hefner reminded me of all the times Playboy crossed paths with my favorite pieces of pop culture entertainment, and while franchises like The Simpsons (Marge Simpson’s “photoshoot”) and Star Wars (Episode III’s Bai Ling) have had their day on the Playboy cover, SEGA fans have to dig a bit deeper. Back in the 70’s, SEGA had not yet entered the home console market as they were largely an amusement machine company. However, in the spring of 1977 (just prior to the Atari 2600 and around the time Star Wars hit theaters) SEGA debuted their big screen television Sega-Vision.

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[Update: Shipping lowered!] New indie Dreamcast game Intrepid Izzy hits Kickstarter

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Back in March we shared the news that indie Dreamcast developer Senile Team, creators of Rush Rush Rally Racing and Beats of Rage, were working on a platformer titled Intrepid Izzy. Now, it looks like the team plans to bring the game to Dreamcast, PC and (should they hit a stretch goal) PlayStation 4 via a Kickstarter campaign. With a €35,000 goal ($41,268), they still have a ways to go having just hit the 10% mark.

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Sonic Forces sends classic Sonic to Casino Forest in new gameplay video

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A new Sonic Forces gameplay video has released showcasing a classic Sonic stage titled Casino Forest. The video description reads as follows: “Classic Sonic enters the Casino Forest, ancient ruins currently being converted to a casino by Eggman. But it’s not all fun and games as perilous traps line the ancient facades.”

While the stage does look like a combination of assets from Sonic Generations Casino Night Zone DLC and Sonic Lost World‘s Silent Forest, it does look like fun and I love the combination of tropes. What do you think of the latest Sonic Forces reveal?

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Sonic the Hedgehog Ultimate Figure to be released by Tomy in 2018

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Thanks to a Gamestop listing, we’ve learned of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog collectible set to release next year. Sonic Ultimate Figure appears to be Tomy’s version of the Nendoroid Sonic the Hedgehog from Good Smile Company, with Tomy’s figure featuring a base, alternate faces and hands, and accessories, including a ring and chili dog. The figure is listed at $29.99 and releases March 12, 2018.

Gamestop seems to be the place when it comes to finding out about upcoming Tomy Sonic products, as last week we learned of a Sonic Forces themed multi-figure pack. These products will likely release elsewhere, but at the moment Gamestop is the only store to list them.

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Jet Set Radio 6″ Beat action figure now available to pre-order

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We’ve been following this figure for what feels like over a year, and while other figures revealed around the same time released months ago, this one remained elusive. Thankfully, we can now report that the long awaited – and for a time presumed cancelled – Jet Set Radio Beat action figure is now available for pre-order! The second in the Game Classics series, which featured Arthur of Ghosts ‘n Goblins fame previously, Beat sports a blocky look which perfectly matches the Dreamcast Jet Set Radio graphics (minus, of course, the cel shaded outline).

Beat comes with a spray can and two sets of hands, measures about 6″ tall and releases this December with a retail price of 7,538 yen. Amiami has the figure for 15% off at 6,390 yen (about $57) and if you pre-order the Space Channel 5 Ulala figure you can combine orders to save on shipping.

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Return to the Fantasy Zone as “Space Harrier II” joins the SEGA Forever lineup

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The SEGA Forever lineup of classic console games on mobile devices has slowly been expanding since the service was announced two months ago. So far, we’ve mainly seen SEGA Genesis games and pre-existing mobile games based on Dreamcast titles, and while the latest addition doesn’t break this trend it is a cool game. 1988’s Space Harrier II was a launch title for the SEGA Mega Drive in Japan, and was special as it was a console-exclusive sequel to an arcade classic. While fans debate whether Space Harrier II was a worthy sequel, most fans of the franchise can agree that the sequel does not see a lot of love when it comes to rereleases. So with that in mind, it’s great to see it joining the SEGA Forever lineup.

Since launching the service, SEGA has been updating the emulator and added some additional visual options for graphics and controls. As an iPhone 7 owner, I’ve seen an increase in quality, but I can’t speak for all devices and operating systems. Check it out for yourself, as it’s free-to-play.

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Sonic Forces Japanese promotion video hits, revealing new cutscenes

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A new Sonic Forces trailer has just released from SEGA of Japan featuring new footage from the upcoming game. Several new cutscenes are shown, including Eggman introducing the new enemy Infinite, the avatar character seeing Sonic and his friends, and a large scale battle featuring Sonic and friends and dozens of avatar characters. Interestingly, it is looking like Tails, Amy, Knuckles, The Chaotix, Silver and Rouge have their own base of operations and this is where the avatar character will spend some of their time. We also get a peek at a futuristic city area.

Suffice to say, a lot of fun little things are littered throughout this trailer and it’s worth a watch. Now if I only knew Japanese…

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Swingin’ Report Show #89: Sonic Mania – Tee Lopes, Composer Interview

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On this episode we chat with Tee Lopes, composer for Sonic Mania, who answers our burning questions about his career before working on a SEGA game, how he landed the Sonic Mania job, and how one goes about composing for video games. We also try to get some soundtrack secrets out of him, and we’ll let you be the judge on how well we did. If you loved the music of Sonic Mania and are a video game soundtrack aficionado, or if you just like an hour of video game chat, this episode is a must listen!

You can learn more about Tee Lopes and follow his work by checking out his website teelopesmusic.com, following him on Twitter, subscribing to his You Tube channel, and if you want the best possible aural experience of Sonic Mania make sure to check out the official vinyl (and included digital music download) from Data Discs.

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

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Sonic Forces: Speed Battle revealed for mobile devices

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Various Sonic fans on Twitter have discovered a new iOS (and possibly Android) Sonic the Hedgehog game titled Sonic Forces: Speed Battle. According to the App Store listing, the game has players racing against other players from around the world in real-time four-player races. Weapons play a role in the game, and playable characters include Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Vector and more. From the look of things, the game is very much an online multiplayer version of Sonic Dash set in Sonic Forces locations. Eagle eyed fans might notice that a Sky Sanctuary looking stage appears in the mobile game, perhaps meaning we will see the stage return in Sonic Forces?

After the break, check out the app store description and screenshots.

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Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works Kickstarter launches – New book from Read-Only Memory!

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2519c6249487a58be2e8cb9e73bd7718_originalReaders of our site probably know that we are huge fans of the work of Darren Wall and Read-Only Memory, who was behind the excellent “Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works” book. Now, Darren and Read-Only Memory are returning to the world of SEGA books with “Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works”, a new book described as an “illustrated history of the cult games console, produced in collaboration with Sega”. The project is being funded by Kickstarter, and is already 30% funded with a £68,000 goal at the time of this article being posted. Given the project just launched today, that is impressive!

The campaign offers up several tiers, from the book itself to special slipcovers featuring Jet Set Radio, Shenmue and Phantasy Star Online logos. Already sold out are early bird editions at a reduced price and a Naoto Ohshima signed edition. There is also a Kickstarter exclusive Shenmue bookmark available for all backers. The campaign page has a LOT of information, from what the book will contain to who you can expect to be interviewed. Rather than copy and paste all that here, we urge you to check out the campaign page for yourself and consider supporting the project.

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SEGA News Bits: SEGA Dreamcast 18th Anniversary Discussion

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On 9/9/1999 the SEGA Dreamcast released in North America, and now 18 years later we’re still talking about it. On this SEGA News Bits, we celebrate the birthday of SEGA’s final home console by recommending the best exclusives, looking at the indie games released in 2017 and looking ahead to what indie games are coming in 2018 and beyond!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments 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.

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