Author Archives: Barry

[Contest has ended] Contest: Bayonetta Steam Code Giveaway

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We’re excited to announce that we’ve teamed with SEGA to give away some Bayonetta Steam PC codes! Bayonetta is the hugely successful Platinum Games developed third-person action game starring the eponymous shapeshifting badass witch Bayonetta. Armed with her four guns – Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme – Bayonetta takes on the angelic hordes of Paradiso in order to discover the truth about her past. Bayonetta was our favorite game of the year when it released, and it continues to be one of the best games of the past decade. The new PC version promises to be the definitive version, with stunning graphics running at a solid 60 fps.

We have two contests running at once, and one copy will be given away in each, meaning that you can enter in both to double your chances of winning. Should a winner be selected more than once, we will select another winner in one of the contests so that nobody gets more than one copy of the game.

Here’s how to enter:

SEGAbits.com: In the comments section of this post, tell us why you love Bayonetta. Either as a character or as a franchise. When leaving your comment, please use a valid email address in the email field so we can contact you. Email addresses are not public.

Twitter.com/SEGAbits: Follow @SEGAbits and Retweet the contest tweet.

The contest is open to the Americas only and the contest ends May 11th at 9pm EST. Best of luck to all who enter!

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Hi-sCool! Seha Girls blu-ray DVD combo now available to pre-order

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The long awaited western release of Hi-sCool! Seha Girls: The Complete TV Series from Discotek Media is due out May 30, 2017 and we finally have pre-order details! The Hi-sCool! Seha Girls blu-ray DVD combo pack can now be pre-ordered for $49.99 on Amazon and it should soon be available on Right Stuf Anime.

The release will contain the original 13 episodes produced by TMS Entertainment using the MikuMikuDance animation software. The series stars three girls who meet for the first time at the start of a new semester in a brand new school. But these aren’t just any girls, and this isn’t just any school! They are personifications of the SEGA Dreamcast, Saturn and Mega Drive consoles. The series features a ton of fan service, including former SEGA mascot Professor Asobin who appeared during the SG-1000 days. Asobin is voiced by none other than former SEGA game designer and programmer Yuji Naka. You’ll also see, as teased on the cover, Virtua Fighters, Opa Opa, Puyo Puyo, Sonic and more!

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SEGA News Bits: Night Trap Getting a Physical Release on PS4 by Limited Run Games

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Night Trap is coming back to the PS4, Xbox One and (possibly) PC thanks to developer Screaming Villains and Limited Run Games. The former attained the license to remaster the game for modern hardware, and the latter is releasing the game physically to PS4 in cool SEGA CD-inspired packaging. On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George react to the announcement and share their thoughts on rereleasing controversial games.

Note: It cost the original Kickstarter team $250,000 to buy the rights, the Kickstarter needed $330,000 total to cover the rights, rescan of film elements, development and production.

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 new YouTube algorithm is.

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[Updated] Night Trap announced for PlayStation 4 in SEGA style boxes, Xbox One also announced

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Well this is a surprise! It has just been announced that Night Trap, the famous (some would argue infamous) FMV game made popular on the SEGA CD and SEGA CD 32X, is returning to the PlayStation 4 just in time for the 25th anniversary. Remastered by Screaming Villains, the game will release digitally and physically thanks to Limited Run Games. What is really cool, and of interest to SEGA fans, is that the Limited Run Games cover art emulates the classic American SEGA CD and SEGA CD 32X box art complete with the blue and yellow candy cane stripes! The physical release should hit the company’s website soon.

Back in 2014 we had the privilege of interviewing Digital Pictures co-founder Tom Zito, the man behind Night Trap.  At the time, Tom and a small team were attempting a remaster titled Night Trap ReVamped, though sadly the Kickstarter failed to reach its goal. We don’t know if Tom and his team have any influence in this rerelease, but we’ll reach out and see what’s up.

Update: We just learned that the owners of the Night Trap license – presumably Tom Zito and Night Trap, LLC since they had already bought and paid for the rights prior to the ReVamped project – granted developer Screaming Villains the license after they posted to YouTube a video of the game running on a mobile phone. You can watch what we believe to be the video after the break.

Update 2: Tom Zito plays no part in this rerelease, so it is unknown at this time who the license holder is.

Update 3: The game will also release to Xbox One, though no sign of those SEGA styled boxes from Limited Run Games.

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Puyo Puyo Tetris releases today to the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4

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Covering SEGA news for coming up on 9 years now, I have to say that after some really dark times when the notion of no physical releases from SEGA was a possibility, it feels really good to post up simple articles like this one. Puyo Puyo Tetris is now available on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in the Americas, and is set to release on April 28th in Europe. Featuring gameplay from two iconic puzzle games, Puyo Puyo Tetris offers up several single and multi-player as well as online play. Those who buy the Nintendo Switch version at and around launch will receive a special Launch Edition featuring Puyo Puyo and Tetris themed keychains, while the PS4 version comes in a Standard Edition.

Stay tuned to SEGAbits as we have a review incoming, and in the near future we want to plan a SEGAbits Community Game Night. Don’t own the game yet? Order the Puyo Puyo Tetris for Nintendo Switch Launch Edition or the Puyo Puyo Tetris for PlayStation 4 Standard Edition! Who knows, strong sales could mean Puyo Puyo Chronicles getting a 3DS release in the west.

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SEGA releases Sonic Forces Classic Sonic gameplay footage – updated with new screens!

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SEGA has just released over a minute of gameplay showcasing Classic Sonic’s Green Hill Zone stage in Sonic Forces and… tell me again why this was said to not be Sonic Generations 2? The clip should feel very familiar to those who played the 20th anniversary game back in 2011, right down to the models and assets, though there are a few alterations. The background features a sandy area and enemies are new. Also, the music is new to my ears, though I swear I caught a whiff of Sonic 4‘s Splash Hill Zone.

Eagle eyed fans may catch a glimpse of a bubble shield and it appears Sonic performs a Drop Dash, Sonic Mania‘s signature move, at 1:25.

Check it out for yourself and share your thoughts in the comments below. Also, after the break check out some newly released screens!

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DIC Entertainment, producer of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, has a documentary on Kickstarter

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If you were a child of the 80s and 90s, there is no doubt that you saw the logo for DIC Entertainment after countless animated shows. From Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Ghostbusters, and Inspector Gadget to the Care Bears and Dennis the Menace, DIC produced some of the most memorable syndicated cartoon shows for over two decades. Now, three Australians are hoping to create a documentary on DIC and an obscure animated show created by the company in the early 90s called Twins of Destiny. The documentary, English Dub – A DIC Entertainment Story, is hoping to hit a lofty goal of nearly $19k in less than 12 days with $2,000 raised so far. You can check out the trailer and read their plans over on their Kickstarter.

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Toshihiro Nagoshi confirms Yakuza team are working on more games

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Was there any doubt that Yakuza was ending? Well, Yakuza 6 has long been labeled as “the final chapter of Kazuma Kiryu”, so some have speculated that the series would take a break and the team would work on something else. During the Famitsu Awards, however, series general director Toshihiro Nagoshi confirmed that another Yakuza title is happening.

While not many specifics were given, it was said that he will not be walking back on the promise of the latest game being Kazuma Kiryu’s final chapter. Nagoshi made it clear that he wants to make a new Yakuza and that he did not want to narrow it to a single title, we could be seeing multiple games. The Yakuza 6 engine, dubbed the Dragon Engine, was said to be completed with the development of a second or third title. The timeframe for the reveal of the next game was given as “the not too distant future” and that there will be an opportunity to talk about the game early in its development.

What do you think about more Yakuza games? Would you want another prequel title, a true Yakuza 7 with a new main character, or perhaps a reboot focusing on a totally different cast?

[Source: Gematsu]

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SEGA in the Media: The Circle asks “Mario or Sonic?”

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Welcome to another SEGA in the Media! Its always fun spotting references to SEGA and its games in movies and television, but for me it is doubly fun when they screw it up somehow. Like when Suburban Commando tried to act like After Burner was some outer space alien game or when Jackie Chan gave a kid in a wheelchair a Game Gear with no games. Today we’re featuring the upcoming movie The Circle. I’ll admit, I’m late on this one. The trailer released back in December, and by the time I thought to make an article I had figured the movie was already out. But nope, they’re still advertising this and it is still not out! Do we really need five months of advertising for this stupid movie?

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SEGA and WWE join forces for mobile game WWE Tap Mania

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SEGA and WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.) have announced that they are partnering to release a new mobile game titled WWE Tap Mania. The game, developed by Tap Lab, is said to star WWE Superstars from the past and present. Little else in terms of gameplay has been revealed, but the game will feature live in-game events based on real WWE shows including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble.

Naoki Kameda, COO of SEGA’s western mobile devision had this to say about the game:

At Sega, we like to find new ways to bring brands and experiences to a wide mobile gaming audience. This partnership with WWE presents a fresh opportunity for collaboration. Working with WWE, a monumental leader in global entertainment, along with The Tap Lab, a studio known for crafting action-packed games that are fun at their core, we’re confident that WWE Tap Mania will delight WWE fans worldwide.

The game is set to launch for free to iOS and Android later this year. From the sound of it, SEGA is simply acting as a publisher with some additional support. SEGA will offer details on WWE Tap Mania in the coming months via Twitter and Facebook. More information as we hear it!

[Source: WWE]

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Teases Mystery Character & Classic Sonic Gameplay

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On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry cover the late breaking news of a Nintendo Direct Sonic Forces tease. In the released video, fans were given a peek at Classic Sonic gameplay as well as the mysterious third gameplay style which appears to be a brand new character! Hear our analysis of what this third style might be, and in the comments below tell us what YOU think it is.

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 new YouTube algorithm is.

 

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Pix’n Love Editions announces The History of the Dreamcast book

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Just a few months after announcing a Shenmue history book, French publisher Pix’n Love Editions continues the SEGA love with the announcement of a “L’Histoire de la Dreamcast” book. The book, which at the time of this article is only in French, will be 350 pages and in full color. The book will cover the story of the console including behind-the-scenes documents, entries for nearly 600 games, special sections for notable games including Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Sonic Adventure and Skies of Arcadia, interviews with SEGA game designers, accessories and cancelled games.

The book is currently available for pre-order with a standard edition priced at €37,82 (around $40) and two special editions. The special editions come in a Sonic Adventure Edition, which includes the book, a special art book featuring official artwork and unpublished design drawings, a transparent silk-screen plastic sleeve featuring Sonic artwork and a special color scheme, three art prints from Sonic Adventure, and a numbered collector card. The other special edition is the Shenmue Edition, featuring everything the Sonic Adventure Edition includes but swapping out the Sonic art with Shenmue art. Both editions are priced at €79,90 (around $85).

After the break, check out a gallery of product images. Thanks to The Dreamcast Junkyard for the heads up!

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Persona 5 releases today to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in the Americas and Europe

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At long last, the much anticipated Atlus title Persona 5 has released in both Americas and Europe. In the Americas, the game is available in three editions: the Persona 5 “Take Your Heart” Premium Edition for the PS4, the Persona 5 SteelBook Edition for the PS4, and the Persona 5 Standard Edition for the PS4 as well as the PS3.

In Europe there is the Persona 5 “Take Your Heart” Collector’s Edition for the PS4, the Persona 5 SteelBook Launch Edition for the PS4, and the Persona 5 Standard Edition for the PS4 as well as the PS3. Whew! Two consoles and three editions, that’s a lot!

As an added incentive, throughout the month Atlus will be releasing a slew of DLC. Available today is the Japanese Audio Track, Healing Item Set, Skill Card Set, and the New Difficulty Level Challenge – all free to download. Free with the digital pre-order, $1.99 otherwise, is the Protagonist Special Theme & Avatar Set (PS4 only). There are also three additional theme & avatar sets for $1.99 each (PS4 only), while on the PS3 there are four special themes priced at .99 cents each.

If you picked the game up, join us in the SEGAbits Discord chat or in the SEGAbits forums to discuss the game and have a happy Persona 5 launch day!

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SEGA SAMMY offices consolidating and relocating in Fall 2018

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According to a recent press release, big changes are coming to SEGA in Japan. In the fall of 2018, SEGA SAMMY and its group companies located in the Tokyo metropolitan area will be consolidated and relocated to a business building in the “Nishishinagawa 1-chome District Type 1 Urban Redevelopment Project” now being developed in an area south of Osaki Station. Osaki Station being in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan. The SEGA SAMMY group companies include SEGA SAMMY HOLDINGS INC., Sammy Corporation, SEGA Holdings Co., Ltd., SEGA Games Co., Ltd., ATLUS. CO., LTD., Sammy Networks Co., Ltd., DARTSLIVE Co., Ltd. and others.

The move is said to promote cooperation among the companies, creating synergy and more active interaction of personnel while pursuing efficient group management. To do this, SEGA SAMMY plans to consolidate currently scattered head office functions. The new office space will occupy 8 floors and 43,891 square meters (472,439 square feet).

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Valkyria Revolution Vanargand Edition announced to release June 27 to Xbox One and Playstation 4

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Did somebody say launch edition? SEGA of America are at it again, as Valkyria Revolution the “Vanargand Edition” has just been announced to release June 27 to Xbox One and Playstation 4. The game is also due out digitally to the Playstation Vita that same day. The “Vanargand Edition” will be available in the Americas and will include a pin inscribed with the Vanargand’s ferocious coat of arms, a 12-track soundtrack by Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Stella Glow) and the usual box containing it all. Those in Europe need not fret, as those who pre-order or buy the game at launch will receive the soundtrack.

Pre-Order: Valkyria Revolution “Vanargand Edition”
Playstation 4 | Xbox One

After the break, take a peek at the “Vanargand Edition” and read the full press release from SEGA of America.

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