Author Archives: Barry

Xbox Game Pass subscription program to feature SEGA games

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Today, Microsoft announced a new video game rental subscription service known as Xbox Game Pass. For $9.99 per month, users will be given access to over 100 Xbox One and backwards compatible Xbox 360 games digitally. Of course, first party games are available, but several third party publishers are also on board including SEGA (why else would we report on this?). Other publishers on board include 2K, 505 Games, BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment, Capcom, Codemasters, Deep Silver, Focus Home Interactive, SNK CORPORATION, THQ Nordic GmbH and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

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SEGA Talk Podcast #08: Phantasy Star (1987)

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Have your interplanetary passports at the ready as we venture to the Algol Solar System to discuss all things Phantasy Star on the SEGA Talk Podcast. Hosts George and Barry have a sit down discussion talking our history with the original game in the long running Phantasy Star franchise, the innovative gameplay, the music (both PSG and FM versions) and the impact the game made on the industry. Barry also dusts off some classic magazines to see what people were saying about the game at the time. So grab a burger and cola and enjoy the show!

In the comments below, share your memories of the original Phantasy Star!

[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 them directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

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Know you gonna dig this – Jet Set Radio Future celebrates its 15th anniversary!

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It’s fifteen years later and we’re still trying to understand the concept of love. That’s right, on this date SEGA and Smilebit’s Jet Set Radio Future released in Japan to Microsoft’s Xbox! Just a few days later, on February 25th, the game hit the Americas (thankfully not retitled Jet Grind Radio Future) and then on March 14th those in Europe got to see what those in Japan and the Americas were raving about.

Jet Set Radio Future was a dramatic shift for the franchise for a number of reasons. As the first direct sequel (the Game Boy Advance game was more of a downgraded – but still highly enjoyable – remake), JSRF looked and played very differently. The entire universe had a new art style, characters were very different both in look and allegiance, and the game played less like an arcade game and more like an open world adventure. But hey, what can you expect? It was the future!

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First 4 Figures reveals Silver the Hedgehog statue, now available for pre-order

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“It’s no use!” Now that we got that out of the way… First 4 Figures has revealed their latest statue in their modern Sonic the Hedgehog line: Silver the Hedgehog! Due out in the third quarter of 2017, Silver is set to come in two editions: a light up Exclusive Edition for $284.99 and a standard edition priced at $249.99. Those who pre-order the Exclusive Edition on day one, within 24 hours of the pre-order launch, will receive an additional signature card signed by First 4 Figures Creative Director Alex Davis, a DAY ONE Edition hologram sticker and additional First 4 Figures rewards points. Pre-orders are open now, and are only available until March 7th, 2017.

Interestingly, and maybe this is not new to First 4 Figures but it is new to me, they have 3 month and 8 month payment plan options for those who can’t afford plunking down $250+ all at once. Unfortunately it looks like previous statues do not have the payment plan option.

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Fastest Food Alive: Unwrapping the Sonic the Hedgehog Ice Cream Bar with Gumball Eyes

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Fastest Food Alive returns with one of the most popular Sonic the Hedgehog food products of all time. That’s right, it’s Blue Bunny’s Sonic bar with GUMBALL EYES! Quit reading and watch as we unwrap this famous Sonic foodstuff, looking back on the history of the bar and seeing just how badly they messed up the eyes.

If you enjoyed the video make sure to like, share and subscribe to us on YouTube if you haven’t already. Thanks for the support!

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Indie Dreamcast game Alice Dreams Tournament production nearly complete

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The Bomberman-inspired indie Dreamcast game Alice Dreams Tournament, successfully funded on Kickstarter in late 2015, inches closer to backer’s hands thanks to a recent project update. According to the team, they have received the games from the manufacturer. All versions are accounted for, except for the PAL collector’s edition which is lacking the front and back covers which are still in production. The team promises to keep backers informed as to when they are ready to ship.

Also announced, the team will be at Retro Game Play this Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th in Meaux, France. Backers were told that if they plan to be at the event or in the area they can pick up their game and get autographs. Copies of the game will be sold at the event itself.

 

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An update on the indie SEGA Dreamcast game SLaVE – why is it taking so long?

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Back in September of 2014 SLaVE, a Dreamcast game by indie developer Isotope and GOAT Store Publishing, was announced. The game was to combine the game design sensibilities and aesthetics of 80s arcade shooters with old school first person shooters like Doom and Wolfenstein. At the time of the games announcement, it looked as though the release was just around the corner with Goat Store taking pre-orders for a Limited Edition and a Limited Limited Edition. Since then, however, little has been said about the game aside from a mention in April 2015 of a “final bug test” and the cover art reveal.

And then? Nothing, at least until this week when Isotope developer Coraline released the following statement.

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Contest: Yakuza 0 Digital Copy Giveaway

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We’re excited to announce that we’ve teamed with SEGA to give away some digital copies of their latest game in the Yakuza franchise, Yakuza 0! For those not in the know, Yakuza 0 is an action-adventure game with beat ’em up gameplay, RPG elements and a slew of mini-games. The game takes place in 1988, before all the other canon Yakuza games, and puts you in control of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. We loved the game, and we’re sure you will to, which is why we’re so happy to be giving away copies to three lucky winners!

We have three contests running at once, and one copy will be given away in each, meaning that you can enter in all three to triple 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 your favorite Yakuza franchise moment or memory. 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.

Facebook.com/SEGAbits: Like our Facebook page and in the comments section of the contest post, tell us your favorite Yakuza franchise moment or memory.

The contest is open to the Americas only and the contest ends February 7th at 9pm EST. Best of luck to all who enter!

The contest has ended! Thank you to all who entered, and congrats to our winner Jon p! Stay tuned to SEGAbits.com for future contests!

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SEGA News Bits: Puyo Puyo Tetris Coming West

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January 2017 saw the reveal of the Nintendo Switch, and following the live event several announcements were made. One that was of interest to SEGA fans was the reveal that Puyo Puyo Tetris would be coming west to the Switch and the Playstation 4. On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry are joined by SEGAbits.com writer and resident Puyo Puyo expert FlareHabanero to explain what we can expect from the upcoming game.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us, give us a sub. If you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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SEGA News Bits: Archie Sonic the Hedgehog Comic Cancelled Rumor and Analysis

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On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George share their analysis of the rumor that Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comics are cancelled. How did this rumor spring up? Is there any validity to it? What could happen to the Sonic comic books should it happen? Give the video a watch to find out!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us, give us a sub. If you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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SEGA News Bits: Daytona 3 Championship USA Name Change Reaction

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On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry discuss the sudden name change to affect the upcoming arcade racer Daytona 3 Championship USA. Yes, they changed the name and no, it still sounds like they threw a title into a blender. What was the purpose of this name change and what are our thoughts? Click play and find out!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us, give us a sub. If you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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[Updated] Yakuza 0 releases today to the Playstation 4 in the Americas and Europe

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2017 is a big year for SEGA games, as evidenced by the fact that Yakuza and Puyo Puyo are making their return to the west as full-fledged franchises, Valkyria Chronicles is set to return by way of a spin-off, and the company mascot Sonic the Hedgehog will debut two hotly anticipated games.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Today the prequel to the long running Yakuza franchise, Yakuza 0, releases to the Playstation 4 in the Americas and Europe. If you have not ordered the game, do so today via this handy link. Those who order now in America will receive The Business Edition, which includes a dragon branded business card holder and reproductions of business cards carried by the game’s protagonists Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima.

Now is the time to jump into the series, as Yakuza 0 takes place before the first game which has a remake due out later this year to the Playstation 4 followed by a localization of Yakuza 6 in 2018. If you have already ordered the game, share your thoughts in our dedicated forum topic or on the SEGAbits Discord chat. Still on the fence? Read or watch our review of the game!

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Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works reprint Kickstarter to fund production of a second run

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Released back in 2014, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works fast became one of our favorite SEGA art books of all time. Created by Darren Wall of Read-Only Memory, the book covers SEGA’s famous 16-bit console, featuring development and concept illustrations for the console’s most popular franchises, original developer interviews and previously unseen hardware production plans. Much of the materials – drawn from the Sega of Japan archives – has never been released before. The book also features dozens of interviews with the people who made our favorite Mega Drive/Genesis games.

Now, Read-Only Memory plans to put the book back into production with a reprint. To do this, they’ve returned to Kickstarter with a new campaign which offers copies of the book as backer rewards, as well as some cool new items including a Mega Drive branded bookmark and a stylish tote bag. Worth noting for those who backed the first time, the tote bag is available in a tier of its own, and it is also bundled with a copy of the book and the bookmark.

If you missed out the first time, or if you want to support Read-Only Memory again, we highly suggest checking out their campaign. A lot of hard work and fan-driven passion went into the project, as evidenced by our interview with Darren Wall. After the break, check out our unboxing video featuring Darren and the writer of “Console Wars” Blake J. Harris.

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Rumor: Archie Comics cancelling Sonic the Hedgehog comic series

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Over the past week there has been rumors circulating that Archie Comics would be losing the license to Sonic the Hedgehog, effectively cancelling the long running series. The rumors began when fans noticed that the Archie store was deeply discounting back issues and trade paperbacks by 75% and both Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe were dropped from the subscriptions page. The deep discounts are no sign for alarm, Archie has discounted sales all the time, but the missing subscription pages are a big red flag.

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Daytona 3 Championship USA drops the number, is now Daytona Championship USA

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Earlier today, SEGA Amusements shared a trailer for their upcoming Daytona USA sequel Daytona 3 Championship USA. Upon the trailer’s release, fans were quick to notice that the logo and title had been altered to be simply Daytona Championship USA. I’ll admit, I caught it when I made the initial news post but I brushed it off as being either a mistake on SEGA’s part or a localized name for the game in the UK. But after a bit of clicking around on the SEGA Amusements website, it does indeed look like they have dropped the “3” in favor of a more simplified name.

No reason for the game has been given, but I’d guess they felt that the second game was so long ago (19 years) and not as well known as the original that the “3” just complicated things. Dropping the numbers on franchises seems to be a thing seen across the board, with home console games and movies dropping numbering. The game is still the third Daytona USA, and it will feature three new tracks in addition to the three original Daytona USA tracks.

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