Author Archives: Barry

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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Sonic Forces Modern Sonic gameplay video and screens released – gameplay details revealed!

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Yesterday, at a SEGA hosted SXSW panel, Project Sonic 2017 was revealed to be titled Sonic Forces. The panel featured a video showcasing the Modern Sonic gameplay, however no direct feed version was released so we had to rely on fans streaming from the audience. Thankfully, SEGA has now officially released that video to YouTube and, well, see for yourself!

Also released are two screens via a Game Informer article, seen after the break. The article itself reveals a few cool new things, thanks to an extended cut of the gameplay which was shown privately. Game Informer mentions that as you play, side-characters like Knuckles, Amy and the Chaotix communicate via radio to report on what they’re seeing during Eggman’s assault. It is also mentioned that these characters are not playable, as the game will only feature Modern Sonic, Classic Sonic and a third style that has yet to be revealed.

Update: A high res version of the video is floating about, so I ripped some high quality screens which can be seen after the break.

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New Shenmue 3 developer update gives us a peek at the game in action

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A new Shenmue 3 developer diary has finally hit for Kickstarter backers, and as seen above the game is indeed being made! Yeah yeah, I know, there was little doubt that the game is happening but I still have this suspicion that Yu Suzuki’s plan is to run off to a remote island with a luxury car. The latest video tells little but shows quite a bit. We see a developer working on a QTE arcade machine displaying Playstation buttons and arrows. We then see Ryo pushing something and then the player accessing the iconic in-game diary. A peek at a small village is given and the room appears to be littered with concept drawings of NPCs.

During a dialogue meeting, somebody is paging through the Japanese Shenmue 2 guide book and we see more NPC drawings on a white board. Quest test play shows off a messy room covered in dirt and debris. Ryo is seen from behind opening a cabinet and it is noted that all characters are tentative and are from older resources – so don’t judge the back of Ryo’s head! We then go to a meeting with Yu Suzuki where we see him talking with his staff and in the background there is a screen showing off what looks like Ryo outside and then a scene inside a small room with an arcade machine. We again see Ryo outside and a quick shot of a village at dusk with lights lit.

All in all, not much is revealed but it is very exciting to see the game being made! What did you think of this peek at Shenmue 3?

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Floigan Bros. SEGA Dreamcast DLC available to download for first time in sixteen years

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You may remember Floigan Bros., Visual Concepts attempt at an episodic game for the SEGA Dreamcast that wasn’t the usual sports title expected from the developer. Sadly the episodic nature of the series never saw the light of day, as only the first episode starring Moigle and Hoigle Floigan released. Despite being cut short, what we got in the first episode was a very fun and funny game that combined elements of point and click adventures, a-life and platforming mini-games.

The game also took advantage of the Dreamcast’s internet capabilities with DLC called “FMTs” (Fun Moigle Things) that released monthly and were themed to the calendar month, offering up costumes, mailbox goodies and a new mini-game. Unfortunately, by the time the game’s site shut down, only the January DLC was archived online. However, thanks to Tim Meekins, Nick Jones, and John Elliot of the original Floigan Bros. development team and fansite Dreamcast Live all the original DLC is available to download again! To download the DLC, click on over to Dreamcast Live’s blog post, and in an effort to preserve the DLC moving forward we’ve gone ahead and archived it ourself with links after the break.

You can learn more about the DLC in a video after the break. Also worth noting, the SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show podcast had the privilege of interviewing Brian Silva, who originated the idea for the game at Visual Concepts (he also voiced Bubsy!) and if you’d like to learn more about Floigan Bros. history we highly recommend listening to the episode.

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SEGA Europe Community Manager Dan Sheridan leaves company

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It is a sad day for those of us in the SEGA fan community who liked shouting “WOO!”. SEGA Europe’s Community Manager Dan Sheridan, who joined the company in September of 2015, is leaving SEGA today. From reading his tweets, Dan will be taking a job in the world of VR, so it’s not game over. Dan is notable for becoming the face of SEGA Europe and for rebooting the SEGA Central video series following a rocky transition that affected both American and European offices of the company. Thanks for your service to our favorite company and best of luck from all of us at SEGAbits, Dan!

After the break, check out Dan’s introduction video from when he started his job at SEGA.

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Senile Team announces new SEGA Dreamcast indie game Intrepid Izzy

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Senile Team, the creators of Rush Rush Rally Racing and Beats of Rage, have announced a new game for the SEGA Dreamcast titled Intrepid Izzy. The game combines action platforming with beat ’em up and RPG elements for a 2D action adventure platformer experience with the game running on a custom-made engine. The visual style promises to be crisp and cartoony with bright, warm colors and smooth animations designed, illustrated, animated and programmed by Roel van Mastbergen. Music will be created by Black Device, who also composed the soundtrack to Rush Rush Rally Racing.

Intrepid Izzy is set to release to the Dreamcast and PC with the potential for additional platforms. Additional release information, such as date and price, have yet to be given but as soon as we learn more we’ll be sure to share! In the meantime, you can visit the game’s microsite and check out screenshots after the break.

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Hi-sCool! Seha Girls releasing to blu-ray and DVD on May 30th

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Way back in February 2015 we reported that the popular Hi-sCool! Seha Girls cg anime series was getting a blu-ray and DVD release in the west by Discotek Media. Now, a little over two years later, we finally have the final cover art and a date! The complete series of Hi-sCool! Seha Girls is due out on May 30th, 2017 in a blu-ray DVD combo pack. This was revealed on the Discotek Media Facebook page along with a description of the upcoming release.

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Latest Puyo Puyo Tetris trailer schools us westerners who were held back

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We here at SEGAbits are beyond excited that SEGA is taking a chance on Puyo Puyo Tetris, releasing April 25 to the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch in the Americas and on April 28 in Europe. While some of us on the team are seasoned Puyo ploppers (check out our retrospective on Puyo Puyo and Tetris), it is understandable that a majority of gamers don’t know what Puyo Puyo is. Thankfully, SEGA has just released a trailer for the upcoming game dubbed “Back to Basics”. The short trailer gives a basic introduction to how the game is played, and shows off the various game modes.

Check out the trailer above and don’t forget to lock in that pre-order. The more support the game gets, the more likely we are to see other Puyo Puyo games in the west!

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Data Discs releasing Galaxy Force II & Thunder Blade combo vinyl

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Data Discs has announced their tenth collaboration with SEGA of Japan – a combo release of Galaxy Force II (1988) and Thunder Blade (1987)! Featuring compositions by Koichi Namiki, Katsuhiro Hayashi and Tohru Nakabayashi, the album celebrates the two lesser known super-scaler SEGA arcade games that have since seen a resurgence of popularity thanks to the SEGA 3D Classics Collection. Each game’s soundtrack will accommodate a single side of the LP, with Galaxy Force II featuring a bonus arranged track of “Beyond the Galaxy” produced by Hiroshi “Hiro” Kawaguchi (OutRun, Space Harrier) with a full studio band, complete with a brass section and a keyboard solo by Hiro. Thunder Blade, meanwhile, will include three unused tracks.

The vinyl will be available March 4th from the Data Discs website and will be available in the following editions: 180g Frosted Clear & Translucent Yellow with White Splatter (Limited Edition), 180g Translucent Yellow, and 180g Classic Black.

After the break, check out the full track list!

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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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