Author Archives: Barry

SEGA News Bits: New Sonic the Hedgehog game confirmed for 2017

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SEGA has officially confirmed, at Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary event in Japan, that Sonic the Hedgehog will be seeing a brand new game from Sonic Team in 2017. In this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George discuss what this upcoming game might be based on SEGA’s recent Sonic the Hedgehog marketing efforts and past Sonic game reveals. We also talk about what we could expect for the rest of the year and what we might be seeing at Sonic’s 25th anniversary party in San Diego on July 22nd. So go ahead and click play to hear us get all hot and bothered over a speedy blue hedgehog.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming game? Is 2017 too far out? Let us know the comments below and like always thanks for watching! If you like our SEGA News Bits videos, make sure to subscribe to us on our YouTube channel.

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Archie Comics reveals Sonic the Hedgehog origin story arc – could classic Sonic be making a comeback?

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Over the past few days, the Archie Comics Twitter account has been revealing pieces of a cover for an upcoming issue of Sonic the Hedgehog which features the 25th anniversary logo and classic Sonic doing his iconic Sonic the Hedgehog ending pose. Archie, knowing fans were most interested in the issue number and the name of the arc, kept those two details hidden until the final reveals. But now we have confirmation that following the completion of the “Panic in the Sky” arc, which is the conclusion of the larger Shattered World storyline, Archie will be jumping way back to the origins of Sonic the Hedgehog with issue 288 in the arc titled “Genesis of a Hero”.

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Celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary with 25 great underrated moments

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sonic 25 headerSEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise turns 25 today, and while we’ve celebrated franchise milestone years in the past, there is something really special about this one. A quarter of a century is a long time, and it is a testament to SEGA’s perseverance and the devotion of the Sonic fanbase that the franchise is still going strong. Sonic Lost World and the Sonic Boom franchise – particularly the games – are often pinpointed as the franchise’s recent weak points and signs that the franchise as a whole needs to be put down or at the very least take a long break. While I am not here to debate the merits of Sonic Lost World and Sonic Boom, I will say that to end a series or take a long break because of either is both incredibly shortsighted and far too extreme a reaction. I would also argue that Sonic is about much more than just the main series games, as fans like to label the major titles, and that there has always been great Sonic things happening even during the franchise’s darkest years.

In celebration of 25 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, join me in looking back year-by-year as I shine the light on great moments in Sonic history that more people need to be talking about.

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD E3 2016 trailer sees dragons invading the year 2100

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A new trailer for the upcoming 7th Dragon III Code: VFD has released in time for E3! Set to release very soon to the Americas, July 12th to be exact, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD is an internally developed RPG from SEGA for the Nintendo 3DS. If you have been craving a new IP and some RPG action from our favorite company, then you really shouldn’t pass this game up. Our own George has been playing the game for several weeks, and as detailed in our first impressions discussion he has been enjoying it. If that is not enough reason to pick the game up on day one, then perhaps a special launch edition featuring a collector’s box and 28 page art book will sway you.

Expect a review from us soon, and in the meantime enjoy the new trailer.

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Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X E3 2016 trailer takes center stage

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SEGA of America has launched a brand new trailer for the upcoming Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X just in time for E3! Set to release in the Americas on August 30th, 2016 for the Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita with a free glasses pouch included, Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X looks to pack a lot into a single game. Players can expect an assortment of thirty Miku tracks including new and classic music as well as five different Clouds which Miku and friends can explore and accept challenges within.

For more information, check out the official Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X website and stay tuned to SEGAbits for more news and information on the upcoming game.

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SEGA Europe announces Sonic the Hedgehog EU Super Fan Competition

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During an E3 live stream today, SEGA Europe promised a big announcement for EU Sonic fans. After sitting through a few trailers for upcoming SEGA titles, Aaron Webber joined SEGA Europe Community Manager Dan Sheridan to announce Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th Anniversary EU Super Fan competition. The competition sets out to find the “biggest Sonic Super Fan in the European Union”, and to do this they are asking for video submissions no more than 5 minutes long showcasing their fandom and creativity. One overall winner will get the chance to join the Sonic Team in San Diego for the 25th Anniversary event (all expenses paid), while 10 runners up will each win 1 ticket to the sold-out Summer of Sonic event in London.

Interestingly, the contest fails to take into account that a true Sonic Super Fan would have already booked a flight, hotel, and obtained tickets for the San Diego party. Full contest details can be found here.

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Archie Comic’s “Sonic: Mega Drive” sequel issue announced, titled “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level”

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Back in February we were very excited to share the news that Archie Comics would be releasing a special one shot special comic in celebration of Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary. Dubbed “Sonic: Mega Drive”, the story was said to take place in the games continuity, just after the events of Sonic & Knuckles, and would feature the original classic Sonic designs. Written by Ian Flynn and drawn by Tyson Hesse, creator of the web comic Boxer Hockey, “Sonic: Mega Drive” looked and sounded like a classic Sonic fan’s dream comic.

There were hopes that if the one shot sold well, we’d see a sequel or ongoing series. But, in an interview with IGN, editor Vincent Lovallo shared some news… it looks like we won’t have to wait! Before “Sonic: Mega Drive” even has a chance to release on July 6th, Archie and SEGA have decided to move forward with a sequel entitled “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level”. Also a one shot, “Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next level” will follow the events of “Sonic: Mega Drive”. Also of note, when asked if the story will tie into the ongoing Sonic comics, which is a separate continuity, Lovallo said “It will, but I can’t say how at this time.”

After the break, check out a gallery of images including a peek at the inside of the first one shot.

[Via: IGN]

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice Launch Day Edition Revealed

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After a lengthy delay, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice for the Nintendo 3DS is on its way with a release date of September 27th in the Americas and a recently revealed launch edition. In this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry discuss the upcoming game, the delay, its E3 showing and the Launch Edition itself. As for the European release, no word yet on a Launch Edition, however the game will be releasing across the pond on September 30th. We’ll know ourselves how the game plays after this year’s E3 and the Sonic 25th Anniversary party.

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Sonic the Hedgehog heading to LEGO Dimensions

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Back in May we reported the rumor, but now it is official. Sonic the Hedgehog is heading to LEGO Dimensions! Revealed in an E3 Expo Trailer for the game is a number of new franchises hitting the Lego toys-to-life multi-platform game, including Gremlins, Harry Potter, Adventure Time, The A-Team and others. At the moment, not much more is known. Sonic the Hedgehog could be a minor addition by way of a Fun Pack (figure and item) or a full-blown Level Pack (figure and items, plus levels) or a Team Pack (multiple figures and items). Sonic Stadium did spot the Tornado in a LEGO Dimensions graphic (seen after the break), so it is possible we will at least get a Fun Pack of Sonic and the Tornado.

More news as we hear it.

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SEGA and Atlus E3 2016 line-up revealed

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SEGA has just issued a press release laying out just what attendees can expect to find at their E3 2016 booth, which as we’ve detailed before will be shared with Atlus. While the press release was issued by the London offices, the booth itself is being run by SEGA of America and Atlus USA, however there will be select titles that will also be making their way to Europe. First up is Relic Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, which is set to release in 2017 for Microsoft Windows PC. SEGA’s Yakuza 0, due out in 2017 for PS4 in the Americas and Europe, and Atlus’s Persona 5, due out in February 2017 in the Americas, will also be playable. Sonic will also have a presence with Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice for the Nintendo 3DS which is due out in the Americas and Europe in September 2016. And last but not least, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD for the Nintendo 3DS, which is due out in July 2016 in the Americas, will also be on display.

Jurgen Post, COO For SEGA Europe Ltd., called the lineup “one of the strongest line-ups we have had at E3 for quite a few years”, which is arguably true. Though given SEGA didn’t have a booth in 2015, and 2014 heavily featured the critical bomb that was Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric, it’s not hard too hard to declare 2016’s showing as a strong one comparatively. Personally, I think 2016’s E3 lineup is lacking that one big new title that 2014 had with Alien: Isolation. Yakuza 0 and 7th Dragon III Code: VFD are sure to be fun, but they are also titles that have already been released in Japan for some time. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III and Persona 5 both look great, but I wouldn’t say Warhammer is game your average SEGA fan has been chomping at the bit for, and obviously the other is an Atlus title. Also of note, no signs of any Xbox One or Wii U games.

Still, it is great to see SEGA returning to E3 and we wish them a great show. Hopefully this is just a baby step after their massive restructuring and we have more reveals to come leading up to or after the event. Sonic fans and even SEGA themselves have been heavily teasing that the Sonic 25th Anniversary event in July is something to watch out for, so maybe the big new Sonic game will be revealed there amongst one thousand fans who will undoubtably spread the word via fan sites and social media rather than at a trade show.

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SEGA News Bits: SEGA to Shut Down Sonic Runners

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Sonic Runners has traversed a rocky road, after personally disappointing us in 2015 and ending up a financial failure in SEGA’s eyes. Now, SEGA Networks has confirmed that the game will be shutting down in late July. In this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George break down what they think caused Sonic Runners to be killed, if we can expect to ever play the game after its servers shut down and what lessons SEGA could learn from the game’s failures. It’s not all negative, as we also talk about what we liked about the game and give it a fitting eulogy.

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Atlus announces Persona 5 launch date for the Americas, reveals Premium and Launch Editions

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Get hyped Persona fans, as Atlus has revealed Persona 5‘s release date for the Americas as well two sweet editions of the game featuring tons of swag. Fans can expect to get the game in their hands on February 14th, 2017. The game will release to both Playstation 4 and Playstation 3 consoles and PS4 owners will have the option of the Persona 5 SteelBook Launch Edition and the Persona 5 “Take Your Heart” Premium Edition. It appears that the PS3 will not have a special edition. The PS4 SteelBook Launch Edition, priced at $59.99 US/$79.99 CA will feature a SteelBook collectible case – seemingly similar to the recent PS4 Valkyria Chronicles Remastered metal case although this one appears to be an official SteelBook. The “Take Your Heart” Premium Edition will set you back $89.99 US/$109.99 CA, but looks well worth it. Fans will not only get the SteelBook case, but will also get a soundtrack CD, a 4″ Morgana plush, a 64-page art book, a school bag designed to resemble traditional Japanese school bags complete with a Shujin Academy crest and all that will be in a collectible outer box. Atlus touts this as the largest premium edition in Atlus’ history!

You can pre-order the game at the links above, and after the break check out the full press release as well as a gallery of photos.

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Retro Sumus cancels Kickstarter campaign for indie Dreamcast game Xenocider

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As great as it is to see so many SEGA-related Kickstarter campaigns, inevitably some will not reach their goals. In the past we saw Mega-Bit figures and Night Trap Revamped fail to make their money, and today we are sad to report that Xenocider has thrown in the Kickstarter towel. Xenocider is a 3D shooter inspired by the SEGA classic Space Harrier, and was planned to be released to Dreamcast, PC, Mac, Linux and 3DS. At the time of cancelling the campaign, the game had 342 backers and raised $24,061 of the $92,000 goal with 6 days remaining.

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Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap remake revealed

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2016 continues to be the year of retro revivals, as a remake of the SEGA Master System classic Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap has just been announced. Published by DotEmu and developed by Lizardcube and based on Westone Bit Entertainment’s original game, the Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap remake is said to be made with the blessing of LAT and the cooperation of series creator Ryuichi Nishizawa. The game seemingly has no connecting with Wonder Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, despite also being made in cooperation with Ryuichi Nishizawa.

Interestingly, no mention of SEGA is made anywhere on the remake’s site, despite SEGA seemingly owning Wonder Boy. However, it is noted on the game’s website that “with the help of Ryuichi Nishizawa (Westone), Shinji Fujiwara (LAT), and a relentless commitment of DotEmu to untangle a bunch of documents covered in pixellated dustwebs, we have licensed the IP to create this new version (a first since 1994).”

The game has an unknown release date, and platforms are listed as consoles and PC. Check out the trailer above, and after the break read the full press release and check out some screenshots and artwork. More news on the remake as we hear it!

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Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice Launch Edition announced for the Americas

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SEGA is at it once again with their launch editions. In the past we’ve seen everything from stickers to lanyards to art books. Now, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice for the Nintendo 3DS will have its own launch edition featuring a collector’s box and a special DVD featuring three episodes from the TV series for $39.99. The episodes include “Chili Dog Day Afternoon”, “It Wasn’t Me, It Was the One-Armed Hedgehog” which features Metal Sonic, and the season one finale “It Takes a Village to Defeat a Hedgehog” which sees the introduction of Shadow the Hedgehog. The launch edition is, so far, exclusive to the Americas. This will mark the Sonic Boom TV series’ DVD debut in North America, as the UK has been seeing volume releases of the series with “Sonic Boom Volume 2: Hedgehog Day” releasing this past week.

Also revealed, though speculated by us for some time now, is that Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice will be playable for the first time at E3 in the SEGA of America/Atlus USA booth. Meanwhile, SEGA Europe will showcase the PC side of things and other games in a meeting room at the Concourse Level at booth OFMR 8413. It’s confusing, we know.

After the break, read the full press release.

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