Author Archives: Barry

SEGA News Bits: 7th Dragon III: Code VFD is coming to America

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Another SEGA of Japan game is making its way to the Americas, and this time its 7th Dragon III: Code VFD for the Nintendo 3DS. In this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry share their thoughts on this happy development and discuss both the upcoming game and the franchise. While the first 7th Dragon released back in 2009 to the Nintendo DS to Japan, 7th Dragon III: Code VFD is the franchise’s debut in the west. Is SEGA taking a gamble with the game, or is this a brave new world of SEGA of America releasing niche titles with little expectation of games attaining “pillar franchise” status? All this and more is discussed in the video above. Click play and check it out!

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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UPDATED: SegaSonic the Hedgehog arcade prototype supposedly uncovered – presenting SegaSonic Bros.

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Remember when the SegaSonic Popcorn Shop ROM was dumped and playable on MAME? Well that same person who did that is now teasing something else Sonic arcade related! Originally shared on Tumblr is what appears to be a working prototype of SegaSonic The Hedgehog the arcade game. The user tagged the Tumblr post with “#unreleased” and added the caption “…it’s the megaton…”. The megaton indeed. For those not in the know, SegaSonic the Hedgehog was a trackball controlled arcade game released exclusively to Japan and North America in 1993. Given the control scheme, the game has not released outside of arcades as Sonic Team has claimed it is too tricky to make the game playable with standard control pads. The game featured the debut of Mighty the Armadillo and Ray the Squirrel, but as this supposed prototype dated 1992 reveals the game was initially known as SegaSonic Bros. and featured blue hedgehog Sonic and a yellow and orange version of our hero (or perhaps two new hedgehogs?). Let’s just hope this hedgehog trio don’t form a band and look for their long lost mother.

We hope to hear more details on this soon, so in the meantime consider this a rumor. Fingers crossed this game gets dumped as well.

Discuss multi-colored Sonics and more in the SEGAbits forums, and after the break check out a small update on this story!

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Nintendo 3DS RPG 7th Dragon III Code: VFD announced for summer 2016 Americas release

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The localizations keep on coming! SEGA has just announced that the Nintendo 3DS dungeon crawling RPG 7th Dragon III Code: VFD will be receiving a physical release in the Americas. The original game released in Japan on October 15, 2015, while the localized release is set for a summer 2016 release. Not too bad a gap!

The 7th Dragon franchise has been a Japan-exclusive series, releasing to handhelds like the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. 7th Dragon III Code: VFD is the franchise’s third main series title and the franchise’s first appearance on the 3DS as well as the first title to receive a western release. If you’re afraid jumping into the third game in the series will leave you lost, don’t worry. SEGA knows that too, as their press release specifically mentions that the game is a “self-contained episode”. The game will retail for $39.99/CA$54.99 and, as mentioned, will be a physical release (feels so good to type that). No word on Europe yet.

Check out the trailer above, and more information about the game and screenshots after the break!

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Swingin’ Report Show #84: Interview with SEGA-16.com founder Ken Horowitz

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On this episode of the SEGAbits podcast, Barry and George are joined by Ken Horowitz, founder of SEGA-16.com and writer of the upcoming book Playing at the Next Level: A History of American Sega Games. Even if you don’t know his name, any SEGA fan with internet access has stumbled upon SEGA-16 to find a helpful review, interview or retrospective. Now, Ken is using his knowledge of SEGA as well as close to one hundred newly conducted interviews to create a book which looks back on the games developed by SEGA of America during the 80s and 90s.

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

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Club Sega Shibuya location has closed

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Some sad news for SEGA fans at the start of the week. We learned that Club Sega Shibuya has closed its doors as of yesterday. News of the arcade’s closing became known with the posting of signs outside the arcade, politely advising customers of the impending closure. The location’s website also has a message, which also gives the January 31, 2016 closing date as well as a thank you to customers for their patronage. No word on why the arcade had closed, though it may simply have to do with the fact that it is a dwindling business in the country. There has also been speculation that the closure could have to do with the renovation of Shibuya Station, which Club Sega sits just outside of.

Club Sega can still be found in Akihaba, Nagoya-Fushimi and Nishiguchi. For a full list of operating SEGA amusement centers, check out this link.

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Accessorize yourself with new classic SEGA console products from Numskull, and save 10% with our promo

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There has been a serious uptick in quality of SEGA products over the past year, and UK company Numskull is one of the offical SEGA licensees to thank for this. In the past month they have released a variety of cool everyday and formal accessories that pay tribute to classic SEGA hardware. Products include keychains, wallets, and cufflinks that feature SEGA Mega Drive, Genesis and Master System designs. They also have notebooks that are in the shape of the Mega Drive, Game Gear, Saturn and Dreamcast. Numskull were nice enough to send us some samples, which we will detail in a soon to come video.

The quality is top notch, and I especially love how the products are both true to the original hardware and stylish enough not to make you look like a little kid. I mean, only a real sophisticated man wears Mega Drive/Genesis controller cufflinks. I took some time actually using these to see how durable they are day to day, and am happy to report that they stand up well to everyday use.

If you live in the UK, you can check out their line of products at the Numskull online shop. As an added bonus, using the promo code SEGABITS10 at checkout will knock 10% off all non-sale items.

If you live in the US, you can find the Genesis controller cufflinks on Amazon.

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SEGA News Bits: Valkyria Chronicles on PS4 coming West reaction and discussion

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The physical releases of localized Japanese SEGA titles keep on coming! In this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry react to the news of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered coming to the Americas and Europe and discuss how this could affect the future of the series. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is due out Spring 2016, priced at priced at $29.99/CA$44.99 in special launch edition case for the Americas. The game is also releasing to Europe both physically and digitally, with physical release details to come.

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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Huffington Post article details Michael Jackson’s involvement with Sonic the Hedgehog 3

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The Huffington Post has just published a fantastic article on the level of involvement Michael Jackson had in making music for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. I’ll leave the new reveals for the article, but I will say that after the first half – which is mainly going over stuff most SEGA and Sonic fans who have followed the story already know – there is a lot of new information in the second half. I definitely suggest you check the article out and then click back here and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Oh, and one thing, the article states that hardcore Sonic fans refer to themselves as “Blues”. I have never ever heard of this term and I am half wondering if somebody they interviewed were pulling the writer’s leg. What do you fellow Blues think?

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Fastest Food Alive: A look back at the 1994 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion

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As we near 25 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, I wanted to kick off a video series looking back at an aspect of the franchise that has always been a favorite of mine – food promotions! From McDonald’s to Topps to Carl’s Jr and beyond, SEGA has teamed their flagship franchise with some of the greatest, and at times weirdest, food companies. In this first installment, I take a look back at the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 McDonald’s Happy Meal promotion which ran worldwide in 1994 and 1995. Everything from the commercials to the in-store displays is covered, and I even clear up some misconceptions about that whole Tails recall situation and figure out just what that yellow Tails ball was. Special thanks to The Gagaman for additional information.

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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Valkyria Chronicles Remastered releasing to the Playstation 4 in Americas & Europe in Spring 2016

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SEGA continues to kick ass in the West in 2016, as just this morning it was announced that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered will be releasing to the Playstation 4 in the Americas and Europe in Spring 2016. Even more exciting, the game will indeed be receiving a physical release (as well as digital) priced at $29.99/CA$44.99 in special launch edition case.

After the break, read the full press release!

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SEGA News Bits: SEGA 3D Classics Collection reaction and games discussion

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Yesterday, SEGA of America announced a new physical release for the Nintendo 3DS: SEGA 3D Classics Collection. The compilation, due out April 26th for $29.99/CA$44.99, features seven 3D Classics, including two new titles for the West as well as an additional two bonus Master System games. Listen to our reaction to this announcement as we discuss whether this is worth your money as well as our thoughts on the included games.

Like always, if you enjoyed our 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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SEGA of America announces SEGA 3D Classics Collection physical release for Nintendo 3DS – features new games!

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Well called it… and then some! Yesterday SEGA teased a new release announcement today for fans of classics, and that game turned out to be a physical release of the SEGA 3D Classics series for Nintendo 3DS. SEGA 3D Classics Collection will include:

  • 7 Classic Games:
  • Power Drift
  • Puyo Puyo 2
  • Fantasy Zone II W
  • Sonic The Hedgehog
  • Thunder Blade
  • Galaxy Force II
  • Altered Beast
  • 2 Bonus Games:
  • Fantasy Zone II
  • Maze Walker

For those keeping track, this is sadly not every title, but the collection does include two new games: Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2 as well as two Master System bonus titles: Fantasy Zone 2 and Maze Walker. Missing titles, which are available on the eShop, include: After Burner II, Ecco the Dolphin, Fantasy Zone, Gunstar Heroes, OutRun, Shinobi III, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Space Harrier, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Hang-On. OutRun 3D and Space Harrier 3D, 3D releases of the Master System titles that were bonuses on Japan’s physical release, are the only 3D Classics games not to see a release in the West yet. Learn more at the new official site, and SEGA 3D Classics Collection will be available in stores and digitally exclusively in the Americas for $29.99/CA$44.99 on April 26, 2016.

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SEGA Europe hints at Valkyria Chronicles Remaster & 3D Classics releases in the West

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The latest episode of SEGA Central, a YouTube series produced by SEGA Europe and hosted by European Community Manager Dan Sheridan, brought up the upcoming Japan-only Valkyria Chronicles Remaster for Playstation 4 with an interesting tease. In a recent Twitter poll, viewers voted for what sort of content they’d like to see covered in upcoming SEGA Central episodes and Japanese news was a clear winner. As such, Dan shared clips from the new trailer for Valkyria Chronicles Remaster, but it didn’t end there. Dan added: “But what does this mean for us? Will we see it in the West? Tune in next week to find out more!” (ominous laugh)

Could a Western announcement for Valkyria Chronicles Remaster be due next week? Or is SEGA Europe simply trolling fans? I’d go with the former, as it is rare SEGA of America or Europe give official attention to Japanese-only releases unless there are plans for a Western release. Fingers crossed, and we’ll know for sure next week!

Update: Our own Tracker pointed out on Twitter that the video ends with what could be a sly tease of upcoming 3D Classics titles. Seen is a pair of Master System 3-D Glasses on a shelf surrounded by already released to the West titles as well as the unreleased Puyo Puyo 2 which is taken down from the shelf. Hmmm…

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New Shenmue 3 screens unveiled at Magic Monaco 2016 press conference

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The Monaco Anime Game International Conference kicks off February 27th, and of interest to Shenmue fans is a much anticipated Shenmue 3 presence. As a preview of the event, a press conference was held today which featured new screens and details on the upcoming game. While the details side of things is scant right now, images from the event have hit social media. Twitter user Shenmue Forever posted some cool photos of the panel which features some new screens of the game. The images are kind of hard to see, but thankfully the Magic Monaco Twitter account shared one of the screens (seen above), and another has also found its way online (seen after the break). While the game is still very much in an early state, it’s great to see what feels like what one would see while playing the game. Let’s be honest, nothing is more iconic than the back of Ryo’s head – it is what players see for a majority of the game.

More details from the panel will be shared as we hear them!

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Indie Dreamcast game Leona’s Tricky Adventures now available to purchase

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The indie Dreamcast game Leona’s Tricky Adventures, a combination RPG/puzzle game that we wrote about back in 2014 on the Dreamcast’s 15th anniversary, has finally been made available to purchase. Initially a Kickstarter project for the Dreamcast and Amiga in 2013, the game’s creator cancelled the campaign. Now, the game is finally available for the Dreamcast. It has been pointed out to us by SEGA Driven’s Sonic Yoda that the PC version has been out for a little over a year and the developer KTX Software accepted PayPal donations, rewarding those who helped with the planned Kickstarter exclusives. The developer had this to say regarding the game:

Leona’s Tricky Adventures is a clever puzzle adventure in a charming retro look. Explore a world of mystery and cutesy residents and recover a lost paradise by solving logic puzzles. With a storyline created by the comic authors Musal M. & B. Samuel and the music of the brilliant
composer Chris Huelsbeck, Tricky Adventures is a perfect treat for connoisseurs.

The release features a manual, jewel case, and printed CD and can be purchased at the KTX Software shop which utilizes PayPal. I should note that if you live outside the EU, shipping is pretty expensive, costing half the price of the game itself. Within the EU the game will cost 35.8 Euros total, outside the EU it will cost around $49 total. If you want a look at the packaging, check out the KTX Software Facebook page.

[Source: The Dreamcast Junkyard]

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