Author Archives: Barry

Rumor: Sonic Runners is an upcoming mobile game from SEGA Networks

November 11, 2014 by Barry

The Sonic fan community has been abuzz over the rumor that the next Sonic game will be titled Sonic Runners. The rumor began when a member of a message board shared inside info on Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric months before release. While at the time the person’s claims couldn’t be verified, following Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric‘s release, several of the bits of info lined up with what was in the final game. Most notably, information about Metal Sonic and Shadow which detailed not only their addition before SEGA revealed them, but also where and when they appear in the game. The tipster also revealed in-game dialogue, NPC information, and design details – again, all which lined up with the final product. In addition to Sonic Boom leaks, the person also let leak that a working title for an upcoming game titled “Sonic Runners” appeared on a whiteboard.

Today, the rumor has been strengthened by Sonic Stadium discovering that SEGA, specifically SEGA Networks Corporation, has registered and owns the SonicRunners.com domain. SEGA Networks is SEGA of Japan’s developer of high-end games for smartphones and tablets – lead by Haruki Satomi and based in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. The company began with 211 employees and have since released Demon Tribe, Kingdom Conquest II, Go Dance, Rhythm Thief & the Paris Caper, and Super Monkey Ball Bounce. This leads us to believe that Sonic Runners will likely be a Japanese developed title for iOS and Android devices.

As usual, this is a rumor, so take it as a grain of salt until SEGA officially announces something.

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Yuji Naka’s Rodea the Sky Soldier releasing Spring 2015 in Japan to the Wii U and 3DS

November 11, 2014 by Barry

Here at SEGAbits we like to keep things focused on SEGA both past and present, but when a SEGA legend leaves the company to do their own thing, we like to keep you guys informed as to what they’re up to – especially when it’s a big project with some SEGA influences. While we love former Sonic Team head Yuji Naka, who left SEGA in 2006 to found his own studio Prope, his studio’s games really haven’t had the same impact that his works at SEGA had. Outside of Let’s Tap and Ivy the Kiwi? (the question mark is in the game’s title), Naka and his team haven’t done much aside from releasing several bland iOS titles. However, there was one upcoming Prope game that looked to be on par with Naka’s work at SEGA: Rodea the Sky Soldier for Wii and 3DS.

SEGA releases launch trailers for Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric and Shattered Crystal

November 11, 2014 by Barry

SEGA has released the launch trailers for Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for the Wii U and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for the Nintendo 3DS. Both games hit North America and Latin America today and will be in stores in Europe on November 21st. We’ll be sharing our own thoughts on the games soon, and next week expect some behind-the-scenes information on the development of the games. In the meantime, check out the Wii U trailer above and the 3DS trailer after the break!

Crazy Taxi: City Rush quizzes riders at New York Comic-con 2014

November 10, 2014 by Barry

If you’re a fan of crazy SEGA PR tactics, keep a close watch on Crazy Taxi: City Rush. Throughout October, wrestler Hulk Hogan guest starred in the mobile game, and that same month real taxis with Crazy Taxi branding invaded New York Comic-con 2014 to take attendees to their destinations for free with a bit of comic book and SEGA trivia along the way. This past week, SEGA released three videos showing off their Crazy Taxi trivia cab. Check out the overview video above, and after the break get a taste of a full ride and outtakes.

Also, don’t forget to give the game a download on your iOS or Android enabled device!

Round Table: Our favorite SEGA Saturn imports

November 9, 2014 by Barry

It’s no secret that the SEGA Saturn did not have as strong a library as it could have had. The reason for this was that SEGA of America and SEGA Europe didn’t believe in the console like SEGA of Japan did, and thanks to a bunch onf inter-company politics, we never got to see many great titles in the West. Thankfully, the SEGA Saturn can easily play imports if you have yourself an Action Replay device – which Play Asia is conveniently having a sale on! Also, many of the Saturn’s imports are arcade titles or use minimal Japanese text, so you’re likely to find a slew of import friendly games.

Not sure where to start? Perhaps you need some ideas for additional games to add to your import library? Let the SEGAbits writers help out as we share our favorite SEGA Saturn imports!

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TV Review: Sonic Boom – “The Sidekick”/”Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Weeks?”

November 8, 2014 by Barry

Sonic Boom premiered just minutes ago on Cartoon Network! As each episode is 11 minutes long, each week two episodes will be released side by side to fill a half hour time slot. Past Sonic cartoons have premiered either with a very clear first episode (ABC’s Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic X, Sonic Underground), or with an episode that throws you right into the show with no clear feeling if it being the start of something (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog). Sonic Boom’s first episode, “The Sidekick”, falls in between these classifications. The episode kicks off with the very same footage seen in the TV series trailer from months back as Sonic is in pursuit of Eggman, only to take on Burnbot and almost lose Tails to a plane crash. It’s a nice way to establish Sonic and Eggman’s rivalry and Sonic and Tails’ friendship.

Classic SEGA Ads: The Saturn takes on the N64’s itty-bitty library

November 8, 2014 by Barry

If you asked me to make a list of what characteristics define the SEGA of the 90s, at the top of the list would undoubtably be “mocking the competition”. In an era where Nintendo was the family friendly choice, SEGA’s decision to be the rowdy cool kid in town who wasn’t afraid to shake things up and shit talk the competition got people’s attention. During the Genesis era, this sort of practice paid off. The Genesis made SEGA a household name in North America, and the company reigned supreme in the early 90s. However, due to unsuccessful launches of the 32X and Saturn, SEGA slipped in the market and in turn, attack ads like the one above lost much of its bite. Regardless, SEGA soldiered on with such ads, attacking the Playstation in claiming its single processor can’t handle a game like NiGHTS into Dreams and stating that the Saturn kicked Pretendo’s ass when it came to the respective console libraries.

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New trailer showcases Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault pre-order content

November 7, 2014 by Barry

SEGA and Relic Entertainment have released a new trailer for the upcoming Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault, due out on November 18th for PC. This new trailer details the Fox Company, a pre-order exclusive which adds a fourth company to the game. Check out the trailer above, and below is the accompanying press release:

NEW TRAILER SHOWCASES PRE-ORDER CONTENT FOR COMPANY OF HEROES 2: ARDENNES ASSAULT

For the very first time in the Company of Heroes franchise, players will be able to choose between three different Companies, all with their own unique abilities, to forge their path to glory. Customers who pre-order will gain access to a fourth company, “Fox” Company, led by Captain Monte Durante.

This video details some of the many exciting new options that Fox Company will bring to the game including, their devastating M83 Cluster Bombs, Pinpoint Accurate Artillery and their main weapon, the Fox Company Elite Infantry who will do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Pre-order Company of Heroes 2: Ardennes Assault today to receive Fox Company free of charge and then look forward to the game’s release on November 18, 2014.

Watch SEGA and The Creative Assembly’s cinematic trailer for Total War: ATTILA

November 7, 2014 by Barry

Announced in September of this year, SEGA and The Creative Assembly’s Total War: ATTILA is set to invade PCs in 2015. SEGA sent along the following press release to accompany the new trailer:

NEW CINEMATIC TRAILER FOR TOTAL WAR: ATTILA HERALDS THE COMING OF THE APOCALYPSE

“And I saw, and behold a white horse, and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” – Revelation 6:2

As the world descends into the mists of the Dark Ages, civilization begins to crumble. Early Christians of Western Europe clamor to repent, stricken by looming omens of a divine apocalypse. In this climate of turmoil, the Eastern Roman Empire stands at a crossroads.

Secure behind the impenetrable walls of Constantinople, there are opportunities for fresh conquest. But with the warlike Visigoths to the North, the heathen Sassanids to the East, and their closest ally to the west stretched thin and tearing itself apart in its greed, is now truly the time to ride out and expand the Empire? And who will rightfully wear the crown?

Total War™: ATTILA is due for release in 2015. To follow The Four Horsemen and see how key themes of these cinematic trailers created using the ATTILA engine are brought to life in gameplay, subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/thecreativeassembly

SEGA reveals Sonic Boom merchandise plans, including toys and food promotions

November 3, 2014 by Barry

SEGA’s blog has spilled the refried beans of what sort of products and marketing tie-ins fans can expect from the Sonic Boom franchise, and their plans sound quite expansive:

Sonic Boom’s overall broad licensing program will be one of the biggest license initiatives SEGA has undertaken in recent years. SEGA has lined up best-in-class retailers, including Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Barnes & Noble, to feature an array of offerings from partners such as Archie Comics, Bioworld, Fifth Sun, Bakery Crafts, Isaac Morris, and Bulls I Toy for brand new Sonic Boom toys, comics, apparel, and novelty. Also joining are Accessory Innovations, Franco, Rubies, Howard Keys, teNeues, and World Tech Toys – covering back-to-school, bedding, costumes, housewares, calendars, and remote control vehicles for North America and Mexico in 2015.

In addition to the toys from Tomy, SEGA has planned a promotion with ICEE featuring branded cups and a Sonic Boom branded version of the classic ICEE Blue Raspberry flavor. In partnership with Del Taco restaurants, SEGA plans “to create a multiplatform campaign with in-restaurant, social media, and radio promotional components in top national markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas and Miami.” While not mentioned in SEGA’s blog post, it looks like DelTaco will be giving away toys called Clash Cubes with 48 in total to collect. That’s a lot of tacos!

SEGA’s 3D Classics for the Nintendo 3DS return to the West in 2015! [Updated]

November 3, 2014 by Barry

Via Nintendo Insider comes the awesome news that SEGA’s line of 3D Classics for the Nintendo 3DS are not dead in the West! Set to return in early 2015, fans of SEGA’s classics can expect 3D After Burner II, 3D Fantasy Zone, 3D OutRun, 3D Fantasy Zone II and 3D Thunder Blade to release monthly to Nintendo’s eShop. Each game will be priced at £4.49/€4.99/$5.99.

3D After Burner II will lead the pack, and those who played M2’s previous 3D Classics titles should know that we can expect it and the other titles to kick some serious ass. What is not known at this time is if we can also expect the Master System rereleases of OutRun 3D and Space Harrier 3D to release to the West. Currently these ports are exclusive to the SEGA 3D Classics retail release due later this year in Japan.

Update: Official press release after the break!