Author Archives: Ben

Phantasy Star Online 2 for Vita gets Japanese release date

by

segabits pso2 vita

Still no word on if this will be heading to the West, but SEGA will officially be releasing the PS Vita version of the popular Phantasy Star Online 2 in Japan on February 28th. Like the PC version, it will be a free to play download title, though a retail edition will also be available. Those opting to buy the physical copy will be awarded with additional items and costumes.

Phantasy Star Online 2 will also come bundled with a new Ice Silver PS Vita, which will see a Japanese release on the 28th of February as well.

A Western release of the PC version, meanwhile, is still vaguely scheduled for “early 2013” with no word on plans for a Western Vita release.

We’ll keep you posted.

3 Comments

VideoGamer compares Aliens: Colonial Marines final build to last year’s demo

by

VideoGamer has dug up demo footage of Aliens: Colonial Marines, apparently from a demo shown off last year, and compares it scene-for-scene with what we ended up with in the final product. The results are fairly shocking; the graphics, resolution, and the presentation itself are significantly better in this demo in almost every conceivable aspect.

It’s hard to say where development went so wrong on what will likely (and unfortunately) be SEGA’s biggest game this year, but this video speaks for itself.

One day maybe we’ll learn the full story…

15 Comments

Review: Anarchy Reigns (Xbox 360)

by

Let’s all take just a second to look back to what feels like an eternity ago: the year 2006. It was in this year that Capcom announced the closure of Clover Studio, a developer of such incredibly unique gaming experiences. It was a move that painted a rather bleak picture for the future of innovation and risk-taking from major Japanese publishers, and fans of Clover and the awesome games they created had little choice but to wait it out and see, eager to learn what, if anything, would happen to this legendary staff.

As it turned out, they needn’t have worried too much. Platinum Games was the ultimate result, and their partnership with SEGA was a surprising and exciting move for both companies. Things are a bit different today, with Anarchy Reigns representing, at least for now, the final game in Platinum’s publishing agreement with SEGA. The question is, is this online-driven beat-em-up any good?

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

The Cave launch trailer arrives

by

Just in case you haven’t yet seen it, SEGA and Double Fine put out a trailer a couple days ago in support of The Cave’s recent launch. Anyone pick this game up yet? Comment below.

The Cave is an adventure game from the mind of Ron Gilbert (Monkey Island) and is now available on PSN, Wii U eShop, XBLA, and Steam for $14.99 (or 1200 MSP).

2 Comments

First commercial for Aliens: Colonial Marines already making the rounds

by

2013 has just begun but SEGA of America seems to be diving right in. Though Gearbox’s highly anticipated Aliens title doesn’t see release until this February, TV spots are already making the rounds; probably the first commercial I’ve actually caught on TV for a SEGA release since….heck, MadWorld?

Here’s hoping the strong marketing push continues up through the game’s release, as it’s an incredible commercial and has me already eager to preorder.

3 Comments

A brief look behind the scenes of Bayonetta 2

by

New teaser footage of Bayonetta 2 was showcased in the latest Nintendo Direct, the first we’ve seen of the title since its surprise announcement this past Fall. For those not familiar with Nintendo’s fan addresses, these are 20-30 minute videos Nintendo releases to communicate directly with their fans and to showcase their upcoming lineup.

The new footage shown is a mostly behind-the-scenes affair, though we also get small glimpses of concept art, locations, and enemies, as well as a taste of how Platinum Games intends to up the ante this time around.

Bayonetta 2, Platinum Games’ first ever sequel (unless you count Anarchy Reigns, which you shouldn’t) is an IP evidently still owned by SEGA, though with Nintendo now publishing. It has not yet been given a release date. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata promises two Iwata Asks features with Platinum Games in the near future; one to discuss Bayonetta 2, the other to talk about their awesome-looking new IP, The Wonderful 101.

2 Comments

SEGA reveals release dates and price for The Cave

by

Last year, SEGA announced that they’d be teaming up with Double Fine Productions (Psychonauts) and Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert to publish their latest digital title, The Cave. It’s a platformer with a large cast of characters, one that looks to meld a quirky sense of humor with gorgeously dark art direction. Coming from these developers, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on.

Release dates and prices below;

Playstation Network: January 22nd ($14.99)
Wii U eShop: January 22nd ($14.99)
Xbox LIVE Arcade: January 23rd (1200 MSP)
Steam: January 23rd ($14.99)

Keep it locked to SEGAbits for more on The Cave as it nears its release.

5 Comments

Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed demo now available on Wii U eShop

by

Though it may seem a bit late at this point, North American Wii U owners still on the fence about picking up SEGA’s well-received kart racer now have the opportunity to try it before buying it. Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed may have an unwieldy title, but it’s a fun game with a massive amount of content easily worth your $39.99, so check it out if you haven’t yet!

1 Comment

Rumor: Skies of Arcadia HD announcement on its way?

by

We’ve heard rumblings about it for a little while now; from a not-so-crpytic comment out of SEGA Europe to a trademark renewal last Summer, so it’s nice to see another piece of evidence heading our way courtesy of the German version of Gamereactor Magazine.

Given the popularity of the magazine throughout Europe, it seems like a fairly legitimate source, but of course, pending an official announcement, this one’s being filed under rumor for now.

What would you like to see in a Skies of Arcadia HD?

16 Comments

Yakuza 1 & 2 HD places 3rd in Japanese debut

by

It appears that the PS3 debut of Yakuzas 1 and 2 didn’t fare too badly. Not the first time that either game has been given the re-release treatment, this latest edition bundles them together and sports a resolution update along with new difficulty options; it was evidently enough to achieve third place and sales of 58,138. It goes without saying that no Western release is currently planned.

First place belonged to Namco Bandai’s latest Tales game, Tales of Xillia 2, with 364,439 sold. Second place meanwhile was occupied by another HD-enhanced port; this one none other than Clover Studios’ incredible action/adventure game, Okami, which sold 68,644 copies.

Hit the jump for the full Japanese weekly charts courtesy of CvG, even if just to see the 3DS’ continuing domination of all other hardware in its homeland.

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

Project X Zone debuts at #3 in Japan

by

Media Create has released their Japanese sales charts covering from the 8th to the 14th, which saw Resident Evil 6 on the PS3 plummeting to under 100,000 from its massive 700k+ launch. Sales of highly anticipated games in Japan tend to be far more front-loaded than that of their Western counterparts, though Resident Evil 6’s especially steep decline seems to suggest that fan reception in its homeland has been just as mixed as it has been in the West.

Namco-Bandai is the publisher of Project X Zone, though the roster of SEGA characters will undoubtedly make its sales of interest to readers of this site; the strategy RPG crossover debuted at #3 with sales of 85,539, which isn’t bad. Undoubtedly facing steep competition from Square-Enix’s Bravely Default, which hit the 3DS on the same day and (predictably) took 1st place with 141,529, it will be interesting to see what these sales mean, if anything, for a Western release of the still Japanese-only title.

Full charts after the break (thanks to CVG).

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

Review: Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit (XBLA/PSN/PC)

by

Before I jump into my review of Arkedo and SEGA’s brilliantly demented and gloriously fucked up Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit, I want you to take a good long look at the above image and see what you can spot. The torrents of blood that make up your health meter? The fact that your Loot chest has eyes and teeth? The demonic two-faced being that your headphone-wearing puffy-haired main character is taking out with his rocket launcher?

The fact of the matter is, Hell Yeah! has enough craziness for 10 games; its eagerly demented presentation plays a major role in what makes this XBLA/PSN/PC download title so unique and enjoyable. It may not prove to be everyone’s cup of tea, but if this is your thing, then you’re in for a wildly fun and surprisingly nostalgic (if you’ve been a SEGA fan for a while) journey through the colorful and insane depths of Hell.

Continue Reading ➜

16 Comments

All Stars Racing Wii U frame rate issues fixed, says Sumo Digital

by

If anything, the Wii U version is now the closest to the target frame rate, well discounting the PC version that is.

Those are the words from Sumo Digital’s Steve Lycett, who took to the SEGA forums to quell doubts about the reportedly sluggish framerate in the Wii U version of SEGA’s hotly anticipated racer.

With Sumo Digital’s assurance that this potentially crippling issue has been fixed, is anyone planning on picking up the Wii U version?

3 Comments

Tekken developer Katsuhiro Harada trying to get Project X Zone localized

by

Though it likely won’t come as a surprise to many, doubt has been cast on the prospect of Project X Zone getting a release in Western territories.

Even with its roster of popular characters from SEGA/Namco/Capcom franchises, the 3DS crossover title has “niche Japanese game” written all over it, and like clockwork, with that comes the typical struggle for an international release.

After being flooded with angry Twitter responses following comments that a Western release seemed unlikely, Katsuhiro Harada has tweeted to assure fans that he has, if nothing else, been pushing for the game’s localization.

While not the most promising sign, it’s at least nice to hear that someone from within Namco Japan is listening to the voices of Western fans. Project X Zone will see release in Japan on October 11th.

9 Comments