Author Archives: FlareHabanero

Arcade Love: Plus Pengo! coming to Nintendo Switch on August 22nd in Japan

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Mebius has announced that Arcade Love: Plus Pengo! will come to the Nintendo Switch on August 22nd in Japan. Previously this collection of games was released in 2012 for the arcades, then later ported to Steam and Xbox 360. Arcade Love: Plus Pengo! contains 4 games, including two minigame collections that tests your skills via Action-Game Skill Test and Shmup Skill Test respectively that were originally released in 2007, and a shmup called Combat Zeal that uniquely focuses on split screen multiplayer with the goal of trying to get the highest score.

However for hardcore SEGA fans, this collection notably includes a special version of the 1982 arcade game Pengo. This version of Pengo features a similar premise to the original arcade game, where you play as the titular Pengo and you have to either break or push ice blocks, with the goal of trying to kill all of the Sno-Bees. However, it was remade from the ground up with a multiplayer focus, where players are now tasked with trying to rack up the highest score within the time limit. It’s promised that Pengo will support 8 players on the Nintendo Switch and offers the option of both free-for-all or team matches, so maybe bring a friend to try this unique spin on a fairly obscure arcade game.

[Source: 4Gamer]

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SEGA AGES Wonder Boy in Monster Land releasing on May 30th in Japan

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After SEGA has officially revealed information regarding to the upcoming SEGA AGES Wonder Boy in Monster Land, we finally have an official release date. SEGA AGES Wonder Boy in Monster Land is scheduled for a Japanese release on May 30th, or next Thursday as of this writing. As usual with the SEGA AGES titles, it will be priced at ¥925 (roughly $8.50) on the Japanese Nintendo eShop, and it will contain bonus content such as three separate challenges and options with the wiggle joystick trick, such as the ability to map it to a button or to disable it and challenge leaderboards.

[Source: Official Website]

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SEGA AGES Wonder Boy in Monster Land “coming soon”, new information revealed

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The Wonder Boy series has had a lot of love lately from multiple developers, such as the remake of Monster World III and the spiritual sequel Monster Boy and The Cursed Kingdom, and the SEGA AGES series will continue that with arguably the most pivotal game in the series, Wonder Boy in Monster Land.

Wonder Boy in Monster Land departs from it’s predecessor by adapting RPG elements, such as currency and item management, which would become the norm for future installments. You play as Bock Lee Temjin (aka “Tom-Tom”), as you are tasked with clearing through 12 levels with their own unique set of items, monsters, and secrets. SEGA AGES Monster Boy in Monster Land adds some additional features, including the ability to exploit the “rattle joystick” trick using a single button, Money Hungry Mode where the “rattle joystick” trick is sealed off and your score is recorded, and several “challenge” modes. These modes include Sphinx Challenge where you’re tasked with killing the Sphinx in the shortest time, Monster Castle Challenge where you have to clear the final dungeon as fast as possible, and Fireball Challenge where you have to play through the game using only the Fireball weapon and can die in a single hit.

SEGA AGES Wonder Boy in Monster Land is slated for a pricing of ¥925 (roughly $8.50), but with no official release date. Curiously, the copyright mentions LAT, a seemingly unknown company unrelated to other companies like the original developers Westone (aka Escape) or developers for the recent Wonder Boy titles like LizardCube or Game Atelier.

[Source: Official Website, Twitter]

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M2: Complete Works interview/retrospective by My Life in Gaming, goes into detail over M2’s history

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M2 might be a familiar name for SEGA fans out there. Indeed, this modest development studio has worked with SEGA for more than a decade helping to bring their older titles to modern system, from the “Complete Collection” installments in the SEGA AGES 2500 series to the SEGA 3D and SEGA AGES series on Nintendo’s more recent systems. But their history goes far back, from their modest days of porting games such as Gauntlet and Gunstar Heroes back in the 90’s. The YouTube channel My Life in Gaming has recently done an interview/retrospective with key staff members such as M2 CEO Naoki Horii and Chief Programmer Tetsuya Abe to talk about their personal experiences with working at M2, including the enduring relationship between SEGA and M2 and their general philosophy of adding something extra to these re-releases. The video itself is over an hour long, so there’s plenty to digest, complete with English subtitles for convenience.

If you liked the above video, maybe also subscribe to My Life in Gaming if you’re a fan of technical aspects of video games or retrospectives.

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Cotton series to get a reboot by BEEP, Sharp X68000 version of Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams to see re-sale

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For those that like SEGA’s Japanese roster of titles, you might of heard of the Cotton games, a series of shmup titles by Success that have seen releases in arcades with SEGA’s hardware, and on SEGA’s consoles between the Mega Drive and the SEGA Dreamcast. The games typically follow the misadventures of a young witch named Cotton and her fairy companion Silk. Cotton’s most defining trait is her obsession with a special candy called Willows, to the point that she will fight tooth and nail to get as many Willows as possible, which Silk exploits to motivate Cotton to save the kingdom.

The series has been dormant for decades now, with only the odd cameo in doujin/indie titles such as Trouble Witches Origin and Umihara Kawase Fresh, but a new installment in the Cotton series has been announced by retro video game store BEEP. This new installment is tentatively called “Cotton Reboot”, and will be available on for sale at an unspecified date for Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Playstation 4. Not much information has been revealed about the game itself, but it has been described as being a remake of the Sharp X68000 version of Cotton: Fantastic Night Dreams, which was chosen over the original arcade version due to it having balance changes and extra polish. In addition, the original Sharp X68000 version will also get a re-sale, both the original and a special rearrange version that features new content. New features include the ability to play as Pril from the doujin Trouble Witches series, and a new “BEEP Edition” in the options that allows for turbo fire. This re-sale version will start orders in June, packed with in it’s original Sharp X68000 disk format and a separate disk for the “arranged” version.

[Source: Official Website, Famitsu, Famitsu Interview]

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Puyo Puyo eSports releasing internationally as Puyo Puyo Champions, coming to all major platforms on May 7th

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Puyo Puyo eSports is getting a localization, renamed as Puyo Puyo Champions and will be available in western territories on May 7th, effectively confirming a previous rumor about SEGA trademarking “Puyo Puyo Champions” back in November. In addition to the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions previously released in Japan, Puyo Puyo Champions will also get new versions for the Xbox One and Steam, with the console versions all getting digital releases.

For reference, Puyo Puyo Champions is a Puyo Puyo game that caters to a competitive crowd. It trims the fat, providing players with the bare necessities, focusing heavily on the recurring Tsu and Fever rules from past games only and small quality-of-life additions to streamline Puyo matches further. Both offline and online will provide several multiplayer options, such as a new tournament mode and the ranked mode from Puyo Puyo Tetris making a return.

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Puyo Puyo eSports to receive a physical release on July 27th in Japan

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Puyo Puyo eSports has been available on the digital stores for both the Nintendo Switch and the Playstation 4 since October 25th 2018. But for those that want physical copies instead, SEGA has been nice enough to announce that both the Playstation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions will receive a retail release on July 27th for ¥1,990.

The contents are the same as the original digital version. This includes the ability to play with Tsu and Fever rules, along with both offline and online options, such as a tournament mode for offline and the ranking system for online. However, in addition, Puyo Puyo eSports will receive a new update that brings back the Lesson Mode from past Puyo Puyo games. This mode will go into detail over various aspects of how to play Puyo Puyo, ranging from the basics such as rotating to more complex tactics like how to build specific chain types, overall useful for new players. Both the digital release and the upcoming physical release will receive this update in the future.

[Source: Game Watch]

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SEGA AGES Virtua Racing releasing on April 25th in Japan

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SEGA has dropped the release date of SEGA AGES Virtua Racing. The game is slated for an April 25th release date in Japan, for the asking price of ¥925 (roughly $8.50).

SEGA AGES Virtua Racing is based on the arcade version, with additional enhancements. Players can play one-on-one against another player in online matches, while offline they can play up to 8 people at once with multiple Joy-Cons. Players also have the option to toy with a new replay feature, which allows the player to view recorded races at different angles and can rewind, fast forward, and pause. Overall SEGA AGES Virtua Racing preserves the original arcade experience, even going as far to introduce a “Grand Prix” mode, where players have to endure 20 laps in a single race, strategizing how to use the pit stops efficiently to prevent their tires from wearing out.

[Source: SEGA AGES website]

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More titles announced for the Mega Drive Mini and SEGA Genesis Mini, including World of Illusion, Earthworm Jim, Super Fantasy Zone, and more!

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SEGA has announced more titles coming to the SEGA Genesis Mini and the Mega Drive Mini. A total of 10 more games have been announced separately between the North America/Europe lineup and the Japanese lineup; 6 shared between the two lineups, 3 exclusive to the western consoles, 4 exclusives for the Japanese console, and the previously announced Sonic the Hedgehog 2 being confirmed to appear on the western consoles. Arguably the most notable titles to note here are the Disney titles Castle of Illusion and World of Illusion, as it confirms some licensed titles will also appear in the SEGA Genesis Mini selection.

[Source: SEGA of America website, Famitsu]

Click below for a full list of confirmed titles.

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Joker coming to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on April 17th, new trailer goes in depth over Joker gameplay

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Nintendo has finally dropped information on when Joker will steal your stocks in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, on April 17th (aka tomorrow). In addition, Nintendo has released a new trailer that goes into great extent over how Joker plays, plus other content from the Persona series. Joker by himself primarily uses a mixture of his knife and pistol to rake up damage, giving him solid ranged and close combat capabilities. But his main gimmick is the ability to summon his Persona Arsene by filling up a gauge, which causes his normal attacks to have additional power and his Specials to change completely as long as Arsene is summoned. He has two different costumes, ones based on his Phantom Thief persona, and the other based on his school uniform, and his taunts can summon Morgana.

Along with Joker, he will be accompanied by a new stage called Mementos, based on the location from Persona 5, the stage receiving music tracks throughout the Persona series, and the addition of Spirits from the Persona series being included. Additionally, new Mii costumes based on Persona 3 and Persona 4 characters will be included, along with the return of the Tails and Knuckles Mii costumes from Super Smash Bros. for Wii U/3DS.

So when you get the chance, try out Joker in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and comment on your first impressions.

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Yakuza Kiwami 2 coming to PC on May 9th, free Clan Creator Bundle DLC for pre-purchasing.

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After the ESRB leaking it’s rating and SEGA themselves teasing it on Steam, SEGA has officially revealed that Yakuza Kiwami 2 will arrive on PC in May 9th, for the asking price of $29.99. The game is available for pre-purchase on it’s Steam page, with the promise of unlocked framerates, 4K support, customizable controls, and extensive graphics options. In addition, for those that pre-order Yakuza Kiwami 2, they will receive the Clan Creator Bundle for free, which contains exclusive weapons, outfits, items, and rare Leader Cards.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 on PC is also notable for technically having a Virtual-On game appear on PC for the first time, and also having the new “Dragon Engine” introduced in Yakuza 6 be utilized on PC for the first time. So if you have the spare money, join in on one of the finest games in the Yakuza series this May.

Pre-purchase on Steam

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SEGA FES 2019: Six new titles announced for the SEGA AGES series

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More news has dropped regarding to the SEGA AGES series, this time a lot of announced titles coming to the series sometime in the future. These titles are Puzzle & Action Ichidant-R, Shinobi, G-loc Air Battle, Fantasy Zone, Herzog Zwei, and Wonder Boy in Monster Land. Each title will be based on their original arcade version, with the exception being Herzog Zwei instead being based on the Mega Drive version. No other information such as pricing, release date, or any other additional features have been revealed.

This announcement notably means that G-loc Air Battle will have the original arcade version ported to a home console for the first time, while this will be the first time SEGA used the Herzog IP after the acquirement of Technosoft’s library. What is your thoughts on these titles coming to the SEGA AGES series?

[Source: Twitter]

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SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo releasing on March 28th in Japan

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A lot going on with SEGA’s SEGA AGES series. While people in western territories will be enjoying Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Gain Ground on March 28th, fans in Japan will be instead be enjoying SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo on the same day.

SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo is based on the arcade version, with several enhancements available. In addition to the familiar blob popping puzzle fun from the original, players also have the addition of an optional double rotation feature that was absent from the original arcade version, online multiplayer, and most interestingly the inclusion of the extremely rare English arcade version that changes most of the names and the voice clips. SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo is slated for a price of ¥925 (roughly $8.50), so if you have spare yen, maybe pick this up along with the aforementioned SEGA AGES Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Gain Ground titles.

[Source: Official Website]

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Persona 5 The Royal officially revealed, teases new female character and more information in April

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Atlus of Japan has officially revealed the long rumored Persona 5-related game, a seemingly new game titled Persona 5 The Royal likely planned for the Playstation 4. Not much new information about the game itself has been revealed, but the trailer puts heavy emphasis on a new female character. Based on the very few pieces of information, said character is a first year student who apparently resents the Phantom Thieves, feeling that they don’t actually solve the problems they claim to being fixing. What her exact role in the game is currently unknown.

However, this ties into another rumor that Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will introduce a female counterpart to Joker, based on data mining finding code talking about “Jane” as an alternative costume and having a ponytail, the latter notably matching with the design of the new female character teased. Atlus is also promising more information about Persona 5 The Royal on April 24th, which is also coincidentally the same month when Joker is planned to be available in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. A possible simultaneous reveal? Well whatever your stance is, Persona 5 The Royal is already shaping up to be an interesting direction in the Persona series.

[Source: Official Website]

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A Certain Magical Virtual-On digital and physical sales temporarily halted in Japan

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For Japanese players out there, you might of remembered a video game called A Certain Magical Virtual-On, an unusual crossover between SEGA’s Virtual-On IP and Dengeki Bunko’s A Certain Magical Index IP released in 2018 last year for the Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita. Well for those that still want to try it, you might be much more hard pressed to obtain a copy, as SEGA of Japan has temporarily halted production of physical copies and pulled the game from digital stores for “various reasons”. Though they never specified what these reasons are, the most likely explanation is that contracts with using the A Certain Magical Index IP might be expiring, meaning that SEGA legally cannot distribute A Certain Magical Virtual-On until the situation is fixed.

Though A Certain Magical Virtual-On is being pulled from the market, SEGA of Japan has noted that this will have no impact on the production of both the three Virtual-On ports and the twin stick controller by TANITA. This further adds evidence that the reason for the sudden pull might be copyright related.

[Source: SEGA of Japan / Gematsu]

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