Author Archives: Kori-Maru

Exclusive Look at Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza SDCC Teaser Trailer; Announces New Cast Member Kento Kaku as Akira Nishikiyama

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A panel for Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza was held at San Diego Comic Con today with series lead Ryoma Takeuchi, co-star Kento Kaku, James Farrell, Head of International Originals at Amazon MGM Studios, and the show’s executive producer, Erik Barmack.

The official teaser trailer of Prime Video’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza, the TV adaptation of the iconic SEGA video game, was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con during the panel providing the audience and fans of the video game a glimpse of the first ever footage from the show. Not only the teaser was shown, but another surprising announcement also introduced the new cast member Kento Kaku (House of Ninja) as Akira Nishikiyama, aka Nishiki for the upcoming Prime Video show.

The panel ended with a special video message from Masayoshi Yokoyama, the executive producer at RYU GA GOTOKU Studio in Japan, who shared his behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of the SEGA video game “Like a Dragon.” The first three episodes of Like a Dragon: Yakuza will debut exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide beginning Thursday, October 24.

 

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Metaphor: ReFantazio’s Next Showcase Will Air on July 29, 2024

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Today, ATLUS announced that the next livestream showcase for their upcoming fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio will take place on July 29, 2024 at 6pm PT/9pm ET on the ATLUS West YouTube channel. The showcase titled, Metaphor: ReFantazio “ATLUS Exclusive” Showcase – Characters will reveal more details about Metaphor: ReFantazio’s dynamic cast of characters, social systems and the fight to be crowned king. The livestream will be led by Studio Zero director Katsura Hashino with English subtitles and dubbed audio.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is a full-scale fantasy RPG from the creative minds of the Persona series. Players will write their destiny and rise above fear as they step into a fantasy world unlike any other. Metaphor: ReFantazio launches October 11, 2024 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam. Physical and digital pre-orders are available now.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe returns to San Diego on July 25

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If you happen to be attending San Diego Comic Con or around the area. The official Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe, the popular Sonic-themed restaurant, will be making its return in San Diego with the Grand Opening taking place on July 25, 2024, on 910 J St Space 2, San Diego, CA 92101 from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. PT.

Throughout San Diego Comic-Con (July 25-28), the first 25 people in line each day will be eligible to receive special Sonic giveaways from SEGA. The official blue mascot will be onsite throughout the four-day celebration and surprise guest autograph signings and appearances will take place during Comic-Con.

The three-month pop-up eatery is the fourth iteration of the exclusive collaboration between gaming brand SEGA and Secret Sauce Society’s Andy Nguyen, Kevin Seo and Phillip Huynh. After a successful launch in San Diego in 2023, the restaurant also opened pop-up shops near Los Angeles and Houston.

The latest Speed Cafe location continues to feature iconic characters and themes from the Sonic universe but will also be heavily inspired by the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow the Hedgehog, in honor of the Fearless: Year of Shadow brand campaign and other exclusive elements for San Diego Comic-Con.

Not only that Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe is coming back during San Diego Comic Con, the Sonic Symphony performance will also take place July 27, 2024 at the San Diego Civic Center. Additionally, the custom Shadow-inspired motorcycle will be cruising around the Gaslamp District on both July 27 and July 28.

Click here for more information on what to expect at Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Cafe!

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SEGAbits @ Anime Expo 2024: Metaphor: ReFantazio Demo Hands On Impressions

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Thanks to the generous folks at Atlus, we recently had the opportunity to delve into an early hands-on demo of Metaphor: ReFantazio, their upcoming RPG slated for release on October 11, 2024, at Anime Expo. Developed by Studio Zero, renowned for their work on the Persona series, this title promises to captivate both longtime fans of Atlus and newcomers alike. Want to know our thoughts on our experience playing the demo? Hit the jump and find out!

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Sneak Peek at SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings

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If you were unable to attend Anime Expo this year, no worries as SEGA has officially released the teaser for SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings in high definition.

Serving as a prolouge animation to the upcoming game, past and present collide in a frantic chase for truth and understanding! Shadow is haunted by the memories of battles fought and lives lost. But these nightmares aren’t just lingering pain! They’re prompted by a force Shadow thought was destroyed.

SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS: Dark Beginnings will be released with 3 episodes this fall!

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SEGAbits @ Anime Expo 2024: Metaphor: ReFantazio – Story Trailer

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Today, ATLUS released a new trailer for their upcoming fantasy RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio. The trailer was first revealed to attendees of today’s Anime Expo 2024 panel, “ATLUS Presents: The World of Metaphor: ReFantazio featuring Katsura Hashino & Shigenori Soejima.”

This story-focused trailer offers viewers an early peek at the turbulent events that kickstart the player’s journey in Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Metaphor: ReFantazio will launch on October 11, 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam. Physical and digital pre-orders are available now.

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Phantasy Star receives a Table Top RPG

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The original role playing Master System title that started it all, Phantasy Star will be receiving a table top roleplaying game powered by Esper Genesis, a comprehensive sci-fi roleplaying rules system you can use to build, customize, and expand your game, with the only limit being your imagination.

The Phantasy Star Tabletop RPG is a cooperative, storytelling game where you and your friends take on the roles of heroic protagonists in a boundless universe based on the popular Phantasy Star video game series.

The table top role playing game will be available in 2025. You can check out further details and sign up to the mailing list on the official website.

Thanks Mike Cisneros for the news!

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ESRB Rates The House of the Dead 2: Remake for Nintendo Switch

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The upcoming second remake of the classic arcade horror rail shooter set to be released by Forever Entertainment and Microids has been officially rated on the ESRB website with an M rating featuring the usual blood and gore.

Here is the description from the rating summary:

“This is a rail shooter light gun game in which players assume the role of an agent in search of a missing colleague in Venice, Italy. From a first-person perspective, navigate through the city while using pistols to shoot and kill zombies and mutant creatures. Killing creatures often results in decapitation and/or dismemberment, with large blood-splatter effects. Combat is often fast paced, accompanied by gunfire, screams of pain, and large explosions. A handful of sequences depict civilians attacked and killed by enemy creatures.”

With the game being officially rated on ESRB, we may not have to suffer like G did as The House of the Dead 2: Remake might be just around the corner. Once an official announcement trailer releases, we will be sure to cover the news here!

 

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Beat Returns in Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble via SEGA Pass DLC

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Jet Set Radio’s renegade Rudie, Beat, makes a triumphant return to the world of Super Monkey Ball as a playable character across all game modes while sporting his new look from the upcoming Jet Set Radio game! Get ready to glide, grind and roll with Beat as he joins the monkey gang’s search for the Legendary Banana.

The SEGA Pass is included with the Digital Deluxe Edition of Banana Rumble and will also be available as a separate bundle to purchase. Individual characters will also be available a la carte. All content is scheduled to be released over the coming months.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems June 25, 2024. Pre-order your copy here!

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The Rebellious Crazy Taxi Driver Axel Makes His Way To Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble via SEGA Pass DLC

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Axel, one of Crazy Taxi’s iconic cabbie drivers, makes his way to Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble as part of the SEGA Pass DLC.Axel joins AiAi and friends, causing chaos along the way!

Axel will be playable across both Adventure Mode and Battle Mode, with unique stats to help him on the courses. Plus, for Axel only, all in-game bananas will switch to coins in homage to the franchise so you can rack up some insane money.

The SEGA Pass is included with the Digital Deluxe Edition of Banana Rumble and will also be available as a separate bundle to purchase. Individual characters will also be available a la carte. All content is scheduled to be released over the coming months.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble launches exclusively for the Nintendo Switch family of systems June 25, 2024. Pre-order your copy here!

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SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS Speeds Into Stores Oct. 25, 2024; Now Available For Pre-Order!

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Today, during Summer Game Fest 2024, SEGA had officially unveiled a new trailer for SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS and announced that the game will be set to release digitally and physically on October 25, 2024 and is now available to pre-order for PlayStation®5 (PS5®), PlayStation®4 (PS4®), Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch™ family of systems, and PC starting at $49.99 USD.

The game will also have a Digital Deluxe Edition which allows fans to play the game three days early and includes additional iconic music tracks from previous Sonic and Shadow games, a Terios skin based on Shadow’s original concept, behind-the-scenes art, an additional level and Shadow Skin, and more!

Sonic fans can also pre-order the Physical Day One, Digital Standard or Deluxe editions of SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS ahead of launch to receive a legacy skin for Sonic, based on his look from Sonic Adventure™! Players who pre-order the Physical Day One Edition will receive Gerald Robotnik’s Journal, a 28-page logbook chronicling Gerald’s innermost thoughts and drawings while he created Shadow the Hedgehog and the Ark Space Station, in addition to the legacy skin for Sonic.

Hit the jump for more details on SONIC X SHADOW GENERATIONS from the official press release including pre-order bonus, key features and more!

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Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy joins Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble via DLC/SEGA PASS

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The crossover tradition continues in Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble as Sonic and friends joins the adventure.

Not only Sonic and Tails are returning as playable characters, but Knuckles and Amy joins Banana Rumble. Each with unique stats and Gold Rings as in-game pick-ups.

The Sonic Superstars will be available as part of the SEGA Pass included in the Digital Deluxe Edition, as a separate bundle, or a la carte.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble will be available exclusively for Nintendo Switch on June 25, 2024. Pre-Order the Deluxe Edition on the official website.

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Like A Dragon: Yakuza Heads to Prime Video on October 24

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RGG Studio dropped some major news regarding a live-action series adaptation of Yakuza/Like a Dragon series by announcing Like A Dragon: Yakuza for Prime Video set to be released on October 24th.

According to Variety, The series’ story is set in two time periods, 1995 and 2005, and follows the life, childhood friends and the repercussions of the decisions of a fearsome and peerless Yakuza warrior with a strong sense of justice, duty, and humanity.

The screenplay and story are by Sean Crouch and Nakamura Yugo, with a Japanese screenplay by Yoshida Yasuhiro and Yamada Kana. The six-part crime-suspense-action series is directed by Take Masaharu and stars Takeuchi Ryoma as the lead character, Kiryu Kazuma.

It will upload to Prime Video in two batches of three episodes on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, with subtitled and dubbed versions in 30 languages.

We had a couple of live adaptations of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series through Japan and other media. How do you guys feel about this one? Will you watch it when it airs? Let us know in the comments below!

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Metaphor: ReFantazio™ Panel Announced For Anime Expo Featuring Katsura Hashino & Shigenori Soejima

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ATLUS today announced they will host a panel titled “ATLUS Presents: The World of Metaphor: ReFantazio” featuring Katsura Hashino & Shigenori Soejima at Anime Expo 2024 in Los Angeles, California. The panel will be held at the Petree Hall on Friday, July 5, 2024 from 10:30AM to 11:20AM PT.

We will be covering as much SEGA/ATLUS games and events at Anime Expo in person this year. Be sure to follow our social channels for more updates. Check out further details on the Metaphor: ReFantazio panel by hitting the jump!

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