Sonic at the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 leaping forward to mobile devices on May 7

Looks like the Olympics isn’t over for Sonic and his friends just yet as a new trailer for Sonic at the Olympics – Tokyo 2020 has been released by SEGA with the trailer featuring a story mode where Sonic and friends must compete against Eggman from taking over Tokyo and showcases the events, minigames, and online ranking modes to check out.

The game is available for pre-registration right now with bonus rewards and ready for download on May 7th for iOS and Android devices.

Sakura Wars (aka Project Sakura Wars) now officially rated T for Teen by ESRB

Sakura Wars (previously named Project Sakura Wars) has now been officially rated T for Teen by the ESRB for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes, and violence. Here is the rating summary given for the game:

“This is a relationship simulation/action game, set in a steampunk 1920s version of Tokyo, in which players lead a combat troupe to defeat demons by using giant mech suits. Players use swords and blasters to fight enemy robots and demons in melee-style combat. Battles are frenetic, with impact sounds, colorful lights effects, and large explosions. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence: a woman slashed across the chest, resulting in blood-splatter effects; a child kidnapped at gunpoint by gangsters; animated sequences of giant mechs in battle. The game also contains some sexual material: dialogue referencing pornography (e.g., “I guarantee you that’s porn”; “Whoa, that’s definitely a nudie magazine.”); minigames in which players can zoom-in on characters’ body parts (e.g., legs, buttocks, breasts), with accompanying dialogue (e.g., “Man, those legs…Just imagining the paradise at the end of them…”; “As far as chest size…The bigger, the better!”); a still-image sequence depicting a character groping a woman’s chest while stating, “But they look so soft! Just one little squeeze…” A handful of bath-house sequences depict partially nude female characters, with breasts slightly obscured by steam. The word “sh*t” appears in the game.”

We’re getting close to Spring and we should expect more announcements on the western release for Sakura Wars by SEGA very soon. What do you all think about this news? Leave us a comment below!

 

Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel taking place at SXSW 2020


SEGA is leading the way with the Sonic 2020 initiative with announcements coming in on the 20th of every month as the official SXSW website has scheduled a panel for Sonic the Hedgehog on March 20, 2020 titled “Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel” covering the future of the brand with a special announcement or two to be shown. Here is the official description for the panel:

“Sonic the Hedgehog is back at SXSW! Join special guests from SEGA and Sonic Team as they talk about the latest for the blue blur and his next steps for 2020 and beyond. There’s almost always a special announcement or two to be had, so be sure to stay tuned!”

It is unknown at this time if the panel is going to have an official stream but it’s very likely that Sonic community members from Tails Channel will be able to provide a stream. What would you expect to see at the panel? Feel free to leave us your comments below.

Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation Story Trailer revealed and Sakura Taisen Blu-Ray Box Collection set for release this Spring

In the recent Sakura Wars official live stream, SEGA unveiled a brand new trailer and key visual of Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation set for release in April 2020. The Animation takes place after the events of the Shin Sakura Taisen game with the New Flower Division team being transferred to Europe by Seijuro Kamiyama, and Sakura Amamiya was appointed Deputy Commander.

Kamiyama returns home temporarily to the Flower Division who all struggle every day, but there is an unknown girl beside named Clara, who is the only survivor of the Moscow group that was destroyed after a major accident . Sakura welcomes Clara, who was commissioned by Kamiyama and transferred to the Flower Division. Meanwhile, a group that claims to be “Moscow Assault Force” suddenly appears in the Imperial City.

The trailer also reveals a new Assault Force team hailing from Moscow (Mossika Hussarge, Valerie Kaminsky, and Leila with character designs by Mika Pikazo) who will all be appearing exclusively to the anime. In addition, there will be a Blu-Ray collection of the Sakura Taisen OVA (Original Video Animation) series set to release in Japan on March 18, 2020 for 35,000 yen ($320.84). The original OVA series served as prequels and side stories to the games and is a nice collection set if you have been a fan of the series. Hit the jump to check out visuals of the animation and more!

SEGA Europe staff members share their memories on Shinobi in this SEGA AGES Shinobi interview

SEGA Europe Staff members, Danny Russell (Mobile Community Manager), Luis De Mendonca, (IT Support Manager), Marta Camilo (Senior Website Designer), and Tom Perry (Jr. Graphic Designer) share memories on the arcade release of Shinobi, which debuted in the arcades in 1987.

They reflect on subjects like how far they could get through the game with one credit, fighting difficult bosses, and give tip advice on how to get through difficult situations.

What are your memories on the arcade release in Shinobi? please share them by leaving us a comment below. SEGA AGES Shinobi will be available purchase on the Nintendo Switch Eshop on January 23, 2020 for only $7.99.

Shenmue III “Battle Rally” DLC arriving on January 21, 2020

Ys Net and Deep Silver announced over Twitter that Shenmue III‘s Battle Rally character racing DLC will be available for download on January 21, 2020 for only $7.99/£6.49.

Players will be able to earn exclusive items by finishing first in Battle Rally races. You can also play as characters other than Ryo, including Wuying Ren and Zhen Wei.

The DLC will be available for those with the season pass, Complete DLC Collection, on its release date and others without the season pass can purchase the Battle Rally DLC through the PlayStation Store and Epic Games Store.

[Source: Siliconera]

SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Switch to feature Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2

In the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu revealed that SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for Nintendo Switch will include “Knuckles the Echidna in Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” which is a unique mode that was originally playable in the original Sega Genesis release by inserting a Sonic & Knuckles cartridge on top of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 cartridge using the platform’s “Lock-On Technology.”

As previously mentioned, SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will also include additional actions, “Super Sonic Mode,” online rankings, and other features. A release date for the title has yet to be announced. We’ll keep everyone posted as more news surface!

[Source: Gematsu & Ryokutya2089]

SEGA Amusements unveils Mission: Impossible Arcade details and screenshots

SEGA Amusements revealed a new licensed arcade title based on the multi-billion dollar blockbuster film franchise, Mission: Impossible, during IAAPA 2019 and had recently released new details plus first look at screenshots on the game during EAG Show 2020. The premise of the game focuses on you and three of your friends as agents with a mission to save the world by sabotaging enemy plans that aim to weaponized humanoid robots. You will have a range of weapons and high-tech gadgets at your disposal to complete your mission but remember time is not on everyone side. Mission: Impossible Arcade will feature the following:

  • Brand-new dual pistol controllers
  • Next-Generation 4 player special attraction cabinet
  • 9 adrenaline-fueled stages
  • Experience explosive action with surround sound, subwoofers and bass shakers
  • Two 55″ Full HD Screen and 65″ Attract Display

Check out more screenshots of Mission: Impossible Arcade after the break.

Project Sakura Wars to be titled “Sakura Wars” according to the Australian Classification Website

According to the Australian Classification website, Project Sakura Wars (aka Shin Sakura Taisen in Japan) will be simply titled “Sakura Wars” in the West with the game rated for M for mature audiences by the Australian Classification website with sexual themes and violence.

No official announcement has been made by SEGA themselves regarding the final title as of yet but it seems that the final title chosen for the game could mean that the company may want to start with a blank state with this title in the West since the series has a small cult following in the West through multiple anime adaptions and the fifth game Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love released back in 2010.

What are your thoughts on the final name for Project Sakura Wars? Leave us a comment below! Sakura Wars is set for release on the Playstation 4 digitally and physically this Spring.

 

Yakuza: Like A Dragon drops new details on returning Yakuza series veterans

SEGA has released new information on Yakuza: Like A Dragon which covers the return of past characters in the previous series and former Yakuza members, Kazuma Kiryu, Goro Majima, and Taiga Saejima with interesting details translated by Gematsu on their combat abilities that Ichiban Kasuga and his companions must face up against in the main story mode. Take a look at the legendary former Yakuza members character descriptions and combat details after the break.

Space Channel 5 20th Anniversary Gyungyun Selection is now available on Spotify

If you have been following updates on the Official Space Channel 5 Twitter account and our previous article covering the soundtrack, the Space Channel 5 20th Anniversary Gyungyun Selection album is now available to listen on Spotify for free. The 20th anniversary soundtrack includes 50 music tracks covering Space Channel 5, Space Channel 5 Part 2, and six tracks for the upcoming Space Channel 5 Kinda Funky News Flash! If you have a Spotify account, you can listen to the entire soundtrack here.

SEGA 60th Anniversary Fan Doujinshi Book to be released in April 2020 – Author looking for 60 fans to participate

Game review blog “Get Ready! Annex” administrator, Pin, is producing a fan doujinshi book for SEGA fans focused on celebrating the 60th anniversary of SEGA and is looking to gather at least 60 participates worldwide with content that they could tell about their love for Sega on one page per person.

The fan doujinshi will be a thin book of A5 size with dozens of pages and full color and set to be released for April 2020. Anyone in the SEGA community can participate in the book with illustrations of their favorite SEGA character, cosplay, comics, collections and messages. For more details on entry types, you can check it out on their site here. The deadline for entries are due before the end of Feburary.

To participate, all you have to do is contact Pin via on Twitter through DM or email with your entry. Celebrate SEGA’s anniversary together and share your thoughts on SEGA!

Sakura Wars Fan Translation Completed – Play Sakura Wars in English on Emulator and Modded Sega Saturn

With Project Sakura Wars released in Japan (as Shin Sakura Taisen) and on it’s way to the West for next year in Spring 2020, you can finally get the chance to play the first title with an english patch for the SEGA Saturn version on a SEGA Saturn emulator or a modded Saturn console.

Sakura Wars is a cross-genre video game developed by Sega and Red Company, and published by Sega in 1996. It is the first game in Sega’s Sakura Wars series, created by Oji Hiroi which become a hit in Japan overtime and produced many sequels, spin-offs and media franchises. Defined by Sega as a “dramatic adventure” game, Sakura Wars combines overlapping tactical role-playing, dating sim and visual novel gameplay elements. You can download the English patch and instructions here.

Huge thanks to CJ_iwakura, NoahSteam, Crouching_Mouse, and MatatabiMitsu for making the patch and trailer from the Saturn Commerical in English.

Tons of new information for Shin Sakura Taisen released – Stage performance, Animation, and DLC dates announced!

New information on Shin Sakura Taisen, aka Project Sakura Wars in the West, has been released from the recent Sakura Taisen live broadcast stream celebrating the game’s launch in Japan which includes announcements Shin Sakura Taisen, the Stage, the Animation and downloadable content (DLC) release dates. Hit the jump for more information on each announcement after the break.

New info on Shin Sakura Taisen with more character reveals and Great Combat Revue World War gameplay details

Famitsu has released another set on new information on Shin Sakura Taisen by introducing more supporting characters in the story and game play details on Great Combat Revue World War. The few
new characters introduced in Shin Sakura Taisen are President G, the secretary general of  “WLOF” and his flagship, Mister I, President G’s right hand man and the leader of the “WLOF” black clothing unit who performs intelligence activities; Sakura Amamiya’s parents, Hinata & Tekkan; Azami Mochizuki’s foster parent, Yattansai.

In addition to the game’s battle mode sections, the Great Combat Revue World War held by “WLOF” every two years pits you against other Combat Revue teams around the world in 3vs3 team battles with the objective to earn points by defeating foes which in turn fills out gauge at the top of the screen, & victory achieved by filling up the gauge or having more points if time limit reached.

Give Shin Sakura Taisen a try with the demo available for download in the Japanese PSN store on November 21, 2019. The full game will be released on December 12, 2019 for Playstation 4 in Japan and Spring 2020 in Americas and Europe. Special thanks to HDKirin for providing scans and details. Check out the Famitsu scans after the break.