Attend Blind Spot’s Turbo-kun 30th Anniversary Live Streaming Show on August 23rd
Blind Spot, a band lead by former members of the S.S.T. Band, will be performing for Turbo-kun’s 30th Anniversary during a live stream this Sunday, August 23rd at Shiodome Blue Mood, Tokyo
from 2 PM JST to 5:30 PM JST. Tickets can be purchased within this link for 3,000 yen (approximately $30 in USD & 23.91 in Euro). The band will consist of:
If you’re also into viewing other SEGA related music performances on the same day, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi will be hosting an online dinner show at 19:00 JST (6 AM EST, 5 AM Central, 3 AM PST) on YouTube for free.
Watch Takenobu Mitsuyoshi’s Dinner Event in Journey’s Canten Virtually this Sunday, August 23rd
Although Takenobu Mitsuyoshi’s in-person dinner show was delayed up to next year in Japan, fans who are not able to attend can now watch his dinner show virtually online this Sunday, August 23rd on YouTube at 19:00 JST (6 AM EST, 5 AM Central, 3 AM PST). SEGA has even uploaded a dinner menu with a list of food Mitsuyoshi-san will be eating and encourages viewers to prepare the same food for the show as if they were attending the event.
Will you be attending Mitsuyoshi’s dinner show online this weekend, which iconic SEGA theme song would you like for him to sing during the dinner show? Leave us a comment down below.
Rumor: Leaked Image shows Arcade1Up’s upcoming SEGA AM2 Fighting Games
Over on Reddit, a user named Smashingtime98, released a leaked image of Arcade1up’s upcoming arcade cabinet of games which features five SEGA AM2 fighting games. The list of games included is Virtua Fighter, Virtua Fighter Remix, Virtua Fighter 2, Fighting Vipers and Sonic the Fighters.
While the arcade cabinet is not officially confirmed by Arcade1up, we will keep an eye out for more details when it’s available. In the meantime, Arcade1up is also working on arcade cabinet featuring Golden Axe Revenge of Death Adder and more AM1 classics to be released soon.
Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Sequel to be released in theaters on April 8, 2022
[Image by Sonic the Cosplayer]
According to Variety, Paramount Pictures has announced the official date for the sequel to this year’s box office smash for April 8, 2022. That would give the movie enough time to be filmed and go into post-production.
Not much else has been revealed about the movie sequel besides the official date. How do you feel about the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie sequel and what would you like to see in the film? Let us know in the comments below.
Sakura Wars developers are open to a sequel and comment on additional platforms – remasters of classic games in mind
Twinfinite had recently interviewed with Sakura Wars director, Tetsuya Ootsubo, and asked him several questions regarding Sakura Wars (2020). The first question asked was if the team would be interested in developing another sequel, Ootsubo-san responded with:
” The development team would love to continue the series, and we’re pushing to make it happen. We appreciate all your support.”
The next question asked was if the game would be ported to other consoles beyond PS4, such as Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The director said:
“We’d love to expand the audience for the game! We’re actively researching to see where there is high demand and determine what actions will be feasible.”
Lastly, Ootsubo-san was asked if there will be remakes/remasters of the original games in the series in the works soon? Ootsubo-san answered that he and the team are “open” to revisiting the original games as those titles can’t be played on modern equipment and as long as there is sufficient demand for them. He also responded to a question regarding going back to turn-based gameplay. He stated that while the combat in the new game was indeed more action-focused, the developers understand that many still enjoy tactical RPGs, so they’re “continuing to research” what the “next steps should be in order to give fans the best possible experience.”
With recent trademarks made for the Sakura Wars brand and the survey SEGA posted on their social media last month, we may see the series expand further outside of Japan. Would you be interested in a sequel to Sakura Wars (2020) and try out remasters of the original series? Please let us know your thoughts on the comment section below.
Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition coming to Nintendo Switch
The developer of Picross S, Jupiter, has announced Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition would be coming to Nintendo Switch via teaser at the end of a commercial for Jupiter’s April-released Picross S4 and the newly released Working Zombie.
“Picross” is a picture crossword puzzle game that uses numbers as hints to complete an illustration. Further details on the title have yet to be announced. We will let our readers know when more details are announced.
Source: Gematsu
Sakura Wars the Stage rescheduled for Winter 2020
From the recent announcement during the official Sakura Wars live stream broadcast, the stage performance based on the recent game in the series, Sakura Wars the Stage, will continue to be held in Japan during Winter 2020, originally planned for March 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The stage performance will feature different cast members from the video game and will have Kohei Tanaka composing the music during the show. We’ll keep everyone informed on more details on the event. If our readers living in Japan are planning on attending the show, stay safe, and let us know what you all think of the performance.
First Look Trailer at Panzer Dragoon Voyage Record
A new trailer of the upcoming Panzer Dragoon VR title developed by Wildman was showcased during Summer Gaming Fest.
The trailer details the history of the series during the Sega Saturn era with key visual artwork and how the later two games in the trilogy, Zwei and AZEL (Saga) were not ported to latest consoles due to marketing trends. However with full 360 vision, the trilogy of the series that can be said to be “the most compatible game with VR” will be resurrected as a single omnibus title.
The developer also plans to add more episode via crowdfunding to start this year. Panzer Dragoon Voyage Record is planned for PC, Console, and Standalone VR and set for release in 2021. Follow the official Twitter account for Panzer Dragoon VR for more updates on the game.
Hatsune Miku joining Space Channel 5 VR as DLC and Fan Art Contest
Morning Space Cats, the official Space Channel 5 VR website has officially announced that Hatsune Miku will be joining Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! as DLC in the “Space39 Miku Pack” which will be on sale on July 27, 2020.
A Fan Art contest called “I <3 SC5” is also being held on June 1st where contestants can submit illustrations, screenshots, craft works, cosplay photos related to Space Channel 5 VR for grand prizes. Click here for a chance to enter.
Check out screenshots to see Miku in action!
Paramount Pictures announces Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Sequel in the works
According to Variety, Paramount Pictures and SEGA Sammy announced that the sequel to the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie is in the works with Jeff Fowler returning, and Pat Casey and Josh Miller writing the script. Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher and Toru Nakahara are also producing the movie, while Hajime Satomi, Haruki Satomi and Tim Miller are executive producing.
So far we know that Tails made a cameo appearance during the post-credits scene and in an interview with Jim Carrey on a sequel, he would be interested in portraying Dr. Robotnik once again as there is “so much room” to explore with the character. What would you like to see unfold in the sequel? Let us know in the comments below.
Sakura Wars (2020) Review – The Revived JRPG Classic for the New Era of Gaming (PlayStation 4)
It has been a long journey and Sakura Wars is now available for a worldwide audience with a brand new cast of characters, a new story, and the charm of the original series that debuted on the SEGA Saturn back in 1996. But does it meet expectations for newcomers and older fans alike? Take a look at my review of Sakura Wars for PlayStation 4!
Sakura Wars (2019) Hands-On Preview – A Dramatic Adventure at its best! (Playstation 4)
Sakura Wars has been a popular Japanese game franchise and media since the release of the original game in 1996 on the SEGA Saturn in Japan. It was known for its hybrid gameplay between dating simulation and turn-based tactical strategy. The franchise would later grow a cult following in the west through anime releases in the late nineties and the release of Sakura Wars: So Long My Love for Playstation 2 and Nintendo Wii by another publisher, NIS America. Since the release of So Long My Love, the franchise laid in dormant until SEGA made a surprising announcement in 2018 during SEGA Fes that a brand new entry to the series was in the works as a soft reboot and will be released worldwide.
With only 12 days to go with the release of Sakura Wars (2019) for Playstation 4, I’m going to share my hands-on experience of the game, courtesy of SEGA. Please note that this preview is the 1.0 version of the game before the Day One update with a full review coming to SEGAbits on April 27th. You can read my hands-on preview of Sakura Wars (2019) in full after the break!
Sakura Wars (2019) – Demon Conflict Trailer
Sakura Wars (2019) is just a few weeks away from release. Check out the latest trailer featuring the demon conflicts and enemies that the Imperial Combat Revue will have to face in order to protect Tokyo from harm. Pre-order your copy today! Hit the jump to read the description from the press and enemy bios after the break.
Sakura Wars (2019) – Soejima/Ito/Ken Sugimori Character Design Spotlight Video
SEGA has uploaded another exclusive character design work by Japan’s finest manga and anime designers in the industry, Shigenori Soejima (Persona series), Noizi Ito (Haruhi Suzumiya), and Ken Sugimori (Pokemon) by showing off the characters you will encounter during the adventure segments of Sakura Wars.
Sakura Wars (2019) will take center stage on April 28th for Playstation 4.
Pre-Order Sakura Wars for Playstation 4
Launch Edition
Sakura Wars (2019) – Horiguchi / BUNBUN / Shimada Character Design Spotlight Video
SEGA has uploaded an exclusive speak peek at three of Japan’s greatest anime/manga character designers in the industry, Horiguchi, BUNBUN, and Shimada, work on the upcoming Sakura Wars (2019) game for Playstation 4.
The video showcases sketches of the three Combat Revues that the New Flower Division will be up against in the Combat Revue World Games which consist of Shanghai, London, and Berlin Divisions. Sakura Wars (2019) will take center stage on April 28th for Playstation 4.
Pre-Order Sakura Wars for Playstation 4
Launch Edition