Author Archives: Kori-Maru

Phantom Thief, Morgana, joins the Monkey Gang in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania as post-launch DLC!

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An announcement was made at this year’s Gamescom Opening Night Live that some of you might have never seen coming as Persona 5’s Phantom Thief, Morgana, will be joining the Monkey Gang in Super Monkey Ball as a post-launch DLC character and will feature the ability to collect treasure boxes across numerous stages. The feisty Phantom Thief will arrive on November 2nd for $4.99 USD (or equivalent) across all platforms. Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania will be available for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X on October 5, 2021.

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Steam | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S

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The Dragon of Dojima, Kazuma Kiryu from Yakuza, rolls into Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania

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From the streets of Kamurocho to the slopes of Jungle Island, Kazuma Kiryu from the Yakuza series rolls into Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania! Instead of collecting bananas, Kazuma Kiryu can collect Stamina X bottles (a item he uses to recover his health gauge in the Yakuza games) as he progresses through numerous puzzling worlds. This would have to be one of the greatest SEGA crossovers so far as RGG Studio, formerly known as Amusement Vision, worked on the Super Monkey Ball series and then became CS1 R&D (RGG Studio) later to develop the Yakuza series.

Kazuma Kiryu will be free and unlockable on all platforms when Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania launches for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X on October 5, 2021!

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Steam | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S

 

 

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First look at Shining Force: Heroes of Light and Darkness

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Vespa and Hive today released a first look preview of “Shining Force: Heroes of Light and Darkness for mobile devices. Iconic characters from the “Shining Force” series such as Bowie, Sarah, and Max appear with a mysterious baby wrapped in a blue and red cloth, suggesting a grand story that unites the entire series as the game inherits the world view of the original, where the heroes become the “Shining Force” and win the battle against the Army of Darkness, and the story is set about 1000 years after the original game.

Shining Force: Heroes of Light and Darkness retains the simulation RPG elements of the original series with lively graphics and turn-based gameplay. Shining Force is scheduled to launch globally in the first half of 2022.

Source: 4Gamer

 

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Sonic and Tails speed their way to Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania as playable characters

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To celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog’s 30th Anniversary, roll around puzzling world and collect rings as Sonic the Hedgehog and Miles “Tails” Prower in their classic iterations from the Sega Genesis (Sega Mega Drive) days by unlocking them in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania for free on all platforms through normal gameplay when the game launches for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X on October 5, 2021!

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Steam | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S

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Shining Force: Heroes of Light and Darkness coming to mobile

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It seems that Shining Force series, the classic turn-based role playing game originally developed by Climax Entertainment, Sonic! Software Planning, will be returning to mobile devices as Hive, the Japanese subsidiary of Korean company Vespa has acquired the rights from SEGA to develop a new title and announced Shining Force: Hikari to Yami no Eiyuu (tentative)(Heroes of Light and Darkness).

The new game will launch in the first half of 2022 worldwide as a free-to-play title with item-based in-app purchases. Specific territories were not announced, but the licensing includes right to distribute games in Japan, South Korea, and other Asian countries, as well as North America and Europe with a beta test being planned.

Shining Force: Heroes of Light and Darkness is currently in development with the goal of brining the strategy and fun of tactical RPGs to mobile devices, based on the unique setting and story of the Shining Force series and the fun of developing unique and charming characters.

Source: Gematsu, Gamer.ne.jp

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Beat from Jet Set Radio joins Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania in the latest trailer

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It’s time to get funky as one of the iconic GG members, Beat, from the Jet Set Radio series makes his way into the Super Monkey Ball world as a free and unlockable character through normal gameplay in Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania. If you’ve been a fan of Jet Set Radio since it’s launch on the SEGA Dreamcast, then this is a treat for you. Happy to see that SEGA and RGG Studio were able to pay tribute to such an awesome classic SEGA video game series into another franchise.

Glide, grind, and roll your way through the wondrous worlds of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania as the iconic rebel graffiti artist when the game launches for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X on October 5, 2021!

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Steam | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S

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The Monkey Gang is all here in the latest Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania Gameplay Trailer

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SEGA has uploaded a new gameplay trailer featuring the playable cast of Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania with little trivia on the characters personality traits. Play as the gang as you roll, tilt, and bounce your way through wondrous worlds in the newest Super Monkey Ball adventure. No banana is safe when this all-star crew returns for more monkey mayhem! Also, be sure to watch until the end of the trailer to see a familiar face pass by.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania will be released on October 5th for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-order your copy today!

PRE-ORDER

Steam (Coming Soon) | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S

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New Upcoming Update for Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown to include Tournament, Team Battle Mode and more

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During a recent livestream session on the Virtua Fighter Official YouTube Channel, VF5US Chief Producer, Seiji Aoki, announced that the game will include new modes and features in the upcoming update. Two of the newest modes will be Tournament and Team Battle Mode. There will be weekly tournaments for players to enter and earn exclusive title cards for winning. As for Team Battle Mode, this mode will feature 8v8 players akin to Fighters Megamix for the Sega Saturn.

The update will also include concurrent play during tournament/league matches along with other additions such as:

  • Changed side hit sparks
  • Lock stage during room match
  • Enable stage select upon rematch
  • Ability to filter rooms without passwords
  • Adjustments to allow sub-characters easier rank climbing when a main character ranks up
  • League match differentials count rounds instead of games, trophies, bug fixes

The official date for the update has not been stated on stream but the developers are at least pushing for a summer release. Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown is now available on PlayStation 4 and is free to download with PS+ until August 2nd.

Source: GSK on Twitter

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Lizardcube’s Art/Creative Director, Ben Fiquet, explains how Streets of Rage 4 came to be

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After the recent release of Streets of Rage 4: Mr. X Nightmare, Lizardcube’s Art/Creative Director, Ben Fiquet, explains how the Streets of Rage project came to be after finishing Wonder Boy on his latest blog post.

The blog post contains early artwork/animations and screenshot mock-ups of a remastered version of Streets of Rage 2 and an earlier version of Streets of Rage 4 along with details on how the project was greenlit by SEGA of Japan and his experience working with Guard Crush, Dot Emu and several composers together on the game. Check out Ben’s blog to see cool concepts on Streets of Rage 4.

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New described details on modes and features showcased in Sonic Colors Ultimate Japanese Website

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The official Japanese website for Sonic Colors Ultimate has been updated with descriptions on the new modes and features that will be included in the upcoming remaster which were also shared on the spotlight video that was uploaded by the official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube Channel. Hit the jump for screenshots and descriptions on each mode and features coming to Sonic Colors Ultimate.

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Explore the Wondrous Worlds of Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania in the latest trailer

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To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Super Monkey Ball series, SEGA has uploaded a new trailer for Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania showcasing the recreated levels from the original trilogy and a story mode featuring Dr. Bad-Boon. From the lush scenery of Jungle Island to the mechanical madness of the Clock Tower Factory, play as AiAi and your favorite monkey gang as you race through imaginative worlds in your quest to save your beloved bananas from the dastardly Dr. Bad-Boon!

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania will be released on October 5th for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Pre-order your copy today!

PRE-ORDER

Steam (Coming Soon) | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X/S

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You’re Already Dead! Try out Sonic the Hedgehog in Fist of the North Star LEGENDS ReVIVE collaboration event on June 19th

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If you own Fist of the North Star LEGENDS ReVIVE for IOS and Android devices, there will be a collaboration event held on June 19th and will feature Sonic the Hedgehog as a playable character to celebrate the Sonic series 30th anniversary. In order to have him in your team, you would need to obtain Sonic the Hedgehog Fragments during the event to earn the collaboration character UR, “Sonic the Hedgehog”.

This will be one of Sonic’s few appearances in Mature rated games starting with Phantasy Star Online 2 and Lost Judgment which will feature Sonic the Fighters as an arcade minigame. Check below for artwork and in game screenshots of Sonic the Hedgehog.

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Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown Announcement Trailer – To Be Released Next Week Digitally on PS4

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IGN has an exclusive announcement trailer for Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown aka Virtua Fighter Esports in Japan. The trailer features the entire VF cast and stages remade with the Dragon Engine and is developed by the collaboration between SEGA AM2 and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio as part of SEGA’s 60th anniversary project.

The game will include include new background music for every stage, a new user interface, a new opening cinematic, and new lighting and shaders. In addition to updated graphics and background music, it will allow players to spectate online matches in real-time, and will also include the ability to build robin-robin style online tournaments. The private and public lobby system will support up to 16 players, and will include new communications tools like stamps.

Check out screenshots of Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown and let us know what you think? Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown will be available digitally on PS4 on June 1st.

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Virtua Fighter x Esports Official Announcement Broadcast to be held on May 27th

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The official Twitter account for the Virtua Fighter series teased that there will be an official announcement broadcast for the “Virtua Fighter x Esports” project held on their official YouTube channel on Thursday, May 27th at 20:00 JST (7 AM EST, 6AM CST, 4 AM PST). You can head on over to their countdown site and the official Youtube channel for the game to keep yourself updated.

We are finally about to receive some news on the project. What are your expectations for Virtua Fighter x Esports? Let us know in the comments below.

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Judgment Day Stream reveals gameplay details for Lost Judgment; Yakuza series to remain Turn-Based RPG

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Following the announcement trailer for Lost Judgment. SEGA hosted a global reveal stream, “Judgment Day”, for the upcoming title with Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio executive producer Toshihiro Nagoshi and producer Kazuki Hosokawa sharing details on story and gameplay. During the stream, RGG Studio revealed that in addition to the setting of Kamurocho, fans will be able to adventure to the scenic port city of Yokohama which was last seen in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. Along with Yokohama, there will be a high school setting that will play a key role in both the story and optional side content such as School Stories and unique mini games.

With fans showing much support from the original game with it’s fast-paced action, the team made improvements to the combat system with Crane and Tiger styles making their return, along with a brand new strategic Snake style which will allow you to counter and disarm enemies with weapons. Players will also experience the investigation gameplay in a new way with the ability to scramble up buildings, acrobatics, and perform stealthy objectives.

At last with an recent interview with IGN, the producers stated that the Yakuza series will remain turn-based RPG while Judgment will continue the classic action based gameplay. Lost Judgment will release simultaneous worldwide on September 24 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One with dual audio (JP/EN), dual English subs, and FIGS language subtitles.

 

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