SEGA Talk #172: Ristar (1995)

Back in 1995, SEGA launched one of the Genesis’ brightest hidden gems, Ristar! Born from scrapped Sonic ideas, this star hero grabbed, swung, and headbutted his way through some of the most colorful worlds and catchiest music of the 16-bit era. Today, we’re diving into its wild development, planets, bosses, and lasting legacy!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SONIC WEEKLY: Bonanza Bros. w/ MOON + MICHAEL STEARNS

Michael Stearns returns with a new friend, Moon, who shares their infectious enthusiasm with us about the 1990 Sega game, Bonanza Bros. Plus the new DLC Minecraft track for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds is covered by David & Grant in the news section, Bo shares updates of Rings of Saturn across time/space, and in the end, we all learn a little bit about friendship (and the shared developer connections between Bonanza Bros. and Sonic the Hedgehog).

The SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show LIVE: Sonic Weekly – CrossPod Part 2

Barry and the hosts of Sonic Weekly cross through the ring portal – as heard in part 1 – and emerge on the Swingin Report Show LIVE! We learn more about how the Sonic Weekly podcast came to be, discuss the canon elements of the Sonic Racing games and take your questions!

[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]

SEGA News Bits Live: Miku Festival + Sonic’s Olympic Return?

We had our first festival in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, and on this News Bits we talk about how it went! Also, news has dropped that Sonic is teaming back up with the Olympics!

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

SEGA Talk #171: Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1 (2010)

On this SEGA Talk, we discuss the first half of the fourth Sonic the Hedgehog game that arrived nearly 15 years after the third game! How did Sonic 4 come to be? Why is it so controversial with some fans? What is the ideal way to play it? Can you physically own it? Find out on SEGA Talk!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance Review – A Ninja Legend Reforged

The Shinobi legacy returns with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a modern reimagining of SEGA’s iconic ninja action series. Released earlier this year, the game slices its way onto PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, bringing a mix of stylish combat, retro-inspired flair, and fresh design sensibilities. Behind the project is Lizardcube, the Paris-based studio best known for revitalizing another SEGA classic with Streets of Rage 4. Having earned widespread praise for blending hand-drawn artistry with tight, old-school gameplay, Lizardcube now turns its attention to one of SEGA’s most enduring heroes, aiming to reintroduce Shinobi to a new generation while respecting the series’ stealth-and-slash roots.

But will their trademark flair fit seamlessly with the iconic Shinobi franchise? I spent time with Art of Vengeance, and in this review, we’ll talk about what works, what doesn’t, and whether this revival lives up to its legendary name.

Earthion Review – Ancient Returns to the SEGA Genesis

Where does the time go? It only feels like yesterday that I reported on the one and only Yuzo Koshiro being hard at work on his first new Genesis/Mega-Drive game since 1995’s Beyond Oasis, which we later heard would be named Earthion. Now, before I even knew it, Earthion had released on Steam and just came out for modern consoles earlier this month. Limited Run Games also started pre-orders for physical copies of the game on those modern platforms until September 28th, as well, but have yet to open pre-orders on cartridges for your old Genesis consoles. (Sorry for not letting you know sooner.)

Yuzo Koshiro’s studio Ancient has been kind enough to offer us a review code for Earthion on Steam, and I have run the game through its paces many a times. Now that the wait to experience this modern Genesis classic is finally over, it’s time for me to report on how this shooter turned out. Suffice it to say, the game pushes the Genesis to limits never thought possible, but is the game fun to play? Find out now after the break.

(Neither Ancient nor Limited Run Games have influenced this review or seen it before it has gone live.)

SEGA Talk #170: Lost SEGA Consoles (1991-1996)

On this episode of SEGA Talk, we dive into the uncharted territory of lost consoles. From the canceled SEGA Neptune to the mythical SEGA Pluto and the ambitious but doomed SEGA VR, we’re exploring the machines that time forgot.

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGA Talk #169: Sonic Archie Comics #39-79

On this SEGA Talk we’re talking about Sonic the Hedgehog comic books… again! Specifically the mainline Archie Comics series. We are spending this SEGA Talk discussing issues 39 to 79 which spans Ken Penders debut, the End Game issue 50 event and the lead up to the Sonic Adventure adaptation – which means we learn how Sonic gets his green eyes!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGA Talk Podcast #168: Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator

On this episode, we’re beaming up Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator! You might remember this gem from the arcades, a groundbreaking 1983 title from none other than SEGA. We’ll dive into its innovative vector-graphics gameplay, that iconic first-person cockpit, and the thrill of defending starbases from relentless Klingon attackers.

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

SEGAbits Presents Arcade Adventure 4: Arcade meetup at Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, IL on October 25, 2025

MEETUP HOURS: 1:30pm to 6:30pm
Pre-event meetup from 12pm to 1:30pm at Imperial Oak Brewing

Sonic’s fourth movie may be a few years away, but we have a “4” of our own coming very soon: SEGAbits Presents Arcade Adventure 4! Meet up with fellow SEGA fans at Galloping Ghost Arcade in Brookfield, Illinois on October 25th, 2025 to play hundreds of arcade games in the world’s largest arcade!

SEGA News Bits Live: New Classic Sonic Toys!

New Classic Sonic toys are hitting shelves, and on this SEGA News Bits Live Barry takes a look at the Hammer Egg from Sonic Superstars and Giant Mecha Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog 2!

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

SEGA Talk Podcast #167: Sonic Advance 2 (2002)

Let’s return to the Game Boy Advance with the second installment of Sonic’s Advance adventures! We talk about the OTHER SA2, the addition of Cream the Rabbit and the changes the game makes to the previous Advance on SEGA TALK!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!