Phantasy Star Online 2 Reborn: Episode 4 Update Goes Live

Reborn-Episode-4-LogoSEGA hasn’t given up on Phantasy Star Online 2, at least in Japan. The game’s newest update, Reborn: Episode 4, is a big deal for the franchise. The game will launch with the new update on a new platform, the PlayStation 4 and the older versions will also get a reprint on store shelves. Not only that, SEGA also recently launched its anime series based on the franchise.

File Size on the patch:

  • Launcher: Version 04.00.00
  • Client: ver. 4.0001.0
  • Patch Size: 3.7 GB (PC) / 1943 MB (Vita)
  • If Pre-patched: 575 MB

Reborn: Episode 4 will include a new story chapter in the Phantasy Star Online 2 storyline. This time you get to explore earth, Tokyo in the year 2028. Phantasy Star Online 2 hits PlayStation 4 in Japan on April 20th, SEGA still has no plans on releasing this outside of Japan.

[Source: Bumped]

Classic Virtua Fighter figures now available for pre-order

FIGURE-016527_08Are you a big fan of the low polygon models used in the original Virtua Fighter? Today is your lucky day because Figma’s classic Akira and Sarah figures are now available to pre-order at AmiAmi. Each figure will cost you 3,560 yen (about $30 usd).

Each figure comes with:

  • Main figure
  • Base
  • Standard expression part
  • Shouting expression part
  • Hand parts

The figures will have a ‘variety of hand parts’ so you can pose them to fit your needs. Not to mention the screaming face. Look at the gallery after the break. According to Figma, they will be making Player 2 variants soon, you can see those figures in the image above. The figures are set to ship this upcoming September, so this is a long pre-order.

Yakuza: Kiwami has shipped over 200,000 copies in Asia

YakuzaKiwami

The remake for Yakuza 1 is already off to a great start with SEGA confirming that Yakuza: Kiwami has received orders of 200,000 copies in “Asia” (China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) and in the same report they also confirmed Yakuza 0 has sold through over 100,000 units. It’s an impressive result for the game and shows why SEGA were so convinced to try and grow the series in mainland Asia. Yakuza: Kiwami is the first time the series has received a simultaneous Japanese and Asian release which should help offset declining Japanese software sales with increasing Asian sales.

Come back tomorrow to find out how Yakuza: Kiwami will be doing in it’s home territory of Japan when the latest Media Create charts are released.

[Source: GNN.Gamer]

SEGA News Bits: Valkyria Chronicles on PS4 coming West reaction and discussion

The physical releases of localized Japanese SEGA titles keep on coming! In this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry react to the news of Valkyria Chronicles Remastered coming to the Americas and Europe and discuss how this could affect the future of the series. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered is due out Spring 2016, priced at priced at $29.99/CA$44.99 in special launch edition case for the Americas. The game is also releasing to Europe both physically and digitally, with physical release details to come.

If you enjoyed the video make sure to like, share and subscribe to us on YouTube if you haven’t already. Thanks for the support!

Huffington Post article details Michael Jackson’s involvement with Sonic the Hedgehog 3

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The Huffington Post has just published a fantastic article on the level of involvement Michael Jackson had in making music for Sonic the Hedgehog 3. I’ll leave the new reveals for the article, but I will say that after the first half – which is mainly going over stuff most SEGA and Sonic fans who have followed the story already know – there is a lot of new information in the second half. I definitely suggest you check the article out and then click back here and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Oh, and one thing, the article states that hardcore Sonic fans refer to themselves as “Blues”. I have never ever heard of this term and I am half wondering if somebody they interviewed were pulling the writer’s leg. What do you fellow Blues think?

Valkyria Chronicles Remastered releasing to the Playstation 4 in Americas & Europe in Spring 2016

SEGA continues to kick ass in the West in 2016, as just this morning it was announced that Valkyria Chronicles Remastered will be releasing to the Playstation 4 in the Americas and Europe in Spring 2016. Even more exciting, the game will indeed be receiving a physical release (as well as digital) priced at $29.99/CA$44.99 in special launch edition case.

After the break, read the full press release!

SEGA shows Yakuza 6 demo gameplay

Today saw the latest Nagoshi Raw showcase demo gameplay for SEGA’s up and coming Yakuza 6. As expected from a Playstation 4 exclusive, the game has shown technical leaps over it’s predecessors but also seems to feature a completely new battle system and what looks like new movesets for Kiryu. Also featured is for the first time in the series Kazuma can now fight alongside more than just one other ally but I won’t spoil anymore of the video and let readers get to watch what the latest Yakuza game is set to offer.

SEGA News Bits: SEGA 3D Classics Collection reaction and games discussion

Yesterday, SEGA of America announced a new physical release for the Nintendo 3DS: SEGA 3D Classics Collection. The compilation, due out April 26th for $29.99/CA$44.99, features seven 3D Classics, including two new titles for the West as well as an additional two bonus Master System games. Listen to our reaction to this announcement as we discuss whether this is worth your money as well as our thoughts on the included games.

Like always, if you enjoyed our video make sure to like, share and subscribe to us on YouTube if you haven’t already. Thanks for the support!

Valkyria: Azure Revolution gets new screenshots in Famitsu Magazine scans

We posted some of the information on Famitsu Magazine’s Valkyria: Azure Revolution  feature story, which revealed that  legendary composer Yasunori Mitsuda joined the team. Now the high quality scans of that Famitsu article have hit the internet, showing off more in-game screenshots.

Part of the article was to show our new enemy, called Maxim, an Imperial officer who used to be experimented on with Ragnite. Maxim now possess the use of magic, which he uses on the battlefield.

Check out the screens below and tell us what you think of the game so far.

[Via: DualShockers]

SEGA of America announces SEGA 3D Classics Collection physical release for Nintendo 3DS – features new games!

Screen Shot 2016-01-21 at 12.03.54 PM

Well called it… and then some! Yesterday SEGA teased a new release announcement today for fans of classics, and that game turned out to be a physical release of the SEGA 3D Classics series for Nintendo 3DS. SEGA 3D Classics Collection will include:

  • 7 Classic Games:
  • Power Drift
  • Puyo Puyo 2
  • Fantasy Zone II W
  • Sonic The Hedgehog
  • Thunder Blade
  • Galaxy Force II
  • Altered Beast
  • 2 Bonus Games:
  • Fantasy Zone II
  • Maze Walker

For those keeping track, this is sadly not every title, but the collection does include two new games: Power Drift and Puyo Puyo 2 as well as two Master System bonus titles: Fantasy Zone 2 and Maze Walker. Missing titles, which are available on the eShop, include: After Burner II, Ecco the Dolphin, Fantasy Zone, Gunstar Heroes, OutRun, Shinobi III, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Space Harrier, Streets of Rage, Streets of Rage 2, and Super Hang-On. OutRun 3D and Space Harrier 3D, 3D releases of the Master System titles that were bonuses on Japan’s physical release, are the only 3D Classics games not to see a release in the West yet. Learn more at the new official site, and SEGA 3D Classics Collection will be available in stores and digitally exclusively in the Americas for $29.99/CA$44.99 on April 26, 2016.

SEGA Europe hints at Valkyria Chronicles Remaster & 3D Classics releases in the West

The latest episode of SEGA Central, a YouTube series produced by SEGA Europe and hosted by European Community Manager Dan Sheridan, brought up the upcoming Japan-only Valkyria Chronicles Remaster for Playstation 4 with an interesting tease. In a recent Twitter poll, viewers voted for what sort of content they’d like to see covered in upcoming SEGA Central episodes and Japanese news was a clear winner. As such, Dan shared clips from the new trailer for Valkyria Chronicles Remaster, but it didn’t end there. Dan added: “But what does this mean for us? Will we see it in the West? Tune in next week to find out more!” (ominous laugh)

Could a Western announcement for Valkyria Chronicles Remaster be due next week? Or is SEGA Europe simply trolling fans? I’d go with the former, as it is rare SEGA of America or Europe give official attention to Japanese-only releases unless there are plans for a Western release. Fingers crossed, and we’ll know for sure next week!

Update: Our own Tracker pointed out on Twitter that the video ends with what could be a sly tease of upcoming 3D Classics titles. Seen is a pair of Master System 3-D Glasses on a shelf surrounded by already released to the West titles as well as the unreleased Puyo Puyo 2 which is taken down from the shelf. Hmmm…

New Project X Zone 2 trailer released, demo coming soon

A brand new trailer for Project X Zone 2 has arrived! Along with it, we get some of the gameplay in action including a more cartoonish Kazuma from the Yakuza series. Once again, Sega, Capcom and Namco/Bandai come together for one large crossover action RPG (along with some characters from Nintendo’s own JRPG franchises).

If you haven’t played the first one and are curious about the gameplay or just want a sneak peek at the upcoming title, Nintendo will have a demo available on the 3DS E-Shop Thursday, January 26. In the meantime, read on to find out which Sega franchises will be represented in this sequel.

Project X Zone 2 releases on the Nintendo 3DS in North America February 16.

Valkyria: Azure Revolution’s soundtrack being done by famous JRPG composer Yasunori Mitsuda

ValkyriaAzureFamitsu2Famitsu’s latest issue has a nice spread with some new details about Valkyria: Azure Revolution. They revealed a new nemesis named Maxim (pictured above) and showed off what is being called “Battle Demo 1.0” which is set to come with first print copies of Valkyria Chronicles Remaster.

Also confirmed is that the game’s music is being done by legendary JRPG composer Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Shadow Hearts). Valkyria: Azure Revolution hits Japan this winter, nothing confirmed for the west.

Chain Chronicle Global shutting down February 29th

chain-chronicle.jpgIf you play Chain Chronicle outside of Japan, I got some bad news for you, it will be closed down next month, and the app has already been removed from the appstores. Before you go blaming SEGA, Chain Chronicle Global is actually published by Gumi and not SEGA.

This is the game closure notice they gave fans:

Dear Captains,

It is with heavy hearts that we must announce that Chain Chronicle Global is closing on February 29th, 2016.

It was a very hard choice to make, but despite the overwhelming support of our loyal fan base, it was the way it had to go. We appreciate your participation in what ended up being a very positive experience for us all, and we would like you all to know that it was thanks to you that Chain Chronicle Global made it as far as it did.

The app is to be removed from the stores, though you will still be able to play the game for a period of time afterwards. Sales of Prysma, however, will end on January 18th, 2016.

While Gumi dropped support, the franchise is far from dead. SEGA is planning to release a anime series based in the game’s universe this year and the game still gets updated in Japan. Maybe now that Gumi has dropped the title, SEGA Networks can relaunch it with all the same content the Japanese version has (the Gumi version was behind).

Phantasy Star Online 2 coming to Japanese PlayStation 4 owners on April 20

PhantasyStarOnline2Playsation4SEGA Japan have finally given a specific date as to when their free-to-play online game, Phantasy Star Online 2 will hit the Playstation 4. That date is April 20. Right now SEGA will accept 50,000 beta testers between January 25 and February 15.

SEGA will also repackage the game with the upcoming ‘Reborn: Episode 4‘ content update and release it in retail for the PS4, PS Vita and PC. Those that pay ¥4,990 ($43) will get a variety of in-game items.

As for a Western release, SEGA has already said they have no plans on bringing Phantasy Star Online 2 outside of Japan. Which led us to write a decent rebuttal here. So tell us if any of you are planning on importing the game or give us your two cents on the whole ‘no Phantasy Star Online 2 outside of Japan’ issue in the comments below!

[Via: Gematsu]