SEGA News

SEGA of America 1997 internal documents posted online, showing e-mails and revealing profit margins

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Have you ever wanted to know what SEGA of America talked about privately about SEGA as a brand going into 1997? You know, the time period when SEGA was going against the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in America? When they lost most of the market share they gained with the SEGA Genesis? You can now thanks to a 272-page leaked internal document posted over at SEGA Retro.

In this document you can see SEGA of America discussing stuff like manufacturing costs, how badly the Saturn was selling, retail profit margins, and a lot more. For example, retailers only made a measly 6% per SEGA Saturn sold, that means they made $15 dollars per console. Why would they push it? Another surprising piece of information is that in 1996 it only cost SEGA $232 to manufacture a Saturn console which is a lot lower than we all thought.

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Sonic the Hedgehog SatAM is coming back to DVD this September for $19.99

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Via Sonic Stadium comes the news that the Saturday morning Sonic the Hedgehog series, often referred to as Sonic SatAM, is returning to DVD. The series debuted in 1993 and had a handful of VHS releases, but it wasn’t until 2007 that Shout! Factory released a complete series DVD set complete with several bonus features and cover art from franchise icon Ken Penders. The set has long been out of print, selling for well over $100, so fans should be pleased to see it returning to DVD albeit with some downsides.

Released by NCircle, the 26 episodes will be spread over two discs, as opposed to the original four, and will not feature any bonus materials. Additionally, the set has some pretty ugly cover art. Still, with a $19.99 price point it’s a great way to get your hands on the series. The DVD is set for a September 19, 2023 release.

Pre-Order At Amazon

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Yu Suzuki’s Space Harrier-inspired “Air Twister” heading to consoles and PC on November 10th

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Released June 24, 2022 to Apple Arcade, Yu Suzuki’s Air Twister was a Space Harrier inspired behind the back 3D shooter from the man who created the original SEGA franchise. In what was perhaps our biggest “get”, we managed to interview Yu Suzuki himself to talk about the game! And yes, I will try to link to that interview whenever given a chance.

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Sonic Central: New episodes of Sonic Prime arrive July 13th on Netflix

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The Sonic Central event revealed new footage of Sonic Prime, the Netflix exclusive animated series, and announced new episodes will arrive July 13th. Check out the clip above and get ready for more dimension hopping this July!

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Sonic Superstars physical release details leak ahead of Sonic Central event – LEGO Eggman pre-order bonus revealed

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With Sonic’s anniversary just a day away, and a Sonic Central live stream planned, it appears some secrets have slipped out. Making the rounds on Twitter is an image showcasing what fans can expect from Sonic Superstars physical release when the game releases in the Fall. The game will feature a surprising amount of bonuses, including an in-game Eggman character skin (who will presumably replace classic Eggman in the cutscenes and boss battles, but it is possible Eggman could be also playable), reversible cover art featuring 2D art in the style of the 1990s games and an acrylic display stand. Worth pointing out, LEGO Eggman is digital and not an actual minifigure included in the box.

Priced at $59.99, the physical release goodies are very much welcomed. It has been a long time since Western fans received such bonuses in a base Sonic game, outside of the usual art books found in Origins Plus and Mania Plus. It is worth noting that in the lead up to tomorrow, the LEGO social accounts have teased a clip of LEGO Sonic tied up. This could be a hint towards LEGO Eggman pushing Sonic aside for an appearance in Sonic Superstars.

We will learn more tomorrow!

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Japanese Only Dreamcast Game “Nakoruru: The Gift She Gave Me” Gets Fan Translated English Patch

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The SEGA Dreamcast is a great console that received a lot of great games, some of these games only got a Japanese release. Thankfully, in the last few years we have had fans go back and translate the games themselves. Nakoruru: The Gift She Gave Me was released back in 2001 on Windows PC and a year later on Dreamcast. This game is an adventure game that’s actually a spin-off of Samurai Shodown from SNK, since Nakoruru is a selectable fighter from the franchise.

Even though the game alludes to you playing as Nakoruru in this game, it seems that isn’t the case. Here is an overview of the game from SNK Fandom Wiki:

“The player is a seven year old girl named Mikato, a villager in Kamui Kotan who looks up to Nakoruru. She watches and idolizes the priestess, trying to help her in anyway that she can. During the time of peace, she spends time acquainting herself with the residents and the beautiful yet sometimes unforgiving environment. Their serene lives are invaded by an evil force, making once tame animals into berserkers and allies into sudden foes.

The basic flow of the game uses traditional elements from the adventure game genre. Players select their answers and proceed along a path that hopefully gets to the good ending of the game. Along the way, they’ll also have to complete a variety of mini-games that test typing and reflexive skills.”

This translation was brought to us by Derek Pascarella who posted his English translated patch on Github. He also points out that there is a bonus disc for the game that features brand-new supplement to the full game including music and a 30-minute OVA with English subtitles.

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Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth coming in 2024 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and PC

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It looks like SEGA really is dropping the Yakuza name from its upcoming releases, while Ichiban’s debut game was called ‘Yakuza: Like a Dragon’, the sequel is being titled ‘Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth‘. The game just game a gameplay trailer shown off via the Xbox Showcase. I guess in Japan this game will still be known as Like a Dragon 8. Yeah, the naming and changing is getting a bit confusing.

Yes, the debut trailer is just one big gag about Ichiban being naked on the beach. Yes, the Yakuza, uh I mean Like a Dragon franchise is back to what we love. I can’t wait for it to come out early 2024!

(Note: I know the franchise has always been known as Like a Dragon in Japan)

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Sonic Superstars opening animation, gameplay footage and development studios revealed

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Following the reveal at Summer Game Fest 2023, a demo of Sonic Superstars is now available to play at the event. The footage gives fans a lot to chew on. First, the opening title screen which harkens back to the Genesis/Mega Drive days. Second, the opening animation which is very Sonic Mania and Sonic Origins in style. Third, a look at returning villain Fang and a new villain which appears to be some furry animal in a metal lizard suit.

Fourth, the names of the development studios: Sonic Team and Arzest, Arzest being Sonic designer Naoto Ohshima’s studio which also worked on Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the 3DS and Balan Wonderworld. Ohshima was previously announced as returning to the series with character design contributions, though it is possible he and his team are contributing more than just design work. Fifth and lastly, there is a lot of gameplay footage which gives fans a good idea of how the game looks and plays. We will let you do your own YouTube searching for videos, but after the break we have a short one giving a nice overview of different moments in the game.

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Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name set to launch November 9, 2023

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During Summer Game Fest, SEGA dropped a new trailer and release details for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Set for a November 9, 2023 release date to PlayStation 4, 5, Xbox consoles and PC, the game will be priced at $49.99. Pre-orders will get players a Legendary Fighter Pack.

ERASE YOUR PAST TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE Once a legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Now, he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding.

When we learn more about release details, including physical copies and those steelbooks we like so much, we will be sure to share the news!

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Sonic Superstars brings four player action to the classic formula in 2.5D – Releasing Fall 2023

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SEGA has just announced a new 2D Sonic game, and it’s not Sonic Mania 2! Titled Sonic Superstars, the game takes the 2D formula into 3D (well, 2.5D) and allows players to play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Amy Rose on their own or with friends. Even more exciting, Fang the Sniper aka Nack the Weasel is back, and will make his transition to 3D! The game is due out Fall 2023 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Check out the trailer and read the official press release below. Also, signing up for the newsletter gets you free Amy Rose DLC which allows classic Amy to wear modern Amy’s dress.

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The SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show LIVE: Ghostbusters – Special Edition with BillyTime! Games

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39 years ago today, the original Ghostbusters movie hit theaters and kicked off a franchise that has endured to this day! Heck, they’re in New York right now filming the fourth film! On this Swingin’ Report Show, BillyTime! Games stops by to talk about his SEGA Genesis ROM hack Ghostbusters – Special Edition.

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

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Rare 1980 SEGA Samurai arcade cabinet found and restored

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This is an odd story. An arcade auction in Texas ended up auctioning off a rare 1980 SEGA Samurai arcade cabinet without even being aware of it. Patrick Scott Patterson, who reached out to us to share the news, was bidding on a Mr. Do! arcade cabinet that was a converted SEGA Samurai cabinet. Because nobody was aware of the cabinet’s past life, Patrick was able to win the machine easily. Throughout May 2023, Patrick stripped off the forty year old paint to reveal the artwork for Samurai. Once the project was completed, Patrick had himself a Samurai cabinet with all the lovely artwork intact.

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Samba de Amigo Party Central Shakes Its Way On Meta Quest 2 & Meta Quest Pro

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During the Meta Quest Showcase, SEGA announced that Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be arrive for Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro later this fall. Pre-orders for the game are available on the Meta Quest Store.

As a special bonus to those who pre-order the game ($29.99 MSRP) up until launch will also receive the following unique in-game accessories they can use to dress up their Amigo:

  • A virtual replica Meta Quest 2 VR headset
    A pair of virtual replica Meta Quest controllers that replace the player’s maracas

Samba de Amigo will also be arriving on Nintendo Switch on August 29 with pre-orders now available here.

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