Project Sakura Wars first gameplay to debut in official live stream on June 26


SEGA will be hosting a series of ‘Sakura Wars: Imperial Theater Propaganda Department Report’ live streams, with the first official broadcast kicking off on June 26 from 20:00 JST to 21:30 JST (4am-5:30am PST) on YouTube and Periscope.

The stream will reveal new information and show off the first gameplay stream.

The stream will feature:

– Yohei Azakami (Mission Propaganda Department leader / Seijuurou Kamiyama voice actor)
– Misuzu Araki (assistant MC)
– Tetsu Katano (Project Sakura Wars producer)

If you don’t have time to watch the stream, just come here after the whole event and we will have a breakdown on all the new information!

Shenmue III will only complete 40% of Ryo’s story


If you funded Shenmue III assuming that we would be getting a closure to a story that we (at least most of us older fans) have been following since early 2000s, but that doesn’t seem the case. We all know that Shenmue was always mean’t to be 11 chapters, but considering budgets and restrains, a lot of us assumed that Yu Suzuki had planned a more condense version of his story. I guess not:

During a interview with USgamer, Yu Suzuki revealed that Shenmue III will be about 40% of Ryo’s story:

“Whole story of this bottle, about here [sic],” Suzuki said via translator. I asked if he meant halfway. “40 percent,”

About the game’s length, Yu Suzuki had this to say in a Reddit AMA:

Phil Spencer says Phantasy Star Online 2 ‘Will End up on all Platforms’

This actually happen and was said a few days ago but I was too busy to write it up. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer said while talking to the boys over at Giant Bomb that Phantasy Star Online 2 will end up on multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4? Please note that there is no Phantasy Star Online 2 that runs native within the Switch, the one released in Japan was actually streaming.

It was so cool to have [Sega] on our stage and work with them. And yes, it’ll end up on all platforms. That’s not the point. To me, the point was to be able to have Sega back on our stage. It’s been a while.

Phil Spencer knows how to sweet talk us SEGA fans, its been awhile since SEGA has taken a big E3 stage especially with Microsoft. When was the last time they had a big presence? During the early Xbox 360 days? You can check out the Giant Bomb Phil Spencer interview above.

SEGAbits at E3 2019: Mario & Sonic at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Hands-On Preview

Dakota and Patrick: The 90’s all-star rivalry is back in this year’s version of the Olympic Games, based off the Tokyo 2020 one. The demo had 5 sports: Skateboarding, Surfing, 100 M hurdles, Karate, and Archery. I also would like to note that every game played had motion controls, though some I opted to use buttons only and vice versa. Each one as certainly a fun time, although I personally had a lot more fun than others. Be sure to hit the jump for more information about the game.

SEGAbits at E3 2019: Judgment Hands-On Preview


Out of every game at the SEGA booth, Judgment seems to be one of their biggest titles to come out this summer. Taking notes from the Yakuza series, Judgment takes it to another whole new level. Take a look at our hands on experience with the title as Dakota and I solve cases by fighting thugs, yakuza and playing wacky minigames. Be sure to hit the jump to read our hands on experience with Judgment.

Watch 15 minutes of Shenmue III gameplay footage from IGN Japan

IGN Japan has released two videos showcasing Shenmue III mini-games, training and fighting. The video above features the previously revealed mini-game system of exchanging money for gameplay tokens, and games include lucky hit, turtle racing, a dice game called roll it on top and capsule toys. Despite the runtime of the video, it appears to play twice. After the break, check out practicing and sparring in which Ryo tries out some moves and fights a monk.

The footage very much feels like Shenmue, with sharper visuals of course. Funny how they retained the awkward conversations. What are your thoughts on the new footage? Let us know in the comments below!

Panzer Dragoon remake coming to Nintendo Switch

Nintendo’s E3 Direct gave Panzer Dragoon fans a first look at the upcoming remakes, something we covered back in December 2018. The first two games are being remade by Forever Entertainment, and while all platforms have not been revealed, we now know the game will be coming to Nintendo Switch this winter. More information as we hear it, and after the break you can read the original press release!

Shenmmue III getting Collector’s Edition from Limited Run Games

First with the news that the PC version is going exclusive to Epic Game Store, now we have another collectors edition announced, which was part of early Kickstarter pledges. But now we have another, actually very cool looking Collector’s Edition being done by Limited Run games that comes with:

  • The Game (pictured above is PC)
  • Phoenix/Dragon Mirror
  • Five clothing Patches from within the game
  • Sickers from art from the game
  • Light box style lamp

The game will only get 4,000 units on PlayStation 4 and 1,000 units made for PC! Deep Silver has confirmed that all physical copies will have Epic Game Store codes. The Collector’s Edition is also only being sold within North America. AYou can ‘unravel the mystery this November’. What are your thoughts? Are you mad that you backed the game early considering it seems a lot of things are changing?

Corpse Killer getting physical PS4 release by Limited Run Games

Corpse Killer, a early live action full motion video game for the SEGA CD, SEGA Saturn, SEGA 32X, and 3DO is coming back on PlayStation 4. The game was announced via Limited Run Games live show, which means its getting a physical version. The game is being brought to us by the same people that have done the past Digital Picture re-releases, Screaming Villains,

The game hasn’t gotten a solid release date outside of Q3 2019, but can we expect a October release? What are your thoughts?

Shenmue III is going Epic Store Exclusive on PC

Shenmue III dropped a new trailer showing off a more completed version of the game, but most people online seemed to be focused on the fact that the trailer showed a Epic Store logo and not a Steam one. As someone that backed the project, I vividly remembered that it said that the PC version would be a Steam key. Will they do what Metro Exodus did and fulfill all Steam pre-orders? Who knows, Shenmue III kickstarter isn’t the best with communication. Here is all they said on it being exclusive:

“The PC Gaming Show just wrapped up with some big news for Shenmue III. The new trailer was unveiled and it was announced Shenmue III for PC will be an Epic Games Store exclusive!

You would think they would have clarified if all the Kickstarter promised keys would be Epic Game Store keys. It seems the internet is having mixed opinions on this. One side defends the move saying PC gamers just have to download a new launcher, the other side either hates Epic Game Store moves like this or wants the key on Steam as promised for backing the project. As always the PlayStation 4 version will remain unaffected. What do you think?

Phantasy Star Online 2 is coming to Xbox One and PC in the West

If you gave up on Phantasy Star Online 2 coming out in the West, Microsoft has swooped in to put a smile on your face. Phantasy Star Online 2 will be coming out West, free-to-play, on the Xbox One console and PC. According to the trailer it is being powered by Microsoft’s cloud service Azure, which makes me assume this will be completely separate from the Japanese version.

There is still a lot to find out, including if this is going to be up to the latest update to the Japanese release and how they will handle strange tie-ins that the Japanese version has gotten. Regardless, we will all be able to team up and destroy creatures with a official English release.

SEGA and Atlus Announce E3 2019 Line-Up and Show Floor Activities

E3 is right around the corner next week and SEGA/Atlus has revealed their E3 2019 line up and are ramping up for a packed show filled with unforgettable games and activities to enjoy during the trade show from June 11-13 at Booth #4800 in the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Here are the games that will be playable at the show floor.

  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
  • SEGA Genesis Mini
  • Catherine: Full Body
  • Judgment
  • Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth

As for activities, the SEGA/Atlus booth will feature a retro-themed corner with a GIANT, functioning SEGA Genesis controller as seen in SEGA FES, in door rock-climbing, free swag, and a dedicated Catherine: Full Body Experience! event. Fellow SEGAbits writer, Dakota, and I will bring you full coverage at E3 with our hands-on impressions next week. Read the full press release after the break.

Data Discs announces Sonic the Hedgehog CD vinyl – available to pre-order now!

Data Discs is retuning to the world of Sonic the Hedgehog soundtracks with an impressive 3XLP release of Sonic the Hedgehog CD. Available to pre-order now and shipping September 2019, the release will feature the original Japanese score composed by Naofumi Hataya and Masfumi Ogata, newly remastered. The release will present the soundtrack in the game’s time zones, meaning “present”, “good future”, “past” and “bad future” will all be lumped together. The release will be accompanied by three double-sided art prints, liner notes from Naofumi Hataya, and a bespoke etching design on Side F of the soundtrack. There will also be a download code for lossy and lossless digital versions of the soundtrack. The release will be in three editions: 180g Clear Vinyl w/ Blue & Green + Sonic Blue Etched Disc (Limited Edition), 180g Sonic Blue Vinyl + Etched Disc, and 180g Classic Black Vinyl + Etched Disc.

Per the official pre-order site: Pre-orders for the limited edition will remain open until Monday 17th June (closing at 12:00pm UK time). Anyone who orders before then will be guaranteed a copy. The expected shipping date is September 2019.

SEGA stopping Border Break arcade support a decade after launch


SEGA has just announced that they will officially close support for Border Break in arcades, the SEGA-AM2 game launched way back on September 9, 2009 on the RingEdge arcade board.

According to SEGA’s financial reports on the game, as of March 2012 it has grossed over $100 million dollars for SEGA, so its no surprised that it was still being updated till this day. The last ‘rename’ update the game got was Border Break X Zero back in 2017. Border Break will still live on considering that a PlayStation 4 free-to-play version of the game launched in Japan last year. What about us here in the West?

SEGA AGES Virtua Racing and Wonder Boy: Monster Land set to release June 27 in the Americas and Europe

SEGA has officially announced that the next Nintendo Switch SEGA AGES titles, Virtua Racing and Wonder Boy: Monster Land, are due to hit the Nintendo eShop on June 27. Virtua Racing promises improved framerate, greater draw distance, online matchmaking, leaderboards, a new replay mode and up to 8-player local multiplayer.

Wonder Boy: Monster Land will feature the ability to restart after a game over with the same gear, as well as three new challenge modes, online leaderboards, replay function and a “Money Hungry Mode”. The “Money Hungry Mode” replicates a bug from the original game that allows players to increase the value of hidden gold by shaking the joystick back and forth.

The games will retail for $7.99 each. Will you be picking up one or both? Which one are you most excited for? Sound off in the comments below!