The Crewmate from Among Us Joins Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble as DLC & New Features Via Free 2.10 Update

Just when you thought the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was going to appear in a Super Monkey Ball game, SEGA surprisingly announced that the Crewmate from Among Us is now available as a paid DLC character ($4.99) for Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble through the Nintendo eShop with bananas turning into pizza slices as players channel their inner Imposter in various stages and game modes.

Plus, a free new 2.10 update for the game is now live, adding a new stage for the “BA-BOOM!” battle mode, new customization options, and more, all at no added cost! The update includes:

• BA-BOOM Battle Mode Receives a New Stage – Players can continue the explosive game of tag through a new stage, Scattered Stones.
• Battle Season Looping System – Online seasonal rewards will now repeat, starting from the game’s launch, so those who missed out on any items have another chance to pick them up!
• Additional Customization – Fes, Tee, Val, Easel, and Dr. Badboon’s monkey ball and effects can now be adjusted.

Check out Super Monkey Ball: Banana Rumble now available on Nintendo Switch!

Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O Now Available on Steam with Launch Discount & New Trailer

The moment you’ve all been waiting for! Today SEGA of America kicks off the return of the VIRTUA FIGHTER franchise with the release of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O., available for purchase now on Steam with a special launch discount of 20% off for a limited time (see Steam product page for details). This release marks the first time the franchise has come to the platform.

Based on Virtua Fighter 5 Ultimate Showdown™, Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. features rollback netcode and the first new balance adjustments in over 13 years, giving players the definitive fighting experience. Combined with support of up to 60fps/4K resolution, players can enjoy smoother gameplay in their quest to become the best fighter in the world.

Check out the next section of the article covering details on Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. – 30th Anniversary Edition and Virtua Fighter Open Championship

Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii’s New Trailer Unleashes Naval Combat Chaos

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s latest trailer for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (launching February 21 on PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, and PC) unveils the game’s jaw-dropping naval combat—a feature fans have craved since Assassin’s Creed Black Flag. Command customizable ships, unleash cannon barrages, and dive into chaotic boarding battles as the Yakuza series swaps street brawls for high-seas warfare. With upgradable weapons, tactical skirmishes, and physics-driven chaos, the trailer teases a pirate fantasy that blends the franchise’s signature absurdity with the strategic depth!

SEGA Legend Takenobu Mitsuyoshi Returns with ‘Burning Soul’ for Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O.

With just days to go before the release of Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. on Steam, the official Virtua Fighter YouTube channel has dropped an exciting new video featuring Takenobu Mitsuyoshi, the famous “voice of SEGA.” In the video, Mitsuyoshi introduces “Burning Soul”, the game’s latest opening theme—a English remake of Ai Ha Tsuienai from Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown.

This updated anthem reflects Virtua Fighter’s mission to build a global community by uniting fans worldwide. Mitsuyoshi and his sound team have infused the song with a high-energy rock vibe, featuring powerful guitar riffs and a touch of jazz fusion to give it a fresh and distinctive twist.

Burning Soul is part of the Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. 30th Anniversary Edition Soundtrack Collection, which will also include 220 unreleased tracks spanning the series’ history. Don’t miss your chance to own this celebration of Virtua Fighter’s legacy when Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. launches on Steam on January 28, 2025. Pre-order now to get 20% off for a limited time!

What do you think of Takenobu Mitsuyoshi’s latest work? Let us know in the comments below!

Sonic 4 is Speeding into Theaters in 2027


The fourth ‘Sonic the Hedgehog‘ movie is set to arrive in theaters on March 19, 2027.

Paramount Pictures announced plans for a fourth installment in the popular video game franchise even before the third movie hit theaters. This decision has proven wise, as ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ has become the highest-grossing film in the series, earning over $422 million worldwide.

The first ‘Sonic‘ movie in 2020 was a surprise hit, grossing over $319 million globally. The 2022 sequel, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2,‘ surpassed its predecessor, earning over $405 million worldwide.

The ‘Sonic‘ franchise has now collectively grossed over $1 billion at the box office worldwide. Considering how each of the movies have gotten better critical and audience scores, it should be interesting what the studio can manage for a fourth film! Especially after that end credit teaser in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’.

[via: Variety]

Shinobi arcade game ported to SNK’s Neo-Geo; Golden Axe arcade port coming soon

Mock cover art by Pedro Soares https://x.com/peachflavor3d/status/1876277610961043787

The Sega arcade classic Shinobi (1988) has just been unofficially ported to the Genes- sorry, I meant the Dreamca- wait! No! It’s been ported to SNK’s Neo-Geo system. That sounds like a first.

Yes. Hobbyist developer h0ffman has just brought Shinobi to the Neo-Geo system by seemingly disassembling the original arcade ROM to make their own source code and then converting it to run on Neo-Geo hardware just to see if they could. They first got the game running from a physical CD on a Neo-Geo CD console and have since released versions that run on that as well as the Neo-Geo AES and Neo-Geo MVS. What’s more, they’re also currently doing the same with Golden Axe (1989), though they have not yet finished that port as of this writing. For now, you can download Shinobi and try it on your favorite Neo-Geo emulator or any Neo-Geo hardware you may own.

For download links, sneak on in past the break.

Long lost Genesis/Mega-Drive shooter P-47 II: The Freedom Star now up for pre-order for the first time ever by Retro-Bit

Get those wallets out, Genesis/Mega-Drive collectors, cause Retro-Bit’s got an all new Collector’s Cartridge to open up 2025 with, now with a crazy new twist, as this is their first time releasing a previously unreleased game.

Retro-Bit have now opened pre-orders for P-47 II MD, also known as P-47 II: The Freedom Star, for everyone’s favorite 16-bit Sega console. As previously mentioned, P-47 II MD was in development at Jaleco way back in the late 80’s, but for unknown reasons, the game was cancelled in all regions it was planned for. It was a port, not a sequel like the title would have you believe, of the arcade game P-47: The Freedom Fighter, which was distributed by Jaleco and developed by NMK. City Connection, the company in possession of the rights to all of Jaleco’s games, and named for their classic arcade title City Connection (1985), announced at Shooters Fes last year that they had uncovered P-47 II: The Freedom Star and would release it on cartridge in Japan as P-47 II MD, and now they have entrusted Retro-Bit with releasing this game in the western world for them.

Retro-Bit’s release is identical to City Connection’s release in Japan, but with Retro-Bit’s usual touch ups. Like all their Collector’s Cartridges, the game comes in a new, quality-built cartridge for North American Genesis consoles or European Mega-Drive consoles, equipped with beveled connectors with gold-plated pins and proper 5 volt chips to prevent damage to original consoles. It also comes in a lovely plastic box with a slipcover and a full color instruction manual. Unique from all other Retro-Bit releases, though, is an 8mm CD featuring the game’s soundtrack. This is the same CD being included with City Connection’s cartridge release in Japan. The set can be ordered for $54.99 USD, $79.99 CAD, or €69,99 for European regions and pre-orders will run until February 16th, 2025.

For more info on the game, and pre-order links, have a look after the break.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Manga Adaptation To Be Simultaneously Released In English & Japanese on January 21, 2025

Manga Plus has made an announced that ATLUS’s acclaimed RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, will be receiving a manga adaptation set to be simultaneously released in English and Japanese.

The manga will be available for viewing on the Manga Plus platform alongside the manga’s publication in V-Jump magazine in Japan on January 21, 2025 with the first part featuring 58 color pages.

THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake Launches Spring 2025!

The wait is finally over! Forever Entertainment officially announces that THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake will be coming to Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox, and PlayStation in Spring 2025! THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake is a remake of the second entry in the well-known and popular rail-shooter series. Take on the lone role of a secret agent as James or Gary, or team up in co-op mode to neutralize the dangerous undead monsters standing in your way.

Like a Dragon Direct Recap and New Game + announced for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii for Free via Post Launch Update!

In case you missed it, SEGA and RGG Studio’ Like a Dragon Direct livestream aired earlier today revealing various updates and new gameplay footage for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

The livestream provided updates on the game’s various locations and a closer look at its combat systems (on land and sea!), ship customization, crew building, side experiences and more! New Game+ was also announced as a free, post-launch update.

Players won’t have to wait too long to embark on this epic journey with Majima and crew— Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches next month, February 21st on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam.

Pre-Order on Amazon

Standard Edition: PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

Collector’s Edition: PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X

SONIC WEEKLY: Mad Libs for Sonic Movie 3 w/ Barry the Nomad!

This week, SONIC WEEKLY joins forces with SEGAbits to feature Barry the Nomad and a freewheeling spoiler-filled conversation about the new Sonic movie! Even better: Barry brought the official MadLibs books to play!

SONIC WEEKLY is a chat show that covers all things Sonic the Hedgehog. For more episodes, search SONIC WEEKLY on your favorite podcast service.

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Announces Like a Dragon Direct – January 9

SEGA and RGG Studio have just revealed that the next Like a Dragon Direct will air on January 9, 2025 at 9am PST / 12pm EST on YouTube and Twitch. Tune in this Thursday to catch the latest information and first-looks at new features for the upcoming modern-day pirate adventure Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii which launches on February 21st.

Tune in to the Like a Dragon Direct livestream on YouTube or Twitch: