News

Retro Review: Vectorman

by

vectormanreview
 
It’s the year 2049. Earth, as portrayed in BlueSky Software‘s Vectorman, has become completely uninhabitable by the human race. Having left their polluted planet behind, they’ve set off through the galaxy in hopes of finding a new home, while a crew of mechanical Orbots remains in their place to clean the Earth up.

Into this scenario (one which today seems oddly reminiscent of Pixar’s Wall-E) appears Vectorman; one such Orbot with an attitude and the courage to stop Warhead, an Orbot who went rogue and took control of the planet. The adventure that ensues is a fun one with great atmospherics, an addictive scoring system, and a bit of an edge. Vectorman was a great showcase of the Genesis’ capabilities back in its day, and even today remains a must play for those who want a stylish and futuristic sidescroller.

Continue Reading ➜

4 Comments

Hucast Games reveal new screens from the upcoming indie SEGA Dreamcast game ‘The Ghost Blade’

by

tgbheader
 
Hucast Games, developer of the recently released Redux: Dark Matters, is at work on the upcoming indie Dreamcast game The Ghost Blade. Four new screens, as well as a photo taken of the game in action, were recently shared on the developer’s blog. Fans, including our own The Gagaman, complained of low resolution graphics in the recently released Redux, which might explain why Hucast shared a close up shot of The Ghost Blade showing off what Hucast promises is an all new engine that will take advantage of the Dreamcast’s RAM better leading to high-res graphics.

Expected to release in October 2014, the game is currently in an alpha state, and Hucast promises that they will be “adding more enemies to give the game a blasting Caravan shooting game thrill!”.

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

SEGA in the Charts: MediaCreate charts for Feb 24 – Mar 2 2014

by

YIshin1

Following last week’s major release of Ryu Ga Gotoku Ishin!, SEGA’s samurai epic continues to chart in Japan. But amongst the launch hype of the Playstation 4, the second week was always going to be an interesting one to watch and help us evaluate if the game was going to meet the target set by it’s publisher.  Hit the break to find how SEGA’s big Q4 title managed in this week’s chart!

Continue Reading ➜

2 Comments

Hatsune Miku Project Diva f is available now on PSN

by

Hatsune Miku Project Diva f is out now for the PlayStation Vita on the PlayStation Network in North America for $30. Europeans can get their hands on the game when PSN updates next week on March 12th. Existing PS3 DLC is compatible with the PS Vita version of Project Diva f. Project Diva f also has Vita specific DLC for $10 that gives you the extra songs that were added on the PS3 release. Project Diva f (Vita) came out before Project Diva F (PS3) in Japan, and that’s why you have to buy DLC to get the extra songs on the Vita version. Although, even with the extra song DLC added to the cost, the Vita version is still $10 less than the PS3 version.

So, are you excited? Did you buy it already? Do you plan on buying Project Diva f for the PS Vita?

3 Comments

SEGA releases new Alien Isolation screenshots featuring guts and 1979 inspired electronics

by

AI_SCREENSHOT_980x551_0002_1393945811
 
SEGA’s press site has released a batch of new screenshots for the upcoming Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 game Alien Isolation, developed by The Creative Assembly. Like previously released screens, we see a quiet and creepy setting in which you play as Ellen Ripley’s daughter Amanda trapped in isolation on a space station with the titular alien. Some cool elements on display are the electronics Amanda uses which double as the game’s HUD, clearly inspired by the 1979 film. After the break check out a full gallery of the latest screens! Alien Isolation is expected to release in the 4th quarter of 2014.

Continue Reading ➜

No Comments

Sketch group BEASTS gives their humorous spin on the creation of Sonic the Hedgehog

by


 
Having just recently written about the history of Sonic’s many redesigns, it’s fitting that sketch comedy group BEASTS reached out to us to share a video they made on the creation of Sonic the Hedgehog. BEASTS member James McNicholas shared the following information with us:

Let’s face it: video games are weird. Those from the 80s and 90s are arguably weirdest of all — try explaining the logic behind Pac Man to someone whose never encountered it.

Few games make less sense than Sonic The Hedgehog, with its blue rodents, gold rings and magic emeralds. Fortunately, sketch group BEASTS have stumbled upon this footage of SEGA’s planning meeting for the original Sonic. Hope you like it!

BEASTS are comprised of Ciaran Dowd, James McNicholas and Owen Roberts. They’ve been going for two years, and have two sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival under our belts. You can find nice things that other journalists have said about them here (they don’t put the nasty ones up). They’re also over on Twitter @BEASTScomedy.

As regards the sketch itself, you’ll notice two of the characters are named Yuji and Naoto – an allusion to messrs Naka and Oshima. “Mr. Needlemouse”, as you’re probably aware, was the name given to the prototype for the Sonic character on Naoto Oshima’s early concept art.

Thanks to BEASTS for reaching out to us and sharing their work!

No Comments

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive shooter Steel Empire slated to release on the Japanese 3DS eShop this month

by


 
Via Polygon comes news that the SEGA Genesis shooter Steel Empire, also known as Empire of Steel in Europe and Koutetsu Teikoku (鋼鉄帝国) in Japan, is set for a Nintendo 3DS release later this month. Members from the original development team, HOT-B, reformed to create Starfish which will be publishing the 3DS remake. Mebuis is in charge of remaking the game. Steel Empire is expected to release at the end of the month as a 2,940 yen eShop download.

Yoshinori Satake, former Hot-B lead game designer, is currently working on a sequel to the original game, entitled Burning Steel.

3 Comments

Noah Pass, SEGA’s answer to GREE, reaches over 33 million users

by

SEGAnetwork

Back in September of last year, SEGA announced an ambitious cross-promotional network for Japan called “Noah Pass” to help its fellow developers undercut the cost of advertising on networks such as GREE and DeNA. After initially launching with thirty developers, SEGA has revealed that fifty-one companies are now participating and that it reaches over 33 million users, numbers which no doubt pleases SEGA.

The main benefits of using Noah Pass include reducing advertising costs by eighty percent and not requiring gamers to register like other networks do. This helps to drive traffic from one game to another and keeps players downloading games from Noah Pass publishers. Currently SEGA, Capcom and Sqaure Enix  (In the form of Taito) are all part of Noah Pass, and there no restriction on the number of publishers that can join the network.

No Comments

SEGA gets a new president as group lowers profits forecast

by

HidekiOkamura

SEGA Corporation president Naoya Tsurumi will be stepping down from his positions as President, Representative Director and Chief Operating Officer and to be replaced by Hideki Okamura (pictured above) as of April 1st, 2014. Okamura has been a long time SEGA employee but has mostly held marketing positions since joining the company in the 1990s. He moves from his position as Chairman of TMS Entertainment, whilst Tsurumi becomes Vice Chairman of the Board. Also announced today by SEGA Sammy is that the group is expecting lower forecasts for the full year. Hit the break to get a rundown on the full figures and how SEGA Sammy hopes to rectify the situation.

Continue Reading ➜

MyVd hf M B zYoCU pY

No Comments

Akira Yuki and Pai Chan of Virtua Fighter fame appears in Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax in the latest screenshots

by

003
In one of Virtua Fighter’s 20th Anniversary announcements of last year, SEGA and publisher ASCII Media Works announced that Akira Yuki will be appearing as a boss character in the upcoming Degenki Bunko Fighting Climax, as part of the franchise’s 20th anniversary.

Not only the Hakkyoku-ken master but the movie star, Pai Chan joins the fray as well as his supporting character. More will be announced on Akira’s appearance when the next Dengeki Bunko event that will take place in Japan on March 16th.

Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax will be launching in Japan in spring 2014 in Japanese arcades. Hit the jump for more screenshots of Akira performing his infamous “Hougenki Unshin Soukoshou” on Kirito from Sword Art Online.

Continue Reading ➜

QjaVKksZqPmTaV

2 Comments

Registration opens for SEGA Cup Virtua Fighter Tournament 2014

by


 
Fans of SEGA’s Virtua Fighter listen up – registration for the SEGA Cup opens today! Announced earlier this year, the SEGA Cup features a Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown Tournament, held in partnership with Alex Valle and Level|Up. The tournament takes place in Los Angeles at the Super Arcade on April 26, 2014 from 10am to 10pm. The top 16 players will be awarded cash prizes, and the PS3 version of the game will be used for the competition.

Think you have what it takes, or are you just up for a day of kicking ass or having your ass kicked? Head on over to their official site today!

4 Comments

Nintendo pulls the plug on online features for Wii and DS games

by

ps0
Nintendo of America has just announced that as of May 20th, you will no longer have access to WiFi connection service on their Wii, DS and DSi games. That will include features like online play, online leaderboards and anything else that it does online. All games will work perfectly fine online.

Honestly this move makes me more weary of Nintendo and actually makes me reconsider the idea of buying a Wii U. I know most people will post and say that I’m overreacting, saying not many people play DS titles online, but it sucks knowing that if we make a party on our forums to play Phantasy Star Ø, as of May 20th, we won’t be able to play online just because Nintendo decided they didn’t want to support online services going on to the next generation.

To see all SEGA games that will be affected, hit the jump.

Continue Reading ➜

15 Comments

SEGA in the Charts: MediaCreate charts for Feb 17 – Feb 23 2014

by

Yishin8Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin was SEGA’s big title released this week

SEGA’s samurai epic featuring characters from their Yakuza series in place of historical figures in Japan, Ryu Ga Gotoku: Ishin, launched last week and is set to be one of their key titles over the final quarter. Releasing on both the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4, the game enjoyed being one of the launch titles for Sony’s latest console in Japan but did it do enough to take the number one spot and how does Puyo Puyo Tetris continue to fare in the chart? Hit the break to find out!

Continue Reading ➜

8 Comments

Our new video series “This Is Saturn” takes on an all-star SEGA cast in Fighters Megamix

by

This is Saturn returns, with a look at Fighters Megamix, SEGA AM2’s crazy crossover fighter featuring characters from Virtua Fighter, Fighting Vipers, Sonic the Fighters, Rent-A-Hero, Virtua Cop, and even Daytona USA!

Being my first SEGA Saturn game, Fighters Megamix is a game that regardless of quality, means quite a bit to me. But does it manage to hit the heights of Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers themselves? Or is it a clumsy mash-up of two hits? The answer lies, in episode 2 of This is Saturn! Though really, it’s a SEGA AM2 game, so what do you think the game’s going to be?

As stated in the video, Gaming Hell played a huge role in the research for this video, and it’s a kick-arse site! You can also specifically find Gaming Hell’s Fighters Megamix page, including a full review and guide here. Give the site some love, because hell, it more than deserves it! A special thanks goes to Ant Cooke, owner of Gaming Hell, for clearing up several particular details as well, notably the After Burner cameo code.

This is Saturn is a video series created by British teenager Liam ‘TrackerTD’ Ashcroft, aiming to give an alternative and in-depth look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of SEGA Saturn gaming, all whilst maintaining a somewhat strong accent.

No Comments

Humorous “Hero Bank” commercial airing and the anime cast announced

by


 
Adding to their humorously bizarre commercial pedigree, SEGA released this commercial for Hero Bank a couple of days ago. Hero Bank follows the immensely unfortunate but determined Kaito Gosho as he assumes a virtual avatar and competes in the online cyber-sport “Hero Battle” to pay off a one billion yen debt. Toshihiro Nagoshi of Yakuza and Super Monkey Ball fame is acting as producer for this title. The 3DS arena-fighting RPG releases in Japan on March 20th.

As part of the promotional blitz (which started last summer with items like branded toilet paper,) a TV anime series is in production and will begin airing on April 7th on Mondays at 6:30 PM. Anime News Network recently listed the voice cast and announced that TMS Animation is handling animation work for this adaptation. Yuuko Sanpei, known for work including Eureka Seven lead Renton Thurston, will be providing the voice of main character Kaito Gosho. His friend-turned-rival Nagare Amano is voiced by Hiroshi Kamiya, more recently identifiable as Attack on Titan‘s Levi. Incidentally, Kamiya also seems to be a recurring name in some of the newer-era Shining games.

Interestingly, while news thus far for the game describes Kaito as being saddled with a one billion yen debt, ANN lists the debt as ten billion instead. Isn’t elementary school hard enough?

No Comments