News

Sakura Wars (aka Shin Sakura Wars) releasing in western territories on April 28th

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SEGA’s latest entry in the Sakura Wars series, Shin Sakura Wars (aka Project Sakura Wars), has finally gotten a release date for those in western territories. Simply titled Sakura Wars, the game will be available on April 28th for the PlayStation 4. In addition, initial copies of Sakura Wars will be the “Launch Edition”, which includes a reversible cover and stickers. It’s also confirmed that there will be no dub; only Japanese voice acting and subtitles in languages such as English, German, French, and Spanish.

This game focuses on a new Flower Division, a theater troupe that doubles as a protective service in case of emergancy, as you take on the role of Seijuro Kamiyama to prevent the Flower Division from being shut down and to stop a demonic invasion from destroying Tokyo. Like predecessors, the game focuses on interactions between the cast of characters using the iconic LIPS dialogue system, which is encouraged to improve the combat capabilities of each pilot and also learn more about each member of the Flower Division. Unlike past installments which used strategy elements for the combat, Sakura Wars is more action packed where you have to destroy enemies using your arsenal of attacks by piloting special steam-powered mechs called Spiricle Armor, with each pilot having their own characteristics.

 

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As a shock to no one, there are no plans for SEGA AGES Sonic 3 & Knuckles

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Going to be honest, I picked this story up because our favorite Sonic the Hedgehog movie hater Tristan Oliver (no relations to John Oliver) picked this up from a Game Watch interview with SEGA Ages head honcho Yosuke Okunari and Naoki Horii where they talk about the upcoming SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 release.

While its awesome we are getting SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2, everyone wanted to know if there would be plans to give the same treatment to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles. Especially since SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 will have Knuckles playable. Sadly, according to M2, there are no plans. According to the team, the second wave will be decided by SEGA but as hardcore Sonic the Hedgehog fans know; SEGA has stopped Sonic 3 & Knuckles releases because of copyright issues with Michael Jackson’s estate.

The twitter account @gosokkyu did a translation on how they got Knuckles in SEGA AGES and goes into detail on how the game was coded and how ‘lock-on’ technology worked and even how M2 didn’t know about Sonic Mania Plus content until it was announced.

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Space Channel 5 VR launches on February 25 on PlayStation 4

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We have finally got a solid date for Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash!, it will be coming out on PlayStation 4 on February 25, 2020 (in North America, day after for Europe), this was confirmed by PlayStation twitter account, which linked to the store page. For a long time Space Channel 5 VR was shown off by SEGA at SEGA’s TGS booth but now it looks like SEGA isn’t going to be publishing this title; according to the product page the developer Grounding Inc will also publish it. Which is a shame.

According to the official site for the game, they still don’t have a solid release date for Viveport, Steam VR or Oculus Quest. So far it seems that PlayStation 4 fans will get first dibs on Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash!.

 

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SEGA & M2 announce new Shoot ’em Up ‘Ikusaba’ & M2’s SEGA Classics coming to Arcades – JAEPO 2020

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In the recent Japan Amusement Expo, where companies show the upcoming Japanese arcade platforms and cabinets, SEGA and M2 had a brand new shoot ’em up to show going by the temporary name of Ikasaba. While there are some screenshots shown, not much is known about this upcoming shooter. M2 is set to put out more information in the near future.

M2’s Ikusaba is set to launch in Japanese arcades on SEGA’s ALL.Net P-ras MULTI Version 3 (APM3) this upcoming Fall 2020. Its one of the upcoming 11 titles that were announced for this platform, check out the other titles:

  • Guilty Gear Strive
  • Dengeki Bunko Fighting Climax Ignition APM3 ver.
  • Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[cl-r]
  • Otoshoo DX
  • Umihara Kawase Fresh!
  • Rolling Gunner
  • Koihime Enbu RyoRaiRai Version3
  • Goonya Fighter
  • Sega Classics (temp. name) (1st game: Fantasy Zone)

[Source: Siliconera]

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Sakura Wars (aka Project Sakura Wars) now officially rated T for Teen by ESRB

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Sakura Wars (previously named Project Sakura Wars) has now been officially rated T for Teen by the ESRB for blood, language, partial nudity, sexual themes, and violence. Here is the rating summary given for the game:

“This is a relationship simulation/action game, set in a steampunk 1920s version of Tokyo, in which players lead a combat troupe to defeat demons by using giant mech suits. Players use swords and blasters to fight enemy robots and demons in melee-style combat. Battles are frenetic, with impact sounds, colorful lights effects, and large explosions. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence: a woman slashed across the chest, resulting in blood-splatter effects; a child kidnapped at gunpoint by gangsters; animated sequences of giant mechs in battle. The game also contains some sexual material: dialogue referencing pornography (e.g., “I guarantee you that’s porn”; “Whoa, that’s definitely a nudie magazine.”); minigames in which players can zoom-in on characters’ body parts (e.g., legs, buttocks, breasts), with accompanying dialogue (e.g., “Man, those legs…Just imagining the paradise at the end of them…”; “As far as chest size…The bigger, the better!”); a still-image sequence depicting a character groping a woman’s chest while stating, “But they look so soft! Just one little squeeze…” A handful of bath-house sequences depict partially nude female characters, with breasts slightly obscured by steam. The word “sh*t” appears in the game.”

We’re getting close to Spring and we should expect more announcements on the western release for Sakura Wars by SEGA very soon. What do you all think about this news? Leave us a comment below!

 

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Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel taking place at SXSW 2020

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SEGA is leading the way with the Sonic 2020 initiative with announcements coming in on the 20th of every month as the official SXSW website has scheduled a panel for Sonic the Hedgehog on March 20, 2020 titled “Gotta Go Fast: The Official Sonic the Hedgehog Panel” covering the future of the brand with a special announcement or two to be shown. Here is the official description for the panel:

“Sonic the Hedgehog is back at SXSW! Join special guests from SEGA and Sonic Team as they talk about the latest for the blue blur and his next steps for 2020 and beyond. There’s almost always a special announcement or two to be had, so be sure to stay tuned!”

It is unknown at this time if the panel is going to have an official stream but it’s very likely that Sonic community members from Tails Channel will be able to provide a stream. What would you expect to see at the panel? Feel free to leave us your comments below.

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SEGAbits Turns 10 Years Old Today

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Ten years ago today, this very site posted its first article, appropriately titled “Welcome to SEGAbits”. For context, around this time ten years back we we’re covering Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing, Yakuza 3, Aliens vs. Predator and Sonic 4. A lot has changed with SEGA and ourselves since then, but throughout all of it we’ve had the support of the community and an awesome readership, listenership and viewership. Thank you for continuing to support us in what we do, and here’s to another ten years!

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SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Puyo Puyo 2 coming to western territories on February 20th

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The month of February seems to be sequel month, as two hit SEGA follow ups are coming soon to the SEGA AGES series, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Puyo Puyo 2! Both releases are planned for a February 20th release date on the Nintendo Switch eShop for a price of $7.99 (and equivalent), in both North American and European territories.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is the sequel to the original Sonic the Hedgehog released a year later. Like its predecessor, you take on the role of the titular Sonic as you run through different zones avoiding hazards and beating Badniks. However this time Sonic is joined by his best friend Miles Tails Prower, and has a new move called the Spin Dash that allows him to rev up and dash forward in a ball. This SEGA AGES version comes with the original game, but it also includes new features like the optional Drop Dash, ring counter like SEGA AGES Sonic the Hedgehog, and most notably Knuckles the Echidna being playable like he was when you connected a copy of Sonic 2 to Sonic & Knuckles.

Puyo Puyo 2 (aka Puyo Puyo Tsu) you once again take on the role of young mage Arle Nadja, as you are tasked with climbing up Satan’s tower by beating opponents and earning enough points to move up to the next floor. Like it’s predecessor, the main objective is to beat the opponent by dumping garbage called Nuisance Puyos onto their field, but Puyo Puyo 2 also polishes up the gameplay with new features such as offsetting, double rotation, and All Clear. With this SEGA AGES release, you also get a new mode called Endurance Mode where you must fight against every opponent in the tower, along with quality of life modifications such as the option to change the appearance of the Puyos and the ability to read up the descriptions of every character. Like its predecessor SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo, you also have the option to set up matches with people around the globe via internet.

[Source: SEGA AGES website]

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Phantasy Star Online 2 will be coming to Steam

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If you have a gander at the online manual for the North American release of Phantasy Star Online 2, you will notice that the PC version is listed as coming to Steam along with Microsoft Store version.

Launch PC game version

When the download is complete, you can proceed to launch the game by doing the following:

  • Steam
    • Open the Steam client and search for “Phantasy Star Online 2” under the “Library” section, then click “Play.”
    • If you opted to create a desktop shortcut, simply double click on the shortcut to launch the game.
  • Windows 10
    • Open the start menu and search for the “Phantasy Star Online 2” app shortcut.
    • If you opted to create a desktop shortcut, simply double click on the desktop shortcut.

As you already know, this weekend will be the start of the Phantasy Star Online 2 closed beta, from February 7 to the 9th only on Xbox One.

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Madou Monogatari A for Game Gear gets an English fan translation

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Another Madou Monogatari game has received a fan translation, this time being the game Madou Monogatari A: Doki Doki Vacation. In a slight departure from the previous Madou Monogatari titles on Game Gear, this game is based on Madou Monogatari ARS originally released on the PC-98, specifically the “A” scenario. In Madou Monogatari A, you take on the role of 4 year old Arle Nadja from Magic Kindergarten who wants to visit her grandmother on the other side of a forest. While the original PC-98 version involves Arle getting lost in the forest and get harassed by an angry Owlbear, the Game Gear version instead has a story involving Satan cutting down the Fairy Forest to build an amusement park, with Arle going into the forest to find the fairies and stop Satan’s plans. Aside from the story changes, Madou Monogatari A: Doki Doki Vacation also changes a lot of the level design, overall making the game barely like its original incarnation on the PC-98.

This patch translates the whole game into English, including the title being renamed to Sorcery Saga A: Vivacious Vacation. This means that all Madou Monogatari games on the Game Gear can now be played in English, along with Madou Monogatari I, Madou Monogatari II, and Madou Monogatari III.

[Source: ROM Hacking.net]

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Phantasy Star Online 2 won’t be region locked, at least for now…

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We are getting closer and closer to the release of the Phantasy Star Online 2 closed beta, which launches on February 7th. While Phantasy Star Online 2 is only officially coming out in North America (at least this Microsoft published servers), some European fans have asked if they will be blocking players from outside of the North America:


Quite frankly, I don’t see why Microsoft doesn’t just open this server to anyone that wants to play it in English. I mean, technically anyone can join the Japanese servers and is it bad to have a popular game? I think it would be good for Microsoft’s brand more than anything.

[Via: Siliconera]

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Sonic Movie Rumor: Mid-Credits Cameo Revealed

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I’ll admit, we’ve been pretty quiet on the Sonic movie news front lately, but today we have a juicy rumor regarding a cameo that appears during the movie’s credits sequence. You’ll note we did not spoil this in the headline, image, tags or before the “read more” bit because we want to respect those who don’t want to be spoiled.

Still want to hear the rumor? Read on!

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Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation Story Trailer revealed and Sakura Taisen Blu-Ray Box Collection set for release this Spring

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In the recent Sakura Wars official live stream, SEGA unveiled a brand new trailer and key visual of Shin Sakura Taisen the Animation set for release in April 2020. The Animation takes place after the events of the Shin Sakura Taisen game with the New Flower Division team being transferred to Europe by Seijuro Kamiyama, and Sakura Amamiya was appointed Deputy Commander.

Kamiyama returns home temporarily to the Flower Division who all struggle every day, but there is an unknown girl beside named Clara, who is the only survivor of the Moscow group that was destroyed after a major accident . Sakura welcomes Clara, who was commissioned by Kamiyama and transferred to the Flower Division. Meanwhile, a group that claims to be “Moscow Assault Force” suddenly appears in the Imperial City.

The trailer also reveals a new Assault Force team hailing from Moscow (Mossika Hussarge, Valerie Kaminsky, and Leila with character designs by Mika Pikazo) who will all be appearing exclusively to the anime. In addition, there will be a Blu-Ray collection of the Sakura Taisen OVA (Original Video Animation) series set to release in Japan on March 18, 2020 for 35,000 yen ($320.84). The original OVA series served as prequels and side stories to the games and is a nice collection set if you have been a fan of the series. Hit the jump to check out visuals of the animation and more!

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Phantasy Star Online 2 closed beta starts February 7, 2020

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If you are excited for the Western Xbox One closed beta, which starts on February 7th and goes through the 8th, then you’re in luck since we got more details about the event including ‘exclusive closed beta missions and items’. According to Microsoft you will be able to pre-load the game on February 3rd, if you want to start playing the first nano second the game goes live. You can sign up for the closed beta via the ‘Xbox Insider Hub’. 

Closed Beta Test Schedule

  • Starts: Friday, February 7th, 5 PM (PST)
  • Ends: Saturday, February 8th, 11:59 PM (PST)
  • Official Website: Opens Friday, February 7th, 10 AM (PST)

The beta will also have ‘Urgent Quests’ during the closed beta which include the following missions:

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Movie Theme Song Reaction

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Usually the music is the best part of any Sonic thing, but does this hold true for the theme song for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie? On this SEGA News Bits, Barry and George reaction to Let’s Go Fast from Yiffy the Wizard, Dr. Boatz, Lil’ Flim-Flam and Yakkity Gak. I think I got that information correct, right?

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