SEGA News

SEGA FES 2018: Valkyria Chronicles 1 coming to Nintendo Switch, Valkyria Chronicles 4 for Switch delayed in Japan

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More news has come out of SEGA FES 2018, this time relating to the Valkyria Chronicles franchise. It was announced that the original Valkyria Chronicles, which has already released to the PC and PS4 as a remastered rerelease of the PS3 original, would be releasing to Nintendo Switch for ¥1,990. At the moment, the release is only confirmed for Japan this fall through the eShop. No word on a physical or western release.

SEGA also revealed that Valkyria Chronicles 4 has been delayed in Japan to fall 2018. The game was originally planned for the platform in the summer. As an apology to fans, SEGA is offering coupons to Japanese customers who are buying the fourth game that reduces the price of the remaster of the first game to ¥500. No word on if this will affect the western release, but given the west is getting Valkyria Chronicles 4 in the fall already, it is not likely.

Now how about console ports of the second and third games SEGA? 🙂

[Source: RPG Site]

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SEGA FES 2018: New SEGA Ages for Nintendo Switch games and extra features announced

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We learned of SEGA AGES, the new M2 retro SEGA game porting project for Nintendo Switch, on Friday night from the opening presentation at SEGA FES. As the event went on, more details were revealed during the SEGA AGES panel. Twitter user @gosokkyu shared updates from the panel, which revealed new details. Sonic the Hedgehog will include the rare Mega-Play arcade version (an example of how the game differs is that the Mega-Play replaces all the extra life monitors). Thunder Force IV will include Styx Mode (the Thunder Force III ship from the Saturn port) and online leaderboards. Phantasy Star will have all the features from the PS2 SEGA AGES Collection version, including options like walk speed, difficulty settings, FM/PSG toggle and more.

Two more games were revealed: Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Gain Ground! Gain Ground will be the arcade version. You can visit the official SEGA AGES website and the collection will debut this summer for Nintendo Switch.

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SEGA News Bits: Shenmue 1 & 2 HD Announcement Reaction

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SEGA Fes 2018 answered the prayers of many SEGA fans by revealing that at long last Shenmue and Shenmue II would be receiving HD ports to PS4, Xbox One and PC. On this SEGA News Bits, we take a look at the road to Shenmue HD, what new features the games will have and more!

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SEGA News Bits: SEGA Mega Drive Mini & SEGA AGES for Nintendo Switch Reaction

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SEGA Fes 2018 had four big reveals, and on this SEGA News Bits we take a look at the first two of them. First up is SEGA AGES, M2’s answer to a 3D Classics lineup for the Nintendo Switch. Next we look at the AtGames Mega Drive Mini, a new plug and play from AtGames which is SEGA’s answer to the SNES Classic.

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If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

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SEGA FES 2018: Shenmue 1 & 2 Remasters announced for PS4, Xbox One and PC [UPDATED]

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Just now Shenmue 1 & 2 has been announced for remaster on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Details are just breaking now so bare with us as we update this story but looks like the much requested port is finally a dream come true for long term fans!

The Steam page has launched, which reveals the game will have an updated user interface, a choice of modern or classic controls and Japanese and English audio (this will be the first time Shenmue I will be playable in Japanese in the west). The game is set to release in 2018.

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SEGA News Bits: IDW Sonic the Hedgehog #2 Discussion

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Another week in April means another issue of IDW Sonic the Hedgehog! On this SEGA News Bits George grills Barry on the second issue which features the return of Amy Rose. How is her characterization? How is this issue’s artist? Who is behind all the rogue badniks? We discuss these points and more!

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

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Stories of the Dragon: The Legend of Kazuma Kiryu live action series releases to promote Yakuza 6

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This is a surprise! SEGA of America has released a trio of live action short films to promote the upcoming Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. Initially I thought these were created for the Japanese release and were localized, but they appear to be brand new (the english speaking actors tipped me off, which to be honest is kind of jarring given the games are subtitled). The short films were created in collaboration with Liquid Advertising and director Christopher Ewing and were shot in Tokyo, Japan. The shorts focus on three people whose lives were changed by Kazuma Kiryu.

Each short is based on in-game substories, including “The Bouncer” and “Prodigal Son” from Yakuza Kiwami, and “Another Haruka” from Yakuza 5. Check all three out after the break! Don’t forget, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life releases April 17!

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IDW Sonic the Hedgehog #1 sells out

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IDW and SEGA have announced that the first issue of the new Sonic the Hedgehog comics series has sold out! Joe Hughes, editor of Sonic the Hedgehog, stated “We know fans have been waiting a long time for this launch, and we couldn’t be happier with their response to the first issue. This first issue was the start of a four-week event that kicked off the beginning of a new era for Sonic comics. The new series will feature new adventures with characters new and old and I cannot wait for fans to see what’s in store.”

Second printings have already begun, with more issue #1’s expected to hit shops on May 2, 2018. You can see the cover for the second printing above. Congrats to the IDW Sonic team! Don’t forget, issue 2 released yesterday and issues 3 and 4 release in the following two weeks and then the series switches to monthly.

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Sonic Generations and Panzer Dragoon Orta to join Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Program

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Xbox One continues to expand its Xbox and Xbox 360 backwards compatible titles, this month they will add Sonic Generations and Panzer Dragoon Orta (best looking Xbox title)! Both are great games and glad they get to be played on new consoles.

Sonic Generations is out today and even playable in 4K if you have one of those fancy Xbox One Xs. As for Panzer Dragoon Orta, that one launches on April 17th! There are still plenty of great SEGA Xbox and Xbox 360 games that need to hit the Xbox One, including Jet Set Radio Future!

[Via: Sega Driven]

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SEGA ask fans to vote on if they want Sonic, Yakuza or Virtua Fighter cameo outfits for Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night & Persona 5: Dancing Star Night

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Seeing that Persona 3: Dancing Moon Night and Persona 5: Dancing Star Night release next month over in the land of the rising son, its weird that SEGA will finally make a poll asking fans what franchise should get cross over outfits for these Persona Dance games. I will assume that SEGA already approved the outfits a long time ago and this is just a way to get fans excited.

Here is the official SEGA Japanese twitter poll:

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SEGA Games COO Kenji Matsubara wants to bring the AtGames SEGA Genesis Flashback to Japan

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SEGA is not returning to the hardware market. I repeat, SEGA is not returning to the hardware market.

In a Yahoo! Japan news article, SEGA Games COO Kenji Matsubara said that SEGA is planning to import and sell the AtGames SEGA Genesis Flashback in Japan. SEGA Genesis Flashback is licensed by SEGA and outsourced to Taiwan based AtGames to produce. The SEGA Genesis Flashback was released last year and was criticized for inferior audio and video quality. The reasoning for importing the SEGA Genesis Flashback was due to increased demand in Japan for machines like the NES and SNES Classic.

Did I mention SEGA is not returning to the hardware market? Importing the SEGA Genesis Flashback and rebranding it is a quick, easy and cheap way for SEGA of Japan to bring the Mega Drive to Japan again. SEGA are not developing a new machine, they are not rereleasing any other classic consoles, and it is not SEGA’s current mission to return to the console market. SEGA is not returning to the hardware market.

Thumbs up to SEGA Driven for properly reporting on this story, and shame on any sites that misrepresent the original story.

[Source: Yahoo! Japan]

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SEGA unboxes the Yakuza 6: The Song of Life After Hours Premium Edition

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Yakuza 6: The Song of Life releases in just a few weeks, on April 17th to be exact, for the PlayStation 4. The game will release with three options: a Standard Edition, an Essence of Art Edition, and (in my opinion) the must have After Hours Premium Edition. To promote this very special release, SEGA has created an unboxing hosted by Marketing Associate Lauren and Associate PR Manager Jonathon. Get a sneak peek at the hardcover art book, two bar glasses, 2 ice stones, 2 coasters, and the collectible outer box.

Which edition are you picking up? If you’re getting the After Hours Premium Edition, what are you planning to drink?

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Shining Resonance Refrain Only Shifts 23k Units in Japan

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Shining Resonance Yuuma Jenius

Shining Resonance Refrain has launched in Japan and it has not put up great numbers. The game debuted number 6 in the Japanese Media Crate charts only shifting 23,054 units, this only being on the PlayStation 4 in Japan. The game was even outsold by Far Cry 5 which shifted 75,474 units! SEGA also saw a massive drop in sales for Valkyria Chronicles 4, with the game only making the chart at 9,108 units sold this week (bringing the total to 72,029). SEGA’s Hokuto ga Gotoku also charted at number 17 by selling 4,604 units (bringing the total to 156,805).

I have to say its not a great time for SEGA’s Japanese sales, all these numbers seem rather low. I guess we will have to see if they try to ‘shift’ directions once again. Who knows, maybe a few of these games will do good in the West?

[Source: Gematsu]

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Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud launches for Nintendo Switch in Japan

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SEGA’s Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud has launched on the Nintendo Switch. For those not in the know, this version of the game is a ‘cloud-based’ version of the PC, that is streamed onto your Nintendo Switch via ‘The cloud’.

Positives include not having to keep the game updated, since its always streaming the latest version. Obviously the downside is that you will need to be connected to a good internet connection. SEGA launched a huge series of videos to show off the game’s features:

[Via: Siliconera]

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IDW’s Sonic the Hedgehog #1 releases today!

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Just a friendly reminder that Sonic the Hedgehog comics are making their big return today with IDW taking over from Archie with an all new rebooted comic book series. Each week in April will see a new issue, with issue #5 moving back into a regular release schedule (which will no doubt relieve the strain on the artist’s wrists).

Expect a SEGA News Bits covering issue #1 this week, and a preview of issue #2 in the next SEGA News Bits Extra which is our Patreon exclusive video series. You can check out the issue’s synopsis, as well as a cover gallery, after the break.

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