Import Guide: Want the Sonic Colors Ultimate 30th Anniversary Pack or DX Pack? Here’s how to import!

Back in 2001, SEGA announced that copies of Sonic Adventure 2 would be bundled with a Birthday Pack celebrating the 10th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog. Available worldwide, the pack was only available in limited supplies in stores for two days. I myself recall pre-ordering Sonic Adventure 2 from FuncoLand, my first ever pre-order, with the idea that it would secure me a Birthday Pack. Turns out, the store never set packs aside for pre-orders and they were all given out on a first come, first served basis. Arriving after school, I was crushed to learn there wasn’t one set aside for me which led to me ordering a pack online from, I believe, NCSX or SEGA-Parts.com. The pack contained a coin sporting the 10th anniversary logo, a gold music CD featuring select tracks from the franchise and a small booklet containing a real world timeline of notable Sonic events as well as some really bizarre revelations concerning Sonic’s origins.

Unboxing: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Animation Legends Blind Bag Part 4

It has been so much fun making these Animation Legends unboxing videos where I sift through fifteen cels from one of my favorite childhood cartoons Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. This time, I also take a look at the 1985 Ewoks cartoon with a small five cel blind bag. On a bittersweet note, Animation Legends have announced that they are close to selling out of their Sonic cels, which means this might be the final video in the series.

BUT if you want to own some original art of your own, now is the time to check out their Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog cels and promo code SEGABITS10 saves you 10% on your order and in turn, Animation Legends sends more cels my way to review.

Though with Sonic selling out soon, I might have to shift to Back to the Future: The Animated Series and start a BTTF fan site called GIGAwatts.

Steamforged Games announces Sonic The Card Game, releasing 2021

Steamforged Games, creators of tabletop games including several licensed video game board and card games, have announced Sonic The Card Game. From their website: “Sonic’s the name, and speed is the game—literally! Join the beloved blue blur in a competitive card racing game where you’ll collect power-ups and rings to win. It’s fast family fun you’ll race through again and again.”

Little else is known, but once we learn more about the game we’ll be sure to news it! Thanks for the tip, Berto!

Unboxing: SEGA Astro City Mini DX Pack

After two and a half months of waiting, my package from Japan containing the SEGA Astro City Mini DX Pack has arrived! Check out the full unboxing above for a close up look at all the cool bonus goodies SEGA included in this 60th Anniversary item.

Sonic Boom Season 1 Blu-Ray and Season 2 DVD now available for pre-order


We previously reported on Sonic Boom season 1 releasing to blu-ray and now we have pre-order listings and box art! Season 1 will not only include 9 hours of episodes on 3 blu-ray discs, but there will also be a digital code to be redeemed on a service called movieSPREE. Also revealed is the cover art and bonus item in the Limited Edition Gift Set for Season 2 Vol. 1 of Sonic Boom Season 2. Instead of more figures, they’re including a backpack hanger. Not as exciting as Amy and Sticks figures, but it could be because TOMY no longer produces the figures which were included in previous sets. There is also a standard version without a toy included. All three releases hit May 4, 2021 and pre-order links can be found below.

Sonic Boom: The Complete Season 1 Blu-Ray | Sonic Boom: Season 2 Volume 1 Gift Set

Sonic Boom Season 1 Blu-Ray and Season 2 Volume 1 DVD Announced – Coming May 2021

Maybe its the recent voice cast departure news, or maybe I’ve softened on the now cancelled “new branch” of the Sonic franchise, but I have to admit I was really happy to learn today that not only will Sonic Boom season 2 receive a Volume 1 DVD release (with a Volume 2 to follow) but there will also be a Sonic Boom season 1 blu-ray release. Read on to learn more!

LEGO Ideas Sonic Mania Green Hill Zone Given the Green Light

LEGO Ideas, the official LEGO outlet that gives fans the ability to submit designs for official approval and release, has announced that the Sonic Mania: Green Hill Zone set from Viv Grannell aka toastergrl has been given the green light! This means that SEGA has signed on to the project and it will carry the official Sonic the Hedgehog license. The next step will have LEGO’s builders review the build and make any refinements or develop new unique pieces. From there, we should see an official reveal, box art and some pre-order links! But it is going to take some time. Hopefully the Sonic Mania branding remains intact and it releases for the 30th anniversary.

After the break, check out the official word from LEGO.

Unboxing: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Animation Legends Blind Bag Part 3

Back again, this time with a captain’s hat! It’s another blind bag of animation cels from the 1993 cartoon Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog from Animation Legends.

The company promises that you are guaranteed to have an A rated cel (80% – 100% of a character), and the remaining cels will be randomly selected with a B (cel visibly shows less than 80% of a character) or C (cel might include parts of a character but these cels mainly include scenery or other aspects of the show) grade. I ended up ordering another 15-pack and above you can check out my third unboxing.

If you like what you see, hit up Animation Legends and check out their offerings. Many cel packs are currently 50% off, and as an added bonus you can use promo code SEGABITS10 to take an additional 10% off your purchase!

Unboxing: Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog Animation Legends Blind Bag

If you’ve been a longtime reader of SEGAbits, you might have picked up on the fact that I am a big fan of the 1993 cartoon Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog. Shortly after the series wrapped, my dad gifted me three framed animation cels. Hand-painted animation cels for the series have been available for years, but you either had to hit eBay or animation art galleries. Earlier this year, I started seeing ads for Animation Legends, a company that was selling blind bags of animation cels from a number of cartoon series from the 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s. The promise is that you are guaranteed to have an A rated cel (80% – 100% of a character), and the remaining cels will be randomly selected with a B (cel visibly shows less than 80% of a character) or C (cel might include parts of a character but these cels mainly include scenery or other aspects of the show) grade.

I ended up ordering a 15-pack and since then I have been hooked. Above you can check out my second unboxing (unenveloping?) and after the break my first bling bag unboxing.

If you like what you see, hit up Animation Legends and check out their offerings. Many cel packs are currently 50% off, and as an added bonus you can use promo code SEGABITS10 to take an additional 10% off your purchase!

Unboxing: Sonic The Hedgehog PVC Statue by First 4 Figures

First 4 Figures have launched the first in a new series of affordable painted PVC statues. Featuring classic Sonic next to an iconic star post, the statue is sure to catch the attention of old and new fans. But how does it compare to the company’s resin statues? Check out our unboxing and video review!

Thanks to SEGA and F4F for a review sample – Pick one up for yourself at the links below:
Standard | Deluxe

Sonic The Hedgehog: The IDW Collection, Volume 1 Hardcover Announced – Collects the First 12 Issues

IDW has announced “Sonic The Hedgehog: The IDW Collection, Volume 1”, the first in a series of hardcover oversized books spanning the IDW Sonic series in recommended reading order. This means that the ongoing series, annuals, and mini-series will all see release under this format as future volumes release. Meanwhile, IDW will also be releasing the trade paperback editions which are priced at $15.99 each and usually collects 4 issues at a time.

Now, this is all speculation in my part, but the naming convention here opens them up to a possible “The Archie Comics Collection” in the future, which I would love to see, but am not holding my breath for. Still, stranger things have happened. After the break, check out some additional information on this upcoming series.

Complete Shenmue III Soundtrack Releasing to CD, Vinyl and Digital

Shenmue III, which released almost a year ago, will see a complete soundtrack release from Ys Net, Brave Wave Productions and Limited Run Games. Weighing in at 195 music compositions, which consists of both old and new tracks, the soundtrack will see release on CD, vinyl and digital. If you want options, you better believe they have them!

The CD edition consists of 6 discs, and includes a special box and liner notes for $49.99. The digital edition will be available on all major streaming services for $30. The vinyl edition comes in three flavors: a 2-LP Music Selection release with 33 of the game’s most iconic tracks (which would fit well along side the Data-Discs releases of Shenmue and Shenmue II) for $39.99, a 5-LP Volume 1 which features the Bailu Village music for $124.99, a 6-LP Volume 2 which features the Niaowu music for $149.99, and finally an 11-LP Definitive Soundtrack Complete Collection release in a massive box for $299.99. There will also be a limited run of 500 Complete Collection LP box sets featuring a poster autographed by Yu Suzuki for $349.99.

All physical releases will be available for pre-order starting November 20 from Limited Run Games and BigWax (for European customers). After the break, check out the complete breakdown of all the editions. Which one/s do you plan on picking up?

Data Discs Announces Shenmue II Vinyl Soundtrack and Optional Slipcase

Data Discs have announced the followup to their 2015 release of the original Shenmue score on vinyl. Shenmue II will be joining the Data Discs line with a selection of tracks from SEGA’s Sound Team. The release is presented on 180g vinyl with original cover art and two lithographic prints. The editions include: 180g Light Translucent Green and Orange (Limited Edition), 180g Light Translucent Green and 180g Classic Black. Data Discs have also revealed an optional “Dragon and Phoenix Mirror” slipcase built from hardboard and coated in a matt laminated varnish made to hold both releases, and retails for £12.50.

The Light Translucent Green and Orange (Limited Edition) of Shenmue II will be up for an open pre-order until MONDAY 21st SEPTEMBER at 13:00 (UK time), and retails for £20.99. The other two editions will remain available beyond that time (while stocks last) and retail for £19.99. All editions have an estimated shipping date of January 2021. Additionally, the original Shenmue vinyl is being repressed with a January 2021 release date.

Sonic the Hedgehog 30th Anniversary Logo Revealed – New Merchandise Announced

SEGA has just revealed the new 30th Anniversary logo for Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as their merchandising plans for the blue blur who will turn 30 next year. The logo, playing off Sonic’s spinning feet, is very cute. As for merchandise, expect the previously revealed Sonic Encyclo-Speed-ia book from Dark Horse, as well as more creepy Pop! Vinyl figures, Jakks Pacific toys, jewelry, apparel, enamel pins, energy drinks and new Classic Sonic comic books from IDW. The IDW series will consist of a special issue and an accompanying mini series. Read the full press release after the break!