SEGA Merchandise

IDW reveals cover art for Sonic The Hedgehog #1, revealing the return of artist Tracy Yardley!

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IDW’s Sonic The Hedgehog comic book series is fast approaching, with the first four issues releasing weekly in April 2018. While we don’t know much about what we can expect from the new series, we do know a few things. The numbering will not resume from where Archie left off, IDW is starting back from square one. Also, we should expect a new canon, likely more game based. We even have an official description of the first arc thanks to the Amazon description for the first trade paperback which is due out September 18 and is titled “Fallout!”:

Join the Blue Blur for brand-new adventures as he and his friends race around the world to defeat the evil Dr. Eggman’s robotic forces!

The evil genius Dr. Eggman has been foiled–but the work of Sonic the Hedgehog isn’t over yet! In the aftermath of the latest epic battle, rogue robots continue to attack small villages around the world. In order to succeed, Sonic will need the help of his friends Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, along with some new and surprising allies. This new collection from acclaimed writer Ian Flynn features the blue blur like you’ve never seen him before. Gotta go fast!

Oh, and we also have the cover art, which can be seen above. Shared on the IDW Sonic Comic Squad Facebook group, the post reveals one of the official covers for issue #1 created by artist Tracy Yardley, meaning the longtime Archie Sonic comic artist is back alongside writer Ian Flynn. We’ll share more IDW Sonic news as we hear it!

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Retro-bit SEGA USB and Bluetooth Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast accessories revealed!

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Last month we shared the news that Retro-bit would be creating USB, bluetooth and classic controllers for the SEGA Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast, with the products debuting at CES 2018. Well CES 2018 is happening now, and images of the Retro-bit SEGA products are online! The community section of the RGT 85 Facebook page and Madlittlepixel show us just what we can expect from the new line of products. After the break, let’s check out the images and see what we can see!

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Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works teases never before seen production materials from Jet Set Radio, Shenmue and more

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Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works, an upcoming book from Read-Only Memory, is the followup to SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works. Successfully backed on Kickstarter late last year, Read-Only Memory sent a new years update to backers and boy is it an exciting one! Read-Only Memory received a large amount of production materials from SEGA of Japan, including several never-before-seen pieces from popular Dreamcast games. Included in the haul are:

  • Game mechanic sketches, environment concepts and high end renderings for Sonic Adventure
  • The complete design document for Jet Set Radio/Jet Grind Radio, including some amazing graffiti artwork concepts
  • A very early proof of concept video for Space Channel 5
  • Character studies and production artwork for Phantasy Star Online
  • Storyboards, character designs and environment artworks for Shenmue

Read-Only Memory will spend the coming weeks sorting through all the materials and identifying pieces to include in the book, with the final cut of the book to be laid out in a few months. Also revealed is that photoshoots for the Hardware Showcase chapter of the book will be taking place in the next few weeks, featuring everything from consoles to the fishing controller to the Samba de Amigo maracas. If you’re the proud owner of a Dreamcast hardware rarity you think should make the final cut, please do drop Read-Only Memory a line!

We here at SEGAbits can’t wait to get our hands on the book, and in the meantime we’re working to get Darren Wall of Read-Only Memory back for another Swingin’ Report Show podcast.

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Retro-bit announces SEGA partnership – creating USB and Bluetooth Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast accessories

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Have you ever played a rerelease of a classic SEGA game and felt that it just didn’t feel quite right with a modern controller? Well we could be seeing classic SEGA controllers for modern hardware soon, as retro gaming hardware manufacturer Retro-bit has announced a collaboration with SEGA. The official press release states that the plan is to produce accessories for SEGA’s platforms which includes, but is not limited to, SEGA Genesis, Saturn and Dreamcast. The first products to be released will include accessories that match the quality of the originals, made for use on original hardware as well as USB for PC use and Bluetooth wireless. These new products will debut in the Innex booth #21023 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during CES 2018.

This is very exciting, as games like Sonic Mania, Jet Set Radio HD and NiGHTS HD all would benefit from the original controllers. Also, the notion of a new Dreamcast pad for original hardware being made in 2018 is just sort of crazy and cool. Also, new USB Saturn pads would be amazing.

Read the full press release after the break

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TOMY reveals new Sonic the Hedgehog action figures, plush toys and comic books for 2018

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2018 might be a quiet year for Sonic the Hedgehog games, but the world of merchandise appears to be heating up. Not only will IDW debut their spin on the Sonic franchise, but TOMY will be releasing many more action figures and plush toys from the modern, classic and Sonic Boom character lineups. TOMY has been in the Sonic action figure business for two years, so they have released some figures but there are still several characters that they have yet to release. Let’s take a look at what collector’s can expect in 2018!

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Adventure & Sonic Adventure 2 Vinyl Announced

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On this short but sweet SEGA News Bits, Barry takes a look at the newly announced Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 vinyl from Brave Wave, which are due out this winter. Released separately and each containing two LPs, fans can expect a hand picked selection of the best tunes from each game. What tracks made the cut? What bonuses can we expect? Click play and find out!

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

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Brave Wave bringing Sonic Adventure & Sonic Adventure 2 to vinyl this winter

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2017 is fast becoming the year of Sonic vinyls, as it was announced today that the music label Brave Wave will be releasing Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 soundtrack vinyls this winter. As revealed on their website, the first pressing will contain special colors that represent the respective game. Sonic Adventure will be pressed in blue and white 180-gram vinyl and Sonic Adventure 2 will be pressed in blue and red 180-gram vinyl. Following the first pressing, the soundtracks will be on standard black 180-gram vinyl. Both releases will include a booklet featuring interviews with Jun Senoue and Takashi Iizuka, liner notes by John Linneman of Digital Foundry, song lyrics and character art.

If you think each game has a soundtrack too big for a single record, don’t fret! Each release will come with two LP records featuring remastered tracks handpicked by series lead composer and sound director Jun Senoue and the team. After the break, check out the full tracklists, and keep your eyes on the Brave Wave site for pre-order information as it becomes available.

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New Sonic the Hedgehog sticker activity book and short story collection releasing July, 2018 – available to pre-order

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Earlier this year we shared that three new Sonic the Hedgehog books from Penguin Random House – including a short story collection, a handbook and a Mad Libs book – were releasing in March, 2018. Now, two more books are due out July 10, 2018 including another short story collection and a sticker activity book! after the break, check out the descriptions of the upcoming books, as well as how to pre-order a copy.

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Unboxing: Tokyo Game Show 2017 SEGA & Sonic Merchandise

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Tokyo Game Show 2017 had a ton of awesome merchandise for sale and swag to give away, and in this SEGAbits Unboxing I dig through a package from SEGAbits writer Aki-At containing some TGS goodies! Items include exclusive Sonic Mania merchandise and swag advertising Yakuza Kiwami 2, Sonic Forces, Fist of the North Star and A Certain Magical Virtual-On.

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

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An official online SEGA Shop is coming soon for the Americas

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In the latest Sonic Official stream, it was announced that SEGA will soon be launching a SEGA shop which will feature new official merchandise spanning apparel, accessories, collectibles, costumes and home decor. One example of collectibles included limited edition pins. The shop will initially launch with a limited number of SEGA brands, including Sonic, SEGA Genesis, Golden Axe and Shinobi. After the shop opens, brands will expand. So when does this launch? Expect the store to open next Tuesday at shop.sega.com.

Currently the shop will serve the Americas only, but a UK shop is in the works apparently. What would you like to see at the SEGA Shop? Sound off in the comments below!

 

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Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works smashes Kickstarter funding goals – four days remain

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The Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works Kickstarter has amassed 155% of their funding goal, assuring that the book will be published and then some. Published by Read-Only Memory and officially SEGA licensed, the book is a followup to the excellent SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis: Collected Works. Since we last reported on Sega Dreamcast: Collected Works, some new details have been revealed. Having passed their funding goal and then some, backers can expect more than originally promised in terms of content. A backer update assured that the book will exceed the predicted 300 pages and Dreamcast case and controller production drawings will now appear as fold outs.

More information on special edition versions of the book, which highlight classic Dreamcast games including Jet Set Radio, Phantasy Star Online and Shenmue, was also given. Backers who choose the special edition tier can expect official Dreamcast typography screen printed onto a handmade, cloth bound and color paper lined box. It sounds like Read-Only Memory is putting a lot of work into color matching, as it is stated if they have to manufacture custom cloth colors, they will.

If you like what you see, check out the Kickstarter page and consider backing.

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Sonic the Hedgehog Ultimate Figure to be released by Tomy in 2018

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Thanks to a Gamestop listing, we’ve learned of an upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog collectible set to release next year. Sonic Ultimate Figure appears to be Tomy’s version of the Nendoroid Sonic the Hedgehog from Good Smile Company, with Tomy’s figure featuring a base, alternate faces and hands, and accessories, including a ring and chili dog. The figure is listed at $29.99 and releases March 12, 2018.

Gamestop seems to be the place when it comes to finding out about upcoming Tomy Sonic products, as last week we learned of a Sonic Forces themed multi-figure pack. These products will likely release elsewhere, but at the moment Gamestop is the only store to list them.

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Jet Set Radio 6″ Beat action figure now available to pre-order

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We’ve been following this figure for what feels like over a year, and while other figures revealed around the same time released months ago, this one remained elusive. Thankfully, we can now report that the long awaited – and for a time presumed cancelled – Jet Set Radio Beat action figure is now available for pre-order! The second in the Game Classics series, which featured Arthur of Ghosts ‘n Goblins fame previously, Beat sports a blocky look which perfectly matches the Dreamcast Jet Set Radio graphics (minus, of course, the cel shaded outline).

Beat comes with a spray can and two sets of hands, measures about 6″ tall and releases this December with a retail price of 7,538 yen. Amiami has the figure for 15% off at 6,390 yen (about $57) and if you pre-order the Space Channel 5 Ulala figure you can combine orders to save on shipping.

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SEGA gets into the adult coloring book game with SEGA: The Official Coloring Book by Patrick Spaziante

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Penguin Random House continues to announce books today with the reveal of an adult coloring book titled SEGA: The Official Coloring Book. The description reads as follows: “Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, Sonic the Hedgehog, and more—all intricately illustrated in this adult coloring book packed with original Sega art. With stunning pages to color, plus all the best action from the classic gaming system, this retro-themed adult coloring book is perfect for any creative gaming fan. Filled with 96 pages of original designs, it will be like you’re playing Altered Beast for the very first time. Power up!”

Sounds great, but you know what is REALLY awesome? All the art is from longtime Archie Sonic the Hedgehog artist Patrick Spaziante. As you can see from the cover, the art is first rate and will surely be a lot of fun to color. Or keep untouched on your shelf, if you are a collector like me. The book is now available to pre-order and is set to release October 17, 2017.

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New Sonic the Hedgehog books announced for 2018, now available to pre-order

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I’ve long had a soft spot for the Sonic the Hedgehog kids books of the 90s, from the look and finds to the junior novelizations. Penguin Random House have just announced three new Sonic books and all three are now available to pre-order! All three books are due out March 6, 2018. After the break, check out full descriptions of the books. I’m especially interested in the junior novelization featuring short stories and color illustrations.

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