SEGA’s recently announced Hero Bank turns out to be the latest project from Toshihiro Nagoshi

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It’s not much of a stretch to say that the announcement of Hero Bank, a 3DS exclusive RPG said to deal with real world currencies, hasn’t set the world on fire. Though I’m personally still trying to wrap my head around its general concept, details are beginning to trickle in for SEGA’s newest IP; one bit of info that may be of most interest to SEGA fans is that it comes from none other than Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi. For more, including quotes from the man himself, hit the jump.

Is Ecco the Dolphin getting a 3D makeover on 3DS?

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Looks like Sonic the Hedgehog won’t be the only Genesis game getting a 3D make over. If PEGI’s ratings website is anything to go by, Ecco the Dolphin will soon be coming to 3DS with a new 3D coat of paint. I hope this sells: its superior sequel Tides of Time would be a real sight to behold in 3D.

The game hasn’t officially been confirmed by SEGA, but given the track record of the ratings boards in predicting SEGA’s 3DS digital titles as of late, I am definitely willing to take this at face value. Is it too much to ask for this to use content from the SEGA CD version, SEGA?

SEGA announces “Hero Bank” – a 3DS exclusive money-based RPG

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Via Famitsu comes the reveal of a new 3DS exclusive from SEGA Japan entitled Hero Bank. Set to release on December 19th, Hero Bank is a unique RPG that revolves around world currencies. Seen after the break are two heroes, one with a yen theme and one with a US dollar theme. From what we can gather, the game is based around a fictional sport known as “Hero Battle”. Through one-on-one battles, players must earn as much money as possible to become the winner. Players download “hero data” which is based on real world individuals for in-game use. SEGA uses racers and baseball players as examples of potential real-world individuals.

It sounds like a pretty unique spin on the RPG battler genre, and the character designs are pretty cool. When we learn more, including who exactly is developing the title, we’ll be sure to share it!

Round Table: Our favorite games of E3 2013

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This year’s E3 is now behind us and all the talk about what games people liked is continuing. So it is only fair for us here at SEGAbits to have a Round Table telling you which games we are looking forward to getting our hands on! After the break, find out what our writers liked most from SEGA, as well as their favorite non-SEGA E3 titles.

Four more Game Gear games now available on the 3DS eShop

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The SEGA Blog has revealed the next Game Gear titles heading to the Nintendo 3DS eShop. When are they available? Today! Right now, ready to download, are Sonic the Hedgehog, Columns, Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine, and Shining Force: Sword of Hajya! All four are fantastic titles. Sonic fans who never experienced the 8-bit version of Sonic’s first adventure should play the Game Gear Sonic the Hedgehog as soon as possible. Both Columns and Mean Bean Machine are solid puzzle games, and Shining Force: Sword of Hajya (aka Shining Force Gaiden II: The Evil God Awakens) is a great mobile version of the strategy rpg series.

SEGA also promises that more titles are on the way, so stay tuned!

New Project X Zone E3 trailer and batch of screenshots released


Are you excited for the upcoming Project X Zone cross-over game featuring some pretty neat SEGA characters and cameos? Well even though the Japanese port of the title isn’t breaking front pages on websites right now, they still released a new English trailer and batch of screenshots.

So, are you going to get this on your 3DS when it comes out June 25th (US) and July 5th (EU)?

Feast your eyes on these Mario & Sonic 2014 and Sonic Lost World screens

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Via Nintendo’s press site comes a ton of new screens from Sonic Lost World for Wii U and 3DS as well as Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games for Wii U. Seen in the screens are the stages SEGA’s Aaron Webber revealed on IGN late last week. However, it is great to see them nice and crisp in the new screens. Mario & Sonic reveals… not as much. However, it does give a good look at our first HD entry to the series.

After the break, enough screens to make your head spin!

Sonic Lost World gets a release date [Update: it doesn’t], The Deadly Six get names

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Via GoNintendo comes Nintendo’s E3 press release, which features a bit of information important to Sonic fans: the release date of Sonic Lost World for Wii U and 3DS. That date? According to the press release, October 13th. Update: Seems GoNintendo goofed up. In copy and pasting the press release, the formatting was thrown off and the Skylanders release date was assigned to Sonic. Still Holiday 2013. Oh, but read on for the names of the Deadly Six!

Another notable bit of news is the reveal of the names of The Deadly Six. Thanks to Nintendo, we have a ton of assets from Sonic Lost World. While we compile the screens in a seperate news piece, please enjoy a Deadly Six roll call after the break.

IGN and Aaron Webber reveal Sonic Lost World Wii U and 3DS gameplay footage!

IGN.com and SEGA brand manager Aaron Weber have just revealed a ton of gameplay footage from the Wii U and 3DS versions of Sonic Lost World. The footage features Aaron’s handy commentary, telling fans what to expect in Sonic’s next adventure. So what are you waiting for? Check out the video above as well as the three after the break and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Project X Zone 3DS demo now available in the U.S.

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The wait is over!….Kinda. While you may not be able to get your hands on the full game yet, the Project X Zone demo is finally in the North American 3DS E-Shop. I gotta say, playing the demo makes me want to play the full version even more! It’s fun to see the Sega, Capcom and Bandai characters interacting. Even Opa-Opa and Space Harrier make a cameo! As far as Sega franchises represented in the demo go, you’ll see characters from Sakura Wars, Valkyria Chronicles 3 and Space Channel 5. The game itself is a grid based turn style RPG with cool, interactive attacks including Marvel vs. Capcom-like 3rd character support. While the game is translated into English text, the voices are purely Japanese. But heck, a lot of folks like it that way.

Note this is demo A. Which means, like Europe, a second demo should be coming soon.

Project X Zone will be available in American stores on June 25th.

Sonic Lost World Wii U and 3DS box art and plot points revealed

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The SEGA Blog has unveiled the box art and revealed more information for the Wii U and 3DS releases of Sonic Lost World. According to the SEGA Blog, the plot is as follows:

Dr. Eggman has harnessed the power of six menacing creatures collectively known as the Deadly Six, but when the Deadly Six rise up against their master, Sonic has to unite with his arch nemesis in order to take on the new enemies head-on. Using his dynamic new parkour moves and improved Color Powers, Sonic must run, jump and race through a variety of ever-changing terrains in order to defeat the Deadly Six.

SEGA also mentions that the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions will contain competitive multiplayer modes and “distinctive features that take advantage of the consoles’ unique capabilities”. Like Sonic Colors, both the console and handheld version will have their own exclusive color powers. The Wii U version will be completely playable from the GamePad screen and will feature two player support mode, color powers will be controlled via a variety of ways including tilting and touch screen controls. The 3DS version will feature fully 3D levels, exclusive special stages, and the aforementioned exclusive color powers.

So, Sonic and Eggman team up? Reminds me of Sonic Adventure 2. After the break, check out the Wii U box art. UPDATE: Also after the break, a full press release featuring a few new details including a gadget building mode that allows players to share content between the Wii U and 3DS versions.