Rumor: Universal Studios on track to make a movie or TV show based on SEGA’s Golden Axe

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Via superhero movie news site Heroic Hollywood comes a rumor that, if true, shows that SEGA’s plans to turn classic franchises into movies and television shows is progressing. The rumor is that Universal Studios is either interested in or has already made a deal with SEGA to acquire the television or movie rights to Golden Axe. The rumor also states that Universal was interested in other properties as well, but may be playing it safe and is only going with Golden Axe for now.

The idea of a Golden Axe movie isn’t too crazy, given Universal is also at work on the long awaited The Legend of Conan and NBC (owned by Comcast which also owns Universal) is at the moment working on a Xena reboot. Given The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have completed, and the Harry Potter franchise is in hibernation until 2016, there is a void for sword and sorcery films that studios are likely looking to fill with established franchises.

Universal could be hedging their bets on the genre and are looking to Golden Axe, Conan and Xena to make them big money. Also consider that Universal Studios has Harry Potter attractions at their theme parks. While Disney has cornered the market on sci-fi and superheros, could Universal be eyeing fantasy? Hey, the studio hedged their bets on monsters years ago and look where that took them.

Cook & Becker releases official licensed art prints for Phantasy Star, Shinobi, Streets of Rage, and more

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If you have ever wanted to put some cute retro SEGA art on your wall and show people that you too are a retro gaming art snob, you can now pick up prints over at Cook & Becker. These prints are officially licensed by SEGA and being sold by the Dutch art dealer for $99 dollars unframed.

Check out the pieces here:

More should be coming out this summer, if you wallet wasn’t empty already. My favorite prints are Phantasy Star, Golden Axe and Shinobi (yes, in that order). Which are your favorites?

Worlds Unite comic book reveals continue, bringing us NiGHTS, Golden Axe and more!

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The third day of IGN’s roster reveal for “Worlds Unite” brings us a few surprises and at least one everyone predicted. From the arcade classic, “Golden Axe” comes the bikini-clad warrior Tyris Flare. Along with her, comes the wolf goddess Ameratsu from “Okami”. Next up is Red Arremer AKA Firebrand from the controller-chucking classic, “Ghosts and Goblins” and last but definitely not least is the one everyone saw coming. The dream warrior itself, NiGHTS.

Stay tuned as the final two days reveals the rest of the cast.

Contest: Mega Drive 25th anniversary Kingdom Conquest II card giveaway

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To celebrate the Mega Drive’s 25th anniversary, we’re teaming with SEGA to give away cool new in-game Kingdom Conquest II cards based on the Golden Axe and Altered Beast franchises made famous on SEGA’s 16-bit console. We’re giving away 10 Altered Beast Werewolf Monster Cards and 10 Golden Axe Gilius Thunderhead Commander Cards.

HOW TO ENTER:
Follow us on Twitter, tweet us an answer to this question: “What is your favorite SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis game?” with the hashtag #SBMD25 and if you’re selected, we’ll send you a code via direct message!

or

Like us on Facebook, reply to the dedicated Facebook post with an answer to this question: “What is your favorite SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis game?” and if you’re selected, we’ll send you a code!

Contest ends 10/31/13, codes will be given randomly.

Want more ways to win? SEGA is holding their own contest on the SEGA Blog, as well as on the Kingdom Conquest II Facebook page or enter on Twitter by following @KingdomConqGame and Tweeting #KC2MD

SEGA Australia’s crazy pitch for remaking SEGA classics

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[Above is SEGA Australia’s pre-alpha prototype pitch for Golden Axe remake under their label ‘SEGA Reborn’]

SEGA Australia isn’t known as the type of studio that had too many hits, but it seemed that the team was finally hitting their stride with the Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse remake that is coming out in early September. Sadly that will be the studio’s last game, since it was announced that they will be closing by the end of the year.

Seems that the studio pitched for a series of remakes, most notably ‘Golden Axe’ and all to be in a new label called ‘SEGA Reborn’. That’s not all though, the company thought that all these classics should take place in the same universe. Yes, we are talking about Marvel movie treatment with retro games. That would mean that a game like Out Run takes place hundreds of years after Golden Axe.

Much like its remake of Castle of Illusion, they where open to going in and adding new content and fixing issues the originals had. Some of the other games they talked about remaking included Streets of Rage and Shinobi. Hit the jump to see video of the ‘Golden Axe’ remake that the studio pitched to SEGA. 

Speed Run: Fan beats Golden Axe in 9 minutes and 27 seconds

Do you like speed runs? Do you like SEGA games? You will love this speed run of the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive version of Golden Axe by  Jason ‘honorableJay’ Feeney. I’m a bit confused as to why it is picking up attention now, since he completed the deed last year. Regardless, I haven’t seen it and it brings a nostalgia factor.

What is your favorite speed run of a SEGA game? How fast can you beat Golden Axe?

SEGA Five: A Salute to the SEGA All-Stars Part 3

As we move into November we reach the home stretch: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed releases THIS MONTH. On November 18th to be exact. This week we continue our salute to the SEGA All-Stars with two of Sonic’s earliest rivals, Knuckles and Metal Sonic, as well as NiGHTS’ rival Reala. We also feature B.D. Joe of Crazy Taxi fame and the dwarf legend Gilius Thunderhead of Golden Axe. If you missed Part 1 and Part 2, what are you waiting for? check them out! If you’ve been following with us all along, continue our series with part 3 after the break.

Golden Axe and Streets of Rage collections ready to play on XBLA

As of today, two more SEGA Vintage Collection releases have hit XBLA: a Streets of Rage collection and a Golden Axe collection. Each are 800 msp and include the complete Genesis trilogies from each franchise. Unlike last week’s collections, these collections appeared in full in the disc release of Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection. However, this time out M2 handled the port, so the quality may be better than the UGC versions. There are also the 3D menus, the slick opening animations, online play and achievements. Those are all good reasons to buy the games again. After the break, a gallery of images from the collections as well as a video preview of the trials. Check out the video for the awesome Vintage Collection opening titles.

SEGA Tunes: Vintagenesis’s Golden Axe Melody

I never go searching around for fan made remixes when I’m looking for a Tuesday Tune. Not necessarily because they can’t be good, but because so many of them aren’t really that special. I want to keep this feature focused on SEGA’s own work. There is so much of it to explore and use, I try not to waste a week on something not from the company unless it’s really, really good.

Vintagenesis is very, very good. They’ve got quite a few songs on their channel, but this is easily the one to get me hooked. It takes the epicness of the old school soundtrack and enhances it with some pretty epic guitar riffs. Hope you guys enjoy!

XBLA and PSN Vintage Collection titles finally priced and dated

From the SEGA Blog comes news that is a surprise to nobody: The third wave of Vintage Collection titles are hitting XBLA and PSN next week. What we did not know were the dates and prices, thankfully SEGA has that covered. On May 22nd, PSN will receive the following titles for $4.99 each: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade), Wonder Boy in Monster World (Mega Drive), Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive), Super Hang-On (Arcade), Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive), Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System).

On May 23rd, XBLA will receive the following compilations: Monster World Collection (800 MSP) includes Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade), Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis/Mega Drive) and Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive). Alex Kidd & Co. Collection (800 MSP) includes Super Hang-On (Arcade), The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive) and Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System). But thats not all! After the break, more games, dates and prices.

RUMOR: Sonic Adventure 2, More Vintage Titles Revealed for XBLA

UPDATE: Penny Arcade 3 and Rock Band Blitz have been confirmed giving even more credibility to this list. I believe we can consider SA2 all but confirmed.

A list of upcoming XBLA titles has been leaked onto the web via NEOGAF. Allegedly, the source of this list is Microsoft’s Partnernet service, which has notoriously been the source of numerous leaks in the past, including the infamous Sonic 4 Episode 1 leak back in 2010.

Among the games listed are Sonic Adventure 2 and Vintage titles Streets of Rage and Golden Axe. Another leaked title, Rock Band Blitz, could be the title to make or break the validity of this list, as that game’s developer, Harmonix, is expected to debut their next title this weekend at PAX East. If anything becomes of these rumors, we’ll be sure to report it.

Until then, you can find the complete list of leaked titles at the source below.

Update: Rock Band Blitz has been revealed on G4.

Insert Coin shows off new SEGA shirt designs, including Ryo Hazuki inspired hoodie


The fine folks over at Insert Coin Clothing have now released their concept art for their upcoming SEGA Reloaded shirts (and a hoodie). The hoodie above is inspired by Ryu Huzuki’s brown jacket in Shenmue. In the back it has the Hazuki tiger.

To see more of the shirt designs, hit the jump. Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, Shinobi, and Golden Axe? Yes, please.

Insert Coin to add new Sega line of clothing

UK based clothing company Insert Coin is adding more Sega franchises to their Sonic line of clothing. This includes such games as Shemue, Golden Axe, Shinobi, Streets of Rage and Jet Set Radio.

All of these games are very special to us and so it is fantastic to be able to honour them with some slick new tees and hoodies – and hopefully we’ll be able to show you what we have planned very soon!