Samba de Amigo: Party Central demo now available on Nintendo Switch!

Out of nowhere, SEGA has dropped a demo of Samba de Amigo: Party Central for the Nintendo Switch. Usually these things get press releases or some fanfare from SEGA, but instead it’s just there. So head on over to the Nintendo eShop listing and check out the demo for yourself!

The demo will finally allow players to try the game for themselves to see if SEGA has finally perfected what was the perfect control scheme in the arcade original. The game was ported to the SEGA Dreamcast, with some excellent controls but sadly the dedicated controller cost a lot. The game then released to Wii, and the less said about the controls on that one the better. What are your thoughts on the demo? Sound off below!

Atlus says they want to remake Persona 1 and Persona 2

With Persona 3 getting a remake soon, the question in a lot of fans minds is when Atlus will reach back and remake older titles that deserve a brand new coat of paint. During a recent interview, Atlus was asked if there where other remakes in development which they said:

“Atlus and Sega are experimenting with many remake ideas for different franchises. But there is nothing in end production like P3RE right now. Atlus really wants to make a P1/P2 remake.”

While the original Persona (2009) game and the sequel Persona 2 (2011) had remakes on the PlayStation Portable, as all Sony PSP games, these these titles are rare and hard to buy. I think giving the original titles a fresh coat of paint could be interesting. But should modernize the gameplay to match the newer Persona games or keep it original? I guess we shall see.

Nintendo’s Top 30 downloaded games for 2023 features two Persona games, zero Sonic games


Nintendo has posted the most downloaded games on the Nintendo Switch so far for 2023. The list was really surprising, since it seems people are really buying re-releases of older games with Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 and 2 made the rankings in the top ten. But on the SEGA side, the most interesting part is that the top 30 downloaded Nintendo Switch games, no Sonic the Hedgehog game made the list.

Though Atlus made the list twice with both Persona 4 Golden (13) and Persona 3 Portable (19) which I consider a big success for these re-releases. Why didn’t Sonic make the list? Good question, SEGA did release Sonic Origins Plus, it came out at the end of June which could mean that the game hasn’t had enough time to sell enough to make the top 30. I guess we will see in the end of the year when the list is re-released to see how that game performed. The surprising part is that Sonic Frontiers hasn’t continued to have the legs on Switch, what with all the free updates happening. I guess most Sonic gamers opted out to play it on beefier hardware?

Check out the top 30 downloaded Nintendo Switch Games for 2023 after the break:

Samba de Amigo Party Central Shakes Its Way On Meta Quest 2 & Meta Quest Pro

During the Meta Quest Showcase, SEGA announced that Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be arrive for Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro later this fall. Pre-orders for the game are available on the Meta Quest Store.

As a special bonus to those who pre-order the game ($29.99 MSRP) up until launch will also receive the following unique in-game accessories they can use to dress up their Amigo:

  • A virtual replica Meta Quest 2 VR headset
    A pair of virtual replica Meta Quest controllers that replace the player’s maracas

Samba de Amigo will also be arriving on Nintendo Switch on August 29 with pre-orders now available here.

Limited Run Games releasing Alien: Isolation – The Collection for Nintendo Switch, includes a loaded Collector’s Edition

This Friday, Limited Run Games will open up pre-orders for Alien: Isolation – The Collection for the Nintendo Switch. While this version is downgraded compared to the PC version, according to EuroGamer the Nintendo Switch version actually is more impressive than the PlayStation 4 version. The port is also done by Feral Interactive who are known for their high quality ports to MacOS and mobile. Like always Limited Run Games will include three different releases for Alien: Isolation – The Collection on the Nintendo Switch:

While in the past a lot of Limited Run Games releases have been limited in quantity, these three versions will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow and end on July 9th, 2023. Should give you enough time to consider what version of the game you will want.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central Releases On August 29th for Nintendo Switch; Sonic & SEGA DLC Announcement

Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be partying its way for Nintendo Switch on August 29th and SEGA has also announced today that the digital editions of the upcoming rhythm action game are now available to pre-order for Nintendo Switch on the Nintendo eShop.

Those who purchase the Samba de Amigo: Party Central Digital Deluxe Edition ($49.99 MSRP) on the Nintendo eShop will receive the following:

  • The Standard Edition of the game
  • Sonic Music DLC Pack that includes fan-favorite tracks such as “Open Your Heart” from Sonic Adventure™, “Reach For The Stars (Re-Colors)” from Sonic Colors™️: Ultimate, and “I’m Here” from Sonic Frontiers™!
  • SEGA Music DLC Pack has you setting the festivities on fire with popular tracks from SEGA’s history: “Bakamitai (Taxi Driver Edition)”, “Go Go Cheer Girl!” from Space Channel 5™️: Part 2, and “Rhythm Thief Theme” from Rhythm Thief & the Emperor’s Treasure™️!
  • Special costumes inspired by Sonic and Tails from the Sonic the Hedgehog™ series; Space Channel 5Super Monkey Ball™️; and Puyo Puyo™️!

Sonic Frontiers becomes the best selling 3D Sonic game racing to 3.5 million units sold

While Sonic Frontiers isn’t the most perfect game ever made (check out our review), it is a huge step in the right direction for the franchise and it seems that Sonic fans have agreed as it becomes the best selling 3D Sonic game. SEGA confirmed the sales figures during their SEGA x Rovio press conference (16:40 in), marking the title as a huge success.

That means that the title sold 300,000 units from April, in just a month. That would mean that Sonic Frontiers has long lasting legs and that probably has to do to the free roadmap that Sonic Team has released. For example Sonic Generations sold 3 million units and it still seems Sonic Frontiers can easily break the 4 million sold marker by this fall!

Are you surprised at the success of Sonic Frontiers?

[Via: Sonic Stadium]

Samba de Amigo: Party Central adds two Sonic songs and a cameo from the blue blur himself

Sonic appearing in other Sonic Team games was a highlight of the Dreamcast era, so it was delightful to see the press release from SEGA this morning revealing that Sonic himself will be making a cameo in the upcoming Nintendo Switch exclusive Samba de Amigo: Party Central! Sonic and City Escape will play host to Amigo and his friends as players shake it to two songs from the Sonic franchise: “Escape From the City” from Sonic Adventure 2 and “Fist Bump” from Sonic Forces. Check out the screenshot above and check the press release after the break! We wish SEGA sent a video clip too, but this is the best we can offer.

Sonic Frontiers free content update “Sights, Sounds, and Speed” set to release Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Last year, SEGA promised three waves of free Sonic Frontiers DLC content, and the first wave entitled “Sights, Sounds, and Speed” is set for release on Wednesday, March 22 at 5:00 p.m. PDT / 8:00 p.m. EDT across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, the Nintendo Switch family of systems and Steam. The update will include the following:

  • New Challenge Modes – After completing the main story campaign, players can access new challenge modes – Cyber Space Challenge and Battle Rush – via the title screen. The Cyber Space Challenge is a time-attack mode where players will compete against the clock to complete multiple Cyber Space stages in a row. Additionally, Sonic Frontiers will offer Battle Rush, a timed-battle mode where you fight multiple enemies, Guardians and Titans in one go.

  • Photo Mode – To capture memories of their time on the Starfall Islands, players can open the pause menu to access Photo Mode, which will pause gameplay and bring up a camera that is freely moveable.

  • Jukebox – Players can listen to their favorite Sonic songs all throughout the Starfall Islands with the new Jukebox. With 53 song tracks available, players will have instant access to 13 songs, and can unlock the remaining 40 songs by collecting Sound Memories on each island.

Two additional waves of content are expected for later this year, promising new features, challenges, playable characters and more. Given wave two has content specific to Sonic’s anniversary, a late June release is possible though not yet confirmed by SEGA. After the break, check out a gallery of screens for the content update!

Samba De Amigo: Party Central announced for Nintendo Switch, Releasing June 2023

While news leaked earlier today on social media, Nintendo Direct has officially dropped the news that SEGA’s iconic rhythm action game series, Samba de Amigo, will be making a comeback on the Nintendo Switch titled Samba de Amigo: Party Central with Amigo sporting a new attire for the upcoming game.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central will include 40 musical hits from the world’s most popular genres including EDM, pop, Latin, and more along with a wide variety of mini-games and challenges to enjoy; a ton of unique costumes and accessories to unlock and wear; and new online features – including an 8-player World Party mode.

Samba de Amigo: Party Central will be released on the Nintendo Switch June 2023!

Sonic Frontiers dashes to number 4 spot in UK Game Charts and number 3 on Steam Charts

 

Sonic Frontiers made a strong start to life in the charts, boosting a number 4 spot in the UK Game Charts and sold 5% more than 2017’s release Sonic Forces. While this might not seem a large increase this does not include digital sales so Frontiers’ actual increase over Forces could be quite significant yet. We know more than half of UK game sales are now digital. What was more interesting was the platform break down, while Sonic Forces enjoyed strong sales on the Nintendo Switch, this time the best selling platform for the franchise was as follows; Playstation 5 (40%) Switch (34%) Xbox (14%) and Playstation 4 (12%) But it wasn’t just the UK where Sonic Frontiers is enjoying a successful start to it’s sale life, hit the break to read more how it’s fairing on Steam!

Bayonetta 3 Release Date Revealed

Publisher Nintendo and developer Platinum Games announced today that Bayonetta 3 will launch on October 28 for Nintendo Switch with a new game play trailer along with an introduction of the new playable character, Viola, who is ready to unleash hell on the Homunculi with her sword and her capricious companion, the feline demon Cheshire.

Bayonetta 3 will launch with “A Trinity Masquerade Edition” with a full-color 200-page art book, and display the whole Bayonetta trilogy with three reversible game cases, one for each title, that combine to form stunning panoramic artwork. More details regarding the Trinity Masquerade Edition will be announced in the future.

In addition, Nintendo announced it will launch the original Bayonetta as a standalone physical release on September 30. A limited number of copies will be available to pre-order via select retailers and available at launch in the My Nintendo Store at a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Source: Gematsu

 

Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable coming to PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC

Spread out throughout the month of June 2022 was news that Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable would soon be launching on Xbox consoles, PC platforms (Persona 4 Golden has already been on Steam since June 2020), and PlayStation 5. For Xbox and Windows PC users, all three will also be part of Xbox Game Pass following their launch on Microsoft platforms. It was finally also revealed at the end of Nintendo’s Mini Partner Showcase Direct from June 28th that all three will now finally release worldwide on Nintendo Switch as well. This is all part of Atlus’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Persona series of games.

New Sonic Frontiers info – detailing Cyber Space, enemies and more!

A new Nintendo Direct brought with it new footage and information for the upcoming Sonic Frontiers, due out for PC and all major consoles this holiday season. The biggest news was the reveal of a new enemy, named Sage, as well as information about high speed Cyber Space levels which should feel right at home with fans of Sonic Generations. You can check out the new footage above, and after the break read through all the new information from SEGA!