Rumor: SEGA working on Phantasy Star Online 2’s successor as their next ‘Super Game’, will use NFTs

Its not hard to see that SEGA’s Phantasy Star Online 2 has been a massive success for the company, so much so that it recently that it got a graphical update with Phantasy Star Online: New Genesis. But the company is already ’embracing the future’ with them planning the successor, if this new rumor is to be believed. The rumor comes from Japanese user Makino180 that says:

  • Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis will be supported for only 5 more years.
  • Phantasy Star Crew’s 3rd Division is in planning stages of the next “Super Game” and is aimed to be finished in under 5 years.
  • Phantasy Star Online veteran Satoshi Sakai will spearhead the project
  • Plans are to make the next “Super Game” running on Microsoft Azure Cloud Servers.
  • SEGA is thinking of using NFT Blockchain technology for its monetization to prolong the value and wants to spearhead the future of Gacha Games which will implement a possible SNS Distribution of virtual items.
  • Initial Budget for this “Super Game” is 5 times the budget of normal SEGA AAA Games!
  • The main audience of the new “Super Game” is the Western audience.

While gamers dislike NFTs, Blockchain technology, it seems that companies and developers see a avenue for them to be used in games. What is your thoughts on the rumored, next, “Super Game” by the developers that made Phantasy Star Online 2?

Cotton Guardian Force Saturn Tribute on Nintendo Switch features fully working SEGA Saturn emulator


City Connection just recently released Cotton Guardian Force Saturn Tribute that compiled Cotton 2, Cotton Boomerang and Guardian Force on a single cartridge. The game was, well, not well received due to the emulation being used having input lag, making the games hard to play.

The story would have ended there but, GBATemp user Iisreal2301 figured out a way to load his own SEGA Saturn images onto the game file, basically allowing you to boot up any SEGA Saturn game by tricking the system into thinking its loading a Cotton game!

Sadly the emulation is far from perfect, but it seems to be a working project by users from GBATemp. I guarantee you that Nintendo will crack down on this game’s fun, but for now here is a list of games tested by GBATemp user Levine 19:

SEGA Mega Drive Shoot ’em up Gleylancer coming to all current consoles on October 15

The classic shoot ’em up for SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive, Gleylancer (I swear it was Gley Lancer?) is coming to all modern consoles on October 15, 2021. This includes PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Sadly looks like PC gamers have been left out.

Originally the game was a Japanese exclusive but got a world wide release for the first time in 2008 via Wii’s Virtual Console. This version of the game will have even more improvements, according to the company it will feature:

  • Improved modes available with accessibility features and modern controls.
  • Classic and deep space shoot ’em up gameplay.
  • Epic space opera with anime cutscenes.
  • Option to customize the ship’s attacking power.
  • Iconic retro console graphics and sound.
  • Legacy 16-bit title from the 1990s!

Sonic the Hedgehog coming to Monster Hunter Rise

Capcom has just announced not only that Monster Hunter Rise is coming to PC (January 12, 2022) and that they have a new expansion called Sunbreak (coming Summer 2022) but that they also announced they will be doing a collaboration with Ghost ‘n Goblins: Resurrection and Sonic the Hedgehog!

This is what Capcom said in the press release:

“Finally, and also first revealed today, Monster Hunter is teaming up with Sega to celebrate Sonic the Hedgehog‘s 30th anniversary in Monster Hunter Rise. More details on this exciting new collaboration will be shared soon, prior to the Event Quest’s release in November.”

So stay tuned as Capcom will eventually show what these items will look like and what Sonic characters will be included in the event. I just want a Chao pet, to be honest!

[Via: Gematsu]

Bayonetta 3 finally shows off gameplay footage on Nintendo Direct, officially coming 2022

Bayonetta 3 is one of those games we have all been waiting for here at SEGAbits, we did a post about how Nintendo Japan had the game slated for release in 2022 and now Nintendo Direct’s latest presentation has confirmed it! Plus we got a look at the game for the first time, which includes an all new designed Bayonetta.

The game actually looks quite good for being a Nintendo Switch game and it seems to have good framerate. This is easily the nicest looking title shown at the show. But what do you guys think? What you think of her new look?

Nintendo Japan lists Bayonetta 3 for 2022 release

Amiibos allow you to instantly unlock costumes in Switch Bayonetta
Bayonetta 3 was announced way back in 2017, its been awhile! Hard to believe how long the games been in development without a single in-game screenshot shared by Platinum Games or Nintendo, but it seems that might change and soon. According to Nintendo Japan’s release schedule, Bayonetta is scheduled for release in 2022 along with Splatoon 3 and Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2.

It will be interesting to see what happens considering we haven’t seen anything yet. Do you think Bayonetta 3 will come out next year?

Sonic Colors: Ultimate Review – Reach for the Stars in HD (PlayStation 4)

For a thorough review of Sonic Colors, check out our write-up of the original Wii release from 2010. Much of our original reviewer’s thoughts reflect my own. The review you are about to read is from a review copy provided by SEGA.

For over ten years, the Wii exclusive Sonic Colors remained exclusively on the console. When you take in the Sonic “main series” games, Colors was an anomaly amongst a library of titles that often saw re-releases, remasters and compilations. Even the derided Wii U exclusive Sonic Lost World saw a PC release! So, FINALLY, after over ten years the critically acclaimed and fan favorite 3D Sonic game Sonic Colors sees a remaster with upgraded visuals, music and a few new surprises. But does Ultimate live up to its name? Of course it does. It’s great. What, you expected me to say otherwise?

Sonic Colors: Ultimate – Wisp Spotlight trailer gives fans a look at alien power-ups

SEGA has released another spotlight trailer for the upcoming Sonic Colors Ultimate, this time detailing those alien power-ups the Wisps. Given the game originally released in 2009, we know the Wisps… right? WRONG! There is a new Wisp called the Jade Ghost Wisp. Learn what he’s all about in the video above!

Pre-Order Sonic Colors Ultimate

PlayStation 4 | Nintendo Switch | Xbox One

Microids inks deal with Forever Entertainment to physically publish Panzer Dragoon and The House of the Dead Remakes

Publisher Microids has announced a new distribution agreement with Forever Entertainment to physically publish Panzer Dragoon and The House of the Dead remakes. Microids’ biggest release would be Oddworld Soulstorm. 

This comes off Forever Entertainment inking a deal to make games for Square-Enix and a distribution deal with Nintendo Japan.

This is great for Forever Entertainment, but yet again I have to question SEGA’s decision not to publish their own IPs, even if Forever Entertainment is developing them. Its so bizarre.

Forever Entertainment, developer behind Panzer Dragoon Remake enters publishing deal with Nintendo


Forever Entertainment who has recently released the first Panzer Dragoon Remake (working on the sequel) and are currently working on The House of the Dead Remake, has announced that they have signed a publishing deal with Nintendo.

“The board of Forever Entertainment S.A. (FE) is informing of having signed a material agreement between FE and Nintendo Co. Ltd (Nintendo) of Japan.

On the basis of the agreement FE will receive a significant financial backing from Nintendo to fulfil a publishing agreement, the purpose of which is to release several titles from FE release schedule on Nintendo Switch.

The exact release date of each individual titles will be announced in separate reports.”

We really don’t know what the deal is or if it will effect upcoming releases like The House of the Dead Remake, which as of today is only announced for Nintendo Switch. I think the saddest part is that SEGA didn’t sign a publishing deal with a developer that is literally reviving their older franchises. What’s up with that? Could they be reviving Nintendo franchises in the future? This isn’t new as the developer has also signed a contract with Square-Enix to revive titles.

[Via: ResetEra]

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania officially announced, coming October 5, 2021

SEGA has officially revealed Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania! The game is releasing in time for the franchise’s 20th anniversary. The game promises 300 recreated stages from the original three Super Monkey Ball games, as well as fan favorite mini games. Expect the game to hit October 5, 2021 to PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania box art and screenshots leak online ahead of its E3 Nintendo Direct debut


SEGA’s Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania might be the worse kept game secret in a long time, having its platforms already leak and now box art and screenshots from TechnikNews writer Nils Ahrensmeier. I’ll be honest, that is probably some of the nicest box art I have seen from a Super Monkey Ball game and I really dig the logo.

Big spoilers, those mini-games you love from the original games? They back baby! Check out the screens shared by Nils below:

Streets of Rage 4 DLC “Mr. X Nightmare” finally make Shiva playable

Ever since I was a mere child and laid my eyes on the badass ninja guard for Mr. X, Shiva, I wanted him to be a playable character. Now, the wait is over, Streets of Rage 4’s first DLC pack “Mr. X Nightmare” has confirmed he will be the third playable character.

As we know the other two playable characters announced were Max Thunder and Estel Aguirre. Sadly we don’t have a release date for the DLC, but we do know its coming out sometime this year.

Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World hitting Western PS4 & Switch May 28, PC on June 29

It looks like the Monster World IV remake, Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World, is set to launch both physically and digitally on PS4 and Nintendo Switch on May 28th in the West (North America, Europe and Australia). PC gamers will have to wait until June 29th to get their hands on it.

The game is set to retail for $39.99, which seems a bit high considering Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap remake of Wonder Boy III launched for half the price.

You can read the overview of this remake release, via the publisher ININ after the jump:

[Via: Gematsu]