SEGA shows off Tokyo Game Show 2019 line-up

SEGA has finally updated their Tokyo Game Show 2019 website revealing its full line-up for the upcoming event. While the event already had some heavy hitters before, but now they have even more games including Yakuza 7, Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD and Hatsune Miku: Project Diva MegaMix.

If you want to see the full line-up, hit the jump. We also included the links where you can find the live streams.

[Via: Gematsu]

Phantasy Star Online 2 anime returns with Episode Oracle in October 2019

We already knew that Phantasy Star Online 2 was getting a brand new anime being titled Episode Oracle that is suppose to cover the Phantasy Star Online 2 in-game story from Episode 1 through 3, plus some original story bits. We now know that the anime will launch this October.

While Phantasy Star Online 2 had a anime that was a 100% original story, this one is more tied to the game which makes me a bit more interested in giving it a try. The series’s first season will run 25 episodes.

As you know we will be getting Phantasy Star Online 2 will finally hit North America for Xbox One and PC in 2020. Are you going to give the anime a chance or wait for the game to come out?

Phil Spencer says Phantasy Star Online 2 ‘Will End up on all Platforms’

This actually happen and was said a few days ago but I was too busy to write it up. Microsoft’s Phil Spencer said while talking to the boys over at Giant Bomb that Phantasy Star Online 2 will end up on multiple platforms including the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4? Please note that there is no Phantasy Star Online 2 that runs native within the Switch, the one released in Japan was actually streaming.

It was so cool to have [Sega] on our stage and work with them. And yes, it’ll end up on all platforms. That’s not the point. To me, the point was to be able to have Sega back on our stage. It’s been a while.

Phil Spencer knows how to sweet talk us SEGA fans, its been awhile since SEGA has taken a big E3 stage especially with Microsoft. When was the last time they had a big presence? During the early Xbox 360 days? You can check out the Giant Bomb Phil Spencer interview above.

Phantasy Star Online 2 is coming to Xbox One and PC in the West

If you gave up on Phantasy Star Online 2 coming out in the West, Microsoft has swooped in to put a smile on your face. Phantasy Star Online 2 will be coming out West, free-to-play, on the Xbox One console and PC. According to the trailer it is being powered by Microsoft’s cloud service Azure, which makes me assume this will be completely separate from the Japanese version.

There is still a lot to find out, including if this is going to be up to the latest update to the Japanese release and how they will handle strange tie-ins that the Japanese version has gotten. Regardless, we will all be able to team up and destroy creatures with a official English release.

SEGA reveals Tokyo Game Show 2018 line-up


SEGA seems to be going all in at this year’s Tokyo Game Show 2018, what with the announcement of the new IP Project JUDGE (Judge Eyes in Japan), its starting to seem like SEGA finally has a impressive line-up for Japanese fans. But not only that, SEGA is publishing a bunch of Western titles for Japanese audience and some of the games that will have the SEGA logo over there are titles you least expect. It seems that we won’t be getting Sakura Wars information this year, which is a bummer. Check out SEGA’s full Tokyo Game Show 2018 line-up after the jump:

Why I think Idola Phantasy Star Saga looks terrible

The other day SEGA announced their new mobile game Idola Phantasy Star Saga, in which I did a write up on the news where I said the game looked terrible. It seemed some people didn’t like the idea of me having a ‘hot take’ on a newly released trailer. Some people thought I was judging the game too early, but the issue is I’m not. When I said that Idola Phantasy Star Saga looked terrible, I meant that what we have seen so far has looked terrible. Of course, you don’t have to agree with my opinion and I’m always open to listening to people that disagree, but this is the long version of why I think Idola Phantasy Star Saga looks terrible.

But let’s get into it:

Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud launches for Nintendo Switch in Japan

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SEGA’s Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud has launched on the Nintendo Switch. For those not in the know, this version of the game is a ‘cloud-based’ version of the PC, that is streamed onto your Nintendo Switch via ‘The cloud’.

Positives include not having to keep the game updated, since its always streaming the latest version. Obviously the downside is that you will need to be connected to a good internet connection. SEGA launched a huge series of videos to show off the game’s features:

[Via: Siliconera]

Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud hits Japanese Nintendo Switch on April 4th

As you guys know Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud was announced for the Nintendo Switch, this version of the game will allow Nintendo Switch owners to ‘stream’ the PC version of Phantasy Star Online 2 via the cloud.

During today’s Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the game will be launching on April 4th and include a free The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild collaboration outfit. Since the Nintendo Switch is ‘region free’, you can technically download the client and link it to your SEGA ID to play. Though if you are interested in playing Phantasy Star Online 2, I would just suggest playing it via the English patch created by Arks Layer.  It would be pretty cool if Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud allowed you to stream the game played on a local PC via you’re wifi connection, sort of how Sony does remote play with the PlayStation 3/4 and PlayStation Vita. That way it could stream the English patch version.

Or even better, would be cool if we got a Western release, huh?

Phantasy Star Online 2 celebrates 1.5 million downloads on PlayStation Vita

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SEGA has announced a Phantasy Star Online 2 milestone for the PlayStation Vita version of the game, amassing over 1.5 million downloads since the game debuted on the handheld in February 2013.  I assume these also counted the physical print version of the game that have been printed in the past.

To celebrate the milestone, Phantasy Star Online 2 will have a commemoration campaign later this month. More details to be announced later. Of course Phantasy Star Online 2 has been released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, PC, iOS, and Android. Only in Japan. There is also Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud coming to Nintendo Switch in Q1 2018.

Like always, wish this game made it west. Oh well, you know.

[Via: Siliconera]

Phantasy Star Online 2 shows off Virtual-On in-game crossover content

SEGA and the team behind Phantasy Star Online 2 have revealed that the game will get Virtual-On unlockable items coming this upcoming February. This update is being released to promote the upcoming A Certain Magical Virtual-On crossover game hitting Japan during the same month. The thing is, Virtual-On already had items available in the game, way back in 2014 along with Shining Force Cross Exlesia. Back then it was released to promote the digital only re-release of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force. It seems to be a re-release of the DLC, so if you play and missed it back in 2014! This Virtual-On DLC is pay for content…

SEGA also, according to the badly google translated description of the YouTube video, are celebrating 4.5 consecutive login-ins with SEGA ID. If you don’t know, SEGA ID is a service you have to sign up for to play Phantasy Star Online 2. I have also seen it used for some mobile games, so who knows if its just Phantasy Star Online 2 logins or if they’re counting anyone that just randomly logged into their SEGA ID account.

Yes, I know. I want Phantasy Star Online 2 in the west and no its not going to happen. Yes, it sucks. What else can we do about it besides play on the Japanese server?

 

SEGA launching Phantasy Star Online 2: Trading Card Game in Japan

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While we cross our fingers for a Phantasy Star Online 2 western announcement, in Japan they will soon be launching a 1v1 trading card game based on the popular IP. The game will feature cards based on characters, weapons and other art assets found in Phantasy Star Online 2.  As far as how the game will play, that remains a mystery for now.

Phantasy Star Online 2: Trading Card Game isn’t just aiming at being a competitive 1v1 game, but will also feature “Cooperation Battles” where you and friends can play the game versus in-card (is that a word?) bosses. SEGA will be showing off the card game across Japan starting on December 9, where attendees will be allowed to try the game for themselves. If you’re from Japan and want to give the game a try, check out the participating stores here.

SEGA plans on launching Phantasy Star Online 2: Trading Card Game in Japan on March 22, 2018. The first expansion of the series will have 100 cards to collect. Each pack will come with 6 cards and go for 250 yen (about $2.25 USD) each. As far as this coming to the West, don’t count on it, obviously.

[Source: Siliconera]

SEGA News Bits: Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud Announced For Nintendo Switch, What Is It?

Just the other day SEGA announced Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud for the Nintendo Switch, via the Japanese Nintendo Direct. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we will discuss what separates Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud from the regular versions, our thoughts on lack of SEGA exclusives for the Nintendo Switch and our overall opinion on how Phantasy Star Online 2 missed its ability to release in the West. Give the episode a gander and let us know what you think of this announcement in the comments below.

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.

Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud coming to Nintendo Switch in 2018

Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud was shown off on the new Nintendo Direct, but only in the Japanese presentation considering that the game won’t be coming west. I know, a major disappointment for western fans that have been waiting for Phantasy Star Online 2 since it was announced back in 2012. Its pretty big announcement for SEGA Japan to bring their Phantasy Star Online 2 game to the Nintendo Switch because I feel its the perfect platform for a game like this.

As for what the cloud in Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud stands for, I have heard people online saying that it means the game isn’t running on the Nintendo Switch, but actually being streamed off the internet. Think of it the way that Onlive, PlayStation Now and those types of services work. It seems to be true considering the trailer suggest there won’t be a installation required. We know is that the game is coming to Japan in 2018 and that the Nintendo Switch has no region lock. (winks).

 

SEGA showing off Tokyo Game Show 2017 lineup

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SEGA has launched their Tokyo Game Show 2017 website, showing off what games will be playable, only shown in video and which games will have press conferences. Not all SEGA games at Tokyo Game Show 2017 will be playable, sadly. So, lets get to it and see what we will see more of later this month.

  • Fist of the North Star – (Stage show, photo spot, trailers and gameplay videos)
  • Yakuza Kiwami 2 – (Playable, stage show, trailers, playable footage, merchandise, and photo spots)
  • A Certain Magical Virtual-On – (Playable, stage show, trailers and merchandise)
  • Hatsune Miku Project DIVA Future Tone DX – (Playable, trailers and merchandise)
  • Sonic Forces – (Playable, stage show, trailers, and merchandise)
  • Phantasy Star Online 2 – (Playable, trailers, stage show, merchandise, and photo spot)
  • Yakuza Online – (Trailers)
  • Dx2 Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation – (Playable, Stage Show and Trailers)

Translation is a bit iffy, but it seems that the stage shows will be streamed online from what I gather. We shall keep you updated on that via our twitter and on this blog. We will be having a writer at Tokyo Game Show, so expect a SEGA News Bits video and write up discussing some of these playable games.

Phantasy Star Online 2 gets new Japanese ad showing off new updates

While we never got Phantasy Star Online 2 in the west, it doesn’t mean that the game is dead in Japan. At least, not according to SEGA who are still pumping money into new content and this new television ad above. Its crazy, especially since we are coming up on the Phantasy Star online 2‘s fifth year anniversary (this July).

The commercial features high pitched, dead eye starring Japanese girls and quick cuts that show what new users can expect in the latest Phantasy Star Online 2 update. From what I gather they show off new outfits, combat and even casino games. If you want to comment with the mandatory ‘SEGA bring this game to the west’, you can do so below. If you want my take on the whole thing, you can read my article about how Phantasy Star Online 2 not coming west is a bad sign for SEGA. You can also just play on the Japanese server with a fan created English patch…