SEGA trademarks the English ‘Sakura Wars’ name in Japan


If you missed the news, last year SEGA announced at SEGA Fes 2018 that there will be a brand new Sakura Wars title and so far we haven’t heard much about it. But SEGA has now filed for a new trademark in Japan for the name ‘Sakura Wars’. That’s right, the English version of the name has been trademarked and not ‘Sakura Taisen’. The application was filed by SEGA Games on February 26, 2019 to be used in video games, music, movies, streaming services, and more. Expect SEGA to have more Sakura Wars news at SEGA Fes 2019 this upcoming March 30th.

Outside of this Sakura Wars will have a couple of art exhibits this year, but what I really want is for a new modern take on the series and a re-release of the originals (that finally come to America!).

[Source: Siliconera]

Sonic @ SXSW: Team Sonic Racing’s customization trailer shows a ton of options including custom horns

BEEP, BEEP! Team Sonic Racing is coming through with a new customization trailer showing how far you can customize your favorite characters. Quite frankly I’m very happy we are finally getting to the single player, unlockable content. I really believe that SEGA & Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed was a much better game due to its single player content. While this is only customizable stuff, its nice that have things to unlock and customize.

What are your thoughts on the trailer? Team Sonic Racing hits PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC! on May 21, 2019!

Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash! gets PlayStation 4 trailer, confirms co-op play

Its crazy to believe that Space Channel 5 VR Kinda Funky News Flash! debuted as a tech demo years ago at TGS 2016 and now the official USA PlayStation YouTube account has posted a trailer for the game!

The trailer shows off some of the gameplay, which is a re-used stage from the previous game and includes the two new characters exclusive to this version of the game. The trailer also says that the Space Channel 5 VR will contain co-op, but didn’t go into gameplay details. If I had to bet, I would assume its the same type of multipler in the previous title where one person takes up and down and the other controls the left and right inputs. The other frustrating part is that the trailer still doesn’t give us a release date but I hope it makes it out before the end of the year since this year is Space Channel 5‘s 20th Anniversary.

Shenmue 3 pre-order page up on Amazon


Its crazy that Shenmue II released on September 6, 2001 for the SEGA Dreamcast. Ever since then, fans have been begging SEGA for a 3rd entry and now, almost 20 years later we have an Amazon pre-order page. I used to tell people Shenmue III would never happen and now I get to eat crow.

The only thing I would complain about is that Deep Silver and YSNet are going to charge full price for a game that was basically kickstarted by fans? I’m OK with them charging what they want, but personally think it should have launched at a reasonable price of $39.99.

VanillaWare teases unannounced project within 13 Sentinels

If you guys didn’t know, Atlus and Vanillaware released 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Prologue in Japan today, which is suppose to be the first three hours of a game that has been delayed forever. Well, if you bought the prologue and went to the Extra menu, the game included a trailer titled ‘????’ which people are calling a tease for an unannounced, Atlus-published VanillaWare title. You can see the trailer above.

Back in 2017, Vanillaware was hiring workers for an unannounced project which could be this. Will we ever see it finished? Maybe they added it to see player feedback. Who knows. What do you think?

[Source: Gematsu]

SEGA is halting Judgement sales following actor Pierre Taki’s arrest


SEGA has now announced that they are voluntary halting shipments and pulling the game from Japanese PSN following the news taht in-game actor Pierre Taki has been arrested for using cocaine. That’s right, SEGA has a super strong stance against cocaine, that is why Yakuza 4 re-release on PS4 had to recast the actor for Masayoshi Tanimura, the original actor was allegedly using cocaine as well.

SEGA said in a press release:

“Sega has received the arrest reports and are currently confirming the facts, but for the time being, we will voluntarily refrain from shipments and digital sales of [Judgment], as well as from things like posting the product’s homepage. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause for customers, as well as the parties involved.”

The thing is Judgement came out in Japan last year, back in Decemeber. Now it makes me wonder if SEGA Japan will try to halt the release in America until they digitally recast the actor? What a mess and I have no idea why its SEGA’s responsibility to go through all this because an actor used some drugs. Who cares? Now we might have to miss out on his performance because of all this…

[Source: Gematsu]

Shenmue III latest trailer finally shows off some gameplay and fully voiced cutscenes

Shenmue III released the latest trailer that debuted at MAGIC 2019 event. The trailer finally shows off fully voice acted cutscenes, mocapped faces and a tiny bit of the combat gameplay. I have to say, the way this trailer was directed was very close to the originals but I’m still not sold on the face models they are using for this game. The trailer also gives us a very small glimpse at the new fighting mechanics, they look pretty engaging in the trailer and just hope its as engaging when your actually playing.

Outside of that its a lot of mystery still on how Shenmue III‘s open world will work, how the mini-games will play like and a lot more. I guess it should be a interesting few months considering that Shenmue III launches on August 27, 2019. Whats your thoughts on the new Shenmue III trailer?

Judgment Launch Date Revealed, Digital Version to get early access

If dual audio and multiple subtitles wasn’t enough, SEGA has finally announced the final launch date for Judgment which is set to be release on June 25, 2019. The physical copy of the game will receive a reversible cover featuring the original Japanese cover art similar to Fist of the North Star Lost Paradise and a Ryu Ga Gotaku Studio sticker.

For those who are purchasing the digital version of the game on PlayStation Network will receive a static theme depicting Judgment’s main protagonist, Takayumi Yagami and early access to play Judgment beginning on June 21, 2019. You can order the physical copy over on Amazon for only $59.99 with the option of saving an $1.22 when you apply a coupon.

Source: PlayStation Universe

Judgment Localisation Trailer feat mulit-language subtitle options

SEGA has uploaded a new video showing off Judgment aka Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon in Japan, multi-language subtitle options. Judgment will not only have dual audio for players to choose English and Japanese languages, the game will also give players the option to choose fully localised subtitles such as English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. It’s amazing to see the localization team at SEGA working very hard to please the Yakuza fanbase around the world. SEGA has also stated that there will be more news on Judgment soon, hopefully a playable demo at E3. Judgment is set for release worldwide around Q2/Q3 2019 for the Playstation 4.

Excited to play Judgment? Please let us know in the comments below!

Macaulay Culkin joins ToeJam & Earl: Back in the Groove! as Executive Producer

The studio behind ToeJam & Earl: Back to the Groove, HumaNature, posted up a press release revealing that Macaulay Culkin is Executive Producer for the game. This seems to have been a secret that the studio has kept close to their sleeve and using it as they near the final stretch towards release. ToeJam & Earl: Back to the Groove releases on Xbox One, PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch on March 1st!

“I’m honored to be producing the new ToeJam & Earl because it is literally my favorite video game of all time. Plus, Greg Johnson is the tits!” – Macaulay Culkin

You can pick the game up physically via Limited Run Games: PS4 & Switch. Check out the press release by HumaNature studio below:

Team Sonic Racing adds ‘Hidden Volcano’ as new racing track

SEGA has revealed a brand new track for Team Sonic Racing, introducing “Hidden Volcano” race track! Hidden Volcano is a lava zone that is hidden within the Glacier Land area. According to SEGA’s description on their site:

Hidden Volcano is a lava zone course hidden deep within the ice-covered Glacier Land area. This area is distinguished by its lumps of ice created by the scorching hot magma within the iceberg and complicated terrain due to lava rocks. It requires calm judgment and bold technique to conquer its slippery ice roads and varying bumpiness caused by tears in the earth. At the starting line, a lava giant towers above the track and swings its fist downward to block the racers’ path forward.
Check out screenshots of the game below. What do you think of the brand new Hidden Volcano track?
[Source: Siliconera]

Shenmue III shows off new Lan Di model


YS Net has updated us on Twitter, revealing the brand new model for Lan Di. We got just the screenshot above. It was also revealed that we will be getting a brand new trailer at MAGIC 2019 in Moncao on March 9th.

If you guys didn’t know, Shenmue III is due to release on PlayStation 4 and PC on August 27th. Yeah, not that long away and we still haven’t seen the game running at close to retail level. I guess we shall see what the new Shenmue III trailer brings…

Shenmue III officially reveals English voice cast

The Shenmue III Kickstarter has sent out its 96th update, this time discussing the English voice overs that the game will receive. As we already know, Corey Marshall is reprising his role as Ryo Hazuki while Ling Shenhua will be played by new comer Brianna Knickerbocker who is said to have stunned people with her great performance.

We also got a behind the scenes video with the voice actors, Yu Suzuki and sound director Takayuki Nakamura in the LA studio. My main issue is how odd the audio is synced and how there is little to no information in this video. Which has been a common theme with these updates.Also seems like so few people to voice a game like Shenmue III, we even have Katana, Corey Marshall’s daughter making her voice performance debut. Should be a interesting product when Shenmue III releases later this year.

Wonder Boy Returns receiving physical release on PlayStation 4 from Strictly Limited Games

The Wonder Boy franchise has seen a lot of love recently. Between the remake of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap and Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom, fans had a lot to enjoy. But there was a third game that probably flew under the radar for many. Wonder Boy Returns is a followup to the original game, meaning you’ll be running from left to right. The game saw mixed reviews, with Hardcore Gaming 101 stating the game “straddles the line between a remake and a sequel” and noting a “flat difficulty curve”. Their assessment was that there was “a pervasive sense this was done on the quick and cheap”. The game currently holds a 7/10 on Steam and the Metacritic reviews listed are mixed.

But hey! If you want the game physically, Strictly Limited Games have announced via Facebook that they will be giving the game a limited physical release. They are hinting that January 27th will be when pre-orders open. We’ll be sure to post an update when the game goes up for sale!

Blade Arcus Rebellion from Shining’s new trailer reveals more Shining Resonance characters joining the battle

SEGA has released a new trailer showing even more Shining Resonance characters joining the versus fighting game Blade Arcus  from Shining Rebellion. If you didn’t know, a few years ago SEGA published Blade Arcus from Shining: Battle Arena which was a 2D fighting game featuring characters from the new Shining series. Blade Arcus from Shining Rebellion is a new entry that has been announcing fighters from Shining Resonance joining the battle, this trailer specifically shows off Yuma Iburn, Krika Tow Alma, Sonia Blanche, Rinna Mayfield, Zest Graham, and Excela Noa Aura.

While the last entry got a western release on Steam, it wasn’t published by SEGA. Blade Arcus Rebellion from Shining releases in Japan on March 14, 2019 for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. I wouldn’t keep my fingers crossed for a Western release by SEGA.