New Genesis/Mega-Drive shooter ZPF now available for pre-order

Remember the new hit indie Genesis/Mega-Drive shooter ZPF, which succeeded in its Kickstarter campaign to fund development in July of last year? The game is still in development as of this writing, but pre-orders have now opened up to the public on Backerkit (In December 2024, but hey, they’re still available right now, at least). Even if you didn’t back the Kickstarter, you now have a chance to get your order in and be assured to receive your copy of the game as soon as it’s available. If you did back the Kickstarter, you can take this opportunity to order any items that weren’t included with your pledge that you may want.

From Backerkit, you can order new exclusive Complete-In-Box packages, collector’s edition sets, and other goods such as an artbook or a vinyl or CD soundtrack. You can also order copies of the developer’s previous game Tanzer or the other recent new indie Genesis game Rocket Panda, if you feel like having an extra game with ZPF. These two games are available for $45 USD, while ZPF is available as a $50 cartridge-only package, a $60 CIB set, and a $150 collector’s edition complete with unique cartridge design.

For a link to the pre-order page, and details on other goods you can pre-order, have a look after the break.

Limited Run Games opens up pre-orders for new English printings of Earnest Evans and Annet Returns for the first time until March 9th

Here’s a retro reprint that you do not see often. Limited Run Games have opened up pre-orders for the first ever English versions of Earnest Evans and Annet Returns for Sega CD. Both games released exclusively in Japan on that platform (Though a Genesis version of Earnest Evans had been made exclusively for North America) and have had their animated cutscenes finally dubbed in English for the first time, exclusively in this release. LRG has also begun pre-orders for reprints of the Genesis cartridge version of Earnest Evans at the same time. Each of these games can be purchased separately or altogether in a special collector’s edition bundle. Pre-orders are currently open right now until March 9th, 2025.

For a brief synopsis on each game, pre-order links, and a bit of a warning for buyers, check in after the break for more.

Long lost Genesis/Mega-Drive shooter P-47 II: The Freedom Star now up for pre-order for the first time ever by Retro-Bit

Get those wallets out, Genesis/Mega-Drive collectors, cause Retro-Bit’s got an all new Collector’s Cartridge to open up 2025 with, now with a crazy new twist, as this is their first time releasing a previously unreleased game.

Retro-Bit have now opened pre-orders for P-47 II MD, also known as P-47 II: The Freedom Star, for everyone’s favorite 16-bit Sega console. As previously mentioned, P-47 II MD was in development at Jaleco way back in the late 80’s, but for unknown reasons, the game was cancelled in all regions it was planned for. It was a port, not a sequel like the title would have you believe, of the arcade game P-47: The Freedom Fighter, which was distributed by Jaleco and developed by NMK. City Connection, the company in possession of the rights to all of Jaleco’s games, and named for their classic arcade title City Connection (1985), announced at Shooters Fes last year that they had uncovered P-47 II: The Freedom Star and would release it on cartridge in Japan as P-47 II MD, and now they have entrusted Retro-Bit with releasing this game in the western world for them.

Retro-Bit’s release is identical to City Connection’s release in Japan, but with Retro-Bit’s usual touch ups. Like all their Collector’s Cartridges, the game comes in a new, quality-built cartridge for North American Genesis consoles or European Mega-Drive consoles, equipped with beveled connectors with gold-plated pins and proper 5 volt chips to prevent damage to original consoles. It also comes in a lovely plastic box with a slipcover and a full color instruction manual. Unique from all other Retro-Bit releases, though, is an 8mm CD featuring the game’s soundtrack. This is the same CD being included with City Connection’s cartridge release in Japan. The set can be ordered for $54.99 USD, $79.99 CAD, or €69,99 for European regions and pre-orders will run until February 16th, 2025.

For more info on the game, and pre-order links, have a look after the break.

Retro-Bit opens pre-orders for all-new Toaplan Genesis/Mega-Drive game reprint collection; Pre-orders open until December 1st 2024

 

Here comes Retro-Bit once again with a new set of Genesis/Mega-Drive Collector Cartridge sets that you can pre-order right now.

Retro-Bit, in collaboration with current Toaplan rights holders Tatsujin, have revealed the Toaplan Shooters Vol. 2 Collector’s Cartridge set, consisting of Twin Cobra (1991), Slap Fight MD (1993), and Grind Stormer (1994). Not familiar with Vol. 1? That began pre-orders in 2020, consisted of Truxton (1989), Hellfire (1990), Fire Shark (1990), and Zero Wing (1991), and we somehow neglected to do a write-up about it. (Hey, I wasn’t here to cover retro news back then. Sorry.)

Anyway, all three games can be ordered separately or together in one big, bad collectors set with all three games in a nice slipcase. The collector’s set also includes a digital pocket clock, a sheet of puffy stickers, and a booklet featuring an interview with Toaplan developer and composer and current day president of Tatsujin, Masahiro Yuge. It can be had for $159.99 USD and is now up for pre-order in North America from Castlemania Games, Rondo Products, Limited Run Games, and PNP Games. Pre-orders in Europe are currently available at Just For Games, Retro Cables, Spel & Sant, Strictly Limited Games, Dragon Box Shop, Xtra Life, Zedlabz, and NedGame. Each separate game costs $59.99 and is NTSC and PAL complainant. This is a limited product and all pre-orders will only run throughout November 2024 and end December 1st, 2024.

Have a look after the break for the deets on each of the individual games.

Aero The Acro-Bat Genesis/Mega-Drive cartridge reprint now up for pre-order from Limited Run Games

Limited Run Games and Sunsoft have teamed up to bring you a new reprint of Aero The Acro-bat (1993) with a box, manual, and high quality translucent “Sparkle Black” cartridge. Pre-orders will be open all throughout November 2024 for just $59.99 USD and the game is estimated to ship to customers in June 2025. The Genesis/Mega-Drive version, as well as the Super Nintendo version, will be available simultaneously. This comes long after LRG’s reprints of Aero The Acro-bat 2 (1995) and Zero The Kamikaze Squirrel (1994). Strange that they decided to sell this trio of games in reverse order of their original releases, but at least now, if you had your chance to get these games, you can finally complete your collection if that’s what you aimed to do.

Unlike Aero 2 or Zero, however, Aero The Acro-Bat on Genesis can still be found very cheap, even complete in box, as of this writing. A brand new copy will currently cost you just over $100, so if you really gotta have a sealed, new copy of Aero The Acro-Bat, LRG’s reprints can be a bargain, as long as you don’t mind the lack of a Sega Seal of Quality. If you just want a copy of Aero for Genesis, you can get a decent copy for a decent price and not have to wait until next Summer to see it. No judgement from us if you got the other two games from LRG and just want to complete your collection of the whole trilogy, though. Fortunately, LRG seems to, at least so far, take printing quality new cartridges more seriously than printing new game discs.

To learn more about this release of Aero The Acro-bat, and to pre-order, glide right in past the break for the skinny.

Aero The Acro-Bat 2 Genesis/Mega-Drive cartridge reprint now up for pre-order from Limited Run Games

Limited Run Games and Sunsoft are back with another Genesis/Mega-Drive cartridge re-release. You can now get a brand new boxed cartridge of the Genesis version of Aero The Acro-Bat 2 (1995). (By the by, they have not re-released the original Aero The Acro-bat yet, so don’t panic thinking you missed your chance to get the prequel. No word on why they started with the sequel.) Just like with their re-release of Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, this comes officially licensed in a high quality cartridge complete with box and manual compatible with any official NTSC Genesis console or clone console. The game can be pre-ordered for $69.99 until March 10th, 2024.

Also, like Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel, Aero the Acro-Bat 2, in its original cartridge release form, is a lot more expensive than you might think. Prices for just the cartridge alone are just over $50 USD on the second hand market. Don’t ask me why. Maybe the game’s infamy over the years as an example of the 16-bit mascot craze started by our beloved Sonic the Hedgehog carried some value over the years? Either way, this will be your best chance to get a complete copy of the game for your collection at an affordable price, so make sure you get it while you can.

To learn more about Aero The Acro-Bat 2, and for the pre-order link, check in after the break for the whole skinny.

Limited Run Games prepares new limited edition Genesis reprint of Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel; pre-orders open until February 4th, 2023

Limited Run Games have returned with another special reprint of an unassuming Genesis/Mega-Drive classic. This time it’s Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel (1994). This comes to us officially licensed from original publisher Sunsoft in an all-new white and red cartridge with a case and manual for only $69.99. Pre-orders will be open from January 5th, 2024 to February 4th, 2024, so act fast if you’re interested.

Most people might remember this as one of the infamous examples of mascot platformers made to capitalize on the Sonic mania that ran amok in the Genesis years, and it is, but Zero the Kamikaze Squirrel is one of the few that’s garnered a cult following in the time since its release. An original copy is actually more expensive than you might expect too. As of this writing, even just a loose cartridge will run you over $100. Yes, two zeroes. That may still be on the low side of things compared to some of the games Retro-Bit has made collector’s edition reprints of, but Limited Run Games’s reprint is still quite a bargain if you wish to bring Zero into your Genesis collection.

To learn more about Zero, check in past the break.

Double Switch remaster for PlayStation 4 now available to pre-order from Limited Run Games

Screaming Villains is offering up another FMV classic following the successful remaster of Night Trap. Double Switch, seen by many as an attempt to improve and perfect the Night Trap formula, is now available to pre-order from Limited Run Games for the PlayStation 4. Unlike most Limited Run Games releases, the standard edition is a timed pre-order window with no stock limit. You’ll have until November 16th to pre-order. Meanwhile, there is a limited collector’s edition which, at the time of this posting, is 50% sold out. You can pre-order that here!

SEGA fans know this game best for its SEGA CD version, but the remaster will put that one to shame with crystal clear video and improved gameplay, as well as bonus content.

We spoke to Tyler, head of Screaming Villains, on a Swingin’ Report Show podcast. You can check that episode out here!

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise Launch Edition comes with reversible Japanese art


Seems that SEGA is listening to its fan base, since a lot of people complained that SEGA changed the Japanese cover for the US release of Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise. If you didn’t know, the Japanese cover for the game was original artwork made by the Fist of the North Star mangaka Tesuo Hara.Now if you pre-order the game and get the launch edition you will get the ‘Destiny Tailisman Set’ bonus DLC, Deathcry decals and a reversible  cover featuring the awesome Japanese box art, but extended. Wow, did we luck out and get the best release of this game? I think so!

Pre-order Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise available to pre-order – new combat trailer released

SEGA has released pre-order details for the upcoming Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, set to release in the Americas and Europe on October 2 for the PlayStation 4. physical pre-orders will include two free deathcry decal stickers that you are encouraged to stick to your console, controller or wherever. Digital pre-orders will include the Destiny Talisman Pack, which add useful abilities to the player. Also included is a theme and avatar set. After the break, check out the new trailer released today which focuses on the game’s combat.

Pre-order Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

Team Sonic Racing available to pre-order, releases this winter – check out the reveal trailer!

SEGA has officially unveiled the latest racer from Sumo Digital and SEGA: Team Sonic Racing! We were spoiled early this morning from a Wal-Mart leak, and now SEGA has officially revealed the game with a short but sweet teaser as well as pre-order links. The game is set to release this winter to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam and will retail for $39.99. No word on launch editions, but knowing SEGA it is likely. The official website is not live as of this posting, but it can be found at TeamSonicRacing.com.

Pre-order Team Sonic Racing today!
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SEGA’s Border Break Custom HORI PS4 Joystick will only get made if they get 3,000 pre-orders

As we already that Hori is making a Border Break themed custom flight stick (is that what they are called?), but it has not been revealed that they will need at least 3,000 pre-orders by May 2nd to begin production. Seems fair, if you can’t sell 3,000, is it even worth making?

The Border Break custom HORI controller is set to cost 18,334 yen ($168.67 USD) and will ship sometime in 2018. You can pre-order the stick on the official HORI store, the pre-orders cease on May 2nd at 10:00am JST. If you pre-order the custom HORI stick, you will also get a original mech paint color with the HORI logo for Border Break. Sadly this is only (so far) for the Japanese market. Border Break and the HORI custom controller are only being promoted and released within Japan. 

[via Siliconera]

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life western cover art revealed

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Via the PlayStation Blog comes our first look at the cover art for the upcoming Yakuza 6: The Song of Life. The blog entry covers the localization process, and is well worth reading. Topics covered include a bar conversation mini-game, balancing comedy and drama, and comforting a baby.

The blog entry concludes with a look at the “Essence of Art Edition”, the new name for the launch edition, which features cover art that calls back to the original PS2 game. You can pre-order the “Essence of Art Edition” here.

New Sonic the Hedgehog sticker activity book and short story collection releasing July, 2018 – available to pre-order

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Earlier this year we shared that three new Sonic the Hedgehog books from Penguin Random House – including a short story collection, a handbook and a Mad Libs book – were releasing in March, 2018. Now, two more books are due out July 10, 2018 including another short story collection and a sticker activity book! after the break, check out the descriptions of the upcoming books, as well as how to pre-order a copy.