New Sonic the Hedgehog books announced for 2018, now available to pre-order

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I’ve long had a soft spot for the Sonic the Hedgehog kids books of the 90s, from the look and finds to the junior novelizations. Penguin Random House have just announced three new Sonic books and all three are now available to pre-order! All three books are due out March 6, 2018. After the break, check out full descriptions of the books. I’m especially interested in the junior novelization featuring short stories and color illustrations.

Data Discs Sonic Mania vinyl pre-order starts July 22, releases September

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Data Discs have announced that their Sonic Mania vinyl will be available to pre-order this coming Saturday, July 22nd, from their website. The album will be available in three editions: 180g Clear with Blue, Red, Orange & Yellow Splatter (Limited Edition), 180g Translucent Blue, and 180g Classic Black. The LP features 16 new tracks by composer Tee Lopes, as well as new gatefold art featuring Sonic, Tails and Knuckles in Green Hill Zone Act 2.

The limited edition is exclusive to the Data Discs site and will only be available to pre-order for a set amount of time. The sale will begin at 8:00am (BST) on Saturday 22nd July and finish at 12:00pm (BST) on Monday 24th July. Anyone ordering during this period will be guaranteed a copy. Once this period is over, they will not accept any further orders of the limited edition. However, the other two editions will remain available.

Data Discs also mentioned that their Streets of Rage 1 and 2 vinyls will be reissued and will be available for pre-order July 22nd with an August ship date.

Sonic Mania Pre-Order Trailer revealed

SEGA has recently released a brand new trailer for Sonic Mania for pre-order as the footage showcasing unique sketch animation by Tyson Hesse, who has worked on Sonic Mega Drive comic, which strikingly resembles Sonic CD‘s opening and the leak that was revealed a few months ago. The video also revealed a new level and boss fights.

Stardust Speedway Past from Sonic CD is making a comeback with new level features with plant like robots and vines, a miniboss in Flying Battery Zone, and a boss fight with Heavy Gunner in action.

Sonic Mania is now available for digital preorder and is set to release on August 15th for Nintendo SwitchPS4, Xbox One, and PC. Hit the jump for screenshots of the new levels from the trailer.

Sonic Mania Steam price revealed, release date confirmed to be August 15

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Steam has just listed the pre-order price for Sonic Mania, and it appears to be much in line with what fans expected. The game will sell digitally, on Steam for PC, at $19.99 with a pre-purchase incentive price of $17.99. One would assume that this price will carry over to the PS4, Xbox One and Switch versions.

The Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition, available on Nintendo SwitchPS4, Xbox One, and PC, is currently priced at around $60 with discounts and Amazon Prime pre-order incentives applied. Minus the price of the game, this would place the “SEGA Genesis” style Collector’s Box, 12″ Classic Sonic Statue featuring SEGA Genesis Base, Metallic Collector’s Card and SEGA Cartridge Cast with Golden Ring at around $40 total. Not bad when you consider the statue alone would likely retail for more than $40.

Update: It was pointed out on Twitter that Sonic Mania‘s release date has been confirmed to be August 15, as previously revealed. The date appears when checking out.

What are your thoughts on the price? Which platform do you plan to play on?

Hi-sCool! Seha Girls blu-ray DVD combo now available to pre-order

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The long awaited western release of Hi-sCool! Seha Girls: The Complete TV Series from Discotek Media is due out May 30, 2017 and we finally have pre-order details! The Hi-sCool! Seha Girls blu-ray DVD combo pack can now be pre-ordered for $49.99 on Amazon and it should soon be available on Right Stuf Anime.

The release will contain the original 13 episodes produced by TMS Entertainment using the MikuMikuDance animation software. The series stars three girls who meet for the first time at the start of a new semester in a brand new school. But these aren’t just any girls, and this isn’t just any school! They are personifications of the SEGA Dreamcast, Saturn and Mega Drive consoles. The series features a ton of fan service, including former SEGA mascot Professor Asobin who appeared during the SG-1000 days. Asobin is voiced by none other than former SEGA game designer and programmer Yuji Naka. You’ll also see, as teased on the cover, Virtua Fighters, Opa Opa, Puyo Puyo, Sonic and more!

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Pix’n Love Editions announces The History of the Dreamcast book

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Just a few months after announcing a Shenmue history book, French publisher Pix’n Love Editions continues the SEGA love with the announcement of a “L’Histoire de la Dreamcast” book. The book, which at the time of this article is only in French, will be 350 pages and in full color. The book will cover the story of the console including behind-the-scenes documents, entries for nearly 600 games, special sections for notable games including Shenmue, Jet Set Radio, Sonic Adventure and Skies of Arcadia, interviews with SEGA game designers, accessories and cancelled games.

The book is currently available for pre-order with a standard edition priced at €37,82 (around $40) and two special editions. The special editions come in a Sonic Adventure Edition, which includes the book, a special art book featuring official artwork and unpublished design drawings, a transparent silk-screen plastic sleeve featuring Sonic artwork and a special color scheme, three art prints from Sonic Adventure, and a numbered collector card. The other special edition is the Shenmue Edition, featuring everything the Sonic Adventure Edition includes but swapping out the Sonic art with Shenmue art. Both editions are priced at €79,90 (around $85).

After the break, check out a gallery of product images. Thanks to The Dreamcast Junkyard for the heads up!

Puyo Puyo Tetris available to pre-order for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch

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Following the announcement that Puyo Puyo Tetris is coming to the Americas and Europe to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, we now have pre-order listings to share! Puyo Puyo Tetris can now be pre-ordered for $29.99 on the PlayStation 4 and for $39.99 on the Nintendo Switch. Amazon Prime members get 20% off, making both a very good deal.

It has been noted by SEGA staffers that should Puyo Puyo Tetris sell well, Puyo Puyo Chronicles for Nintendo 3DS could follow.

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Sonic: Mega Drive trade paperback releasing this summer

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Sonic: Mega Drive is fast becoming one of Archie’s most popular Sonic the Hedgehog comics series. Fans enjoy the classic Sonic steeped storytelling of Ian Flynn, the beautiful and hilarious art of Tyson Hesse and of course the colors of Matt Herms and lettering of Jack Morelli. Archie, meanwhile, has enjoyed the success the two (soon to be three) one shot specials received in sales – the first installment became the first Archie Sonic comic to sell out!

Fans who were late to the Sonic: Mega Drive party, or who just want a handy collection of all three comics, will be happy to learn that Archie plans to release a trade paperback of all three July 18th, 2017. The paperback is available to pre-order now on Amazon, or you can order it from your favorite comic shop. It’ll be great to have the full story in one handy book, and no doubt there will be bonuses including a covers gallery, pencil sketches and more!

SEGA News Bits: First Look at the Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary Art Book

Cook & Becker’s Sonic the Hedgehog 25th Anniversary art book is now up for pre-order, and on this SEGA News Bits George and Barry share their thoughts on the upcoming book. Take a look at several images of the Special Collector’s Edition of the book and learn some details of what we might expect to find in the book.

Are you a Sonic collector with original official art? Contact Cook & Becker as they are looking for potential rarities to include in the book!

If you like our SEGA News Bits segments, make sure you subscribe to us on YouTube. Thanks for watching!

First look at the official ‘Sonic The Hedgehog 25th Anniversary’ art book from Cook & Becker – available for pre-order

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Thanks to the next-gen art dealers at Cook & Becker, we have a first look at the upcoming Sonic The Hedgehog 25th Anniversary art book via an in-depth gallery of images as well as a full press release. So let’s get down to it! The art book, the first ever official art book and design history for the long running series, encapsulates 25 years of history. The book will be made available in a limited Special Collector’s Edition as well as a Standard Hardcover Edition. The Special Collector’s Edition features an outer box, a special inner sleeve that folds into a display stand for the book and an exclusive newly drawn matted art giclee print by Sonic Team’s Yuji Uekawa. The Collector’s Edition is limited to 2,500 copies and sells for $120/€120 respectively. As a pre-order bonus, Cook & Becker offers a 10% discount on the Collector’s Edition if it is ordered before February 2017. The Standard Edition, meanwhile, retails for $45/€45 and consists of the book itself.

Let’s talk about the book! Officially licensed, the book (310mm H x 275mm W) will feature 200+ pages of images and text, including interviews with key Sonic designers including Yuji Naka, Takashi Iizuka and Yuji Uekawa. As seen in the image gallery below, you can expect to find concept art, promotional art, 3D renders, box art and – as revealed in our recent article – original official art and rare collectibles submitted by fans (pending approval from Cook & Becker and SEGA, of course).

After the break, check out a full press release detailing the book as well as a gallery of several images showing off the ins and outs of the book as well as the Special Collector’s Edition. Don’t forget to pre-order the book today at the official Cook & Becker site!

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UPDATED: SEGA announces Yakuza 0 “The Business Edition” and reveals new trailer

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SEGA has just announced yet another cool launch edition that will be releasing soon! Due out Jaunary 24th, 2017, Yakuza 0 “The Business Edition” will contain a physical copy of the game, a stainless steel business card holder, double-sided bilingual business cards for Kiryu and Majima and a hostess card. Yakuza 0 will be releasing both digitally and physically in the Americas and Europe. As of this posting, we are unsure if “The Business Edition” will be exclusive to the Americas, or if Europe will be receiving it as well. As soon as we have an answer we will update this story accordingly.

UPDATE: SEGA Europe has since uploaded the same trailer to their YouTube channel, and the trailer lacks any mention of a special edition release. Meanwhile, the SEGA of America trailer, embedded after the break, mentions “The Business Edition” after the trailer. This leads us to believe that “The Business Edition” is Americas only.

You can pre-order Yakuza 0 today on Amazon, saving 20% if you are a Prime member. The listing has yet to update to “The Business Edition”, but SEGA promises that all pre-orders secures fans a copy of the special edition.

After the break, check out the new trailer and additional press release details on “The Business Edition”!

Space Harrier model kits featuring hero “The Harrier” and enemy IDA announced

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2016 is the year of awesome retro SEGA model kits! Between the 1/12 scale Astro City arcade machine and the classic polygon model Virtua Fighter figures, we thought nothing could impress us more. But get ready for yet another cool SEGA model, as Space Harrier models of the hero “the Harrier” and the iconic floating rock head Ida enemy will be available this July. The figures will be 1/12 scale and will be sold separately, with pre-orders running through June 25th. “The Harrier” hero model kit can be pre-ordered for ¥10,584 ($95) and comes (get) ready to assemble. Harrier will also come with two bonuses: a mini version of the character that is to scale with the Ida model kit, and an alternate hair sculpt that matches the game’s arcade poster. The IDA enemy model kit can be pre-ordered for ¥9,720 ($87) and comes in four (get) ready to assemble pieces. Oddly, the top of the head comes off revealing a “GET READY!” graphic and allows you to put whatever you want inside (pencils, other figures, carrot sticks, whatever). You only get one IDA, so if you want to replicate the game you’ll have to buy multiples.

Both are very cool looking, though buying the two will set you back around $200 with shipping. Far more expensive than Wave’s $22 Astro City model kit and FREEing’s $32/each Virtua Fighter figures. Still… it’s not often that you get cool Space Harrier model kits! Are you planning on pre-ordering this? Sound off in the comments below!

SEGA Astro City arcade machine model from Wave now available for pre-order

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Japanese toy and model import site Amiami has just listed Wave’s upcoming SEGA Astro City arcade machine model for pre-order. You might remember Wave produced the excellent Hang-On arcade machine model late last year. This new 1/12 scale model features the iconic Astro City (a refined version of the Aero City) multi-purpose arcade cabinet from 1993, complete with stool, game marquees and corresponding game visuals for the screen. Head on over to Amiami to place your pre-order, as the kit releases very soon – July 2016.

After the break, check out a gallery of images of the tiny Astro City cabinet!

7th Dragon III Code: VFD coming to North America on July 12

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SEGA has confirmed that 7th Dragon III Code: VFD will be hitting North American store shelves on July 12th exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. The upcoming 7th Dragon III Code: VFD will also have a day one limited edition that will come with a collector’s box and a art book, this will be a free upgrade to anyone that buys the game when it comes out (while supplies last).

Amazon Prime subscribers get 20% off of 7th Dragon III Code: VFD  pre-orders, so you can always pick it up there.

First 4 Figures tease Yakuza Kazuma Kiryu statue and pre-order information

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Video game statue maker First 4 Figures, who have already produced several SEGA and Sonic the Hedgehog premium collectable statues, have announced a new SEGA character and franchise that they will be adding to their ever expanding SEGA All-Stars collection; Yakuza‘s Kazuma Kiryu.

Teased on their Facebook page, First 4 Figures announced that pre-orders start March 8th, 2016 and featured a peek at Kazuma’s face. Thus far, fan reaction has been mixed. It is cool to see Yakuza joining the ranks of Shenmue and Skies of Arcadia, but they really didn’t nail Kazuma’s likeness. As is, he sort of looks like a cosplayer attempting a Kazuma Kiryu look. In the past, First 4 Figures have taken fan feedback very seriously and have altered character’s faces to better match the source.

We’ll share more details once pre-orders go live on March 8th!

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