SEGA News Bits: Shadow playable in Sonic Forces, Free Prologue DLC Discussion

SEGA has just announced that Shadow the Hedgehog will be playable in upcoming Sonic Forces. While you can replay Modern Sonic stages with him, he will also have his own story that serves as a prologue to Sonic Forces via Episode Shadow. This DLC will be free for everyone and seems to add more layers to Sonic Force‘s story. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss our thoughts on Shadow the Hedgehog being playable, our predictions for Episode Shadow prologue story and discuss what other characters in Sonic’s history deserve their own episode story. Let us know what you think of Episode Shadow the Hedgehog in the comments below.

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A Certain Magical Virtual-On hits Japan on February 15

SEGA has announced during Sony’s Tokyo Game Show conference that A Certain Magcial Virtual-On will hit PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita on February 15, 2017. Well, at least in Japan. A Certain Magical Virtual-On will cost 7,900 yen ($70.77 USD) on PlayStation 4 and 6,900 yen ($61.81 USD) on PlayStation Vita. The game will also have a limited edition that will cost 12,490 yen ($111.89 USD) on PlayStation 4 and 10,990 yen ($98.45 USD) on the PlayStation Vita.

What does the Limited Edition come with? The PlayStation 4 Limited Edition will be called ‘Discipline 55‘ and come with “Chronicle 20” novel (500+ pages) and “Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Official Sound Data 18” soundtrack CD. The PlayStation Vita version is being titled “A Certain Magical Archive” which comes with a Encyclopedia of Index-Librorum-Prohibitorum novel (100+ pages) and A Certain Magical Index soundtrack CD. So it seems that SEGA will make the PlayStation 4 extras Virtual-On related and the PlayStation Vita A Certain Magical Archive extras.

[Via: Gematsu]

Dragon’s Crown for PlayStation 4 Leaked Early by TGS 2017 Banner

AyNdgm6It seems that SEGA/Atlus can’t catch a break from these early leaks, at least lately. Just the other day the Bayonetta/Vanquish double pack and Shenmue I & II HD Remasters got leaked via retailers. Now it seems that Atlus has a port of Dragon’s Crown in the works for PlayStation 4.The game was leaked via the banner below that was posted on Atlus’ Tokyo Game Show 2017 NicoNico Live steaming page and was was suppose to be promoting a ‘limited edition’ version of Dragon’s Crown for PlayStation 4.

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Obviously Dragon’s Crown came out for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita back in 2013. So this will probably be a port of that game. Not surprising considering that Atlus and Vanillaware also brought the then PlayStation 2 exclusive Odin Sphere to modern Sony consoles.  I’m sure a beat ’em up game like Dragon’s Crown would do well on the PlayStation 4. What are your thoughts on this leak? Would you buy Dragon’s Crown on a current generation system?

[Via: Siliconera]

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Trailer Shows New Cutscenes, Teases Infinite’s Secret

The SEGA Japan YouTube channel unleashed a brand new Sonic Forces trailer, this one being titled ‘Promotion Trailer’. The brand new trailer featured brand new cutscenes, teased a brand new stage, showed of Rogue the Bat, and even gave us more hints about Infinite’s origins. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we break down the brand new Sonic Forces trailer and try to find neat things that you might have missed. If we missed anything, you can go ahead and let us know in the comments below. What did you guys think of the new Sonic Forces trailer?

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SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Speed Battles Mobile Game Revealed

SEGA has soft launched their upcoming Sonic Forces Speed Battle mobile game for Android and iOS. The game will let you play as Sonic the Hedgehog and various of his friends as you race against people online to reach the end of the stage. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss what Sonic Forces Speed Battle could mean for Sonic Forces console game, what we think of a Sonic Forces mobile tie-in game and if Sonic Forces Speed Battle is teasing new stages for the console version?

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GameStop lists Sonic Forces Figure Pack by Tomy Corporation

sonicforcesfigurepackSpotted by eagle eye Sonic fan @DaPatMac on Twitter, it seems that Tomy Corporation are gearing up for the Sonic Forces Figure Pack which I guess will feature numerous characters in figure form. I know, we don’t much outside the items name and price of $24.99. I would assume the Sonic Forces Figure Pack would be something like this Sonic Boom figure pack that featured five characters. Would be interesting to see which characters make the cut for the pack.

The Gamestop page for the Sonic Forces Figure Pack says it releases tomorrow, yet the site doesn’t even have a product picture. So for Sonic Forces fans reading this, what Sonic Forces character do you want to see represented in this figure pack?

A Certain Magical Virtual-On details its control styles, introduces characters and adds fourth weapon

A-Certain-Magical-Virtual-On_Points_SystemDegeki Online has put up a big preview for SEGA’s upcoming crossover A Certain Magical Virtual-On which confirms Kuroko Shirai and Misaki Shokuhou as new characters. It also goes into detail about the in-game system including the new ‘Transition action’ and control styles that will be introduced in this title.

Hit the jump to learn more about these new A Certain Magical Virtual-On systems.

SEGA News Bits: Shenmue I & II HD & Bayonetta / Vanquish Double Pack Leaked Reaction

This weekend we had a couple of big retail leaks that we reported on, including the Bayonetta and Vanquish double pack and the Shenmue I & II HD; both are set to be coming out for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss both these leaks as we discuss if we think they are real, thoughts on the ports not being announced for Nintendo Switch and what other SEGA games we want to get double pack releases on modern consoles. Listen in and let us know what you think of the retail leaks in the comments below!

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Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap sells more on Nintendo Switch than the other three platforms combined

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The good people over at Gamasutra ran an article covering the ‘rise of the Nindies’, talking to developers that have been porting indie developed games to NIntendo’s Switch platform. One of the developers featured in the article is LizardCube, the developer of Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap, which released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and of course Nintendo Switch earlier this year. While the article talks about more than sales, the interesting bit was that Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap has sold more on the Nintendo Switch than PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC combined!

“more copies of Wonder Boy on the Switch than the three other platforms we released on combined.” – Omar Cornut from Lizardcube

While they didn’t get into specifics on how much Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap has sold on console platforms, according to Steamspy the game has only 8,141 owners which isn’t great at all. I really do think that the game deserves way more sales than that. As for ‘The Rise of Nindies‘ on the Nintendo Switch platform, I feel that a lot of these sales could be attributed to the fact that the Nintendo Switch platform is new at the moment, the real test in sales will come after the platform gets more Nintendo related titles. I surely hope that the momentum keeps it, I feel that the Nintendo Switch is the best platform to play these great indie games! What are your thoughts on this news?

Rumor: Shenmue I & II HD coming to PlayStation 4 & Xbox One According to Retailer Leaks

shenmueWe just reported a previous rumor that Vanquish and Bayonetta is getting a double pack release for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but it seems that Shenmue I & II HD might be joining the rumor party as it has also been leaked by multiple retailers. The double pack has been leaked by Alza (same one that leaked the Bayonetta and Vanquish ones), Heureka, GetGame, and MadeGamer! Earlier this year, it was rumored that Shenmue I & II HD where suppose to be coming out by the end of the year, according to Rice Digital, then we had the CEO of Just Add Water say that these ports have been in works earlier this year. We had so much information about these ports being possible that we even did a whole video on it.

It would make sense considering that SEGA Europe has stated in the past that Shenmue I & II HD have had their full attention and then right after they registered Shenmue Remaster related domains.  I will say this is highly probable. What is your opinion? Will you pick up Shenmue I & II HD on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One? Are you excited to dip back into the world of Shenmue?

[Via: Dualshockers]

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.

[UPDATE] SEGA launches teaser site for possible crossover game

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[It has been revealed that the teaser was actually for Dx2 Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation mobile game. Yay?]

SEGA Japan has launched a website teasing users about a possible SEGA crossover game. So far the media has been calling the project SEGA x ????, letting users try to figure out what the other company or brand they are crossing over with. One thing, is that it looks like a very anime brand. Recently SEGA has recently announced Virtual-On x A Magical Card Index crossover game, maybe this is more of a crossover with other Bunko Dengeki properties. One of the only clues is the silhouettes and that the teaser site’s url has it filed under ‘rpng‘. Who knows if the four question marks are a clue, I doubt it. Hard to know what the figures are considering they seem varied, all seeing pretty unique anime styled characters.

At this point it can be anything, what with stuff like Fist of the North Star coming out of left field. One thing is for sure, SEGA is setting up to have some surprises come Tokyo Game Show later this month. Who else is excited to see what this game is? What do you think it is? Let us know in the comments.

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Bonus Edition Features Jet Set Radio, Persona 5 & NiGHTS Outfits

SEGA has just announced Sonic Forces Bonus Edition which will come with in-game costumes for your OC based on SEGA and Atlus IPs such as Jet Set Radio, Puyo Puyo, Persona 5, and more! The Sonic Forces Bonus edition will also come with a controller skin featuring Sonic Forces asset art and will cost the same as the standard version, at the budget price of $39.99! On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss if pricing a main title Sonic game at a budget price is good for the franchise, our thoughts on the Sonic Forces Bonus Edition content and wonder why there wasn’t a Sonic Forces Collectors Edition announced. Watch the video and tell us what your thoughts on Sonic Forces Bonus Edition in the comments below.

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How to unlock Sonic Mania’s Dunkey Mode Easter Egg

Sonic Mania has a ton of Easter Eggs. A ton! But a obscure one was found by Sonic Retro’s own Neo Hazard, who figured out that using the Sonic 3 & Knuckles stage select code when playing Hydrocity, you will unlock a voice sample within the stage from popular Youtuber VideoGameDunkey when hitting the boosters. Check the video above for an example.

How to unlock: When you find a hook in Hydrocity, input the Sonic 3 & Knuckles level select code: Left, Left, Left, Right, Right, Right, Up, Up, Up. You will hear a ring sound, now just find one of those hand booster creepy things and hear Dunkey in all his Sonic Mania glory.

I wonder if SEGA higher ups knew that Sonic Mania would be using a Youtuber’s voice sample and if they actually cleared this with Dunkey man himself.  He did gush over how great Sonic Mania was, so maybe he’ll be cool with it. What are your thoughts on Sonic Mania having Easter Eggs evolving YouTubers?

Yakuza Kiwami 2 happened due to how well Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami did outside Japan

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Yesterday we discussed how Yakuza Studio head Toshihiro Nagoshi had a live stream to explain details on their earlier announcements. One of those was to confirm that the Fist of the North Star game was running on the studio’s older Yakuza 0 engine and the other fun tidbit was that Yakuza Kiwami 2 is only happening due to how well Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami performed with pre-orders and overall sales.

According to NeoGAF poster Gacha-pin, he specifically mentioned ‘Yakuza‘ and not ‘Ryū Ga Gotoku‘ (Like a Dragon) as the franchise is known as in Japan and Asian countries. This means that maybe SEGA is finally impressed with how the game has performed in Europe and in the Americas? We are getting a impressive Yakuza 6 premium edition and it seemed that when Yakuza 0 came out it kept selling out on Amazon. Its good to see a game that I have been following for more than a decade finally get the recognition it deserves outside of Japan. Seeing as SEGA America is already asking fans if they are hyped for the upcoming Yakuza games, I would wager that we will be getting more Yakuza titles in the future. Good times.