SEGA showing off Tokyo Game Show 2017 lineup

TGS2017LineUp
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

SEGAcrossover

[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.

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.

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

3279002-yakuza-kiwami-2_2017_08-26-17_002
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.

Sonic Forces Bonus Edition announced, releasing November 7 – includes controller skin and SEGA/Atlus costumes

21246187_10155639702822418_6084348530922672442_o

SEGA has officially announced the release date of Sonic Forces, which is November 7, 2017. What more, there has also been announced Bonus Editions for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One featuring a controller skin and in-game add-ons of avatar outfits from SEGA and Atlus games. The costumes include: Jet Set Radio glasses and outfit, Persona 5 mask and outfit, Puyo Puyo hat, Super Monkey Ball ears and outfit and NiGHTS hat and outfit.

Sonic Forces Bonus Edition pre-order
Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One

SEGA’s Fist of the North Star confirmed to run on Yakuza 0’s engine, not Yakuza 6

thumb-chara01-modalSEGA held another live stream the other day to confirm some misconceptions revolving around their recent Yakuza Studio announcements which included a new Fist of the North Star game. At the time it was highly believed to be running on the ‘Dragon Engine’ which is the latest in-house engine created by the studio, this was mostly due to Yakuza Kiwami 2 using the engine.

So why will Fist of the North Star use the older, Yakuza 0/Kiwami engine? According to studio head Toshihiro Nagoshi its because the team has more experience with the ‘Kiwami engine’ and its better for celshaded graphics. Also note that the Dragon Engine is still under development, while the older engine already achieves 60fps at 1080p on the PlayStation 4 while Yakuza 6 ran at 30 fps.

Yakuza Kiwami now available in the Americas and Europe for PlayStation 4

SEGA’s remake of the original classic that kicked off the popular Yakuza franchise, titled Yakuza Kiwami, releases today in the Americas and Europe for the PlayStation 4! To celebrate, SEGA has released a special launch trailer which can be seen above. As mentioned in the SEGAbits review, Yakuza Kiwami improves on the original game in almost all aspects and features additional plot points, includes the option to save anywhere and is the first time the game can be heard in Japanese outside of Japan.

If you still have not ordered the game, the special Yakuza Kiwami steelbook edition is available to purchase for a cool $29.88.

Have you picked the game up yet? If so, tell us what you think of it in the comments below or over on our Discord server or message board.

SEGA announces Fist of the North Star game by Yakuza studio

It seems that Yakuza Studios is hard at work over there, because they announced not one, not two, not three, but four new projects. As you seen from our last posts, this amounts to a remake of Yakuza 2, a new Yakuza side game with new protagonist and even a Yakuza Online mobile game. But sometimes the studio wants to take a break from the world of Yakuza, hint them making a Fist of the North Star game with the Yakuza 6 graphical engine. UPDATE: Its actually running on the Yakuza 0 engine!

The game is going by the name of ‘Yakuza of the North Star‘, but will probably get a real title down the road. It seems like a working title. It has been confirmed that the voice actor for Kazuma Kiryu (Takaya Kurdoa) will also be voicing Kenshiro! Seems that the game is in early stages and we will be hearing more about it come 2018 or even in the Tokyo Game Show next month!

SEGA officially announces Yakuza Kiwami 2, Goro Majima will be playable

We all knew it was coming thanks to Sony’s mistake on early Friday morning but SEGA has now officially announced Yakuza Kiwami 2. Following from the success of Yakuza Kiwami, SEGA began developing a remake of the second Yakuza game. It’s obvious to see the mass improvements the dragon engine is already providing as they bring this classic back for the modern generation. Personally speaking Yakuza 2 has my favorite story and cast of characters in the series but the game obviously has been held back by the technology of the time so to see it updated brought a smile to my face.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 promises to feature seamless maps of Osaka and Tokyo. The theme song for Yakuza Kiwami  2 is being performed by SiM, a Reggae Pop band. Yakuza Kiwami 2 hits the PlayStation 4 in Japan on December 7th of this year. No word about a Western release, but I wouldn’t expect it until months after Yakuza 6 ships.

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Forces Tag Team Mode Reveal Discussion

SEGA has revealed the new Tag Team Mode for Sonic Forces. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss our thoughts on the Tag Team Mode, the Sonic Forces level design and our thoughts on the custom character designs shown so far. If you are looking forward to Sonic Forces, give it a listen and if you disagree with us let us know in the comments why. We really want to hear differing views and in the end of the day its just our opinion. Thanks for watching.

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.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 Leaked Early By PSN Store Page

DICk2CZVYAA7ptC

SEGA was set to have a big stadium announcement this Saturday, that was going to be live streamed world wide to announce several new games by the Yakuza studio. It seems that one of their surprises has been leaked early via the Taiwanese PSN store. The listing says the game will release on December 7th, 2017 in Japan.

Going through the rough English translation of the PSN store page description, it seems that they might have went back and recorded all the voice acting, much like the the first Yakuza Kiwami. But they are also teasing this one being on the new ‘Human Dragon Engine’ which means it could be using the new engine that powered the gorgeousYakuza 6! You already know I’m excited for Yakuza Kiwami 2, but are you?

[Via: Wario64]

[UPDATE] Sonic Forces tag team mode gameplay footage released, Japanese release date revealed

[UPDATE] The official Sonic the Hedgehog channel has released a new video of the tag gameplay, seen above. After the break, check out the Japanese stream video.
[UPDATE 2] New screens after the break!

With Sonic Mania released to the masses (well, aside from the PC version) Sonic Forces details have begun to release via Famitsu and Gamescon, and while I expect something from SEGA of America soon, I didn’t want to pass up newsing the new mode revealed for the game. In addition to Classic Sonic, Modern Sonic and the Custom Hero the game will include a Tag mode where players control both Modern Sonic and the Custom Hero, giving players the opportunity to see their creation running alongside Sonic.

At the moment, only a Modern Sonic team-up is confirmed, no word on Classic teaming with the Custom Hero. The Tag mode allows players to use both Sonic and Custom Hero’s abilities, meaning you can speed and boost like Sonic, and use the Wispons. Also, as seen in the video after the break, the duo will have the opportunity to fist bump into a special boost mode in which the vocal theme Fist Bump plays. If you’d like a peek at the controls, take a look at this Twitter post. Nothing too revealing, but it’s worth checking out.

Other details revealed include confirmation that Sonic Forces will be at Tokyo Game Show with special guests and new content and, as confirmed by SEGA, Sonic Forces is set to release November 9th, 2017 in Japan.

SEGA News Bits: Shenmue 3 First Teaser Trailer Discussion

Just the other day the PlayStation YouTube account unleashed the first teaser trailer for the upcoming Shenmue 3 game and it sure got mixed reactions. Some people thought it was the worse thing they have ever seen, others thought it looked amazing. We decided to wait at least a day before doing a SEGA News Bits because I feel like the teaser trailer had so much that we needed to process. On this episode of the SEGA News Bits we discuss the lack of facial animations, graphics and the new Shenmue 3 logo. But let us know what you think of the first Shenmue 3 teaser trailer 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.

Yu Suzuki confirms Shenmue 3 teaser trailer models are temporary

36584935131_c9f5fedc09_oYu Suzuki has confirmed, via an interview with Game Spark, that the Shenmue 3 teaser trailer models are mostly temporary.

““Shenhua, Ryo, and the other characters are mostly temporary. Shenhua still has to be fixed up a bit.” – Yu Suzuki, director and producer Shenmue 3

According to the Shenmue 3 executive producer Hideaki Morishita, regarding the lack of high quality models, “was unable to ready them in time for this trailer.”  He also explained that they put the teaser trailer together to celebrate their milestone of signing a publishing contract with Deep Silver, “While there is little excuse, there are parts that are still lacking or parts that are not sufficient.”

In a interview with Game Watch, Yu Suzuki also confirmed that facial animation was implemented a month ago but was temporarily removed. No answer to why

Gematsu translated some of the new Shenmue 3 reveals from Yu Suzuki’s Famitsu interview including talk about post game DLC, the return of the forklift and confirming that the game will be about 30 hours long.