SEGA’s Hideki Sato talks about creating the Mega Drive to beat Nintendo

It seems that SEGA Japan’s former President (2001-2003) and hardware designer Hideki Sato is getting quite a bit of attention from the media lately. A few months ago he discussed what it was like going against Sony and the PlayStation brand, now he is talking about the creation of the SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis, which he reveals was created to beat Nintendo (no, duh?). If you didn’t know Hideki Sato was behind the creation of the SEGA SG-1000, SEGA Master System, SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis, SEGA Saturn, and the SEGA Dreamcast.

The Famitsu interview seems to be exclusive to its magazine but Siliconera translated some important bits where he discusses the SEGA SG-1000’s rough launch and how it helped the Mega Drive’s early development.

SEGA Genesis Classics hits Nintendo Switch on December 7

It looks like the Nintendo Switch version of the SEGA Genesis Classics compilation will hit the console hybrid portable this December 7, 2018. Looks like they really wanted to hit that holiday period. The collection will feature over 50 SEGA Genesis era titles.

Hot on the heels of the Sega Ages titles announced last week and set to launch during the Tokyo Gaming Show, SEGA continues a winter of bringing great classics to the portable Switch. Retro fans can now finally play the Genesis / Mega Drive collection on their way to school or work, in their lunch break or basically anywhere on the go! Sega Genesis Classics / Sega Mega Drive Classics has over 50 retro favorites to experience across every genre: arcade action, shooters, beat’m ups, puzzlers and hidden gems, with a raft of modern features. Exclusively for the Nintendo Switch players can now compete in same-screen local coop mode and use each Joy-Con individually if desired. Familiar features like online multiplayer, achievements, mirror modes, rewind and save states are all part of the collection for everyone to revisit and enjoy.
You can check out the list of games included after the break.

Analogue FPGA Mega Sg Console and 8bitdo M30 Controller Available for Pre-Order

Analogue, makers of the FPGA based Analogue NT, NT Mini and Super NT consoles have finally gone SEGA with their latest announcement of the Mega Sg. The Mega Sg touts region-free compatibility with SEGA Genesis, Mega Drive and Master System cartridges and comes in four different color sets. (Master System games will work with an included adapter.) In addition the system will also feature an edge connector to allow for compatibility with all SEGA CD and Mega CD add-ons. Just like the other Analogue systems before it, it will feature games running up to 1080p via HDMI only with a wealth of features for any kind of owner. Pre-order prices are set at $189USD and will ship April of 2019 and are available only through Analogue’s store. The Mega Sg will also support several other adapters that provide compatibility with SEGA’s other consoles including the SG-1000 and the Game Gear that will be made available later in 2019.

In addition 8bitdo is launching the M30, a bluetooth controller that comes with a receiver that works on all SEGA Genesis and Mega Drive consoles. These are likely to work like their other bluetooth controllers and receivers which allows for compatibility with a wealth of consoles, mobile devices and more. These are also available for pre-order on Amazon for $24.99USD with discounts offered on those who pre-order with the Mega Sg.

This is exciting for those who are looking for a Mega Drive that supports the most compatibility with a large library of games. Unlike other clone consoles on the market, the FPGA based console is thanks to the work provided by Kevtris who has also supported Analogue’s previous consoles which means the system will receive better support for game compatibility. Unlike other consoles that make use of cheaper hardware or emulation that abuses licensing from homebrew developers the system will allow for updates and support at a faster pace and will be more accurate. You can find more information on the Mega Sg hardware and it’s specifications on their website.

[Source: Analogue]

[Pre-Order: Analogue Mega Sg, 8bitdo M30]

SEGA News Bits: SEGA Kicks AtGames Off The Mega Drive / Genesis Mini

It was just announced the other day that the SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive Mini will be delayed into 2019 as SEGA shifts the development in-house instead of using AtGames. On this episode we discuss the news, what it we think of the revelations and discuss what games should be on the SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive when it finally comes out. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Tanglewood Review – A Retro Revival (SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis, PC)

It’s not every day that we get a brand new game coming out for the SEGA Mega Drive but Tanglewood by Big Evil Corporation is just that. Joining a very exclusive club of games released long after the console was discontinued, we got to try out and review this new release for the iconic 16 bit console. Staying true to the limitations of 90s game development and being built from the ground up, is Tanglewood a game worthy of reviving your Mega Drive for one more spin, or is it better left in the cupboard, read on to find out!

SEGA News Bits: Retro-Bit SEGA Saturn & Genesis Controllers Price & Release Date Discussion

A few days ago during Gamescom 2018, Retro-Bit finally showed off its more finalized versions of its SEGA Saturn and SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive controllers that will be coming out by the end of the year. On this episode of SEGA News Bits we will go over the design changes, pricing and discuss our feelings on the upcoming controllers. Let us know what you guys think of the newly re-revealed Retro-Bit SEGA Saturn and SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive controller designs in the comments below! Check out more high resolution photos over at SEGA-Mag!

If you want to support this type of content, you can check out our Patreon!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a thumbs up so it shows up on more like-minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

Retro-Bit reveals first wave of officially licensed SEGA controllers

Back in January, the company Retro-Bit revealed a lineup of officially licensed SEGA controllers for the Genesis/Mega Drive, Saturn and Dreamcast. Now, they’re ready to reveal what they are calling the first wave. The full lineup, seen after the break, includes Genesis, Mega Drive and Saturn controllers. Absent are the Dreamcast controllers, leading me to think that the VMU might be the reason they have not been revealed yet. I can’t imagine a VMU saving out over wireless, but I’m sure they’ll figure it out.

In the meantime, the first wave gives SEGA fans original port, USB and wireless Bluetooth controllers. Genesis/Mega Drive will be black in all versions, and there will be a clear blue version for original port and USB. The Saturn will be available in black for all versions, and a slate grey version will also be available for the original port and USB versions. No sign of the white pad, which is a shame as I know several white Saturn owners who would love to get their hands on a second pad at a fair price. Fingers crossed we see that in a second wave.

What do you think should be the future of the Phantasy Star franchise?


These past few weeks we have been talking quite a bit about Idola Phantasy Star on SEGAbits. The game seems to been met with a lot of negativity and it isn’t just from a whiny SEGA fan like yours truly. I think one of the more shocking things about the mobile game is that the director basically came out and said that Idola Phantasy Star Saga will be the future of the franchise and they want it to replace Phantasy Star Online 2. That means that they want Idola Phantasy Star Saga to be out for at least half a decade, considering that Phantasy Star Online 2 came out way back in 2012. I’ve seen a lot of people reach out to us on Twitter and tell us how they wished SEGA handled the Phantasy Star brand.


But here at SEGAbits want to hear from YOU, the reader. How do you wish SEGA would handle the Phantasy Star brand moving forward?

SEGA AGES debuts on Nintendo Switch with Sonic the Hedgehog & Thunder Force IV next month

It was a surprise to a lot of SEGA fans when SEGA announced that they wouldn’t be porting the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive Collection to Nintendo Switch. Instead SEGA Japan would be bringing its downloadable titles by reviving their SEGA AGES brand. We finally got the first details including the debut games, release date and pricing.

According to the latest Weekly Famitsu magazine where they confirmed that the first two debut titles will be Sonic the Hedgehog and Thunder Force IV! Each title will cost you 925 yen (£6.30 / $8.20) and will release in August. Just like the SEGA 3D Classics, Sonic the Hedgehog will include the added Spin Dash, Drop Dash and the Mega Play arcade version. While Thunder Force IV will introduce online leaderboards and the Styx Mode from the SEGA Saturn version!

The time President Donald Trump attended the SEGA Genesis launch in 1989

Back in the olden days, console launches really benefited from regular TV exposure and SEGA had a segement on Movietime (later renamed E!) in 1989 when they launched their revolutionary SEGA Genesis home console. Most of the talking is done by Andy Eddy then editor-in-chief for Video Games & Computer Entertainment Magazine. But if you watch the video, about 1:19 mark has our now President Donald Trump attending the event. Not only that, he also has (what seems) like a decent haircut.

Not only that but we also have SEGA founder David Rosen later on in the clip talking about the POWER of the SEGA Genesis.

SEGA Games CEO talks to CNBC about demand for retro SEGA consoles

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CNBC had a interview with SEGA Games young CEO Haruki Satomi where he discussed what SEGA was up to in modern times and talked about fan demand for SEGA retro consoles. According to Satomi, he specifically gets a lot of demand for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. We know the company just announced SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Classics for PS4, Xbox One and PC. When pressed by the interviewer if SEGA had plans for a retro console, he said:

“Depending on fans request… if we hear more request and its a reasonable business for us then it might happen in the future.”Haruki Satomi, CEO of SEGA Games

A really cool part of the interview is Haruki Satomi discussing what ‘Nintendo has done right with AR, like Pokemon Go’ (which is weird because Pokemon Go isn’t created by Nintendo), then Satomi goes into talking about SEGA doing VR first back in the mid-90s. While its cool to see CNBC do a interview with Haruki Satomi, I would have loved if they had someone that knows more about SEGA interview him. You know, like us?

How Castle of Illusion influenced Cuphead’s ‘Simple Mode’

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[Art by thegreatrouge]

Its no secret that Cuphead is highly influenced by a large number of games that were popular in the 90s. This weekend at EGLX, the heads of Studio MDHR, brothers Chad Moldenhauer and Maja Moldenhauer spoke about their popular game. One part of the event was a live Q&A, where someone asked about the decision of keeping bosses out of ‘Simple Mode’. For those not in the know, if you play Cuphead in easy mode or in this game called simple mode, you won’t get to play all the boss levels. Forcing players to switch to normal mode to get the full experience.

SEGA Talk Podcast #14: Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)

On this episode of the SEGA Talk Podcast we cover one of the most important SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive titles ever released. Sonic the Hedgehog, which was obviously the jumping pad for the Sonic mania craze of the early 90s. On this episode George and Barry discuss the game’s history, our exposure to the game and for the first time we are offering a special YouTube enhanced version of the podcast. We are still working out the kinks and feedback would be appreciated. If you like the show, make sure to leave us a positive five star review on iTunes, it always helps!

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]

If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!

The Jungle Book on SEGA Genesis, Game Gear and Master System gets Spanish fan translations

JungleBookGenMSGG

Romhacking.net user Wave has released a Spanish translation for all the SEGA versions of The Jungle Book. Ever want to play The Jungle Book but you don’t know English? Wait, how are you reading this blog? Never mind, just know that The Jungle Book is now playable in Spanish on your retro SEGA platform of choice.

Now when that one cousin from Mexico that doesn’t know English comes over, you can pop in The Jungle Book on your favorite SEGA retro console and show him a time when Disney made animated films and had decent video game tie-ins. Weren’t those the days?

[via: Romhacking.net]

Streets of Rage, Altered Beast and Rent-A-Hero getting miniature figures

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A new series of miniature SEGA figures are launching in Japan, being titled “Video Game Heroes” this collection will launch with Streets of Rage, Altered Beast and Rent-A-Hero figures. It seems that these figures will be limited, according to Famitsu they sold 50 sets at the Wonder Festival 2018 event and will be selling 250 sets this upcoming May.

These miniature figures aren’t pre-painted, so its up to you as the purchaser to paint them. Some people like these sorts of projects, some don’t. Hit the jump to see all the photos of the figures in action!