SEGA Master System

SEGA Talk #179: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-Bit) (1992)

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We’re taking a trip back to 1992 for this week’s episode of SEGA Talk! We are revisiting Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (8-Bit), a game that many of us played in the back of the car on a battery-draining Game Gear.

Unlike the speed-focused Genesis version, this game was all about precision, exploration, and some seriously unforgiving platforming. From the Underground Zone to the Crystal Egg, this title proved that you didn’t need 16 bits to create a challenge.

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SEGA Talk #178: US Box Art Design (1989-2001)

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In this episode of Sega Talk, we track the radical evolution of SEGA’s North American branding, from the clinical “graph paper” grids of the Master System to the high-tech “black box” era of the Genesis. We dive deep into why Sega abandoned its uniform look for the iconic red-stripe rebrand of the 90s, the switch to the massive plastic long-boxes of the Saturn, and finally, the Dreamcast’s sleek transition from bright orange swirls to the edgy “SegaNet” black. It’s a nostalgic look at how Sega used graphic design as a weapon in the console wars, shifting from a toy company aesthetic to a lifestyle brand that defined a generation.

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SEGA Talk #173: Sonic the Hedgehog 8-Bit (1991)

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On this SEGA Talk, we take a look at Sonic the Hedgehog! No, not THAT one… and not THAT one… we’re talking about the one for the Master System and Game Gear! What’s the story behind this 8-bit version of the Genesis classic? What does it do differently? Find out on SEGA Talk!

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SEGA Talk #151: SEGA Controllers (1983-1998)

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On this SEGA TALK we go hands on with SEGA’s many controllers! We take a look at the base controller for each major console, pointing out the weirdest and most essential controllers and share our personal preference. Stick around until the end, because we will crown best SEGA controller of all time! On SEGA TALK!

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SEGA Model 3 Classics, Daytona USA 2 (SEGA Racing Classic 2) and Fighting Vipers 2, set to be playable minigames in Like A Dragon Gaiden

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In a recent issue of Famitsu, it has been confirmed that classic arcade titles, Daytona USA 2 (now renamed SEGA Racing Classic 2) and Fighting Vipers 2 will be fully playable as minigames in Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. For the first time ever, arcade goers can now play Daytona USA 2 at home and Fighting Vipers 2 can now be played worldwide as the original home ports were only available for Europe and Japan territories.

In addition, SEGA Master System titles will also make an appearance again as playable games since Lost Judgment such as Flicky, Galaxy Force, and many more. It amazes me to see more arcade titles ported to RGG games from Yu Suzuki’s classics, Model 2, and now Model 3 games. If this keeps up, I wonder what rare classic SEGA games will appear in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth?

Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name will be available for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC (Steam) on November 9.

Check out screenshots after the jump.

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SEGA Talk #124: Snail Maze & SEGA Swirl (1988 & 1999)

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The long awaited SNAIL MAZE episode is now upon us! Not only that, you get SEGA Swirl for free as a bonus! We also talk about other free SEGA offerings. All this and more in SEGA Talk.

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Final pre-order run of Analogue Mega SG coming on Oct. 28th

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In a brand new announcement from Analogue, the creators of FPGA consoles like the Mega SG and the Analogue Pocket, their last ever pre-order run of the Mega SG will take place on October 28th. After this, there will be no more. This will also be your last chance to order a Super NT from Analogue, which is their FPGA Super Nintendo clone. Both will be available for $199, excluding shipping, and will ship in “Q4 2023”. 

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Bubble Bobble 4 Friends to include SEGA Mark III game Final Bubble Bobble in Special Edition

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Bubble Bobble 4 Friends, the latest installment in the Bubble Bobble series, is currently available in European countries for the Nintendo Switch, with a Japanese release currently being planned for February 27, 2020. The Japanese release will also have a separate Special Edition release, that will include the game plus extra bonuses like a soundtrack and a book collecting different Bubble Bobble material.

The Japanese release however comes with an additional bonus for those that pre-order. The SEGA Mark III version of Bubble Bobble, officially called Final Bubble Bobble, will be included as a bonus game for those that preorder from Amazon with a special Cyber Monday deal between December 6th and December 9th. For reference, Final Bubble Bobble is a port of the arcade game Bubble Bobble, but also includes additional content such as the inclusion of a 100 more stages, and more items and bosses. It’s currently unknown if the North American release will have a similar deal, or if the Final Bubble Bobble DLC will later be included to those that haven’t pre-ordered.

[Source: Japanese Bubble Bobble 4 Friends Website]

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SEGA Talk #23: Shinobi (1987)

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On this SEGA Talk, George and Barry knuckle up and kick back to the 80s to discuss SEGA’s ninja arcade classic Shinobi! We discuss the game’s development, the fascination with ninjas and the many ports the game received.

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Swingin’ Report Show #94: Bitmap Books founder Sam Dyer – SEGA Master System: a visual compendium

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On this episode of the SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show podcast, Barry is joined by Sam Dyer, the founder of Bitmap Books, to discuss SEGA Master System: a visual compendium which releases June 17th, 2019. You can buy a copy of the book for yourself right here!

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SEGA Ages: Alex Kidd in Miracle World for Nintendo Switch gets trailer

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Alex Kidd in Miracle World was one of the first announced titles for the brand new SEGA Ages line-up on Nintendo Switch and it barely released in Japan today. That means that SEGA has uploaded the Japanese trailer for the game, you can check that out above.

Sadly we don’t know when the game will release on the West, but you can buy SEGA Ages: Alex Kidd in Miracle World from the Japanese E-Shop for 925 yen (around 8.30USD).

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Zillion: The Complete Series anime now available on blu-ray and DVD

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Back in July 2018 we shared the exciting news that the Zillion anime was receiving a blu-ray, DVD and digital release in the west. Westerners know Zillion best from the SEGA Master System games, as well as the five episodes of the anime and OVA Zillion: Burning Night which received dubbed VHS releases in the early 90s, as well as a short run of comics from the publisher Eternity. The series is loaded with Master System references and cameos from our favorite sentient space ship Opa Opa.

Now you can own the complete series of 31 episodes plus the OVA movie Zillion: Burning Night in a box set containing 4 blu-rays, 5 DVDs and a digital download code. As of this article, the set is 40% off on Amazon, which you can order here.

I’ll admit, this release passed us by as the set has been out since October 2018, but better late then never!

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SEGA Ages Phantasy Star hits Nintendo Switch in Japan on September 2018

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SEGA has now provided the details for their upcoming SEGA Ages Phantasy Star release on the Nintendo Switch. They have confirmed that the game is set to launch in Japan in September 2018, so next month and will cost ¥925 ($8 USD).

Some of the new features for this release include:

  • Accessibility options.
  • Alter difficulty making the game easier
  • Original hiragana text option (from the Phantasy Star Collection‘s SEGA Saturn version) is included.
  • FM Sound Unit Music player with 19 tracks.
  • Auto-mapping option when entering dungeons.
  • Monster Codex: once you fight a monster you will keep a record of it including its name, sprite and other useful information.
  • Pause menu lets you see items, abilities, equipment and other options.

Hit the jump to see screenshots of the new features in the upcoming game.

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Attention SEGA Master System fans: Funimation licenses 1987 anime Zillion – home video release coming in October

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Good news, Master System fans! Funimation has licensed the 80s anime Zillion! Zillion is a 1987 sci-fi anime from Tatsunoku Productions than ran for 31 episodes. It centers around White Knight J.J. and his fellow White Knights Apple and Champ as they defend the earth colony Maris from the evil Nozas, an alien race intent on wiping humans off the face of the planet. The White Knights battle the forces of evil with their signature weapon, the Zillion Weapon System, a Master System light gun (complete with the cord) capable of destroying the Nozas, who are otherwise invulnerable to human weaponry.

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