Yu Suzuki’s Air Twister is now available on Apple Arcade

Yu Suzuki’s return to arcade gaming arrives today in the form of Air Twister, an Apple Arcade exclusive. Now before you moan and groan about it being on Apple products only, as revealed in our exclusive interview with Yu Suzuki it was Apple who asked him and his team for an arcade-style game. Apple is also listed in the game’s credits as a producer. So without Apple, this game would not have happened.

If you have an Apple Arcade subscription, the game is available to play now! I’ve tried it myself on an iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and iMac and all platforms play the game very well. My preferred method is a gamepad on the TV. I’ve tried the old iCade arcade stick and sadly it does not work due to how the iCade maps its buttons. Still, I am certain a bluetooth flight stick or arcade stick would work.

Stay tuned to SEGAbits for more Air Twister news!

Air Twister is a new Space Harrier inspired game from Yu Suzuki!

All this time we were asking “Where is Shenmue 4?” when we should have been asking “Where is a new Space Harrier game?”

In a surprise reveal from Yu Suzuki’s YS NET studio is a spiritual successor to Space Harrier titled Air Twister. Presented in full 3D, the game takes many cues from the SEGA arcade classic, and also appears to be much more in-line with the original game than SEGA’s own Planet Harriers was (which was also a 3D take on Space Harrier). The game is an Apple Arcade exclusive, which will elicit groans from some. As for me? I have about half a dozen Apple devices and cannot wait to try the game out with a bluetooth controller on my TV. Learn more about the game after the break, and make sure to mark June 24, 2022 on your calendar!

Space Harrier II, Shining Force II, and Sonic Spinball Coming To The Nintendo Online Expansion Pass

Nintendo has announced three more games coming to the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, this time it is the tactical role-playing title Shining Force II, the pseudo-Super Scaler title Space Harrier II, and the pinball game with ear bleed option menu music Sonic Spinball. All three games will be available in all regions for Nintendo Switch owners that have the NSO Expansion service.

What is your thoughts on the new titles? Please comment below your thoughts.

SEGA Talk #84: Space Harrier Sequels (1988-2000)

Get ready! We return to the Fantasy Zone one last time to talk about Space Harrier‘s sequels. The Mega Drive exclusive Space Harrier II, the Master System 3D glasses game Space Harrier 3-D and Nagoshi’s arcade exclusive Planet Harriers all get discussed PLUS we cover the SEGA AGES release of Space Harrier. That’s a lot of Harriers, but to be fair it is Thanksgiving week and it’s all about being stuffed.

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!

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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!

SEGA AGES Space Harrier Review – The Best Version of the Game Yet! (Nintendo Switch)

SEGA has been on a roll lately with their releases of past arcade titles on the Switch. What is unique about these rereleases however is that they come with a variety of different and new options never been done on original release or as a port. And with both TV and portability uses to be had, some might pick up a few if not all the titles available, as they enhance the game play in wonderful fashion. That’s why it is easy for me to say that this port of Space Harrier is the best version of the game.

SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo and Space Harrier releasing on August 22nd in western territories


Two more SEGA AGES titles are coming overseas later this month on August 22nd, Puyo Puyo and Space Harrier! Both titles will be released in both North America and Europe for the pricing of $7.99 and equivalent. As usual with these SEGA AGES titles, both Puyo Puyo and Space Harrier will come with additional features. SEGA AGES Puyo Puyo will come packed with the addition of counter-clockwise rotation and double rotation similar to later games, along with the rare English arcade version and online play. SEGA AGES Space Harrier meanwhile includes the features from the SEGA 3D version, including 16:9 support and Haya-Oh as the final boss, along with a new Komainu Barrier Attack mode where the titular Komainu protect Harrier from everything except enemy fire. This is on top of the usual settings ranging from different picture options to the ability to map your controller buttons.

Puyo Puyo in particular is significant, since this is the first time the original arcade game has been released in western territories since 1992 (or 2003 if you count that weird N-Gage version). Sorry, no mean bean machines this time!

[Source: Official Website, Twitter]

SEGA games Space Harrier and Fantasy Zone coming to the TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine Mini


While SEGA has been busy prepping for the launch of the Mega Drive Mini, it seems they aren’t done quite yet with the mini console craze. The TurboGrafx-16 Mini (aka the PC Engine Mini) by Konami announced back in E3 has revealed 24 TurboGrafx-16 and and 26 PC Engine titles, effectively mixing both American and Japanese libraries into separate categories. Notably for SEGA fans, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini will be packaged with the TurboGrafx-16 versions of Space Harrier and Fantasy Zone, both originally developed by NEC. Space Harrier will be categorized under the TurboGrafx-16 section, while Fantasy Zone will be categorized under the PC Engine section.

The TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine Mini is currently slated for a March 19th, 2020 release date globally, so if you’re interested in trying out this mini console, pick one up next year!

[Souce: Official TurboGrafx-16 Website]

SEGA AGES Space Harrier releasing on June 27th in Japan

SEGA of Japan has finally revealed when SEGA AGES Space Harrier will release. The game is slated for a June 27th release date in Japan, for the price of ¥925 (roughly $8.50) on the Nintendo Switch eShop. As a refresher, SEGA AGES Space Harrier will feature most of the content from the 3DS version, including having 16:9 aspect ratio support and the inclusion of the Master System exclusive final boss Haya-Oh. But it will also have new features on top of that, including a new Komainu Barrier Attack mode where Komainu will protect Harrier from most obstacles, a special border meant to emulate the environment of an arcade, and the ability to hold the Joy-Cons sideways to mimic the arcade button layout of the original machine.

On top of SEGA AGES Space Harrier, remember that SEGA AGES Virtua Racing and SEGA AGES Wonder Boy in Monster Land are also planned to release on the same day for international fans, so when you get the chance try to get all three titles!

[Source: Official Website]

Space Harrier joining the SEGA AGES lineup on Nintendo Switch

The SEGA arcade classic Space Harrier, which has long been a staple in SEGA rerelease collections, has been announced for the SEGA Ages lineup on Nintendo Switch. The trailer, seen above, utilizes characters from the anime Hi Score Girl to make the announcement.

Once we learn more details, including release date and special features, we will be sure to news it, but for now you can enjoy our SEGA Talk episode where we discuss Space Harrier!

[Source: Real Otaku Gamer]

Data Discs announces Space Harrier vinyl – Get Ready!

Finally! Data Discs has announced that Space Harrier will be the 16th vinyl in the line of video game music releases. The vinyl will go on sale Saturday and will begin shipping on May 31. The release promises the complete music from the 1985 arcade classic, remastered, as well as a bonus arrangement of the main theme by SEGA’s in-house band S.S.T. Band. Space Harrier is presented as a remastered 180g LP, pressed at 45RPM. Also included are liner notes from composer Hiroshi “Hiro” Kawaguchi and a lithographic print.

A special 3D edition of the vinyl will be sold, which will feature a 3D lenticular cover, and 50 random copies will be signed by Hiro.

Space Harrier is available in the following editions:
2 x 180g Translucent light green with purple/green splatter and 3D lenticular cover. STRICTLY LIMITED EDITION (26.99 GBP)
2 x 180g Translucent dark green (19.99 GBP)
2 x 180g Classic Black (19.99 GBP)

You can listen to audio samples here.

Check out all the SEGA & Atlus’ merchandise for Tokyo Game Show 2017

segamerchtgs2017
Its that time of year again, when SEGA of Japan loads up Tokyo Game Show with a ton of amazing SEGA merchandise that makes us westerners scream, “Take my money!” I would say that SEGA’s Tokyo Game Show 2017 lineup is actually really good compared to last year, so expect a ton of great merchandise to follow. SEGA is not only set on bringing you merchandise for upcoming games like Sonic the Hedgehog,  Yakuza, Puyo Puyo, Hatsune Miku, and a ton more. But they are also doing Retro SEGA console merchandise which is very appealing. To add the cherry on top SEGA will also be selling Atlus merchindise including Persona 3, Persona 4 and Persona 5 stuff!

So lets get into it:

SEGA Talk Podcast #11: Space Harrier (1985)

Welcome to another episode of our SEGA Talk podcast, where we pick a SEGA game  and have a talk on various subjects regarding said game. On this episode we discuss  SEGA-AM2’s iconic rail-shooter Space Harrier! George and Barry talk about the games’ development,  success, and our personal thoughts on how the game has stood the test of time. If you are a big SEGA or Space Harrier fan, give the podcast a listen. You might learn a few new thinks regarding Space Harrier’s history and even if you don’t, its nice to support us… Right? Let us know what you love about Space Harrier in the comments below!

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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!

SEGA adds more gaming soundtracks to Spotify

SEGASoundtracksSEGA adds more gaming soundtracks to Spotify for your listening pleasure. It seems that SEGA is going to continue to add more in the upcoming months? I sure hope so. But as of right now, there are a ton of new SEGA soundtracks to feast your teeth into. Here are some of the franchises that got soundtracks added to the music streaming service:

  • Fantasy Zone
  • NiGHTS 
  • Out Run
  • Virtua Fighter
  • Skies of Arcadia
  • Chain Chronicle
  • Shinobi/Nightshade
  • Space Harrier
  • Rhythm Thief 
  • Gunblade NY & L.A. Machineguns
  • Power Drift
  • Alex Kidd

There are more here and there. Want to have a gander yourself? Check out SEGA’s artist page on Spotify. It does seem that this was done by SEGA Japan, only because there are some very Japanese focused soundtracks like Chain Chronicle (never published outside of Japan by SEGA) and Nightshade is using its Japanese name of Kunoichi. SEGA adds more gaming soundtracks to Spotify, does this mean you will be less likely to get a physical version of these soundtracks? Personally I think people that stream, where going to stream it regardless. What soundtrack is missing that you want? Sound off in the comments.

Yakuza 6 adds Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown and Puyo Puyo to play spots

2978944-screen+shot+2015-12-14+at+11.47.46+amYakuza series is known for having a variety of play spots, mini-games throughout the map to enjoy and Yakuza 6 is no exceptions. While Yakuza 5 had a full playable arcade port of Virtua Fighter 2, it seems that Yakuza 6 will have Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown which is freaking amazing. I think I’m getting a little a ahead of myself with excitement so let’s talk about all the new Yakuza 6 play spots that have been revealed by Famitsu:

The SEGA Five: SEGA Games That Would Thrive in Virtual Reality

SEGAVRWhile not every single gamer is sold on Virtual Reality just yet, mostly due to the fact that it is rather expensive to even get a headset and compatible computer, the people that have experienced it all think its the future of gaming. While this is still open to debate, what I do know is that Virtual Reality has opened the door for older types of genres that SEGA pioneered in their long history to thrive. So today on The SEGA Five we will be discussing five genres that SEGA can revive with the help of Virtual Reality.

Before we get started I just want to say that these ideas are to make the games Virtual Reality compatible and not exclusive. I think this would mean that more gamers will be able to enjoy the games, VR headset or not.  The number of gamers with Virtual Reality headsets is too low to spend money on exclusives right now. So let’s get to it.