Virtual-On

A Certain Magical Virtual-On digital and physical sales temporarily halted in Japan

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For Japanese players out there, you might of remembered a video game called A Certain Magical Virtual-On, an unusual crossover between SEGA’s Virtual-On IP and Dengeki Bunko’s A Certain Magical Index IP released in 2018 last year for the Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita. Well for those that still want to try it, you might be much more hard pressed to obtain a copy, as SEGA of Japan has temporarily halted production of physical copies and pulled the game from digital stores for “various reasons”. Though they never specified what these reasons are, the most likely explanation is that contracts with using the A Certain Magical Index IP might be expiring, meaning that SEGA legally cannot distribute A Certain Magical Virtual-On until the situation is fixed.

Though A Certain Magical Virtual-On is being pulled from the market, SEGA of Japan has noted that this will have no impact on the production of both the three Virtual-On ports and the twin stick controller by TANITA. This further adds evidence that the reason for the sudden pull might be copyright related.

[Source: SEGA of Japan / Gematsu]

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First three Virtual-On games coming to PS4 in Japan, “Twin-Stick Project Z” by TANITA also announced

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After receiving the strange crossover A Certain Magical Virtual-On, SEGA is going back to the basics for their Virtual-On series. Recently announced is that the first three games in the series, respectively Cyper Troopers Virtual-On, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram, and Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Force, will all be coming to the Playstation 4 in the future. These games will be based on their respective arcade versions, along with the most recent version “Ver. 5.66” in the case of Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram. It’s currently unknown if there will be any additional features available, along with other details such as a pricing or release date. Also the omission of Virtual-On MARZ is strange, but they likely wanted to stick with the games that were made for the arcades.

Virtual-On is an arena robot fighting game that originally used twin sticks to jump, dash, and shoot. Naturally for those that want an authentic experience, this may cause some concern. Luckily, a third party manufacturer under the name TANITA is going to produce a brand new twin stick controller that was originally planned for A Certain Magical Virtual-On. It was originally funded using a Campfire campaign under the name “Twin Stick Project Z”, which as of this writing has surpassed it’s intended goal of 44,600,000円. Currently there’s no word on when this controller will enter full production.

It’s not known if any of these games or the controller will receive a release outside of Japan as of this writing, but keep in touch for any future updates.

[Source: SEGA Japan Twitter / Tanita]

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Phantasy Star Online 2 shows off Virtual-On in-game crossover content

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SEGA and the team behind Phantasy Star Online 2 have revealed that the game will get Virtual-On unlockable items coming this upcoming February. This update is being released to promote the upcoming A Certain Magical Virtual-On crossover game hitting Japan during the same month. The thing is, Virtual-On already had items available in the game, way back in 2014 along with Shining Force Cross Exlesia. Back then it was released to promote the digital only re-release of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Force. It seems to be a re-release of the DLC, so if you play and missed it back in 2014! This Virtual-On DLC is pay for content…

SEGA also, according to the badly google translated description of the YouTube video, are celebrating 4.5 consecutive login-ins with SEGA ID. If you don’t know, SEGA ID is a service you have to sign up for to play Phantasy Star Online 2. I have also seen it used for some mobile games, so who knows if its just Phantasy Star Online 2 logins or if they’re counting anyone that just randomly logged into their SEGA ID account.

Yes, I know. I want Phantasy Star Online 2 in the west and no its not going to happen. Yes, it sucks. What else can we do about it besides play on the Japanese server?

 

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SEGA shows off A Certain Magical Virtual-On box art

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Check out the official Japanese box art for A Certain Magical Virtual-On, an upcoming game being released on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. The game features characters from the light novel franchise A Certain Magical Index and SEGA’s arcade franchiseCyber Troopers Virtual-On in a epic cross-over competitive game. 

A Certain Magical Virtual-On Japanese box art features Touma Kamijo (A Certain Magical Index) and Virtuaroid MBV-707/VSL “Temjin 707” (Virtual-On). I think the box art is just OK, nothing special and feel that the art style differences between Virtual-On and A Certain Magical Index really clash on the cover. For example Temjin 707 looks rather 3D while Touma Kamijo on the other hand is a typical anime drawing. As for the game, its set to launch on February 15, 2018 in Japan on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. SEGA West hasn’t announced a western release date as of this posting.

[Via: Gemastu]

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Check out the opening animation for A Certain Magical Virtual-On

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On February 15, 2018 SEGA’s Virtual-On series makes its return with A Certain Magical Virtual-On, a crossover between the giant robot fighting series from SEGA and the A Certain Magical Index light novel from Dengeki Bunko. The collaboration began when the two crossed over for a light novel back in 2016 to celebrate Virtual-On’s 20th anniversary. The game is said to be an adaptation of the light novel, and the core gameplay is 100% what Virtual-On fans have come to expect from the series, so don’t worry about this not playing like a Virtual-On game despite the crossover.

Via SEGA of Japan’s YouTube channel comes the game’s full animated intro, seen above, produced by the Japanese animation studio J.C.STAFF. The intro looks great, and reminds me of the days when SEGA Saturn games would launch with their own animated intros. No word yet on a western release, but given how import friendly SEGA of America has been thanks to the Atlus staff I would not rule it out. Still, if you just want to import the game it will be available 2/15 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in special edition releases. You can pre-order both titles now from Play-Asia:

CYBER TROOPERS: VIRTUAL ON X TOARU MAJUTSU NO INDEX: TOARU MAJUTSU NO DENNOU SENKI

PlayStation 4 | PlayStation Vita

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SEGAbits at Tokyo Game Show 2017: A Certain Magical Virtual-On Hands-On Preview

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What started seemingly as a one-off (potentially joke) crossover between a popular anime and SEGA’s Virtual-On has turned into a potential resurrection for the much-loved Virtual-On series.

The playable build I got my hands on started with a tutorial, where I got my first experience of A Certain Magical Index. Honestly it’s quite jarring to turn on a Virtual-On game and be met with what looked like high-school students talking in high pitched voices with a long-winded introduction to the game. The characters seem very out of place and different to the usual Virtual-On style and I was initially a little jarring. Thankfully when I got to actually control Temjin, I found the game surprisingly familiar. I still don’t like some of the new designs for mechs, but for the most part it manages to gel nicely with the old games.

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Senko no Ronde 2 to get Virtual-On themed DLC

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G.rev’s Senko no Ronde 2 will be getting a playable Temijin virtualoid from SEGA’s Cyber Troopers Virtual-On (also Valken from Assault Suits Valken but that isn’t a SEGA game so shush). Of course the Virtual-On tie-in with Sanko no Ronde 2 is part of SEGA promoting the upcoming A Certain Magical Virtual-On PlayStation 4 game that launches early next year.

I do wonder if this DLC will make it outside of Japan, considering that Senko no Ronde 2 is already available to buy both on PlayStation 4 and PC. More on both collaborations will be shown during their live stream at the Tokyo Game Show 2017 on September 23 at 15:00 JST. You can watch it via Twitch.

[via: Gematsu]

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

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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.

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A Certain Magical Virtual-On gets major update, will be playable at TGS

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Announced back in mid-March, SEGA has been pretty quiet on their latest entry into the Virtual-On series. Coming to the Playstation 4 and Vita, the crossover has left many of fans of either franchise mystified. Now with Tokyo Game Show less than a month away we’ve gotten a massive blow out of information in the latest issue of Dengeki PlayStation! The new issue covers the Virtuaroids, weapons and the characters from A Certain Magical Index that will be appearing in the crossover. Hit the jump after the break to check out more information and screenshots;

It has also been confirmed that A Certain Magical Virtual-On will be playable at Tokyo Game Show next month. We will be there to give you guys some hands on impressions of the game. Stay tuned.

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SEGA News Bits: A Certain Magical Virtual-On Announced Reaction

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Strap into your Virturoids and drop your manga because SEGA has announced A Certain Magical Virtual-On video game, that crosses the popular light novel franchise A Certain Magical Index with SEGA’s Virtual-On. A Certain Magical Virtual-On is set to hit Japan sometime in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. On this episode we discuss all the released news, speculate what the final product might be and if SEGA can use popular Dengeki Bunko light novel brands to resurrect other dormant franchises. Like always, let us know what you think of the newly announced A Certain Magical Virtual-On crossover game in the comments below. Thanks for watching.

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to support us. Give us a sub, if you are already subscribed you can always like the video.

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SEGA survey results reveal what franchise fans want to see return

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Sonic___SEGA_All-Stars_Racing-PCArtwork4539Sonic_Racing_GroupHave you been looking forward to the SEGA survey results for the brand Japanese consumers want to see revived? If you guys didn’t know about the SEGA survey, we did a post about it earlier this week. SEGA has revealed not only what franchise fans want to see revived, but also what brand their most invested in and their favorite characters. Get ready for some unexpected results!

So hit the jump to see all the answers, including how many people voted for each brand, after the jump.

[Via: NeoGAF]

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD pays homage to Jet Set Radio

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7thdragonjet.jpgSEGA’s upcoming Nintendo 3DS game 7th Dragon III Code: VFD will launch this summer, launch copies of the game will come with an art book. It seems fans paid close attention to the character art that has been release as a Siliconera reader has pointed out that the male Agent Class in the game has a Jet Set Radio Future themed shirt. Look closely, you see it? Its the Jet Soul symbol!

Miwa Shirow, the character designer for 7th Dragon III Code: VFD is a huge fan of SEGA’s Jet Set Radio franchise and has stated that the goal of the Agent Class is to be “street-wise youth” type of design. The Male Agent’s internal name is actually “Jet” as well, if you needed more to tie it to Jet Set Radio.

That isn’t the only reference to a classic SEGA franchise, if you look at the buttons on his chest there is a symbol from Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratori Tangram. Pretty neat stuff.  7th Dragon III Code: VFD hits American store shelves this summer, pre-order it and secure your launch day edition art book!

[Source: Siliconera]

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Round Table: Our favorite SEGA developed Saturn games

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We are coming to a close in our SEGA Saturn Month here at SEGAbits, so we decided to go out in a bang by telling you guys our favorite SEGA in-house developed game. SEGA had a power house of developers during the 90’s and most of them really hit their strides during the Saturn, we know its hard to pick just one game, so we will also be listing three more titles as honorable mentions.

Like always, if you guys want to let us know your favorite SEGA developed Saturn titles, you can do so in the comments section.

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This is Saturn sees giant robots battle it out in Cyber Troopers Virtual-On for the SEGA Saturn

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This is Saturn kicks off SEGAbit’s Saturn Month in style, with a look a SEGA mech-shooting bundle of action, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On. Widely hailed as one of the most memorable titles for Saturn, is this game really all it’s cracked up to be? Or does it belong in the scrapyard?

This is Saturn is a video series created by British teenager Liam ‘TrackerTD’ Ashcroft, aiming to give an alternative and in-depth look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of SEGA Saturn gaming, all whilst maintaining a somewhat strong accent.

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My Life with SEGA battles it out in Cyber Troopers: Virtual-On for the SEGA Saturn

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My Life with SEGA is back! A.J. is back! Mickey Mac is back! In our first episode since our team up in Rambo for SEGA’s Master System, it’s time to get our mech on in SEGA’s critically acclaimed arcade smash, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On for the SEGA Saturn! Released in 1995 to arcade’s by Sega AM3, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On is a versus fighting game featuring robots known as the “virtuaroids”, appropriately powered by Sega Saturns. Yes, sticking consoles on your protagonists was a thing even before The Typing of the Dead. The game was later ported to the Saturn, which is the version we’re putting to the test in this 2-Man Scramble. Who will come out on top? Watch and find out!

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