Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance announced from Atlus, available June 21st, 2024

Good ol’ Atlus with their expanded SMT/Persona re-releases. Seriously though, props for the clever logo design here.

If you liked Atlus’s recent hit JRPG Shin Megami Tensei V, then you’re gonna love Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. Just announced within the same Nintendo Partner Showcase Direct from February 21st, 2024, which also revealed the new demo for Unicorn Overlord, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance was revealed as an all-new definitive version of the original and highly lauded Shin Megami Tensei V (2021). This all new version of SMT V will include extra locations, demons, and an all new additional story to experience. From a technical side, the game also includes an improved battle, exploration, and demon fusion system, new accessibility features, and all the previously available DLC from SMT V as standard content within the base game.

Journey past the break for links to the game’s official website.

Unicorn Overlord demo now available to download

If you’ve been waiting with baited breath to try the brand new strategy RPG from Vanillaware and Atlus, Unicorn Overlord, you now have your chance with an official demo being available on all consoles’ digital storefronts right now. News of this was revealed in Nintendo’s Partner Showcase Direct livestream from February 21st, 2024 via the above video clip, but the demo has also launched on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox at the same time. Give it a shot right away and see what you’re in for.

Take a look beyond the break for links to each demo.

Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name set to launch November 9, 2023

During Summer Game Fest, SEGA dropped a new trailer and release details for Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Set for a November 9, 2023 release date to PlayStation 4, 5, Xbox consoles and PC, the game will be priced at $49.99. Pre-orders will get players a Legendary Fighter Pack.

ERASE YOUR PAST TO PROTECT YOUR FUTURE Once a legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu faked his own death and abandoned his name for the sake of protecting his family. Now, he is thrust into conflict by a mysterious figure attempting to drive him out of hiding.

When we learn more about release details, including physical copies and those steelbooks we like so much, we will be sure to share the news!

Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable coming to PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC

Spread out throughout the month of June 2022 was news that Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 3 Portable would soon be launching on Xbox consoles, PC platforms (Persona 4 Golden has already been on Steam since June 2020), and PlayStation 5. For Xbox and Windows PC users, all three will also be part of Xbox Game Pass following their launch on Microsoft platforms. It was finally also revealed at the end of Nintendo’s Mini Partner Showcase Direct from June 28th that all three will now finally release worldwide on Nintendo Switch as well. This is all part of Atlus’s celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Persona series of games.

Yuji Naka talks about working at Square-Enix, says company doesn’t ‘value games’

It seems that Yuji Naka isn’t happy with his time working at Square-Enix, which started back in 2019. Since then Yuji Naka and Square-Enix have announced Balan Wonderworld, had him removed as director before the game released and ended with Yuji Naka leaving Square-Enix last year. Yuji Naka has actually been rather silent over the whole thing, even if Balan Wonderworld has been getting trashed online for months after release, which dragged his name through the dirt.

Now Yuji Naka has taken to Twitter to discuss working with Square-Enix, saying that the company doesn’t value making good games and that Yuji Naka even tried to get his lawyer involved so they could get more time to develop Balan Wonderworld. The messages below are from his Japanese Twitter thread, translated via @Cheesemeister3k:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection Limited Edition Revealed

As you know, Konami is releasing a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection which is set to feature 13 of their classic Turtle games. While not all 13 are original games, some are the arcades and console ports (Turtles in Time for example comes both SNES and Arcade versions), but its a pretty comprehensive list of Konami Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles classic games. SEGA fans should be happy to hear that the rare, SEGA Genesis exclusive “TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist” is included!

Now Konami has revealed that you can also get the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowbunga Collection Limited Edition which will cost you a whopping $149.99 to pre-order (Best Buy: PS5, PS4, Switch, Xbox).  This version includes:

  • The physical game
  • 16″x 24″ loth poster
  • Acrylic diorama
  • Enamel pin set of five
  • Set of 12 trading cards\
  • 180 pg artbook

SEGA Talk #89: Shenmue II (2001)

SEGA Talk returns to the world of Shenmue, this time talking about the legendary SEGA-AM2 title, Shenmue II! We cover the development, talk about cut content, original ideas behind the game and even discuss a PS2 rumored port?

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

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – 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!

SEGA Talk #87: Gunvalkyrie (2002)

This time on SEGA Talk podcast we take a look at the overlooked Smilebit Xbox exclusive Gunvalkyrie! We take a look at the cancelled Dreamcast port, talk about its unique controllers and why the game has stayed exclusive to Xbox over the years. All this and more, on SEGA Talk!

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

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – 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!

SEGA News Bits LIVE: Sonic Frontiers & New Xbox Games

Let’s look back on the week of SEGA news! On this installment, Barry talks about Sonic Frontiers, new backwards compatible SEGA Xbox games, his thoughts on Sonic Colors Ultimate and more!

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.

Xbox backwards compatibility update brings new SEGA games and Sonic FPS boost

Xbox has made a major update to the long thought to be dead backwards compatibility program, with 76 new games added and FPS boost for new and existing games. Of interest to SEGA fans, titles from the Xbox and Xbox 360 days are making the leap to the Xbox One and Series consoles. These games include: Binary Domain (Xbox 360), Gunvalkyrie (Xbox), Otogi: Myth of Demons (Xbox) and Otogi 2: Immortal Warriors (Xbox).

Several Sonic titles, as well as the aforementioned Binary Domain, will see a framerate boost via the FPS Boost feature. So expect a solid experience when playing Sonic Unleashed, Sonic Generations and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed.

[Source: The Verge]

SEGA Talk Podcast #78: Xbox & SEGA Retrospective

On this episode we have a unique SEGA Talk experience. Instead of talking about a SEGA game or SEGA console, we’re taking a look at SEGA’s third party relationship with the original Xbox! We discuss the development of the console, exclusive SEGA games PLUS we reveal exclusive notes from an early 2001 meeting between SEGA of America and Microsoft which would go on to shape Xbox Live as we know it today. Members of our Patreon can read the notes in full!

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

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – 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!

Sonic & Friends Join Minecraft as DLC pack to celebrate 30th anniversary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cE_zAoOHKHg

If you are a hybrid Sonic and Minecraft fan, SEGA and Microsoft have a big announcement for you! It looks like you’ll be able to get stage decorations for both Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant Zone. It also seems like you’ll be joined by Sonic’s friends including Tails, Knuckles and Knuckles.

Check out the screenshots to see more. It also seems that Microsoft will have a special server event for Sonic’s birthday, which is set to last two weeks! With something special happening one of those weekends.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis launches free update on June 9

The Phantasy Star Online 2 team have now confirmed that Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis update will go live on June 9! Here is the update posted on the PSO2 blog:

“Scheduled Launch Date:
After the maintenance on June 9, 2021 (Wed)

Due to the PSO2:NGS launch, the scheduled maintenance that would have occurred on June 9 (Wed) will be moved forward by about one or two days. More information will be announced at a later date.

Global Maintenance Announcement
 Due to the change in the maintenance schedule, there will be changes to the dates and the content of the “The Road to NEW GENESIS Event” countdown login bonus event. More information will be announced at a later date.

Note: There are no changes to the amount of SG distributed.

We will hold campaigns to celebrate the launch, so be sure to check them out! 

Thank you for your continued support of PSO2:NGS!”

It really looks like SEGA has been hitting it out of the park with all the new announcements!

 

Streets of Rage 4 DLC “Mr. X Nightmare” finally make Shiva playable

Ever since I was a mere child and laid my eyes on the badass ninja guard for Mr. X, Shiva, I wanted him to be a playable character. Now, the wait is over, Streets of Rage 4’s first DLC pack “Mr. X Nightmare” has confirmed he will be the third playable character.

As we know the other two playable characters announced were Max Thunder and Estel Aguirre. Sadly we don’t have a release date for the DLC, but we do know its coming out sometime this year.