SEGA teases possible New Sakura Wars game presentation during Tokyo Game Show 2018 talk


If you guys didn’t already know, SEGA will be reviving the Sakura Wars franchise with a brand new game which was announced at SEGA Fes 2018 this past April. As far as that announcement, SEGA and the team have been pretty hushed on details until it was brought up on SEGA’s latest Sega-Nama broadcast, a official Japanese SEGA news variety program hosted by Toshihiro Nagoshi.

Hit the jump to check out Nagoshi and co-host Anyana Tsubaki discuss the possibility of a Sakura Taisen presentation set for ‘summer’:

Jim Carrey confirms that his portrayal of Dr. Eggman will be live action


Jim Carrey is making the rounds online doing interviews at the recent Television Critics Associations event, that means that interviewers got to ask a variety of question to do write ups. You might noticed the increase in Jim Carrey articles this morning ranging from his opinion on Trump to recent big budget comedy films. The people over at Deadline decided to ask Jim Carrey about his upcoming Doctor Eggman portrayal in the upcoming Paramount Pictures Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

So what new information did we get? All we got was Jim Carrey admitting “It will be live-action” when talking about the character. This seems to be a big change considering this will be the first time that Eggman will get a live action portrayal and the first time since 2005* (Actually 2003, thanks for the correction Mike) that Mike Pollock won’t be voicing the iconic villain. What are your thoughts on the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog movie and the fact that Dr. Eggman will be live-action? Also, why do mainstream media journalist continue to use Dr. Robotnik?

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Team Sonic Racing team mechanics spotlighted in new video

SEGA has released a new trailer spotlighting the team mechanics in Team Sonic Racing. The video shows Team Rose, Team Sonic and Team Dark racing in the recently revealed Ice Mountain track. The highlighted team mechanics include:

  • Skimboost: Boost struggling teammates back into action as you drive by!
  • SlingshotSlipstream a teammate for a slingshot boost!
  • Rival Takedown: Knock out highlighted opponents ahead and speed past them!
  • Item Box TransferSend and receive Wisps with teammates anywhere on the track!
  • Team Ultimate: Use Team Mechanics to fill your Team Ultimate meter and unleash a massive team boost!

Pre-order Team Sonic Racing today!
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch

Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo now available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch; digital pre-orders open

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is due out September 25 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Steam. In anticipation of the game’s release, SEGA dropped a ton of new info about the demo and digital pre-order bonuses. Digital pre-orders are available now for all platforms, and included is a bonus add-on mission ‘A Captainless Squad’ in which a group of Squad E soldiers find themselves on an impromptu reconnaissance operation after the squad’s beloved medic dog, Ragnarok, goes missing. The add-on mission will also be available for $4.99 in late October. Pre-ordering Valkyria Chronicles 4 through the PlayStation Store will get you an exclusive theme and avatar set.

Also available today is the Valkyria Chronicles 4 demo which is free to download from the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store and Nintendo eShop. Players will be treated to the prologue and first two chapters of the game, as well as a bonus mission created just for the demo. Save data will carry over to the full game, and importing data will unlock an exclusive accessory for use in the full game.

Pre-order the Valkyria Chronicles 4 “Memoirs from Battle” Premium Edition
PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Nintendo Switch

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SEGA reveals Gamescom 2018 lineup

SEGA and ATLUS have just announced what games attendees at Gamescom 2018 in Cologne, Germany can get their hands on. The lineup includes: Total War: THREE KINGDOMS, Team Sonic Racing, Valkyria Chronicles 4, Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise, Persona 3 Dancing in the Moonlight and Persona 5 Dancing in the Starlight. Football Manager 2019 and Two Point Hospital will also have a presence at the event.

Of note to Sonic fans, Team Sonic Racing‘s demo will feature the new Ice Mountain track (which fans have pointed out is a zone in Sonic Advance, though whether that is by chance or intentional is unknown) and two new teams. More of the in-game customization will also be revealed.

All games will be playable at the Deep Silver stand in Hall 9, B011-C010.

Atlus announces Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth for 3DS

While it seems that most publishers have left the Nintendo 3DS for the Nintendo Switch, Atlus isn’t quite done. They just announced Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth for the Nintendo 3DS which is set to launch November 29 in Japan for 6,980 JPY (about $63 USD).

Persona Q2 will feature cast members from Persona 3, Persona 4 and Persona 5; including female protagonist from Persona 3 (guess they were left out in the last one?). Above this post I posted the TV spot that had been released, Atlus is teasing the official trailer won’t release until August 6 at 12:00 JST via the Persona twitter account. There will also be a 10-page Weekly Famitsu preview on August 9th, so we will have a ton of new information soon.

Its not surprising that Atlus will continue to support the Nintendo 3DS, they also supported the PlayStation Vita for a long time after Sony abandoned it.

[Source: Gematsu]

SEGA Japan reveals Shenmue I & II special collector’s edition for PlayStation 4, with CD soundtrack, poster and box

File this one under: “The Japanese get the coolest stuff!” SEGA of Japan has released a new trailer for the upcoming Shenmue I & II release for PlayStation 4, and in addition to the footage we got the reveal of a special collector’s edition of the game. Like the Japanese Sonic Mania Plus release, this edition will include the game in a handsome box with a special two CD soundtrack. The soundtrack will feature music from both games. Also included will be a two sided poster and, if it is anything like the other regions, a reversible cover. The special edition will retail for ¥5,990, just a little over $50, however sites like Amiami or Amazon Japan should mark it down a little.

While the game releases this month to the Americas and Europe, Japan will have to wait until November 22, 2018. You can pre-order the game now at Amiami for ¥5,300 and at Amazon Japan for ¥6,469, which includes bonus digital smart device wallpaper downloads.

SEGA Financials doubles down on resurrecting classic IPs, leaks Yakuza 6 on PC and teases 3 unannounced digital games


SEGA has posted its latest Financial Statement for the first quarter, which was released earlier today. This financial year is going to end on March 2019. One of the first big bits of news is how SEGA-Sammy’s latest financial report leaked Yakuza 6 for PC, right under their major 2019 titles:

It says here 4/2018, which seems to line up with the PlayStation 4 release. But if you look on the platforms, SEGA-Sammy posted it as the title being on both PS4 and PC. As you know, we just got Yakuza 0 on Steam the other day and have been promised Yakuza Kiwami in the near future. Could we be getting a Yakuza 6 soon as well or is this just SEGA making a mistake?

SEGA Arcade: Pop-Up History Kickstarter campaign adds Power Drift pop-up stretch goal

Last month we shared the news that Read-Only Memory, creators of the awesome SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis Collected Works and the upcoming SEGA Dreamcast Collected Works books, revealed a new SEGA focused book: SEGA Arcade: Pop-Up History. The book will feature an interview with Yu Suzuki and pop-up sculptures of Hang-On, Space Harrier, Thunder Blade, After Burner, and Out Run as well as information about each game. Now that the project has hit the funding goals, a stretch goal has been added with, if reached, will add another pop-up sculpture – the super scaler kart racing game Power Drift!

As of this article, the stretch goal has another £4,000 to go to reach £50,000 and 6 more days remain. We urge you to check the campaign out and if you like what you see to show your support!

Shining Resonance Refrain Review – AKA Tales of Resonance (PS4, Nintendo Switch)

It’s hard to believe that Shining Resonance Refrain is the first Shining series game to come outside of Japan in over a decade. While the franchise use to be a stable of SEGA back in the 90s, it seemed that us Westerns have been kept in the dark on the recent releases, until now. Shining Resonance Refrain is a definitive release of the PlayStation 3 exclusive Shining Resonance. So was the wait for the return of the Shining series worth it?

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II joins the SEGA Forever mobile lineup

Remember Sonic 4 Episode II? It’s back, in SEGA Forever form!

Revealed today, the 2012 console and mobile game Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II has joined the SEGA Forever mobile lineup. The updated release makes the game free to play, with ads, or $1.99 to remove ads. The Episode Metal DLC, once only unlocked if you owned both Sonic 4 episodes on the same platform, is now unlocked from the start.

Prior to its original release, fans were cautious of Sonic 4 Episode II following the release of Sonic 4 Episode I. But upon playing it, the second episode was seen as a marked improvement over the first episode. Physics were more in line with what was expected from a 2D Sonic game, stages and bosses were more creative, bosses were better and the addition of Metal Sonic (and tie-in to the recently rereleased Taxman and Stealth version of Sonic CD) was fun.

If you want to play the SEGA Forever version of the game, simply check the stores for your iOS and Android devices!

Ian Curran named SEGA of America’s new Chief Operating Officer and President

SEGA has just announced that Ian Curran has been named SEGA of America’s new COO and President. The role is effective today, August 1, 2018. Ian will be responsible for maximizing profitability of the publishing of Sonic within the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africas. Ian will also serve on the board of Atlus U.S.A., Inc. In his role, he will report directly to the CEO of SEGA West, Tatsuyuki Miyazaki.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 English prologue trailer released and localization interview

SEGA really seems to be taking localization more seriously these last few years. First we got a new prologue trailer in English for Valkyria Chronicles 4 and not only that we also got a interview with SEGA Associate Localization and lead for Valkyria Chronicles 4 Andrew Davis. He went on to reveal details including that English voice over work took 10 weeks, talked about matching characterization, and the fact that Ragnarok the dog has the same voice for both Japan and the West:

No, Ragnarok has the same voice actor for both English and Japanese. Funny story – we did actually record an English track for Ragnarok, but the feedback from our Japanese team was that even with additional post-processing, he sounded too much like a small dog – Ragnarok is more of a medium-sized dog. The English actor’s growls were really well-received, but the barks weren’t quite there, so we stuck with the Japanese actor. It’s unfortunate, it would have been my big break in a voice acting role…

You can check out the full interview over at the PlayStation.Blog, lots of cool tidbits of information. Make sure to pick up Valkyria Chronicles 4 comes out September 25 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC! Here is a sample of the 100-page art book that will come with the Memoirs from Battle premium edition!

SEGA News Bits: IDOLA Phantasy Star Saga Reveal Reaction

On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry take their frustrations out on the recently revealed IDOLA Phantasy Star Saga mobile game. No, it’s not the platform that is the issue. What is SEGA thinking releasing a game that is so far removed from anything we’ve come to expect from the franchise? And why choose the 30th anniversary for something like this?

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