Valkyria Chronicles 4 Amazon listing gives an October 16, 2018 release date

WCCFvalkyriachronicles4-740x429

It looks like we finally have a release date for the western release of the hotly anticipated, and highly praised, Valkyria Chronicles 4! According to new Amazon listings, the game will be due out October 16, 2018. A fitting time of year given the game itself takes place in a snowy setting. Pre-orders are not live yet, but when they are you can pre-order the game at the following links. No word yet on the expected launch editions, but I’m pretty sure all pre-order listings will default to a steelbook or art book or sticker sheet or magic decoder ring launch edition.

Valkyria Chronicles 4
PlayStation 4Xbox One – Nintendo Switch

SEGA News Bits: SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive Classics Coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

SEGA announced today that a new compilation of SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive games will be releasing physically to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Containing over 50 games, theres a lot to play and some glaring omissions. On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry run through the games and give their verdicts and speculate what’s next.

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.

SEGA Genesis Classics trailer released, lineup and in-game features revealed

SEGA has officially unveiled the trailer for SEGA Genesis Classics (SEGA Mega Drive Classics in Europe) and have revealed some of the in-game features. The collection will include over 50 classic games along with enhanced features like Rewind, Mirror Mode and visual filters. The official site, megadriveclassics.com, has yet to go live but it can be assumed that is where the full list of games will be included. The collection is releasing physically to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on May 29th, and as an added incentive will include a double sided poster. Thankfully, SEGA seems to realize the Genesis can stand on its own and does not need Sonic’s name tacked on to the title, like they did with Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection in 2009.

After the break, see the full list of included games.

Valkyria Chronicles 4 gets positive review from Famitsu

ValkyriaChronicles4

The PlayStation 4 version of Valkyria Chronicles 4 is hitting Japan March 21, meaning that early Japanese reviews are being release. One of the first ones we got to see is Weekly Famitsu Magazine’s review which scored the game 9/9/9/8 [35/40]. If you don’t know how Weekly Famitsu does scores, they get 4 people to review the game and add up the points. Valkyria Chronicles 4 was the 2nd highest reviewed game this week, being beaten out by Ni no Kuni II. Check out the full scores after the jump:

rhSVUul yQmXUHZbH keF erB

SEGA Genesis Classics coming to PS4, Xbox One and PC

Sega-Genesis-Classics-Ann_03-13-18
SEGA is set to release SEGA Genesis Classics (SEGA Mega Drive Classics for non-Americans) for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. They are planning on launching the physical release on May 29 which will include over 50 SEGA Genesis classic titles.

This release seems to be caught early by the people over at SEGA Nerds and according to them SEGA has asked them not to post the news but since this has already been posted on bigger sites like Gematsu and Game Informer, I thought it’d be fine to share. Games included (based on the trailer and screenshots):

How Castle of Illusion influenced Cuphead’s ‘Simple Mode’

CastleoftheCupHead

[Art by thegreatrouge]

Its no secret that Cuphead is highly influenced by a large number of games that were popular in the 90s. This weekend at EGLX, the heads of Studio MDHR, brothers Chad Moldenhauer and Maja Moldenhauer spoke about their popular game. One part of the event was a live Q&A, where someone asked about the decision of keeping bosses out of ‘Simple Mode’. For those not in the know, if you play Cuphead in easy mode or in this game called simple mode, you won’t get to play all the boss levels. Forcing players to switch to normal mode to get the full experience.

Puyo Puyo is officially recognized as a eSports title in Japan

dracopuyo

Puyo Puyo has been added to the list of video game series recognized as a eSports title by the Japan eSports Union. If you missed our story about the Japan eSports Union, basically its being headed by SEGA’s Hideki Okamura and its not a surprised he finally got around to adding a SEGA title to the list of ‘approved eSports games’.

On the other hand SEGA will launch the first Japan eSports Union (JeSU) tournament, titled Puyo Puyo Cup, at the SEGA Fest 2018 next month. The idea behind the union, which was discussed when it was announced, was to make video game eSports a Olympic sport, could we see Puyo Puyo as a Olympic eSports game in the future? Who knows.

[Via Siliconera]

Commodore 64 game Barbarian releasing to the Dreamcast and Genesis/Mega Drive

The classic 8-bit Commodore 64 Epyx game Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior, which was later ported to several systems including the BBC Micro and Atari ST, is set to receive a SEGA Dreamcast port. The upcoming port is being handled by Retro Games Ltd, who have acquired the Epyx catalog, so it’s official!

Given the game has seen so many ports, you’re probably wondering which one the Dreamcast is getting. The answer is all of them, as you will be able to switch between the various versions with the press of a button. There will also be a new Dreamcast version with enhanced visuals. The game is also heading to the NES, Atari Jaguar and Genesis/Mega Drive.

Expect a physical Dreamcast release later this year, and in the meantime you can keep up on the project by following the Epyx Facebook page.

[Source: The Dreamcast Junkyard]

kd YAEjDLr kGBXpKn

Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud hits Japanese Nintendo Switch on April 4th

As you guys know Phantasy Star Online 2: Cloud was announced for the Nintendo Switch, this version of the game will allow Nintendo Switch owners to ‘stream’ the PC version of Phantasy Star Online 2 via the cloud.

During today’s Nintendo Direct it was confirmed that the game will be launching on April 4th and include a free The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild collaboration outfit. Since the Nintendo Switch is ‘region free’, you can technically download the client and link it to your SEGA ID to play. Though if you are interested in playing Phantasy Star Online 2, I would just suggest playing it via the English patch created by Arks Layer.  It would be pretty cool if Phantasy Star Online 2 Cloud allowed you to stream the game played on a local PC via you’re wifi connection, sort of how Sony does remote play with the PlayStation 3/4 and PlayStation Vita. That way it could stream the English patch version.

Or even better, would be cool if we got a Western release, huh?

Sonic the Hedgehog: Crash Course board game up for pre-order

Sonic-Box__90143.1520533921

We already talked about the Shinobi 7 created Sonic the Hedgehog: Battle Racers board game that hit Kickstarter in February, but it seems that same game now has competition with IDW Games’ Sonic the Hedgehog: Crash Course featuring classic Sonic characters which is up for pre-order on Game Nerdz. The game is part of the ‘IDW’ brand, so it seems we might get a classic Sonic the Hedgehog comic to tie-in? At the very least, there should be issue #1 of IDW Sonic included according to retail listings on other sites. Also to note, this board game only costs $18.97 to pre-order and has a MSRP of $29.99!

Hit the jump to see what the game contains, how to play it and product description:

Unboxing: New Sonic the Hedgehog books

In this unboxing, or should I say unbooksing, video we take a look at the three new Sonic the Hedgehog books to release from Penguin Random House. Welcome to the World of Sonic features character profiles, story information, trivia and stickers. Sonic and the Tales of Deception features three stories set in the game universe. And finally Sonic Mad Libs is just what you expect, it’s the classic game of Mad Libs with a Sonic twist. Each book can be ordered by clicking the title above. There are also two more books on the way: a second story book titled Sonic and the Tales of Terror and the Race Against Chaos Sticker Activity Book.

If you enjoy our SEGAbits Unboxing videos and want to support us: Give us a sub and give this video a like so it shows up on more like minded fans YouTube recommendations. You know, how that YouTube algorithm is.

SEGA in the Media: Sonic the Hedgehog cameos in Ready Player One

vlcsnap-2018-03-07-07h56m13s796

While we’ve yet to see any signs of Sonic in Wreck-It Ralph 2, the latest Ready Player One TV spot reveals that Sonic will join the pop culture cameo ranks of The Iron Giant, the Back to the Future DeLorean time machine and Child’s Play‘s Chucky. In a recent TV spot, seen after the break, Sonic is seen waiting in line. You can spot him in the screenshot seen above on the far right. I have also heard that Sonic does his signature spin attack move in another trailer though I have not found it yet.

Ready Player One hits theaters March 29, 2018, and if you want more than Sonic cameos remember that a Sonic the Hedgehog movie is set to release November 15, 2019!

fPUOpFVVdVl l EP TQfJ hcr

Check this out: The Story Of Digital Pictures – The FMV Studio Behind Sewer Shark, Night Trap, Double Switch & More

YouTube Channel Wrestling With Gaming has produced some pretty great gaming documentaries, and his latest one takes a look at Digital Pictures which is the studio behind FMV games including Sewer Shark, Night Trap, and Double Switch. The series creator, Yahel, reached out to SEGAbits for permission to use our 2014 interview with Digital Pictures co-founder Tom Zito, and having seen Yahel’s previous videos we were more than happy to give the thumbs up! So check the video out and make sure to watch his backlog at Wrestling With Gaming, including some great SEGA installments covering VR, Bleem!, and the Saturn and 32X.

Keep up the great work, Yahel! After the break, check out our full original interview with Tom Zito.

SEGA’s Next Big Arcade Game: Transformers Shadow Rising

SEGA has had a huge presence in license arcade cabinets, all the way from its conception as a company moving on to their golden age of Japanese arcades. SEGA’s next big licensed arcade game happens to be another Transformers title, being a sequel to 2013’s Transformers: Human Alliance. Transformers Shadow Rising has been showing that Amusement Expo 2018 in its early beta stages. The game so far has been revealed to be 75% complete. It is funny though, that the game’s title reminds me of that one Wheel of Time book… 

Our friends over at Arcade Heroes had a big preview on the new upcoming game, talking about how the game is very similar to 2013 Transformers: Human Alliance but with more focus on co-op. SEGA Amusements has also released a press release which you can read after the jump.

Wii Shop Channel Guide for SEGA Fans – Screen Setup, Master System & Arcade

wii shop 2

We are still a little under a month before Nintendo disables the ability to add funds to your Wii Shop credit to their aging Shop Channel up to the ultimate shut down in January of next year. This guide will cover the must-haves of the SEGA Master System and SEGA-related Virtual Console Arcade titles. While both haven’t received nearly as many Genesis or Mega Drive titles SEGA put out some notable releases you can’t get anywhere else. In addition we’ll be checking out screen setups for those who want the ultimate retro gaming setup to those who can’t break away from their modern HD setups. The Wii provides solutions that will work for everyone who has an interest in SEGA’s vintage lineup.

All screenshots are captured on real Wii U hardware outputting at 720p downscaled to 480p. You’ll also find Sonic Retro and SEGA Retro articles to check out for additional information as well as box art and manual scans you don’t get to see in these re-releases.