Sonic co-creator Yuji Naka joins SQUARE ENIX, returns to programming

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Yuji Naka has always been a big name to SEGA fans, not only did he program Sonic the Hedgehog on the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive, he also has a long history of being a company man. Yuji Naka’s first game for SEGA started way back in the SG-1000 days with Girl’s Garden (in 1984!). After that he helped launch SEGA classics such as NiGHTs Into Dreams…, Samba De Amigo, ChuChu Rocket!, Burning Rangers, Phantasy Star Online, and the list goes on.

Unboxing: Jet Set Radio Beat action figure

Let’s unbox the brand new Jet Set Radio Beat action figure which is part of the GAME CLASSICS line from Union Creative! Unlike the long running Figma line from Max Factory, GAME CLASSICS is just two figures deep with Arthur of Ghosts ‘n Goblins being the first. While GAME CLASSICS has room to improve, this is a really cool figure. Watch the video above to hear my thoughts on it, and if you like what you see you can own one yourself!

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SEGA reveals new arcade action card game Sen Sen Sen Ki

A few days ago we posted about SEGA teasing a brand new arcade title. Today they have revealed that the title is “Sen Sen Sen Ki” which will be a new action card game. SEGA is set to do location tests at SEGA Akihabara #2 and #3 from January 26 to the 28th.  There will also be a survey, which will take player feedback before the game launches later this year.

Sen Sen Sen Ki is a completely new franchise that will have digital card battles with modes such as ‘party battle’ and ‘dual turn’ systems. Some of the classes already confirmed for the game include:

Sonic the Hedgehog IDW comic to get new character reveal in 5 days

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IDW has now teased on Facebook that there will be a new character announced for their Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series that is set to launch this upcoming April. The company provided the above image and the description below:

“We’ve been getting a lotta questions about who’s going to join Sonic in the new series. And here’s your first look! It’s… a hand? Who’s that with Sonic?!? Oh well, guess we’ll find out all about that mysterious figure in 5 days!”

As far as who this mystery character could be, who knows. IDW didn’t say if it was a new character created for the comics or if its someone that is returning. But who do you think will be joining Sonic the Hedgehog in his new upcoming comic book? Do you want to see a new character or returning character? Let us know the in the comments below.

Border Break PS4 Japanese open beta schedule revealed

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It is finally happening, we will finally be able to enjoy Border Break. At least, if you want to play on Japanese servers since we still haven’t gotten a confirmation if this game is getting a release outside of Japan. I’ll be honest, its frustrating to see all these tiny Atlus 3DS RPGs getting day one western announcements and a SEGA-AM2 arcade port being met with silence.

The Border Break PS4 beta client will be up to download starting February 1st around noon JST. The following is the schedule for actually trying the game:

Puyo Puyo Anniversary TV Show 2018 broadcast announced, could reveal new title

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SEGA has announced that they will be holding a Puyo Puyo event titled “Puyo Puyo Anniversary TV Show 2018“, which will go live on February 4 at 20:00 JST. According to the blog post about the broadcast: “During the broadcast, we will introduce new information on [smartphone game] Puyo Puyo Quest! Of course, we will also announce Puyo Puyo series news, so please look forward to it.” 

Valkyria Chronicles 4 getting limited edition PS4 in Japan

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Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Asia and SEGA have teamed up to announce the Valkyria Chronicles 4 Limited Edition PlayStation 4, which will come on March 21st.

The Valkyria Chronicles 4 Limited Edition PlayStation 4 is now up to pre-order at the Japanese Sony Store and will cost you 33,480 yen (about $302 USD) for the 500 GB model or 38,480 yen (about $347 USD) for the 1TB model. The Valkyria Chronicles 4 Limited Edition PlayStation 4 will come with a Valkyria Chronicles 4-themed top cover, Valkyria Chronicles 4 original theme (see it below), and of course Valkyria Chronicles 4 themed packaging.

[Via: Gematsu]

House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn location test footage hits the net, looks amazing


House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn was just announced four days ago and its already already getting location testing in Japan. Thankfully for us, Throwback Tokyo has captured some of the first footage of the game in action for us that live outside of Japan. The game shows off a cutscene featuring  the new main protagonist Ryan Taylor and returning protagonist from House of the Dead 4 Kate Green. It seems from the little dialogue that we have gotten that this game takes place after the events of House of the Dead 4, making it a direct continuation.

Just like the past House of the Dead games, the game is voiced in English and has Japanese subtitles (instead of getting Japanese VO). For those of you wondering, yes, the voice work is super cheesy just like the classics. Personally, you can’t have a good House of the Dead game if it doesn’t feel like a cheesy B movie and so far from the little footage shown, this game is hitting its marks. According to other online users that went to play House of the Dead: Scarlet Dawn, SEGA had a survey asking users if they would be interested in a console port. I will have to say, hell yeah!

Rent-A-Hero gets live Japanese stage show 27 years after release

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Rent-A-Hero
was a Japanese RPG by SEGA-AM2 that came out only in Japan on the Mega Drive. The game’s story was about a teen who orders pizza and receives a power suit that gave him super powers making him decide to become a hero for hire. I mean, why do hero work for the glory when you could make money? The game later got a remake on both Dreamcast and Xbox with Rent-A-Hero No. 1 in the early 2000s. But it seemed that everyone forgot about Rent-A-Hero, until now!

Japanese site DenFaminico have written a long piece talking to the people behind ‘SEGA Mania’ a theatrical stage company that will be doing a live stage show of Rent-A-Hero. The article also discusses other classic SEGA games that the company would love to adapt including Golden Axe, Gunstar Heroes and more. The stage show will be playing in Japan for 5 days, from January 17 to the 21st. According to the interview, the production consist of 41 people and will recreate the story from the game. What do you think of SEGA’s ‘SEGA Mania’ idea on turning classic IPs into stage shows?

IDW reveals cover art for Sonic The Hedgehog #1, revealing the return of artist Tracy Yardley!

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IDW’s Sonic The Hedgehog comic book series is fast approaching, with the first four issues releasing weekly in April 2018. While we don’t know much about what we can expect from the new series, we do know a few things. The numbering will not resume from where Archie left off, IDW is starting back from square one. Also, we should expect a new canon, likely more game based. We even have an official description of the first arc thanks to the Amazon description for the first trade paperback which is due out September 18 and is titled “Fallout!”:

Join the Blue Blur for brand-new adventures as he and his friends race around the world to defeat the evil Dr. Eggman’s robotic forces!

The evil genius Dr. Eggman has been foiled–but the work of Sonic the Hedgehog isn’t over yet! In the aftermath of the latest epic battle, rogue robots continue to attack small villages around the world. In order to succeed, Sonic will need the help of his friends Tails, Knuckles, and Amy, along with some new and surprising allies. This new collection from acclaimed writer Ian Flynn features the blue blur like you’ve never seen him before. Gotta go fast!

Oh, and we also have the cover art, which can be seen above. Shared on the IDW Sonic Comic Squad Facebook group, the post reveals one of the official covers for issue #1 created by artist Tracy Yardley, meaning the longtime Archie Sonic comic artist is back alongside writer Ian Flynn. We’ll share more IDW Sonic news as we hear it!

Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux set to release May 15 in the Americas for Nintendo 3DS

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Atlus has announced today that Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux is set to release for the Nintendo 3DS on May 15. This is a full 16 days earlier than we had originally slated the game for release. Compared to the 2009/2010 Nintendo DS release, Redux will feature additional story content, new illustrations by Masayuki Doi and a new character named Alex.

You can pre-order Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux now for $39.99, and if you’re a Amazon Prime member the pre-order price is just $31.99.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life mini-games trailer reminds us that Virtua Fighter 5 is coming soon to PlayStation 4

The Yakuza 6: The Song of Life mini-games trailer has hit, and as expected they are packing a TON of side content into the latest title in the franchise. Everything to batting cage, darts and karaoke to undersea spearfishing, baseball management sims and playable SEGA arcade games including the likes of Hang-On, Space Harrier, Puyo Puyo and Virtua Fighter 5. The latter of which sold as its own game for the PS3 and Xbox 360 over ten years ago, and is now essentially a bonus game.

You can pre-order the Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Essence of Art Edition for the PlayStation 4, and act quickly as SEGA tells us they are just about sold out! The package features the game and a collectible hardcover art book.

Sonic Mania Original Soundtrack “Selected Edition” hits iTunes

If you have been waiting to get yourself the digital version of the Sonic Mania soundtrack, written by Tee Lopes, you are in luck. The Sonic Mania Original Soundtrack (Selected Edition) has now hit iTunes (USA link here). The soundtrack features 47 tracks, seems that old tracks that would require a royalty fee have been left out. Notice Green Hill Zone and Chemical Plant Zone missing. I guess you can let me know in the comments below. The soundtrack is priced at £14.99 or $15.99! The Sonic Mania soundtrack also got a vinyl release by Data Disc, obviously featuring less tracks. No excuses not to promote good video game music.

Above I linked to a interview with had with Tee Lopes regarding his amazing work on the Sonic Mania soundtrack. If you are a fan of his music, give it a listen!

Shenmue 3 gets new screenshots, teases facial expressions

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Shenmue 3 has revealed 3 new screenshots via the MAGIC Monanco conference. One of the screenshots, above, shows off Ryo and Shenhua. If you didn’t notice this is an updated model that includes facial expressions. Personally still think these models are a ways off, the body shape of Ryo particularly is rather strange.

The other two Shenmue 3 screenshots feature two areas that you will be able to explore whenever the full game releases. One is a port with boats and the other looks like a Chinese temple Shopping center*. I might be wrong on that last one, but regardless these environments look impressive. So far Shenmue 3‘s real strength have been its environments. I personally only have issues with the models that are being used thus far. But seeing that every time they show the models, they are changed, maybe they will eventually be fixed. What do you think? Am I nitpicking?

Two Point Hospital announced, releasing this fall on Steam

SEGA’s lightbulb teaser has been revealed and the game is Two Point Hospital, developed by Two Point Studios and published by SEGA. Now I know, I know, the teaser led me to get a little overly excited at the prospect of Dreamcast remasters. I partially blame my own naivety and SEGA Europe’s foolish decision to release a tease on the SEGA of America Twitter account without any hint of who the developer was. A simple Two Point Studios logo would have been a better decision, that’s all I’m saying.

In any case, the game itself is being developed by former Lionhead and Bullfrog developers and looks to be a fun hospital sim with Aardman Animation-style aesthetics. As the clever trailer lays out above, the game will allow players to design their own hospital, manage staff, expand operations and collaborate and compete with friends. The game is due out this fall on Steam, and you can learn more at their official site.