Producers for Sony’s Sonic the Hedgehog Movie revealed, Deadpool director Tim Miller involved as executive producer

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The Sonic the Hedgehog Movie (Not to be confused with the 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog OVA) is still in production, and we’ve recently learned new information about the movie. Probably the most notable detail is that Tim Miller, director of the critically and commercially successful Deadpool movie, is involved with the Sonic the Hedgehog movie as an executive producer. Joining him is long time Blur Studio collaborator Jeff Fowler, and Neal H. Moritz of Fast and Furious fame as a producer.

Millar’s comments about his cohort Jeff:

“Jeff is an incredible director with strong story instincts. The world of Sonic presents the perfect opportunity for him to leverage his experience in animation to bring new dimension to this iconic character.”

On top of Blue Studio and Sony Picture Entertainment being involved, SEGA animation subsidiary Marza Animation Planet will help with production, with staff Takeshi Ito and Mie Onishi also joining as producers. For context, Marza Animation Planet being the animation studio behind the CGI cutscenes in varies SEGA titles such as the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva series and Sonic the Hedgehog, and helped with 3D artwork illustrations for some Nintendo titles such as Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon.

While there’s nothing on the production itself, it’s slated to be “a hybrid CG-animated/live-action family film”, still with a tentative 2018 release.

[Source: Hollywood Reporter]

TecToy relaunching limited edition Mega Drive in Brazil next year

originalWhile I wrote about what SEGA could learn about the NES Mini, I made reference to a lot of TecToy releases of the Mega Drive. TecToy has re-released the Mega Drive over in Brazil many times, but this time they are taking a note from the NES Mini and keeping the original form factor. Above is the photo of their limited edition Mega Drive.

The limited edition Mega Drive will  come with 22 pre-installed games, support original cartridges, come with one controller and a micro SD slot. Sadly the limited edition Mega Drive only supports composite output. That means no HDMI port. The 22 pre-installed games are a mix bag, while you have your Golden Axe and Shinobi titles, it seems lots of big names are missing. Hit the jump to see all 22 pre-installed games. This console is being aimed at a different audience than us, so maybe these titles are more popular in that region.

The console is up for pre-order now on TecToy’s website, they are charging R$ 399,00 ($125 USD). Which is more than double the price of the NES Mini, is having a working cartridge slot worth the extra cash?

[via: tectoy]

Rumor: SEGA Amusements revealing a new Daytona USA game titled Daytona Reloaded

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Via Arcade Heroes comes a juicy rumor that is sure to excite longtime SEGA arcade fans. IAAPA 2016, the arcade and amusement industry trade show, is a few weeks away and arcade companies are sending out press releases for what that have planned to showcase. We’ve already learned that SEGA Amusements plan to show off reworkings of Operation Ghost and Let’s Go Island, but the press release also mentions “… a showstopper video game, to be officially announced next week.”

According to Arcade Heroes, at the AAMA (American Amusement Machine Association) Gala it was said that SEGA plans to bring back Daytona USA with a game titled Daytona Reloaded. Could this “showstopper video game” be that rumored game? We’ll wait and see what SEGA Amusements announces this week, seeing as the press release went out last week. Fingers crossed!

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SEGA Amusements announces Target Bravo: Operation Ghost, a new Ghost Squad arcade game

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Via Arcade Heroes comes news of SEGA Amusements’ lineup for IAAPA 2016, the biggest arcade and amusement industry trade show. Headlining what SEGA Amusements plans to have on show includes a new entry to the Ghost Squad series entitled Target Bravo: Operation Ghost. The game is described as a new two-player game which sees players sitting in a 55″ theater cabinet. The game features new weapons, gadgets and equipment as well as the ability to start at any stage in the game.

Given Target Bravo: Operation Ghost contains the Operation Ghost name, which was the 2011 sequel to Ghost Squad, it is likely based on the title and description that this is a reworked version of Operation Ghost with a stage select, new items, a sit down cabinet and possible graphical enhancements being what sets it apart from Operation Ghost. So while this is not likely the true third game in the series, it is very cool to see SEGA keeping the franchise alive.

After the break read SEGA Amusements’ press release for Target Bravo: Operation Ghost and learn about what other games SEGA has to show at IAAPA 2016

SEGA News Bits: SEGA & Atlus Talk Nintendo Switch Support

Welcome to a new episode of the SEGA News Bits, this time we will be talking about SEGA & Atlus pledging support for the Nintendo Switch console. We discuss what type of Nintendo Switch support we will like to see from both publishers, discuss what we thought about the announcement trailer and what this means for us SEGA fans. One thing we do know, Nintendo Switch support from 3rd parties is one thing they need to get right with this console. How would you want SEGA & Atlus to deliver Nintendo Switch support? What type of games will make you purchase on the console? Let us know!

Like our SEGA News Bits segments? Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel to never miss an episode. Read more about Barry’s thoughts on the console here.

Yakuza 6 website details more activities, including cat cafe, spearfishing, and Clan Creator

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As previously reported, more activities in Yakuza 6 have been revealed, including feeding cats and spearfishing.  However the official Yakuza 6 website has updated with new screenshots and details about these new activities. Specifically it goes into more detail about comforting Haruka’s baby called Haruto, spearfishing for prophet, saving a cat cafe, casual drinking and eating with patrons, making an offering at a shrine, and most ambitiously is the ability to create your own clan.

Special thanks to Gematsu for translations.

Click below for more information and screenshots.

SEGA confirmed to be making games for Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics

2887958-mariosonic_004SEGA has confirmed today that it has picked up the 2020 summer Olympics license games license. SEGA has had a long relationship with the Olympic Games committee on using their license and was one of the main reasons behind the creation of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic  Games series of games. That means that Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will be happening and when it does it will be a Nintendo Switch exclusive. SEGA has full reign on the license, so a more realistic Olympic title could also be in the works. I can see their offerings being rather good if they start development this year, 2020 summer Olympics will be a huge event for Japan.

“It is truly an honor for us to be granted this Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 sub-license from [International Sports Multimedia],” – SEGA CEO Haruki Satomi

You can read the press release after the break, but at this point the only reason SEGA has held on to the Olympic games license is to churn out more Mario & Sonic games. 2020 summer Olympics will run from July 24-August 9 in Japan.

Archie Comics announces Sonic Mega Drive – Overdrive, due out March 2017

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Archie’s Sonic Mega Drive one shot series of comics have been a huge success. So much so that the first Sonic Mega Drive comic, written by Ian Flynn, with art by Tyson Hesse, Matt Herms and Jack Morelli, sold out. A first for Archie Sonic comics. The follow-up, Sonic: Mega Drive – The Next Level, is due out November 2nd and continues the story, despite being another issue #1. Now, Archie has unveiled the third Sonic Mega Drive, dubbed Overdrive which is set to release March 2017.

Editor Vincent Lovallo had this to say about the third installment in an exclusive interview with blastr: “Overdrive picks up right where The Next Level left off with Sonic and friends on the hunt for the mystical Chaos Emeralds. Their power is the only hope our heroes have at stopping Dr. Eggman’s destructive Mega Drive weapon. Featuring a whopping 30 pages of story, the final chapter of the Mega Drive series arrives in comic shops March 2017. You won’t wanna miss this epic conclusion celebrating 25 years of Sonic!”

Sonic Mega Drive – Overdrive will also be written by Flynn, with art by Hesse, Herms and Morelli. Flynn has confirmed that the Sonic Mega Drive story takes place in the Archie Sonic canon, and the upcoming main series arc will also take place in the classic era.

SEGA News Bits: Sonic Utopia Fan Game Trailer and Demo Reaction

Sonic Utopia is the brand new Sonic the Hedgehog fan game from Mr Lange, Murasaki Fox, Tpot and PicsAndPixels. Making its debut at SAGE 2016, Sonic Utopia features open world 3D Sonic the Hedgehog gameplay. On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry share their reaction to the initial trailer and give their thoughts on the demo as well as how the gaming media has responded to the game.

Want to try Sonic Utopia for yourself? You can download it here!

As always, if you like our SEGA News Bits segments, please give us a like and a subscribe on our YouTube page. Thanks!

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New Yakuza 6 kitten feeding gameplay reminds us of Shenmue

SEGA recently held another NicoNico Live Stream with Yakuza 6 producer Toshihiro Nagoshi showing off new game activities in Yakuza 6. These activities included playing with cats, spearfishing and even taking cute selfies.

These videos even show gameplay in the new town of Onimichi Jingaicho, which is always nice to see a new place in scenery. Yakuza 6 is shaping up to be the best yet, but it seems we say that every time a new one is coming out. The game launches in Japan on December 8, 2016 only on PlayStation 4. It is even getting its own PlayStation 4 model! No Western release has been announced yet. Hit the jump to see another Yakuza 6 video.

[via: Siliconera]

Watch raw footage of Sonic Mania’s Mirage Saloon Zone and enjoy the new music!

Hey, Polygon did something right! While yesterday footage of Sonic Mania‘s new zone Mirage Saloon released, the video featured commentary meaning we could not hear the sweet Tee Lopes music and retro sound effects. Now, Polygon has uploaded footage of Knuckles in Mirage Saloon Zone. Aside from showing off some new areas in the stage, we get a good listen to the music which features a very Ennio Morricone sounding “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” whistle.

Check it out for yourself, and in the comments below let us know what you think of the new zone and music!

Sonic CD goes free-to-play with ads

Sonic-CD-2.0Sonic CD has now been updated to version 2.0, which changed the app from a paid game to a free-to-play game with ads. The issue with this is, that if you bought Sonic CD before going free-to-play, you will also be getting ads and be asked to pay $1.99 to remove them. According to developer Christian Whitehead this was all SEGA’s doing since he’s been busy working on Sonic Mania.

SEGA has yet to come out and comment on the change, but I seriously think this is just a error that will hopefully be resolved. If not it would be a really slimy move to charge loyal paying customers $1.99 to remove ads that you recently updated into their already purchased $2.99 game. Anyway, what do you think of Sonic CD going free-to-play with ads? If you paid for the Sonic CD, do you feel burnt that you now has ads?

UPDATE: Sonic Social Media manager Aaron Webber has confirmed that a fix has rolled out for those who purchased Sonic CD and still got ads. Let us know if you guys are still having issues in the comments below!

[via Touch Arcade]

See the new Sonic Mania stage Mirage Saloon Zone and Tails & Knuckles in action

SEGA has granted YouTube channel Kinda Funny Games the exclusive reveal of a new Sonic Mania stage, Mirage Saloon Zone, as well as our first look at Tails and Knuckles in action as well as the Sonic & Tails mode. Interestingly, the new zone is very reminiscent of Desert Dazzle, a scrapped original zone that Taxman had planned to include in the remaster of Sonic CD. There are several easter eggs and fun visuals that can be spotted in the new zone, including a Fang the Sniper wanted poster and pinball flippers that resemble bird heads. We also get a look at the CRT filter which, to be honest, I’m not that big a fan of.

Give the video a watch and in the comments below, sound off on the new zone!

SEGA Talk Podcast #02: The House of the Dead (1996)

We return with another episode of the SEGA Talk podcast, on this extra spooky Halloween episode we look at the release of the 1996 light gun shooter classic The House of the Dead. We will look at the development, talk about the gameplay, tell you about its history and even talk about a time when the arcade game went to US court for being too violent. Grab some Halloween candy, pop in a copy of The House of the Dead , hit play on the podcast, and go down memory lane with us!

[iTunesStitcher – Play Music – RSSDownload]

But tell us what you thought of The House of the Dead, where you first play it and did you think it was too violent? Tell us in the comment section below. You can also email us via our contact page just make sure to put SEGA Talk podcast on the header.