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Tokyo Game Show 2016: SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage debut trailer

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SEGA at Tokyo Game Show 2016 unveiled the first trailer for SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage, showing off footage of the currently 6 revealed games. This includes Sonic the Hedgehog 2, After Burner II, Super Hang-On, Bare Knuckle II (Aka Streets of Rage 2 in the NTSC/PAL regions), Gunstar Heroes, and the new exclusive Turbo Outrun. Notably, it specifically mentions that Turbo Outrun will run at 60FPS, so no worries for those frame rate junkies out there. Sadly, the trailer doesn’t reveal any new information, so if you want to know what the mysterious last 3 games are you’ll have to wait longer.

SEGA 3D Archives 3: Final Stage will release on the Nintendo 3DS on December 22nd 2016 in Japan.

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Hatsune Miku VR Future Live gets new trailer

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SEGA’s interest with VR continues, as a new Hatsune Miku game called Hatsune Miku: VR Future Live involving everyone’s favorite cyan haired machine sounding girl and her friends receives a new trailer. The game will be divided up by “stages”, with the game initially having the 1st Stage when released on October 13th, 2016, while later introducing 2nd Stage in November and 3rd Stage in December. Each stage is ¥2,500 ($25), with an option to buy all three for ¥7,000 (roughly $70) later. A price for outside of Japan however isn’t known.

The game itself is as the name implies a game is in the vein of the Project Diva games, the main difference is that it’s displayed in a first person fashion from the prospective of the player and players can view varies concerts at varies angles. However the rhythm aspects from past Project Diva titles is absent, instead focusing on being a straight forward concert, so there’s hardly a true “game” in a sense.

The game will release on October 14th/15th as a launch game for the Playstation VR headset.

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Persona 5 collaborating with Phantasy Star Online 2

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Atlus has revealed during their latest NicoNico Livestream that their upcoming JRPG Persona 5 will be collaborating with not only Phantasy Star Online 2 but also Dragon’s Dogma and Lord of Vermilion Re:3.

The collaboration with Dragon’s Dogma Online seems to be the big collaboration since it will be part of the campaign. This tie-in will be released sometime during the fall, where players will get Persona 5 equipment and limited-time collaboration event. Vermilion Re:3‘s collaboration will take place during this winter, details on that will be arriving at a later date. As far as SEGA’s Phantasy Star Online 2 tie-in, that will be out this winter and is set to feature character costumes, hairstyles, accessories and even more Persona 5 collaboration items. For now you can see the nifty trailer, but sadly not much footage is shown on the Phantasy Star Online 2 tie-in.

Persona 5 hits Japan on September 15, 2016 for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3. The game will release in North America and Europe on February 14, 2017.

[Source: Siliconera]

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Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse launch trailer arrives

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All hell, heaven, and everything in between breaks loose in this Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse launch trailer. It does contain minor plot spoilers, mostly from the first 30 to 60 minutes of gameplay.

Last week, Atlus dropped a fairly humorous skit about their team picking a new name for the game that was known as Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final in Japan. It’s even more amusing after you begin playing the game and get the rest of the jokes. I think this could be the start of something awesome if they continue making interesting videos like this.

Are you looking forward to Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse? Our review of the game goes live in just a few days. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse releases in the Americas next Tuesday, September 20th.

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SEGA News Bits: Yakuza 6 Adds Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown To Play Spots Reaction

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SEGA has announced that not only will they be adding the full version Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown as a play spot in Yakuza 6, but also a stripped down version of Puyo Puyo Tetris. While Yakuza 6 has only been confirmed for release in Japan, coming out later this year, that doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the amazing new play spots being added to the full game. I mean, who doesn’t like Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown? Tell us what you think of the latest play spot addition in the comments below!

If you enjoy our SEGA News Bits segments and want to encourage more of them, make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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Sonic Mania Collector’s Edition announced

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Sonic Mania Pre Order

Sonic Mania is having a lot of love put into it by literally being a game for the fans by the fans, but SEGA is taking it to the next level by introducing a special Collector’s Edition. The package itself comes in a deluxe box with artwork based on the North American release of Sonic the Hedgehog, a Sonic statue on top of a model 1 SEGA Genesis with a special SEGA chant if you flip the switch, a Metallic Collector’s Card that contains a download code for Sonic Mania, and a cast with a gold ring shaped like a SEGA Genesis cartridge.

The package is available on Amazon for pre-order in North America for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC, all for $69.99. No word if PAL or Asian countries will receive an equivalent. Note that despite Amazon listing the game for a May 31 2017 release, it’s a placeholder date and the game still has a tentative release window of Spring 2017.

[Source: Official Sonic Twitter and Facebook]

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Henshin Engine Kickstarter moves Dreamcast port to first stretch goal

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henshin engine kickstarter dreamcast stretch goal

Henshin Engine is an independent game that currently has an active Kickstarter campaign for a PC Engine and Steam release. Henshin is a 2D action platformer with a few horizontal shooting stages in the mix. It follows the adventures of a young gaming fanatic named Yuki who is transformed by her beloved console, the FX-Engine. Her opponents include Ultra Drive Unit: Genji, an obvious take on the Sega Mega Drive.

Today the team behind the project announced that they have adjusted their stretch goals for the Kickstarter campaign to make a Dreamcast port a higher priority.

The people have spoken! So we’ve gotten TONS of emails asking us to specifically port Henshin Engine to the Dreamcast and that it should be a reward that’s realistic to achieve. Although I would like to think that ALL the stretch goals are realistic to achieve *wink*, we did ultimately decide to make it the very first stretch goal we hit. I would be more than thankful to just hit our funding goal so that the game gets made, but if we hit that first stretch goal, that would be extra awesome! So remember you DC fans, thank your friends for the countless emails about Henshin on DC, but more importantly, SHARE with all your DC friends so that we can bring Henshin Engine to the DC! I wouldn’t mind seeing an animated cutscene for Yukis transformation

The campaign currently sits at $10,502 out of their $16,400 funding goal, with 23 days left to go for the campaign. The Dreamcast stretch goal is $22,400.

The team project has a target release date of March 28th, 2017.

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New Xenocider demo out, pre-order now available

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xenocider demo

Developer Retro Sumus has dropped a nice surprised today in the form of a new Xenocider demo, a public declaration of their goals, and the ability to pre-order the Dreamcast game.

The developer discussed how conflicted they were in accepting money for the game before the work being finished. However, they decided to commit to the project and to exclusively develop it for the Dreamcast. They have set a tentative goal of finishing the game in less than a year.

The demo contains three stages that the team describes as “virtually finished.” The areas available are Fantasy Land, Planet Krok and Planet ORL. You can download the demo right here.

If you’re sold on Xenocider already, you can now pre-order a copy on Retro Sumus’ new shop. You’ll find all of the Kickstarter’s editions available, which is rather nice. You can also throw down some money on a Retro Sumus shirt featuring the team’s logo.

In addition to the Xenocider news, the team also teased an upcoming announcement concerning their other Dreamcast game, Ameba.

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Extensive Famitsu interview with Persona 5 art and audio leads

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persona 5 famitsu interview

Play Asia has posted the entire exhaustive interview Famitsu ran with some of Persona 5’s art and audio leads.

First up is Art Director Sudou Masayoshi. He discusses the usage of color for the last few Persona games, the wild UI that Persona 5 boasts, his sources of inspiration, and more.

From the first full Persona 5 trailer we saw a lot of the Game User Interface (GUI) that you created for the game, it really is a splendid piece of work. Your chance to create such work began with Persona 3, correct?

Sudou: Yes, whilst working on Persona 3, Mr. Soejima (the games character designer; Soejima Shigenori ) we got together a lot to throw ideas and see if we could confirm how to create the games GUI. Not just the GUI but also the game’s website design. Speaking of design, we really wanted to create a GUI that didn’t just stand out in a game related magazine but also something that would look interesting and stand out in magazines aimed primarily at females as well, it was an idea that I never thought of before. I always like using traditional methods, I tend to not add gradations, but prefer filling in each and every graphic. When I’m designing, I will continue to create my best work through trial and error until I feel 100% satisfied.

Is there something that you’ve put your entire heart and soul into when it comes to your designs?

Sudou: The biggest thing I put my all into was regarding the color of the interface compared to the game’s main color scheme. For example, the main color for Persona 3 was teal, Persona 4’s a vivid yellow color and so I had to decide the right colors for the menus etc. Of course Persona 5’s main color scheme is a crimson red and therefore after much deliberation I sat down and after trying out black and white text I was confident with it.

Lead Sound Designer Tsuchiya Kenichi and Sound Composer Mr Meguro Shouji are also featured. You can read the entire piece here.

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Sonic Dash Extreme arcade machine trailer released

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Sega Amusements has released a trailer showing off Sonic Dash Extreme to potential vendors.

Yes, the recent trend of game creators making arcade machines out of their hit mobile games keeps rolling on. This arcade cabinet conversion of Sonic Dash allows vendors to set it up for either ticket redemption or just for fun.

Sonic Dash Extreme features a 55″ HD screen, leaderboards, and a giant-sized d-pad controller. You’ll find Sonic joined by Eggman, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Shadow, Cream, Rouge, Silver & Blaze.

If you were a fan of the mobile game, then perhaps this is something to keep an eye out for. Sonic Dash Extreme has been available in America since some point in 2015. Maybe this marketing push will see more vendors picking up the machine?

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Next Retro Gamer magazine to feature Streets of Rage 2, Sonic 25th issue now available

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retro gamer issues 158 159

UK retro gaming enthusiast magazine Retro Gamer is on a roll with Sega coverage!

In their most recent issue (#158), their cover story was Sonic’s 25th anniversary. They included an interview with Sonic Team’s Takashi Iizuka, where they discussed Sonic’s past, present and future. The Sonic coverage was pretty extensive, with it making up a good portion of the issue. SEGAbits and Sonic Retro contributor Nick Thorpe penned the piece.

Interested fans can still find copies of this issue on some newsstands or order it online.

In the next issue of Retro Gamer (#159), the cover story will be Streets of Rage 2. They promise to show “how Sega beat Capcom’s Final Fight to create the Mega Drive’s greatest scrolling fighter.” Well, that certainly sounds promising. The same issue will also have a feature on the Sega Master System.

You can look for it when it arrives or order it here.

It’s not every day you see Sega games gracing the cover of a magazine anymore, at least in English. You might as well take the chance when you get the opportunity.

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SEGA shows off Tokyo Game Show 2016 stage schedule

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Sega-TGS-2016-Stage-ScheduleSEGA is now showing of their Tokyo Game Show 2016 stage schedule. The games they are listed to be showing off at Tokyo Game Show 2016 includes Yakuza 6, Valkyria: Azure Revolution, Puyo Puyo Chronicle, and more. The schedule also includes games by WB and EA which SEGA is helping bring over.

Hit the jump and see the long list of SEGA Tokyo Game Show 2016 schedule, with set times and where to stream them.

[Source: Gematsu]

Continue Reading ➜

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Deals: Steel Empire 3DS port discounted to $9.99 on eShop

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steel empire 3ds port sale

If you’re looking for something to pick up and play this weekend, then might I recommend the Steel Empire 3DS port? It normally runs for $29.99 on the Nintendo eShop, but is currently going for just $9.99.

Those unfamiliar with the relatively obscure horizontal shooter might find its steampunk aesthetic pleasing. You can choose to fight with either a plane or a blimp, but of course you’re going to pick the blimp nearly every time.

The Sega Genesis shooter was originally created by HOT-B, with the 3DS remake being developed by Mebuis. The 3DS version received fairly good reviews from respectable outlets. So if horizontal shooters are your thing, there’s no reason not to give it a shot.

We’d like to start posting about Sega deals more often again, so if you spot a sale going on, please let us know!

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Dreamcast indie devs show off new Xenocider swamp stage prototype

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The Xenocider Kickstarter campaign may have been cancelled after it they failed to raise the entire $92,000 goal, but developer Retro Sumus‘ soul still burns! They have been keeping true to their promise to continue working on the game and bringing their vision to fruition.

This week the team posted this short demo of the latest stage they are working on, Planet ORL. This new area has a swamp theme and features hostile plants and animals.

Sumus notes it is still a prototype of the intended final product.

As we reported on previously, Xenocider is a new original game for the Dreamcast heavily inspired by the Space Harrier and Sin & Punishment. The game was set to be one of the more ambitious independent posthumous Dreamcast releases, with loads of features.

What do you think of the Xenocider swamp stage? What sorts of objects and obstacles would you like to see the team add to the final version?

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