Atlus to hold Etrian Odyssey V panel

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An Etrian Odyssey V discussion panel will be held in Japan on September 30th, 2016. It will be at the Shinjuku Loft Plus One venue in Tokyo, Japan at 8:30PM.

Panel hosts will include long-time Etrian Odyssey panel leaders Yoshihisa Kawahara and Ayumi Murase (both voice actors in EO V), as well as composer Yuzo Koshiro.

The announcement page for the event states that the show will discuss the Etrian Odyssey series and potentially include spoilers for the fifth entry, which released in Japan on August 4th.

Pre-sale tickets will be 2,000 yen, while tickets on the day of the panel will run 2,500 yen. Food and drink are included for free along with admission price. The show is restricted to persons 18 and older only, so expect a good drink selection.

You can buy tickets in advance over here starting on September 10th if you are interested in attending.

SEGA announces Space Channel 5 VR: Ukiuki Viewing Show

Space Channel 5 VR: Ukuuki Viewing Show announced
Sega has announced a special virtual reality experience featuring Ulala will be available at Tokyo Game Show 2016. Space Channel 5 VR: Ukuuki Viewing Show will allows players to participate as one of Ulala’s program viewers.

The VR experience will be running on the HTC VIVE at TGS. Will players be able to mimic Ulala’s commands with the VIVE controllers? Will this evolve into more than one simple encounter? Will you get over the likely possibility that Space Michael will not be included in future Space Channel 5 releases?

No additional details about a public release, future expansion of the demo, or compatible hardware have been announced.

A small teaser website is available here for now.

Japanese SEGA Mega Drive ‘Star Cruiser’ gets fan translation

The Japanese exclusive Mega Drive space gameStar Cruiser has now been translated to English thanks to dedication from fans in the retro scene. The guys over at RetroCollect.com describe Star Cruiser as a hybrid between Star Fox, Elite and Phantasy Star. While we are talking about the Mega Drive version, Star Cruiser has been ported to the NEC PC-88, NEC PC-98, Sharp X1 and the Sharp X68000. Star Cruiser was suppose to be released in North America way back in 1994 and was going to be published by Namco, but game’s localization was cancelled for unknown reasons.

This game features four solar systems and over thirty planets for the players to get through, players are tasked with the goal of traversing the galaxy to get rid of a evil militaristic nation. By looking at the video you will notice that most of the game’s action is played through space dog fights featuring some really meh Super FX polygon visuals and the story elements are done through anime style cutscenes.

The Star Cruiser translation is in the form of a .IPS patch, so you will need to have a Japanese Star Cruiser ROM as well to apply the patch with LunarIPS. According to the person working on the patch, there are still plans to fix a few things but you can try it right now, since it seems playable.

DOWNLOAD HERE

[Source: RetroCollect]

Cospa’s SEGA merchandise up for pre-order before Tokyo Game Show 2016

COSPASEGAMerch1Cospa is a Japanese licensed merchandising company, just recently they updated their site with all the merchandise they will be premiering at this year’s Tokyo Game Show 2016. The line-up included other licenses like SNK, IDOLM@STER and of course our true blue SEGA. The company announced that the SEGA Merchandise was focusing on the SEGA Mega Drive (SEGA Genesis in America), Sonic the Hedgehog and oddly enough NiGHTS into Dreams..

So lets break down all the SEGA merchandise from Japan that will be shown off by Cospa at this year’s Tokyo Game Show and that you can pre-order RIGHT NOW (yes, we included import friendly shop links):

SEGA releases extended Puyo Puyo Chronicles trailer

SEGA has shown off a new extended trailer for Puyo Puyo Chronicles showing off more footage of the upcoming Nintendo 3DS Action Puzzle RPG title that is set to release before the end of the year in Japan. Let me just say that Puyo Puyo Chronicles is looking like the best game in the series and just in time for the franchise’s 25th Anniversary.

While Puyo Puyo Chronicles is set to hit Japan on December 8 of this year, SEGA West hasn’t announced plans on bringing the title over. If you wanna help sway their opinion, go on social media and use the tag #PuyoChroniclesForTheWest, also don’t be scared of letting SEGA know directly.

SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE getting 3D Turbo Outrun

TurboOutrunThe best things about these SEGA 3D Archives/SEGA 3D Classics Collections is that they always announce a few new digital titles to make fans want to purchase the physical copy of the game. If you didn’t know, SEGA announced SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE with five returning SEGA 3D Classics titles, but also teased a fan poll on what Japanese fans wanted in the collection. While they didn’t show what came in at number one, it is now been revealed to be Turbo Outrun!

Not only that, Turbo Outrun will also be a timed exclusive game for the physical release of SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE which is set to have 9 total titles in the collection. That means that there are still three more titles to announce before SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE releases on December 22, 2016 for 4,990 yen (about $48 USD), SEGA is also planning a SEGA 3D Archives triple pack for 8,990 yen (about $86 USD). Of course SEGA 3D Archives 3 FINAL STAGE hasn’t been confirmed for a western release but I hear Turbo Outrun wants to make America great again.

[Source: Siliconera]

SEGA shows off Tokyo Game Show 2016 confirmed lineup

TGS2016LineUpFans of SEGA of Japan games should be looking forward to Tokyo Game Show 2016, sadly if you are looking for new games you will have to wait till the event starts on September 15, 2016. But SEGA has confirmed what games (plot spoiler: there aren’t many) are going to be at the event and what type of content to expect from those games. You can check out SEGA’s Tokyo Game Show 2016 website they just put up.

  • Puyo Puyo Chronicle (Nintendo 3DS) – Will get playable demo, new trailer, stage event, and merchandise
  • Valkyria: Azure Revolution (PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita) – Playable demo, new trailer, stage show, and merchandise
  • Yakuza 6 (PlayStation 4) – Playable demo, new trailer, theater show, stage show, and merchandise

It is quite obvious that SEGA is putting the most effort into promoting Yakuza 6, which is the highest budget game being created by SEGA Japan, but what is weird is that they haven’t confirmed what they are doing for Hatsune Miku: VR Future Live, Sonic Mania or Sonic Project 2017. Is SEGA not going to show these titles? Not to mention the confirmed titles are all games coming out in the next few months, wonder if SEGA Japan will show off any titles for later in 2017…

Again this is just a list for now as Atlus has only shown off Persona 5 as a confirmed title. Persona 5 will get a playable demo, new trailer, studio broadcast, stage show, and merchandise. Tokyo Game Show 2016 runs from September 15 through September 18, 2016, we will have full coverage of the event. Stay tune!

[Via: Siliconera]

SEGA says Shenmue 1 & 2 HD remakes have their full attention

Shenmue_HD_remasters_Sega_comment[1]SEGA Europe’s boss Jurgen Post has recently talked about the possibilities of doing Shenmue 1 & 2 HD remakes and ressured the fanbase that they have been looking into renewing licensing to do the remakes correctly.

This is what SEGA Europe said about the Shenmue 1 & 2 HD remakes:

“There is definitely a desire [to go back to our classic games], Even online, people are constantly talking about products they would like to see come back, and Shenmue 1 and 2  are probably in the top two places. We are looking into it. It is an old IP, it is a beloved IP – and not just by consumers, but also within Sega, we have people saying that if we could do Shenmue 1 and 2 all over again, we’d definitely go for it. The issue is that it is a big game. It is a project from many years ago. If we are to do it, we’d want to do a fantastic conversion to the current platforms, and there are a lot of licences in the game, which were cleared many years ago, so we will need to renegotiate those contracts. We are looking into it. We haven’t given it a green light, but it has our full attention.” – Jurgen Post, President and COO of SEGA Europe

This whole licensing issues from old games have plagued SEGA in the past when they ported over Crazy Taxi on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, omitting the iconic soundtrack due to SEGA not wanting to pay the licenses for the old tracks. This lead fans to getting upset and ever since then SEGA has made an effort to gather all the licenses when remaking or porting games. The last big examples include Castle of Illusions (which, now expiring license is making them pull it from shops) and Jet Set Radio.

What are your thoughts? Does Shenmue 1 & 2 HD remakes seem like a reality now? Jurgen Post has been teasing the return of classic franchises for awhile now, do you really think SEGA Europe actually have something up their sleeves?

[Source: MCVUK]

7th Dragon III Code: VFD and Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse to hit Europe this Winter

7th_Dragon_III_Code_VFD_Screenshot_09If you remember back in July SEGA announced a European publishing partnership with Deep Silver, which has now confirmed that Europeans will be getting their JRPG fix this winter since both Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse and 7th Dragon III Code: VFD games will be released in the region before the end of the year. Both titles are obviously exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS. Sadly Deep Silver didn’t reveal the exact date, only that they will be released in Europe before the end of 2016.

If you are thinking of picking up 7th Dragon III Code: VFD, you should check out our review on the game. Long story short, if you like JRPGs then its something to keep on your radar. While 7th Dragon III Code: VFD has already been out in America since July 12, 2016, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse won’t release over here until the September 20; so at least one title isn’t much of a wait, all things considering. We will keep you updated on any more information regarding European releases of SEGA and Atlus games, so stay tuned in.

[Source: Nintendo Life]

SEGA News Bits: SEGA Removing Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse From Online Shops

On this SEGA News Bits, George and Barry react to the sudden announcement of the delisting of Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse. Released in 2013, this remake of the classic SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive game received praise from fans and critics, and even was awarded an A- in our own SEGAbits review. We discuss why the game is being pulled, the platforms it can be found on, and share our thoughts on SEGA’s licensed games.

Like always if you like our SEGA News Bits segments and want to throw us some love, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

SEGA Channel Retro: Sonic Fights Robotnik the REMATCH

Update: The archive is available for viewing! Check out the ninth part (Of episode 1?) of Sonic Fights Robotnik. Featuring Bartman3010, David the Lurker, Instant Sonic, Kat, Overlord, Shadix, Perfect Chaos Zero and HarroSIN as Duke Nukem as well as special guests Andross a.k.a. Dom, Adam and Dare! Also features the first half of an adaptation of Sonic Boom! What could possibly go wrong?

Live from Robotnik’s TV Station, Sonic Fights Robotnik enters round eight nine! (Sorry David!) Featuring more superfluous characters, explosions and more of Sonic fighting Robotnik written by sonicfan. Starring the Sonic Retro and SEGAbits crew with special guests.

This episode is brought to you by The Robotnik Show™.

Amazon Offers Limited Edition Sonic Mania T-Shirts

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Sonic Mania still has a way to go, but we’re already getting merchandise rolling in with limited edition T-shirts available through Amazon. These shirts are available for a limited time only, until the end of the month, sporting two designs for both US and UK regions.

Both shirts come in a set of colors for men and women of multiple sizes. One features a beautiful poster-esque image of Studiopolis and the other featuring profiles of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles; the triple threat. Oddly enough, the triple threat shirts appear to be different between regions, with the UK version sporting the Sonic Mania logo, and the US one featuring just their heads.

Gorgeous designs they are, although I’m holding out for a poster of Studiopolis myself!

US: [Studiopolis] [Triple-Threat]

UK: [Studiopolis] [Icon Shirt]

 

Latest Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X Japanese sale numbers are troubling

Hatsunemikuopeningmovie5While Japan got Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X on the PlayStation Vita back in March, the PlayStation 4 version didn’t debut there until August 25, 5 days before the western release. The next generation version of Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X came in at number 8 on the Japanese Top 20 chart selling only 12,915 units which is way down on what Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F 2nd made when it debuted.

Let’s break down the debut week sales for the Project Diva X and Project Diva F 2nd:

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F 2nd: 

  • PlayStation Vita: 98,628 units
  • PlayStation 3: 59,965 units
  • Total: 158,593 units

Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X: 

  • PlayStation Vita: 79,511 units
  • PlayStation 4: 12,915 units
  • Total: 92,426 units

Also understand that Project Diva F 2nd had troubles selling as well as the previous game, Project Diva F manage to sell 154,000 units its first week on sale and even when that was revealed people online said that was just okay. Even sadder to think is that Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Extended, a re-release on PSP with added content, sold 184,673 units in its debut week. SEGA still has another release for later this year with Hatsune Miku: VR Future Live which will be debuting world wide in October. What are your opinions on these numbers? Is there just too many Hatsune Miku titles?

[Source: Gematsu]

The Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Island Finally Has A Name

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Sonic the Hedgehog 4 has been previewed, played, reviewed, picked apart, dissected and a whole host of other actions. We’re not here today to do any of those things. This article isn’t about how Sonic 4 Episodes I & II played or the behind-the-scenes politics of how the game came about. This article is about how a few fans with too much time on their hands bothered SEGA enough about silly little details.

Way back in 2010, SEGA revealed Sonic the Hedgehog 4, and speculation ran rampant. How would it play? How would it tie to Sonic 3 & Knuckles? Could we expect a Sonic 4 Happy Meal? These and many more questions were asked. Now, six years later, many of those questions have been answered and with the upcoming Sonic Mania, fans are looking towards the future while Sonic 4 Episodes I & II remain in the past. But one little question has always gone unanswered, and that question is “What is the name of the island in Sonic 4?”. Following the game’s release, I reached out to SEGA for an answer, but I came back with just a few names of the bosses from Episode II. We tried again last year in an interview with Aaron Webber, but aside from his own head canon answer there was no apparent official name.

Persona 5 Online Features Revealed

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The latest issue of Weekly Famitsu has information on some of Persona 5‘s online features.

If you opt into the Phantom Thieves Alliance, multiplayer elements will be available during the main game. You’ll be able to cooperate with other players as you battles foes, explore dungeons, or just do normal teenager things around school.