SEGA confirms quality a huge emphasis for future titles

SonicBoomFireIceSonicAmy-894x375Sonic the Hedgehog is a huge deal for SEGA, its one of their biggest selling brands. But have they given the series the development focus that it deserved? I would say no, for example even if a game starring Sonic the Hedgehog is good, you can always tell it was rushed out the door. Seems SEGA knows its future survival in the game software industry will rest on how they treat Sonic and they’re making good on their promise by delaying September’s Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice which was mean’t to be out last fall.

MCVUK talked to Sonic Chief brand officer Ivo Gerscovich who had this to say:

“Sega is really – as of this last year – putting a huge emphasis on quality. One of the things about Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice is that we held the title for a year, which is not something Sega has traditionally done, but this focus on quality is really about trying to take Sonic back to where it used to be.”

This is a huge move for SEGA and the Sonic the Hedgehog series, this might finally launch that highly polished Sonic game that all fans have been starving for. SEGA should be happy having such a loyal Sonic the Hedgehog fanbase, considering hundreds of mascot platformers have come, and went while they delivered some of the worse games in the mascot’s history. But hey, here is to the future and the new team at SEGA. Don’t screw this up!

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SEGA Channel Retro Livestream Celebrates 25 Years of Sonic

You can check out the archived livestream split into several videos so you can check out which game and which compilation you’d like to see! Check out how you can continue to play the classics and highlighting the pros and cons of each collection showcased.

The past two decades have given us plenty of ways to play through the old classics. We’ll be taking a look at the different game compilations that celebrated the past two decades of the blue blur.

Rez Infinite comes out October 13th for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR

maxresdefaultRez Infinite was shown last year, was raved about as one of the most compelling PlayStation VR demos shown at the device’s revealing event. Now developer Enhanced Games has confirmed that the ‘remake’ will be coming out digitally on October 13th on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR.

Rez Infinite is set to run at full 1080p and feature a new level they are calling ‘Area X’. While Rez Infinite got a lot of buzz because of its PlayStation VR support, it is an optional feature and is fully enjoyable on a regular TV. The real question is though, will Rez Infinite get a trance vibrator re-release?

Celebrating Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th anniversary with 25 great underrated moments

sonic 25 headerSEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog franchise turns 25 today, and while we’ve celebrated franchise milestone years in the past, there is something really special about this one. A quarter of a century is a long time, and it is a testament to SEGA’s perseverance and the devotion of the Sonic fanbase that the franchise is still going strong. Sonic Lost World and the Sonic Boom franchise – particularly the games – are often pinpointed as the franchise’s recent weak points and signs that the franchise as a whole needs to be put down or at the very least take a long break. While I am not here to debate the merits of Sonic Lost World and Sonic Boom, I will say that to end a series or take a long break because of either is both incredibly shortsighted and far too extreme a reaction. I would also argue that Sonic is about much more than just the main series games, as fans like to label the major titles, and that there has always been great Sonic things happening even during the franchise’s darkest years.

In celebration of 25 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, join me in looking back year-by-year as I shine the light on great moments in Sonic history that more people need to be talking about.

Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Comics Bundle now live

Sonic25thComicBundleYesterday we posted about how SEGA teamed up with Humble Bundle to deliver a great deal of games via their Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle. That isn’t all that is going down, since they are also doing a Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Comics Bundle!

This is what the Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Comics Bundle comes with:

Pay $1 or more:

  • Sonic Universe Vol. 6: Treasure Team Tango
  • Sonic The Hedgehog Issues 264-272, 276-279
  • Sonic Universe Issues 45, 55-58
  • Sonic Boom Issues 1-4

Pay more than average (right now $10.91) to unlock: 

  • Sonic The Hedgehog Issues 260-263
  • Sonic Universe Issues 59-74
  • Sonic Boom Issues 5-7
  • Sonic Universe Issues 83-86
  • Another comic coming soon!

Pay $15 or more to also unlock: 

  • Sonic The Hedgehog Issues 226-229, 252-259
  • Sonic the Hedgehog Issues 280-283
  • Sonic Universe Issues 18-20, 75, 79-82
  • Sonic Super Digest Issues 13-16

That is quite a bit of comics if you get the $15 dollar tier. Of course, these are all digital comics, not physical and like most things on humble are DRM free. What do you guys think of the Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Comics Bundle?

‘Swabby’ a new homebrew SEGA Game Gear game out now

Do you still have your SEGA Game Gear and looking for a new Shoot’em up game to keep you busy? Look no further than the just released Swabby, a new homebrew game from the developer of Hang-On is now available for you to download via SMS Power. That means that the SEGA Game Gear lives!

The character Swabby actually has quite the history with the SEGA Master System since the snail creature starred in the hidden Snail Maze game. The game takes assets from classic SEGA games like Altered Beast, Shinobi and even Sonic the Hedgehog. So have plenty of extra batteries, turn on your SEGA Game Gear and start the nostalgia.

[Via: Retro Collect]

Data Discs announces OutRun 30th Anniversary record

OutRunVinylLimitedEditionData Discs has announced that it will be pressing the iconic OutRun soundtrack on 180g vinyl. The release will include the orginal 1986 classic soudntrack stright from the arcade machine, three bonus tracks from the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive port and even the new exclusive tracks from 3D OutRun on the 3DS.

If you pre-order early, there will be an EXTRA special edition (limited to 50 copies) that will be signed by the composer, Hiro himself. It will be assigned to people who pre-order the limited edition version (pictured above).

Pre-orders go up on June 25th at 11:00 AM PST (or 7:00PM UK time).

OutRun vinyl will come in three flavors: 

• 180g mint green, clear and pink (limited edition, exclusive to the Data Discs site)
• 180g mint green
• 180g classic black

The vinyl is set to ship out in July, so these are only pre-orders. Going to be honest, can’t praise Data Discs enough on these releases. Just beautiful.

Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle launches with exclusive shirt

HumbleBundleSonicHumble Bundle has just launched its Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle which will include a wide arrange of Sonic games for PC including retro and more recent titles.

This is what you get in the Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle.

Pay $1 or more:

  • Sonic the Hedgehog (SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive)
  • Sonic Adventure DX 
  • Sonic 3D Blast
  • Sonic CD

Beat the average (right now $9.00) also unlocks: 

  • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 – Episode I
  • Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive)
  • Sonic Adventure 2 + Battle DLC 
  • More games coming soon

Pay $10 dollars and also get: 

  • Sonic Lost World
  • Sonic Generations + Casino NiGHTS DLC
  • Sonic the Hedgehog 4 – Episode 2
  • Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (Plus Metal Sonic & Outrun and Ryo DLC)

Pay $35 bucks and get: 

  • Exclusive Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle Shirt

If you have never used Humble Bundle, the way it works is that its all tiers. So if you pay the $35 dollars for the exclusive Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle shirt, you also get all the games in the package. All games redeem on Steam.

What are your guys thoughts on this Sonic 25th Anniversary Humble Bundle? What tier is everyone picking up? Let us know in the comments below.

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Alpha build of Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe leaked

Ecco the Dolphin is a familiar face for SEGA fans, appearing in 4 different games and gaining a bit of a cult following due to it’s bizarre and surprisingly dark premise of a dolphin traveling through time to save his comrades from evil aliens. What many people didn’t know is that there was a fifth game in the series that was in development, acting as a sequel to the Dreamcast game Ecco the Dolphin: Defenders of the Universe. The game titled Ecco II: Sentinels of the Universe started in development sometime in 2001-2000, around the time the Dreamcast was on it’s last legs, with the build leaked in particular being made on February 19th, 2001. The game did not reach far into development, not receiving press coverage of any type and being silently cancelled when SEGA started to move away from the console business, though Ecco the Dolphin: Defenders of the Universe receiving mixed reception may of also contributed to the cancellation.

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7th Dragon III Code: VFD E3 2016 trailer sees dragons invading the year 2100

A new trailer for the upcoming 7th Dragon III Code: VFD has released in time for E3! Set to release very soon to the Americas, July 12th to be exact, 7th Dragon III Code: VFD is an internally developed RPG from SEGA for the Nintendo 3DS. If you have been craving a new IP and some RPG action from our favorite company, then you really shouldn’t pass this game up. Our own George has been playing the game for several weeks, and as detailed in our first impressions discussion he has been enjoying it. If that is not enough reason to pick the game up on day one, then perhaps a special launch edition featuring a collector’s box and 28 page art book will sway you.

Expect a review from us soon, and in the meantime enjoy the new trailer.

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X E3 2016 trailer takes center stage

SEGA of America has launched a brand new trailer for the upcoming Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X just in time for E3! Set to release in the Americas on August 30th, 2016 for the Playstation 4 and Playstation Vita with a free glasses pouch included, Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X looks to pack a lot into a single game. Players can expect an assortment of thirty Miku tracks including new and classic music as well as five different Clouds which Miku and friends can explore and accept challenges within.

For more information, check out the official Hatsune Miku: Project Diva X website and stay tuned to SEGAbits for more news and information on the upcoming game.

Yakuza 0’s E3 2016 Trailer Looks Fantastic

SEGA has put out their Yakuza 0 E3 2016 trailer today, showing off what you can expect from the retail game later in 2017 and it looks fantastic. They really did a great job with this trailer and they don’t try to hide the fact that the game is Japanese voiced with English subtitles (like they have in the past). Make sure you pre-order Yakuza 0 when the game becomes available, the franchise almost died in the West and its nice that SEGA of America has given it yet another chance.

Like stated before, Yakuza 0 is set to release early 2017 and will have a physical copy in North America. What do you guys think of the new trailer? Tell us in the comments below.

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SEGA News Bits: Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap Remake Revealed

The 1989 SEGA Master System classic Wonder Boy III The Dragon’s Trap is getting a remake and dropping the III from the title. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap  remake is being developed by indie developer Lizardcube and being published by DotEmu. The game is set to sport beautiful hand drawn animation and so far it looks fantastic.

What are your thoughts on Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap reveal? Let us know the comments below and like always thanks for watching! If you like our SEGA News Bits videos, make sure to subscribe to us on our YouTube channel.

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SEGA Europe announces Sonic the Hedgehog EU Super Fan Competition

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During an E3 live stream today, SEGA Europe promised a big announcement for EU Sonic fans. After sitting through a few trailers for upcoming SEGA titles, Aaron Webber joined SEGA Europe Community Manager Dan Sheridan to announce Sonic the Hedgehog’s 25th Anniversary EU Super Fan competition. The competition sets out to find the “biggest Sonic Super Fan in the European Union”, and to do this they are asking for video submissions no more than 5 minutes long showcasing their fandom and creativity. One overall winner will get the chance to join the Sonic Team in San Diego for the 25th Anniversary event (all expenses paid), while 10 runners up will each win 1 ticket to the sold-out Summer of Sonic event in London.

Interestingly, the contest fails to take into account that a true Sonic Super Fan would have already booked a flight, hotel, and obtained tickets for the San Diego party. Full contest details can be found here.

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E3 2016: Toshihiro Nagoshi shows off Yakuza 0 on the PlayStation livecast

Toshihiro Nagoshi sat at the PlayStation Show as part of their E3 2016 LiveCast to talk about Yakuza 0. This is also one of the first times we get to see English gameplay footage of the game which is interesting. The interview is being translated by SEGA’s Sam Mullen (which we interviewed here). Yakuza 0 will be coming to North America in a physical disc as well early next year.

I think this was a nice little segment and I hope it gets some PlayStation 4 owners to check out Yakuza 0 when it finally launches.

[Via Yakuza Fan]

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