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Swingin’ Report Show #83: Monster Boy And The Cursed Kingdom Developer Interview

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Refresh your podcast playlists, because the SEGAbits Swingin’ Report Show podcast is BACK! On this episode George and Barry are joined by Fabien Demeulenaere, Director of Game Atelier, the French game studio working on the upcoming Monster Boy And The Cursed Kingdom. If that title sounds familiar, it is because Monster Boy is both a revival and sequel in the Wonder Boy/Monster World franchise, due out later this year to Playstation 4, Xbox One, and PC platforms.

In this exclusive first podcast interview for Fabien, he walks us though how the game transformed from a fan project to an official title in the franchise and talks about how the game both celebrates the franchise’s past and moves it into modern gaming. If you ever played a Wonder Boy or Monster World game on the Master System, Genesis, Mega Drive – or any other platform for that matter – this interview is a must listen.

Follow Monster Boy’s development by checking out their official site.

[Download] [RSS] [iTunes] [Archive]

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Phantasy Star Online 2 coming to Japanese PlayStation 4 owners on April 20

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PhantasyStarOnline2Playsation4SEGA Japan have finally given a specific date as to when their free-to-play online game, Phantasy Star Online 2 will hit the Playstation 4. That date is April 20. Right now SEGA will accept 50,000 beta testers between January 25 and February 15.

SEGA will also repackage the game with the upcoming ‘Reborn: Episode 4‘ content update and release it in retail for the PS4, PS Vita and PC. Those that pay ¥4,990 ($43) will get a variety of in-game items.

As for a Western release, SEGA has already said they have no plans on bringing Phantasy Star Online 2 outside of Japan. Which led us to write a decent rebuttal here. So tell us if any of you are planning on importing the game or give us your two cents on the whole ‘no Phantasy Star Online 2 outside of Japan’ issue in the comments below!

[Via: Gematsu]

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Valkyria Chronicles Remaster Story Introduction Trailer Released

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SEGA is inching closer to releasing Valkyria Chronicles Remaster in Japan, which means we will be seeing more trailers for the game. In this trailer SEGA tries to recap the basic plot points of Valkyria Chronicles which includes our heroes being spurred into war, first encountering the war witch Selvaria Bles and the relationship between Alicia and Welkin.

Valkyria Chronicles Remaster hits Japanese retail shelves on February 10th only on PlayStation 4. All first print copies will include a demo for Valkyria: Azure Revolution. No Western announcements have been made for Valkyria Chronicles Remaster or Valkyria: Azure Revolution. If anything changes, you bet we will keep you posted. 

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Sonic Retro webmaster celebrates Sonic the Hedgehog 2 in the latest issue of Retro Gamer

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The latest issue of the UK classic gaming magazine Retro Gamer is celebrating its 150th issue in a big way by counting down the 150 Greatest Games Ever as selected by readers. What’s so cool about the issue is that for many of the entries, they turned to those in the fan community to wax nostalgic on the greatest games. Seeing as Retro Gamer‘s readers have taste and didn’t completely avoid SEGA like another publication out there, several classics from the developer have made the cut. Just some include 1986’s OutRun with a piece written by Sumo Digital’s Steve Lycett, Shenmue with thoughts from the Shenmue Dojo webmaster, and (as stated in our headline) a write-up on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 by Sonic Retro’s very own webmaster Scarred Sun.

Seeing as the magazine is out there for sale right now both physically and digitally, I’m not going to spoil the surprise of the game’s placement or what was said, so you’ll just have to find out for yourself.

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Bayonetta 2 standalone re-release hits retail February 19

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bayonetta-2.jpgSeems that Bayonetta 2 became a highly wanted game after they announced that she will be coming to Super Smash Bros later this year.

Nintendo will re-release Bayonetta 2 as a stand alone version, which means it won’t come with the first Bayonetta (which is available as a stand alone as well, just digitally). But it will cost half the price, at $29.99. If you can find a copy used at your local GameStop, it will run you around $30 dollars as well but come with both games. Good luck with that one.

[Source: Nintendo]

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Yakuza Kiwami first print copies to come with Yakuza 6 demo

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Yakuza6demoFor those that are importing Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of Yakuza 1, the game will come with a product code to download a trail demo of Yakuza 6 on January 28th. The demo will allow you to play as protagonist Kazuma Kiryu and explore Kamurocho on the new gameplay engine that was teased back in December of last year.

The thing is Yakuza Kiwami is coming out on both Playstation 3 and Playstation 4, so I’m unsure if both versions come with the code for the demo, seeing as Yakuza 6 is Playstation 4 exclusive. Yakuza Kiwami is set to release on January 21st while Yakuza 6 is slated for later this fall.

[Via: SEGA]

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Yakuza Kiwami Limited Edition Japanese PlayStation 4 model revealed

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YakuzaKiwamiPS4The Yakuza series isn’t particularly new to getting limited edition models of PlayStation consoles, so its no surprise that Sony has announced the Limited Edition Yakuza Kiwami model for Japan. I’m not a big fan of the Playstation 4 limited edition consoles because it just seems like they put a decal on the HDD bay cover and call it a day. But if you gotta have it, it will run you 36,980 yen (about $314) plus tax. What does the package include?

  • 500GB PlayStation 4 model (Jet Black/Glacier White) x1
  • Wireless Controller (DualShock 4) x1
  • Yakuza Kiwami PS4 HDD Bay Cover x1
  • Monoaural Headset x1
  • Power Cord x1
  • HDMI Cable x1
  • USB Cable x1

What about the game? Sorry, the bundle does not include the game and you will have to purchase that separate. This is basically a Playstation 4 with a Yakuza Kiwami themed decal. Worth the price? That’s up to you.

[Via: Siliconera]

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SEGA partners with ‘goGame’ to publish Japanese mobile games globally

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SEGA has now moved forward in their next step for mobile publishing by partnering up with goGame, which is a company SEGA Networks has a large stake in. They will be launching ‘goPlay’ a publishing platform for mobile developers (mostly being aimed in Japan). The idea is that there will be tiers of services the developers can purchase to fit their needs.

While stuff like localization, customer support and other features offered with this service cost money, there is a free option that includes access to SEGA’s Noah Pass ad network of over 100 million users in Japan. This will allow mobile developers to get ad revenue for their creations while SEGA gets a bit off the top. Another ‘free’ service is ‘goPay’ which allows developers to easily receive payments globally, goGame only starts to take 3% from transactions after the game generates over $100,000 dollars in revenue.

Its pretty ironic that SEGA is investing in these sort of companies focused on global publishing when they have one of the worse track records of localizing their own products.

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PlayStation Essentials Sale slashes prices on Persona games

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Persona_4_investigation_team_2Are you a SEGA fan that still hasn’t tried any of the popular Persona series video games? I think now is the time for you to jump on board since Sony has put three entries on sale! All prices are USD. Persona is like Final Fantasy as you don’t need to play the prior ones to enjoy a new entry. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a fighting game that continues the plot after the RPG games, FYI:

If the prices aren’t low enough, Playstation Plus members get an extra savings (ranging from 10%-20%). If you have a Playstation Vita I would suggest picking up Persona 4 Golden instead of the PS2 classic version, since it has more content. You can read about that here. The sale ends on January 19th.

If you have an extra $4.00 dollars I suggest you also pick up one of my favorite Playstation One games, none other than Tomba!  a game created by Capcom legend Tokuro Fujiwara.

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Review: Yakuza 5 (PS3)

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Yakuza5ReviewIf you have been on this blog and read my writing over the years you would know that I’m a huge fan of SEGA’s Yakuza franchise and was really pleased to hear that they decided to bring over Yakuza 5 even though it’s been out since 2012 in Japan. After years of contemplating whether or not to just import the game and play with an online guide, I decided it was best to wait. Now that Yakuza 5 has an official English release, was the wait worth it?

Continue Reading ➜

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Yakuza: Kiwami gets high marks from Famitsu

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YakuzaKiwamiThe latest issue of Famitsu is out in Japan that means we get to see the latest review scores from Japanese games we won’t see in the West for quite awhile. This week’s big releases include SEGA’s remake of Yakuza 1, being titled Yakuza: Kiwami in Japan.

Here are all the scores in the recent issue of Famitsu:

  • Dasshu Adventure: Kami Kudashi no Uranai Sara (3DS) – 7/7/8/8 [30/40]
  • Drop Zone Under Fire (3DS) – 6/7/6/5 [24/40]
  • Fast Racing Neo (Wii U) – 7/7/7/9 [30/40]
  • Hyrule Warriors Legends (3DS) – 9/9/8/10 – [36/40]
  • Just Cause 3 (PS4) – 8/8/9/8 [33/40]
  • Just Cause 3 (XBO) – 8/8/9/8 [33/40]
  • Seisen Chronicle (3DS) – 7/7/8/7 [29/40]
  • Yakuza: Kiwami (PS4) – 8/9/9/8 [34/40]
  • Yakuza: Kiwami (PS3) – 8/9/9/8 [34/40]

The way that Famitsu reviews work is that four people write a short review and give it a score in the end, those scores are added up in the end. Yakuza: Kiwami was the second highest rated game, losing by two points to Hyrule Warriors Legends on Nintendo 3DS.

[Via: Gematsu]

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Infamous SEGA CD game ‘Desert Bus’ getting a sequel with VR support

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DesertBusSEGACDDesert Bus has become a infamous game not only due to never having a official release, but universally being known as the ‘most boring game ever’ by many online publications. Is this an insult to the game? Nah. The game was a mini-game that was set to release in a compilation called Penn & Teller’s Smoke and Mirrors back in 1995 and was purposely mean’t to recreate a endless feeling  when driving through the Nevada desert.

Jillette announced the game via this weeks episode of Penn’s Sunday School:

“I’m working with Randy Pitchford. This is not announced publicly. We are going to do a€ —” this is a big, big deal —€” a new Desert Bus. And it’s just going to be for charities, so charities can use it to raise money.”

“He’s calling it Desert Bus 2.0. I’m calling it Desert Bus 1.0003. It’ll be a period piece, it’ll be set in 1992, like the original Desert Bus, just high-fidelity. We’re doing a couple other games. It’ll be a bundle of things. We’re talking to a bunch of people. It’ll probably be agnostic in terms of platform. It’ll probably be for the [Oculus] Rift and for the PlayStation VR.””

Yes, he is working with infamous CEO of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford who is responsible for great titles like Alien: Colonal Marines and Duke Nukem Forever. While we all know the game is mean’t to be boring, its nice he is doing it for charity.

What do you guys think?

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Atlus has ‘several unannounced titles for 2016’

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newipgamesatlusIn an interview this week Atlus CEO, Naoto Hiraoka told Famitsu of the company’s plans for 2016 and beyond:

“In 2015, we were able to develop existing IP like Persona 4: Dancing All Night and Etrian Mystery Dungeon. In 2016, starting with Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir, we plan to release a large number of titles. In the summer, we’ll launch the long-awaited Persona 5. Of course, in addition to that we have several unannounced titles. I have no doubt this will be a year Atlus’ popular series all gather together.”

Exciting news! So what do we already know about Atlus’ line up in 2016? So far they have the following games set to release: Odin Sphere Leifdrasir , Persona 5, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Final, and Etrian Odyssey V. If I were to hazard a guess, I would say there might be more Persona and Shin Megami Tensai spin-offs in the works. What I am hoping for? Catherine 2!

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Odin Sphere Leifthrasir hits North American shores on June 7th

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osl-storybook-editionAtlus has just announced that Odin Sphere Leifthrasir will launch for Playstation 4, Playstation 3, and Playstation Vita in North America on June 7, 2015. This means it will come out a mere 5 months after it hits Japan.

The standard package will include a 64-page softcover art book, which will come with all regular first print copies of the game. A hardcover version will come exclusively to the Playstation 4 as the “Storybook Edition” which is a premium version that will include a Potion Recipe t-shirt, metal slipcase, art print, and premium outer packaging (see photo above).

The standard game will cost you $59.99 on consoles, $39.99 on Playstation Vita. The Storybook Edition on Playstation 4 will run you $79.99. If you haven’t played Odin Sphere before, I suggest giving it a try, especially when the Japanese demo hits North American PSN.

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SEGA-16 founder working on a SEGA of America history book

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sega16I have always been a huge fan of the SEGA fansite SEGA-16, the site really went beyond the call in their efforts to secure some of the best interviews I have ever read. Now website founder Ken Horowitz has announced via his SEGA-16 facebook page that he is working on a history book about SEGA of America:

“Last month, I submitted to my publisher the manuscript for a book chronicling the game development history of Sega of America. Tentatively titled: “Achieving the Next Level: The History of American Sega Games,” the book is an exhaustive retrospective of SOA as a game-maker, from its founding in 1986 and the first steps taken on the Master System to its final efforts on the Dreamcast. Nearly 100 former SOA alumni (including each of its presidents from 1986-2001) and independent game developers were interviewed, and the creation processes of almost 40 Sega-published titles are documented. Every one of SOA’s internal studios is included, many of which have never before been examined.”

The book will look at games created by SEGA of America’s development division and I hope gathers new information about games we loved as kids. He estimates that the book will be around 500 pages long and as of right now there isn’t a release date. Of course, we will keep you posted as more news hits.

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