Latest Posts

14 Comments

Elysian Shadow developers tease stretch goals

July 20, 2014 by George

The guys behind the upcoming Dreamcast indie developed Elysian Shadows RPG have now teased their stretched goals for their upcoming game. We had a chance to talk to them on our podcast and I can tell you these guys are passionate about this project. Definitely a game I’m awaiting release.

Of course the game is also coming out on other platforms like: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and Ouya have been confirmed. But don’t worry, other consoles have now been added via their stretch goals. Their Kickstarter is set to kick off on August 1st.

Classic SEGA Ads: So you want to live in a comic book?

July 19, 2014 by Nuckles87

SEGA of America’s nineties advertisement strategy can be summarized thusly: come up with the most batshit insane thing you can and run with it. Anyone looking for proof need look no further than this…thing they produced to sell Comix Zone. I kind of get what they were going for, since old comic books often have over-the-top, melodramatic dialogue and bizarre storylines, but this is more like a crazy depiction of some weird cult than anything to do with super hero comics. Unless there was a weird cult in Comix Zone, since I’ve never been able to get much further than the second level.

Looking back though, does that really matter? I don’t think so! This is a fun, quirky little ad that encapsulate SEGA’s attitude more so then the game it’s advertising. It wouldn’t have sold me on Comix Zone back in the day, but it certainly makes me miss what video game advertisement used to be like. I’ll take this over a slick trailer filled with review scores any day.

As a little bonus, I thought I’d also include a print advertisement for Comix Zone, seen in comics and magazines. It’s a little blander, sure, but it also gets to the heart of what the game is a bit more. Check it out after the break!

Comics to Cartridge: Comics that inspired Comix Zone

July 17, 2014 by George

[Sketch Turner drawn by RainDante]

It’s quite obvious that Comix Zone is a 16-bit video game tribute to the comic book medium. It takes several aspects from a variety of popular comics throughout history and uses them in its own way to create a unique world. Here are some that I’ve noticed during play. Since the developers never talked about stories in comics that influenced them, some of these could only be coincidence.

Let’s have a look.

2 Comments

SEGA Channel Retro: CorvidDude’s Windy Valley Mod Interview Plus Abyss Odyssey Blind Playthrough

July 17, 2014 by Bartman

The live show is already over, but you can check out the archived stream above as well as more content below and after the jump!

This week’s live show on SEGA Channel Retro is a tour through the Windy Valley Beta Mod that was released recently for Sonic Adventure DX. We’ll also have CorvidDude, the author of the mod bringing his insight on restoring the level from the AutoDemo.

If you want to check out the mod for yoursel f, you can hop over to CorvidDude’s YouTube channel and check the links in the description of this video.

I’m joined by Overlord, GeneHF and OverlyEquippedin our little venture as we also check out the latest Sonic title, Sonic Jump Fever as well as catch up with Sonic Dash with Andronic. Also say hello to me as I try to roll eggs with Billy Hatcher in SEGA Superstars. Finally I take a blind look at Atlus and ACE Team’s latest offering, Abyss Odyssey.

Sonic Adventure DX: Windy Valley Restoration Mod with CorvidDude [Twitch] [YouTube]

Sonic Jump Fever, Sonic Dash, SEGA Superstars [Twitch]

Abyss Odyssey [Twitch] [YouTube]

Swingin’ Report Show #67: Mega-Bit Figures Inspired by SEGA Genesis Interview

July 16, 2014 by Barry

This week on the Swingin’ Report Show podcast, Barry and George are joined by Nate Mitchell – head of Squid Kids Ink and creator of the So Analog line of figures featuring old entertainment media with eyes, arms, and legs. Nate’s latest project is Mega-Bit, a SEGA Genesis game cartridge inspired line of So Analog figures featuring officially licensed SEGA classics.

To make his SEGA toys a reality, Nate has created a Kickstarter with SEGA’s approval. Those who support the project receive some awesome incentives including limited edition figures featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, Golden Axe, Altered Beast, and Shinobi. Support Nate and his Mega-Bit toys today!

Following the interview, Barry and George share their thoughts on 3D Fantasy Zone II and Alien: Isolation‘s recently revealed DLC starring the cast of the original film.

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

My Life with SEGA Season 3 begins with a pulpy SEGA Genesis classic – Comix Zone

July 16, 2014 by AJ

My Life with SEGA is back, and in HD! That’s right, it’s retro gaming in high-definition.

In the season 3 premiere, I go back 18 years to re-experience a 16-bit piece of art, ripping through page after page of aliens and mutants in Comix Zone. Developed by Sega Technical Institute, this brawler from the mid 90’s was praised for it’s glorious presentation, but scolded for its late arrival and brief playthrough.

Now that Comix Zone is old enough to move out, how does it hold up today? Click it. Watch it. Love it. Damn! That sounds kinda’ dirty, doesn’t it? Oh well.

Like this video? Subscribe to the SEGAbits YouTube channel!

SEGA Toys releases robotic cat and baby chick, much to the surprise of real cats

July 16, 2014 by Barry

New from SEGA Toys, the creators of Wappy Dog and home to the SEGA Pico in its later days, comes Yume Neko Celeb, a white robotic cat. Retailing for 11,000 yen and released yesterday, the cat snuggles, purs and meows. Some might say this is just like a real cat, but being a cat owner myself, there is a 90% chance that a real cat will bite or scratch you if you attempt any of these things. Thankfully, Yume Neko Celeb has not been programmed to harm humans… yet.

Released on the same day is a yellow chick robot called Yume Hiyoko, which moves its wings and chirps. I for one welcome our new robot overlords. After the break, check out an extended video for Yume Neko Celeb and Yume Hiyoko.

Updated: Archie Comics set to release Sonic Boom comic series

July 16, 2014 by Kori-Maru

Update: It seems Archie’s subscription page was posted too soon, as the page is now down and IGN has posted an official exclusive (whoops!) unveiling of the new series. IGN reveals that the series will be written by Ian Flynn with art by Evan Stanley. Also, the premiere issue will have four variant covers that link up when you put them next to each other (seen after the break). SEGA and IGN promise that more will be revealed during next week’s San Diego Comic Con. In a short interview with Flynn and Stanley, the first story arc has been revealed to be 80 pages long and “sets the comical, whimsical tone for the series”. The duo also promised that the series will feature “some over-arching stuff going on from issue to issue that builds up to some REALLY awesome happenings a little later on down the line.”

Original article: Archie Comics has just announced that it is developing a new comic book adaptation of the upcoming Sonic Boom TV series and video games. This adaptation will be its own stand alone series outside of the Archie continuity. Below is a description of the new Sonic comic series taken from Archie’s site.

5 Comments

Altered Beast: Stage 1 Boss Aggar now in statue form

July 15, 2014 by George

Do you love Altered Beast? Nothing like punching strange ghouls and collecting power ups that make your shirt rip due to your outstanding muscle tone. Remember the first stage’s boss named Aggar? Now you can get an toy replica so he can sit on your desk.

“Welcome to your doom!”

The figure is available to pre-order through the Japanese website called: Geek Life. A bit pricey for 11,88o yen (aka $116.74 USD), but you can’t put a price on nostalgia sometimes. They even have a full print Altered Beast shirt to go with it.

Abyss Odyssey out today!

July 15, 2014 by Nuckles87

Atlus’s latest digital title, Abyss Odyssey, is out today! The game is currently available on XBLA, PSN and PC. The game is essentially a mash up of Smash Bros and rogue-like RPGs. I played the game at E3 and rather enjoyed it. I wrote a preview which you can check out here. If you want more information on how the game plays, check out this video that explains the game in detail.

SEGA Tunes: Comix Zone’s Road Kill plays Grunge music

July 15, 2014 by George

It’s no secret that Comix Zone‘s Sketch Turner was design around a grunge rock musician. Grunge music started in the mid-1980’s in Seattle and slowly spread thanks to labels like Sub Pop. It didn’t become commercially successful until the first half of the 90’s thanks to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and of course Stone Temple Pilots.

Howard Drossin, the composer behind the soundtrack for Comix Zone put a band together called ‘Road Kill’ (named after Turner’s pet rat and humble side kick).

4 Comments

SEGA Retrospective: Turn the page, it’s Comix Zone Week!

July 14, 2014 by George

Welcome to Comix Zone week, where we will be giving you a whole week’s worth of Sketch Turner love. If you have a copy of this SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive classic, give it ago for nostalgia’s sake and stay tuned all week long for new content. This fabulous game was first made available in 1995 for the SEGA Genesis/Mega Drive. It was later ported to Windows PC, Game Boy Advance, Virtual Console, Xbox Live Arcade, and PSN. Its also been featured in both Sonic Mega Collection Plus and Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection.

Check out our full overview of Comix Zone after after the break!

Windy Valley Beta Restoration Released for Sonic Adventure DX PC (2004)

July 12, 2014 by Bartman

Back in 1998, our first glimpse of Sonic Adventure showed what would be the first true 3D experience with Sonic and friends. After the game’s release, the level we were told was Windy Valley was nowhere to be found in the final game, instead having been completely reworked before hitting store shelves. Even though shots of the original design were used to advertise the GameCube rerelease Sonic Adventure DX, the original look and feel of Windy Valley became one of the holy grails for Sonic enthusiasts interested in the development process.

After the retrieval of the AutoDemo, work has been performed by several people including many dedicated members of the Sonic Retro community, who have pooled their efforts to get these stages back up and running. Finally, after fifteen years we can witness this one of a kind experience with a mod for the 2004 PC edition of Sonic Adventure DX, with a fully playable beta version of Windy Valley. With recreated graphics and fully functioning camera angles, CorvidDude wants you to jump over to his YouTube video for more information as well as instructions on how to download and install the mod. Special thanks go to CorvidDude, MainMemory, ItsEasyActually, Catley, Melpontro, and many more who were involved with this project.