Sonic the Hedgehog voice actor Roger Craig Smith to feature in Wreck it Ralph

When we reported last week that Sonic would have a cameo appearance in Disney’s upcoming video game-themed CG film, the immediate question on many fans’ minds was whether Sonic would have a speaking role, and, if he did, whether voice actor Roger Craig Smith would play the part.

It looks like we now have the answer, as Disney today revealed the rest of the voice cast for the film, and Roger Craig Smith is indeed listed as playing Sonic the Hedgehog. Several voice actors from the Street Fighter video game series will also be making appearances in the movie that looks like a giant love letter to video gaming.

Wreck it Ralph opens November 2nd in North America.

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“Oh, alright!” exclaims SEGA as they reverse their decision on Gamescom

Okay, so SEGA didn’t really exclaim anything, but they have started to send out invites to a behind closed doors event at the German gaming expo. Back in May we reported that they were not attending the show, due to the release timing of their 2012 titles not lining up with the event (whatever that means). But now SEGA has reversed this decision, as they will be there even if it may be only in a behind closed doors capacity. Possible titles on show include Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Aliens: Colonial Marines and Total War: Rome II. Who knows, they might even reveal a public event in the coming weeks. If they do, we’ll let you know.

Yakuza 1&2 HD Edition Trailer

Sega will release a remastered version of Yakuza 1 and Yakuza 2 exclusively for the PS3, the remastered version boasts HD graphics and a much needed cut in loading times for both games. Will it head West? It’s hard to say at the moment, we don’t really know Sega’s plans for Yakuza in North America and Europe but we can all hope, right? Heck I would take it as a PSN digital download if it meant we could get it in English.

The Yakuza series is one of my favourite new IPs from Sega in recent years, it’s such a shame that with each new release it feels like another heart ache over weather it’ll receive a Western release. Let’s hope Sega West sees the potential in the Yakuza series and continues to support it for years to come because by the looks of Yakuza 5, it’s not going anywhere.

My Life with SEGA reviews Virtua Racing

Another week and another episode of My Life with SEGA. This week A.J looks at Virtua Racing, a fan favorite around these parts. If you have never seen the show enjoy. Three versions of the game, one video. Get to it, hit play!

“This week, we’ll be taking a long hard look at Virtua Racing. Not only will I review the Saturn version, but I’m reviewing the 32X and Genesis/Mega Drive version as well. Which is the best of the bunch? Watch and learn, friends.”

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Yakuza 1 & 2 HD confirmed by Famitsu


We posted the rumor, now it’s confirmed. SEGA is planning on releasing Yakuza 1&2 HD for the Playstation 3. The issue states that both HD remakes are set to release on November 1st, with a price of ¥5,290 (about $67 dollars). November 1st date is a month earlier than what SEGA had in their release schedule, but can’t complain about getting games early, right?

SEGA says Sonic the Hedgehog can be ‘the next Hello Kitty’

Now that SEGA has decided to focus on fewer titles, some of their bigger IPs like Sonic the Hedgehog will be getting more attention. What is in store for Sonic? It means signing up more third parties to make Sonic toys, clothing and other gear you might not need but will want to buy anyway.

“Sonic is a well-known character, but we’ve got a lot of room to grow in merchandising . We dream of Hello Kitty. We’re still far off from that but we can see that our profits are growing year on year in the US and Europe [on merchandising]. We’ve got a licensing team on the ground in the UK who are focusing on that and that team will expand. We’ve got a team in the US and which will also expand. We used to run it all out of Sega of Japan, but having people on the ground is making a big difference. We will always do the computer game but the merchandising is a very important aspect to Sonic.” – Jurgen Post, COO of SEGA Europe

In a way I’m glad that SEGA is putting their name out there more. I used to love going to stores and seeing Sonic the Hedgehog stuff everywhere. But then again, who wants to see everyone’s favorite blue blur get whored out? Who wants to see useless collector items like a ‘Sonic the Hedgehog chainsaw’? Funny that they also announced a Hello Kitty Sonic the Hedgehog themed doll a few nights ago.

 

Say it ain’t Joe! Shinobi track coming to All-Stars Transformed?

Courtesy of Kori from The Website of the Dead comes a photo from the title screen of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, taken at SEGA’s Arcade during Comic Con. Kori claims that this is a yet to be announced Shinobi track, and we can definitely see the resemblance to Joe’s 16-bit adventures. Sumo Digital has said that tracks will be selected, at least in the story mode, via an world map of floating islands. Each island represents a track, and this island looks very Shinobi themed. What do you all think? Is Joe getting a track to call home?

Rhythm Thief is out now in North America: Check out the launch trailer

It’s sure taken its time getting here, but North American 3DS owners can now get their hands on Samba de Amigo director Shun Nakamura’s latest rhythm adventure.

Combining rhythm mini-games with puzzles and light exploration elements, the game’s a good bit of fun and has no shortage of charm.

Check out its official launch trailer above and be sure to pick it up while you can still find it.

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Wreck it Ralph to be a guest racer in Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed

UPDATE: Good news! Video did record. It’s in the internal memory so Nux will upload it. We’ll have it a little later.

It was revealed last night during Sonic Boom that not only will Sonic be in Wreck-it-Ralph (they even showed the PSA clip Sonic was in), but that Ralph himself will be a playable character in Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed. Some footage was shown of him racing in a Jet Set Radio level. Sadly, the footage I recorded didn’t come out for some reason. (But I did record it. I swear!) Ralph is the second guest character in the game next to Danica Patrick. Frankly, I think he’s a much better fit than her.

Rumor: Yakuza 1 & 2 HD coming out this December in Japan?


This screen above was from SEGA Japan’s calendar, which now has been taken down. It shows that the company is planning on bringing Yakuza 1 & 2 HD to the Playstation 3. Could it have been a mistake? I think this rumor will come out to be true for one reason. Yakuza makes money. Not to mention SEGA wants to do more digital releases.

Think about it this way, what will sell more? This or those SEGA AGES re-releases?

Sonic the Hedgehog to cameo in Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph

We’ve known of Eggman’s cameo in the upcoming Disney movie Wreck-It Ralph, as well as a few other SEGA cameos, but what about SEGA’s mascot Sonic the Hedgehog? At the Comic Con Wreck-It Ralph panel it was revealed that Sonic will in fact appear in the movie by way of a PSA warning video game characters that if they die in a game that is not their own, they will not regenerate and will cease to exist permanently. No word on who will be voicing Sonic, or if he will be speaking at all, but fingers crossed for Roger Craig Smith. It would just be odd to hear yet another voice coming from Sonic. I’d assume that the proper voice would be something SEGA would require when using the character, given it’s their brand and not Disney’s. Wreck-It Ralph, along with a slew of retro and modern video game characters, hits theaters this November in the US.

UPDATED Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed gets a release date and a new trailer

UPDATE: A US trailer has been released, revealing a US release date of November 20th, 2012. Also, we have package art for the 360, PS3, 3DS and Vita after the break.

With Comic Con comes many announcements, and not just ones pertaining to comic books. SEGA has officially announced a release date for Sonic & All-Stars Racing Trasformed, at least for the UK: November 16th, 2012. I’d guess that this means the US release date will either fall on November 13th or November 20th. Ah yes, and that lovely trailer. No real new reveals, though it does show off a bit more of the CG intro and features Sonic and friends plus Joe Musashi, Gilius Thunderhead, Vyse and other already revealed SEGA all-stars. I do like how the Panzer Dragoon track is the setting for the intro. Enjoy the trailers and mark your calendars!

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Mordecai and Rigby bring their Master System to Comic Con

Today was Preview Night for the San Diego Comic Con, and I made sure to make the most of it! While I was walking from the Archie booth to the SEGA Arcade across the street to check out SEGA’s Comic Con offerings, I came upon something surprising: a photo shoot starring the Mordecai and Rigby of Regular Show! Then I spotted a television, and then a couch between the throngs of people taking pictures, and I knew what else had to be there: a Master System!

The Master System has long been a part of Regular Show, gaining the show quite a following among some of the people here at SEGAbits. It’s good to see it wasn’t forgotten in the Comic Con photoshoot! I am pretty sure it’s a prop though, and not an actual system. I’m sure some SEGA fans with more energy then me will be able to tell. Still really cool reference to an often overlooked SEGA system!

I later took several pictures of the SEGA Arcade booth across the street at 200 Harbor Drive, Suit 120. You can see them after the jump. Unfortunately, my camera died before I could take the last few pics, so expect more tomorrow. I’ll also be keeping an eye out for cosplayers. Hint hint!

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My Life With SEGA reviews Shadow Squadron and Zaxxon’s Motherbase 2000 for 32X

Welcome to another week of My Life With SEGA, this week A.J. has two games to review for the 32x. Shadow Squadron and Zaxxon’s Motherbase 2000. Never heard of them? Well, press play and educate yourself.

“In this “classic” episode of My Life with SEGA, I show some love for SEGA’s most maligned add-on; the 32X. You’re not got getting just one lousy review, but two! Shadow Squadron and Zaxxon’s Motherbase 2000.”

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