Aliens: Conlonal Marines gets delayed into 2013, over half a decade since the game was announced

Today, SEGA has revealed a final release date for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC versions of their upcoming Aliens game. The game will be available February 13th, 2013, more than six years after it was first announced on December 11th, 2006, alongside the canceled WRPG Aliens game from Oblivion. By the time gamers will finally be able to play the game, an entire console generation would have nearly come and gone.

Will the wait be worth it? Who knows, but above is a trailer to help you pass the time. The Wii U version of this game still doesn’t have a confirmed release date.

Hit the jump for the press release

Saturn launch makes Cracked’s list of worst marketing failures in video game history

Cracked.com posted an article titled “The 5 Worst Marketing Failures in the History of Video Games” and happen to use a Virtua Fighter image to promote the article. Since I’m a SEGA fan I decided it was worth a read. The SEGA Saturn comes in at number 5, with Jamie Kennedy’s E3 presentation coming in at number 4. Yeah, I guess fucking up a whole console generation is not as bad as having Jamie Kennedy talk for an hour super high at your E3 press conference.

I think SEGA got off easy, I’m sure they could have written a million ways SEGA has screwed up royally with their marketing or lack of marketing. Note: I like Clockwork Knights and Daytona USA so fuck the author of the article.

Round Table: Our thoughts on Sonic 4: Episode II

If you can believe it, it’s actually been over a year and a half since the first episode of the polarizing Sonic the Hedgehog 4 series of games hit digital download services. But after what felt like an eternity, the adventure can finally be continued. And what did the good ol’ SEGAbits staff think of the long-in-development Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II and the reception it has received so far? Read on to find out, and don’t forget to comment and leave your own thoughts on the game below!

Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford talks Aliens: Colonial Marines


If you’re interested in SEGA’s upcoming Aliens title then you’ll enjoy Gamespot’s lengthy new preview.

Randy Pitchford of Gearbox discusses what separates Colonial Marines from other AAA shooters and licensed games, the studio’s love for the Aliens world, Left 4 Dead’s influences, the character growth you can expect, and what it will be like playing it on the Wii U (which he affirms will be the best-looking console version).

You can watch the preview over at Gamespot.

Aliens: Colonial Marines is a very pretty and incredibly ambitious project that hopefully does well for SEGA when it releases later this year.

SEGA teams with Nike to present a run and jump Sonic mini-game

From the Sonic Stadium comes this cool bit of Sonic news. Nike Football and SEGA have teamed up to promote football shoes (soccer shoes to Americans), and to do this they’ve created a rather ingenious interactive video that unlocks a Sonic mini-game. The game features a modified Green Hill Zone with Splash Hill music in which Sonic runs forward, with the space bar acting as the only way to control him. Sonic can jump and double jump (what is this, Sonic Colors?) as well as execute a killer soccer attack not unlike his recent move in which he can blast a box forwards to kill a string of enemies as seen in Colors and Generations. After the break, learn how to access the game.

XBLA and PSN Vintage Collection titles finally priced and dated

From the SEGA Blog comes news that is a surprise to nobody: The third wave of Vintage Collection titles are hitting XBLA and PSN next week. What we did not know were the dates and prices, thankfully SEGA has that covered. On May 22nd, PSN will receive the following titles for $4.99 each: Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade), Wonder Boy in Monster World (Mega Drive), Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive), Super Hang-On (Arcade), Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive), Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System).

On May 23rd, XBLA will receive the following compilations: Monster World Collection (800 MSP) includes Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Arcade), Wonder Boy in Monster World (Genesis/Mega Drive) and Monster World IV (Genesis/Mega Drive). Alex Kidd & Co. Collection (800 MSP) includes Super Hang-On (Arcade), The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis/Mega Drive) and Alex Kidd in Miracle World (Master System). But thats not all! After the break, more games, dates and prices.

SEGA teases big Yakuza reveal for May 24th

Looks like big things are a-comin’ for Yakuza fans. First noticed by Andriasang, the official Ryu Ga Gotoku website has been updated with a simple little animation, one which recalls past Yakuza installments while, at the end, teasing something new for May 24th.

With the Tokyo Game Show not being held until late September, it will be interesting to see whether this is going to be a major reveal or just a tease, or, come to think of it, whether this will indeed be Yakuza 5 or the announcement of another spinoff.

Stay tuned.

My five favorite things in Sonic 4 Episode II

While I’ve yet to post up my iOS review for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2, I can say that after playing a majority of the XBLA version and half the iOS version I am enjoying the game. Not every aspect is perfect, more on that in my review, however there are a lot of things I’m liking. In this week’s Weekly Five we’ll take a look at five things found in Sonic 4 Episode II that I’ve enjoyed the most. My favorites, if you will.

Shining Blade characters will cameo in Samurai & Dragons


Shining Blade
was the last Shining title for the PSP, seems it will be making an appearance on the Playstation Vita via its cameo appearance in Samurai & Dragons. SEGA announced that they will be releasing a special pack of cards for their free-to-play Playstation Vita title that will include appearances from Shining Blade universe.

The special pack will be on sale from May 23rd through June 20th. The back will cost you 300CP. This game is Japan only with no announcement of bringing it over to America.

Project X Zone gets more characters and is being developed by Xenoblade Chronicles developers


Famitsu has announced lots of new details for the upcoming 3DS crossover video game called Project X Zone. Project X Zone will include characters from Capcom, Namco, and your favorite publisher, SEGA, in a tactical RPG game. The developer for the title has been announced as non other than Monolith Software. At first you will be excited since they created the Xenosaga franchise and the new(ish) Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles, but they also developed Namco x Capcom on the PS2; which wasn’t that great of a game.

Hit the jump to see new gameplay details, Famtisu scans and a full list of confirmed characters!

Like blue skies and palm trees? Follow SEGAbits on Tumblr

We’ve friended on Facebook and tweeted on Twitter, and now we’re tumbling on Tumblr! Rather than recycle news and articles that you can find at this very site, we’re trying something a bit different. SEGAbits presents Palmtree Panic! is a Tumblr devoted to SEGA’s iconic palm trees. Think palm trees are only found in Sonic games? Think again. Every day we’re posting a new instance of a palm tree in a SEGA game or a game on a SEGA console. Some famous, like Green Hill’s digital palms, and some obscure. So make sure to check up on our Tumblr for new trees and we’d very much appreciate submissions. Just click “submit a palm tree” to add to our digital garden.

Sonic 4 Episode II launch trailer proclaims “to be concluded…” – Episode III a possibility?

SEGA has unveiled the launch trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II, showing off zones that have yet to be seen in official videos and making the proclamation of “to be concluded…”. So is episode II the end of the Sonic 4 saga? Or will it be concluded with an episode III? I’m assuming they mean once you play episode II, the game is concluded. But seeing as how SEGA likes money, you’d think they wouldn’t be so definite with the end of the episodic releases. Unless Sonic 5 is next…

Update: After watching the Sonic 4 Episode I trailer, I’m now convinced that the Episode II launch trailer actually points towards an Episode III which will act as the conclusion. Episode I’s launch trailer ended with “To Be Continued…”, referring to another episode. So Episode II’s “To Be Concluded…” most likely refers to another episode that will serve as the conclusion.

After the break, all the prices and release dates you could ever want.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II’s release rollout begins!

It’s here! Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II has started to release on the many platforms promised to receive the game. The first to see the game’s release is Steam, the same platform that inadvertently released the game a few weeks back. Those who pre-ordered the game and got the early beta download can now download the completed version. Beta players are reporting that their save file transferred successfully to the new version. American’s on Playstation Network can expect the game to release today. The American XBLA will get the game tomorrow, as will Europeans on XBLA and PSN. Other platforms, such as iOS and other mobile devices, will receive the game between now and July. SEGA has yet to give specific dates. Have you downloaded and played the game? Hit up our forums and share your thoughts!