Golden Axe Villain Death Adder Invades SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance

SEGA has announced another iconic SEGA villain that will be appearing as a guest in the upcoming SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance DLC.

That villain is none other than the mighty Death Adder, the fearsome giant from the Golden Axe series, responsible for murdering the loved ones of Yuria’s heroic warriors.

Take on Death Adder, Dr Eggman and another mysterious villain as Joe Musashi in the SEGA Villains Stage DLC for SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, coming later in 2026!

Earthion Review – Ancient Returns to the SEGA Genesis

Where does the time go? It only feels like yesterday that I reported on the one and only Yuzo Koshiro being hard at work on his first new Genesis/Mega-Drive game since 1995’s Beyond Oasis, which we later heard would be named Earthion. Now, before I even knew it, Earthion had released on Steam and just came out for modern consoles earlier this month. Limited Run Games also started pre-orders for physical copies of the game on those modern platforms until September 28th, as well, but have yet to open pre-orders on cartridges for your old Genesis consoles. (Sorry for not letting you know sooner.)

Yuzo Koshiro’s studio Ancient has been kind enough to offer us a review code for Earthion on Steam, and I have run the game through its paces many a times. Now that the wait to experience this modern Genesis classic is finally over, it’s time for me to report on how this shooter turned out. Suffice it to say, the game pushes the Genesis to limits never thought possible, but is the game fun to play? Find out now after the break.

(Neither Ancient nor Limited Run Games have influenced this review or seen it before it has gone live.)

RGG’s New Virtua Fighter Project – Battle System & Gameplay Rules Revealed At Tokyo Game Show

SEGA & RGG unveiled new information on the battle system and gameplay rules for the brand-new entry in the “Virtua Fighter” series, the New VIRTUA FIGHTER Project. Additionally, an archive of the Tokyo Game Show presentation is available to view, including a short teaser of the game.

This game offers two distinct battle rules to suit different playstyles and preferences:

  • Standard: Victory is determined by either depleting the opponent’s health or causing a ring out. By default, matches are won by taking 3 rounds.

  • Uprising: A completely new battle rule that introduces dynamic momentum-shifting opportunities, offering a new gameplay concept that stands apart from standard rules.

The game also features three groundbreaking battle systems that drive the evolution of the series:

  • Break & Rush: This innovative system introduces a dynamic damage accumulation mechanic. As specific regions of the body take repeated hits, damage builds up, eventually allowing for a targeted break. Once the attacker lands a break attack, they gain a strategic advantage, opening up new offensive opportunities. A ”broken” status carries over across rounds, creating a tactical layer that adds depth and tension to every match.

  • Stunner & Stun Combo: Introducing a new strike technique called the “Stunner,” this system unlocks a fresh combo mechanic that emphasizes fluidity and realism, without requiring complex inputs.

  • Flow Guard: A stylish new defensive mechanic, the Flow Guard system emphasizes fluid motion and visual flair. Working in tandem with the Break & Rush system, it introduces dynamic shifts in offense and defense across a variety of combat situations.

We also got another small glimpse of the new character towards the end of the presentation. Could it be a new protagonist for New Virtua Fighter Project’s story mode? Let us know your thoughts on the presentation below!

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Announced for February 2026 Release

During RGG Summit 2025, SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio revealed Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties, a dual release celebrating the series’ 20th anniversary. The package includes a full remake of Yakuza 3, following Kazuma Kiryu and Haruka’s life at Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa and Dark Ties, a brand-new story starring antagonist Yoshitaka Mine that explores his origins and descent into the world of the yakuza. The game launches globally on February 12, 2026 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.

Kiwami 3 is rebuilt from the ground up with new cutscenes, side activities, and two distinct combat styles: the brutal “Dragon of Dojima: Kiwami” and the weapon-based “Ryukyu Style.” Players can also dive into the quirky new “Legendary Baddie, Bad Boy Dragon” biker-gang mode. Meanwhile, Dark Ties lets fans control Mine for the first time, featuring stylish boxing-based combat, the devastating “Dark Awakening” mode, and the brutal “Hell’s Arena.” Pre-orders come with exclusive DLC, while the Digital Deluxe Edition adds extra characters, outfits, customization packs, and more.

You can read the full press release below for all details straight from SEGA and RGG Studio.

Mega Man Joins Sonic Racing CrossWorlds with Season Pass DLC!

Today, during Sony’s State of Play showcase, SEGA revealed Capcom’s mascot, Mega Man and his older brother, Proto Man as the latest additions to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds’ growing roster of Season Pass content, as well as a new Mega Man-inspired course.

Fans can also get excited for a new vehicle inspired by Mega Man’s companion, Rush. Mega Man and crew will be available in Sonic Racing CrossWorlds’ Season Pass later in 2026!

Check out more details on the Season Pass in the press release here!

SONIC WEEKLY: Reviews for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds w/ MICHAEL STEARNS

The wait is almost over for Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, as we discuss the new ads, the new leaks, and the review from IGN (beating Mario Kart World’s score). Plus, in the mailbag segment we rehabilitate Infinite and the Deadly Six with the help from returning guest, artist/developer Michael Stearns! All that, plus your weekly dose of Rings of Saturn.

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Twitch Rivals Tournament: Dates, Times, and Prize Pool

Sonic Racing fans, get ready to rev your engines because SEGA just dropped some competitively inclined news! The very first official Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds tournament is happening soon, and it’s all going down with Twitch Rivals. Your favorite speedster is hitting the big leagues with an esports tournament where invited Twitch creators from both the US and Europe will battle it out for ultimate bragging rights and a sweet cash prize. If you’ve been practicing those drifts and power-ups, you won’t want to miss seeing some serious Sonic speed on display. Get ready for some hopefully family friendly comepetive racing action as we find out who truly has what it takes to be the Sonic Racing champion!

Mark your calendars, because the action kicks off with qualifiers on Friday, September 26th (NA) and Saturday, September 27th (EU). Then, get ready for the grand finals on Friday, October 3rd! There will be competitive and casual lobbies, each with 12 racers, and the top six from each region will race their way to the finals. With a whopping $10,000 up for grabs for the winner of each bracket, you know the competition is going to be fierce. You can check out the official trailer to get hyped. It’s time to see some incredible gaming competition in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds – don’t miss out on all the fun and intense racing as these creators race towards victory!

SEGA Talk #170: Lost SEGA Consoles (1991-1996)

On this episode of SEGA Talk, we dive into the uncharted territory of lost consoles. From the canceled SEGA Neptune to the mythical SEGA Pluto and the ambitious but doomed SEGA VR, we’re exploring the machines that time forgot.

[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Download]

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, have your memories read on the show, select the games we talk about!

Unseen photos of Micheal Jackson, made for an unreleased Sega game, surfaced from a developer interview

Sega fans will know that the infamous King of Pop Micheal Jackson had quite the interesting history with Sega during the 90’s, but this may be something many of you weren’t privy to.

In a recent interview with designer Kazunori Sasaki with News Post-Seven, as reported on by MJ Vibe, Sasaki-san spoke about how he met with Jackson during his HIStory World Tour stop in Japan in December 1996 to do some photography and motion capture work for an unreleased game, presumably a new entry in Sega’s Digital Dance Mix game series for Saturn. The above photos of Jackson were taken during that shoot and were never publicly shown before. (The Ghost album cover has been available to the public for many years, but News Post-Seven just attached it to the pictures, for some reason.)

For those unaware, Digital Dance Mix was a planned series of rhythm games with each entry themed after a single popular singer. However, only one game in that planned series ended up releasing exclusively in Japan, based around the Japanese pop singer Namie Amuro. Apparently, she was popular enough to be known as the “Queen of J-Pop“, so she and Jackson may have been equals, depending on who you ask.

For more info from the interview, be sure to moonwalk right past the break.

SEGA & Spotify Team Up To Create Sonic’s Racing Mixtape Playlist!

Get ready to turn up the volume! SEGA is continuing its “Racing Around the World” fan celebration by teaming up with Spotify to release a high-octane Sonic Racing-inspired playlist curated by the Blue Blur himself. The playlist is available to stream exclusively on Spotify HERE.

The racing-themed playlist features a dynamic mix of tracks spanning different decades and genres, including beloved classic Sonic tunes. The compilation will also boast unique Sonic Racing-themed cover art from official IDW Sonic artist, Natalie Haines.

Music has always been at the center of the Sonic franchise, and this new curated playlist is a celebration of that legacy. In Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, players can put together custom playlists with over 200 in-game music tracks from Sonic’s history, thanks to the new Jukebox feature. Players can now to choose their unique soundtrack as they race to victory!

Follow Sonic Team’s Racing Around the World campaign for more racing-inspired programs and events. Head to the official Racing Around the World website for the latest news, updates, and media surrounding this year’s fan celebration. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches on September 25, 2025, on gaming consoles and PC. Pre-order Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds today by visiting the official Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds website or select retailers.

SEGA Announces Persona 3 Reload Demo, Two Point Museum Pre-Orders, and Virtua Fighter 5 for Switch 2

Did you catch the latest Nintendo Direct? Sega dropped some great news, and it’s all ports coming the Nintendo Switch 2! (Nintendo won’t escape the port machine alligations)

​First up, a free demo for Persona 3 Reload is available now. You can play through the opening of the game, and your save data carries over to the full version when it launches on October 23, 2025.

​Next, get ready to build your dream exhibits in Two Point Museum. The new management sim from the creators of Two Point Hospital is available for pre-order and will be released on October 28, 2025.

​Finally, the classic fighting game series is back with Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage. This version includes rollback netcode and cross-play support, and it’s coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 this winter.

​What are you most excited to play? Let us know!

SEGA Announces More Details Around Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds Single Player Demo

SEGA announced more details surrounding the upcoming single player demo for the highly anticipated Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launching on September 25, 2025. Those who may have missed out on the Open Network Test last month can still experience some high-octane fun with the single player demo, available globally on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

The single player demo will be available for free on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic, and Nintendo Switch™. The demo will not be available for PlayStation®4 (PS4®) and Xbox One users. Players can race against Sonic and friends starting at the below times:

United States (PST) Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 9:00 PM

United States (EST) Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12:00 AM

United Kingdom (UTC) Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 4:00 AM

Japan (JST) Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 1:00 PM