Sonic the Hedgehog Movie Sequel to be released in theaters on April 8, 2022


[Image by Sonic the Cosplayer]

According to Variety, Paramount Pictures has announced the official date for the sequel to this year’s box office smash for April 8, 2022. That would give the movie enough time to be filmed and go into post-production.

Not much else has been revealed about the movie sequel besides the official date. How do you feel about the Sonic the Hedgehog Movie sequel and what would you like to see in the film? Let us know in the comments below.

Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis releasing 2021, updating original game system and graphics engine

Today’s Xbox Game Showcase had a surprise for SEGA fans. What initially looked like episode for Phantasy Star Online 2 turned out to be a complete overhaul to the existing game entitled Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis. Dubbed “the latest entry in the series” and released to celebrate the original PSO’s 20th anniversary, the game will update PSO2’s game system and graphics engine and is planned to release on a global scale, including Japan and North America.

The official accounts have said your progress will carry over. The game will release to Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Windows 10 in North America and for Japan it is set for PlayStation 4, Windows PC and the cloud (PC and Switch). More information as we hear it, and in the meantime check out the official website.

SEGA News Bits: Yakuza: Like A Dragon Gets English Voice Cast, Release Date and More

Today was a big day for Yakuza: Like a Dragon fans, as SEGA has finally went ahead and given us a big portion of the English voice actors that will be featured, plus we got a release date and several editions of the game being promoted. Check out all the news and catch the conversation as we talk everything Yakuza: Like a Dragon on this episode of SEGA News Bits.

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Yakuza: Like a Dragon announced for PS5, English dub to feature George Takei

IGN has announced a slew of Yakuza: Like a Dragon news today! First up, the game is confirmed to be coming to PlayStation 5. Not surprising, given the game was previously announced be playable on Xbox Series X. The game is set for a November 2020 release on Xbox One, PS4 and PC with a holiday release to Xbox Series X. The PS5 version will release “at a later date”, however SEGA has confirmed an upgrade path is being planned for the PS5 version to fall in line with the Xbox Series X version’s free upgrade.

You want surprising news? The game will feature an English dub and the cast will include Star Trek actor George Takei as antagonist Masumi Arakawa. Other actors include Andrew Morgado as Koichi Adachi, Greg Chun as Yu Nanba, and Elizabeth Maxwell as Saeko Mukoda.

Waiting for Shin Megami Tensei V? Atlus announces 2021 world wide launch window

Shin Megami Tensei V was a huge deal to fans when it was announced as a exclusive for the Nintendo Switch all the way back in January 2017 during a Nintendo Direct. We learned that the game was also being developed Unreal Engine 4, which the team said would help with development and lead to less trail in error. I don’t know what happen since then, but the team has been silent until today’s Nintendo Direct Mini.

We also got a new trailer, showing more footage of demons and our team we will be playing as. Atlus has also confirmed that it will get a simultaneous world wide release, meaning we will get it day one with Japanese audiences. Very huge announcement.

The time for creation has come, follow your will and decide the world’s fate. The newest entry to the classic RPG series from Atlus, Shin Megami Tensei V, arrives exclusively on Nintendo Switch as a simultaneous worldwide release in 2021!

It looks at least we got a release window for Shin Megami Tensei V, I’m more excited for it. Now, can we get a release YEAR for Bayonetta 3 and Metroid Prime 4?

[Via: Siliconera]

Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster heading to PS4 and Switch Spring 2021

During the Nintendo Mini Direct earlier today, Atlus and SEGA announced that they will be making a HD remaster of Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne which originally came out on the PlayStation 2 back in 2003.

From the game description:

Nocturne follows the Protagonist, a high school student in modern-day Tokyo, as he is transformed into a half-demon after the world undergoes Conception, an apocalyptic event triggered by a sinister cult to trigger the world’s rebirth in a new form. With Tokyo transformed into a Vortex World filled with demons, the Protagonist becomes instrumental to the schemes of the Reasons, beings who seek to remake the world in their image, and Lucifer, the lord of demons. The gameplay uses a turn-based battle system based on exploiting weaknesses, and a Demon recruitment system allowing the player to recruit demons found in the Vortex World to fight alongside them. “

I like that Atlus is getting more open to re-release some of their past games that weren’t really popular in the West, now that Atlus and Persona has become a brand name, it seems that Atlus are focusing on selling their older games that might have been overlooked. The game will also get a limited edition release in Japan.

[Via: Siliconera]

Yakuza Kiwami 2 coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 through Xbox Game Pass

SEGA has announced that Yakuza Kiwami 2 will be releasing to Xbox One and Windows 10 through the Xbox Game Pass service on July 30, 2020. The game joins Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami which are already on the digital service. Like Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is an HD remake, this time of Yakuza 2. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the first Xbox One and Windows 10 game in the series to utilize Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s powerful Dragon Engine.

What are your thoughts on Yakuza venturing out to other platforms? What Yakuza game would you like to see next on the Game Pass service? Sound off in the comments below!

SEGA Talk Podcast #48: Sonic The Hedgehog OVA Anime Movie (1996)

In 1996, SEGA released a two part direct-to-video Sonic The Hedgehog animated movie. Later, in 1999, westerners saw a theatrical length video release of Sonic The Hedgehog The Movie and boy were we confused! On this SEGA Talk, George and Barry discuss how they first reacted to seeing the OVA (original video animation) as it released, the new and returning characters and the legacy it left on the franchise.

Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!

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Garou: Mark of the Wolves getting a physical release by Limited Run Games on PS4

Garou: Mark of the Wolves, along with Street Fighter: Third Strike where both really great fighting games and both ended a ‘2D pixel’ style of fighting games. And boy, did the genre leave in a high note. I still consider these two games to be the best available on the Dreamcast. Not only was it a ‘end of a era’ of these type of stylish fighting games, but it was also the end of an era as a SEGA fan.

But we can still relive those fighting games on PlayStation 4 and if you dislike digital distribution you can get yourself a physical version of Garou: Mark of the Wolves later on this month. Plus Garou also got an update with way better netcode, so differently work supporting

Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! gets a Limited Run Games release on July 31


Limited Run Games has announced today that Grounding Inc.’s Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash! will be receiving a release on July 31st. The game is a followup to the Dreamcast originals, but utilizing PlayStation VR hardware. No word yet on price, method of release (open pre-order or limited number) or if a special edition box is planned. But my fingers are crossed for a classic release containing a Dreamcast-style case. More news as we hear it!

It has also been confirmed by @LimitedRunJosh that the Hatsune Miku DLC will not be included in the physical release due to licensing reasons.

SEGA News Bits: SEGA Astro City Mini Arcade Revealed

SEGA has just announced that they’re releasing a SEGA Astro City Mini Arcade machine, watch as George and Barry go through all the news we know so far including size, amount of games, confirmed games, accessories, and much more on this extra sized SEGA News Bits episode. Let us know what you guys think of the SEGA Astro City Mini Arcade  in the comments below.

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SEGA announces Astro City Mini Arcade, To Get 36 Classics


Out of the blue SEGA Toys has announced the Astro City Mini Arcade via a interview with Game Watch Impress in Japan. You can read the interview where they talk about a lot of the Astro City Arcade cabinet history which was a cabinet released only in Japan so forget about this coming to the States (Hey, Sega!).

Some of the confirmed titles already include:

  • Alien Syndrome
  • Alien Storm
  • Golden Axe
  • Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder
  • Columns II
  • Dark Edge
  • Puzzle & Action: Tant-R
  • Virtua Fighter
  • Fantasy Zone
  • Altered Beast

The cool thing about these titles is that this will be the first time Dark Edge and Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder will get home releases! According to the interview this project started at SEGA back in 2018! It has also been confirmed that SEGA-AM 2 legendary composer Hiro will be making the sounds for this Mini console. There will also be support for HDMI out, microswitch joystick, replaceable balltop and even support for external controllers. The device will be pricey coming in at 12,800 yen ($119 USD), but according to the interview its made out of the same material as the actual cabinet. What do you guys think?

[Edit: Looks like Game Watch took down the interview because it was accidentally shared early. Oops.]

Persona 5: The Animation Getting Blu-Ray Set This September With English Dub

During the Aniplex Online Fest which was held during the Fourth of July weekend, we found out that we will soon be getting the Persona 5: The Animation Complete Blu-Ray Set.

If you have been waiting for the physical release of the anime, the Blu-ray will include all 26 episodes and two specials. This version will also have the original Japanese track and include a brand new English dub. The box set will also come with 12 art cards featuring the main characters. But all this will cost you $298.98. Yeah, expensive.

Here are also the voice actors for the English dub:

  • Ren Amamiya: Xander Mobus
  • Ryuji Sakamoto: Max Mittelman
  • Ann Takamaki: Erika Harlacher
  • Morgana: Cassandra Lee Morris
  • Yusuke Kitagawa: Matt Mercer
  • Makoto Niijima: Cherami Leigh
  • Futaba Sakura: Erica Lindbeck
  • Haru Okumura: Xanthe Huynh
  • Goro Akechi: Robbie Daymond

You can pick up Persona 5: The Animation Complete Blu-Ray on September 29, 2020.

Sakura Wars developers are open to a sequel and comment on additional platforms – remasters of classic games in mind

Twinfinite had recently interviewed with Sakura Wars director, Tetsuya Ootsubo, and asked him several questions regarding Sakura Wars (2020). The first question asked was if the team would be interested in developing another sequel, Ootsubo-san responded with:

” The development team would love to continue the series, and we’re pushing to make it happen. We appreciate all your support.”

The next question asked was if the game would be ported to other consoles beyond PS4, such as Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The director said:

“We’d love to expand the audience for the game! We’re actively researching to see where there is high demand and determine what actions will be feasible.”

Lastly, Ootsubo-san was asked if there will be remakes/remasters of the original games in the series in the works soon? Ootsubo-san answered that he and the team are “open” to revisiting the original games as those titles can’t be played on modern equipment and as long as there is sufficient demand for them. He also responded to a question regarding going back to turn-based gameplay. He stated that while the combat in the new game was indeed more action-focused, the developers understand that many still enjoy tactical RPGs, so they’re “continuing to research” what the “next steps should be in order to give fans the best possible experience.”

With recent trademarks made for the Sakura Wars brand and the survey SEGA posted on their social media last month, we may see the series expand further outside of Japan. Would you be interested in a sequel to Sakura Wars (2020) and try out remasters of the original series? Please let us know your thoughts on the comment section below.

 

Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition coming to Nintendo Switch

The developer of Picross S, Jupiter, has announced Picross S: Mega Drive & Mark III Edition would be coming to Nintendo Switch via teaser at the end of a commercial for Jupiter’s April-released Picross S4 and the newly released Working Zombie.

“Picross” is a picture crossword puzzle game that uses numbers as hints to complete an illustration. Further details on the title have yet to be announced. We will let our readers know when more details are announced.

Source: Gematsu