We covered IDOLA Phantasy Star Saga back when it released to Japan in 2018, and now thanks to Boltrend Games the game has released in America and other territories to iOS and Android, with a European release said to be “soon”.
Data Discs have announced the followup to their 2015 release of the original Shenmue score on vinyl. Shenmue II will be joining the Data Discs line with a selection of tracks from SEGA’s Sound Team. The release is presented on 180g vinyl with original cover art and two lithographic prints. The editions include: 180g Light Translucent Green and Orange (Limited Edition), 180g Light Translucent Green and 180g Classic Black. Data Discs have also revealed an optional “Dragon and Phoenix Mirror” slipcase built from hardboard and coated in a matt laminated varnish made to hold both releases, and retails for £12.50.
The Light Translucent Green and Orange (Limited Edition) of Shenmue II will be up for an open pre-order until MONDAY 21st SEPTEMBER at 13:00 (UK time), and retails for £20.99. The other two editions will remain available beyond that time (while stocks last) and retail for £19.99. All editions have an estimated shipping date of January 2021. Additionally, the original Shenmue vinyl is being repressed with a January 2021 release date.
M2 has just announced, via a Famitsu stream, an Aleste Collection of games for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
The collection will include Aleste / Power Strike (Mark III, Master System), Power Strike II (Master System), Aleste GG (Game Gear) and Aleste GG II (Game Gear). Also announced, and exclusive to the upcoming collection, is a white Game Gear Micro which will include the same four games and is set to sell for ¥14,800 ($141) as part of a special bundle which will also include a white Big Window Micro, a 32-page art book, and a staff interview book. The collection is set for a December 24, 2020 release.
SEGA has just revealed the new 30th Anniversary logo for Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as their merchandising plans for the blue blur who will turn 30 next year. The logo, playing off Sonic’s spinning feet, is very cute. As for merchandise, expect the previously revealed Sonic Encyclo-Speed-ia book from Dark Horse, as well as more creepy Pop! Vinyl figures, Jakks Pacific toys, jewelry, apparel, enamel pins, energy drinks and new Classic Sonic comic books from IDW. The IDW series will consist of a special issue and an accompanying mini series. Read the full press release after the break!
An Amazon listing for Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia has appeared, confirming a very cool release from SEGA in time for Sonic’s 30th anniversary. The hardcover book from SEGA and Dark Horse publishing will be 256 pages long (just a little shorter than Pix’n Love Editions History of Sonic the Hedgehog book from the 20th anniversary) and most notably, the book is being written by IDW Sonic the Hedgehog lead writer Ian Flynn.
If you guys have been keeping up with this blog, you’d know that we have covered the Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo and the Battle that Defined a Generation book when it came out back in 2014,was a book written by Blake J. Harris, who we had on our podcasts before. (We also had great podcasts with Console Wars stars Ex-SEGA America President Tom Kalinske and Ex-SEGA Director of Marketing Al Nilsen). Blake J. Harris talked about how he was working a documentary and it seems that documentary is coming to CBS All Access by September 23rd. Considered we have been waiting personally since 2014, waiting a few more weeks is easy.
This project is being produced by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, which was gonna debut via the Southwest Film Festival but considering whats happening in the world, its going to debut on CBS All Access instead.
Check out the trailer above and watch it on September 23rd, I think having these retro gaming documentary is great for the industry.
[Via: ETOnline]
The developers of Ninjala has given official details on the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration on their latest developer diary. The developers gave details the contents of the Sonic collab which will contain costumes based on the iconic looks of Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles and will also include Sonic-themed IPPON Decorations, Gum Utsusemis, and Stickers.
The Ninjala X Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration will begin on September 23, 2020 at 7pm PDT to October 21, 2020, 6:59pm PDT. Check out the screenshots of the collab in action.
Are you a little disappointed that SEGA America is only doing a steel book version of Yakuza: Like a Dragon? are you looking for a bigger package with more extras? Well, French publisher Pix’n Love has you covered with they’re newely announced “Yakuza: Like a Dragon Limited Edition” that comes not only with the steel book we are getting in America, but also a 80 page art book, 4 lithographs and a certification slip.
I personally have never bought any of these limited editon console releases from Pix N’ Love but do know they have a international account on twitter and have been publishing SNK titles via they’re own branding (here in America its being done by Limited Run Games). You should check out their website on the day if you want to import this version.
Savvy Sonic fans might remember eight years ago when it was discovered that the song “Hard Times” from the group The Jetzons was the inspiration for Sonic The Hedgehog 3‘s Ice Cap Zone. The reason for the resemblance to Ice Cap Zone’s music, as detailed by our sister site Sonic Retro was that “The keyboardist of the group, Brad Buxer would work on the title, along with Michael Jackson as he confirmed in [an] interview conducted in the same year. While he does state he is not sure what material the developers used in the game, turns out to be remnants of the unreleased song.”
According to the LSB Europe Summer 2020 Licensing Magazine on page 90, SEGA recaps on the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise’s sales performance over the years and the success of the movie by Paramount Pictures.
On the last section of the page, it shows that the company will prepare for Sonic’s 30th Anniversary next year in 2021 with several new games, digital content, events, major announcements and a tailored licensing programme.
Hopefully whenever the global pandemic calms down, I’d be all over for a new games and an event held in L.A. What would you like to see SEGA plan for Sonic’s 30th Anniversary?
The developers of Streets of Rage 4 has released a balance patch for the game on consoles with the exception of Playstation 4 at the moment. This balance patch has up to 80 updates, bug fixes and balance changes to the game, all of which were tested by the community. The update includes:
– Online improvements: better fluidity and stability, less latency.
– New online stats display options available on the HUD section.
– Balancing improvements for all main characters.
– Major gameplay improvements for all stages.
– Various bug fixes.
– Fixed rare random crashes.
You can read more updates available on this site. If you own Streets of Rage 4, let us know what do you think of the update on the comments below.
SEGA Talk is taking a break from games to talk about one of the earliest digital rental services ever to launch, the Sega Channel. How did SEGA get games beamed from you cable provider on to your Sega Genesis/Mega Drive? What was reception like and how did it work? Let’s explore on this episode of SEGA Talk!
Support us on Patreon! Get early access, tell us what games to cover, and have your SEGA memories read at the end and more!
[iTunes – Stitcher – YouTube – Play Music – RSS – Download]
If you want to give us feedback, suggest a topic for the next podcast or want to ask a question for us to answer on the next episode you can add them as a comment below or send theme directly to our email. Make sure you use subject line ‘SEGA Talk’ and as always, thanks for listening!
It looks like the Shenmue: The Animation is a real thing thanks to Crunchyroll and Adult Swim, as they have announced that they are teaming up to distribute the production outside of Japan and mainland China on the Crunchyroll and Adult Swim platforms.
The series is set to have 13 episodes and chronicles the adventures of Ryo Hazuki as he finds his father’s murderer. According to the press release you will visit Yokosuka and Hong Kong metropolis. So it looks like the first season is going to cover all of the first game and probably some of the sequel.
Hit the jump for the press release:
The fan translation team known as Meduza Team (recently they translated Linkle Liver Story and provided widescreen hacks for Shining Force III, Powerslave and Dead or Alive) have announced they are working on a English translation for Valhollian or better known as “Zanma Chouougi Valhollian” . This Sega Saturn exclusive SRPG came out in 1998 and was developed by Datt Japan which only worked on two previous Sega Saturn games, Virtual Casino (1996) and Monster Slider (1997).
Quite frankly surprised this title never got a proper translation and release in the West since the game did sport some really cool looking polygon graphics and seems to have a pretty interesting cast of characters. Check out the video above on the work they’ve done on the game so far. Pretty interesting project and worth keeping an eye on if you are looking for more Sega Saturn goodness.
Famitsu has just revealed in a live stream the final games to be included in the SEGA arcade plug and play Astro City Mini. Those games include: