SEGA fans in Europe and the Middle East will have to wait a bit longer to get their miniature dose of Blast Processing, as SEGA has announced the mini-console will be launching two weeks later in these regions than originally planned – now it’ll release on October 4th.
SEGA has cited “unavoidable logistical challenges” for the date change. Whilst unfortunate, two weeks extra isn’t too long too wait, and they’ve given plenty of advance notice this time around. The American, Japanese and presumably Asian releases of the console are still set for September 19th.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
A whole host of new books and CDs have been added to our Merchandise section. You can go direct to the Book Catalogue or Music Index to browse the various entries, or you can look below for a list of the latest additions:
Our first look at Project Sakura Wars in action has revealed that the game is actually an action RPG as opposed to the more traditional strategy RPG action the series is known for.
SEGA Japan just finished a lengthy stream showcasing the game’s in-game action and you can watch the archived stream below (in-game footage starts at 49:57):
We’ve also got confirmation of the final game’s title. In Japan the game will be known as Shin Sakura Wars. Shin Sakura Wars is a PS4 exclusive with character designs being lead by Tite Kubo of Bleach fame. There is currently no word on a release date for the Western release of the game, but a Western release was confirmed at SEGA Fes 2019.
Bitmap Books’ Visual Compendium series are some of the most beautifully presented books about video games out there, and with their 6th entry in the series the team are focussing their sights on SEGA’s 8 bit powerhouse, the Master System. SEGA Master System: A Visual Compendium is a hefty, 432 page slab of nostalgia that highlights a strong portion of the Master System software library.
Theme Hospital spiritual successor Two Point Hospital is breaking away from PC exclusivity to come to PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch later in 2019. Coming bundled with its 2 expansion packs, this version of Two Point Hospital is being released both digitally and physically. Check out the reveal trailer by clicking below:
Two Point Hospital was the first development from Two Point who feature ex-Bullfrog staff Mark Webley and Gary Carr.
SEGA has confirmed that Columns 2: The Voyage Through Time will be the next game to join the SEGA AGES lineup. Notably, this is the first time the game has ever seen a release in the West – it was previously exclusive to Japanese arcades and a JP-only Saturn compilation.
The game’s standard modes, Flash Columns and Vs Columns, will have you clearing puzzle stages and battling it out for Columns supremacy with a friend, respectively. In addition, new rulesets and Netplay have been added, plus a new mode – Endless Columns, which simply challenges you to get the best score. One particularly surprising addition for this release though – Columns 1! The well-known Mega Drive version of the original game will actually be included in this release, though modified a bit – there’s no multiplayer, as it’s based on a version of Columns produced by M2 for a Japan-only Yakuza 0 PSP app. Talk about deep cuts.
One last cool tidbit is that beating Flash Columns stages in this release will actually unlock content for an in-game art gallery. Here, you can unlock the art used for the characters in the SEGA AGES intros to view at your leisure, as well as profiles for the characters.
On the whole, the beefed up content in this port has certainly put it on our radar – going off previous releases, it’ll probably be released next week in Japan. No news for the West, but again based on the other titles of late, it’ll probably be released alongside Space Harrier in the future.
When Tracker isn’t playing SEGA games, he’s talking about SEGA games. Or drawing about SEGA games. Or all of the above. You can also catch him over on Twitter.
Original Streets of Rage composers Yuzo Koshiro and Motohiro Kawashima will return to the franchise to work on the soundtrack for Streets of Rage 4.
This time around they’re brought some friends. Contributions to the soundtrack will also be done by Hideki Naganuma of Jet Set Radio fame, Yoko Shimomura of Street Fighter II fame and Keiji Yamagishi of Ninja Gaiden fame.
A fascinating little behind the scenes video has also gone live on Dotemu’s YouTube channel where you can watch the composers themselves discuss their music. Check it out below:
Streets of Rage 4 is currently being developed by Lizardcube and Guard Crush Games. No release dates or systems have been revealed at this time, but the game was demoed on a PC last month at Bitsummit.
Coffee Crisis developers Mega Cat Studios are back with a new Mega Drive title called Phantom Gear. This action title has a similar look and feel to something like Pulseman or Mega Man X and it is now seeking Kickstarter funding.
Multiple tiers are available with the option to buy the game’s ROM file for use with flash carts, or the cartridge on its own, or a completely boxed product. Click here to go directly to the Kickstarter and see which tier best suits your needs.
Phantom Gear is currently scheduled to release in August 2020 and you can watch a trailer for the game by clicking the embed below:
UPDATE AT 17:54
A Western release has been confirmed as Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD. The game will release on PS4, Xbox One and Switch on October 29th 2019 with a PC release scheduled for “Winter” 2019. You can watch the announcement trailer above.
ORIGINAL STORY
It’s official – Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball launches in Japan on October 31st 2019 for PC, Switch and PS4, and now we have our first look at the in-game visuals thanks to 4 high quality screenshots direct from Famitsu (see above).
Tabegoro! Super Monkey Ball appears to be a remake of 2006 Wii title Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, which controversially included boss battles and the ability to jump. It was also the last Super Monkey Ball title directed by series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi who has more recently found fame with the Yakuza franchise.
There is currently no word on a Western release, but this at least confirms the existence of an Asian version after it was leaked on a Taiwanese ratings board last week.
The Super Monkey Ball franchise hasn’t seen an entry since 2012’s Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz on Vita and it’s been even longer since it received a release for a home console (2010’s Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll for Wii if you’re keeping track).
Columbus Circle are back once again with a new boxed Mega Drive game and this time its the infamously cancelled Ultracore by DICE. Ultracore is also included as a bonus built-in game with Analogue’s recently released Mega SG systems, but this will be the first time the game has received a boxed pressing, alongside the (now sold out) boxed Mega Drive version that Strictly Limited Games are running.
It can be pre-ordered from Amazon Japan now for ￥9,650, about £71.82 at the current exchange rate.
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