Indie Mega Drive shoot-em-up ZPF is aiming to launch in February 2025 through Mega Cat Studios and if you want to secure a physical copy then you can now contribute to the game’s Kickstarter.
This impressive-looking shooter features artwork by Gryzor who previously worked on Gunlord and Neo XYX for Dreamcast. Coding is being handled by Mikael Tillander who also programmed Mega Drive indie game Tänzer. You can check out a trailer for the game here:
A playable demo of ZPF was released last October and is still available to download by clicking here.
If you’re unfamiliar with developer Mega Cat Studios, the team have released multiple independent Mega Drive games like Coffee Crisis, Arkagis Revolution and Little Medusa.
Previously revealed back in October 2023, Compile Heart’s latest entry in the Madō Monogatari series now has a name: Madō Monogatari: Fia and the Mysterious School. What’s even more exciting is that it’s actually releasing very soon – November 28th 2024 to be exact.
This fourth entry in the Madō Monogatari series is currently scheduled for a Japan-only release on Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5. Compile Heart are publishing the game while the game is being co-developed by Sting and D4 Enterprise.
The Madō Monogatari series has been long associated with SEGA as the original 3 games plus the spin off A-R-S were remade for the Game Gear while a remake of the first 3 games also appeared on the Mega Drive. A standard alone Madō Monogatari game is also available for the SEGA Saturn. Lots of characters from the Madō Monogatari games would later find fame in the Puyo Puyo series.
Tectoy are making a big return to the gaming hardware space with a brand new system called the Zeenix – a PC handheld that is competing in a similar space to the Steam Deck. The console is clearly named in reference to their previous console the Zeebo and will follow a similar digital distribution system for releasing games. There is currently no firm release date other than “2024” at the time of writing.
There will be 2 models of the Zeenix – a Pro and Lite model. The Pro model features a 512gb SSD for storage and is powered by the Ryzen 7 6800U GPU. The Lite model features a 256bg SSD for storage and is powered by the AMD 3050e GPU. In addition to the console itself, Tec Toy have revealed a wireless RGB keyboard and pro controller that can be paired with the system. Connection to a TV or monitor is done via a separately sold dongle.
The first game announced for released on the system is an asymmetrical multiplayer horror title called Damned 2, developed by 9heads Games Studios. The game will also release on Steam and you can wishlist it now. You can check out a trailer for Damned 2 via the embed below:
While it is safe to assume the Zeenix will release in Brazil, the official website is available in English as well. There is no official word from the company, but this could imply Tectoy are planning to release the Zeenix outside of Brazil too.
If you are unfamiliar with Tectoy, they started life as the official Brazilian manufacturer and distributor for SEGA consoles in that territory. As a result, they have a history that is deeply connected with SEGA. Their biggest success came with the Master System which they started manufacturing in 1987 and continue to sell variants of to this day.
A brand new trailer for Sonic X Shadow Generations has dropped that confirms the game’s release date for October 25th 2024. You can check out the new trailer via the embed below:
The trailer appears to confirm the inclusion of a Bullet Station level, a Space Colony ARK stage and a Kingdom Valley stage. These are likely new additions to Shadow’s campaign.
In addition to the release date, the trailer also highlights a digital deluxe edition version of the game that includes the following additional content:
– a Sonic Adventure character skin for Sonic
– a Telios character skin for Shadow that makes him look like one of his early concept designs
– an additional level for Shadow’s campaign
– extra skill points to be used in game
– an extra pack of background music tracks
– a digital art book
– the game’s full soundtrack
Sonic X Shadow Generations launches for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Switch on October 25th 2024.
Atlus’s next RPG Metaphor: ReFantazio has received a new trailer via the Summer Games Fest 2024 showcase, as well as a new 22 miniute showcase video that delves deeper into the game’s different archetypes. We also have a firm release date of October 11th 2024. Check out the latest videos for Metaphor: ReFantazio via the embeds below:
New in-game trailer
In depth showcase video
Metaphor: ReFantazio is a brand new franchise from the creators of Persona 3, 4 and 5. It will release on PC via Steam, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4 and PS5 on October 11th 2024.
SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have revealed a 6 episode live action TV series based on the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise will air on Amazon Prime in October 2024.
The series will be co-directed by both Take Masaharu and Takimoto Kengo. Kiryu Kazama will be played by Takeuchi Ryoma of Kamen Rider fame. The series will premiere in 2 batches of 3 episodes. The first will go live on October 25th, while the 2nd will premiere on November 1st. In addition to subtitles, the show will also be dubbed into 30 different languages.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza appears to be adapting the first game in the series as Variety have reported the events of the series take place between 1995 and 2005, which lines up with Kiryu’s 10 year prison sentence that he serves when he is framed for the murder of his boss Sohei Dojima.
An enhanced PC port of the 1993 Mega CD RPG Vay is coming to Steam in July 2024. Originally developed by SIMS and released exclusively in Japan and North America, this new PC port is based on an existing mobile port of Vay developed by SoMoGa and released on mobile devices in 2008.
You can wishlist the PC port of Vay on Steam right now. This new version is boasting newly updated looping music and bluetooth controller support. Outside of these updates it is largely an upscaled version of the Mega CD original, with new widescreen artwork for battles and a new high definition HUD during the overworld exploration.
This new PC port of Vay also has support for both Japanese and English spoken dialogue. It is currently unclear whether the English dub is from the 1994 Working Designs version or is newly recorded.
Legendary Mega Drive programmer Jonathan Miller has sadly passed away.
Miller is one of the key figures behind the GEMS sound driver, alongside Burt Sloane, Chris Grigg and Mark Miller. Miller’s career started with 1991’s Spider-Man vs the Kingpin as a programmer. He would later contribute to the development of Chakan, Taz-Mania, Pink Goes to Hollywood, Taz in Escape From Mars, Wacky Worlds and X-Men 2: Clone Wars.
The GEMS sound driver would go on to be utilised in over 200 Mega Drive games and was a key piece of software for Mega Drive developers in the early nineties. Chances are some of your favourite Mega Drive games are powered by the GEMS sound driver. Miller’s legacy in regards to the Mega Drive is one that has touched upon so many game soundtracks and Mega Drive owners as a result. His contributions go beyond simple music production as the GEMS sound driver is so synonymous with the Mega Drive that an experienced ear can instantly recognise music that has been made with it.
SEGADriven send our condolences to Jon’s family and friends. You can learn more about GEMS via this excellent video essay by GST Channel:
Duranik’s impressive 2013 Dreamcast shoot-em-up Sturmwind is getting a new pressing through independent publisher VGNYsoft. This new pressing comes in 2 editions – a standard jewel case version with a 24 page booklet, or a limited edition that includes everything in the standard edition plus a limited edition sleeve and a custom Sturmwind-branded VMU shell. This version is limited to 500 copies.
While pre-orders haven’t opened just yet, the listings are available on the VGNYsoft online store now. See below for direct links and pricing:
VGNYsoft are based in North America so expected a hefty shipping fee if you live outside the US. You can also check out a new trailer of the game in action via the embed below:
SEGA continue their recent mobile gaming initiative with a new Sonic game called Sonic Rumble. This 32 player online multiplayer game has a similar style and scope to something like Fall Guys where everyone is wrestling their way through the pack to be first across the finish line. There’s a big focus on character customisation that you can achieve by winning rings after successful play. You can check out the reveal trailer below:
Sonic Rumble is due to launch in Winter 2024. You can register for a closed beta test scheduled to take place from May 24th to the 26th by completing a form on the official Sonic Rumble website. You have until May 19th to register if you’re interested.
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