This week, we’re giving flowers to the Shenmue trilogy from Yu Suzuki. Our guest Jack of Old Games also has some unique hot takes on Sonic Movie 3 and that trilogy, too!
Check out the video above, or download SONIC WEEKLY on your podcast service of choice.
The Sega arcade classic Shinobi (1988) has just been unofficially ported to the Genes- sorry, I meant the Dreamca- wait! No! It’s been ported to SNK’s Neo-Geo system. That sounds like a first.
Yes. Hobbyist developer h0ffman has just brought Shinobi to the Neo-Geo system by seemingly disassembling the original arcade ROM to make their own source code and then converting it to run on Neo-Geo hardware just to see if they could. They first got the game running from a physical CD on a Neo-Geo CD console and have since released versions that run on that as well as the Neo-Geo AES and Neo-Geo MVS. What’s more, they’re also currently doing the same with Golden Axe (1989), though they have not yet finished that port as of this writing. For now, you can download Shinobi and try it on your favorite Neo-Geo emulator or any Neo-Geo hardware you may own.
For download links, sneak on in past the break.
Get those wallets out, Genesis/Mega-Drive collectors, cause Retro-Bit’s got an all new Collector’s Cartridge to open up 2025 with, now with a crazy new twist, as this is their first time releasing a previously unreleased game.
Retro-Bit have now opened pre-orders for P-47 II MD, also known as P-47 II: The Freedom Star, for everyone’s favorite 16-bit Sega console. As previously mentioned, P-47 II MD was in development at Jaleco way back in the late 80’s, but for unknown reasons, the game was cancelled in all regions it was planned for. It was a port, not a sequel like the title would have you believe, of the arcade game P-47: The Freedom Fighter, which was distributed by Jaleco and developed by NMK. City Connection, the company in possession of the rights to all of Jaleco’s games, and named for their classic arcade title City Connection (1985), announced at Shooters Fes last year that they had uncovered P-47 II: The Freedom Star and would release it on cartridge in Japan as P-47 II MD, and now they have entrusted Retro-Bit with releasing this game in the western world for them.
Retro-Bit’s release is identical to City Connection’s release in Japan, but with Retro-Bit’s usual touch ups. Like all their Collector’s Cartridges, the game comes in a new, quality-built cartridge for North American Genesis consoles or European Mega-Drive consoles, equipped with beveled connectors with gold-plated pins and proper 5 volt chips to prevent damage to original consoles. It also comes in a lovely plastic box with a slipcover and a full color instruction manual. Unique from all other Retro-Bit releases, though, is an 8mm CD featuring the game’s soundtrack. This is the same CD being included with City Connection’s cartridge release in Japan. The set can be ordered for $54.99 USD, $79.99 CAD, or €69,99 for European regions and pre-orders will run until February 16th, 2025.
For more info on the game, and pre-order links, have a look after the break.
Manga Plus has made an announced that ATLUS’s acclaimed RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, will be receiving a manga adaptation set to be simultaneously released in English and Japanese.
The manga will be available for viewing on the Manga Plus platform alongside the manga’s publication in V-Jump magazine in Japan on January 21, 2025 with the first part featuring 58 color pages.
SONIC WEEKLY features the curator of Sonic the Hedgeblog this week — Ryan Langley! He joins in for a discussion about Movie and Game Sonic’s characterization, which games are canon, and what Sonic items have made it into his collection.
Check out the video above, or download SONIC WEEKLY on your podcast service of choice.
The wait is finally over! Forever Entertainment officially announces that THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake will be coming to Nintendo Switch, PC, Xbox, and PlayStation in Spring 2025! THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2: Remake is a remake of the second entry in the well-known and popular rail-shooter series. Take on the lone role of a secret agent as James or Gary, or team up in co-op mode to neutralize the dangerous undead monsters standing in your way.
In case you missed it, SEGA and RGG Studio’ Like a Dragon Direct livestream aired earlier today revealing various updates and new gameplay footage for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
The livestream provided updates on the game’s various locations and a closer look at its combat systems (on land and sea!), ship customization, crew building, side experiences and more! New Game+ was also announced as a free, post-launch update.
Players won’t have to wait too long to embark on this epic journey with Majima and crew— Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launches next month, February 21st on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam.
Pre-Order on Amazon
Standard Edition: PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X
Collector’s Edition: PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X
This week, SONIC WEEKLY joins forces with SEGAbits to feature Barry the Nomad and a freewheeling spoiler-filled conversation about the new Sonic movie! Even better: Barry brought the official MadLibs books to play!
SONIC WEEKLY is a chat show that covers all things Sonic the Hedgehog. For more episodes, search SONIC WEEKLY on your favorite podcast service.
SEGA and RGG Studio have just revealed that the next Like a Dragon Direct will air on January 9, 2025 at 9am PST / 12pm EST on YouTube and Twitch. Tune in this Thursday to catch the latest information and first-looks at new features for the upcoming modern-day pirate adventure Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii which launches on February 21st.
Tune in to the Like a Dragon Direct livestream on YouTube or Twitch:
NVIDIA CEO, Jensen Huang showcased a demostration of the new Virtua Fighter Project during the CES2025 keynote speech presentation. The footage however is just a pre-development concept video for demonstration purposes, not actual gameplay. Regardless, it looks stunning and shows how the new VF entry would play out once the game officially releases.
We can see good look at an aged Akira fighting against himself in a mirror match in different outfits demonstrating realistic combat in the city which can be described as “a hotbed of vice, attracts both the wicked and desperate with destructible environments.
Despite this being just a concept video, the New Virtua Fighter Project is shaping up nicely and we’re excited to see more updates in the future from RGG Studio. What are your thoughts on what was shown in the footage. Let us know in the comments!
From now until January 8th, 2025, you can pay whatever price you want for a bunch of digital Sonic comics in DRM-free PDF and ePUB format to read on the device of your choosing. You’ll get several books leading up to the end of the Metal Virus saga, one book from the Scrapnik Island saga, and the 30th Anniversary Deluxe book. Portions of the proceeds from this bundle will also benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals: A series of 170 pediatric hospitals in the USA and Canada that provide special, critical medical treatment to children in need. You even get to decide how much of your payment is split between them, IDW Publishing, and Humble Bundle.
Have a look after the break for a detailed list of the comics on offer and a link to the bundle page.
Update: My Arcade has uploaded teaser images of their upcoming SEGA products. Check out the gallery in next section of the article below.
Today, My Arcade announced that they would be working together with SEGA to launch retro gaming devices featuring of SEGA Classics such as:
The mini arcade devices will be making an appearance at CES 2025, Jan 7–10, My Arcade booth #15146 (Central Hall) in Las Vegas. Check out teaser images below!
Take yer first gather and hear the english dub of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii recently revealed by SEGA and RGG Studio. Voice actor, Matthew Mercer, reprises his role as Goro Majima in his latest adventure journeying into the vast sea. Here is the full English V.O. cast for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii:
If you’re also looking into trying out other Like a Dragon games until the release of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, be sure to check out SEGA’s Steam Winter Sale! This sale is a perfect opportunity for those looking for a last-minute gift for that Like a Dragon fan or fan-to-be in their life.
Featured Titles Include:
– Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – All editions 50% off
– Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – All editions 50% off
– Like a Dragon: Ishin! – All editions 70% off
– Yakuza: Like a Dragon – All editions 50% off
– Yakuza 0 / Yakuza Kiwami / Yakuza Kiwami 2 – 45% off
– Yakuza Remastered 3/4/5, Yakuza 6 – 70% off
For details on all participating SEGA titles, pricing, availability and more, please visit SEGA’s Steam Winter Sale page.
SEGA and RGG Studio has recently unveiled the activities and minigames players will be able to experience in the upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, available on February 21st. From karaoke to arcade gaming, we have the scoop on everything that fans would love and appreciate with details and screenshots in the next section of the article.
Pre-Order on Amazon
Standard Edition: PlayStation 4 | PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X
Collector’s Edition: PlayStation 5 | Xbox Series X
Future Press today announced an uncompromising 592-page official guide for Metaphor: ReFantazio, which is available for pre-order now for only $54.99.
The world ATLUS has created in Metaphor: ReFantazio is so rich, it warrants an entire book devoted to exploring its every detail. Future Press is delivering exactly that, with a focus on absolute completeness, lavish design, and impeccable production quality. The book is hardback, printed on premium, fingerprint-free paper, and comes with a world map poster and bookmark ribbon.
This gigantic volume catalogues everything in the game across almost 600 pages of beautiful design, aiming to recapture ATLUS’s wonderfully unique style on the printed page. It will release in early 2025, and pre-orders are open now on the Future Press website and select online retailers.
Metaphor: ReFantazio, a recipient of the Best RPG, Best Art Direction, and Best Narrative award at The Game Awards last week is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Windows, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Steam.
