Sonic the Hedgehog, an iconic platform game developed by Sonic Team and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis, was first released in North America on June 23, 1991 and in PAL regions / Japan the following month. It starred none other than the an human-like hedgehog named Sonic in a quest to defeat the Dr. Robotnik, a villainous scientist who imprisoned animals in robots and stolen the powerful Chaos Emeralds. Players had to collect rings as a form of health using a simple control scheme that involved jumping and attacking controlled by a single button. Read more to see a prototype build that was recently uncovered by Hidden Palace.
Sure, the SEGA Dreamcast was not a commercial success during its 1999 – 2001 run, but many are still diehard fans of the game console. One such person stumbled upon a Dreamcast devkit and on it was a tech demo of The Simpsons: Bug Squad game developed for Fox Interactive by Red Lemon Studio around twenty years ago. Since this was only a proof of concept, music and sound effects were not added, but you do get to see a beautiful cel shaded rendition of The Simpsons’ home. Read more for the tech demo and additional information.
Set for release during Q4 2020 and priced at $120 USD, the SEGA Astro City Mini arcade machine is loaded with 36 classic games, including at least one – Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder – that never saw a home console release. Unlike other mini arcade machines, this one has actual microswitches, so you’ll hear the clicky arcade sounds as you play. In the back, you’ll find an HDMI-out, two USB-A ports, a Micro USB port, and a headphone jack. Read more for a video of a homemade version, additional pictures and information.
The SEGA Genesis Mini is touted as the best out of all the miniature consoles, and it can be picked up for $49.99 shipped, this week only, originally $79.99. Featuring an ARM-based SOC ZUIKI Z7213 processor, 512MB of flash memory, and two full-sized replica controllers that connect through USB. Product page. Read more for a hands-on video review and additional information.
Sure, the Game Gear Micro may be the latest product from SEGA, but way back in 2007, the company released the Grand Pianist. It’s still the world’s smallest functional grand piano, and yes, it has self-playing capabilities. Measuring just 4mm wide, each one of the 88 keys work just like on a real piano, and there’s already 100 built-in songs (expandable with an SD card). Read more for two videos and additional information.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of SEGA (June 3rd), the company unveiled the Game Gear Micro. The original console was released in April 1991 throughout North America as well as Europe, and competed with Nintendo’s Game Boy, Atari Lynx, and NEC’s TurboExpress at the time. Since much of its hardware was sourced from the Master System, it can play that console’s games by the use of an adapter. Read more for a video and additional information.
The SEGA Genesis Mini console is touted as the best miniature console released thus far, and it’s being offered for just $49.99 shipped (June 4th ship date – order now to lock in price), today only, originally $79.99. It ships with 40 of the console’s most popular games, two wired controllers, a power cable, USB adapter, and an HDMI cable Product page. Read more for a hands-on video review and additional information.
Retro-Bit is a company that specializes in releasing modern versions of classic game controllers, and their latest project is one based on the SEGA Dreamcast. Set for launch late this year, it will be offered in both wired and wireless models. The layout is similar to the original, but boasts an improved analog stick, a new D-pad, a six-button layout for fighting games, and re-positioned triggers. Read more for additional information.
Despite all the early issues with Sonic not looking like his video game counterpart, Paramount’s latest movie dominated global box office charts after debuting to $100 million worldwide. Filming took place between September and October 2018 in Ladysmith and Parksville, both on Vancouver Island. The film was initially scheduled to be released in the United States on November 8, 2019, but after an overwhelmingly negative reaction to the first trailer, Paramount delayed the film to redesign Sonic. Read more for two videos, including the after credit scene.
SEGA announced today that it will be rolling out Sega Catcher Online, a service that lets people to play real UFO Catcher machines online via their iPhones and Android devices. Simply put, this service enables users to control real crane game machines, such as UFO Catcher online, and can be played whenever and wherever, 24 hours a day. Prizes won in-game will be delivered to a specified address for free. Read more for a video showing how it works and additional information.